After My Alpha Chose His Mistress

Eleanor's heels clicked against the marble floor as she approached me in the east wing corridor. Her eyes, cold as winter frost, assessed me with undisguised contempt. I straightened my posture instinctively, though my spirit felt crushed under the weight of Nathan's betrayal.

"Luna Sophia," she said, the title sounding like an insult on her lips. "I have new duties for you."

Lyra growled softly within me. *Don't let her see your pain.*

"Of course, Eleanor," I replied, keeping my voice steady. "How may I serve the pack?"

A thin smile stretched across her face. "Rebecca requires assistance preparing the nursery for the heir."

The words hit me like physical blows. Nursery. Heir. I struggled to maintain my composure as Eleanor continued.

"You will oversee the arrangements personally. Label the clothing, prepare the room, and ensure everything is perfect." She paused, clearly savoring my reaction. "And you'll serve Rebecca tea and honey cakes daily. The mother of our future Alpha deserves special care."

My fingers curled into my palms, nails biting into flesh. "Rebecca is... pregnant?"

"Not officially announced yet," Eleanor said with calculated casualness. "But soon. Nathan is thrilled."

Lyra howled in anguish inside me. *It's not true. It can't be.*

"I see," I managed, though my vision blurred with unshed tears.

"The honey cakes must be fresh daily. Rebecca has specific cravings." Eleanor's eyes gleamed with malicious pleasure. "Do try to be useful for once."

She swept away, leaving me frozen in the hallway, my world collapsing further around me.

That afternoon, I stood in the empty room designated as the nursery, staring at the pale yellow walls. My hands trembled as I unpacked tiny clothes—onesies, booties, caps—all requiring labels with the Sterling pack insignia.

Each stitch felt like it was being sewn through my heart. This should have been my joy, my nursery, my pups. Instead, I was preparing it for another woman's child—a woman who had stolen my mate.

*We need help,* Lyra whimpered. *We can't do this alone.*

I glanced around, ensuring I was truly alone, then closed my eyes and reached for a connection I'd never attempted before—a desperate act of a desperate woman.

*Alpha Michael?* I sent the mind-link tentatively, unsure if it would even reach beyond pack borders.

Silence stretched for so long I nearly gave up. Then:

*Luna Sophia?* His voice was warm, concerned. *Are you safe?*

Tears sprang to my eyes at the genuine worry in his tone. *I need someone to talk to. Please.*

*I'm here,* came his immediate response. *Tell me.*

The dam broke. Through our tenuous link, I poured out everything—Nathan's betrayal, Rebecca's manipulation, the nursery I was now forced to prepare.

*I recognized your scent years ago,* Michael confessed after listening patiently. *At the academy. But you were bonded to Nathan, so I respected that.*

*You knew me then?* I asked, surprised.

*My wolf, Ryker, recognized you immediately. But honor demanded I step back.*

Something warm unfurled in my chest—not happiness exactly, but perhaps the first flicker of hope I'd felt in days.

*Trust your wolf, Sophia,* Michael urged gently. *Lyra knows the truth. She always has.*

Our connection faded as footsteps approached the nursery. I quickly wiped my tears and resumed labeling tiny garments.

That evening, Nathan called an emergency pack council meeting. The silver-studded chairs of the council chamber gleamed under the chandeliers as pack members filed in. I took my place beside Nathan's empty chair, aware of the whispers and sidelong glances.

Nathan entered last, with Rebecca on his arm. My stomach clenched at the possessive way his hand rested on her lower back.

"Brothers and sisters of Silvermoon," Nathan began, his voice carrying the unmistakable pride of an Alpha. "I've called you here to share joyous news."

Rebecca stepped forward, her hand dramatically placed over her abdomen. "I carry the next Alpha of Silvermoon within me," she announced, her eyes finding mine across the room. "Our pack's future is secured."

Gasps and cheers erupted around me. Eleanor beamed with undisguised triumph. Pack members who had once bowed respectfully to me now turned eyes of either pity or scorn in my direction.

As applause thundered through the chamber, I sat motionless, my hands folded in my lap, my face a careful mask. But inside, Lyra and I howled together in grief and rage.

Across the room, Rebecca smiled directly at me, one hand still resting protectively over her belly, the other reaching for Nathan's hand.

In that moment, I knew with absolute certainty that I would never serve honey cakes to this woman. Something had to change—and soon.