After My Mate Gave Our Son to His Mistress

The moonlight cast long shadows across my desk as I hunched over the maps, my fingers stained with ink and herbal residue. Three nights without sleep had left me hollow-eyed, but the strategy was finally coming together. I'd spent every waking hour analyzing the new rogue threat patterns, cross-referencing them with our territory's vulnerabilities.

"Just a few more adjustments," I murmured to myself, rotating the map to examine the northern ridge. My wolf, Luna, stirred restlessly within me.

*You need to rest, Scarlett*, she whispered in my mind.

"One moment," I replied, adding another notation to the defensive formation. The rogues had been growing bolder, more organized. Without a comprehensive strategy, our borders wouldn't hold.

I reached for the mortar, grinding moonflower petals into the mixture. The healing potion for the injured sentry needed to be ready by dawn. Jaxxon had promised me additional supplies for my work, but they never came. I'd learned to make do with what little I had.

"Almost there," I whispered, adding a drop of silver essence to the potion. It shimmered faintly as the ingredients combined properly.

My back ached as I straightened, the candle having burned down to a stub. Dawn was breaking over the mountains. I gathered the strategy documents and healing potion, carefully arranging them in a leather folder.

Jaxxon would be pleased. He had to be. This defense plan could save countless pack members.

---

"You're late," Jaxxon's voice cut through the morning air as I approached the council chamber. He stood tall and imposing in his Alpha attire, Elena hovering at his side in a dress that seemed more suited for a gala than a strategy meeting.

"I finished the defense strategy," I said, holding out the folder. "And the healing potion for Delta Marcus."

Jaxxon's eyes flickered to the folder, then to Elena. Something passed between them—a glance I couldn't quite interpret.

"Give those to Beta Ryan," he said dismissively. "You can help in the kitchen today. The elders expect a proper meal after the meeting."

"But..." I clutched the folder tighter. "This is my work. I've been up for three nights straight perfecting it."

Elena's lips curved into a smile that never reached her eyes. "Don't worry, Scarlett. I'll ensure your... efforts aren't wasted." She took the folder from my hands, her manicured nails scraping against mine.

"Actually," Jaxxon added, "Elena has some excellent insights on tactical positioning. She'll be presenting the strategy as our tactical advisor."

The floor seemed to tilt beneath me. "What?"

"Is there a problem, Omega?" Jaxxon's voice dropped into the Alpha tone that made my knees weaken.

"No, Alpha," I whispered, though Luna growled in protest within me.

---

Hours later, I slipped into Jaxxon's study to find wolfsbane for the healing potion. The sentry's wounds were worsening—infection had set in, and I needed stronger medicine than what Elena had authorized.

The room smelled of him—pine and smoke and authority—but underneath lurked another scent. Floral. Sweet. Elena.

I pushed aside the thought