My Mate Betrayed Me with the Girl I Raised

The news of my "miracle pup" spread through the pack like wildfire. Within hours, Margaret Lynch burst into my chambers, her eyes shining with tears of joy.

"A grandchild!" she cried, clasping my hands in hers. "Harvey's legacy lives on!"

I allowed myself to be embraced, burying my face in her shoulder to hide the cold calculation in my eyes. "The Moon Goddess has blessed us," I whispered, my voice breaking perfectly on cue.

Margaret pulled back, her expression fierce with sudden determination. "This changes everything. The pack needs stability now more than ever."

She turned to Marcus Stone, who had followed her into my chambers. "The Elders must convene immediately. There are protocols to follow when an Alpha falls."

Marcus nodded gravely. "Normally, we would begin the succession process, but with Luna Vivian carrying the heir—"

"Then it's settled," Margaret interrupted, her voice brooking no argument. "Vivian will serve as Regent until the heir comes of age. The pack needs a leader they trust, and who better than the mother of our future Alpha?"

I watched the discussion unfold, my fingers absently tracing the flat plane of my stomach. The lie felt heavy between us, but necessary.

"Until then," I said softly, "I will need full access to the pack's resources to ensure our safety and prosperity."

Marcus exchanged glances with the other Elders before nodding slowly. "Agreed. You shall have all the authority of the Alpha position, Luna Vivian."

---

Three days later, I sat in Harvey's office—my office now—reviewing the pack's financial records. Elena had provided me with herbs to mimic pregnancy symptoms, but I needed more than just a believable lie.

"Here," I murmured, spotting a series of transfers from the pack's emergency fund. Large withdrawals, all authorized by Harvey in the weeks before his "death."

I pulled up the corresponding dates on my calendar. Each withdrawal coincided with Taylor's visits to the pack house—her supposed training sessions with me.

"How convenient," I whispered, printing the records.

I called an emergency meeting of the pack council, my expression grave as they assembled.

"During my audit of our finances," I began, my voice trembling with manufactured outrage, "I discovered something disturbing. Funds from our treasury have been stolen—likely during the rogue attack that took Harvey."

Marcus leaned forward, his eyes narrowing. "How much?"

"Nearly half a million dollars," I replied, sliding copies of the records across the table. "All withdrawn in the weeks before the attack."

The council erupted in angry murmurs. I let them stew for a moment before continuing.

"We must assume this was part of the rogues' plan," I said firmly. "They didn't just take Harvey—they tried to bankrupt us as well."

The lie slid smoothly from my tongue, and I watched as hatred for rogues hardened in their eyes. None of them questioned how rogues might have accessed our secure accounts—they were too busy being outraged.

"From now on," I declared, "all financial matters go through me directly."

---

Later that evening, I traced the authorization codes on the transfers. One name appeared repeatedly: Nicolas.

Harvey's Beta. The man who had helped orchestrate the fake death.

I smiled coldly as I pressed the intercom button. "Send Beta Nicolas to my office. Immediately."

He arrived ten minutes later, his posture stiff with unease. "Luna Vivian. You wanted to see me?"

"Close the door," I said, gesturing to the chair across from me.

Nicolas obeyed, his eyes darting to the financial records spread across my desk. "I've been meaning to discuss our financial situation—"

"Save it," I cut him off, reaching for my tablet. I tapped the screen and turned it toward him.

Harvey's face filled the display, laughing as he raised a champagne glass. Taylor sat beside him, her hand on his arm.

"To freedom," Harvey's voice rang out clearly. "No more pack obligations. No more suffocating bitch telling me what to do."

Nicolas paled, his eyes widening in shock. "Luna, I can explain—"

"Did you think I wouldn't find out?" I asked quietly, watching his face crumble. "Did you think I would just fade away into a broken, mate-less Omega?"

He swallowed hard. "Alpha orders—"

"Alpha orders to abandon your pack?" I leaned forward. "Alpha orders to steal from the treasury?"

Nicolas looked away, shame evident in his posture. "He said it was temporary. That he would come back once things cooled down."

"And you believed him?" I laughed bitterly. "You left our borders vulnerable, our finances depleted, all for his selfish desires."

I stood, circling the desk until I stood directly before him. "You have a choice, Nicolas. Go down as a traitor when this truth comes out—or prove your loyalty to the pack."

His eyes met mine, conflict evident in their depths. "What do you want from me?"

"Everything," I replied simply. "Your eyes, your ears, your absolute loyalty. Harvey may have been your Alpha, but I am your future."

Slowly, deliberately, Nicolas lowered his head in submission. "I swear it, Luna. Whatever you need."

As he pledged himself to me, I felt my wolf stir with satisfaction. The first piece of my revenge had fallen into place.