The sleepless hours after my discovery stretched endlessly, each minute marked by the thundering of my heart and the sick churning in my stomach. By dawn, I'd made a decision that terrified me—I needed to see the truth with my own eyes, not just through grainy surveillance footage.
I waited until the morning patrol shift change, when Ethan would be occupied with Alpha duties and the forest paths would be mostly empty. My weakened wolf protested as I pushed deeper into the woods, following scent trails that made my chest burn with each breath. His scent was everywhere—mixed with hers in ways that spoke of intimacy, of nights spent together while I waited at home like a fool.
The abandoned den Marcus and I had played in as children sat nestled between two ancient oaks, its entrance partially hidden by overgrown ferns. But there was nothing childlike about what I found there now. Torn fabric caught on branches—Violeta's distinctive lavender scarf, the one I'd complimented just last week. The mixed scents hit me like a physical blow, so strong and recent that my knees buckled.
My wolf whimpered deep in my chest, a sound of pure anguish that I'd never heard her make before. Even weakened as she was, she could sense the betrayal of our mate bond, the way it had been corrupted by lies and deception.
I stumbled back toward the pack house, my vision blurring with unshed tears. But I couldn't fall apart—not yet. I needed answers, and there was only one person who might give them to me.
Marcus was in the old training grounds behind the pack house, working through sword forms with the methodical precision that had made him such an effective Beta. His movements paused when he saw me approaching, concern immediately creasing his features.
"Em? You look like hell."
I glanced around, ensuring we were alone before speaking. "I need to ask you something, and I need you to be completely honest with me."
He set down his practice sword, giving me his full attention. "Always."
"My bloodline—my real bloodline. You've always known, haven't you?"
Marcus went very still, his expression carefully neutral in a way that confirmed my suspicions. "What brought this on?"
"Just answer me. Please."
He was quiet for a long moment, studying my face. Finally, he nodded. "Yes. Dad made me promise never to tell you unless... unless circumstances made it necessary."
"Alpha blood." The words felt strange on my tongue.
"Strong Alpha blood. Stronger than most, actually. That's why your sacrifice hit you so hard—you weren't just giving up Omega strength, you were suppressing something much more powerful."
My hands clenched into fists. "What does that mean for territorial rights?"
Marcus's eyes sharpened. "Emory, what's going on?"
"Just answer the question."
"It means you could claim territory independently. Your bloodline gives you that right, regardless of pack affiliation or mate status." He stepped closer, worry evident in every line of his body. "But using that right would sever your connection to the Silver Moon Pack permanently. And if you're thinking what I think you're thinking, it would also mean going up against Ethan directly. That's dangerous, Em. Even with Alpha blood, you're still weakened."
I nodded, filing away the information. "Thank you for being honest."
"Emory—"
But I was already walking away, my mind racing with possibilities I'd never dared consider before.
Evening brought the weekly pack dinner, a tradition I'd always looked forward to. Tonight, it felt like walking into a den of wolves—which, I supposed, it was. I took my usual seat at the high table beside Ethan, who greeted me with the same warm smile that had once made my heart flutter. Now it just made me feel sick.
Violeta sat at the Beta table, glowing with what everyone assumed was good health but what I now knew was pregnancy. She caught my eye and waved, her smile bright and innocent. The casual cruelty of it took my breath away.
"I have an announcement," Ethan said, rising from his chair. The hall fell silent, all eyes turning to their Alpha. "As you all know, we've been dealing with increased rogue activity in the eastern territories. I want to assure everyone that we're taking extra precautions to keep our pack safe."
He gestured toward Violeta, who ducked her head with practiced modesty. "Beta Violeta has been particularly vulnerable due to her delicate condition, so I've assigned myself as her personal protection detail until the threat passes."
Murmurs of approval rippled through the hall. Several pack members nodded approvingly at their Alpha's dedication to protecting a vulnerable pack sister.
"It's nothing, really," Violeta said, her voice carrying just the right note of grateful humility. "Alpha Ethan is too kind. I know how busy he is with the upcoming territory ceremony."
Her hand moved to rest on her belly—a gesture so subtle that most wouldn't notice, but I saw it. I saw the way her fingers caressed the slight swell, the way her eyes found Ethan's across the room. I saw the meaningful look they shared, full of secrets and promises that should have been mine.
The bile rose in my throat as applause broke out around the hall. They were performing for everyone, playing their roles to perfection while I sat there like a fool, the betrayed mate who didn't even know she'd been replaced.
Ethan sat back down beside me, his hand finding mine under the table. "Everything alright, love? You seem tense."
The endearment that once made me melt now felt like poison on his lips. I looked into his eyes—those golden eyes I'd once thought held nothing but love for me—and saw a stranger.
