The Alpha's Betrayed Mate

Gracie's POV

"Now that you're finally thinking straight, confess," my mother urged, hope trembling in her voice. "For Lily's sake." Her pain bled into every word, a mix of longing and grief.

Tears blurred my vision as I stared at Lily's framed picture resting atop the casket. I could almost hear her voice—soft, sweet, full of life.

"My pretty Aunt! Come play with your cute niece!"

Her laughter rang in my ears, a memory so vivid it felt real. I saw her bouncing onto my bed, giggling as she kissed my cheeks.

"Wake up, wake up! Let’s play!"

I used to wrap her in my arms, tickling her until she squealed, filling my room with happiness.

But now, all that was left was silence.

A hollow ache spread through my chest. My throat tightened, and before I knew it, I was sobbing.

“Tell us, Gracie,” my mother pleaded.

"Tell us now, Gracie," Anastasia echoed, desperation in her voice.

The pain inside me was unbearable. My fingers clutched at my chest as if I could physically hold myself together. My voice trembled.

"I'm sorry, Lily," I choked out.

I sobbed harder. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect you like I promised. I'm sorry I let you die. I failed you. I failed to give you justice."

“What are you saying? Just tell us the truth!” my mother snapped, her patience unraveling.

"I'm sorry..." My voice wavered. "Sorry that you're all blaming the wrong person. Sorry that—"

A sharp yank on my hair cut me off.

Anastasia.

Her fingers twisted in my hair, her rage seething through clenched teeth. "Sorry for what, Gracie? Just tell me where my child's body is! Stop lying!"

"I didn't kill Lily!" I screamed, my voice raw with desperation. "I swear on the Moon Goddess! I swear on my own life!"

Anastasia’s grip loosened. Tears streaked down her face.

Marcus was beside her in an instant, pulling her into his arms. Then he turned to me. His eyes burned with fury.

"Why can't you just admit it, Cie?" His voice was cold, distant. "It’s the only thing your family wants. Just tell us where Lily’s body is."

I stared at him, my heart shattering all over again.

"I told you—I never took Lily. I never hurt her!" My voice broke as I knelt on the cold floor. "Why won’t any of you believe me? Why?"

My father stepped forward, his face unreadable, but my mother’s was twisted with grief and fury.

"How can we believe a liar and a murderer?" my father snarled. "Even the Moonstone showed it was you!" His hand shot out, gripping my throat.

I gasped. My lungs burned, my vision blurred.

"Would the Moonstone lie?!" he bellowed. "Why won't you just tell us the truth?! You're evil—you deserve to die!"

I didn’t fight back. I just stared at him, the man who once called me his daughter.

Then I smiled bitterly.

"Then kill me," I rasped. "Isn’t that what you want? The murderer dead?"

His hands trembled against my skin. Then, suddenly, he released me, and I collapsed onto the marble floor, gasping for air.

"Kill you?" His voice was steel. "No. You deserve to suffer for what you've done. I won’t let a Hansen get away with murder—not even my own blood. As Alpha of Redmoon, I will see that justice is served."

I pushed myself up, my limbs weak but my resolve burning.

"You talk about justice," I said, my voice steady despite the agony inside me. "But you're not fair. If you were, you'd listen to me instead of condemning me without proof. You’d give me a chance to clear my name instead of throwing me in a cell like a criminal."

A sharp slap cracked through the air.

Pain exploded across my cheek. I tasted blood.

"You have no right to disrespect the Alpha!" my mother spat.

Despite everything, despite the unbearable pain they caused me… I still cared.

I still loved them.

"I respected you all my life," I murmured, my voice cold. "But I’ve finally learned… enough is enough."

Another slap—this time from my father.

"Say one more word, and you'll get worse than that," he growled.

I let out a bitter laugh. "I won’t say anything." I lifted my chin, my vision swimming with tears I refused to shed. "Believe whatever you want. I’m done trying to make you see the truth."

Without another glance, I turned and walked away.

My vision blurred, the world tilting as exhaustion and heartbreak weighed me down. But I kept walking, past the pack’s hall, past the main pack house—away from all of them.

I reached for the necklace around my neck—the one holding the ring Marcus once gave me. The symbol of a love that never truly existed.

I yanked it off and threw it as far as I could.

I had no reason to stay.

No reason to live.

This day, I would end everything.