My Mate Rejected Me and Crowned His Mistress Luna

The Silverclaw Annual Moonlight Gala was supposed to be a night of celebration. Instead, I sat alone at the head table, my swollen fingers clutching a glass of water as my pregnant belly made it impossible to sit comfortably in the ornate chair. The crystal chandeliers cast dancing shadows across the room, illuminating the faces of pack members who couldn't quite hide their smirks as they glanced my way.

My mate, Alpha Ethan Marshall, hadn't spoken more than ten words to me all evening. He'd spent the last hour twirling Piper Reed across the dance floor, their bodies pressed closer than necessary for a simple waltz. His hands lingered on her waist, his lips occasionally brushing her ear as he whispered something that made her laugh.

"Did you see that?" a female Delta whispered to her companion at the table beside me. "Alpha Ethan hasn't left Piper's side all night."

"Can you blame him?" her friend replied with a snicker. "Luna Aria looks like she's about to pop. Who would want to dance with that?"

I focused on breathing evenly, trying to ignore their words. My wolf, usually a comforting presence, had grown increasingly restless over the past few months. Tonight, she paced anxiously within me, sensing my distress.

"Ladies and gentlemen!" Ethan's voice boomed through the microphone, silencing the room. He stood in the center of the dance floor, one arm still wrapped possessively around Piper's waist. His eyes were glassy from too much whiskey, his tie loosened. "I have an announcement."

My heart stuttered. Was this it? Was he finally going to acknowledge our baby, our family?

"I've been thinking," he continued, swaying slightly, "that being Alpha comes with certain... responsibilities." His gaze swept across the room before landing on me with cold detachment. "Including a mate bond that's grown a bit heavy lately."

The room fell silent for a beat before erupting in nervous laughter.

"So!" Ethan raised his glass. "I'm thinking we should have a little auction tonight. Who wants to bid on relieving me of my mate bond? Starting price... ten thousand dollars!"

More laughter, louder this time. Someone whistled. I sat frozen, my glass halfway to my lips, as tears burned behind my eyes.

"Oh, Ethan, you're so funny!" Piper's voice cut through the noise as she playfully slapped his chest. She turned to face the crowd, her Beta female confidence radiating as she moved toward our table.

"I don't think you'll need to auction anything," she announced loudly enough for everyone to hear. "I've been taking good care of our Alpha's... needs."

She approached me, deliberately inhaling deeply as she came closer. The scent of Ethan's musk and sandalwood rolled off her in waves.

"Didn't you notice, Luna?" Piper's voice dripped with false sweetness as she leaned in. "I've been scent-marking him all day. He was so stressed during the patrol run this morning."

My stomach lurched as she tilted her head, exposing a fresh bruise on her neck that looked suspiciously like