My Alpha Risked Our Pup for His Mistress

The candles flickered across the dining table, casting a warm glow over the meal I'd spent all afternoon preparing. Roasted venison with herbs from our garden, Cole's favorite. I smoothed down my dress—a soft blue that matched my eyes—and touched the small bump that wasn't quite visible yet. Tonight would change everything.

I heard the front door open, followed by voices. One was Cole's deep timbre that still made my heart skip after five years together. The other was higher, feminine, unfamiliar.

"Luna Isla?" Elena had appeared in the doorway, her elderly face creased with concern. "Alpha Cole is bringing someone unexpected to dinner."

Before I could respond, Cole strode in, his broad shoulders filling the doorframe. Behind him glided a woman with glossy black hair and curves that seemed designed to draw every eye in the room.

"Isla." Cole's smile didn't quite reach his eyes. "This is Sloan Cruz, our new pack consultant. She's here to help strengthen our position."

Sloan's gaze swept over me, lingering on my simple dress before dismissing me entirely. Her smile was sharp as a blade. "So this is your Luna? How... quaint."

Something cold slithered down my spine. I stepped forward, extending my hand. "Welcome to Silver Creek Pack, Ms. Cruz."

She didn't take it. Instead, she trailed her fingers along the table I'd set so carefully. "Such a domestic scene. I suppose that's what Alphas want—a mate who can cook and look pretty."

My wolf stirred within me, a low growl building in my chest. The White Wolf didn't like threats, even veiled ones.

"Isla." Cole's voice carried that edge—the Alpha tone that made pack members cower. "Be respectful."

I blinked, stunned. In five years, he'd never used that tone on me.

"Sloan is here to help us become stronger," he continued, moving to stand beside her rather than me. "Her methods are... unconventional, but effective."

Sloan's smile widened as she leaned slightly toward him. "I've already identified several weaknesses in your pack structure, Alpha. Starting with..." Her eyes flicked to me.

The growl escaped before I could stop it—a soft rumble that filled the suddenly silent room.

Cole's eyes flashed gold with anger. "ENOUGH!" The Alpha command hit me like a physical blow, forcing my wolf back down. "You will show proper respect to our guest."

Tears pricked at my eyes as I lowered my gaze, the dinner I'd prepared forgotten. The news I'd been so excited to share—our pup, growing inside me—suddenly felt like a dangerous secret.

---

The kitchen was silent except for the clink of glass as I cleaned up the untouched plates. Cole and Sloan had left hours ago, heading to his office to discuss "pack business." The words tasted bitter in my mind.

I reached for the wine glass Cole had knocked over in his haste to leave, and my finger caught on a shard of broken crystal.

"Damn." Blood welled up, bright red against my pale skin.

I frowned, watching the drop swell larger. Usually, by now, the wound would be closing, my Lycan blood working its magic. But the cut remained, bleeding steadily.

"No." I grabbed a towel, pressing it against my finger. "No, no, no."

The bleeding slowed but didn't stop. Panic rose in my throat as I tried to call my wolf forward, seeking that familiar surge of healing energy.

Nothing came.

I stumbled to the bathroom mirror, pulling up my shirt to check the small scar on my ribs from a childhood injury. It was still there, pale but visible—a mark that should have vanished years ago.

"My wolf..." I whispered, hands shaking as I touched my stomach. "The pup."

It hit me then—my Lycan blood was protecting the tiny life inside me, diverting all its healing energy to our child. I was mortal now, vulnerable in a way I hadn't been since childhood.

---

"I need to speak with you." I stood outside Cole's office the next morning, my voice steady despite the fear still churning inside me.

He looked up from his desk, dark circles under his eyes. Sloan perched on the edge of his desk, close enough that their shoulders nearly touched.

"What is it, Isla?" Impatience edged his tone. "We're busy."

"It's important." I stepped inside, closing the door behind me. "Something's wrong with my—"

"Alpha Cole." Sloan's voice cut through mine like silk over steel. "I've completed the first phase of my assessment." She slid a folder across his desk. "My Pack Strengthening Plan addresses our most critical vulnerabilities."

Cole's eyes lit up as he flipped through the pages. "This is... impressive."

"I've identified several areas where we can expand quickly," Sloan continued, ignoring my presence entirely. "Starting with more aggressive territorial acquisition."

"I was thinking—" I began again, desperate to be heard.

"That you're being petty and jealous?" Cole snapped, finally looking at me. "Sloan is here to help us become stronger, Isla. Something you've never understood."

Sloan's smile was triumphant as she leaned closer to Cole. "I've taken the liberty of moving my things into the suite next to yours," she said. "For convenience sake."

Cole nodded approvingly. "Excellent idea. We'll need to work closely together."

I stood frozen as my world shifted beneath me—my mate's dismissal, my wolf's silence, and now this stranger claiming territory that should have been sacred to us.

Something was wrong. Something was terribly, irreversibly wrong.