My Alpha Tried to Kill Me for Power

The war room smelled of coffee and ambition. I stood over the massive oak table, my fingers tracing the contours of the Northern Valley map I'd spent three days perfecting. The territory was rich with resources—lumber, water, game—everything our pack needed to thrive. But taking it would require precision.

"The key is here," I said, pointing to a narrow pass between two mountains. "If we position scouts here and here, we can monitor the enemy's movements without being detected. Then we send a small team to secure the eastern ridge while the main force—"

"Estella." Damien's voice cut through my explanation like a blade. He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed over his broad chest, his Alpha aura filling the room. "You're overthinking this."

I swallowed my frustration. "With respect, Alpha, the supply lines are vulnerable if we don't—"

"Enough." He straightened, his jaw tightening. "The Elders are waiting."

I stepped back, allowing him to approach the table. My table. My strategy. My victory that would be his.

Damien studied the map, his fingers memorizing the routes I'd marked. I watched him commit every detail to memory—the same details he'd ignored when I'd first presented them.

"The plan is solid," he finally said, rolling up the map. "I'll present it to the Elders tonight."

"Should I come?" I asked, knowing the answer.

He paused, looking at me with those golden eyes that once made my heart race. Now they just made me feel invisible.

"No. Stay here." He gestured to the coffee cups scattered around the table. "Clean this up. And make more coffee. The Elders like it strong."

I nodded, my fingers curling into fists at my sides. "Yes, Alpha."

He left without another word, taking my work, my ideas, my future with him.

---

The morning air was crisp against my skin as I watched the warriors train from the sidelines. Their movements were fluid, powerful—everything I wasn't.

"Did you hear about the Northern Valley plan?" A young Delta named Kai asked his training partner. "Brilliant strategy. Alpha says we can take it without losing a single wolf."

"I heard he stayed up all night developing it," another replied. "That's what makes him a great Alpha."

I turned away, focusing on the trees beyond the training field. Seven years. Seven years I'd been doing this work while Damien took the credit. Seven years of being the ghost behind his throne.

"Estella?"

I turned to find Brielle Walker approaching, her perfect blonde hair catching the sunlight. The daughter of Alpha Marcus wore her power like jewelry—flaunted it for all to see.

"Brielle," I acknowledged, keeping my voice neutral.

"I just wanted to say how sorry I am about your... situation." Her sympathy was as fake as her smile. "It must be so difficult, being so... fragile."

She twisted her wrist, drawing attention to the silver bracelet there. I recognized it instantly—a Grant family heirloom that Damien had promised would one day be mine.

"It suits you," I said quietly.