Making my alpha cry

My mate, Alpha Ulric Lancaster, made a spectacle of himself, publicly declaring his love for Ophelia, the she-wolf adored by his sworn rival, just to prove a point. The whole of Joravia-pack was buzzing with the news.

Alpha Ulric swore it was all a charade, just a game to get under his rival's fur, but his actions cut me deeper than I could bear, leaving my heart cold and heavy.

"Luna Julia, just let her slap you back, and I'll make it up to you, I swear," he said, his voice smooth as ever.

I didn't flinch when her hand struck my cheek. Even when he later spoke of breaking our bond, I just replied, cool as ice, "If that's what you want."

"It's not real, Luna Julia. It's just for show. When this game's over, I'll bring you back home, okay?" he pleaded.

Alpha Ulric, Joravia-pack's notorious playboy wolf, had once fallen for me at first sight. He chased me relentlessly, swore he'd change his wild ways, and our sacred bond became the stuff of legends in the pack. A true tale of a rogue wolf tamed.

But now, he was pulling the same stunt with another she-wolf. Everyone pitied me, whispering about my misfortune, but I just brushed it off with a smile.

What he didn't know was that his gamble was also mine.

Six months later, Alpha Ulric's eyes lit up when he saw my rounded belly, his wolfish grin wide with joy. But then it hit him-he hadn't shared my bed in the three months before we became unbound.

The needle pricked my fingertip, but the sting was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. Three months of hearing the same news, day after day-Alpha Ulric and Ophelia, Alpha Ulric and his rival, Alpha Ulric and his games. At first, it felt like a blade twisting in my gut, but now? I was starting to go numb.

Still, the hurt lingered. My maid, catching the grief in my eyes, clammed up. I just murmured, "Got it. You can go."

Stepping into the courtyard, I heard Alpha Ulric's laugh-a sound I hadn't heard so bright in ages. It crashed into me, stirring memories of better days.

"If it's not a top-tier den, I'm not staying," Ophelia's voice rang out, smug as she shot me a taunting smirk.

"You'll stay in the Sycamore Den, right next to mine. I set it up myself," Alpha Ulric said, his tone warm with pride.

I stumbled back a step, fighting the sting in my eyes, and ignored the voices trailing behind me. The courtyard filled with the sounds of crates being hauled in, furniture shuffled around.

"Julia, that she-wolf's gone too far, and Alpha Ulric? He's back to his old tricks," my maid muttered, shaking her head.

Alpha Ulric burst in, all nervous energy, crouching before me with that boyish charm he wielded like a weapon. " Luna Julia, I told you, it's because she's Marcus Chandler's chosen mate. I have to steal her away. Once I do, I'll send her packing, I swear."

I lowered my gaze, my voice flat. "That den-every tree, every stone-you planted it for me. You called it my sanctuary. Now it's hers."

He grabbed my hand, pressing a quick kiss to it. I flinched, but he held on tighter, his warm palm engulfing mine. "I'll build you a new den, better than before. But I can't let Marcus win. Anything he claims, I take."

"Like you did three years ago?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes widened, catching the hurt in mine. "No, Luna Julia, that was different. I fell for you-hard. It wasn't about Marcus."

His eyes brimmed with sincerity, and for a moment, I couldn't tell if he was lying or if I just wanted to believe him. Before I could respond, a packmate burst in.

"Alpha Ulric, Ophelia's saying she'll rip out all the lilies-Julia's favorite flowers!"

I bolted outside, but it was too late. The lilies I loved, their roots torn from the earth, lay scattered across the ground.

Crack. My hand flew before I could stop it, connecting with Ophelia's cheek. "Those were mine. Who said you could touch them?"

Ophelia's maid gasped. "Ophelia, let's tell Marcus they're ganging up on you!"

Alpha Ulric stepped in front of Ophelia, his voice soft, coaxing. "Easy, now. Don't go running to Marcus. I don't like that."

"Then I'm hitting her back," Ophelia snapped.