I Destroyed My Ex-Mate Alpha

On the night of the packs grand full-moon celebration, Alaric was practically vibrating with excitement. He had ordered a feast that could rival any royal gathering and commanded his second-in-command to hand out double rations of the packs bounty to every loyal member.

Lilith, all sweetness and smiles, went from wolf to wolf, presenting neatly wrapped bundles of meat and silver charms. Everyone accepted their gifts with gratitudeexcept me. When she reached my spot, she shoved me back with surprising force.

Step aside! Strays like you dont deserve a place among us, she spat.

I blinked, stunned. What what are you talking about? I asked.

Her lips curled into a cruel grin as she flung a banishment scroll at me. It hit my chest, rustling as it fluttered to the ground. A lowborn runt like you has no claim to the packs rewards. Leave before you make the rest of us sick!

As she ranted, the massive enchanted moon-crystal overhead lit up with a series of imagesme, entwined in what looked like intimate moments with a high-ranking alpha from another pack.

Finally, the ledger of rewards appeared. Every wolf had been granted generous sharesornaments, meat, and silverbut my column glowed a harsh, unforgiving red zero.

I clenched my fists, staring up at Alaric as he lingered nearby, silent and watchful.

Youre really going to exile me tonight? I asked, voice tight with controlled anger.

The crystal continued cycling through the compromising images: me walking beside other pack leaders, sharing a toast, and in one humiliating shot, held at the waist as I stepped into a secluded lodge with one of them.

Alaric finally tore his eyes away from the screen and gave me a cold, unreadable look. He said nothing.

I asked you a question, I pressed again, my voice sharper this time. Are you sure?

The pack had gone quiet. Every wolfs gaze was on him now, a mixture of pity and awe. Alaric ignored it all, stepping forward until he loomed over me. His voice was like ice scraping stone.

Raven, he began, each word deliberate, what right do you have to stay among us? Every ounce of this packs prosperity comes from effort except yours.

Is it not enough that I provide? That Ive been loyal to you? That Ive given my heart? I shot back, trembling with fury. Is that why you humiliate me in front of the whole pack? Dont tell me these wolves are the reason you keep your distance instead of claiming the mate I offered you!

He pulled a stack of papers from his cloak and slammed them against my chest. The edges cut into my skin, and when I touched my cheek, warm blood stained my fingers.

They say it was noble to raise the packs renown under the full moon, he growled, voice low and dangerous. But I will not allow a disgrace like you to tarnish iteven if you are meant to be my mate.

I looked up at him, steadying my shaking limbs. Surely he could see the truth if he just looked past the pictures. Alaric, you know me. My achievements come from my own claws and fangs. Nothing in those imagesnothingchanges that.

Liliths laugh cut through the tension, dripping with venom. Your own hard work? she mocked. And what kind of work would that be? Pleasing alpha clients? Everyone knows exactly how deep your collaborations go.

Snickers and outright laughter spread through the pack. Some wolves murmured their agreement, pointing at me like I was a trapped prey.

I ground my teeth together, forcing myself to remain composed. Those images mean nothing. My dealings with them were entirely about pack politics and alliancesnothing else.

Pack politics, you say? Lilith scoffed, picking up the image from the floorthe one showing a wolfs arm around my waist as we entered the lodge. Then explain this one. How do you justify it?

She leaned closer, lips twisted in cruel amusement. This comes from a crystal vid. Shall I show everyone the full sequence?

I studied the image for a heartbeat, then suddenly laughed, low and relieved. The wolf in the picture wasnt an alpha or a clientit was my older brother, testing me during training.

That night, I stumbled back to my den drunk with frustration and humiliation. I meant to call Alaric to fetch mebut instead, I ended up calling my brother.

It just so happened that my brother had come from Emperor Bay that evening, sent by our parents to reason with me and stop me from being so stubborn. He arrived just in time to drag me away from a group of wolves who clearly had ill intentions toward me.

Who would have thought that simply taking me to a safe den to rest would be captured by someone with a hidden agenda?

No wonder Alaric had been acting so distant ever since that nightcold at times, yet forcing himself to appear warm.

It turned out he had been bottling up his feelings all along. He waited until I had secured the allegiance of key wolf packs and quietly leveraged my familys influence to help him claim the leadership position he wanted for his own territory. Tonight, finally, he chose to explode.

I couldnt help but feel hurt by his lack of trust.

And yet, he was also the first male I had ever truly fallen for. I didnt want this misunderstanding to tear us apart.

Even more, I didnt want my parents to learn that my first true, consuming love had ended before it ever really began. After all, I had fled Emperor Bay to escape the marriage they had planned for me.

I wanted the freedom to choose my own mate, to stand as an equal beside someone, not be trapped in a loveless alliance orchestrated for power. But I had never confided this to anyonenot even Alaric.

I feared that if he discovered I was the Queen Wolf of the Elite Circles, he would feel crushed beneath the weight of my status, insecure and overwhelmed.

Since childhood, every male around me had only ever wanted me for my position. I despised those calculated displays of affection, those compliments dripping with hidden agendas. But Alaricwhen he looked at me, his eyes held nothing but stars.

The memory of how perfect things had been made a bitter laugh escape me.

What are you laughing at? Alarics frown cut through me, his voice sharp with disdain. How can you laugh at a time like this?

I lifted my head, holding his gaze without flinching. Do you honestly think I climb to the top by sleeping with wolves?

Then what else have you done? he sneered, his voice icy. Tell mewhat else could you have done that deserves any respect?

It felt as if invisible claws had squeezed around my heart, tightening until every breath became a struggle.

I drew in a steadying breath and spoke slowly. The wolf in that image is my brother.

Your brother? Liliths laughter rang sharp and cruel. Do you take us for fools? A sworn brother your real brother? Or is that what you call every wolf you sleep with? Must admit, that does make things more interesting!

The laughter around me grew louder, sharp like snapping teeth; someone even whistled mockingly.

Alarics eyes were ice. Enough, he said, voice cutting through the noise. Stop humiliating yourself. Take your banishment scroll and leave. From this moment, you no longer exist to me or to this pack.

I gripped the scroll tightly, feeling only emptiness crawl through me. For five years, I had hidden my true identity, living as an ordinary wolf in his ranks, working tirelessly to help him rise to power.

And now, after personally laying the path to his dominance, he was ready to cast me aside like a used tool. I could endure lossbut I would not be made a fool. The last five years of my youth might have been wasted on an ungrateful alpha, but I would not break.

Alaric youll regret this, I whispered, low and deadly.

Alarics reaction was laughter, sharp and mocking, as though I had just made the worlds most absurd joke.

Regret? he barked. The only thing Ill regret is ever meeting a faithless she-wolf like you!

He extended his hand toward Lilith. The two exchanged a triumphant smile and strode together to the center of the clearing.

It was only then that I noticedtheir matching ceremonial attire, a designer set of dark tailored leathers and a flowing gown of deep crimson. He raised their joined hands high, his voice loud and commanding over the gathered pack.

Tomorrow marks the most crucial day in the history of our territoryour ascension! None of this would have been possible without the effort of every wolf here. Together, we shall continue to rise to greatness!

The pack erupted in cheers, the forest shaking with howls of approval and thunderous applause.

The endless flattery of Alaric and Lilith, hailed as the perfect golden pair of the pack, rang sharply in my ears. Alarics eyes swept over me, indifferent, as though I were nothing more than a shadow passing through the clearing. I felt utterly invisible, a ghost among wolves.

As I stared at the male I had devoted five years of my heart to, I finally understood why my parents always said my judgment was flawed. They had been rightI had been blind, hopelessly blind.

I hadnt realized that Lilith, Alarics ever-loyal mate-in-waiting, had been entwined with him all along, hiding in plain sight.

Being the daughter of the Ashcrofts had never made me incapable of maneuvering within the upper echelons of the pack. I had the claws to lift him to power, and just as easily, I could tear him down from the heights he now claimed.

Clutching the resignation scroll in my hand, I made my move to leave this suffocating den of deceit.

But as I took my first step, Mr. Webb from the packs administration blocked my path, a false smile plastered across his face.

Raven, theres no need to hurry away just yet, he said, adjusting his glasses, the tone of his voice laced with authority and a thin veneer of civility. Before stepping down, you must sign a declaration confirming that your actions while under our packs roof have no ongoing influence over our affairs. Youll also need to sign a binding non-compete clauseensuring you cannot use your connections to poach clients or allies once you leave.

Not long ago, I had been Alarics mate, respected and feared in equal measure, my ability to secure powerful alliances earning me the utmost courtesy from the pack.

Mr. Webb had fawned over me then, bowing his head and addressing me with the reverence due to Mrs. Thorne. That time had passed. Now, he looked down at me with a self-satisfied smirk, as though diminishing me might somehow restore his own sense of significance.

I studied his pathetic display and replied, voice ice-cold, A declaration? A non-compete? And what makes you think I would ever sign either of them?

His smile evaporated instantly, replaced by a hard edge. Because of your dirty little schemes! The pack has already shown mercy by not pressing chargesdo not mistake our restraint for weakness!

I laughed, bitter and unrestrained. Dirty schemes? Evidence? Or are you simply referring to those conveniently misinterpreted images?

Lilith strutted forward, heels clicking against the stone floor, manicured finger jabbed toward my pack communicator. Isnt the proof right there in your device? Who knows how many contacts youve hoarded? Step out of here, and whos to say you wont seduce one by one to secure a new alliance?

Before I could react, Mr. Webb lunged for my communicator. My fingers grazed itand then it was gone.

Give it back! I snapped.

Lilith snatched it from his hands with a triumphant smirk, retreating just enough to mock me fully. Look at you, so nervous now. Clearly, theres more you dont want anyone to see.

She turned to Alaric, prompting him for the passcode. They tried his birthday, mine, even the day we first claimed each other under the full moonbut the device stayed locked. Alarics patience snapped. He yanked the communicator from her hands and barked at the security wolves to restrain me.

He attempted the facial recognition featurebut multiple failures forced the system to default to passcode entry.

What is the password? he demanded, voice like a growl.

Since the day we bonded, the passcode had always been the date he first admitted his feelings. I could almost smirk at the ironyhe had forgotten. Not surprising.

Failing to access my device before his pack only fueled his humiliation. His pride crumbled, his face darkening with a storm of rage, every second deepening his fury.

You keep insisting the photos were a misunderstandingso why change your password? he spat, the accusation heavy with irritation.

Its the date you first confessed to me, I said calmly.

Alaric froze, struggling to remember that moment. His expression twisted, a chaotic swirl of confusion, anger, and something dangerously close to regreta ruined masterpiece of emotion.

I wrenched free from the guards grip, snatching my communicator back. Alaric watched in silence as I unlocked it effortlessly. His lips parted, as if he wanted to speakbut no words emerged, and the tension hung between us, heavy as a winter storm over the pack.

Without any warning, Alaric ripped my communicator from my hands. His thumb flew across the screen, movements frantic and aggressive as he searched for proof of the betrayal he had already decided was real. Then, suddenly, he froze.

His body went rigid as his eyes locked onto a close-up imageme and my brother, shoulder to shoulder, faces clear beneath the moonlight. A heartbeat later, the tension snapped, and his rage exploded.

Oh, Raven, he sneered, holding the device up like a trophy. Isnt this perfect? The proof is staring us right in the face. So tell mewhat excuse are you going to crawl out with now?

Ive already told you the truththat wolf is my brother! I shouted, struggling against the hands gripping my arms. Give me back my communicator! This is outright theft. Youre slandering meand violating my privacy!

Before I could finish, Alarics hand lashed out.

The impact cracked against my cheek, sharp and blinding. Pain bloomed instantly, but I barely had time to register it before he lifted my communicator and slammed it viciously into the stone floor. The screen shattered on impact, fragments skittering across the ground like broken ice.

My cheek burned as I clutched it, fury roaring through my veins. I surged forward, ready to tear into himbut security wolves seized me again, locking my arms tight.

My reaction only fueled him further. His lips curled into a cold, vicious smile.

Dont put on that innocent act, he said, voice dripping with contempt. Do you honestly think you climbed that high without spreading your legs? And dont insult me by claiming you did it for my sakethats revolting.

I lifted my eyes to his, disappointment crashing over me like a tidal wave.

Alaric, I said hoarsely, do you really need to degrade me like this?

He gave a slow, mocking laugh. Degrade you? You should be grateful Im even wasting breath on you. Do you honestly think you deserve dignity?

The weight in my chest grew unbearableanger, humiliation, helplessness all twisting together.

Fine, I said through clenched teeth. If you refuse to hear the truth, then let the enforcers handle it. Well see whos truly filthy hereyou, with your lies, or me, with the sins you invented.

The enforcers? He stepped closer, eyes glinting with disdain. You still think you have any leverage left?

He sneered. You might not care about your name, but I care about mine.

Then his voice dropped, cruel and final. Thank the moon we were never bonded. If you had become my mate, you wouldve been the greatest stain on my life.

My gaze fell to the shattered communicator at my feetand something inside me finally snapped.

After everything youve done, I said coldly, you can forget about your ascension tomorrow, Alaric.

The clearing erupted in laughter.

Have you lost your mind? Lilith clutched her stomach, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over.

Alaric shook his head, smirking. Do you hear yourself? Who do you think you are? You honestly believe you have the power to stop our pack from rising?

His eyes glittered with mockery. What, do you think youre some kind of Queen Wolf of the Elite Circles? That one word from you could bring my ascension ceremony crashing down?

I raised my head and met his gaze without flinching.

Thats exactly who I am, I said evenly. And the wolf in those images? Thats my brotherAlistair Ashcroft.

The laughter didnt stop. It swelled.

Mr. Webb slapped the table, wheezing. Shes gone completely mad!

If youre the Queen Wolf of the Elite Circles, he cackled, then I must be Arthur Ashcroft himself!

Yes! Thats right! others chimed in eagerly.

If shes the Queen Wolf, well eat dung right here under the full moon!

I swept my gaze across them slowly, lips curling into a cold, disdainful smile. Arthur Ashcroft is my fathernot a title for ignorant mutts who bark without thinking.

Their laughter stutteredbut I continued.

You dont believe me? Of course you dont. Wolves like youwho follow the loudest voice and spew filth without thoughtmust be used to swallowing garbage every single day.

My words struck hard.

The clearing erupted into fury and chaos.

Believe you? someone shouted. Youre nothing but a she-wolf who slept her way to power!

Mockery rang out from every side, howls of laughter drowning the night.

Alaric shook his head, his expression a blend of disgust and false pity. Enough. Get out, Raven. Youre polluting my territory. Never associate yourself with me again.

My fists clenched so tightly my claws bit into my palms. The rage inside me threatened to tear freebut I forced it down.

Fine, I said quietly. Ill go.

I looked at them one last time, my voice steady and sharp as steel. But remember thisevery humiliation you poured on me tonight will be returned a hundred times over.

More laughter exploded.

Payback? Seriously? someone scoffed.

Lilith clung to Alarics arm, laughing breathlessly. Raven, have you been watching too many drama serials? Talking about revenge like youre the heroine of some fantasy.

Alaric waved his hand dismissively. Enough theatrics. Get lost. We have a celebration to enjoy.

I didnt respond. I turned and walked away.

Behind me, insults and laughter chased my stepsbut they no longer mattered.

Outside the grand hall, beneath the cold night sky, I bought a new communicator and dialed a familiar number.

Before the market opens tomorrow, I said calmly, I want Alaric destroyed.

There was a brief pause.

Then a deep voice answered, unwavering. Understood, Miss Ashcroft.

I ended the call and looked up at the moon, a slow, frost-cold smile spreading across my lips.

Alaricyou thought youd won.

Too bad.

The real game had only just begun.

And since you showed me no mercy

Dont expect any in return.