After My Alpha Chose His New Mate

The full moon hung like a silver medallion in the night sky as I stood at the edge of the pack house balcony, watching our warriors gather below. The familiar pre-patrol energy filled the air—wolves stretching their limbs, some already half-shifted with amber eyes glowing in the darkness. I should have been down there with Nathan, as I had been every full moon for five years, but tonight he'd asked me to oversee the pack house security instead.

"It's more important to have someone I trust here," he'd said, not meeting my eyes.

I knew what he meant: someone he trusted but didn't need beside him. Someone useful but not essential. Someone who could be placed wherever convenient.

I straightened my spine, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear as I reviewed the security protocols one last time. My wolf, Aria, paced restlessly within me, sensing my unease.

*He'll come say goodbye before they leave,* I assured her, though the words felt hollow even in my thoughts.

Below, I spotted Nathan's powerful figure moving through the crowd, his silver-streaked black hair catching the moonlight. Beside him walked Sophia, her hand possessively wrapped around his arm, her honey-blonde hair—so similar to mine—cascading down her back. She laughed at something he said, tilting her head in a gesture I recognized as my own.

Aria growled. *She mimics you again.*

I pushed the thought away, focusing instead on the patrol briefing Nathan was now delivering. His deep voice carried across the clearing, commanding and sure. This was what an Alpha should sound like—confident, unwavering.

"The northern border has shown increased rogue activity," he was saying. "Beta Liam will take the eastern flank while I—"

The warning sirens cut through the night like a knife, their wailing pitch sending every wolf below into immediate alert. My heart lurched as the emergency lights bathed the clearing in harsh red pulses.

"Breach at the western border!" someone shouted. "Multiple rogues!"

Chaos erupted. Warriors shifted instantly, clothes tearing as human forms gave way to massive wolves. I raced from the balcony to the watchtower, my legs carrying me faster than I thought possible. From there, I could see the distant treeline where dark shapes moved with predatory intent—at least a dozen rogue wolves, larger than normal and moving with coordinated purpose.

This wasn't a random attack. This was planned.

My hands trembled as I activated our emergency protocols, securing the vulnerable pack members in the safe rooms below. All the while, my mind reached desperately for Nathan through our mate bond.

*Nathan! The western border is compromised. I count at least twelve rogues. They're moving toward the pack house!*

No response.

*Nathan!* I called again, panic rising in my throat. *Where are you? We need to coordinate the defense!*

The silence stretched, and then—finally—I felt the connection open. But what came through wasn't meant for me.

*Stay behind me,* Nathan's voice echoed through our link, tender and fierce in a way I hadn't heard in years. *I won't let anything happen to you, Sophia. Even if I die, I'll die protecting you.*

The world stopped. My knees buckled, and I gripped the watchtower railing to keep from falling. Aria howled in agony, the sound reverberating through my chest though no sound escaped my lips.

He hadn't even realized he'd opened our link. He didn't know I'd heard.

Somehow, I managed to keep functioning. I directed the remaining warriors, organized the evacuation of the vulnerable pack members, and maintained communication with our allies. All while my heart splintered into a thousand pieces.

Hours later, when the attack had been repelled and the wounded were being treated, Nathan called an emergency pack gathering in the great hall. I stood at the back, my face carefully composed though I felt hollowed out inside.

"Tonight, we faced a coordinated attack," Nathan began, his voice carrying across the silent room. "Thanks to quick action and brave warriors, we prevailed."

He didn't look at me once. Not even a glance to acknowledge my role in protecting the pack house.

"This attack has made something clear to me," he continued, his gaze sweeping the crowd before landing on Sophia, who stood near the front. "Life is too precious, too fragile to waste. Which is why I'm announcing tonight that Sophia Reed will be my chosen mate."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. A few faces turned toward me, expressions ranging from pity to curiosity. Everyone knew what this meant—a public rejection of our fated bond.

The crowd parted as Nathan walked to Sophia, draping his arm protectively around her shoulders. She beamed up at him, triumph glittering in her eyes.

"But Luna Claire..." someone whispered nearby.

I stood frozen, watching as five years of devotion, of believing in the sanctity of our mate bond, crumbled before my eyes. In that moment, something inside me hardened. The last thread of hope I'd been clinging to snapped cleanly in two.

Aria's voice, usually so desperate for Nathan's attention, grew cold within me. *We deserve better than this.*

For the first time in five years, I completely agreed with her.