Alpha's Downfall for Revenge

I adjusted my silver gown over my swollen belly, the fabric stretching uncomfortably across my nine-month pregnant form. The grand hall of Gabriel's pack house buzzed with activity as wolves from allied packs mingled, celebrating another successful territory expansion. My hand instinctively went to the moonstone necklace that hung at my throat—Gabriel's gift when he'd first declared me his mate.

A mate. What a beautiful, sacred word in our world.

I smiled softly, watching Gabriel across the room. His tall, commanding presence drew every eye as he shook hands with the Alpha of the Northern Ridge Pack. My chest swelled with pride. From a small group of rogues to one of the most powerful Alphas in North America—and I had helped him achieve it all. Every resource from my father's Silvermoon Pack, every alliance I'd brokered, every sacrifice I'd made had been worth it for the empire we were building together.

For our pup.

I caressed my belly, feeling a strong kick against my palm. Any day now, our heir would arrive.

"Sophia." Victoria's voice sliced through my thoughts like a cold blade.

I turned to face her, forcing a polite smile. Victoria Hayes, the daughter of Alpha Valerius from the Crimson Ridge Pack. She'd been hovering around Gabriel since we'd formed an alliance with her father's pack three months ago.

"Victoria," I acknowledged with a slight nod, the movement causing a wave of dizziness. I'd been feeling weak all day, but I couldn't miss this ceremony. It was too important to Gabriel.

"These heels are killing me," she complained, gesturing to her stilettos. "I've been standing for hours greeting these boring Alphas."

I noticed Gabriel watching us from across the room, an unreadable expression on his face.

"Perhaps you should sit down," I suggested, uncomfortable with her proximity.

"No, I have a better idea." A smirk twisted her lips as she stepped forward. "I need to rest my feet."

Before I could react, Victoria placed her foot directly onto my swollen belly, pressing down with deliberate force.

Pain exploded through me, sharp and blinding. I gasped, unable to even scream as I felt something tear inside me. My knees buckled, and I collapsed to the marble floor, clutching my stomach.

Warm liquid pooled between my legs, soaking through the silver fabric of my gown. Blood. So much blood.

"My pup," I whispered, horror washing over me as pack members scattered in shock. "Gabriel!"

Through the haze of pain, I saw him standing frozen, his eyes locked with Victoria's. He didn't rush to me. He didn't move at all.

Darkness claimed me then, mercifully pulling me under.

* * *

Three days later, I walked slowly up the steps to the pack house, my body still weak from the loss of our pup. The pack healer had finally released me, though she'd warned me to rest. But I needed to see Gabriel. He hadn't visited me once during my recovery.

Surely, he was devastated too. Perhaps too broken to face me.

I pushed open the heavy oak doors, the familiar scent of home washing over me. But something was different—another scent lingered in the air. Victoria's perfume.

Following the sound of low voices, I made my way to the main hall. I stopped dead in the doorway, my heart shattering into a thousand pieces.

Gabriel stood by the fireplace, his arms wrapped intimately around Victoria's waist. Her head rested against his chest, their bodies fitting together as if made for each other. His fingers stroked her hair tenderly—the same way he used to touch mine.

"Gabriel?" My voice came out as a broken whisper.

They broke apart, but not with guilt—with annoyance.

"Sophia." Gabriel's voice was cold, devoid of any warmth. "You should be resting."

"What is this?" I gestured between them, tears blurring my vision. "Our pup just died, and you're—"

"Always the drama queen." Victoria rolled her eyes.

I stepped forward, rage building inside me. "You killed my pup!"

Gabriel's face hardened. With a swift movement, he shoved me backward with his Alpha power, the force of it slamming me against the wall.

"You're ruining the mood," he snarled, his Alpha tone cutting into me like physical blows. "Victoria is my true mate. She always has been."

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think.

"But the bond—" I clutched the moonstone at my throat.

"There was never a mate bond, Sophia." His laugh was cruel, mocking. "You were convenient. Your father's resources, your connections—they built my empire. You were never anything but a tool."

Victoria's triumphant smile burned into my soul as Gabriel's words destroyed everything I thought I knew about us. About love. About destiny.

And in that moment, something inside me changed. The last remnant of the loving, trusting she-wolf I had been died alongside my pup.

In her place, something colder was born.