Betrayed By My Alpha Mate

I was handed over to Alpha Grant Duncan by my parents because he was the only one who could secure our family’s standing within the Crimson Fang Pack. I was still in college when they informed me during Thanksgiving that the next day, I would be mated to him. My protests were futile; perhaps it’s more accurate to say I didn’t protest at all.

That was the first time I saw Alpha Grant since graduating high school. He sat on the couch, his broad shoulders and imposing frame dominating the room. His sharp, commanding gaze briefly flicked up to me, and I felt the weight of his alpha aura press down on me like an invisible hand tightening around my neck. He was the Alpha, high and mighty, while I was just an Omega, a nominal mate with no real power. I couldn’t interfere with his life, even when I found out in our first week of mating that he was seeing another wolf—Harlow Graham, a Delta from his own pack. I couldn’t call home to complain because my parents were the biggest beneficiaries of my mating to Alpha Grant.

I felt the constant warmth of his presence behind me when a hand suddenly rested on my stomach, unmoving, just lingering there. This simple act brought back the image of Alpha Grant in the healing den today, his hand gently placed on Harlow’s stomach as she carried his pup. A wave of nausea hit me.

I placed my hand over his and gently moved it away. “It’s a bit warm; let’s just keep a bit of distance,” I suggested.

Instead, Alpha Grant held me tighter, his deep voice rumbling against my back. “Are you not feeling well? You looked pale today. Did you fall ill while I was away on pack business?”

As he spoke, his arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer. “Let’s get some sleep.”

At least it wasn’t back on my stomach. I fought the growing unease inside me, trying to lull myself into sleep with a mental refrain: *Fall asleep, fall asleep.*

Eventually, I drifted off, a fog of disorientation enveloping me. In my dreams, I recalled the first time Alpha Grant held me while we slept. I’d blushed fiercely, lying stiff as a statue in his arms while he chuckled softly, “Don’t be so tense, just sleep.”

Only a week later did I discover he’d met up with Harlow the morning after. It struck me: perhaps he only needed a companion for sleep and nothing more. In my naivety, I had thought there could be love after mating.

The next morning, Alpha Grant had already left, as he always did. After freshening up, I went downstairs to make myself some lunch. Unexpectedly, Amanda Hall was there. She was the only one among the pack staff who treated me as if I mattered.

“Amanda,” I greeted.

She looked up and smiled warmly at me. “Oh, Luna Xyla, the elder Leyla is visiting today, so I came by to check if anything’s needed.”

Alpha Grant’s mother was coming over. I nodded in acknowledgment.

“Are you having lunch, Luna Xyla? I can make something for you.”

When Amanda offered, there was no changing her mind. I thanked her with a smile and took a seat in the living room to wait.

Before long, she brought over a bowl of pasta. “Here you go, Luna Xyla. I’ve added some extra seafood for you. You don’t look too well; I’ll make you some chicken soup for dinner.”

Her hand gently patted my head before she returned to her duties. I took a bite of the pasta and paused. The taste was so familiar.

On our first mating anniversary, I had prepared a gift and waited for Alpha Grant all day. But by ten o’clock at night, he still hadn’t come home. I knew he was likely with Harlow, having completely forgotten the significance of the day. Exhausted, I went to bed past midnight, still no sign of him.

The next morning, Amanda had watched over a bowl of pasta, waiting for me to wake up. “Luna Xyla, you’re finally up. Alpha Grant made this for you himself. He returned very late last night and had to rush off to pack duties this morning, but he made sure to leave this for you.”

I ate that bowl of pasta while crying, foolishly believing I still held a place in Alpha Grant’s heart. But Amanda’s well-intentioned lie was revealed today by her own doing. Alpha Grant probably never came home that night, but she’d felt sorry for me waiting all day and made up the story to comfort me.

I shook my head to clear the thoughts and finished my meal, washing the dishes in the kitchen. Then I heard the sound of the door opening. Curiosity got the better of me, and I peeked out to see Alpha Grant had returned.

He seemed ready to march straight upstairs but changed course when he saw me. His presence exuded an intimidating aura, anger rolling off him as he approached.

Startled, I took an involuntary step back. “Xyla, are you hiding something from me?” he demanded, his alpha tone sharp and commanding.

Hearing him call my name made me shiver. He rarely used my full name, only when he was serious, usually on the verge of anger. Like when I foolishly asked him to stop seeing Harlow.

“What?” I asked, trying to maintain my composure.

He stepped forward, grabbing my wrist, the other hand landing on my stomach. At that instant, I knew he was aware of my miscarriage.

“When did you get pregnant? Did you go behind my back?”

His first concern upon learning of my miscarriage was how I’d gotten pregnant in the first place. I let out a bitter laugh, pondering how my mating over the past two years had become nothing but a joke.