When the Alpha Betrays

I couldn’t help but stare at Easton, his hand firmly wrapped around mine. He looked every bit the confident Alpha, but that smirk—was it for me? Or was it about the secrets he was hiding? My stomach churned with the thoughts, but we continued walking. When I stepped inside the boutique, my heart froze when I saw her. Elena. Of course, she had to be here. But it wasn't her presence that rooted me in place. It was what she was wearing. My mating ritual ceremonial gown. The gown I’d spent months designing, pouring every ounce of my creativity and dreams into. Every delicate bead, every intricate stitch—it was mine. And there she stood, twirling in front of the mirror, acting like she had any right to it. "Easton, how do I look?" she said, spinning to face him. Elena tilted her head, her golden hair spilling over her shoulder, looking like an angel. Easton looked at her for so long, and lips curled into a smile. "You look... stunning." My nails dug into my palms. Stay calm, I told myself. Don’t give her the satisfaction. Finally, Elena turned to me, feigning surprise. “Oh, Ardyn! I didn’t even see you there!” she said, sounding fake. “I hope you don’t mind. I just had to try it on. You’ve always had such amazing taste.” She was my sister, but the nerve of this girl. I locked eyes with her. “Take it off. Now," I ordered in an icy tone. For a split second, her smile faltered before she laughed lightly. “Come on, Ardyn. It’s just a gown. Besides, if I ever find my mate, I’d want something just like this.” “It’s not just a gown. It's my ceremonial gown." Easton stepped closer, his towering presence hoping to soothe things, but what he said worsened it. "Ardyn, don’t overreact. She didn’t mean anything by it.” “Didn’t mean anything by it?” I repeated in disbelief. He rubbed the back of his neck, a charming smile plastered on his face. “You’re going to be the most beautiful Luna there ever was. Elena's just curious—it’s harmless.” I wanted to scream, to rip that gown off her and set it ablaze. Instead, I forced a smile, cool and calculated, the kind that made Easton hesitate for the first time. “You’re right. I’m just overreacting." Easton looked relieved as he reached for my hand, but I pulled away, pretending not to notice the confusion in his eyes. When we returned to the Ward estate, I sat by the large window. Easton entered the room quietly. "Ardyn, you've been quiet," he said softly. “Just thinking,” I replied without turning. “I know today was… frustrating. Elena shouldn’t have..." “Don’t,” I cut him off and looked at him. “You always make excuses for her. Always.” Easton's jaw tightened. “She’s, my sister. I can’t just..." “She’s not your sister!” I snapped. “She’s mine. And she’s your weakness.” His nostrils flared, and for a heartbeat, I thought he might fire back. But instead, he let out a breath, raking his dark hair back. “You don’t understand, Ardyn." “No! It's you who don't." He didn’t respond and just went out. The next day, I stood at the ceremonial ground, watching the pack bustle in preparation. Everyone was excited except me. “Ardyn!” Elena’s voice chirped as she approached, wearing my gown again. “I had the tailor make a few adjustments to your design. It’s so much better now!” I turned slowly, forcing a tight smile. “You’re wearing it again?” Elena pouted, feigning hurt. “Well, you’re not wearing it yet. Someone should show it off.” Easton appeared beside me and said, "Elena, that's enough." She huffed but eventually walked with a smug. "You’re letting her walk all over me," I said when I turned to look at Easton. His silver eyes softened, and he reached for my hand. "Ardyn, you’re my mate. None of this changes that.” “It doesn’t feel like it,” I whispered, pulling my hand back and walking away. The final fitting for my gown was supposed to be this big moment, but it felt like the walls were closing on me. As the seamstress pinned the last bead, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. This was supposed to be my moment. My rise as Luna. But it just felt empty. By evening, I decided to go to a cabin we owned in the forest. Tucked under a doormat, I found a black envelope with my name written on it. Inside, a simple note read: "The cruise ship is ready. Your freedom awaits." Finally, a smile crept on my face.

The soft chime of a phone notification awakened me. A glimmer of light seeped through the slightly ajar bathroom door, and the sound of running water confirmed Easton was there. I tried to go back to sleep, but the constant glow from his phone on the nightstand caught my attention. Normally, snooping wasn’t my style. Easton had been very strict in his boundaries and privacy. But these days, his behavior felt off. Before I could think it through, my hand reached for his phone. The screen lit up, and a message from someone labeled "Baby" popped up. I tapped on the message, and I almost stopped breathing. Pictures of Elena dressed in nothing but stockings and lingerie, posing confidently. My fingers shook as I scrolled through. "Easton, meet up with me. Same spot as always...” I felt the air grow heavy, my breath coming in short gasps. I had brushed off the late-night outings, the vague texts, and the coldness in Easton's once-warm smiles. But this? This was the proof I’d been dreading. Then, the bathroom door creaked. My heart raced as I quickly locked the phone and put it back. I turned onto my side, pretending to sleep. Easton stepped out and picked up the phone. “Miss me, Easton?" Elena's flirtatious voice came through a voice message. I clenched my fists under the covers, controlling my tears. “Always,” Easton replied softly. Her giggle pierced through me like a knife. “Did you like the ceremonial gown I wore today? The one I know should’ve been hers?” I wanted to jump out of bed, grab that phone, and throw it across the room. But I stayed still, letting his betrayal wash over me. “You looked breathtaking,” he said after a brief pause. "Better than Ardyn?" she teased. He hesitated, and I felt his gaze linger on my back. I held my breath, hoping he would not notice I was awake. “No one compares to you, my baby." Those words landed like a punch to the gut. This guy had once sworn to love me forever, promised to make me his Luna, and the one I had loved with every bit of my heart. But now, here he was, ripping those promises apart. “Come to me tonight,” Elena purred. Easton sighed but replied, "I’ll be there soon.” He left, and a minute later, I received a message from him. “Urgent pack business. Rest well, my Luna. I’ll see you in the morning.” I stared at the screen, the bile rising in my throat. I spent the day thinking and by the time he went home, I finally decided. No more doubts about my plan. "Ardyn, what's going on?" Easton asked. “Packing,” I replied casually. His brows furrowed. “Packing? Where are you going?” I turned to him, forcing a smile. “Oh, just tidying up. You know how I can’t stand a mess.” His grin widened, wrapping his arms around me as if nothing had happened. “No need to stress. Soon enough, you’ll be my Luna, and everything will just fall into place. You won’t have to lift a finger.” I almost laughed. But I hummed, leaning into him just enough to keep up the act. “You’re right. I should let you handle everything.” His phone buzzed again, and he stepped back, glancing at the screen. A flicker of excitement crossed his face before he masked it with indifference. “I’ll be back,” he said, kissing me quickly. I followed at a distance, listening as his voice dropped low. "Yes, Elena. The gown was perfect... I’ll take care of it. No worries.” My blood was boiling as I stepped back into the room, slamming the closet door harder than I probably should have. Later that night, we were called to dinner with Easton's family. The place was filled with crimson roses and golden decor and screaming Elena's name. She was seating, trying to look perfect in a ruby dress that hugged her every curve. "Ardyn, darling," Eaton's mother softly said but sounded insincere. “You’ve been so quiet lately. You should learn from Elena, so lively, so... inspiring.” Elena leaned forward, her lips curving into a shy smile. “Oh, don’t be too hard on her, Aunt Stella. She’s just a bit nervous. After all, being Luna is such a huge responsibility.” I clenched my jaw, keeping my face as neutral as possible. Throughout dinner, Easton hardly looked my way, his eyes glued on Elena. By the time dessert came, I was running out of patience. But once done, I felt relieved and more determined about leaving.

The rain was pouring and cold, like how I felt as I stood there. Easton walked over to the car, holding the umbrella high for Elena, snuggling against him. He didn’t care that he was getting wet. I watched them as I got completely drenched. I clenched my fists, and when I felt my nails dug into my palms, I forced myself to move. I sprinted through the rain and went inside our car, shivering. Easton got out of Elena's car and slid into ours. He glanced at me, looking momentarily shocked, but his usual grin returned. "Ardyn, you're soaked! Why didn’t you wait for me to help you?” I just stared at him, struggling to control my anger. “Elena’s always been a bit fragile. If she gets caught in the rain, she could get sick. I really just wanted to make sure she was okay first. You’re not mad, are you?” “It’s fine,” I replied casually. His face lit up with relief. He didn’t even notice how my hands were tense in my lap or how I clenched my jaw. Everything was fine to him as long as I didn’t make a fuss. But he failed to realize that the feelings I used to have for him, any hope or love that lingered, withered away a long time ago. Once we got home, Easton’s excitement was hard to miss. He pulled out a bag and opened it. “I knew you didn't like Elena wearing your ceremonial gown, so I found other choices. But these gowns are only the best, I assure you. C’mon, you gotta try them on!” I looked at them and the gowns were gorgeous, but they felt as empty as his enthusiasm. “This one would look stunning on you,” he said, pulling out a gown with beautiful and intricate laces. “Go on, try it!” I nodded numbly and made my way to the bathroom to change. When I went out, Easton was on the phone. His voice was soft, barely audible, but I heard every word. “Do I have to come now? I’m helping Ardyn with some stuff for the mating ritual," he said, pausing for the other line to speak. “Okay, fine. I’ll be there soon.” He hung up and turned to me, that carefree smile plastered on his face. “Ardyn, you look amazing! But something’s come up at work. Just pick whichever you like, alright?” I nodded; my expression unreadable. I didn’t even have to ask who he was rushing to meet. It was all there in his hurried movements and the slight tremor in his voice. Once he was gone, I called an omega housekeeper. "Burn them all,” I ordered, pointing to the neatly hung gowns. She hesitated, glancing at me like she didn’t quite get it. But my tone left no room for argument. That evening, the gowns went up in flames. Watching them burn felt like shedding a part of my old self. Later that night, while scrolling through my phone, I stumbled upon Elena’s post. There she was, beaming, showing off designer shoes and a handbag that Easton had obviously bought her. My heart broke, but I forced a smile. If she wanted him so bad, well, she could have him. “Look what I brought for you,” Easton said, holding the pack of strawberries like a trophy as if he didn’t realize that he came back the next day afternoon. “I’m not hungry.” “C’mon, don’t be like that. I know I’ve been busy, but everything’s gonna be perfect. You’ll see. Tomorrow, we're scheduled for the traditional checkups’ healers ordered. Then, after two days, it's our mating ritual ceremony. Isn't that exciting?" “Sure,” I replied flatly, pulling away. He frowned but quickly masked it with another grin. “You’re always so calm. That’s what I love about you. Elena could learn a thing or two.” I kept my face neutral despite being hurt at the mention of her name. The next day, I got a text saying that food, water, and other necessary things would be ready inside the cruise ship in three days. "Ardyn, we need to leave. We don't want the healers to be waiting for us," Easton said. I quickly kept my phone. When I looked up, Easton was standing, looking handsomely prepared. He smiled at me, and for the first time in days, I genuinely smiled back at him.

“Ardyn, you really need to relax. They’re probably gonna take some blood for the mating ritual, and I know how much you hate needles. Don’t worry. I’ll be with you the whole time,” Easton said, wrapping an arm around my shoulders. I looked up at him, trying to decipher what was going on behind those eyes. For just a moment, I thought maybe the strong Alpha-to-be wasn’t just all tough exteriors. Maybe there was still a bit of Easton that cared. But then, Elena slipped into my mind. As the healer ready the needle, I turned my head away. Easton held my hand tightly, his thumb making little comforting circles on my skin. “You’re doing great,” he said softly, his voice almost tender. I could see his brow furrowed, and for just a moment, it seemed like he was genuinely worried. “Does it hurt? Ardyn, if it’s too much, just let me know.” I almost laughed, but it was bitter. His phone rang, breaking the moment. “I have to take this,” he said, already stepping back. “Elena? What’s up? I’ll be there soon.” Those words hit like a punch. He didn’t even look back as he walked out the door. “I’ll just be a minute,” Easton said, almost dismissively. I stared at the spot he had just vacated, feeling this numbness creep in. Then, the healer cleared her throat, bringing me back to reality. I let her finish the blood draw in silence. The prick of the needle was almost a relief—physical pain was easier to deal with than the mess swirling in my mind. Easton didn't return that day, even the following day. Elena posted in the pack's group chat another picture that hit me like a slap. She was sitting in a restaurant, behind her was Easton, and she captioned it, "With the ones who truly matter.” I slammed my phone down. But I forced myself not to shed a tear. And then the messages started flooding in. “Can’t wait for your mating ritual ceremony tomorrow!” “Ardyn, you and Easton are just perfect together!” “Luna Ardyn does have a nice ring to it.” Perfect? They had no idea. There was nothing perfect about being second place to the one person Easton couldn't let go of. By noon, the operator of the cruise ship messaged me. "The cruise ship would be ready by dawn. Will you board before sunrise?” I quickly typed back, “Yes.” This was it. My chance to break free. To leave behind a connection that felt more like a prison. Let Easton and Elena have their messed-up relationship; I was done being the patient, compliant Luna-in-waiting. Then, I heard the door creak open behind me. “Ardyn,” Easton said, his voice soft and almost desperate. “Would you like to eat outside?” Once upon a time, that might’ve melted my heart. But now, it felt empty. “No, thanks,” I replied, keeping my voice steady. Easton frowned, clearly confused. “You’re upset. I understand, but tomorrow’s the mating ritual ceremony. It’s all going to be perfect; I promise. I’ll be right by your side. Work can wait.” I wanted to scream at him. To let him know how absurd that promise sounded when he couldn’t even stay with me for a simple blood draw. But instead, all I could manage was a cold, distant smile that didn’t reach my eyes. “Sure, Easton. Tomorrow,” I murmured, turning away from him. By the time dawn came, I’d be long gone. Tomorrow might be the big day for the mating ritual ceremony, but it wouldn’t be my day. It never was. And when Easton finally figured that out, well, it’d be way too late. And I would leave a surprise for him and Elena.

My phone buzzed every ten minutes, filled with well-wishes from the pack members counting the hours before my supposed mating ritual ceremony. I didn't bother to respond to any of those texts. Instead, I went to the venue for the last time. The grand hall looked elegant, draped in soft whites and blush pinks, just like I’d always dreamed it would be. But now it felt like a stage set for a show I had no interest in being part of. I went to a table where a photo of Easton and me was displayed. We looked so happy, like the perfect mates the pack expected us to be. Before I could think much about it, I grabbed that photo and ripped it in half. The sound echoed through that empty hall, almost satisfying, though it didn’t quite erase the sting of betrayal. “Get these down,” I said to the attendant without glancing at her. I sounded calm despite the burning rage inside me. The attendant just nodded, probably too polite to ask questions. I bet she thought I was one of those future Luna having cold feet. If only she knew the real story. "Why are you angry this early?" I tensed as I heard that familiar voice. It's Astrid, my adoptive mother. Her tone dripped with sarcasm, her eyes scanning the room like she was judging a bad play. She stood there, arms crossed, waiting for an explanation. “Shouldn’t you be a bit more composed? You’re about to become Luna,” she said, smirking. “I didn’t ask for your opinion,” I snapped. Her smirk widened. “Still got that fiery temper, huh? You should learn to control it by now. A Luna should know when to keep quiet.” I didn’t even bother responding. Instead, I turned my focus back to the hall, but Astrid wasn’t done with me. “Oh, I almost forgot,” she said, pulling a small box from her bag and shoving it toward me. “A gift from me.” I stared at the box, hesitant to take it. My mother didn’t give gifts unless there were strings attached. And when I opened it, my breath caught in my throat. A diamond necklace sparkled in the light - gorgeous, cold, and meaningless. It was the necklace promised to me as a kid but never given. Instead, it went to Elena on her sixteenth birthday. Seeing it now felt like a slap in the face. I stared at the necklace for what felt like forever before tossing it into the trash can. The hours that followed were spent packing my stuff and double-checking everything. Tomorrow, I was supposed to walk down the ceremonial grounds with Easton. But nope, that was definitely not happening. I took one last look at my phone. A message from Elena lit up the screen. “Wishing you a blessed mating ritual ceremony, Ardyn. I hope you find joy always.” I forced a smile because I knew Elena was lying. I bet she was snuggled up in Easton’s arms at this second, celebrating her little victory. I quickly typed a response. "Thanks for the blessing, Elena. I’ll always find my happiness. Oh, and I got you a little something. You will receive it tomorrow." Elena would receive it at the mating ritual ceremony. I specifically instructed the courier. I chuckled, imagining what she would look like when she saw it. Then, I also sent one last message to Easton. "Sorry, I canceled our mating ritual ceremony. Please attend your and Elena's mating ritual ceremony." I attached the candid photos I had taken when they were being carelessly unaware while being intimate. Once I stepped onto the ship, those messages would be sent automatically. The pictures would even be forwarded to the pack's group chat for everyone to see. It would serve as my final goodbye. I arrived at the dock and looked at the amazing cruise ship I owned. It was enormously beautiful. I felt the weight of the things I was letting go of but did not back down. “Excuse me, Miss Ardyn. I am Paolo, the ship's captain, where would you like to go?” a voice pulled me from my thoughts. I turned and smiled. “Wherever this ship takes me.” I glanced at the sea. And for the first time, I wasn't afraid of what would happen next. I was actually excited.

“To Croatia,” Paolo said. I nodded and boarded the ship. I had never been to Croatia, but I was already excited about what I would find there. After sending a voice call to Easton, I took out my SIM card, the last thing he could use to communicate with me. I threw it into the water, and I made sure to block everyone from communicating via mind-link. My wolf whimpered, and I soothed her by telling her Easton chose Elena; it's time to move on. Meanwhile, at the Ward estate, Easton was awakened by the incessant ringing of his phone. He picked it up and groaned when he saw it was his mother. He wanted to get more sleep so he would not feel tired during the mating ritual ceremony, but he couldn't ignore her. "Yes, Mom," he answered sleepily. "Easton, you better be awake now. You have only two hours to prepare. And where is Ardyn? Why can't I reach her?" "Mom, she would be there. Now, let me go and prepare." Elena was beside him, awakened from the call, too. Once the call ended, Elena hugged him and asked, "Easton, would you still love me even after you mated with my sister?" She looked at him with watery eyes. Easton hugged her tightly. "Of course, baby. I just need to honor this mating ritual, but it would not matter. Nothing would change between us." He then kissed her passionately. "Alright, baby. We need to prepare and head to the venue." Once ready, Easton called Ardyn. After three rings, it went to voicemail. A weird, sinking feeling settled deep in his chest. But he ignored it thinking she was just busy. He grabbed his things and immediately went to the door. Suddenly, his phone rang from an unknown caller. But when he answered, it was Ardyn's voice. "Hey, it’s me. My phone was acting up. Don’t freak out; I’ll be at the venue waiting for you. I’ve got a surprise for you." Easton smiled and felt relieved hearing her voice. With a grin, he turned to the others, still searching for her. “Hey, Ardyn just called! She’s just getting ready to surprise me. No need to worry, alright?” He couldn’t help but beam as he spoke, feeling warm and fuzzy inside. Even now, she was planning something special for him. His friends couldn’t resist but tease him. "Look at you, all lovey-dovey! So cute!" "Seriously, that’s just the sweetest thing!" As the mating ritual ceremony was about to start, Ardyn was still nowhere to be seen. Easton's mom leaned to him and whispered, "You don’t think she’s trying to bail on the mating ritual, do you? It’s been ages! If she pulls a stunt like that, she’ll have to answer me." Easton shook his head, tugging at his mom's sleeves. “Nah, she wouldn’t do that! She loves me so much. Plus, she said she was planning a surprise for me." He was still confident Ardyn would show up. But when the elder urged for the mates to step up, nerves kicked in for Easton. He stood there, a little shaky, trying to think of a good reason for Ardyn's delay. "Uh, everyone, just hang tight for a sec. We’ll be starting soon..." Before he could say another word, whispers erupted from the crowd. People pulled out their phones. Their glance darted from their phone to Easton. At the same time, Ardyn’s gift for Elena arrived. Elena took the box from the delivery guy and opened it. It contained all the pictures of him and Easton. She almost fainted but didn’t make a sound. Out of nowhere, Astrid dashed up, yanking Easton down and shoving her phone in his face. “What’s going on? Ardyn just posted something on her social media and sent messages for the entire pack to read!” Ardyn was a well-known designer and influencer before she met Easton. Her fans loved her and adored them as mates. But no one thought she’d end up in a situation like this. Easton stared at the screen, unable to process what he was seeing. He also received the last message Ardyn sent to him. The Ardyn he knew was always thoughtful, kind, and understanding. But now, it hit him—she had known everything about his affair with Elena. How did she find out? At that moment, Easton felt like a total fool. Everything that had transpired today was part of Ardyn’s grand plan. The surprise he had been so excited about was this. His mind went completely blank and stood there frozen.

“Is there anyone named Elena Blackwood here?" another delivery guy shouted, silencing the crowd. Heads turned, eyes darting around, and whispers spread. While Elena stiffened, her face heated with embarrassment as all those eyes fixed on her. “That’s me. Is there a problem?” Elena answered as she shakily stood. The delivery guy walked toward her and placed a big box on the table before her. “This is a gift from Ms. Ardyn Blackwood," he said nonchalantly. "Sign, please." Gasps spread through the crowd. Elena's hands shook as she took the pen. Earlier, she received pictures that she tried to hide, but there was no way she could hide this. After signing, the guy opened the box for her and took out a stunning white ceremonial dress and a bouquet of red roses. Murmurs grew louder among the crowd, and chaos was about to erupt again. The delivery guy cleared his throat and dropped the bomb. “She said, ‘Wishing you a happy mating ritual ceremony.’” And just like that, the room went wild. “Shameless!” someone yelled in disdain. “She slept with Ardyn's mate on her wedding day!" Elena's cheeks burned like they were on fire. The whispers quickly morphed into accusations; sharp glances aimed right at her. “You call yourself her sister? Betraying her like this? Absolutely disgusting!” A wave of nausea washed over her, and she stumbled backward. Her eyes went to the crowd's faces all twisted with disgust, judgment, and pity. Without thinking twice, she spun around and bolted for the exit. Meanwhile, Easton was pacing, restless. He couldn’t care less about the chaos happening inside. All that was on his mind was Ardyn. Just Ardyn. His mate, his rock, and also the woman he messed up. "Where the heck is she?" he muttered, running a hand through his hair. As soon as he received her last short but brutal text message everything started to go downhill. He had to find her. Grabbing his car keys, he jumped into his vehicle, knuckles pale against the steering wheel. He slammed on the gas, weaving through traffic like a man possessed, desperation blinding his judgment. Red lights blurred by horns blaring like crazy in the background. But his thoughts raced even faster than the car. Why didn’t she yell at me? Why didn’t she fight back? Sweaty palms clutched the wheel tighter. For the first time, Easton felt real, gut-wrenching fear that she might be gone for good. By the time he skidded into the driveway, it felt like his chest was about to explode. He stumbled inside, calling her name. "Ardyn!" Silence. The house felt too empty, too quiet. Panic was clawing at him. He burst into their bedroom only to freeze at the doorway. Her side of the room was completely empty. The wardrobe doors were wide open and bare even her scent was gone. Just his stuff remained, staring back at him, reminding him of everything he’d lost. "Ardyn!" he shouted again, storming back into the living room. The omega housekeeper appeared, her eyes wide and nervous. "Where is she?!" he demanded. "She... she packed her things and left yesterday, Alpha," the omega stammered, twisting the hem of her apron.