The Alpha Who Betrayed His Luna

The rogues were closing in, but Hunter still refused to activate the pack’s protective barrier.

All he cared about was waiting for Artemis, his helpless childhood friend.

But behind us was an entire city of innocent humans—people who relied on our protection. The barrier was their only chance of survival.

As the rogues drew nearer, I had no choice but to use my own strength to reinforce the barrier, sealing it just in time. Artemis, however, couldn’t pass through. She stood there, trapped on the other side, as the rogues descended upon her.

I thought Hunter would rage at me, blame me for her death. But instead, he turned to me, his voice calm, almost grateful.

“Thank you, Savannah,” he said. “You saved the city. You did the right thing.”

I believed him.

But on the night I gave birth to our pup, everything changed.

Hunter waited until I was at my weakest, then sabotaged the pack’s defenses. The rogues broke through, and I could only watch in horror as they tore into our child, ripping apart the tiny, fragile life I had just brought into the world.

Hunter stood by, cold and unmoving, until I lay broken and bleeding, my strength fading.

“If you hadn’t stopped me from saving Artemis,” he said, his voice icy, “she would still be alive. This is what you owe her. Your life for hers.”

When I opened my eyes again, I was back at the beginning—the rogues approaching, the city trembling in fear.

If Hunter wanted to save Artemis, I would let him. But this time, he would pay. He would give his life for the child he had taken from me.

---

“Hunter, you’re out of your mind!” I snapped, gesturing to the terrified humans behind us. “If you don’t activate the barrier, they’ll all die. The pack was sent here to protect them, not to abandon them!”

The air was thick with the sounds of crying—children, elders, mothers clutching their babies.

But Hunter stood firm, his jaw set.

“Artemis isn’t here yet,” he said, his voice hard. “We’ll wait a little longer. And don’t act like you’re so noble. Isn’t Artemis one of the people we’re supposed to protect?”

“You’re willing to sacrifice an entire city for one person?” I shot back. “She chose to come with us, Hunter. She knew the risks.”

His face darkened, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out. But then he turned away, his tone final.

“I won’t activate the barrier until Artemis is here.”

The others looked to me, desperation in their eyes.

“Luna,” Joy, my Beta, said quietly, “please talk to him. If we don’t act soon, the rogues will kill us all.”

I smiled faintly and turned to Hunter.

“You’re right,” I said, my voice calm. “Artemis is one of the people we’re here to protect. We can’t abandon her. Let’s wait a little longer.”

Hunter’s shoulders relaxed, and he shot a smug glance at the others.

“See? Savannah understands. Unlike the rest of you, who’d throw Artemis to the wolves without a second thought.”

The pack members exchanged uneasy glances, but no one dared to argue.

“Luna,” Joy said, her voice tight, “you can’t just let him put the entire city at risk because of her.”

Hunter’s smirk widened. “Shut it, Joy. Savannah’s in charge here. You don’t get to question her decisions.”

I kept my head down, hiding the bitter smile that tugged at my lips.

Hunter had always put Artemis first. Every birthday, every important moment, he’d abandoned me for her.

Artemis had a stomachache? He’d stay by her side.

Artemis was afraid of the dark? He’d hold her hand.

Artemis had a cold? He’d nurse her back to health.

And now, even with the rogues bearing down on us, he was still willing to risk everything for her.

Finally, Artemis appeared, stumbling toward us from the direction of the rogues.

She was always so fragile, so helpless, but somehow, she’d managed to make it through the chaos unscathed.

Hunter rushed to her, pulling her into his arms.

“Artemis,” he said, his voice filled with relief. “Are you okay?”

Before she could answer, the rogues surged forward, their snarls filling the air.

It was too late. The barrier had to be activated now.

But Hunter didn’t move.

He just held Artemis, his back to the danger, as if nothing else mattered.

And I knew, in that moment, what I had to do.

This time, I wouldn’t stop him from saving her.

But I would make him pay for what he’d done—to me, to our child, to the city he’d sworn to protect.

This time, Hunter Reed would lose everything.