Betrayed by My Fated Mate

The Red River Pack territory stretched before me like a painting—miles of pristine coastline and lush forest. But as I stepped off the helicopter onto the private dock, something felt wrong. Tristan stood waiting, his sandy brown hair ruffled by the sea breeze, but his eyes darted everywhere except to me.

"You're late," he said, not bothering with a greeting.

I straightened my spine, channeling the dignity of the Moonveil Pack princess I was. "We're exactly on time, Alpha Henry."

His jaw tightened at my formal tone. "Let's just get this over with."

The territory inspection was supposed to be our chance to finally connect. After months of delays and excuses about why we couldn't complete our Marking Ceremony, I'd hoped today would change things. Instead, Tristan seemed determined to make it as uncomfortable as possible.

"I thought we'd take the small boat out," he said, gesturing to a sleek speedboat moored at the end of the dock. "Just us. The pack politics can wait."

Something in his tone made my wolf, Luna, stir uneasily within me. *Danger*, she whispered.

As we boarded, I caught it—a scent that didn't belong. Cheap perfume mixed with Tristan's expensive cologne. My nose twitched as I tried to place it.

"What's wrong?" Tristan asked, watching me too closely.

"Nothing," I lied, dismissing it as paranoia. "Just been a long journey."

The boat ride was tense, the engine's roar filling the silence between us. When Tristan went to check our course, I wandered into the small cabin below deck, needing a moment alone.

That's when I saw it—a silk scarf tucked beneath the cushion. Pale blue with delicate embroidery. Not mine. Not Tristan's style either.

"Looking for something?"

I spun to find Tristan in the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"That doesn't belong to me," I said, holding up the scarf.

His face darkened. "Are you seriously accusing me of something? After everything I've done to welcome you here?"

"I didn't say—"

"This is exactly why I've been hesitating," he cut me off. "You don't trust me. How can we be mates if you don't trust me?"

The accusation stung more than it should have. Luna whined inside me, confused by the discord.

"I'm sorry," I said finally. "Let's just finish the inspection."

Unseen by either of us, a shadow shifted in the storage compartment beneath the deck.

---

"The reefs are beautiful this time of year," Tristan said as we anchored near the boundary line. "Why don't you take a swim? The water's perfect."

I needed to clear my head. The water beckoned, promising freedom from the tension above deck.

"I'll just be a minute," I said, stripping down to my swimsuit.

The cool water enveloped me like a embrace. Luna surged forward, eager to play. I let her take control, my body shifting partially—not fully wolf, but enough that my senses sharpened, my skin thickened with a protective layer.

I dove deeper, swimming through a narrow coral passage Tristan had pointed out. The reef was alive with color and movement, distracting me from the unease above.

Then I saw it—a glint of metal beneath the sand.

Before I could turn, the trap sprung.

A weighted net shot up from the seabed, wrapping around my legs. But this wasn't an ordinary fishing net. As it touched my skin, searing pain erupted through my body.

"No!" I screamed underwater, bubbles escaping my lips.

The net was laced with liquid silver. I could smell it now—the metallic poison that could kill a werewolf if administered in high enough doses.

My healing abilities shut down instantly. Luna howled in agony as the silver burned through my veins.

I fought against the net, managing to free one arm. With desperate strength, I pushed toward the surface, my lungs burning for air.

"Eleanor!" Tristan called from the boat. "What happened?"

"Silver," I gasped, breaking the surface. "Help me!"

Tristan pulled me to the side of the boat but didn't lift me out. My legs still tangled in the net, silver continuing to poison my blood.

"The emergency kit," I begged. "Please, Tristan. The Wolfsbane antidote."

He hesitated, looking toward the cabin.

That's when she emerged—Sofia Martinez, her auburn hair perfectly styled despite supposedly being hidden on the boat. She limped dramatically, clutching her leg.

"Oh, Tristan," she cried. "I cut myself on a rusty nail while hiding. What if it scars my skin?"

Her eyes met mine over Tristan's shoulder, triumph gleaming in them.

Tristan looked between us, the decision clear in his eyes before he even spoke.

"I'm sorry, Eleanor," he said, uncapping the syringe filled with the only dose of Wolfsbane antidote on board.

The needle plunged into Sofia's unmarked leg.

"No!" I screamed as my vision blurred. "Tristan, please!"

He leaned down, his Alpha aura crushing against me. "Stay," he commanded, his Alpha Voice paralyzing my muscles.

Pain exploded in my mind as he severed our mate bond, cutting off our mind-link.

"Tristan," I whispered as darkness crept into my vision.

The last thing I saw was Sofia's smile as she shifted into her reddish-brown wolf form.

The last thing I felt was her jaws closing around my head, pushing me under.