The Wolves They Left Behind

“Where’s Tati?” I murmured to myself while I made my way to the alpha.

He’s smiling, engaged in conversation with guests, his red tailored suit setting him apart as the man of the night. Young, handsome, and completely unaware of what’s coming. Just to be certain, I confirmed with the servants—yes, he’s the alpha.

I’m pretending to introduce myself, playing the role of a neglected wife who had no choice but to make her presence known. In my hand, the wine glistens under the chandelier’s glow, laced with the drug Tati gave me.

A veil hides my scars, a feeble attempt to mask what might repulse him. If he rejects me, I’ll be cast out before fulfilling my purpose—or worse, humiliate myself.

“Good evening, Alpha,” I say as I stop in front of him.

The crowd fades, leaving us alone. His gaze lingers, unsettled. My stomach knots, but I pushed through because this is for Tati’s threats. She’s beautiful, the kind men like Simond crave. If Nalla stole my husband, Tati could do far more.

“Happy birthday, Alpha Rome. I am…” My voice falters.

To my surprise, he smiles and extends his hand. Most people avoid touching me, as if my mere existence is contagious.

“You are?” he asks, already reaching for the wine. No hesitation, no suspicion.

I swallow hard. “Tasha Colonel. Simond’s wife.”

The last part comes out in a whisper.

His lips part slightly, whether in shock or disbelief, I don’t know. How could I, of all people, be the Beta’s wife?

I force a smile. “I’m sorry I haven’t attended your gatherings before. Please accept my gift… and my gratitude for your time.”

I start to bow, ready to turn and leave, but he catches my wrist.

“Are you sure… you’re Simond’s wife?” The doubt in his voice stings. Is it that hard to believe because I’m—ugly? I manage a stiff nod.

“Yes. Please, enjoy your night, Alpha.”

I spin on my heels, rushing away before I embarrass myself further. Before Simond sees me and makes a scene. I can feel the Alpha’s eyes on my back, lingering, assessing. Is he suspicious? It doesn’t matter. I did what Tati asked.

I leave the mansion in haste and send Tati a message: It’s done.

I force myself into bed, but sleep refuses to come. Guilt gnaws at me, twisting my stomach. Something feels off, as if telling me something bad is coming.

Midnight strikes. Just as I reach for a sleeping pill, a commotion outside startles me. Heavy footsteps. Voices. Before I can react, my door bursts open.

A swarm of councilmen floods in, led by a man with a deep scar across his cheek. His presence alone sends a chill down my spine. He screams danger.

“What do you want?” My voice cracks as he grabs me roughly.

“The Alpha is dead!” he bellows. “You killed him. You killed my brother!”

My vision blurs. What? No! this isn’t happening.

“I didn’t—” My words die on my tongue when I see them.

Simond. Nalla. And Tati.

They stand at the threshold, faces void of any emotion as if all of them joined hands on betraying me.

Tati comes to me to taint me more. “I told her not to go. But she insisted. She even threatened to take her own life if I didn’t give her an invitation—”

“No!” My voice cracks as I turn to her. “You told me to drug him for you—”

A sharp slap cuts me off.

Alpha’s brother glares down at me. He was once a man who refused the throne, but now, with Alpha Rome dead, he is next in line.

I fall to my knees to beg more.

“I didn’t kill him, please,” I whisper. My trembling hand points at Tati. “She planned this—”

A slow, deliberate cough intervened.

Simond.

He steps forward, gaze void of warmth. I plead with my eyes, silently begging for him to save me. But then—

“I know my wife resents me but I never thought she’d go this far to ruin my reputation. Please, my lord, forgive me… and punish her for her crime.”

He pinned me more so I’d be punished death.

Pain shoots through me as hands seize me, dragging me away. My body scrapes against the ground, and I feel a searing pain in my stomach—something tearing inside me.

“No! My baby!” I cry out, clutching my abdomen. “Please, help my baby!”

They didn’t care at all.

They shove me into a cage and toss me to the ground. Darkness eats me, the air reeking of rot and blood. This prison, abandoned at the mansion’s edge, is where traitors die, and rogue looms. I curl up, hands trembling over my belly, shielding the fragile life within. But then I felt a presence.

Powerful. Overwhelming.

The air shifts, a force pressing against my skin. My breath catches as golden eyes pierce through the dark. My body tenses, instincts screaming at me to shield myself. But there is nowhere to go.

“Shh…” A calm, almost amused voice cuts through the silence.

My eyes snap open, and for the first time, I see him clearly. My vision sharpens unnaturally, my own eyes glowing in response.

I gasp. No. It can’t be.

“Alpha Rome? How come you’re here w-when…” My voice is barely a whisper. “...you’re already d-dead?”

He smirks. “Well… I faked my death.”

I freeze.

He what?

He faked his death?

But why?