After My Mate Betrayed Me, I Stole His Heir

I stared at my reflection in the bathroom mirror, watching as the realization dawned across my face. The slight flutter in my abdomen wasn't just morning sickness—it was our pup. Greyson's pup. A tiny life that deserved better than a father who betrayed its mother.

"Luna Gianna?" Alexa's voice came through the door. "Are you alright?"

I splashed cold water on my face and composed myself. "Yes, just a moment."

When I opened the door, my best friend's concerned eyes met mine. As a Beta, Alexa had always been loyal to the pack first, but her friendship with me had grown into something deeper over the years.

"You look pale," she said, following me into my private sitting room. "Is it the pregnancy?"

I nodded, unable to speak the lie again. The healer had confirmed it—I was carrying the Alpha's heir. The thought should have filled me with joy, but instead, it felt like a chain binding me to a mate who had already proven himself unworthy.

"Gianna," Alexa's voice dropped to a whisper. "There's something you should know."

She handed me a folder—pack surveillance reports. My hands trembled as I flipped through photos of Briana entering Greyson's private cabin in the northern territory. Not once. Not twice. Dozens of times over the past months.

"She's not just his mistress," Alexa said, her voice tight with anger. "She's positioning herself to replace you."

The evidence was damning. Photos of Briana wearing my Luna ceremonial jewelry. Meeting with pack elders behind closed doors. Practicing the Luna's traditional blessing with the pack's spiritual advisor.

"She wants to be Luna," I whispered, the truth settling like ice in my veins.

Aria growled within me. *She will not take our place.*

"But she can," I realized aloud. "If Greyson chooses her over us—over our pup—she could take everything."

Alexa's expression darkened. "What will you do?"

I closed my eyes, feeling the baby flutter again. When I opened them, something had hardened within me.

"I won't give her the chance."

---

The plan formed over the next three days. I moved with calculated precision, gathering what I needed while maintaining the perfect Luna facade.

"The scent-masking herbs are rare," Elena whispered as she handed me a small pouch. "But they'll work. Your scent will seem to... end."

I nodded, tucking the herbs into my pocket. "Thank you for your help."

"Gianna," Elena's eyes filled with tears. "Are you certain this is what you want?"

I placed a protective hand over my stomach. "It's what I need to do."

Alexa had secured a new identity for me in Italy—neutral territory under Lycan protection. My parents had already been contacted and would join me there once I was established.

"The car is prepared," Alexa said as we met in the underground garage. "The brakes will fail at exactly the right moment, sending it over the cliff into the ocean. The herbs will mask your scent at the point of impact."

"And Barnaby?" I asked, thinking of my beloved pet.

"He'll be taken care of," she promised. "Greyson won't be able to resist caring for anything connected to you."

I nodded, feeling Aria's approval rumbling within me. My wolf understood what needed to be done.

---

The great hall glittered with silver and blue decorations as Alphas from neighboring packs mingled with Lycan dignitaries. Greyson stood at the center, accepting birthday wishes with the confidence of a man who believed himself untouchable.

Briana hovered nearby, her copper hair gleaming under the chandelier light. She wore a dress that hugged her warrior's physique, her eyes constantly tracking Greyson's movements.

"You're pale tonight, Luna," she said as she passed me, her voice dripping with false concern. "Perhaps you should sit down."

I smiled serenely. "Perhaps you should worry about yourself."

Her eyes narrowed slightly before she moved away, unaware that her time was running out.

From my position near the control room, I could see everything—the visiting Alphas, the pack elders, the Lycan prince who had traveled from Italy to honor Greyson. All witnesses to what would come next.

With a subtle nod to Alexa, I slipped into the control room and took my place at the projection console.

"Time for your birthday surprise," I whispered to myself.

The lights dimmed as the projection screen descended from the ceiling. Gasps rippled through the crowd as the video began to play—high-definition footage of their mighty Alpha entwined with his assistant.

"Is that—" someone started.

"It's Briana," another voice confirmed.

Greyson froze, his eyes widening in horror as he watched himself on screen, heard his own voice promising Briana she would be his Luna.

I stepped into the shadows, watching as chaos erupted. Greyson's face contorted with rage and humiliation as the visiting Alphas turned to him with expressions of disgust.

"I don't know what—" he started, but his voice was drowned out by the murmurs of the crowd.

Briana stood rigid, her face a mask of fury and embarrassment.

As I slipped away toward my waiting fate—a car parked at the edge of the cliff—I heard Greyson's anguished howl echo through the Pack House.

The mate bond twisted painfully in my chest, but I silenced Aria's whimpers.

Some bonds weren't meant to be broken.

Others deserved to be shattered completely.