Fated to the Alpha’s Betrayal

After two years of entanglement, Jones Lane, the Alpha of the Sky Pack, finally petitioned Lycan King Massimo Berry to take me as his mate.

Just when I thought he had truly let go of his past and the memory of his deceased mate-to-be, Allie Reed, I was filled with joy, ready to share the news of my pregnancy with him.

But then I saw him in his private chambers, holding a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Allie.

He called her by the same name—Nia.

Standing outside the room, I realized he had never truly moved on. He had even found a replacement who shared not only her looks but her name.

A sharp pain pierced my heart, and I turned to my brother, Liam Lane, the Lycan King of the Shadow Pack, with tears in my eyes.

"I want to return to guard the Moon Bridge," I said, my voice trembling.

---

Back in the Shadow Pack’s territory, my brother sighed deeply.

Finally, he said, "Guarding the Moon Bridge is the duty of the Guardian, a sacred role passed down through generations of our bloodline. It’s time you took your place."

"But," he added, his tone grave, "the Guardian must be free of emotional attachments, free of all ties. Your bond with Jones and the child you carry…"

I bowed deeply to him, a gesture of respect and resolve.

"Brother, I will not complete the mark with Jones," I said firmly.

Then, placing a hand on my stomach, I fought back the ache in my chest. "As for the child, please give me ten days."

Ten days from now would be the day of our planned mark ceremony.

It was time to end this, to bring closure to what had begun so long ago.

When I returned to the Sky Pack’s territory, the two were still entangled in his chambers.

I pretended not to notice and made my way to the main hall.

The hall was bustling with activity as pack members prepared for the upcoming ceremony. Seeing me, they gathered around, excited and eager to share their ideas.

"Elisabeth, should we decorate the hall with red flowers or white ones?"

"And what about the candles? I’ve heard they symbolize prosperity and fertility in human weddings. Should we prepare a pair for you and Alpha Jones?"

Since I had come to the Sky Pack as a mere pack member, no one knew my true identity as a Lycan Princess, and so they treated me with casual familiarity.

When I didn’t respond, one of the pack members, a friend, gently took my arm and teased, "Elisabeth, if you don’t decide soon, we’ll start arguing among ourselves!"

I managed a faint smile, about to speak, when a cold, commanding voice interrupted.

"Keep it simple. There’s no need for extravagance."

The pack members immediately scattered, bowing respectfully as they dispersed.

I turned and gave a formal nod to Jones.

Seeing my calm demeanor, he frowned, mistaking my silence for displeasure. He reached out to tousle my hair, his voice softening.

"In a few days, it will be Allie’s memorial. The ceremony doesn’t need to be lavish."

Allie—his first love, his eternal regret.

In the past, such words would have sent me into a rage, disrupting the entire pack with my anger.

But now, I simply looked at him with calm acceptance. "As you wish, Alpha."

My lack of reaction seemed to unsettle him. He opened his mouth to say something, but before he could, a female pack member entered the hall.

I recognized her immediately—the woman from his chambers. Up close, the resemblance to Allie was uncanny.

She didn’t bother with formalities, walking straight to Jones with a coy smile.

"Alpha, Lycan King Massimo Berry has summoned you."

At her words, Jones turned to her, his gaze softening with affection.

"Good," he said, his voice gentle.

Before leaving, he glanced back at me. "Rest for now. We’ll discuss the ceremony later."

As they walked away, I felt the familiar ache in my chest.

Everyone in the Sky Pack knew that Lycan King Massimo Berry had been in seclusion for the past five years, refusing all visitors.

It was a clumsy lie, but I no longer cared.

After all, in ten days, I would be going home.