My Alpha Betrayed My Trust

The autumn air carried a crisp bite as I stepped out of the Silvercrest Pack's SUV, my boots crunching on the gravel of the riverside parking lot. The supply run had gone smoothly—groceries, cleaning supplies, and medical items all purchased within Marcus's meticulously outlined budget. My shoulders relaxed slightly now that the official tasks were complete.

The small coffee stall by the river caught my eye, its warm lights glowing invitingly against the approaching dusk. The scent of freshly ground beans wafted toward me, and something inside me—perhaps Lyra, my long-silent wolf—stirred with a simple desire.

Just one small pleasure. Five dollars. My own money, technically, though Marcus controlled our joint accounts with an iron grip.

'One vanilla latte, please,' I said to the barista, a young human girl with a friendly smile. She had no idea she was serving the Luna of the most powerful werewolf pack in the Pacific Northwest. To her, I was just another customer, not an accessory to an Alpha's power.

As I waited, I gazed out at the river, its surface rippling with amber reflections of the setting sun. For these few minutes, I could pretend I was just Charlotte—not Luna Charlotte, not Marcus's mate, just... me.

'Here you go, ma'am.' The barista handed me the steaming cup.

I savored that first sip, closing my eyes briefly. The warmth spread through my chest, a small rebellion in a life where even the smallest choices weren't truly mine.

Five dollars for a moment of peace. It seemed a fair exchange.

---

The grand hall of the Silvercrest Pack house fell silent the moment Marcus entered. His powerful aura preceded him like a physical wave, pressing down on everyone present. The Betas straightened their postures instinctively. The Omegas lowered their gazes. And I—his Luna for ten years—felt my spine stiffen in anticipation.

Something in his eyes told me this wasn't going to be good.

'Luna,' he said, his voice deceptively soft. The use of my title rather than my name in private was never a good sign. 'Would you care to explain this?'

He held up the receipt from today's supply run. I'd forgotten to remove the coffee purchase, a rookie mistake after ten years of navigating his control.

'It's just coffee, Marcus.' I kept my voice steady, though I could feel Lyra shrinking inside me, preparing for the storm.

His nostrils flared. 'Just coffee? Five dollars for *just coffee*?' His Alpha tone vibrated through the room, making several pack members flinch. 'While our pack works tirelessly to expand our territory and secure our future, you waste resources on... what? A moment of self-indulgence?'

Heat crawled up my neck as I felt every eye in the room on me. Richard Walsh, our Beta, studied the floor. His daughter Amanda, Marcus's personal assistant, watched with barely concealed satisfaction from the corner.

'I used my personal allowance,' I said quietly, knowing it wouldn't matter.

'There are no personal allowances in a pack, Luna.' Marcus stepped closer, his voice