Alpha, You Chose My Sister

Two weeks had passed since my world shattered at our anniversary celebration. Two weeks of silent meals, averted gazes, and the constant, humiliating awareness of Sophia's presence in what had once been my bedroom. I'd established a routine of sorts—wake early, before they did, exercise until exhaustion in the home gym, work remotely for my father's—now Marcus's—company, and retreat to my small guest room before dinner to avoid watching them play house.

Morning light filtered through the thin curtains as I jolted awake, my stomach churning violently. I barely made it to the bathroom, collapsing to my knees as I emptied what little I'd eaten the night before. This was the third morning in a row. At first, I'd blamed stress or perhaps a stomach virus, but as I rinsed my mouth and splashed cold water on my face, a different possibility took root.

No. It couldn't be.

My cycle had always been regular—except now, thinking back, I realized I was late. Very late.

I gripped the edge of the sink, staring at my reflection. The woman looking back at me was a ghost of who I'd been just weeks ago—dark circles under her eyes, cheekbones too sharp, skin too pale. But there was something else there too, a subtle change I couldn't quite identify.

After a quick shower, I slipped out of the mansion while Marcus and Sophia were still asleep. The pharmacy was just opening when I arrived, the elderly Beta behind the counter giving me a sympathetic smile as I purchased three different pregnancy tests. News of my public humiliation had spread through the entire werewolf community; there wasn't a shop owner or waiter in the city who didn't know what had happened to Luna Thorne.

Back in my bathroom, I followed the instructions with trembling hands. Three minutes. The longest three minutes of my life. I paced the small space, mind racing with possibilities. A baby. Marcus's baby. Our baby.

When the timer on my phone chimed softly, I couldn't look immediately. What would this mean? A child born into this toxic household, with a father who despised its mother and an aunt who had stolen its father?

Finally, I forced myself to look.

Positive. All three tests showed the same result.

I sank to the floor, the cool tile against my legs as I stared at the plastic sticks in my hand. Emotions warred within me—terror, hope, despair, and beneath it all, a fierce, protective instinct I'd never felt before. This tiny life growing inside me was innocent, untouched by the cruelty and betrayal that had become my daily existence.

My hand moved unconsciously to my still-flat stomach. My child. Despite everything, a small spark of joy flickered in my chest. I wasn't alone anymore.

But the joy was quickly doused by reality. What would Marcus say? What would he do? The thought of telling him filled me with dread, but I had no choice. This wasn't something I could hide for long.

I waited until afternoon, when I knew he'd be in his study. The walk down the hallway felt like marching to an execution. I knocked softly on the heavy wooden door.

"Come in," Marcus called, his voice distracted.

He didn't look up when I entered, his attention fixed on his laptop screen. Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting his sharp profile in golden light. Once, I had found that profile handsome. Now, I saw only the cold stranger who had destroyed me.

"I need to speak with you," I said, my voice steadier than I expected.

He sighed, clearly annoyed by the interruption. "Make it quick. I have a conference call in ten minutes."

I took a deep breath. "I'm pregnant."

That got his attention. His head snapped up, eyes narrowing as they fixed on my face, searching for any sign of deception. Finding none, his gaze dropped briefly to my stomach before returning to my face.

"Are you certain?" His voice was flat, emotionless.

"Yes. Three tests, all positive."

Marcus leaned back in his chair, fingers steepled under his chin as he considered me with cold calculation. I could almost see the wheels turning behind his eyes, weighing options, considering scenarios.

"Take care of it," he finally said, his tone as casual as if he were asking me to pick up his dry cleaning.

The words hit me like a physical blow. "What?"

"You heard me." He turned back to his laptop, dismissing me. "A child would complicate things unnecessarily. It would ruin Sophia's mood."

"This is our child," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. "Your heir."

Something flickered in his eyes—interest, perhaps, but it was quickly extinguished. "Sophia and I will have children when the time is right. This... situation... would only create confusion."

"I won't do it," I said, surprising myself with my defiance. "This baby is mine."

Marcus's expression hardened. "Don't test me, Luna. You're still my wife, and you'll do as I say."

"Or what?" The spark of defiance grew stronger. "You've already taken everything from me. What more can you do?"

His smile was chilling. "You'd be surprised." He glanced at his watch. "I have a call. We'll discuss this later."

I was being dismissed. Again. I turned to leave, my hand protectively covering my stomach.

"Luna," he called as I reached the door. "Don't mention this to anyone. Not yet."

I didn't respond, simply closed the door behind me. In the hallway, I leaned against the wall, fighting back tears. I had known he wouldn't be happy, but the cold, calculating way he had suggested I terminate the pregnancy... It was inhuman.

That evening, Marcus's parents arrived unexpectedly for dinner. Eleonora Thorne swept into the mansion in a cloud of expensive perfume, her husband Gerald following with his usual stern expression. I hadn't seen them since the anniversary party, and facing them now, knowing what they had witnessed, made my skin crawl with humiliation.

"Luna, darling," Eleonora air-kissed my cheeks, her eyes assessing me critically. "You've lost weight. It doesn't suit you."

Before I could respond, Sophia appeared, dressed in one of my designer dresses—a red Valentino I'd worn only once. She embraced Eleonora warmly.

"Eleonora, Gerald, what a lovely surprise! I've had Cook prepare your favorites."

I watched in silent fury as Sophia played hostess in my home, directing staff she had no right to command, smiling at my in-laws as if she belonged here. And the worst part? They accepted it, treating her with the warmth and approval they had never shown me.

Dinner was a special kind of torture. I pushed food around my plate, stomach still unsettled from morning sickness, while Sophia charmed the elder Thornes with stories and laughter. Marcus watched it all with cool amusement, occasionally joining the conversation but mostly observing, like a scientist studying an experiment.

"Luna," Gerald addressed me directly for the first time, "Marcus tells me the quarterly reports from your father's company are showing promising growth."

"Yes," I replied, grateful for a neutral topic. "The new product line is performing above projections."

"Good, good," he nodded. "Your father built a solid foundation. Shame he didn't live to see how Marcus has improved upon it."

The casual cruelty of the remark stole my breath. My father had been a brilliant businessman; Marcus had simply swooped in after his death and taken credit for years of groundwork.

Before I could formulate a response that wouldn't reveal my anger, Sophia cleared her throat dramatically.

"Speaking of family legacies," she said, her eyes glittering with malice as they fixed on me, "I think Luna has some news to share."

The table fell silent. Marcus's head snapped toward Sophia, his expression darkening. How had she known? Had he told her?

"Sophia," Marcus warned, but she continued, her smile widening.

"Luna's pregnant," she announced, watching me with calculating eyes. "Isn't that right, sister dear?"

All eyes turned to me. I felt trapped, cornered by my sister's deliberate cruelty. She had stolen my news, just as she had stolen everything else.

To my surprise, Eleonora's face lit up. "A baby? Marcus, you didn't tell us!"

Gerald nodded approvingly. "The Thorne line continues. Excellent news."

Marcus's jaw tightened, but he quickly masked his irritation with a practiced smile. "We were waiting for confirmation before making any announcements."

"How far along are you, Luna?" Eleonora asked, suddenly interested in me for the first time in our relationship.

"I'm not sure yet," I answered truthfully. "I only just found out."

"We must get you to the best obstetrician immediately," Eleonora declared. "The Thorne heir deserves nothing but the finest care."

Across the table, Sophia's expression had soured. This wasn't the reaction she had expected. She had hoped to embarrass me, perhaps even to reveal that Marcus wanted me to terminate the pregnancy. Instead, she had elevated my status in the family hierarchy.

As dinner continued, I felt a strange shift in the dynamics. Eleonora peppered me with questions about my health, offering advice about pregnancy and childrearing. Gerald discussed trust funds and inheritance planning with Marcus, who responded with tight-lipped agreement.

And Sophia sat silently fuming, her plan backfired.

For the first time in weeks, I felt a glimmer of power. This child—this innocent life growing inside me—had changed everything. It wasn't just my future at stake anymore.

As I caught Sophia's venomous glare across the table, I knew this wasn't over. If anything, the stakes had just been raised.

My hand moved protectively to my stomach. Whatever came next, I would fight with everything I had. For my child. For myself.

The game had changed, and I was no longer playing to win back what I had lost.

I was playing to survive.