My Alpha Chose His Beta Over Me

I found Hattie in the garden, sitting on the stone bench beneath the old oak tree. Her thin fingers traced patterns in the dirt, her bandaged arm held protectively against her chest. The afternoon sun caught the gold flecks in her eyes—eyes that once sparkled with mischief but now seemed permanently clouded.

"Hattie." My voice came out harder than intended.

She startled, nearly falling off the bench. "Alpha Curtis."

I kept my distance, hands clasped behind my back. The scent of her fear tickled my nostrils—a scent that should have comforted my wolf but instead made it restless.

"The Annual Moon Ball is tomorrow night," I said, staring at a point just past her shoulder. I couldn't bring myself to look at the bandages. "You will attend."

Her head snapped up, eyes wide. "I... me?"

"Yes, you." I forced the words out. "The visiting Alphas expect to see all members of our pack. Even our... dependents."

The word hung between us like a blade. I watched her flinch, though she tried to hide it by looking down at her hands.

"I don't have anything to wear," she whispered.

"Annalise has taken care of it." I shifted uncomfortably. "A dress will be delivered to your room. Wear it."

Hattie nodded, her fingers worrying at the hem of her simple shirt. "Is that all, Alpha?"

I wanted to say more—to explain that this was for the pack's benefit, that her presence was necessary to maintain appearances. But the words wouldn't come.

"Stay in the shadows," I finally said. "Don't draw attention to yourself."

---

The dress Annalise selected arrived that evening—a pale blue thing with a childish cut that made Hattie look even more fragile than usual. The fabric hung from her too-thin shoulders, emphasizing how much weight she'd lost since returning to us.

"It's beautiful," Hattie said softly to herself as she smoothed the skirt. "Like water."

I watched through the security feed, my chest tight with an emotion I couldn't name. The dress was deliberately unflattering—a calculated move by Annalise to ensure Hattie would fade into the background.

A knock at Hattie's door pulled me from my thoughts. Annalise glided in, her crimson dress already half-on, her hair styled in elegant waves.

"Hattie, darling," she cooed, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Let me help you prepare."

Hattie turned, clutching the dress to her chest. "Thank you, Annalise."

I leaned closer to the monitor, my wolf suddenly alert. Something in Annalise's smile set my teeth on edge.

"Let's get these shoes on," Annalise said, gesturing to the simple white heels I'd ordered for Hattie. "Every lady needs proper shoes for a ball."

Hattie sat obediently as Annalise knelt before her. I watched Annalise's hands move with practiced precision as she fastened the straps.

"Oh!" Annalise exclaimed suddenly. "I'm so clumsy."

The heel of Hattie's left shoe snapped with a small crack. Annalise's eyes met the camera for just a moment—a flash of triumph quickly masked by concern.

"I'm so sorry," she said, not sounding sorry at all. "We'll have to make do with what we have."

---

The ballroom glittered with crystal chandeliers and polished marble. I stood at the entrance, Annalise's hand tucked into the crook of my arm. Her crimson gown—the color of a Luna—caught every eye in the room.

"Alpha Reed," Elder Patricia greeted us, her smile sharp as a blade. "Your pack looks stronger than ever."

I nodded, scanning the crowd for Hattie. She stood in the far corner, a glass of juice clutched in her hands like a shield. The broken heel made her stance uneven, forcing her to lean slightly to one side.

"Alpha Wilson," I called to the tall man across the room. "Come meet my Beta."

Annalise's grip tightened on my arm as we moved through the crowd. I felt Hattie's eyes following us, but I didn't look back.

"A toast," I announced, raising my glass. "To alliances and strength."

The room echoed with cheers. I caught Hattie's reflection in one of the mirrors—she stood alone, her bandaged arm hidden beneath a shawl, her eyes fixed on me with an expression I couldn't bear to decipher.

Annalise laughed at something I said—or something she thought I said—her hand warm against my chest. I found myself laughing too, the sound foreign to my ears.

Across the room, Hattie took a step forward, then stopped as her broken heel caught on the carpet. She steadied herself against the wall, her eyes never leaving mine.

For a moment, I saw her as others did—a broken thing to be pitied or scorned. But then her gaze shifted, and something flickered in those vacant eyes—something that made my wolf howl in recognition.

Too late, I wondered what I had done.