When My Alpha Abandoned Me

I smoothed my palm over the bare skin of my neck, a habit I'd developed over the past five years. The empty space where Christopher's mark should have been seemed to burn tonight, as if sensing the significance of tomorrow's ceremony. The Annual Pack Summit would finally see the Shadowmoon Pack recognized for what we—what I—had built from nothing.

Maps and treaties spread across my desk, each one a testament to alliances I'd forged, territories I'd negotiated, and enemies I'd outmaneuvered. All while serving as Beta to a mate who still hadn't claimed me.

"It's time," I whispered to my wolf, who paced restlessly within me. She'd been unusually agitated lately, her silver form prowling the edges of my consciousness with growing impatience.

A sharp knock interrupted my thoughts. "Enter," I called, quickly rolling up the border agreements I'd been reviewing.

Christopher's tall frame filled the doorway, his dark eyes sweeping over my chambers before settling on me. Even after five years, his scent—pine and midnight air—made my wolf surge forward, desperate to be closer to her mate.

"The senior warriors are gathering," he said, his voice carrying that natural Alpha timbre that commanded respect. "I need you there."

Not *want* you there. *Need* you there. The distinction wasn't lost on me.

"Of course, Alpha," I replied, the formal title feeling increasingly hollow on my tongue.

In the strategy room, Christopher stood at the head of the long oak table, his presence dominating the space as he addressed the circle of his most trusted fighters. I took my place silently at his right hand, where I'd always been.

"Tomorrow," he began, his voice swelling with pride, "the Shadowmoon Pack will be recognized as the most powerful territory on the West Coast. Five years ago, we were nothing—a struggling collection of wolves barely holding our borders."

The warriors nodded, some of the older ones remembering those desperate days before I arrived.

"Our strategy for the summit is simple," Christopher continued. "We project strength. We accept our accolades with dignity. And we prepare for the next phase of our expansion."

He outlined the seating arrangements, security protocols, and diplomatic objectives with a confidence that made my chest tighten with pride—and something else. Something uneasy.

"Beta Quinn's counsel on the northern alliance has proven invaluable," he added, almost as an afterthought. "The intelligence she's gathered will serve us well."

A flicker of tension passed between us. It was the barest acknowledgment of weeks of delicate negotiations I'd conducted, nights spent poring over maps and histories to secure a treaty that doubled our hunting grounds.

The meeting concluded, and the warriors filed out, leaving us alone in the amber glow of the wall sconces.

"You're quiet tonight," Christopher observed, gathering his notes.

"Just focused on tomorrow," I replied, watching him carefully. "It's a significant moment for the pack."

"For us," he corrected, but his eyes didn't quite meet mine.

My wolf growled softly. *Something's wrong.*

---

Dawn broke over the neutral territory of the