Betrayed by My Alpha Mate

The crisp autumn air filled my lungs as I crouched in the tall grass, my bow drawn taut against my shoulder. The Moon Hunt—a sacred pack tradition where members proved their hunting prowess—had begun at dusk. My heart hammered against my ribs, not from excitement but from dread. Victoria's words still echoed in my ears.

"Luna Aria will pursue the swift fox," she had announced with a honeyed smile that didn't reach her eyes. "Surely our Luna can demonstrate her... skills."

The swift fox—the most elusive prey in our territory. Even seasoned hunters rarely caught one. I'd seen the knowing glances exchanged among the pack members, the barely concealed smirks. This wasn't a challenge; it was a setup.

Lily whimpered within me. *We can't catch it. She knows we can't.*

I silenced her doubts, focusing instead on the rustling in the underbrush fifty yards ahead. A flash of silver-gray fur darted between the trees—too fast, impossibly fast. I released my arrow, knowing even as it left my bow that it would miss.

The shaft buried itself in a tree trunk as the fox disappeared into the darkness.

"Such a pity," Victoria's voice sliced through the quiet forest. She emerged from the shadows, flanked by her friends, her eyes glittering with malice. "Everyone else has made their kills. Even the juveniles."

Humiliation burned through me as other pack members materialized from the trees, their successful hunts hanging from their belts. Nathan stood among them, his expression carefully blank.

"Perhaps," Victoria continued, her voice carrying to all present, "our Luna should forfeit her share of tonight's feast. After all, those who don't contribute shouldn't partake."

I looked to Nathan, waiting for him to defend me—his mate, his Luna. His eyes met mine for a brief moment before sliding away. Then, almost imperceptibly, he nodded his agreement.

Lily retreated deep within me, confused and hurt. *Why doesn't he protect us?*

I had no answer as I walked back to the pack grounds alone, my stomach hollow with hunger and betrayal.

---

Three days later, I found myself rummaging through my meager possessions, searching for something—anything—that might lift my spirits. My fingers brushed against soft fabric tucked beneath my folded tunics. The red scarf.

I pulled it out, running my fingers over the worn material. Nathan had tied it around my neck the day after he'd saved me from the rogues, before I knew the truth. "Red suits you," he'd said, his fingers lingering against my skin. It was the only gift he'd ever given me.

Despite everything, I couldn't bring myself to throw it away. It represented a moment I'd believed was real—before I'd overheard him with Victoria, before the humiliations began.

I wrapped it around my neck, drawing comfort from its warmth as I made my way to the mid-moon meeting in the central clearing. Pack members parted before me, their expressions ranging from pity to contempt. I kept my head high, the scarf a small rebellion against the shame they tried to heap upon me.

Victoria's sharp intake of breath cut through the murmur of conversation. Her eyes fixed on the red fabric around my neck, narrowing dangerously.

"What a lovely accessory," she said, her voice carrying across the clearing. "May I?"

Before I could react, she was beside me, her fingers closing around the scarf. With a swift yank, she pulled it from my neck.

"Victoria," I protested, reaching for it. "Please—"

"Such a tattered old thing," she sneered, holding it up for all to see. "Hardly befitting a Luna, don't you think, Nathan?"

Nathan stood nearby, his expression unreadable. "It's just a scarf," he said flatly.

Victoria's smile was triumphant as she approached the central fire pit. "Then you won't mind if I dispose of it properly."

With theatrical flourish, she dropped the scarf into the flames. The red fabric blackened and curled, consumed by fire as pack members watched in silence.

I felt something break inside me as the last thread turned to ash. Lily howled in anguish, but Nathan's wolf remained unnaturally silent—no growl of protest, no defense of his mate's dignity.

*He's not ours,* Lily whimpered. *He never was.*

---

Two weeks later, I sat on the cold tile of the pack bathroom, staring at the small testing stone in my palm. It had turned a deep, unmistakable blue. Pregnant. I was carrying Nathan's pup.

Despite everything—the betrayal, the humiliation, the pain—joy bloomed in my chest. A pup. My pup.

*Our pup,* Lily whispered, her presence warming for the first time in weeks. *Something truly ours.*

I pressed my hand against my still-flat stomach, a smile spreading across my face. Perhaps this would change everything. Perhaps Nathan would see me—truly see me—when he learned he was to be a father.

With renewed purpose, I spent my last coins at the market, purchasing wild berries and chestnuts—Nathan's favorites. I would prepare a special dinner, just the two of us, and share the news.

As I arranged the berries on a plate, humming softly to myself, I allowed hope to flicker to life once more. This pup would be our new beginning. It had to be.

Little did I know that as I planned our celebration, Victoria was already whispering in Nathan's ear, planting seeds of destruction that would soon bear the bitterest fruit.