Betrayed By My Alpha Mate

I followed Nayeli into the back hall, my voice cold as I spoke,

“You knew the ceremonial dress was mine, yet you still put on this act.”

She no longer wore the mask of innocence, her laughter sharp and mocking,

“Because seeing you humiliated in front of everyone brings me such joy!

Five years you’ve been with Callahan, and not once has he publicly acknowledged you as his mate. How does that feel?”

She wasn’t wrong. For five years, Callahan and I had been bound by the mate bond, yet no one in the pack knew.

He said it was for my safety—his status as Alpha drew too much attention, and he didn’t want rogues targeting me.

But it left me in a shadow of shame, whispered about as the Omega who threw herself at the Alpha.

My heart ached, but I forced my voice to remain steady,

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re after. Give me back the dress.”

Without hesitation, Nayeli tossed the dress to the ground. I eyed her warily as I knelt to pick it up.

Suddenly, her face twisted into a cruel smile, and she lunged at me with her claws extended, silver dust coating her nails.

“The dress means nothing. What I really want is your heart, that rare Lycan heart brimming with power.”

I wasn’t fast enough. Her claws sank into my left shoulder, but I reacted quickly, grabbing her wrist with my bare hand.

“You’re insane! Silver is forbidden!”

Her grip tightened, the silver-laced claws slicing through my palm, blood cascading down my arm.

Her smile was grotesque,

“I could’ve killed you outright, but I chose silver out of kindness.

Pierce your heart, and you’ll die without pain. Your body will be mine to claim.”

The blood loss made me stagger, my vision blurring.

From outside the hall, Callahan’s voice rang out, sharp with irritation,

“What’s taking so long? Cataleya, if you’re bullying Nayeli again—”

My heart sank. The door burst open, and Callahan stormed in with Wayne close behind.

Nayeli immediately retracted her claws, collapsing to the floor with a wail.

Callahan’s eyes scanned the scene, landing on Nayeli’s tear-streaked face and the blood pooling around me.

His voice was a roar,

“Cataleya! How could you be so cruel? Silver? You tried to kill her!”

He didn’t even glance at my injuries, his focus entirely on Nayeli.

“I always thought you were just stubborn, but this—this is monstrous!”

Nayeli clung to him, sobbing,

“I gave her the dress like she asked, but she attacked me anyway. If you hadn’t come, I’d be dead!”

Their icy glares pierced me, and I was given no chance to explain.

“Apologize. Then report to the pack hall for punishment.”

My bloodied hand trembled as I stared at Callahan, tears welling in my eyes,

“I’m not wrong. I won’t apologize, and I won’t take the punishment.”

He seemed blind to my pallor, to the blood staining my clothes. His voice was frigid as he forced me into a bow before Nayeli.

I struggled against his grip, but he tightened his hold on my neck,

“Apologize! If Nayeli doesn’t forgive you, you’ll keep taking punishment until she does!”

I bit my lip, refusing to speak.

Nayeli put on a show of mercy, her voice soft and pleading,

“It’s fine, Callahan. If she’s capable of using silver against me, who knows what else she’ll do?

I don’t want to provoke her further and put myself in danger.”

I glared at her, my voice dripping with sarcasm,

“Who brought the silver? The security logs will tell the truth!”

She burst into louder sobs, and Callahan snapped,

“You’re in charge of security. You could’ve easily tampered with the logs to frame her!

Apologize, now!”

The pain from my shoulder and his grip made it hard to breathe.

Time was running out. I couldn’t afford to waste it on them.

“I’m sorry! It’s my fault!”

The words tasted bitter on my tongue, but Callahan finally released me with a cold huff.

“That’s more like it. Report for punishment later.”

As he stepped back, he noticed the blood on his hands, finally taking in my wounds.

The heavy scent of blood made him grimace,

“How did you get so hurt?”