The Alpha's Betrayed Mate

Gracie's POV

The snow was falling heavily as the car rolled to a stop in front of the Redmoon Pack's gates. Th weree years had passed, but the memory of that day still haunted me—the day my own family decided I belonged in a women’s prison.

I stood motionless at the pack house entrance, my fingers curling into fists as icy flakes melted against my skin. The car that had brought me here rumbled away, leaving me stranded in a place that no longer felt like home.

“Mom! It’s not me! I love Lily! I would never abduct or kill her!” I had pleaded, my voice raw with desperation. I had looked into my mother’s eyes, begging her to believe me.

But she didn’t.

Even my father had struck me, his fury mirroring the council’s verdict. Only Anastasia had believed me. And Marcus—at least at some point. He had promised to do everything in his power to get me out.

“You are not my daughter anymore for killing Lily! Take her! She deserves to rot in prison and die!” My mother’s voice had cut through me like a blade.

She should have known me better than anyone. So why did she believe them?

I opened my eyes, blinking away the sting of memories. They hadn’t even come to bring me home when the news of my release broke.

The case had been reopened. New evidence had surfaced, proving I wasn’t the one who had abducted and killed Lily. Someone had bailed me out, though I didn’t know who. A part of me hoped it was Marcus. I missed him. In prison, he had been my lifeline, the only thing keeping me from giving up entirely.

We had made a promise—no matter what happened, we would always be together. That he would always be by my side.

The sound of a car engine made my chest tighten. It was the family car. It pulled up, and for a split second, I let myself believe they had come for me.

The door opened, and my father stepped out. His face was cold, unreadable. No warmth, no relief, not even anger—just indifference.

“Why are you here? I don’t have a daughter like you. Leave.”

His words sliced through me like a dagger.

My father still hated me.

Then my mother stepped out. Her eyes softened when they landed on me, a flicker of longing in them. I wanted to run to her, to throw myself into her arms and sob like a child.

“My Alpha, have you read the letter from the council?” she asked, turning to my father.

His gaze flicked to her, then back to me. “She can’t stay in the pack house. She’ll be moved soon.”

And just like that, he turned away and climbed back into the car.

My mother hesitated. She looked at me, her lips pressing together, as if she had something to say. But she said nothing. Instead, she followed my father, and I watched as the car disappeared into the falling snow.

Tears burned my eyes. If Kian had been here, I knew he would have fought for me. He knew how much I had loved Lily. He knew I could never have done something so horrible to a five-year-old child.

How could they think I was capable of such a thing? I was their daughter.

I took a deep breath and stepped into the pack house.

Silence fell as I entered. Heads turned, whispers spread like wildfire. The weight of their stares pressed down on me—accusing, disbelieving, venomous.

Then I saw him.

Marcus Delaver.

He stood near the entrance, talking to Anastasia. They were laughing, lost in conversation.

Until they saw me.

Marcus’s face stiffened with shock. Anastasia’s expression, however, was filled with warmth as she rushed toward me, wrapping me in a tight embrace.

“Gracie! You’re here! I’m so sorry I couldn’t come get you. You know how our parents are. They wouldn’t allow it.”

Her words carried guilt, but I only shook my head and forced a smile. “I understand. You don’t have to apologize.”

Marcus stepped forward, but there was no joy, no relief. I had imagined this moment so many times—his arms around me, his voice filled with emotion. Instead, he simply said, “You look fine. Not like what you told me in your last letter.”

His words landed like a slap.

My last letter. The one I had sent a year ago, pouring out my pain, my loneliness, my desperation.

He had never written back.

Something was different. I could feel it. Even my wolf sensed it. Our bond—once so strong—felt distant, severed after five years of silence.

“I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a smile so fake it hurt.

Marcus took my bag while Anastasia led me to my room. Everything was exactly as I had left it, untouched by time.

I wanted Marcus to stay, but he didn’t. He left with Anastasia after making sure I was settled.

Restless, I decided to find him. His car was still outside; he hadn’t left yet.

As I approached the library, I heard voices. The door was slightly ajar.

I reached for the handle, but then—I froze.

Inside, Anastasia sat on Marcus’s lap. Her fingers tangled in his hair as their lips met in a slow, intimate kiss.

I couldn’t breathe.