My Mate Killed My Father to Steal My Pack

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of my prison-like room, casting long shadows across the floor. I hadn't slept. How could I? The revelation of Parker's betrayal echoed in my mind like a death knell. My mate—my murderer.

A sharp knock startled me from my thoughts.

"Serena." Parker's voice carried through the door, falsely gentle. "There's someone I want you to meet."

The door swung open before I could respond. Parker stood there in his tailored suit, every inch the powerful Alpha. But behind him...

My breath caught in my throat.

She was stunning—tall with flowing auburn hair and curves that seemed designed to make men weak. Her smile was practiced perfection as she stepped forward, her hand possessively sliding over Parker's arm.

"This is Viviana Adams," Parker announced to the small gathering of staff in the hallway. "She'll be staying with us as our Guest of Honor."

Viviana's eyes met mine, a flash of triumph in their depths. "I've heard so much about you, Serena. The poor little Alpha's daughter."

Parker guided her past me without meeting my gaze. "Viviana will be staying in the Luna's suite. It's the most secure room in the Pack House."

The Luna's suite. My suite. The one he'd promised would be mine after our marking ceremony.

"I thought—" I began, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You thought what?" Parker's tone hardened slightly. "That you'd be ready to assume Luna duties? In your state?"

Viviana's laugh tinkled like breaking glass. "Oh, darling. Look at her. She's barely functioning." Her perfectly manicured hand rested on Parker's chest. "I'll help manage the household until she's... stable."

I watched as Parker led her down the hall toward the Luna's suite—my mother's room, the one place I'd hoped might still hold some trace of home.

---

Three days later, I found my courage. I needed answers.

I cornered Parker in his office. "What is Viviana doing here? Why hasn't our marking ceremony been rescheduled?"

His pen paused mid-signature. "Serena, you're not thinking clearly."

"I'm thinking more clearly than I have in weeks," I countered, my voice stronger than I expected.

Parker's eyes darkened. "You forget yourself."

"No," I said, stepping closer. "I remember exactly who I am. I am Serena Murphy, daughter of Alpha Murphy, rightful Luna of this pack."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop. Parker rose slowly from his chair.

"You are nothing," he said, his voice dropping to that commanding Alpha tone that made my knees buckle. "Nothing but a traumatized orphan I've taken in out of pity."

My body betrayed me, dropping to my knees as his command washed over me.

"That's better," he said, circling me like prey. "You need to learn your place."

He clapped his hands, and the door opened. Staff members filed in, their eyes downcast.

"Let it be known," Parker announced, his voice ringing with authority, "that Serena Murphy is hereby stripped of her royal status and demoted to Omega rank."

Gasps rippled through the room. Demotion to Omega was rare—a punishment reserved for the most serious offenses.

"Until she learns gratitude for my protection," Parker continued, "she will serve this pack from the bottom."

My wolf Luna howled in protest, but Parker's command held us both immobile.

"You will move to the servant's quarters tonight," he finished, turning away. "The basement room should suit your new station."

---

The kitchen floor was cold beneath my knees as I scrubbed at a stain I'd been working on for hours. My new uniform—rough gray fabric that scratched my skin—hung loosely on my frame.

"Still here, Omega?"

I didn't need to look up to know it was Viviana. Her scent—expensive perfume masking something sour beneath—filled the air.

"I'm finishing my work," I replied evenly, keeping my eyes on the floor.

"Work?" She laughed, circling me like a predator. "This is your life now."

She moved to the stove where a pot of stew bubbled. "This looks... mediocre."

Before I could react, she knocked the pot sideways. Scalding liquid poured over my arm and onto the floor.

I cried out, instinctively reaching for the burn.

"Clumsy girl!" Viviana shrieked. "Look what you've done! Wasting food when there are wolves starving!"

The kitchen door burst open. Parker strode in, his nostrils flaring at the scent of distress.

"What happened?" he demanded.

"She knocked over the stew," Viviana said, her voice trembling with fabricated emotion. "I tried to stop her, but..."

Parker's eyes found mine, then dropped to my burned arm. For a moment—just a moment—I thought I saw concern.

Then he turned to Viviana. "It's alright," he murmured, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "These things happen when you have... help of a certain quality."

He faced me again, his expression hardening. "Clean this up. Now."

"But my arm—" I began.

"Now!" His Alpha command slammed into me like a physical blow.

I felt the healing process in my arm slow to a crawl as Parker's command overrode my wolf's natural healing abilities.

"Yes, Alpha," I whispered, reaching for the mop with my injured arm.

As they left, Viviana's triumphant smile burned into my memory—a promise of more torments to come.