My Alpha Tried to Kill Me for His Gamma

The garden's roses bloomed with unnatural vibrancy, their perfume almost suffocating in the afternoon heat. I needed air—space to think after my discovery in Asher's study. The suppressants, the payments to Genesis Den, Serenity's wound... it all swirled in my mind like poison.

I found a secluded bench beneath the old oak tree, far from the pack house windows. My shoulder still throbbed from Asher's "treatment," the wolfsbane ensuring the wound would heal slowly—if at all.

"Beautiful roses," a voice observed from behind me. "Though I've always found them a bit... artificial."

I turned to find a woman I didn't recognize examining the flower beds. She wore a simple dress that couldn't quite disguise her athletic build. Something about her movements—precise, controlled—made Luna stir inside me.

*She's not pack,* Luna whispered. *But she's powerful.*

"I'm sorry," I said automatically, rising from the bench. "I should let you enjoy the garden."

"Please, stay." She smiled, but her eyes remained sharp, assessing. "I'm Margo. Just visiting from... out of town."

Something in her gaze made me pause. There was knowledge there—and purpose.

"You're Autumn," she said, not a question but a statement. "I've heard about you."

My heart stuttered. No one spoke about me outside the pack. I was Asher's secret, his shame.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Margo asked, stepping closer. Her nostrils flared slightly. "That's quite a strong scent of wolfsbane you're carrying."

I instinctively covered my arm with my hand. "I don't know what you mean."

"Don't you?" Her voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "I've been tracking some... unusual financial transactions. Payments from the Silverclaw Pack to something called 'Genesis Den.'"

My blood ran cold. She knew. Somehow, she knew.

"Does that name mean anything to you?" she asked carefully.

I glanced around, terrified of being overheard. "I found references to it in the Alpha's private records."

Margo's expression remained neutral, but I caught the flash of satisfaction in her eyes. "Interesting. Very interesting."

She reached into her pocket and withdrew what looked like a simple stone pendant. "If you ever need to... communicate about what you've found, this can help. Just press the center three times."

Before I could respond, she turned and walked away, leaving me clutching the pendant like a lifeline.

---

"Why were you going through my private records?"

Asher's voice cut through the study like a blade. I hadn't heard him enter, too focused on the ledgers I'd been examining.

"I was just cleaning," I stammered, backing away. "Like you asked."

"With your nose in my financial records?" He advanced on me, his remaining hand clenched into a fist. "You think you can spy on me?"

"I'm concerned about pack resources," I tried, desperate to find an excuse he might believe. "Some of these payments seem excessive—"

"Excessive?" His laugh was cold. "You dare question how I manage my pack?"

The wall beside my head exploded inward as his fist connected with the plaster. Debris rained down, a sharp piece grazing my cheek. I felt blood trickle down my face.

"Asher?" Serenity's voice came from the doorway. She stepped inside, her eyes widening in practiced shock. "What's happening?"

She flinched dramatically at the sight of the cracked wall, pressing herself against the doorframe.

Instantly, Asher's attention shifted. The rage that had been directed at me vanished, replaced by concern as he rushed to Serenity's side.

"Are you alright?" he murmured, guiding her away from the door. "I'm so sorry you had to see this."

Over his shoulder, Serenity's eyes met mine—cold, triumphant, calculating. No trace of fear remained.

"It's just... you startled me," she whispered, leaning into his touch.

I stood forgotten, blood dripping from my cut cheek onto the hardwood floor. The contrast couldn't have been clearer: my real pain meant nothing compared to her manufactured trauma.

---

The teacup trembled in my hand as Asher held it out to me. The familiar sweet scent of wolfsbane tea filled the room.

"Drink it all," he instructed, his voice gentle now that his rage had passed. "It will help you... calm down."

Luna stirred inside me, stronger than she had been in days.

*Don't drink it,* she urged. *We need clarity. We need strength.*

I raised the cup to my lips, pretending to drink deeply while actually allowing only the barest sip to touch my tongue. The bitter taste made me grimace convincingly.

"Good girl," Asher praised, taking the half-full cup from my hands. He didn't notice the slight tremor in my fingers as I fought to appear weak.

When he left, closing the door behind him, I immediately spat the small amount I'd swallowed into a nearby potted plant. For the first time in years, I would sleep without the fog of wolfsbane clouding my mind.

As darkness fell, I lay in my basement bed, feeling Luna's presence grow stronger with each passing hour. My thoughts cleared, sharpened.

*We can fight this,* Luna whispered. *We can survive this.*

And for the first time since I was twelve years old, I believed her.