Her Alphas Craved Her Love When She Stopped Caring Them EXPANDED

“Lenora, we’ve arranged your Mateship Ceremony,” her mother’s voice pressed into her thoughts through the mind link, firm yet tinged with worry. “Your blood grows more unstable with each day. Only an Alpha’s bond can anchor it and keep you alive.”

Sitting in the half-dark of her room, Lenora let her eyes drift over the shadows clinging to the corners. Silence filled the link, heavy with everything unsaid. She already knew what was coming—her mother’s usual offer of escape.

“If you truly don’t want this,” her mother murmured after a pause, “I’ll talk to your father. You won’t be forced.”

Lenora drew a breath and steadied her tone. “No, Mom. I’ll go through with it.”

Her mother faltered, disbelief thick in her voice. “You…you mean it?”

“Yes,” Lenora replied evenly. “But I’ll need time to settle things here in Nightveil Pack. Begin the preparations.”

She cut the connection before she could second-guess herself, before she could even ask the Alpha’s name. It didn’t matter who he was, only that he was willing to claim a woman everyone thought was fading.

But she wasn’t dying—not yet. Her Lycan bloodline, ancient and overwhelmingly strong, was slowly breaking her down from within. Without an Alpha mate’s mark to bind it, she was losing ground to her own power.

As her mother’s presence faded, the muffled sounds of celebration rose from below: music, laughter, the chorus of “Happy Birthday.” Evan and Raymond—the Alpha’s sons, her childhood companions—were hosting the party. And the guest of honor was Hailey, the young omega who had joined their pack barely a month ago after rogues left her orphaned.

A knock disturbed her brooding. The door creaked open, and Hailey slipped in, balancing a plate with a slice of cake. Frosting clung to her face in a way that made her look childlike, almost too sweet.

“Lenora,” Hailey said softly, stepping close, “please come downstairs. It would mean so much if you joined us.”

Lenora’s gaze cooled. Beneath the doe-eyed plea, she had caught flashes of calculation before. “I have things to finish,” she said flatly. “Enjoy your party.”

Hurt flickered across Hailey’s features, her lashes wet with unshed tears. “Do you not like me, Lenora? Is that why you always keep away?”

Lenora bit back a bitter laugh. She hadn’t raised a hand, yet already Hailey was molding herself into the victim.

“Hailey,” her voice sharpened, “keep your act for Evan and Raymond. They’ll believe it. I won’t.”

She began closing the door—but Hailey thrust her hand into the frame. A sharp cry left her lips as her skin bruised instantly.

Evan and Raymond appeared just in time to see Hailey clutching her hand. Their focus locked on her, not Lenora.

“Lenora!” Raymond barked, fury darkening his face. “You didn’t need to go this far. When did you turn so cruel?”

Evan’s disappointment cut just as deep. “It’s her birthday,” he said coldly. “Was that necessary?”

Turning back to Hailey, his voice gentled. “Come on, let’s get that treated. Does it hurt badly?”

The two of them led her away, murmuring reassurances, leaving Lenora behind as though she were nothing.

She shut her door quietly, leaning against it as memories crashed down. Once, those boys had been her anchors, her laughter, her guardians. They had begged her not to leave when she was sent away for healing, promising loyalty for life.

But Hailey’s arrival had changed everything. Lenora had been the one to welcome her, to draw her in. And in return, Hailey had taken the two people who once swore to never leave her side.

The sting of betrayal twisted into resolve. The arranged mateship wasn’t just survival anymore. It was her way out.