Mate and Best Friend’s Betrayal

At my five-year mating anniversary celebration, my best friend who had vanished years ago suddenly appeared with a six-year-old child. The child's father was my mate, Alexander,

I am the Alpha King's only daughter. Alexander was one of the top five Alphas in the northern territories. He pursued me for five years before I agreed to bond with him.

We even had an adorable four-year-old daughter together.

Yet my mate not only refused to explain his betrayal, but now he expected me to accept my friend and her child into our home.

He favored the illegitimate son in everything, even allowing him to harm our daughter.

When I finally rejected him and found a new father for my daughter, he used the entire Stormfang Pack to try to win me back.

At my five-year mating ceremony anniversary celebration, my childhood friend who had vanished years ago suddenly appeared with my mate's illegitimate son.

My mate Alexander was the Alpha of the Stormfang Pack.

When the celebration was at its peak, Alexander and I were nestled together, graciously accepting congratulations from the other pack members. my best friend Amber who had vanished years ago suddenly appeared with a six-year-old child.

Amber had once been a member of our pack. Seven years ago, she disappeared during a territorial conflict between the northern and southern packs.

As her close friend, I had even sent five elite warrior squads to search for her. But we never found a trace.

Someone gasped and called out Amber's name in surprise. She ignored them, her eyes fixed on Alexander. She nudged the boy beside her forward.

The child's resemblance to Alexander was unmistakable. The same strong jawline, the same dark hair that caught the light, the same piercing blue eyes that had captivated me in my youth. It was like looking at Alexander's childhood photographs come to life.

The little boy puffed out his chest, his voice clear and proud as he announced, "My name is Connor. Mama told me my daddy is the Alpha of Stormfang Pack, the strongest wolf of all. Where's my daddy? I want to see my daddy!"

No. The thought screamed through my mind. This isn't real. This can't be happening.

Alexander had gone completely rigid beside me, his face draining of all color as he stared at the child.

"Alexander?" My voice came out strangled, desperate. "Tell me this is some kind of mistake."

But he said nothing. His silence stretched between us like a chasm

Amber took the boy's hand and began walking directly toward us, her movements deliberate and confident.

"Amber," Alexander finally spoke, his voice hoarse. "What are you... how did you..."

The woman's voice held no hesitation whatsoever.

"Connor, that's your daddy."

The boy immediately launched himself into Alexander's arms.

"Daddy!"

Alexander had always been particular about his image, almost obsessively clean. Even our own daughter had to be thoroughly checked for cleanliness before he'd let her get close. But now he allowed this child to smear tears and snot all over his formal suit without the slightest sign of disgust, let alone pushing him away.

Amber looked directly at the stunned Alexander.

"Alexander, I never wanted to disrupt your life. But Connor is about to begin his hunting training, and you know I'm just an Omega. I can't establish a foothold in the southern territories with a child. He needs his father to have a place in the pack."

"I can endure hardship, but Connor is our child after all. He's innocent."

"I'm asking you to fulfill your responsibility as a father and give him a complete family. He's your blood, Alexander. Your heir. Surely that means something."

Your heir. Under pack law, a male child - especially one acknowledged by the Alpha - held significant inheritance rights. More than a daughter, no matter how beloved.

The air filled with prolonged silence.

Alexander had pursued me for five years and been mated to me for five years. But this child was already over six years old, old enough to begin hunting training.

The fact hit me like physical blows. Around us, the whispers grew louder, more pointed. I could feel my carefully constructed composure beginning to crack under the pressure.

"Alexander, what is the meaning of this? I need an explanation. You and Amber, and this child – everything. You must tell me everything. You know I will not tolerate deception and betrayal."

But looking at this child's face, my heart already knew the answer.

Alexander had been chosen by my father since childhood, receiving Alpha training on my family's territory. We grew up together on the training grounds, sharing all the rigorous courses. We knew each other better than anyone.

He pursued me for five years. I was moved by his persistence and sincerity, and finally agreed to bond with him, becoming his mate and the Luna of Stormfang Pack.

After Alexander marked me, we never had a quarrel. He always protected and tolerated me. But now, in front of Amber and Connor, he didn't say a word.

He just stood there, holding this child who was publicly humiliating me, and said nothing. Did nothing. His silence was an endorsement, a choice, and it spoke louder than any words could have.

Amber suddenly smiled, her eyes full of confidence.

"Raven, the child is already six years old. We were together long before you two mated. If you doubt it, you can have Alexander take a paternity test."

I understood the challenge in Amber's words but didn't respond. Instead, I stared directly at Alexander.

Alexander continued to avoid my questioning gaze, sitting rigidly with his brow deeply furrowed.

After a long moment, his voice came out strained as he closed his eyes.

"Amber, this is Raven and my mating anniversary celebration. You shouldn't have appeared here now."

The crying boy in his arms suddenly straightened up, glaring at me with fierce eyes. Spittle nearly sprayed onto my expensive gown as he snarled, "You evil woman! You stole my daddy and bullied my mama! Daddy belongs to me and mama! You bitch, get lost!" He waved his fists, seeming ready to lunge at me, crude beyond his years.

His screaming was particularly jarring in the solemn celebration venue, shocking everyone present.

In front of all the core members of Stormfang Pack, he relentlessly made a scene, demanding to settle scores with me. Even in Alexander's arms, he used all his strength to shove me, tearing at my gown and trying to scratch my face with his nails.

Throughout it all, Alexander never stopped the boy's behavior. He just silently watched as the child insulted me.

"You're just going to watch him humiliate me like this, Alexander? In front of all our core members and honored guests, on our mating anniversary?" I looked at my mate again, disgusted by his silent, evasive attitude.

Finally - finally - he seemed to register my distress.

"Connor," he said quietly, his hand settling on the boy's shoulder. "That's enough. You shouldn't speak to adults that way."

He didn't deny the child's existence, but he also didn't dare publicly acknowledge him.

Amber's voice trembled with humiliation. "Alexander, if this is too difficult for you,I can leave. I can disappear forever and never trouble you again. But please, I'm begging you - accept Connor. He's your flesh and blood, your firstborn son. Your rightful heir!"

The man seemed to sigh. "This isn't the place to discuss such matters. Amber, come with me. We... need to talk privately."

He finally spoke, but still never faced me directly.

"Raven, give me some time. I'll give you an explanation..."

He stood before me, his figure still tall and straight – the same silhouette I'd known since childhood on my father's training grounds, the Alpha who had grown up with me through mud and combat. But now his gaze wandered, unable to truly meet my eyes.

"You understand... you've always been the strongest, most understanding Luna when it comes to pack responsibilities. Please... trust me this once. You're the only one I truly love."

And then, in front of our guests, Alexander walked toward the exit with Amber and Connor beside him. They looked like a family.

I was alone, abandoned at my own anniversary celebration.

I stood alone in the center of the ballroom, still wearing my anniversary gown.

Each whispered word was another cut, another reminder of how completely and publicly I'd been humiliated.

But I was the Alpha King's daughter. I'd been raised for moments like this, trained to maintain composure under any circumstances.

I summoned the Gamma to soothed the guests' concerns, and explained the situation as diplomatically as possible.

When I had finally seen off all the guests and was exhausted both physically and mentally, pack members who knew Amber were whispering behind my back.

"Wasn't Amber Luna Raven's close friend? Back then, she was just Luna's Omega servant. Luna treated her so well, like a real friend."

"Friend? How could the Alpha King's daughter truly befriend an Omega servant? Impossible..."

"Poor Amber, an Omega struggling to raise the Alpha's pup all by herself."

"Do you think the Alpha's true love might actually be Amber? Did you see how gentle he was with Amber and the child just now?"

"I think it's possible. I once saw Amber and Alexander kissing each other in the back hill of our training camp. Amber even cried."

"Could it be that Luna was actually the mistress, using her power to force Amber away?"

"Given her identity and personality，I think it's very possible."

"What are you saying?" I couldn't tolerate it any longer and cut them off coldly. "As pack warriors, you should remember your duties. If I hear you gossiping about your Luna and Alpha in private again, I'll exile you directly."

"I don't need to rely on bonding with Alexander to become Luna. I am an Alpha wolf myself." I released my Alpha aura as I spoke.

They left right away, but the words of Pack members brought back distant memories.

Amber. An Omega. She had once been a servant in my father's mansion, responsible for the training camp's equipment storage. She was intelligent and quiet. She didn't fear higher-ranking wolves, and could even use her intelligence to complete solo hunts – something other Omegas could never achieve. Because of this, I admired, respected, and trusted her. I even allowed her free access to certain areas of the training camp.

I often mentioned her in front of Alexander.

At first, he seemed somewhat disapproving. Later, he gradually became curious about Amber too.

But around me, they always maintained a safe distance. Except for one time.

In the back mountains of the training camp, I came across them embracing. Amber's cheeks were flushed and her hair was disheveled.

After noticing my approach, they quickly separated. Alexander explained that Amber had twisted her ankle and he was just helping to support her.

After that, I frequently caught Amber's scent on Alexander. But out of trust for my partner and friend, I never thought much of it.

Now I understood everything.

So there had been signs all along. My mate and my most trusted friend had betrayed my trust.

I sat in the car for a long time before finally driving toward the safe house Alexander and I shared. It was a mating gift from my father. Every blade of grass, every piece of furniture and decoration had been personally selected and designed by me.

More importantly, my daughter Ella was still at home. I didn't want adult problems to affect her.

From a distance, I could see the villa blazing with lights.

As I pushed open the door, I heard the boy's crude, malicious laughter mixed with the weak whimpers of our pet dog.

My heart sank. Alexander had already brought Amber and her son home. Thinking of Connor's rudeness, I became even more afraid that he would hurt my daughter, so I walked into the house faster.

I froze as I heard a man and woman's voices.

"Alexander, your daughter lives in a room as luxurious as a palace, yet you want to drive away your son?"

"That's not what I meant..."

"He's your son! Haven't we suffered enough all these years? Back then, you sent pregnant me to the southern territories to pursue Raven, leaving an Omega to live alone. I barely managed to raise the child, and now you have the heart to let us wander the streets?"

After a long pause, I heard the man sigh.

"Fine, for now you and the child can stay at my parents' place in the elder district. I'll let him pick a room here and have it decorated according to his preferences. Once I explain everything to Raven, I'll bring you both back. Raven is kind-hearted. She'll definitely accept you both. Just give me some time."

Connor was jumping around in the room, his mud-caked boots trampling on expensive custom carpets, his dirty hands leaving stains on walls and furniture. He carelessly threw himself into Alexander's arms, acting spoiled: "Daddy! This dump is huge! So much better than the doghouse me and mama lived in! I want the biggest room."

Alexander looked pained, but when he looked up, his eyes met mine.

"Raven... when did you get back?"

Connor in his arms whipped around, eyes venomous as he spat at me: "Get out! You stinking bitch! This is me and my parents' home! Mama says this will all be mine someday. Get out of my house!"

His snarling expression twisted that face so similar to Alexander's.

Alexander scolded: "Mind your manners. Amber, is this how you've been raising the child?"

Amber's eyes welled with tears.

"I'm sorry. Connor has lacked father's love for so long, suffered with me, and no one taught him proper behavior... It's my fault for being useless..."

Hearing this, Alexander turned to me and said, "Raven, just let it go. Don't argue with a child. The carpets and walls he damaged don't matter to you. We can just replace them." Amber's affected sobbing reached my ears.

I pulled at the corner of my mouth. My mate of five years was actually asking me to yield to his bastard child.

"Amber, this isn't lack of father's love. This is lack of proper upbringing." I didn't care how ugly their expressions became after I said this. Since entering the house, I hadn't seen my daughter anywhere. I walked directly toward Ella's room.

Connor suddenly blocked my path with considerable force. Alexander stood behind him, seeming to support the boy's defiance.

"Daddy said I could pick whichever room I like. This room is the biggest and best, so I'm living here! You can't go in!"

Amber pretended to intervene: "Connor, be good."

Seeing their coordinated behavior, I grew increasingly worried about my daughter's situation. Ignoring Alexander's attempts to stop me, I forcefully pushed past them and burst into Ella's room.

The scene that greeted me stopped my heart completely.

The husky Peter lay motionless in a pool of blood, his white fur stained crimson. Multiple deep lacerations covered his small body, and his breathing was so shallow it was barely detectable. His usually bright eyes were dim and unfocused, filled with pain and confusion.

Four-year-old Ella was huddled in the corner like a broken doll, her tiny body trembling with fear. A clear handprint marked her small face - red, swollen, and undeniably from a hand much larger than her own.

The mark stood out starkly against her pale skin, and I could see finger impressions bruising along her delicate cheek.

She was crying, but no sound came out. Just silent tears streaming down her face as she stared at me with eyes full of terror and pain.

"No..." The word escaped my lips as barely a whisper. "No, no, no..."

The shock hit me like a physical blow, stealing my breath and making my vision blur. This was my baby, my innocent little girl who had never hurt anyone in her short life. And Peter - sweet, gentle Peter who had been Ella's constant companion since the day she was born.

"Ella?" My voice cracked as I called her name. "Baby, what happened? How did this happen?"

The moment she saw me, Ella rushed over like a startled animal, clinging tightly to my legs. Her small finger pointed at Connor, her voice trembling and broken: "Mommy... he... he hurt Peter... it hurt so much... Peter cried... he laughed... he hit me too... my face hurts..." Her little body shook violently.

I crouched down, carefully lifting Ella and pressing her tear-stained face against my shoulder. Only then did she finally let go completely, her silent sobs becoming heart-wrenching wails that echoed through the room.

The sound of my daughter's anguish broke something fundamental inside me. No mother could hear their child cry like that and remain unmoved.

How dare he? How dare this vicious little monster hurt my daughter and torture an innocent animal? And how dare Alexander stand by and let it happen? He was supposed to be here, supposed to be protecting our family, and instead he had allowed this... this savage child to run wild in our home.

My grief transformed into fury so intense it felt like fire in my veins.

My icy gaze swept past Connor and Amber at the doorway before fixing on Alexander's pale face.

Amber shrieked first: "Impossible! Connor is just a child! How could he..."

But Connor lifted his chin, his eyes fierce and proud: "Serves them right! Who told that stupid dog to bark at me! The little brat dared to glare at me too!"

The color drained completely from Alexander's face. He looked at Connor, his voice strained: "Connor... you..."

"So what if I did!" Connor stuck out his neck defiantly, showing no remorse. "That dog deserved to die! That little brat deserved to be hit! Everything here will be mine someday! They all need to get out!"

Hearing Ella's heartbroken sobs, Alexander's expression flickered with what looked like genuine concern. His Alpha instincts seemed to kick in at the sound of his daughter's distress, and he took several steps toward us, his arms reaching out as if to embrace both Ella and me.

For a split second, I thought he might actually choose us.

But then his gaze fell on Amber and Connor standing in the doorway. Connor's defiant expression had shifted to something more vulnerable, more childlike, as he seemed to sense the tension in the room.

He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his gaze toward me was filled with complex pleading: "Raven... he... after all, he grew up without a father, lacking discipline... his mind isn't mature... he doesn't understand..."

"We can get another dog," he continued, as if Peter's life meant nothing. "A better one, maybe. As for Ella's injuries, they're not that serious. Children heal quickly. What's important is that we show Connor what a real family looks like, teach him how to behave properly."

Hearing his words, I felt the last vestiges of love I'd held for this man crumble to dust.

"Doesn't understand?" I interrupted him, my arms tightening around Ella. My daughter continued sobbing in my embrace. I looked at Alexander, at this mate I'd been with for ten years, at his face as he still made excuses for his bastard son after his own daughter and mate had been so brutally hurt.

"Alexander," my voice was unnaturally calm, cutting through Ella's sobs and Amber's protests, "let's dissolve our mate bond."