Alpha’s Regret After Choosing His Sister-in-Law

It had been five years since my mate Ethan Blackwood secretly marked me. Then his brother, the Alpha of the Shadow Moon Pack, died in the territorial war.

To become the next Alpha of Shadow Moon, Ethan inherited everything his deceased brother left behind.

Including his widowed sister-in-law, Victoria.

After every time Ethan shared Victoria's bed, he would hold me close and whisper reassurances:

"Autumn, just wait a little longer. Once Victoria gets pregnant, we'll have our Mating Ceremony!"

This was the pack's only requirement for him to inherit the Alpha position.

In the six months since returning to Shadow Moon territory, Ethan had gone to Victoria's chambers countless times.

From once a month in the beginning, to now almost every other day.

Finally, after countless nights of sitting alone until dawn, news came that Victoria was pregnant.

But along with this announcement came another—Ethan and Victoria would be holding their Mating Ceremony.

"Mommy, is someone having a Mating Ceremony here?" my daughter asked.

I looked around at the stark contrast to our sparse living quarters. The main hall was filled with flowers and balloons. People bustled about outside, everyone joyfully preparing for their Mating Ceremony. I pulled my innocent daughter into my arms:

"Yes, sweetheart. Your father is having a Mating Ceremony with someone he loves, which means it's time for us to leave."

Ethan didn't know that we wolves of the Silver Crescent Pack never cared about so-called Mating Ceremonies. In Silver Crescent, female wolves were revered. My mother was the current Alpha, and I only needed to bear an heir to the pack to inherit her position.

I dialed a number I hadn't called in five years:

"Mother, I already have an heir now. I'm ready to come home and claim your Alpha position."

1

After my mate Ethan's brother, the Alpha of Shadow Moon Pack, died in the territory war, my mate inherited everything from his brother, including his widowed sister-in-law Victoria.

For the past six months, he has gone to Victoria's room every night, promising that once Victoria bears an heir, he would declare me as the pack's true Luna.

At their mating ceremony, I dialed a number I hadn't called in five years:

"Mother, I already have an heir now. I'm ready to come home and claim your Alpha position."

……

After tucking my daughter into bed, I opened my phone to book flights back to Silver Crescent territory.

Unfortunately, our pack had thrived under my mother's leadership, and many wolves were seeking to visit our lands.

The earliest flight I could get was five days from now.

I stared at the date on the ticket, momentarily stunned.

February 14th. Valentine's Day. Also the five-year anniversary of when Ethan marked me.

It felt like some cosmic joke of fate.

I pulled my lips into a bitter smile.

It seemed fitting. What began on this day should also end on this day.

A strong scent of moonflowers engulfed me from behind as Ethan's gentle voice