The Alpha's Mistake Is Letting Me Go

Chapter 2

Maya’s POV

My mate was kissing another woman with such passion that he’d never shown me in the past few months. Their lips moved together desperately, her hands tangled in his dark hair while he held her against him like she was his entire world.

“Damon?” I called out, my voice cracking at the end.

My mate pulled away from Elena and turned his amber eyes toward me. His expression hardened immediately.

“What are you doing here? Are you spying on us now? Following me around like some pathetic omega?”

“Damon, I just—” I started but he cut me off sharply.

“Save it! You’re disgusting and you have the nerve to spy on us? After everything I’ve given you as Luna, you couldn’t even complete one simple task. Now look what you’ve done to her!”

He stepped aside and I could see Elena clearly now. Despite the slight puffiness around her eyes and the red marks on her neck, I recognized her immediately. She was the woman who had joined our pack seven months ago, claiming to be a refugee from a violent pack. The same woman my mate had been “helping” settle in.

The scent of vanilla and roses hit my nostrils like a physical blow. My wolf whimpered in recognition. This was the scent that had been clinging to Damon for months. When I’d asked him about it, he claimed it was new soap from the pack house. But standing here now, surrounded by Elena’s overwhelming fragrance, I knew he had been lying.

Maybe I was jumping to conclusions. Maybe there was an explanation for all this.

“Really? After everything you put her through, you can’t even ask what happened to her?” Damon’s cold voice sliced through my thoughts.

“What happened to her?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“She had an allergic reaction because of you! I told you to get the moonflower antidote but you failed. When she went into the forest herself to find it, she nearly died from the pollen exposure!”

My breathing stopped completely. The moonflower herbs. The dangerous mission that had cost me my pup. It had all been for Elena. She had been the one suffering while I was bleeding out in the Forbidden Forest.

“How could you… why didn’t you answer my calls? I was dying, Damon! Our pup—”

“When you can’t follow simple orders, why should I waste my time on you?” he snarled.

Elena finally spoke up, her voice sickeningly sweet. “Damon, please don’t be so harsh. I’m sure Maya was just… occupied with other things.”

“Occupied?” Damon scoffed, glaring at me. “Apologize to Elena right now!”

“Apologize?” I gasped, unable to believe what I was hearing.

“That’s not necessary, really. Maya, what brought you to the hospital anyway?” Elena asked with fake concern.

For a moment, I felt grateful that someone was finally asking. “I had an accident in the forest. I lost—”

“It hurts, Damon! The reaction is getting worse!” Elena suddenly cried out, clutching her throat dramatically.

Damon immediately turned his full attention back to her, gathering her in his arms while completely ignoring me. He didn’t even glance in my direction as he whispered soothing words to her.

Over his shoulder, I caught the triumphant smirk on Elena’s face as she stared directly at me. In that moment, everything became crystal clear. She had asked about my hospital visit just to show me how little Damon cared about my answer. She had interrupted me on purpose.

I stumbled back to my room, my mind reeling as I replayed the past seven months. All the signs had been there, but I’d been too trusting to see them.

Seven months ago, on our third anniversary, Damon had left our romantic dinner to pick up a “pack refugee” from the border. That refugee had been Elena, and he’d brought her to join our anniversary celebration. At the time, I’d thought he was just being kind to someone in need.

His late nights patrolling. His hushed phone calls. The new scent. The way he’d grown cold and distant. I’d explained it all away, trusting my mate completely.

Elena had arrived claiming to be pregnant and fleeing from an abusive mate. I’d felt sorry for her, even helped her settle into the pack house. But now I wondered if any of that had been true.

Maybe I was overthinking everything. Maybe Damon really was just protective of a vulnerable pack member. I tried to convince myself as I drifted off to sleep, but my wolf wasn’t buying it.

The next morning, I was discharged from the hospital with strict orders to rest and avoid any strenuous activity.

My wolf was still healing from the trauma, and the pack healer warned me that another injury could permanently damage my ability to shift.

Despite the healer’s warnings, I went to check on Elena, wanting to bring her some comfort items and maybe clear the air between us.

The nurses informed me with excited chatter about how she was carried out bridal style by the Alpha after being discharged earlier that morning.

“Oh, you should have seen it!” one young nurse gushed. “Her mate was so gentle with her, like she was made of glass. It was so romantic!”

“They make such a beautiful couple,” another nurse added dreamily.

The words hit me like claws to the chest. Her mate. They thought Damon was Elena’s mate, not mine.

When I arrived at the pack house, I immediately noticed the extra luggage in the entrance hall. Designer suitcases and boxes were stacked near the stairs, clearly belonging to a woman.

I walked further into the house, following the sound of voices coming from the kitchen. Damon’s deep laugh mixed with Elena’s musical giggle.

“Damon, are you certain about this decision? I don’t want Maya to get upset, and I don’t want to impose on your marriage. Maybe you should discuss this with her first.”

“Elena, you’re carrying a pup and you have nowhere else to go. Maya will understand. She’s the Luna; it’s her duty to help pack members in need.”

“But moving in with a mated couple feels wrong. especially one who’s not mated…”

“Maya’s feelings don’t matter. You need a safe place to stay, and I’m providing it. End of discussion.”

“If you’re sure… I just don’t want to cause problems in your marriage.”

“There won’t be any problems. Maya knows her place.”

I stood frozen in the hallway, luggage scattered around the entrance that I’d somehow missed in my shock. Elena was moving in. Into my home. Into my territory.

“Thank you, Damon. You’re so good to me. I promise I’ll only stay temporarily, just until I get back on my feet.”

“Stay as long as you need, Elena. Forever, if necessary.”