My Alpha Abandoned Me for the Rogue Luna

Three days had passed since I'd been relegated to the warriors' wing, three days of avoiding Austin's cold stares and Vienna's triumphant smiles. My body still ached from the months spent healing, but the physical pain paled compared to the hollow ache in my chest.

I needed food. The pack kitchen would be busy now, but I couldn't wait any longer. My stomach growled as I pushed open the door.

The conversation inside died immediately. A dozen eyes turned toward me, then quickly away. Except for Vienna's.

She sat at the center table, surrounded by a cluster of Omega females who hung on her every word. Her honey-blonde hair cascaded down her back in perfect waves, not a strand out of place. Nothing like my own tangled mess after days of avoiding reflection.

"Athena!" Vienna's voice dripped with false concern. "You look absolutely dreadful. Still recovering, I suppose?"

I ignored her, heading straight for the refrigerator. My wolf bristled beneath my skin, urging me to challenge, to fight. I tamped her down. Not yet.

"Oh, girls," Vienna continued, her voice carrying deliberately across the kitchen, "I was just discussing names for our future pups. Austin wants something strong, but I think delicate names are so much more beautiful, don't you?"

One of her followers—a young Omega named Tessa—giggled. "What about Lily? It's so feminine."

"Perfect for a little Alpha princess," Vienna agreed, placing a protective hand over her flat stomach. "Though I'm hoping for a boy first. A strong heir for the Silver Claw Pack."

The words sliced through me. Our pup—the one I'd lost—would have been born by now. I gripped the refrigerator handle until my knuckles turned white.

I grabbed a pre-made sandwich and turned to leave, but Vienna's chair scraped loudly as she stood.

"Athena, wait! I made you some herbal tea earlier." She approached with a steaming mug, her eyes wide with manufactured innocence. "You seem so... tense."

Before I could respond, she stumbled forward, the mug tipping. Hot liquid splashed across my arm and chest.

"Oh!" Vienna gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. "I'm so sorry! You bumped me!"

"I didn't touch you," I growled, wiping tea from my shirt.

"It's fine," she sniffled, tears welling in her eyes. "I know you're upset about... everything. But you can't take it out on me."

The kitchen door burst open. Austin strode in, his Alpha aura pulsing with anger. "What's happening here?"

"Alpha," Vienna whimpered, shrinking against him as he wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders. "I was just trying to be nice to Athena, and she... she shoved me."

My jaw dropped. "That's not what happened."

Austin's eyes flashed dangerously. "Enough, Athena. I've seen how you look at her when you think no one's watching."

"Look at her? I can barely stand to—"

"Silence!" His Alpha command hit me like a physical blow, forcing me back a step. "You will not threaten my mate or our future Luna. Is that understood?"

The kitchen fell silent. Even Vienna's fake sobs quieted.

"If I catch you bullying her again," Austin continued, his voice deadly quiet, "I'll strip you of your Gamma rank. We don't need warriors who can't control themselves."

He turned to Vienna, his expression softening instantly. "Let's get you back to our suite, love. You shouldn't be around such... negativity."

Our suite. The words echoed in my mind as they left, Vienna's triumphant glance over her shoulder the final twist of the knife.

---

The patrol route they assigned me later that day was a deliberate insult—a circuit usually reserved for Delta wolves, not a Gamma of my rank. The forest was thick with undergrowth, the paths poorly marked. By the time I returned, dusk had fallen.

Exhausted and filthy, I trudged toward my new quarters. A small crowd had gathered outside my door.

"What's going on?" I demanded.

Marcus, Austin's Beta, shifted uncomfortably. "A delivery for you."

On the floor sat an ornate crystal vase filled with flowers—delicate white blooms interspersed with purple petals.

"From Vienna," Marcus added reluctantly. "A peace offering."

I pushed past him, unlocking my door and kicking it open. The small room was barely large enough for a bed and dresser. I set the vase on the nightstand, my wolf suddenly alert within me.

*Danger,* she growled.

I frowned, studying the arrangement more carefully. The white flowers were innocent enough—peonies or something similar. But woven throughout were stems of purple bell-shaped blossoms I recognized immediately.

Monkshood. Wolfsbane.

My fingers trembled as I pulled one stem free, examining the distinctive petals. Not enough to kill instantly, but enough to weaken a wolf over time. Especially if consumed regularly.

Vienna wasn't just trying to humiliate me. She was trying to ensure I remained too weak to challenge her position—or to leave.

I crushed the wolfsbane between my fingers, watching purple juice stain my skin. The game had changed. This wasn't just about a mate bond anymore.

This was war.