After My Alpha Chose His Mistress Over His Mother

The grand ballroom of the Silverwood packhouse glittered with crystal chandeliers and polished marble, a stark contrast to the darkness brewing in my heart. I stood at the entrance, my fingers nervously adjusting the strap of the silver sequined gown Ryan had demanded I wear. The fabric scratched against my skin, uncomfortable and restrictive—much like my life as Luna of this pack.

"You'll wear this, and you'll smile," Ryan had ordered earlier, his Alpha tone leaving no room for argument. "The pack expects their Luna to look the part."

Now, as we entered the Anniversary Gala, he didn't even glance my way. His hand rested on the small of Alaina's back instead, guiding her through the crowd as if she were his Luna, not me.

"Sylvia, you look... interesting," Alaina said, her voice dripping with false sweetness as she passed me. Her emerald gown flowed effortlessly around her curves, custom-made to perfection. "I'm surprised you found something that could accommodate your... medical figure."

I swallowed the retort that rose to my lips. My "medical figure"—the body that had spent countless hours in operating rooms saving pack members' lives—was apparently something to be ashamed of.

"Ignore her," my wolf, Lily, growled inside me. "She's just jealous because you have actual purpose besides looking pretty."

Ryan's laugh echoed across the room as Alaina whispered something in his ear. He threw his head back, displaying the strong jawline that once made my heart flutter. Now it just made me nauseous.

"Alpha Ryan! Luna Sylvia!" Pack members bowed slightly as we passed, though their eyes lingered curiously on the distance between us. Everyone could see the truth—the Alpha and his Luna were strangers at best, enemies at worst.

Ryan grabbed a champagne flute from a passing server and handed it to Alaina with a flourish. "To another year of Silverwood's prosperity," he announced, completely ignoring me.

I stood alone in the crowd, a ghost at my own party.

"Truth or Dare!" Alaina's voice cut through the music suddenly. She had climbed onto a small platform, her voice amplified by the microphone she'd somehow acquired. "Everyone gather round! No Silverwood celebration is complete without our traditional game!"

Pack members cheered and formed a circle around her. Ryan stood beside her, his eyes shining with excitement—the same excitement he used to show when he looked at me.

"Everyone must participate," Alaina continued, her gaze finding mine across the room. "Especially our... essential pack members."

My pager vibrated at my hip just as the music died down. I glanced at it discreetly—a message from the hospital. Probably nothing urgent, I thought, slipping it back into my clutch. The game would be over soon enough.

"I'll start!" Alaina announced. "I choose dare!"

Ryan smirked. "I dare you to kiss the person to your right."

Alaina's "right" was Ryan himself. She pressed her lips to his cheek, lingering longer than appropriate. The pack cheered, but I heard several uncomfortable murmurs.

When it came to my turn, Alaina's eyes gleamed