My Alpha Chose His Mistress Over His Wolfless Luna

The crystal chandeliers cast everything in gold. I stood near the edge of the grand hall, fingers wrapped around the velvet box in my hands. Inside was the Luna moonstone pendant—three months of work, every curve and setting chosen with care. Sacred moonstones don't just appear in jewelry stores. You have to know where to look, who to ask. I'd done all of that for him.

For us.

The Silverfang packhouse was full tonight. Pack elite in designer suits and cocktail dresses, champagne flutes catching the light. Our first mating anniversary. I'd imagined this night so many times—Julien's hand in mine, his voice warm as he thanked the Moon Goddess for bringing us together.

But Julien wasn't beside me.

He stood across the room with Mya, his Beta female. Her laugh carried over the music, high and deliberate. She touched his arm, leaned in close. Too close. And he let her.

I pressed my thumb against the velvet box. The mate bond hummed faintly in my chest, that invisible thread the Moon Goddess tied between us. It should've been strong, vibrant. Instead it felt thin. Stretched.

Someone brushed past me, muttering an apology. I didn't look. My eyes stayed on Julien. On the way he smiled at her, the way his hand settled on the small of her back.

The same way he used to touch me.

"Attention, everyone." Julien's voice cut through the noise. Alpha tone, just enough to make the room go quiet. He raised his glass, and the crowd turned toward him like flowers to the sun.

I straightened. This was it. He'd call me over, present the pendant together, honor the bond we'd fought so hard to build. We'd survived the foster pack together, shared scraps of food when there wasn't enough, huddled together on cold nights when the heating broke. He'd promised me forever.

Julien's eyes swept the room. They passed over me without stopping.

"Tonight, we celebrate not just the past, but the future of the Silverfang Pack." His voice was smooth, confident. The voice of a man who commanded respect. "And I want to honor someone who embodies that future. Someone whose loyalty and dedication have been... invaluable."

My fingers tightened on the box.

"Mya." He turned to her, and she stepped forward with a practiced smile. "You've stood by this pack through every challenge. You've earned more than gratitude."

He pulled something from his pocket. Even from across the room, I recognized it. The moonstone caught the light, throwing pale blue reflections across the walls.

My pendant.

The one I'd designed. The one I'd spent months crafting, pouring every ounce of skill and love into each detail. The sacred Luna artifact meant to symbolize our bond, our anniversary, our future.

He was giving it to her.

Mya's hand flew to her mouth in mock surprise. "Julien, I—"

"You deserve this." He fastened it around her neck, his fingers lingering on her skin.

The room erupted in polite applause. Murmurs rippled through the crowd. I caught fragments—"bold choice," "poor Luna," "didn't see that coming."

Mya turned, making sure everyone could see. The pendant rested perfectly against her collarbone. She met my eyes across the room, and her smile sharpened. Then she did something that made my wolf snarl inside my chest.

She released her scent.

It rolled through the room like a wave—jasmine and something darker, something designed to attract and claim. Pheromones thick enough to make the unmated males shift uncomfortably, thick enough to announce exactly what she was to Julien.

The pitying glances turned to me. Whispers grew louder.

Something inside me snapped.

My wolf surged forward, and I didn't stop her. The velvet box hit the floor. I crossed the room in seconds, faster than anyone expected. Mya's eyes widened, but not fast enough.

I grabbed her face, fingers digging into her jaw. The pendant swung between us, moonstones glinting.

"You want it so badly?" My voice came out low, dangerous. "Keep it."

I shoved the pendant into her mouth. Metal and stone scraped against her teeth. She made a choked sound, hands flying up to push me away, but my grip held firm.

Chaos erupted. Someone screamed. Chairs scraped back.

Then Julien's voice cut through everything.

"OLIVIA. STOP."

The Alpha tone slammed into me like a physical blow. My knees buckled. The command wrapped around my spine, forcing submission, dragging me down. I hit the marble floor hard, the impact jarring through my bones.

Mya stumbled back, coughing, the pendant falling from her lips. Tears streamed down her face—real or fake, I couldn't tell anymore.

Julien was beside her in an instant, hands on her shoulders, voice soft with concern. "Are you okay? Did she hurt you?"

I stayed on my knees, breathing hard. The mate bond twisted in my chest, sharp and wrong.

He didn't even look at me.

"Get her out of here," Julien said, still focused on Mya. "Lock her in the east wing until she calms down."

Hands grabbed my arms. Delta warriors, following their Alpha's orders. They hauled me to my feet, and I didn't resist.

I just watched Julien cradle Mya against his chest, watched him wipe her tears, watched him choose her.

Again.