The Alpha’s Mate Tried to Kill Our Heir

The annual Pack Run was supposed to be a celebration—a time when wolves of all ranks came together under the full moon to strengthen bonds and honor tradition. But as I stood at the edge of the gathering clearing, my stomach twisted with dread. Something felt wrong.

"Look at her," a female voice hissed nearby. "The wolfless Omega, thinking she belongs at our sacred ceremony."

I kept my eyes down, focusing on the small vial of wolfsbane solution in my pocket—evidence I still couldn't get to Caleb. Three days had passed since Ryan had dragged me away from the Pack House, and I hadn't found another opportunity to reach Caleb.

"Ignore them," Elena whispered beside me. "They're just trying to provoke you."

But as the moon rose higher and pack members began to shift into their wolf forms, I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom.

The crowd parted as Monica strode into the clearing, resplendent in a silver gown that caught the moonlight. Her eyes found me immediately, lips curving into a smile that didn't reach her eyes.

"Alpha Caleb," she called out, her voice carrying across the hushed gathering. "I need to speak with you urgently."

Caleb emerged from the Alpha's tent, his powerful frame silhouetted against the firelight. "What is it, Luna?"

Monica's expression shifted to one of grave concern as she held up a small container—identical to the one I'd found in Kai's cubby.

"Someone has been tampering with the pups' water supply," she announced, her voice trembling with perfectly feigned horror. "I discovered this in the Academy's storage area."

Murmurs rippled through the crowd as Monica's eyes found me again.

"And I have reason to believe," she continued, "that our former Luna Isla Stewart is responsible."

The accusation hit me like a physical blow. "That's a lie!" I protested, stepping forward.

But Monica was already moving toward me, her Luna aura flaring with malicious power. "Is it? Then explain why you've been sneaking around the Academy at night, accessing areas forbidden to Omegas?"

Elena moved protectively to my side. "Alpha, Isla would never—"

"Silence!" Monica snapped. "This woman has been contaminating our future generation with wolfsbane—weakening our pups' development!"

The crowd erupted in outrage. I scanned the faces around me—pack members who had once respected me as their Luna—now looking at me with disgust and suspicion.

"I found evidence of her poisoning in the heir's personal belongings," Monica continued, her voice rising to carry over the commotion. "She's trying to destroy our future Alpha!"

"That's not true!" I cried out, but my voice was drowned by the growing anger of the pack.

Caleb stood frozen, his expression unreadable as he stared at the vial in Monica's hand. Was he remembering the flask I'd tried to show him?

"Seize her," Monica commanded, and Delta warriors immediately surrounded me.

Their teeth were bared, eyes glowing with primal fury as they closed in. I backed away, my heart pounding with terror.

"I didn't do this," I pleaded, looking desperately toward Caleb. But he remained silent, his face a mask of conflicted emotions.

The warriors advanced, their growls vibrating through the clearing. I was trapped—nowhere to run, no way to defend myself.

"Stop!" a small voice commanded.

The crowd parted as Kai pushed his way through, his small frame trembling but determined.

"Kai," Monica gasped, "go back to your place. This doesn't concern you."

But Kai ignored her, moving instead to stand directly between me and the advancing warriors. His shoulders were squared, his chin lifted in defiance.

"You leave my mother alone," he said, his voice steady despite his fear.

The silence that followed was deafening. I felt tears spring to my eyes as I looked down at my son—so small yet so brave.

"Kai," I whispered, "you shouldn't be here."

"I am the future Alpha," he declared, his voice carrying across the clearing with unexpected authority. "And I say you will not hurt her."

Monica's face contorted with rage. "You ungrateful little—after everything I've done for you—"

Something changed in Kai's eyes then—a flash of golden light that hadn't been there before. His small body tensed, and when he opened his mouth, what emerged wasn't the cry of a frightened child but the unmistakable growl of an Alpha wolf.

The sound was juvenile, untrained—but undeniable.

Monica stumbled back as if struck, her face paling with shock. The warriors froze, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"Kai?" Caleb's voice cut through the stunned silence, filled with wonder and confusion.

But Kai's attention remained fixed on Monica, his small chest heaving with exertion as he maintained his protective stance before me.

"Stay away from my mother," he growled again, his voice deeper this time, more assured.

The pack watched in awe as the future Alpha—supposedly too weak to manifest his wolf—stood his ground against the Luna who had tormented him for years.