When My Alpha Cheated, I Reclaimed My Power

The night air carried a chill that seeped through my jacket as I hurried back to the pack house. The neighboring pack council had dragged on, but I'd made my excuses early. William had been alone all day, and though he insisted his silver poisoning wasn't getting worse, I worried. Three months of watching my mate suffer, of sleeping in separate rooms because the slightest touch caused him pain—it was wearing on both of us.

I'd brought back his favorite moon berry tea from the Southern market. A small gesture, but anything to see even a flicker of the smile that had grown so rare lately.

"Luna Olivia, we weren't expecting you back until morning," Beta Richards called from the guard post, surprise evident in his voice.

"The trade agreements were settled faster than anticipated," I lied smoothly, offering a practiced smile. In truth, I couldn't bear another night away from the pack house, from William. My wolf had been restless all day, pushing me to return home with an urgency I couldn't explain.

The pack house stood quiet as I entered, most members already retired to their quarters. I climbed the stairs to the Alpha wing, the bundle of tea leaves clutched in my hand like a peace offering. As I approached our mate quarters, I slowed. Something wasn't right.

Sounds drifted through the partially open door—hushed laughter, a low moan, the rustle of sheets. My heart stuttered, then began to race. I told myself there must be a rational explanation. Perhaps the healer had come for a late-night treatment. Perhaps—

I moved closer, my footsteps silent on the plush carpet. Through the crack in the door, I could see our bed—our sacred space—and on it, William. My mate. My Alpha. His powerful body entwined with a woman I recognized instantly: Natasha, the supposed daughter of the Southern Territory Alpha who had been visiting our pack for diplomatic reasons.

My hand flew to my mouth to stifle the gasp that threatened to escape. The tea leaves scattered at my feet, forgotten.

"When will you tell her?" Natasha purred, her fingers tracing lazy circles on William's chest. "I'm tired of hiding, darling. I want everyone to know I'm yours."

William's laugh was cruel, unfamiliar. "Soon. Once the last of her family's hunting grounds are transferred to my name."

"And she suspects nothing?" Natasha's voice dripped with mockery.

"My Luna?" William snarled, and the contempt in his voice cut deeper than any claw. "She's just a resource. Plain, boring, and pathetically devoted. She believes I have silver poisoning and can't complete our mate bond! Can you imagine any wolf being that stupid?"

Natasha's triumphant laughter echoed in my ears as the world tilted beneath my feet. Every tender moment, every sacrifice, every tear I'd shed worrying about him—all of it had been a lie.

"William...?" His name escaped my lips before I could stop it, a broken whisper that barely carried.

But it was enough. His head snapped toward the door,