When the Alpha’s Betrayal Shattered Our Bond

On my way to pick up my daughter from the Shadowclaw Pack’s training grounds, a rogue’s car suddenly appeared out of nowhere. To protect my son, I shifted instinctively, taking the full impact of the collision. My body was thrown into the air before crashing onto the asphalt. Cyrus, the Alpha of the Shadowclaw Pack, rushed me to the pack’s Healer, Dr. Hunt, while ordering our warriors to apprehend the rogue responsible.

Before the surgery, I briefly regained consciousness, desperate to know my daughter’s condition. Cyrus’s eyes were filled with emotion as he told me that our daughter, Mikayla, had been crushed by the car. My heart clenched, and I nearly lost consciousness again. Just before the anesthesia took over, I vaguely overheard a conversation between Cyrus and Dr. Hunt:

“Alpha Cyrus, if we don’t address her heart condition before the embryo transfer, she might not survive!” Dr. Hunt whispered urgently.

“She’s already given birth to one heir for the pack. Why the fuss? Just go ahead and implant my and Antonella’s embryo into her,” Cyrus replied coldly.

“I can’t give Antonella the title of Luna, but the heir to the Shadowclaw Pack must be our child.”

The truth hit me like a werewolf’s claws, tearing through my illusions. What I thought was paradise was actually a nightmare. Since I was an obstacle to his happiness, I would step aside and let them have it.

***

Dr. Hunt examined my medical report, his brow furrowed. “Alpha Cyrus, we should perform the heart surgery first and allow her to recover before the embryo transfer. Otherwise, your mate might not make it.”

“No way,” Cyrus snapped. “If she recovers, she’ll reclaim her position as Luna. She needs to step back so Antonella can take her place.”

“She must rest in the packhouse to prepare for the pregnancy.”

Antonella Mason, a rogue werewolf and my former packmate, had been scheming behind my back all along. Cyrus’s constant visits to the rogue territories were for her. Now, he was using me and our daughter to clear the path for Antonella’s ascension.

Dr. Hunt’s concern was evident. “Alpha Cyrus, your mate has already lost a child. If she discovers she’s carrying someone else’s pup, she may lose her sanity!”

Cyrus remained indifferent, cutting him off coldly. “She’s been living as the Luna of the Shadowclaw Pack. What more could she possibly want?”

Suddenly, Cyrus’s phone rang. The caller ID seemed to annoy him as he answered. “Carlson, after I dealt with the little brat and injured the girl, you only offered two million. Tight-fisted, aren’t you?”

“Fine, five million, and then disappear abroad. I don’t want to see you again.”

In the silent operating room, the phone conversation echoed clearly. My heart spasmed, and a suffocating sensation made me tremble. Cyrus pretended to hold my hand affectionately.

“Amalia, don’t worry. We’ll have more pups. I’ll be with you the whole time.”

With those words, he gave Dr. Hunt a menacing look. The Healer hesitated but eventually picked up the scalpel. Cyrus’s cold voice reached my ears again.

“The anesthesia might affect the pup. I won’t risk anything happening to my and Antonella’s child. Don’t use it.”

On the cold surgical table, the chilling air almost suffocated me. The Alpha I had pledged my life to was willing to sacrifice me and even kill our pup for another she-wolf. As I drifted into unconsciousness, the agony of my body being torn apart overwhelmed me. I fainted multiple times from the pain.

When I finally awoke, I was in the packhouse’s infirmary. Cyrus held me tightly, his voice filled with anxiety. “Amalia, you’re finally awake! I was so afraid of losing you!”

“That rogue—not only did he hurt you, but he also killed our pup!”

“Thankfully, the Moon Goddess intervened. You’re pregnant again! When I found out Mikayla was gone, I nearly followed her. If it weren’t for another pup, I don’t know what I’d do!”

“Mikayla must have decided to come back to us because she couldn’t bear to see us so sad.”

He gently touched my stomach, his eyes brimming with happiness, as if what happened to my pup and me was something to celebrate. I didn’t even have the strength for a bitter smile. I turned my head and coldly asked, “Where is Mikayla’s body?”

He pressed his lips together and looked down. “Mikayla was so severely injured, I couldn’t bear for you to see her like that. Antonella took care of the cremation. She’s reliable, your best friend.”

My heart clenched painfully, a nauseous dizziness overcoming me. I wanted to push him away but had no strength left. All I could do was plead, “Alpha Cyrus, can I see Mikayla one last time? She’s my pup, and I want to handle her funeral myself.”

He held me tenderly, concern evident in his voice. “Your body is so weak, and you’re pregnant. You can’t handle the stress. If not for yourself, think of the pup you’re carrying. Don’t be stubborn, okay?”

I bit my lip, feeling suffocated by the injustice, but I could do nothing. I could only beg again, “Then at least tell Antonella to choose the best burial plot and urn for Mikayla.”

He sighed as he held me. “Amalia, Antonella is kind and responsible. She’ll take care of these things. She even hired a cemetery consultant for our pup. She’s so dedicated. Why are you worried?”

Hearing him refer to my pup’s funeral as a mere formality ignited my rage. I cried out, “She’s not Mikayla’s mother! How can she possibly care for Mikayla?”

Cyrus’s face darkened instantly, his tone turning icy. “Amalia Carlson, aren’t you being ungrateful and irrational? What’s the point?”

“Look at you. How can you handle a funeral? Antonella treats Mikayla like her own pup. She may not be the biological mother, but she cares for her as if she were. What’s wrong with letting her handle it?”

Suppressing my heartache, tears streamed down my cheeks as I lay back on the bed. He wasn’t oblivious to my feelings. He just chose not to care.

Cyrus, Mikayla, and I mean nothing compared to Antonella, do we?