The Alpha's New Year Resolution

He proposed to my stepsister at midnight. I was carrying his child.

But let me start from the beginning—ten minutes before my world collapsed.

The crystal chandelier cast fractured rainbows across the marble floor of Greyson's penthouse. Champagne laughter, designer heels clicking, the rustle of silk gowns—all of it swirled around me while I pressed myself deeper into the shadowed alcove behind the grand piano.

My fingers clutched the pregnancy test so tightly the plastic edges bit into my palm.

Ten minutes to midnight.

Two pink lines. They seemed to glow in my dark corner like a secret beacon, and my heart raced with the kind of hope that makes you stupid. Tonight would be perfect. Greyson would finally acknowledge what we both knew—that I was his mate, his Luna. The timing couldn't be more romantic. A new year, a new beginning, and now... a baby.

I smoothed down my dress—the same navy blue one from the thrift store, the same one I'd worn to three different pack events this year. It was the nicest thing I owned. Compared to the silk and satin swirling around me, it looked exactly like what it was: charity clothes on an orphan girl playing pretend.

Sarah's laugh cut through the music like broken glass.

I spotted her across the room—my stepsister, holding court near the bar in a stunning red gown that probably cost more than my rent. Blonde hair perfectly styled, admirers circling like moths. She didn't know about Greyson and me. No one did.

We'd kept our relationship secret at his request. Hidden places. Stolen moments in his office after pack meetings. Whispered promises in empty corridors.

"It's complicated," he'd always said when I asked about going public. "The pack politics, Maya. You understand."

I did understand. I was nobody—an orphaned omega living on the charity of my stepfamily. But tonight, with this test burning in my hand and the countdown approaching, everything would change.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

Greyson's voice boomed across the room, amplified by his Alpha presence. Every conversation died. Every head turned. He stood on the raised platform near the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city skyline glittering behind him like a crown of stars.

God, he was beautiful. Black tuxedo molded to broad shoulders. Dark hair perfectly styled. Those piercing gray eyes that had looked at me with such tenderness just yesterday, when he'd whispered that he loved me.

Five minutes to midnight.

My heart hammered against my ribs as I stepped forward, just enough to catch his eye. This was it. This was the moment he would call me to his side, announce our bond to the pack, share our joy about the baby.

"As we prepare to welcome the new year," Greyson continued, that commanding Alpha tone making my wolf purr, "I want to share something special with all of you."

Yes.

I took another step forward, legs trembling. The pregnancy test felt warm in my sweaty palm.

"This year has brought many changes, many revelations about what truly matters." His eyes swept the crowd, and for one heart-stopping moment, I thought they found mine. "About love, about destiny, about the bonds that shape our future."

The crowd murmured appreciatively. Champagne glasses rose in anticipation. I could barely breathe. My wolf practically vibrated beneath my skin.

"Three minutes!" someone shouted.

Couples found each other, preparing for the traditional midnight kiss. I waited for Greyson to step down from the platform, to make his way through the crowd to me.

He didn't move.

"Before we count down to midnight," he said, his voice softer now but still carrying across the silent room, "I have something important to ask someone very special."

My heart nearly burst. A public proposal. In front of the entire pack leadership. I pressed the pregnancy test closer to my body, imagining the moment I'd share our secret.

Then Greyson's eyes found their target.

And my world tilted sideways.

He wasn't looking at me.

He was looking at Sarah.

"Two minutes!" The countdown began, but the voices sounded muffled, distant, like I was drowning. I watched in growing horror as Greyson stepped down from the platform, moving through the parting crowd with purposeful strides.

Not toward my corner.

Toward Sarah.

No. No, this couldn't be happening. There had to be some mistake. Maybe he was going to acknowledge her as his future sister-in-law? Maybe—

Greyson dropped to one knee in front of Sarah.

The room erupted. Gasps. Squeals of delight. Sarah's hands flew to her mouth, blue eyes wide with what looked like genuine surprise.

The pregnancy test slipped from my numb fingers.

It clattered to the floor with a sound that seemed to echo like thunder. But no one heard. No one was looking at me.

"Sarah Mitchell." Greyson's voice carried clearly across the suddenly silent room. "You are my true mate, my Luna, my everything. Will you marry me?"

The diamond ring caught the light from the chandelier, throwing sparkles across Sarah's tear-streaked face. She nodded frantically, unable to speak. Greyson slipped the ring onto her finger.

The crowd began the final countdown.

"Ten! Nine! Eight!"

I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. Couldn't think beyond the crushing weight settling on my chest. This had to be a nightmare. Yesterday—yesterday—Greyson had held me in his arms, told me he loved me, made love to me with a tenderness that had convinced me we were meant to be.

"Seven! Six! Five!"

Sarah threw her arms around Greyson's neck as he stood, pulling him into a kiss that made the crowd cheer. My stepsister—beautiful, perfect Sarah who had everything handed to her—was kissing my mate. My secret lover.

The father of my unborn child.

"Four! Three! Two!"

The pregnancy test lay at my feet, its pink lines a mockery of the hope I'd carried into this room. Around me, couples embraced. Champagne corks popped. Confetti fell like snow.

"ONE! HAPPY NEW YEAR!"

Midnight bells chimed across the city. Cheers mixed with laughter mixed with the sound of my heart shattering into a thousand irreparable pieces.

Greyson spun Sarah in his arms, her red dress flaring around them like spilled blood.

And I finally understood.

I had never been his mate. I had been his dirty little secret. His temporary distraction. His mistake.

The new year began with celebration all around me. I stood frozen in the shadows, watching the man I loved claim another woman as his Luna.

While our child grew silently in my womb.