Twilight of Betrayal: The Alpha’s Broken Promise

I was too stunned that I could feel my rationality leaving me. Sure, my mom wouldn’t have minded a rabbit on her grave—she loved animals—but Liam knew it was her resting place. And he still let his pity little mate defile it. The nerve!

Then, his mate timidly tugged at his shirt, her voice barely above a whisper. “Liam, stop. It’s our fault, we—”

She let out a soft squeak when she looked at me, and somehow that only made Liam angrier.

“Don’t test me, Astrid! I could have you and your dad banished from the pack!” His voice was pure venom. “With his condition, he wouldn’t survive living as a rogue!”

My mind went blank. He could hate me all he wanted, but to speak of my dad like that? After everything Dad had done for him? It was too much.

“I’d like to see you try, bastard!” I roared, shifting into my wolf as I leaped onto them, all of my reason gone. I wasn’t going to stop until I tore him apart.

Liam shifted in an instant, meeting me midair, and we crashed to the ground, rolling through the mud like wild animals, each of us trying to tear the other’s throat out. His mate screamed his name from the sidelines, her voice shrill with terror, but her cries only seemed to fuel him. He fought like a beast, more savage than I’d ever seen him.

I sank my teeth into his forepaw, claws digging into his side. But he retaliated with a brutal kick to my stomach, his claws raking across my back. Pain shot through me as one of his claws sliced dangerously close to my spine. For a moment, everything cleared. The rage, the pain—everything.

And I saw the truth.

I was nothing to him. Always had been. If he hadn’t found his mate, I’d probably still be blind to it all.

With a final blow, Liam sent me flying. The world spun around me as I crashed into the wet grass. For a second, I thought maybe dying here wouldn’t be so bad. But then Dad’s face flashed before me.

This wasn’t what he would’ve wanted. Not like this.

I forced myself to stand, my body screaming in protest as Liam emerged from the trees, looking like he hadn’t even broken a sweat. I hated to admit it, but he was stronger and faster. A league above me in every way. But that didn’t mean I was about to back down. Not after everything.

Liam charged at me, his eyes filled with murderous intent. I braced myself, ready to meet him head-on, but just as our claws were about to clash, three massive wolves leaped between us, forcing us apart.

The Alpha slammed into Liam, while the Delta and Gamma held me down, one on each side.

"Enough!" the Alpha’s voice boomed through the forest, sharp and commanding. "Shift back and explain yourselves!"

Neither of us listened. I was too consumed with rage, too blinded by the need to break free and finish what Liam had started.

The Alpha’s eyes narrowed in frustration. With a swift, brutal punch, he knocked the wind out of Liam, while the elders forced me to the ground, their grips unrelenting.

Then, a trembling and soft voice cut through the chaos. "Please, don’t hurt him. He was only protecting me."

I looked up to see Liam’s mate rushing toward us.

"And who the hell are you?" the Alpha snarled, his patience wearing thin.

"I-I’m Nina," she stammered, her voice barely holding steady. "Liam’s mate."

The words hung in the air like a curse. A wave of gasps rippled through the crowd, and I could feel their judgment pressing down on me, sharp as daggers. How did I suddenly become the villain here? I snorted, shifting back into my human form, blood still boiling beneath my skin.

I didn’t need to say anything. What was the point in defending myself? I knew every bone in my body had been craving this fight.

"Talk, young girl." The Alpha ordered with a calmer tone, but his concerned gaze locked with my murderous look.

Nina fumbled nervously as she tried to explain. “Liam was teaching me how to hunt. But I felt sorry for the rabbit and told him we should bury it. We passed by some flowers and thought... maybe the little thing would want to rest somewhere nice…”

Before she could finish, the Alpha’s growl cut through the air like a blade. “You did what?!”

With a swift kick, he sent Liam tumbling to Nina’s feet like a ragdoll.

“I understand wanting to be with your mate, but you’ve crossed a line!” The Alpha was beyond furious.

Forced back into his human form, Liam coughed, attempting to reason. “What did I do wrong? It was just an old grave. Mrs. Bane…”

The Alpha grabbed him by the neck, pulling him close as his voice dripped with venom. “Elliot was just buried days ago, and you had the nerve to desecrate his grave.”

Liam’s face went pale, and his gaze slowly drifted to me, filled with shock, confusion, maybe even regret. But none of it mattered to me. All I had left for him was disgust. How had I ever loved this man? If only I could go back, I'd erase every trace of him from my life. But that wasn't an option—I’d have to carry this regret forever.

I wrapped myself with a blanket and turned away.

“Astrid…” I heard him call, but I didn’t look back.