Betrayed by Alpha Mate

The water was so cold it burned.

I plunged into Moonfall Lake without hesitation, my seven-month pregnant belly weighing me down as I swam toward Dylan. Silver-tipped arrows rained from the trees above, and rogues' howls pierced the night air. My wolf, Luna, clawed at my consciousness, desperate to protect our mate and our unborn pup.

"Dylan!" I screamed as an arrow whizzed past his head. "Get down!"

His eyes widened in horror as he realized what I was doing. "Grace, no! The water's freezing—you'll kill yourself!"

"I'd rather die than watch you die," I gasped, reaching him just as another arrow narrowly missed his shoulder. I shoved him down, using my body as a shield between him and the attackers.

The cold enveloped me instantly, stealing my breath. My pregnancy made it impossible to swim with my usual grace, but I managed to keep us both submerged as Dylan fought off the rogues above the water's surface.

"Hold your breath," I whispered, my lips already turning blue. "I won't let them hurt you."

For an entire day and night, I remained in that frozen hell. Sometimes Dylan would surface to fight, then dive back down to check on me. Each time, his eyes showed more panic as my body temperature dropped lower.

"Stay awake, Grace," he pleaded during one of those moments. "Our pup needs you."

But I could feel something changing inside me. The cold was too extreme, the trauma too great. By the time Marcus and the other warriors finally drove the rogues away, my body had already made the terrible choice.

"They're gone," Dylan said, pulling me from the water. "Grace, you're barely breathing."

I looked down at my stomach, already knowing what had happened. "The pup..."

His face crumpled as he felt the stillness where there should have been life. "I'm so sorry."

---

Three months later, the Silvercrest Pack gathered under the full moon. I stood in the center of the ceremonial circle, my body still aching from the loss but my heart hopeful once more.

"Today," Dylan announced, his Alpha voice carrying across the clearing, "I claim Grace Hart as my Luna and eternal mate."

The pack howled their approval as he approached me. His eyes held mine, filled with what looked like genuine love.

"You've sacrificed everything for me," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Today, I make you mine forever."

He lowered his head to my neck, his breath warm against my skin. "Are you ready?"

I nodded, tilting my head to expose the vulnerable curve where neck met shoulder. "I've been ready since the day we met."

His canines extended, gleaming in the moonlight. When they pierced my skin, the bond snapped into place—a warm, golden thread connecting our souls. My wolf purred with satisfaction as the sacred connection solidified.

"Mine," he growled against my skin.

"Yours," I agreed, feeling complete for the first time since losing our pup.

The pack erupted in cheers as Dylan marked me