Too Late Alpha I’m Already Claimed

"Well, look who it is."

A sharp female voice floated down from the rooftop terrace of the commercial center.

I looked up to see three high-born Beta females surrounding a trembling Selena.

"You dare wear the Heart of the Luna? A filthy half-breed like you isn't even worthy to touch something meant only for Silver Wolf blood."

My heart clenched.

The Heart of the Luna was around Selena's neck, sparkling in the sun.

"I... I didn't..." Selena stammered, trying to cover the necklace with her hand.

"Didn't what? Didn't steal it, or didn't seduce our future Alpha?"

"Please, don't do this..."

"Kneel!" one of the women snapped. "Show us submission! Prove you remember your place!"

A crowd started to form.

I felt Ethan tense beside me.

He didn't even care that the necklace was exposed.

His eyes found mine from behind the crowd, pleading. Go help her, Elara, his voice commanded in my head.

He wanted me to save her.

Just like all the other times, he wanted me to solve the problems his little sweetheart created.

While he stayed hidden, playing the innocent bystander.

I slowly walked up the stairs.

"Stop it," I said, stepping between them. My voice was calm.

"Oh, the future Luna has arrived," the lead woman sneered. "Elara, do you know this bitch stole your—"

"I know," I cut her off, my eyes fixed on Selena. "But now is not the time to deal with this."

A flash of panic crossed Selena's eyes before she put on a grateful expression. "Elara, thank you..."

"Don't thank me yet," my voice was quiet, but every word was terrifyingly clear. "I just don't want to see an ugly scene in public."

"What ugly scene?" a man in the crowd shouted. "I saw Ethan carrying this woman into his private villa last night with my own eyes!"

The area fell silent.

Everyone's eyes darted between me and Selena.

Selena's face went pale.

"That must be a misunderstanding..." she explained, her voice shaking.

"A misunderstanding?" the man scoffed. "I saw it clearly! Ethan even opened the car door for her!"

"Enough!" Selena suddenly screamed. "I don't want to hear this!"

She pretended to be overwhelmed and lunged toward me.

"Elara, protect me! They're bullying me!"

Her hand gripped my arm, her nails digging into my skin.

Then, as everyone watched, she suddenly went limp and fell backward.

But her hand was still latched onto my arm, making it look like I had pushed her.

"Ahhh—!"

She tumbled over the edge of the terrace.

Time seemed to stand still.

Everyone was staring at me.

Staring at the evil woman who had "pushed" Selena.

"Murderer! The future Luna just pushed her!"

"Somebody do something!"

"Gods, she's a monster!"

A silver blur exploded from the crowd below. Ethan. His massive wolf form caught Selena in mid-air.

He landed safely on the terrace, shifting back to human in a fluid motion and clutching her to his chest.

"Selena! Selena! Are you okay?"

"I... it hurts so much..." she whispered weakly against his chest, looking like she was at death's door.

Ethan looked up, his eyes locking on me with pure murder.

His voice crashed into my mind, "I told you to help her, not kill her!"

I stood silently on the terrace, watching the drama unfold below.

"It was an accident," I said. My voice was so calm it felt foreign even to me.

"An accident?" The crowd hissed in anger. "We all saw you!"

"That's right! We saw everything!"

"Elara is consumed by jealousy!"

"Our future Luna is a monster!"

I didn't defend myself.

There was no point.

This was all part of their plan.

Ethan carried Selena away without a second glance in my direction.

The crowd dispersed, leaving me alone on the terrace.

Just before they disappeared from view, Selena peeked over Ethan’s shoulder.

She gave me a triumphant, ice-cold smirk.

He chose me, her eyes screamed. You lose.