Betrayals Can't Be Forgiven, Alpha

"You sold the moonstone?"

Derek burst through the door in the rain, clutching a jewelry box. Water dripped from his hair onto the expensive carpet below.

"Why? I bought that specifically for you! It could enhance your Luna abilities!" His voice rang with disbelief.

I looked at him calmly. "Because I don't need it."

"Katherine Vance." His voice took on that Alpha authority. "Why did you get rid of it?"

"I donated all the money to Pup Relief Foundation." My voice stayed light. "Anonymously. Abandoned wolves need the help more than I do."

Derek froze, then opened the jewelry box. Inside lay the Deep Sea Moonstone, glowing with ethereal blue light.

"I tracked it down at the auction house and bought it back." He walked toward me and grabbed my hand. "This belongs to you. It always will!"

He gently fastened the necklace around my neck again. The gemstone settled against my collarbone, feeling ice-cold.

"Katherine, you've been acting strange lately." He stared into my eyes. "Tell me what's going on."

I didn't struggle and let him do as he pleased. "Nothing. I just think money should be used for something meaningful."

Just then, his phone rang. It was his Betas.

"Alpha Derek, the inner circle is meeting tonight. Are you coming?" Noisy chatter came through the speaker.

Derek instinctively started to refuse, but I spoke up. "You should go. Spend time with them."

He looked at me in surprise. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'll go with you." I smiled. "I haven't seen them in a while."

An hour later, we sat in a private room at the city's most exclusive restaurant. Derek's three Betas and several core pack members were already there. The table overflowed with expensive dishes and fine wines.

Derek always acted especially attentive toward me at gatherings. Tonight was no exception.

He forbade anyone from shifting in front of me. "Katherine doesn't like seeing that wild side."

He wouldn't let them discuss bloody territory disputes. "We're only talking about light topics tonight."

All evening, he devoted himself to serving me. He cut my steak, peeled my shrimp, and poured my wine. Every gesture was meticulous.

"Katherine likes her steak medium rare."

He placed food on my plate tenderly. "She doesn't eat spicy food, but she loves sweets. I remember all her habits and preferences."

The Betas always marveled at Derek's attentiveness.

"Alpha Derek, the way you treat Luna Katherine is just..." One of them sighed. "We're genuinely touched."

"It's what I should do." Derek's tone was firm. "Katherine is the most precious person in my life. She deserves all my tenderness."

He turned to look at me, his gaze overflowing with warmth. "Right, my moon?"

I nodded, my lips curving into a perfect smile. "Derek has always been wonderful to me. He's never let me down."

The room erupted with teasing laughter.

"Alpha Derek, you're a role model for all male wolves!"

"No wonder Luna loves you so much! Look how sweet you two are!"

"This is what a perfect mate bond looks like! We should all learn from you!"

Derek beamed at the praise and pulled me closer. "Katherine deserves the best of everything. Nothing makes me prouder than being her Alpha."

He announced in front of everyone, "In this world, no one is more important than Katherine. She's my everything."

Applause and admiration filled the air. The Betas raised their glasses in toast.

"To Alpha Derek and Luna Katherine's eternal happiness!"

"A match made in heaven!"

"The perfect mates!"

I raised my glass and clinked it gently against Derek's. The wine sparkled under the lights, just like the devotion in his eyes.

If I didn't know the truth, I'd feel lucky to have someone so attentive. But now, I only felt disgusted.