My Mate Chose His Mistress Over Saving My Life

The riddle in my mother's journal led us to a place I'd never heard of—the Healer's Retreat, nestled in neutral territory between three pack lands. According to Colten, it was run by Healer Sage Morrison, a wolf known for her neutrality and discretion.

"We'll need to be careful," Colten said as we prepared for the journey. "The Bloodmoon Pack has spies everywhere."

I adjusted the simple dress I'd changed into—nothing like the fine clothes Briana wore, but perfect for our cover story. "What exactly are we supposed to be doing there?"

Colten's eyes met mine, something flickering in their depths. "We're a mated pair seeking a blessing for our union."

My heart skipped. "Is that necessary?"

"It's the only reason strangers would have to stay overnight." He stepped closer, his scent—pine and something wild—wrapping around me. "Unless you have a better idea?"

I didn't. And the truth was, being close to him felt... right. My wolf, still weak but present, stirred whenever he was near.

The Retreat was a sprawling stone building surrounded by herb gardens and ancient trees. As we approached, I felt Colten's hand slide around my waist, warm and steady.

"Remember," he murmured, "we're in love."

I leaned into him, surprising myself with how natural it felt. "I'll try not to forget."

Healer Sage was an older woman with sharp eyes that seemed to see right through our deception. "A blessing, you say?"

"Yes," Colten replied smoothly. "We want to ensure our union is blessed by the Moon Goddess."

She studied us for a long moment before nodding. "Very well. You'll need to stay tonight. The blessing ritual requires preparation."

As she led us through the Retreat, I noticed how Colten's arm remained around me, his thumb occasionally brushing across my hip in a gesture that seemed both protective and possessive.

"Our quarters," Sage announced, opening a door to reveal a single room with one bed.

My eyes widened slightly. Colten squeezed my waist reassuringly. "Thank you, Healer."

Once alone, I turned to him, suddenly aware of how small the room was, how close we'd be. "This is... intimate."

"It's necessary," he said softly. "I'll sleep on the floor if you prefer."

I shook my head. "No, we need to maintain our cover." I hesitated, then added, "You can trust me to keep my distance."

A smile played at his lips. "That's not what I'm worried about."

---

Night fell, bringing with it a heavy silence broken only by the occasional hoot of an owl outside our window. I lay beside Colten, hyperaware of his warmth, his scent growing stronger in the darkness.

"Are you awake?" I whispered.

"Yes." His voice was low, sending a shiver down my spine.

"We should go soon," I murmured, though part of me wanted to stay right there, surrounded by his scent.

Colten's hand found mine in the darkness. "The patrol changes at midnight. We'll go then."

When the time came, we slipped from our room like shadows. The Retreat was eerily quiet, moonlight filtering through stained glass windows casting colored patterns on the stone floors.

"The archives are this way," Colten whispered, leading me down a narrow corridor.

We had just turned the corner when voices drifted from ahead.

"—checking every room," a gruff voice said. "Alpha Jayson wants any remaining loyalists to the old Alpha eliminated."

My blood froze. Bloodmoon spies.

Colten pulled me into an alcove, his body pressing against mine as he placed a finger to my lips. His eyes glowed faintly in the darkness, his aura pulsing with controlled power.

One of the spies moved closer, his footsteps heavy on the stone floor. I held my breath, but Colten remained calm, his hand steady on my arm.

When the spy turned toward our hiding place, Colten moved with startling speed—not attacking, but catching the man's neck in a precise grip that rendered him unconscious without a sound.

"He won't wake for hours," Colten murmured, lowering the spy gently to the floor.

We continued more cautiously, finally reaching the archive room. The lock was old but sturdy.

"Allow me," Colten said, producing a small tool from his pocket.

The door swung open silently, revealing rows of shelves filled with ancient scrolls and leather-bound books.

"Where would it be?" I whispered, scanning the shelves.

"The riddle said 'beneath the moon's shadow,'" Colten reminded me. "Look for anything related to lunar cycles."

We searched methodically until I found it—a small silver box hidden behind a shelf of astrological charts.

"The key," I breathed, remembering the microchip from my mother's locket.

Colten took it carefully, inserting it into a slot on the box's surface. A soft click, and the lid swung open.

Inside lay a collection of damning evidence: Eugene's detailed ledgers of territorial assassinations, signed treaties of treason against the Lycan Council, and medical records proving what I had suspected but never confirmed—Jayson did not possess Eugene's DNA.

"He's not even a true Alpha," I whispered, staring at the papers that would destroy everything the Warren family had built.

Colten's hand found mine again, squeezing gently. "Now we have everything we need."

I looked up at him, feeling something shift inside me—my wolf stirring with newfound strength, responding to his presence in a way I couldn't yet understand.

"What happens next?" I asked.

His eyes met mine, glowing with determination and something else—something that made my heart race faster.

"Now," he said softly, "we destroy them all."