After My Mate Marked the Alpha’s Daughter, I Walked Away

The leather-bound folder felt heavy in my hands as I slid it across the polished oak table toward Austin. Five years of work, countless late nights, and careful negotiations had gone into these trade agreements. The Shadow Ridge Pack would prosper because of them—because of me.

"You've outdone yourself, Gia," Austin said, barely glancing at the meticulously prepared documents. His fingers drummed against the table as he practiced his speech for the tenth time. "The Alpha will be impressed."

I smiled, ignoring the familiar ache in my chest. "The Silver Moon delegation will be here in an hour. Is everything ready?"

"Everything's set." Austin straightened his tie, his eyes darting to the door. "This is our moment. Once we secure this alliance, no one will question my position anymore."

I stepped closer, my fingers reaching for his collar. "Austin, I've been meaning to talk to you about something important. Tonight, after the celebration—"

"Not now, Gia." He brushed my hand away, adjusting his cufflinks. "The Martins are bringing their daughter. Quinn's father is one of the most powerful Alphas in the region."

Something cold slithered down my spine. "Quinn Martin? The one who—"

"Who could secure our future," Austin interrupted, his eyes gleaming with ambition. "Don't you see what this means? Silver Moon's resources, their territory... it's everything we've worked for."

I swallowed hard, forcing down the unease. Five years I'd given him. Five years of building this pack from nothing, of hiding who I really was. Tonight was supposed to be different. Tonight was supposed to be ours.

"The Alpha's expecting me," Austin said, checking his watch. "Make sure the Omega tables are properly arranged. I'll see you at the celebration."

He strode out without a backward glance, leaving me alone with the carefully organized files that would ensure his success.

---

The Great Hall blazed with torchlight and laughter. The Solstice Celebration had begun, and the pack house pulsed with energy. I sat at the far end of the Omega table, half-hidden in shadow, watching Austin at the high table.

He looked magnificent tonight—confident, powerful, every inch the Beta who'd built an empire. But my eyes kept drifting to the woman beside him. Quinn Martin was everything I wasn't—flaunting her Alpha bloodline, her perfect features, her untouchable status.

"Another round!" Quinn's voice carried across the hall as she refilled Austin's glass. Her laugh was like silver bells, drawing every eye. "Come on, Beta. Don't tell me you're afraid of a little game?"

The pack members roared their approval as Quinn stood, swaying slightly from the alcohol. "Truth or Dare! Who's in?"

My stomach twisted as Austin readily agreed. This wasn't part of the program. This wasn't supposed to happen.

"I'm bored with the usual dares," Quinn announced, her eyes locking on Austin. "Let's make this interesting. They say you're attached to some weak little Omega." Her gaze swept the room until it found me. "Is it true?"

The hall fell silent. Every eye turned to me, then to