The Stand In Luna: Forgotten Mate

Youre back youre back for me, Arabella.

Except I was not Arabella. I was Melissa, a maid in the Nightfall Pack.

For five years, Alpha Warren claimed he loved me. We got engaged, and he promised to make me his Luna. I never questioned why the wedding kept being delayeduntil the day I saw her.

Arabella. A woman who looked exactly like me.

In an instant, my life became a lie. I was never the one he loved; I was just a stand-in, a physical replacement used to fill the void while she was gone. I was doted on only because I shared her face. The moment the real Arabella returned, I was pushed back to where I supposedly belonged: the shadows.

But the world didn't know my secret. Alpha Logan, Warrens greatest rival, revealed a truth that changed everything: I was the missing heir of the powerful Aragon wolf family.

By the time Alpha Warren realized my worth, it was too late. I was no longer a maid, and I was certainly no longer his.

Now, he kneels before me, desperate and broken.

Please, I regret everything I did to you Please

I look down at the man who shattered my heart and wonder: Wasnt I nothing more than Arabellas imitation to you?

Melissa

The steering wheel felt cold beneath my palms even though the afternoon sun was blazing outside.

I had just finished buying groceries from the market at the edge of Nightfall territory. Fresh rosemary, thick cuts of beef, cream for the mushroom sauce he liked, and the specific brand of red wine he said reminded him of better days. I always chose everything myself. Even though we had servants who could do it for me now, I never let them.

Because he liked my cooking.

Because when Alpha Warren tasted something I made, his cold gray eyes would soften, and for a moment, he would look at me like I mattered.

I placed the last grocery bag carefully on the passenger seat and exhaled. Five years. Five whole years of loving him. Three years of being his lover. Two years of being engaged to him with no wedding date in sight.

He had proposed beneath the silver oak tree behind the packhouse. He had held my hands and said, Youre the only one who stayed. I believed him.

I always believed him.

As I drove back toward the packhouse, I passed by his favorite restaurant. Mooncrest Bistro. It was a small but elegant place just outside pack borders, neutral territory where alphas often met for business dinners. He loved it because it served human cuisine with werewolf-sized portions, as he used to joke.

A thought crossed my mind. He had been distant lately. Busy, he said. Meetings, patrols, alliances. He had barely touched the dinner I cooked last night.

Maybe he was stressed. Maybe if I surprised him with takeout from Mooncrest, he would smile the way he used to.

Without overthinking, I parked.

The bell above the restaurant door chimed softly as I stepped inside. The scent of roasted garlic and grilled meat filled the air. My wolf stirred faintly, content at the warmth.

I scanned the room automatically.

And then I saw him. Alpha Warren.

He sat at a corner table near the window, the afternoon light casting a golden glow against his sharp features. He looked relaxed. More relaxed than he had looked around me in months.

My lips curved into a smile before I could stop myself. Hes here. Perfect.

I adjusted my cardigan, suddenly feeling shy in a way I hadnt in years, and began walking toward him. I imagined sliding into the seat beside him, teasing him for not telling me he was here, maybe stealing a bite from his plate.

But then I slowed. He wasnt alone.

Across from him sat a woman. At first, I only noticed her hair. Long. Dark. Falling in soft waves just like mine. Then her profile shifted slightly, and my breath caught in my throat.

Her face structure. Her nose. Her lips. Her smile.

It was like looking into a mirror with minor adjustments. As if someone had taken my face and refined it slightly, polished it into something more elegant.

I stopped walking.

No. This must be coincidence. There are many women with dark hair.

But then she laughed.

And Alpha Warren smiled in a way I hadnt seen in years.

I moved closer without thinking, hiding behind a decorative column near their table. Close enough to hear. Close enough to see.

He was leaning forward, elbows on the table, eyes warm.

I know you loved this place since we were kids, he said softly. You used to beg your father to bring us here every full moon.

Her eyes sparkled. You really memorized everything about me, Alpha. She reached across the table, brushing his hand. I cant wait to marry you and be your Luna.

Marry. Luna.

The words crashed into me like a physical blow.

My heart skipped, then slammed violently against my ribs.

Marry? But Im engaged to him.

My fingers trembled as I fumbled for my phone. I dialed his number automatically, my vision blurring.

Across the room, his phone lit up on the table.

He glanced down at the screen.

For a second, I thought he looked startled. Then his expression hardened.

He flipped the phone face down. And ended the call. I stared at him in disbelief. He didnt even hesitate.

The woman tilted her head. Who was that?

No one important, he replied smoothly. Just someone from the pack.

No one important. Five years.

Five years of sleeping beside him when he woke from nightmares. Five years of enduring the packs whispers. Five years of being called the maid who seduced the Alpha.

No one important.

I texted him next. Are you busy? Im near Mooncrest.

His phone buzzed again. He didnt look this time. He continued speaking gently to her, as if I didnt exist.

Ill take care of everything, he said. I just need to settle a few loose ends.

She smiled shyly. What about her?

Her.

My stomach dropped. He sighed, as though the topic annoyed him. Ill drop that maid first. Then Ill officially introduce you to the pack.

That maid. The world tilted.

So thats what I was. A maid. Not his fiance. Not his future Luna. Just that maid.

I couldnt breathe.

My wolf whimpered inside me, confused and hurt. Wolves felt betrayal deeper than humans. The mate bond was sacred to us, even if it wasnt fated. Even if it was chosen.

I stumbled backward, nearly knocking into a waiter. I muttered an apology I didnt remember forming and rushed out of the restaurant.

The moment the door shut behind me, I ran.

I didnt know where I was going. I just ran.

Past parked cars. Past the market stalls. Past the forest edge where pack territory began.

My lungs burned, but I kept going.

Was he seeing another woman in me? Was that why he chose me that night?

The memory slammed into me without warning.

Five years ago.

I was kneeling on the floor of the packhouse hall, wiping spilled liquor from the tiles after another one of his drunken episodes. I was a maid in the Nightfall pack.

The once-powerful Alpha Warren had been broken then. The pack was unstable. He drank until he passed out almost every night.

I had been new. Invisible. Until he grabbed my face.

His fingers had been rough but trembling. He cupped my chin and stared at me like he had seen a ghost.

Youre back youre back for me, Arabella, he whispered.

Then he collapsed. I wasnt Arabella. I was Melissa.

But the next day, he sought me out. He apologized. He started talking to me. Slowly, he stopped drinking as much. He smiled again.

He said I saved him.

I thought it was fate. Now I wondered if I had simply been convenient.

I didnt remember how I got back to the packhouse. I only knew that by the time night fell, I was lying in our bed alone, staring at the ceiling.

He didnt come home. Or maybe he did. I dont know. I didnt turn when the door creaked open. I pretended to sleep.

I didnt sleep a single second. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw her face.

My face. No. Her face.

Morning came too quickly. The packhouse was unusually lively. I could hear laughter downstairs, footsteps, excited whispers. My head pounded from the sleepless night.

A young omega maid knocked gently on my door.

Miss Melissa? Visitors came. Alpha said you should cook. He said he missed your food.

Missed. The word made something bitter rise in my throat.

I forced myself to stand. I washed my face with cold water until my skin turned red. I wore a simple dress and tied my hair neatly, the way he liked.

Because I needed to see this through.

When I walked down the grand staircase of the packhouse, the voices grew clearer.

And then I saw them. In the main hall, seated comfortably on the sofas, were two strangers.

A man and a woman. The woman from the restaurant looked even more breathtaking in daylight. She wore a soft cream dress, her posture elegant, her smile gentle.

She looked like me. Or perhaps I looked like her.

Alpha Warren stood beside them. When he noticed me descending the stairs, his expression flickered for a fraction of a second before smoothing into neutrality.

Melissa, he said. Come here.

I walked forward slowly, every step heavy.

These are my childhood friends, he continued. They just returned from another country.

The man stood and extended his hand. Hunter. Its a pleasure.

I shook it automatically.

Then Alpha Warren turned to the woman. His voice softened in a way I knew too well.

And this, he said, is Arabella.

The name echoed in my mind.

Arabella.

Five years ago, he had whispered that name while holding my face. Youre back youre back for me, Arabella.

It all made sense now. The way he had stared at me like I was a miracle.

The way he delayed our wedding. The way his affection faded over the past two years.

Because she wasnt here yet. And now she was.

So all this time I was never his first choice. I was a replacement. A stand-in.

A shadow of the woman he truly loved.

Melissa

I did not cry.

Not when Alpha Warren introduced Arabella as if she were the most precious thing in the world. Not when the pack members looked at her with admiration and me with something close to pity.

I did not cry.

Instead, I moved like a ghost inside the packhouse I had once believed would be my home forever.

Five years. Five years of loving him without reservation. Five years of enduring the elders cold glances, the warriors silent judgment, the maids whispers. I swallowed every insult because I thought love was worth it. I convinced myself that status did not matter, that being born a maid did not define my future.

He chose me, I used to tell myself.

But now I understood. He never chose me. He mistook me for her.

And when he realized I was not Arabella, he kept me anyway. Not because he loved me for who I was, but because I resembled the ghost he could not let go of.

Who was I to Alpha Warren? Not his Luna. Not his equal. Just a replacement.

Arabella and Hunter were heirs of Evergreen Pack in the south. Everyone spoke about it with admiration. Evergreen was powerful, wealthy, respected among allied packs. Their visit was called a vacation, but I knew better. Alphas did not simply vacation inside another Alphas territory without purpose.

Perhaps engagements to restore.

The morning after their arrival, I searched for Alpha Warren. I needed to speak to him. I needed to hear something from him, even if it was a lie. Anything would be better than this silence swallowing me whole.

I stopped one of the maids near the kitchen.

Have you seen the Alpha? I asked, keeping my voice steady.

She avoided my eyes. Hes probably busy, Miss Melissa.

Probably.

He usually informs me when he has meetings.

Her lips pressed into a thin line. Hes with important guests.

Important guests. I nodded slowly and stepped back. The air felt heavier than usual. Before, whenever he left the packhouse, he would tell me first. Even if it was something trivial. A patrol. A council meeting. A hunting trip.

Now, I had to ask like an outsider.

I walked toward his office anyway.

The door was slightly ajar. I could hear voices inside. Hers.

I pushed the door open gently. Alpha Warren stood near his desk, sleeves rolled up, expression serious. Arabella sat on the sofa, legs crossed elegantly, flipping through some documents as if she already belonged there.

Both of them looked up when I entered. For a second, his eyes softened out of habit. Then his expression darkened.

Melissa, he said, his tone clipped. Dont disturb me. Im busy.

The words hit harder than I expected.

I glanced at Arabella. She held my gaze calmly, almost sweetly, as if she had every right to be there.

Warren noticed where I was looking.

I need Arabella here, he added quickly. Shes from Evergreen Pack. Were discussing matters between our territories.

Of course. Political matters. Important matters.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. What was I supposed to say? Why didnt you tell me shes been back for two years?

Why didnt you tell me you were seeing her? Why did you let me believe I was your future?

None of those questions could pass my lips.

I see, I murmured instead.

I stepped back and closed the door quietly behind me. The corridor felt suffocating.

As I walked away, I heard whispers. Soft at first. Then clearer.

Did she really think Alpha Warren loved her?

A small giggle followed.

She didnt even know hes been head over heels for Miss Arabella ever since she came back two years ago.

Two years. Two. The number echoed inside my skull. Arabella had returned two years ago.

And that was exactly when Warren postponed our wedding indefinitely. When he became distant. When he stopped looking at me the way he used to.

Everyone knew. The warriors who bowed to her with respect. The elders who suddenly approved of alliances. The maids who looked at me like I was something fragile and foolish.

Everyone knew. And no one told me.

Not a single person warned me to run. Not a single soul pulled me aside and said, You deserve better.

They watched me prepare for a wedding that would never happen. They watched me smile at a man who was already falling for someone else.

They let me remain stupid. Oblivious. Pathetic.

I forced myself to keep walking, even though my legs felt weak. At the turn of the corridor, I nearly collided with someone.

Hunter. He leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, eyes roaming over me slowly. Not respectfully. Not politely.

Slowly. From my hair down to my waist. Then lower. He let out a low whistle.

Well, he drawled. Arent too attractive for a maid?

My skin crawled.

I dont know what you mean, I replied stiffly, stepping aside.

He smirked. You look like my sister. It must have been convenient for Warren.

The way he said it made my stomach twist.

His gaze lingered on my chest before sliding back to my face. If things dont work out for you here, Melissa, Evergreen Pack welcomes pretty things.

I walked away immediately, heart pounding. His presence felt wrong. Predatory. My wolf bristled, but even she seemed weakened lately, as if my emotional turmoil had dulled her instincts.

By afternoon, I tried to distract myself with work.

Old habits were hard to break. Before Warren chose me, I had been nothing more than a maid. Cleaning, cooking, scrubbing floors until my fingers cracked in winter.

So I cleaned.

I carried a bucket of water into the garden and began wiping down the stone benches. The sky was clear. The air was warm. Everything looked peaceful.

Too peaceful. My head throbbed from lack of sleep, but I ignored it.

I bent down to scrub a stain near the fountain.

And then

Something heavy struck the back of my head.

The world exploded into white.

Pain shot through my skull as I fell forward onto the stone path. I tasted blood immediately.

For a moment, I couldnt hear anything but ringing.

My vision blurred, but I forced myself to look up. Above me, from the second-floor balcony of the Alphas wing, stood Arabella.

She was looking down. Our eyes met. Her expression was unreadable.

Then everything went dark.

When I woke up, the scent of antiseptic filled my nose.

I was in one of the guest rooms, lying on a bed. My head was bandaged tightly. The dull ache had settled into a persistent throb.

Voices echoed nearby.

She didnt mean it, Warren was saying urgently. Calm down, Arabella.

I turned my head slightly. Alpha Warren stood near the window, holding Arabellas shoulders as she cried into her hands.

The moment she noticed I was awake, she rushed toward me.

Melissa! she sobbed, grabbing my hand. Im so sorry! The pot slipped from my hands. I didnt know you were below. I swear I didnt mean to hit you.

Her tears fell onto the blanket.

I stared at her silently.

A pot. My memory flashed back. There were no plants along the balcony railings. The Alphas wing was kept minimal and clean. Decorative, yes, but not cluttered.

No flower pots were displayed there. Unless someone carried one up.

You caused me serious injury, I said quietly.

The words felt strange coming from my mouth.

Absurd.

That was what this entire situation was.

Warren stepped forward immediately, his expression hardening.

Cant you just forgive her? he snapped. She didnt mean to do it. Dont make things hard, Melissa.

I blinked at him. But

No buts. His voice was sharp enough to slice through skin. I didnt know you were this ungrateful.

Ungrateful. The word struck deeper than the pot had. Knives seemed to pierce my chest all at once.

This was the man I loved. The man who once held my face gently and said I saved him. Now he looked at me as if I were an inconvenience.

Arabella leaned forward suddenly and wrapped her arms around me.

Im really sorry, Melissa! she wailed loudly. I wont do it again!

Her body trembled against mine. Then her crying stopped. Her lips brushed near my ear. Her voice dropped into a whisper only I could hear.

It could have been something heavier, she murmured softly. But I only saw a pot.

A pause.

Too bad, maid.

My blood ran cold. She pulled back instantly, tears streaming down her face again as if nothing had changed.

I stared at her, shock freezing me in place.

Warren rubbed her back soothingly. Its okay. She understands.

Melissa

The bandages around my head felt tighter at night.

Maybe it was not the cloth itself, but the thoughts pressing against my skull, refusing to let me rest.

Since Arabella and Hunter arrived, Alpha Warren had not slept in our shared room.

Our room. I almost laughed at the word.

He came in once during the afternoon to retrieve some clothes. He did not look at me. He did not ask if my head still hurt. He simply opened the wardrobe, gathered his shirts, and left as if I were nothing more than a piece of furniture occupying the corner.

Five years of sharing a bed, and now there was only cold space beside me.

I sat up slowly, wincing at the dull ache in my head. Moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting pale shadows across the floor. That was when I noticed something near the cabinet.

A phone.

It lay facedown on the wooden floor, partially hidden by the edge of the rug.

My breath caught. Alpha Warren must have dropped it earlier when he took his clothes.

For a long moment, I simply stared at it.

Then I stood up and picked it up with trembling fingers. His scent lingered faintly on the case.

I hesitated only a second before pressing the power button.

Locked. Of course.

I swallowed and typed his birthday. Wrong password. I tried mine next, though I did not know why I bothered. Wrong again.

A bitter smile curved my lips.

Why would he use my birthday?

Then a thought crept into my mind like a snake slithering through grass.

Arabella. My hands felt colder as I reached for my own phone and opened social media. It did not take long to find her account. Elegant photos. Smiling selfies. Comments filled with admiration from pack members.

I scrolled until I found a birthday post from two years ago.

July 17.

My fingers hovered over the screen before I typed the numbers into his phone.

The screen unlocked instantly. For a moment, I could not breathe.

Her birthday. He used her birthday. Not mine. Not our anniversary. Hers.

My chest tightened painfully, but I forced myself to open his messages.

Arabellas name was at the top. Of course it was.

I opened the thread. The most recent message from him read: I promised, this week I will break up with her. Just give me time.

My vision blurred.

Break up with her. With me.

Arabella:

I dont understand why its taking you so long. You told me you just saw me in her. Because we look similar. But its been two years since we met again, and shes still with you. Im running out of patience, Alpha.

Two years. They had reconnected two years ago. Two years of him touching me while thinking of someone else.

My hands trembled as I continued reading.

Alpha Warren:

You know about Fallendawn Pack, right? Theyve been bothering me, sending emails and damn letters every day to get that maid. Theyre my nemesis. I dont know whats with Melissa, but I cant let my nemesis get her.

Fallendawn. My stomach dropped.

Arabella:

I know you hate Fallendawn, but is she really worth keeping? What if she just had debts from them? We wont know, Alpha.

Alpha Warren:

I promise Ill do it this week. The plan. We cant let them have her. Id rather keep her away from Fallendawn.

I stopped reading. My head pounded harder than before.

Fallendawn Pack. I knew the name. Everyone did. They were Nightfalls long-standing enemy, rival alphas clashing over territory for decades.

But why would they want me? I was nothing. Just a maid.

Why would two powerful packs fight over someone like me? The sound of footsteps approaching the door snapped me out of my daze.

Panic surged through me. I quickly locked the phone and placed it back on the cabinet where I found it, stepping away just as the door opened.

Alpha Warren entered, his brows slightly furrowed.

Have you seen my phone? he asked.

I forced myself to meet his eyes calmly and picked it up from the cabinet. You dropped it earlier.

He took it from my hand, his fingers brushing mine briefly. For a split second, I wondered if he could feel my heart racing.

Be more careful, I said quietly. It might break.

He nodded absentmindedly, already checking the screen. I will.

No suspicion crossed his face. He left without another word.

I sat back down slowly on the edge of the bed.

The plan. They had a plan. And it involved me.

The realization settled heavily in my chest. I was not being kept out of love. I was being kept out of strategy.

And whatever this plan was, it was dangerous.

The next day, I spent hours searching for information about Fallendawn Pack. Old archives. Pack records. Gossip forums. Anything.

There was plenty about their strength, their wealth, their dominance in the western territories. But nothing about their Alpha. No name. No photograph. No details. It was as if he did not exist publicly.

The more I searched, the more frustrated I became.

Why did they want me? What was so special about me that two rival packs would fight over my existence?

A knock sounded at my door. I froze.

Warren never knocked. He simply entered as if everything inside the room belonged to him.

My pulse quickened.

Who is it? I called out cautiously.

Its me. It was Hunter, Arabellas brother.

My stomach twisted.

I should not open the door. But if I did not, he might cause a scene outside. Slowly, I approached and opened it just slightly.

He stood there with a lazy smile, hands in his pockets.

You didnt come down for lunch, he said, eyes roaming over me again.

I wasnt hungry.

He leaned closer, pressing one hand against the door to push it wider.

I wanted to check on you. After the accident.

His tone made the word accident sound filthy.

Im fine, I said quickly, trying to close the door.

But he pushed harder, forcing his way inside.

Hunter, leave.

He shut the door behind him. The air in the room felt suffocating instantly.

You know, he murmured, stepping closer, you look even prettier up close.

My back hit the wall. Stop.

He reached out and brushed a strand of hair from my face. His touch made my skin crawl.

Ive been thinking, he continued, voice lowering, if my sister doesnt want you around, maybe I can keep you instead.

Fear shot through me.

Im engaged to Alpha Warren.

He laughed softly. For now.

His hand slid down my arm, gripping tighter than necessary.

Let go of me.

Dont pretend you dont see the way I look at you, he whispered, pressing his body closer. Youre wasted here.

His fingers tugged at my dress.

I shoved him, but he was stronger.

Hunter! I screamed.

He covered my mouth briefly, pushing me against the bed.

Stop fighting, he muttered. Youll enjoy it.

He kissed me torridly and tried touching my body. Terror flooded my veins.

I bit his lips as hard as I could.

He cursed loudly. That was when the door burst open.

Alpha Warren stood at the entrance. His eyes widened at the sight before him.

Hunter stepped back immediately.

I scrambled away, clutching my torn dress, shaking uncontrollably.

For a moment, no one spoke. Alpha Warren looked from me to Hunter.

What is going on? he demanded.

Hunter lifted his hands casually. Nothing. She misunderstood.

Misunderstood? I stared at Alpha Warren desperately, waiting for him to defend me. To attack Hunter. To show even a fraction of the rage he once showed when someone insulted me.

Instead, he stood there. Frozen. Calculating.

The commotion had stopped simply because he arrived. Not because he did anything.

I began to cry. I cried like something inside me had finally shattered.

Alpha Warren finally stepped forward. Hunter, leave.

Hunter smirked faintly and walked out as if nothing had happened. The door closed behind him.

Alpha Warren looked at me, eyes conflicted.

Melissa

I backed away. Dont, I whispered.

He did not touch me. He did not apologize. He did not promise to punish Hunter.

That was when I understood something painfully clear.

I was alone in this pack. Completely alone.

That very day, with the remaining money I had saved secretly over the years, I filed a formal complaint against Hunter through the regional pack council.

It was risky. It was dangerous. But I refused to stay silent.

If they were planning something behind my back, then I would start protecting myself.

Because no one else would.

Melissa

I used to believe that no pain could ever surpass betrayal. I was wrong.

There is something far worse than betrayal.

It is standing in a courtroom, trembling, recounting how a man forced himself on you only to see the person you loved step forward and defend him.

Hunter had nearly stripped me of more than dignity that day. His hands had been everywhere. His breath had been steady. Calculated. There was no scent of alcohol on him. No slurred words. No imbalance.

He had known exactly what he was doing.

And yet, when I stood before the regional pack court, hands shaking but voice steady, I could not believe who rose from the witness bench.

Alpha Warren. My Alpha. My fianc. The man who once told me I saved him.

I was present when the commotion occurred, he said evenly, his posture straight, voice calm. Hunter did not force her. It was a misunderstanding.

My ears rang. A misunderstanding.

He was helping her when she panicked, Alpha Warren continued. There was no assault.

I stared at him as if I did not recognize the man speaking.

The council members exchanged looks. Hunter stood a few steps away, head lowered in fake remorse.

Arabella sat behind him, hands clasped, eyes shimmering with fabricated concern.

I felt like I was floating outside my own body.

Hunter Evergreen is a reputable heir, one council member said carefully. With Alpha Warren as witness, the accusation lacks sufficient ground.

My case was dismissed before the sun reached its peak. Just like that.

Five years of loyalty. Gone in a single testimony.

Outside the courthouse, I stood alone near the steps. My hands would not stop trembling.

Footsteps approached.

I did not need to turn to know it was them.

Melissa, Alpha Warrens voice came first, controlled but irritated. You should have forgiven Hunter instead of filing a case. He was drunk.

I turned slowly.

I didnt smell alcohol, I replied quietly.

Hunter had smelled of cologne. Of arrogance. Of control. Not alcohol.

Arabella stepped forward gently. Hes a good person, she said softly. It was just one mistake.

My chest tightened violently. A mistake was spilling wine. A mistake was misplacing a document. Forcing yourself on someone was not a mistake. It was a choice.

I looked at Alpha Warren. He did not meet my eyes.

Youve embarrassed both packs, he added. This could affect our alliances.

Our alliances. That mattered more than me. More than my safety. More than my dignity.

I let out a small, hollow laugh.

Youre worried about alliances? I asked. Not about what he did?

His jaw tightened. Dont exaggerate what happened.

I felt something inside me finally snap. Without another word, I walked away from them.

If I stayed another second, I might have screamed until my throat bled.

That night, as I sat alone in the room we once shared, something became painfully clear.

Five years meant nothing. He did not love me. He saw another woman in me.

Even now, I could see the difference in how he treated us. With me, he allowed me to serve him. I cooked. I cleaned. I adjusted my schedule to match his. I waited in bed for him like an obedient mate.

With Arabella, he bowed. He listened. He adjusted his time for her. He bought her new gowns. Expensive jewelry.

For him, a maid was still a maid. Even if he called her fiance.

The realization was almost laughable. I had wanted to break down. Instead, I felt empty.

That evening, I began packing.

I folded my simple dresses and tucked them into an old suitcase. I sold some of the expensive clothes he had gifted me through a discreet merchant in town. I needed money.

If I was going to leave, I would not crawl back. I hid the luggage beneath the bed before nightfall.

As if fate enjoyed testing me, Alpha Warren entered the room shortly after.

I stiffened but kept my face neutral.

I need you to attend the Alpha Gathering tomorrow, he said.

I looked up.

The allied packs know youre my fiance. It would be suspicious if youre absent.

I nodded slowly. Of course.

If Fallendawn Pack truly wanted me, then the gathering would be the perfect place to learn why.

The next evening, we arrived at the grand hall where the gathering was held.

Crystal chandeliers reflected warm golden light across marble floors. Alphas and heirs from different territories filled the space, dressed in formal attire, wolves barely contained beneath polished exteriors.

I wore a simple gown. Not new. Not extravagant. Just something I had worn before.

Arabella, however, wore a stunning silver dress that hugged her perfectly. The fabric shimmered with every step she took.

I recognized the designer. Alpha Warren had gifted it to her.

Hunter stood beside her, looking perfectly composed, as if he had never cornered me in my room.

My skin crawled at the sight of him.

As we moved through the crowd, I realized something humiliating. I was not standing beside Warren. Arabella was.

He guided her by the waist. Not me.

At one point, a foreign Alpha approached them with a wide smile.

So this must be your fiance, he said, gesturing toward Arabella.

Alpha Warren did not correct him immediately. In fact, for a second, he looked pleased.

Arabella smiled demurely.

I waited. Waited for him to say something. Anything.

Finally, the Alpha glanced at me. And this is?

Warrens voice was casual. A maid.

The word sliced through me more brutally than any blade.

The other Alpha laughed lightly. How generous of you to let a maid join the gathering.

Heat rushed to my face. My lungs felt tight. I could not stand there any longer.

I turned and walked away before anyone could see the tears threatening to spill.

I moved toward the quieter edge of the hall, near the balcony doors. The cool air brushed against my overheated skin. I stared out into the dark night, trying to steady my breathing.

That was when someone extended a wine glass toward me.

Careful, a deep voice said. You look like you might faint.

I turned.

He stood tall. Broad shoulders. Neat black suit tailored perfectly to his build. His dark eyes were sharp and unreadable, observing me with unsettling precision.

There was something powerful about him. Something restrained.

Im fine, I said cautiously.

He studied me for another second. Youre Melissa from Nightfall Pack.

It was not a question.

I nodded slowly. And you are?

His lips curved slightly, but there was no warmth in it.

I am the Alpha of Fallendawn Pack.

The world seemed to pause. Fallendawn.

My pulse quickened. So this was him.

The nameless Alpha no records spoke about. The one Alpha Warren considered his nemesis.

His gaze shifted briefly toward the center of the hall where Alpha Warren stood laughing with Arabella.

Seeing your Alpha merry with another she-wolf, he said evenly, why dont you come with me instead of being stuck with that mutt?

My breath caught. There was no mockery in his tone. Only calm certainty.

I looked back at Alpha Warren. He had not noticed my absence. He had not looked for me.

I turned back to the Alpha before me. I did not know him.

He could be dangerous. He could be worse. But staying here was no longer an option.

Will you help me avenge myself? I asked quietly.

His eyes darkened slightly.

More than that, he replied.

Melissa

He did not pressure me.

That was what unsettled me the most. The Alpha of Fallendawn Pack simply handed me a small card that night at the gathering. Thick black paper. One number written in silver ink.

One contact, he had said calmly. And I will get you out of that prison you call a pack.

At the time, I almost argued.

Nightfall had been my home for years. I had scrubbed its floors, memorized its hallways, learned the rhythm of its people. I had loved its Alpha with everything I had.

But as I stood there watching Alpha Warren laugh beside Arabella while calling me a maid in front of other Alphas, the word prison stopped sounding dramatic.

It sounded accurate. Still, I did not call immediately.

Leaving quietly would be too easy. Too merciful.

Alpha Warren, Arabella, and Hunter would simply continue their lives untouched. They would replace me publicly, rewrite the narrative privately, and I would become nothing more than a rumor.

No. If I was leaving, I would not leave empty-handed.

The very next morning, I filed an appeal against Hunter. The council clerk looked surprised when I appeared again at the courthouse, bandage still wrapped around my head.

Are you certain? he asked carefully.

Yes, I answered. I have additional statements to submit.

I did not tell him that I no longer expected justice from the court.

Afterward, I began gathering everything.

Screenshots of Warrens messages with Arabella. His promise to break up with me. His confession that he only saw her in me. His plans. His strategy to keep me away from Fallendawn. Even CCTV footages inside the packhouse showing their infidelity. I sneaked in just to get everything, even though only the Alpha was allowed inside the room.

Five years of lies compressed into digital proof.

I stored copies in multiple places. Cloud storage. A hidden drive. An email draft.

If they tried to erase me, I would leave a mark.

Two days before his birthday, I approached him in his office.

He looked up briefly from the documents he was reviewing.

Alpha, I said gently, it will be your birthday in two days. Arent you going to celebrate?

He leaned back slightly. Were taking the higher officials on a trip out of the country. Its more of a strategic retreat than a celebration.

And me? I asked.

Youre coming, he replied without hesitation. Tickets are already booked.

Of course they were.

I have a very special gift for you, I added softly, tightening my grip around my phone in my pocket.

If he noticed the edge in my voice, he did not show it. Instead, his eyes narrowed slightly.

Hunter mentioned he saw you talking to Alpha Logan at the gathering. The Alpha of Fallendawn Pack. His tone sharpened. Did he say anything to you?

So they were watching.

My pulse remained steady. He greeted me. Thats all.

He studied me for a long moment.

Good, he said finally. Dont talk to him again.

He stood and walked toward me. Before I could react, his arms wrapped around me in a familiar embrace.

I havent been giving you much attention lately, have I? he murmured near my ear. Its because Ive been busy taking care of our visitors. But youre still my priority, Mel.

His voice was soft. Warm. Almost convincing.

If I did not know about the messages. If I did not know about the plan. If I had not seen him defend Hunter in court.

I might have melted. I might have believed him again. God, I had been so stupid for so long.

Of course, I replied, forcing a faint smile. I know, Alpha.

I looked at him meaningfully. I know.

The day of his birthday arrived with unusual excitement in the packhouse. Suitcases rolled across marble floors. Warriors and officials chatted about beaches and foreign cuisine.

It looked like a celebration. It felt like a farewell.

I had already made my decision.

At the driveway, cars lined up to take us to the airport.

I walked toward the car Alpha Warren usually used. Arabella slipped in first, sitting beside him in the front passenger seat.

I moved toward the back seat, only to stop.

A giant teddy bear occupied most of the space. On the other seat, a sleek white cat rested inside a carrier.

Arabella turned toward me sweetly.

I cant sleep without my teddy bear, she explained lightly. And I couldnt possibly leave my cat behind.

Her eyes glinted. Why dont you hop into my brothers car instead?

My entire body went cold at the suggestion.

Hunter leaned casually against the second vehicle, watching us with an unreadable smile.

I forced myself to remain calm.

Thats fine, I said smoothly. I actually booked a cab earlier. I have a few errands to run on the way.

Arabella blinked, slightly surprised.

Oh, she said. Well dont be late. You wouldnt want to miss the fun.

Fun. I almost laughed.

The cab arrived within minutes. As it pulled away from the packhouse, I did not look back.

Halfway to the airport, I made a call.

Sun News, a man answered briskly.

I have a story for you, I said quietly. About the Alpha of Nightfall Pack.

Silence. Then interest sharpened his tone.

Im listening.

I explained everything. The engagement. The cheating. The messages. The court case. Hunters attempted assault. The witness testimony.

I have evidence, I added. Screenshots. Documents.

He exhaled slowly.

This is tasty, he admitted. Send everything. Well verify. If it checks out, this will be ready before midnight.

Before midnight. Perfect.

After hanging up, my phone rang again.

Unknown number. I answered.

Ready? The voice was calm and deep. It was Alpha Logan.

I stared out the window as the airport came into view.

Yes, I replied.

Good, he said. My people are expecting you.

At the airport, the group gathered near the boarding gate. Laughter. Excitement. Selfies.

Alpha Warren looked relaxed. Arabella clung to his arm like she already owned him.

Near boarding time, I stepped forward.

I need to use the restroom, I said.

Arabella smiled. Hurry. You wouldnt want to miss the plane.

She had no idea.

I walked away calmly. But instead of turning toward the restroom, I headed in the opposite direction.

Different terminal. Different airline. Different destination.

My hands trembled slightly as I approached the check-in counter for Fallendawns flight.

Once I received my boarding pass, my phone began ringing relentlessly.

Alpha Warren. Again. And again.

Then messages flooded in.

Where are you?

Boarding has started.

Melissa, answer me.

I powered off my phone.

Then, with steady fingers, I removed my old SIM card and dropped it into the trash bin. I inserted the new one Alpha Logans assistant had provided.

A clean break. As I sat in my seat on the plane bound for Fallendawn territory, I finally allowed myself to breathe.

The cabin lights dimmed slightly. My new phone buzzed.

I answered.

Im already on the plane, I said quietly.

Alpha Logans voice was steady. Good.

I glanced out the window at the runway lights.

This time, I continued, they must be having fun together without me.

A faint smile curved my lips.

But theyll taste their own medicine tonight.