Betrayed by My Alpha Mate

The packhouse buzzed with activity as I rushed through the hallway, clipboard in hand. Three years of pretending to be wolfless had taught me how to move like a human—keeping my steps measured, my posture slightly hunched to appear weaker than I truly was. The irony wasn't lost on me; a Lycan Princess playing the part of a powerless nobody.

"Camille, the Alpha's chambers still need fresh linens," Elena, our head Omega, called out as I passed the laundry room.

"Already on it," I replied with a smile that didn't quite reach my eyes.

She gave me a knowing look. Elena was one of the few who suspected there was more to me than met the eye. "You've been working since dawn. Are you sure you don't want to rest before tonight's welcome feast?"

"I'm fine," I assured her, though my back ached from repairing the packhouse roof earlier that morning.

I slipped into Jonas's office when I knew no one would be looking. The leather-bound ledger lay hidden beneath a stack of trade agreements—my secret ledger, where I carefully tracked every penny of my royal dowry that had been funneled into saving this pack.

"Let's see... roof repairs, fifty thousand. New medical supplies, twenty thousand. Winter storage provisions, thirty thousand." My finger traced down the columns of numbers, each one representing a piece of my freedom bought at exorbitant cost.

Three years ago, I'd severed my mind-link with my brother Axel and fled the Royal Territory, desperate for something real. Something that wasn't dictated by bloodline or obligation. Jonas had promised me that something when he found me during a rogue attack.

"You saved me," he'd whispered that night, rain soaking us both. "I don't care that you don't have a wolf. You're my miracle."

And now, after three years of sacrifice, he was finally coming home from the Southern Summit. Home to me.

"He promised," I whispered to myself, closing the ledger with trembling fingers. "He promised when he returned, we'd announce our official mating."

I tucked the book away just as voices echoed from outside.

"The Alpha's convoy! They're back!"

My heart leapt. Jonas was home.

---

The driveway was already lined with pack members when I arrived, their excited chatter filling the air. I pushed my way through, ignoring the sneers and whispers that followed me.

"There she is—the little human who thinks she's Luna."

"Alpha Jonas won't even look at her once Leilani's in the picture."

I blocked them out, focusing only on the approaching vehicles. The lead SUV door opened, and Jonas stepped out—tall, broad-shouldered, his dark hair longer than when he'd left. My breath caught.

Then a second figure emerged beside him.

Leilani Jenkins was everything I wasn't—tall, voluptuous, with flowing auburn hair and an aura that screamed power. Her hand was intertwined with Jonas's as they approached the crowd.

"River Claw Pack!" Jonas's voice boomed with newfound confidence. "I've returned with great news and a special guest!"

The crowd erupted in cheers as Leilani waved graciously.

"This is Leilani Jenkins," Jonas continued, his arm sliding around her waist. "The woman who secured our new trade alliances with the Southern Packs!"

More cheers. More applause.

I stood frozen, my smile plastered on as Jonas walked right past me without a glance. The scent of Leilani's artificial floral perfume washed over me—too sweet, too strong, almost... fake.

"Camille." Delta Ryan bumped my shoulder as he rushed past. "Didn't you hear? We're having a feast tonight to celebrate!"

I nodded numbly, watching as Jonas and Leilani were swallowed by the crowd.

---

The great hall glittered with decorations I'd spent weeks preparing. Crystal glasses, fresh flowers, candles that cast a warm glow over the long tables. I'd planned everything perfectly for Jonas's return.

I approached the head table, my hand reaching for the chair beside Jonas's empty seat.

"Camille." Jonas's voice cut through the noise. He stood at the entrance with Leilani on his arm, both dressed in formal attire. "What do you think you're doing?"

My fingers tightened on the chair back. "I was just... sitting down."

"Not there." His tone was cold, dismissive. He gestured toward the far end of the hall, near the kitchen doors where the Omegas sat. "You'll sit with the staff tonight."

A hush fell over the room. I felt hundreds of eyes on me.

"But I'm—"

"You're what?" Leilani's voice was honey-sweet with an edge of steel. "Not even a wolf? Why would you think you belong at the Alpha's table?"

Jonas nodded in agreement. "Leilani has been officially appointed Acting Luna by the Council of Alphas. Her wolf is strong, her bloodline pure." His eyes flicked to me with something like disgust. "You'll serve as housekeeper until further notice. It's time you earned your keep."

The room spun around me as I stumbled backward, away from the table that should have been mine.

"Housekeeper?" I whispered, the word tasting like ash.

"Is there a problem?" Jonas raised an eyebrow. "Or did you think saving a few rogues three years ago made you special?"

Leilani's laugh echoed through the hall as she took her seat—my seat—beside him.

I turned and walked toward the Omega table on shaky legs, feeling the weight of every stare burning into my back.