After My Beta Betrayed Me, I Found Strength

I smoothed down the silver ceremonial dress one last time, my fingers trembling slightly against the simple fabric. It wasn't the elaborate gown that Sophia would likely wear, but it was the best I had—a hand-me-down from my mother's youth, carefully preserved for special occasions. Today was certainly special. Today, Alexander would finally announce our courtship to the allied packs.

"You look beautiful, Luna," Rose whispered from her bed, her voice thin but her smile radiant. At thirteen, my sister's wolf-sickness had left her too weak to attend the ceremony, another cruel reminder of our family's fallen status.

"I wish you could come with me," I said, sitting beside her on the bed. I pulled out the small leather pouch of protective charms I'd gathered—tiny moonstone beads, dried wolfsbane flowers, and silver thread.

"Then I'll be there in spirit." Rose turned, presenting her back to me. "Braid them in?"

I worked the charms into her hair with practiced fingers, weaving protection and love into each strand. "Alexander says his father is considering a healing exchange program with the northern packs. If it happens..."

"I know." Rose squeezed my hand. "You've done so much for me already, Luna."

My throat tightened. As a wolfless Omega in the struggling Silver Creek Pack, I had little to offer my sister except love and these small rituals. But Alexander—Beta of the powerful Black Moon Pack—could change everything. His interest in me over the past months had been unexpected, thrilling. The midnight runs, the border patrols he'd volunteered for, the whispered promises of a future together.

"I should go," I said, kissing Rose's forehead. "The ceremony starts at moonrise."

"Luna?" Rose caught my hand, her eyes suddenly serious. "Be careful. Something feels... wrong."

I forced a smile. "It's just nerves. Everything's going to change after tonight."

I had no idea how prophetic those words would be.

* * *

The Black Moon Pack's ceremonial grounds were awash with torchlight when I arrived, wolves from five allied packs mingling beneath the rising full moon. My heart hammered against my ribs as I scanned the crowd for Alexander's tall figure.

"Luna Evans." A voice behind me made me turn. It was Ethan Hunter, one of our pack's Delta warriors. His silver-flecked eyes met mine briefly before dropping in the customary deference to a higher-ranked wolf—though as an Omega, I was hardly that.

"Ethan," I nodded, surprised. He rarely spoke to me, though I'd sometimes catch him watching me from a distance. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"I'm part of the Silver Creek security detail tonight," he said simply. Something in his steady gaze made me uncomfortable—not threatening, but as if he could see straight through me.

A hush fell over the gathering. Alpha Marcus Stone, Alexander's father, had taken his place on the ceremonial rock. Beside him stood Alexander, resplendent in formal black attire that highlighted his powerful build. My breath caught at the sight of him.

But my smile froze when I saw who