BETRAYED BY MY MATE: Mated by My Stepbrothers

"Today is the day I become Luna to the strongest and most ruthless Alpha in the pack, the love of my life. It should have been the happiest day of my life as an Omega, the lowest rank in the werewolf pack-but my heart knows better," I whispered to myself, voice laced with sorrow I couldn't shake.

~

In the ancient werewolf dominion of Luparia, only two things truly excited us-awakening your wolf, and finding your mate.

When either happened, it was said that the Moon Goddess herself brushed your soul with starlight. That it would ignite an adrenaline so sharp and divine, it could drive you to madness or joy.

As an Omega, I never imagined having a mate. At least, not this early. All I heard about Omegas was that they would remain mateless and wolfless for a very long time. Some never even find their wolves-not until death comes by their own hand.

It was something like tradition in the werewolf world. Omegas are the outcasts. They are treated as one and they end up as one.

So, when I turned eighteen under the light of a waning moon, I definitely wasn't expecting a mate-but silence. The tiny beeswax candle flickering atop a dry cornbread loaf was the only fire I dared hope for.

As I blew it out, a strange chill settled in my chest-as if that would be the last warmth I'd ever feel.

Then the thoughts came.

"What now? Do I keep holding onto this dream of a mate, something I may never receive? Or do I learn to exist in the space between hope and heartbreak?"

Ever since that night, I had been drowning in the heaviness of my own thoughts.

Downcast. Dejected.

But even in my darkest imagination, I never thought I would be mated to an Alpha. Not just any Alpha-Alpha Arden Valkor-and only weeks later.

He entered my life like moonlight piercing through storm clouds.

With a charming smile and promises of warmth, he reached out his hand to me-shielding me from the cruelty of the world. He gave me moments I had only dreamed of.

He was my knight in shining armor and my Romeo.

The love of my life.

Never for once since I met him, did I think he would walk me down the aisle.

And now... here I am.

Walking down the aisle under the ancient wooden arches of the Pack Hall, my steps echoing against the sacred stone, every eye on me.

People would say, "An Omega becoming a Luna-what an odd transformation."

But, it was more like a destiny change for me rather than a transformation.

Only a few people gathered in the Pack's hall, which were Alpha Arden's family and a few reputable positions in the Pack.

My union with Alpha Arden did not only shock people, it also intensified the hate they had for me.

But, they couldn't do anything about it. They wouldn't dare touch me.

People despised me and couldn't even hide it.

Arden's family hated me, too. I saw it in their eyes-the contempt, the disgust. His mother, Luna Theodata, hid a sneer beneath her perfectly drawn lips.

But I kept walking.

All that mattered was the man at the end of the aisle, waiting, smiling, reaching for me.

I took one final step... and then-

The massive oak doors of the Pack Hall burst open, the cold wind swirling through ancient tapestries. Gasps echoed in the silence as a figure stepped in.

Blonde hair cascading like golden fire, sharp jawline set with fury, and gray eyes like shards of moonlight-Vera Syrus. Daughter of Alpha Riven Syrus of the Moon Bow Pack.

Her heels clicked like war drums as she stormed forward, and every breath in the room held.

Even I, new to the Silver Bow Pack, knew who she was. Regal. Beautiful. Powerful.

The perfect Luna. The one everyone assumed would be standing where I stood.

Moon Bow Pack and Silver Bow Pack were acquainted, so, everyone thought it would only make sense if Moon Bow Pack's Alpha daughter and Silver Bow Pack's Alpha would get married.

That was the main reason my union with Arden pissed a lot of people.

Vera walked up to us as I swallowed, her heels making soft clinks on the wooden floor.

What could be the problem?

I looked at Arden. He didn't seem fazed that Vera could interrupt our wedding unannounced.

Maybe it wasn't much of a big deal then.

Vera walked up to Arden and hit him across the face.

Everyone in the hall let out a gasp.

My jaw dropped.

"How dare you, you filthy imbecile, make fun of me this way?!" Vera snarled, her voice rising with fury.

I frowned, my jaw still dropped at the slap. Then again, Arden isn't still fazed.

"Vera, can we talk about this later?" Arden tried to calm her.

"About what? What is happening?" I wondered.

She snarled, voice rising again, "Talk about what exactly? Maybe about how you came to me every night for pleasure-because your little Omega fiancée disgusts you? Or should we talk about the fact that I'm pregnant with your pup?!"

Another collective gasp filled the air in the hall-but this time, I'm not part of it.

I didn't know how to react to the piece of information.

I blinked once, twice. Trying to decipher the situation.

"What the hell is going on?!"

Arden suddenly stepped up to Vera.

"You are pregnant? Didn't you use moonroot?" he said, blinking, jaw tightening. His voice was low, almost inaudible beneath the hush that fell over the hall.

I was like, "what?!"

Vera replied, "Clearly not, seeing that you came to me in the middle of the night three weeks ago and didn't even ask any question before you took me in."

Another collective gasp fills the air. Another one that went excluding me.

I was frozen to a spot, unable to react or speak. I couldn't move. Couldn't speak. My mind screamed, but my body was frozen-like I'd become the ghost of my own wedding.

My lips were sealed as if I had lost the ability to speak and I watched the scene playing out before me like a statue.

Arden added, "Oh, don't be ridiculous. Shouldn't you know that I come to your room every night to have sex?" he said unapologetic.

This can't be happening.

"And so?" she replied him then continued:

"You assured me that you'd cast this pathetic girl aside. Instead, you're making her your Luna? Eh, ridiculous bastard?"

Which I believe I am the pathetic girl in question.

"Is he out of his damn mind?"

"Why is no one saying anything?"

His parents sat with blank expressions. Theodata smirked, almost entertained.

"Had they known all along?"

Arden looked at me-calm, unaffected. "Let's get this over with. After the wedding, we will talk."

Then he turned back to Vera like I was nothing more than background noise.

Get this over with?!

He still wants to go through with this pathetic wedding?

"Who said I was going on with this wedding?" my voice, foreign and hoarse even to me.

Arden turned away from fuming Vera, faced me with a huge smirk on his lips.

"I did."

"You must be kidding. Do you think I want to marry a cheating husband? You are no longer the choice of Alpha I want as my husband," I added immediately.

His eyes immediately flared. A smile curled-cruel and sharp.

"Choice? You dare speak of choice?" he said, stepping toward me. "I found you filthy, starving. I chose you. I lifted you from the gutters."

He kept coming closer.

"Everyone opposed the mad decision I made about you, but still, I ignored all of them just to give you the luxury of getting married to an Alpha. So, Morrigan, how dare you?!" He flared up, already closer to me.

"I dressed you, loved you, protected you-against everyone's advice. And this is your gratitude?"

His voice roared with fury. His grip suddenly twisted in my hair, yanking it painfully. I screamed, but no one moved.

"You have no choice, Morrigan! You will be my Luna! I will bed mistresses in our chamber, and you will smile through it all! Is that understood?!"

I didn't answer.

He yanked harder. "I said-is that understood?!"

"Yes..." I whispered, brokenly.

He released his grip on my hair and turned to Vera, dragging her out of the hall.

I stayed frozen on the spot where Arden had left me. The pain from the way he pulled at my hair was still there, but nothing could compare with the pain I felt in my heart.

It felt like it got pierced by a knife and shredded into million shards.

I have never seen Arden like this, never.

I always see him in all his rainbow glory which makes me think I was getting married to the sweetest Alpha in the region.

Then I thought, "Why does the behavior he just displayed feel normal to his family?"

"They are not even making any expression to prove that they were shocked by their son's attitude."

His mother, Luna Theodata Valkor, got up and walked towards me and quoted a warning to me:

"You better not say anything about this to any outsider or else, I will have your filthy head cut off," she said with a threat and strutted out of the hall.

I scoffed, dumbfounded.

This can't be real.

Arden's father, Alpha Gaius Valkor, the previous Alpha, got up and also came towards me.

"You are to act like a Luna in a public place. If you try to impose any authority behind closed doors, I will have your head. You, as a lowlife Omega, have no right to make rules. Get that?!" He warned and threatened me, turned around and left the hall.

My lips parted in shock.

Lyra, Arden's sister, strutted over and intentionally stepped hard on my foot with her stilettos.

I cried out in pain for the pain she inflicted on me.

"I have always wanted to do that," she said, turned around and exited the hall.

The last person, Klaus, Arden's beta, got up and walked towards me too. I wonder what he has to say to me.

Although, he is the nicest of them all towards me.

"It's so sad being an Omega, because if you were a stronger wolf, you would have heard their moans when having sex from your room. They do it every night," he said with concern before he also left the hall.

Little wonder Arden's parents didn't react to what's happening. So, they can actually hear them when they have sex at night. I am the only ignorant one.

I was all alone staring into the great Pack Hall, where the torches burned low and silence echoed off the ancient stone.

I stood in the ashes of a dream, the chill of betrayal crawling up my spine.

And the thought rang in my mind, clear and final

"Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life... but my heart knows better."

It has been two days. Two days since the madness that happened with Arden, and I haven't seen him-neither have I seen any of his family members.

Somehow, I pressed my palms together when the full moon was up and prayed to the Moon Goddess that it would be because they had died.

I want to wake up one morning and be notified of their deaths.

I want to close and open my eyes and realize I no longer live in a world where they exist.

Since that day of my supposed wedding, I've despised each and every one of them like never before-especially Arden.

I hated Arden so much that he started showing up in my dreams. He either comes to cut off my head, or I try to cut off his-only for him to end up cutting mine.

Arden had become my villain in the blink of an eye.

As for Vera, I just pray she sees Arden for the psychopath he is and finds herself a better man. But whatever her decision is, I wish her the best.

A few minutes after I retired to bed, I heard the workers scurrying around on the Alpha floor. I got out of bed and peeped out of my room. From there, I overheard their conversations.

Apparently, the Alpha was back, and he needed them to run a bath with hot water for Vera, but there was no hot water available.

I was stunned. So he came back... with Vera?

"Have they reconciled?" I murmured to myself.

I couldn't believe this was happening. I was forced into marrying Alpha Arden, while he cheats on me as much as he wants.

This is the life I mistakenly chose for myself-because of love-and now I have to live by it.

I can't run from Arden. He would find me, no matter where I crawled to, and drag me back if he had to. I don't have a choice. I'm stuck, married to him like this.

Even if he wants to bring whores into our matrimonial bed, the least he can do is let me know when he's going to do it so I don't have to walk in on them having sex.

Fuming, I jerked my door open and marched to Arden's room, my gaze determined.

If he wants to make rules, it's only fair that I make mine too.

As I let my hand settle on his door handle, about to pull it open, I paused at the sound of a sharp slap.

It's funny how Arden doesn't mind getting slapped by Vera, but if it were me, he'd become all authoritative and enraged.

"That serves him right," I thought with a smile.

"Arden?! You slapped me?!" Vera screamed.

I froze. Arden? Slapped her? I pressed my ear against the door.

"This is getting serious," I whispered to myself.

"Yes, and I'll do it over and over again if you don't stop being a bitch!" Arden's voice flared with anger.

"You're insane! How dare you lay your hands on me! You will pay for this, Arden! My dad will-" Vera's voice was trembling with fury and fear.

"Oh, your dad won't do a damn thing!" Arden snarled, cutting her off.

"You don't think I know your dad will throw you out if you fail to secure me as your husband?" he said, full of venom.

Vera fell silent. His accusations must be true.

"That's why you want to get rid of Morrigan. That's why you trapped me with this child. You want me all to yourself, bitch!"

More silence.

"What? Now you're mute? Has the snake bitten your tongue, huh? Daddy's girl, afraid to offend daddy?" he said, laughing mockingly.

Vera's voice finally cracked through the tension.

"My father still loves me," she defended, voice soft but angry. "Unlike yours, who only wants you to bring baby-making machines to prolong his generation of Alphas."

I heard another slap.

This time, she yelped in pain.

I clenched my jaw. "Why the hell is Arden hurting her, knowing she's carrying a child?" What a jerk.

"Don't you ever, in your filthy life, dare speak about my father like that! Ever!" he roared.

No reply. But he kept going.

"Now listen carefully."

I heard a shuffle.

"I'm going to marry Morrigan whether you like it or not. And you? You're going to keep this child. After the wedding, I'll still f*ck you as I please-until I'm sick and tired of you."

I shuddered.

He was a monster. A damn psychopath.

"I'm not going to be your whore," Vera spat back.

"Oh really?" he scoffed. "You are. And it starts now. Lie down, bitch."

My eyes widened.

He was going to rape her.

"Don't f*cking touch me, you son of a bitch!" Vera screamed.

The sounds-the struggle-became louder. I could hear the thuds of objects falling.

Panicked, I tried to jerk the door open, to rush in and stop him, but I froze at a sudden loud crash.

I peeped inside.

Vera had struck Arden with something heavy. He was bleeding.

"This is insane," I whispered.

"The bleeding will dry. That hit won't be enough to stop him."

What could I do to save Vera?

I ran to find help, my legs trembling. As I darted down the hallway, I heard an animalistic growl-Arden's-and then a slashing sound.

Vera screamed.

Her screams echoed until they grew faint, then stopped altogether.

I ran back to the room, my lungs burning.

When I entered, I saw it.

Vera-on the floor, soaked in blood. Lifeless. Her eyes wide, mouth agape from the final scream.

I glanced around. Arden was gone.

The window was wide open.

He had escaped.

His family rushed into the room seconds later, gasping at the horror before them.

I stood frozen in place as they quickly began to prepare her body.

"Dispose of it in the river," Arden's father ordered coldly.

I stumbled back to my room, my mind reeling.

The nightmares began immediately. Every night, I woke gasping, heart pounding.

Arden was missing. His family couldn't find him. His scent was gone-like he had vanished from the territory.

What a coward.

He murdered someone in cold blood and fled.

And I? I had nowhere to go.

As an Omega from another pack, I left thinking I was going to be Luna. Now, I wasn't registered there anymore.

If I returned, no matter how much I explained, they'd throw me out. I'd become a rogue.

Just the thought of it made me shiver.

So I stayed. In the cursed Silver Bow Pack.

No one respected me. I was treated like a slave-no, worse. Like an outsider, a worker.

But I chose this life. I chose to follow Arden. I chose wrong.

One morning, which I expected to be like every other, turned out to be another disaster.

I was cleaning the kitchen when I heard a loud uproar outside.

At first, I ignored it. But the noise grew louder. Aggressive. Like a revolt.

I stepped outside.

My heart dropped.

It was Alpha Riven Syrus-Vera's father-surrounded by his pack warriors.

They had no weapons.

They didn't need any.

Their claws and teeth were enough.

I didn't need anyone to explain why he was here. His gaze, burning into Arden's parents, said it all.

"To whom do I owe this pleasure?" Arden's father asked, trying to act like he didn't know.

"Oh, when I'm done, you won't think it's a pleasure anymore," Alpha Syrus spat.

"What's going on, Alpha Syrus? Why are you here with your men?" Arden's mother asked, trying to play it cool.

But I saw the anxiety in her hands, pressed tight together.

"My daughter went away two weeks ago. I haven't seen her since. I thought she was with your son. She's always here. But instead... I got the shock of my life."

His voice cracked slightly.

"I found her body by your riverbank. Can you explain what the fu*ck happened to my daughter in your house?"

He didn't come for answers.

He came for blood.

"We're not sure what you mean," Arden's father said. "After Arden got married, he and Vera cut ties. They haven't met since."

"If that's the case, let me inside. Let me trace the scent of my daughter's blood. If I find nothing, I'll apologize and leave."

Everyone stilled.

Arden's mother shuddered. She knew he was an experienced Alpha. He'd find it-even weeks later.

Suddenly, she walked over to me.

"Listen carefully. No matter what happens next, say nothing. Just admit it."

I frowned.

"If you deny it, I'll sell you to a distant land. You'll work until you die."

I froze.

What was she talking about?

My heart dropped.

"Oh, Goddess, no..."

She walked away before I could ask anything more.

Then, Lyra-Jaxon's sister-burst out of nowhere, panting.

She stood before Alpha Syrus.

"I know who killed your daughter," she said.

Everyone frowned.

Except her mother.

That's when it struck me.

No... it couldn't be...

"It's her," Lyra said, pointing straight at me.

"Vera was pregnant with my brother's child. When she came to inform him, she got jealous, snuck up behind her, and killed her," Lyra said, face stoically serious-lying straight to my face and her family's without flinching.

"What?!"

"No. This can't be happening." I thought in my mind with surprise

My head swirled with confusion, fear, anger-so many emotions crashing into each other, I couldn't even name them all. One thing was certain: this lie struck like lightning, burning away any sense of security I had left.

I opened my mouth to speak, to defend myself-but then I caught Arden's mother's glare.

Her threat returned like a ghost in my mind.

"If I denied anything... she'd sell me."

So now I was stuck choosing between two evils:

Being sold into an unknown land... or having murder pinned on me.

I didn't even get the chance to choose before Alpha Syrus stormed toward me. His hand shot out, gripping my throat with brutal force. His strength was overwhelming-a living embodiment of wrath. My air was stolen, my life beginning to slip with every squeeze of his hand.

I fought, gasped, clawed at him-but it was useless.

"Alpha, please! Don't kill her," Arden's mother cried, rushing forward. "We promise to punish her accordingly!"

Only then did Alpha Syrus release me. I collapsed, coughing and choking as his glare passed to Arden's father.

"The punishment for murder is death," he thundered.

"If she isn't executed in ten days... I'll do it myself," he added.

"We will follow the laws. You have my word, Alpha," Arden's mother replied smoothly.

Alpha Syrus turned and marched out, his warriors thundering behind him like a dark tide.

After he was gone, I became the next center of attention.

The gazes turned to me-all of them.

Hot. Judgmental. Disgusted.

I looked to Arden's mother, hoping-praying-she would reveal the truth. That she'd finally tell them Lyra lied.

But she didn't.

She said nothing.

Worse... she joined them, glaring at me as if I were truly the murderer.

"Luna, tell them! You told me to stay quiet and accept the accusation, or else you'd sell me as a slave!" I cried, clutching her hand, pleading.

But she yanked away with a sneer of revulsion.

"Guards! Take this murderer to the cells. Death by poisoning is the punishment," she ordered.

Two towering guards seized me, dragging me toward the prison yard. My screams and protests filled the air.

"No! Luna, don't do this to me! Please! You know I didn't do anything! You knew your son did it! Stop this!" I protested desperately, kicking and screaming.

And just like that-I became a fugitive without lifting a single finger.

Thrown into a dark, damp cell, I was left with nothing but my thoughts... and regret.

-

"I should have run. I should've chosen the life of a rogue."

"How could I have been so blind?"

"I thought agreeing to Arden's mother's plan was just a ploy to manipulate Alpha Syrus-but I see it now. I was always the scapegoat."

Tears streamed silently down my cheeks.

"Was I cursed from birth? Has the Moon Goddess truly turned her back on me?"

-

"I should have known this family was prone to discarding me, so I should have taken my leave."

"I should have escaped when I had the chance and chosen the life of a rogue."

"Or, I should have refused Arden's mother's offer and accepted being sold if I had to."

"I didn't know this was their plan all along. Oh merciful goddess, what have I done to myself?"

"I thought it was only a move to lure Alpha Syrus, but I didn't know the plan had been to put Vera's murder on me all along."

"This is hell. My life has turned to hell." Tears flowed from my eyes.

From the moment I breathed my first breath, my life was bound to turn out a doom.

~

I stayed for five days, all alone in this cell. I had little to no food in a day. I either got a ridiculously small amount of food, or nothing at all. It's been hell.

I always felt dehydrated because they did not give me water anytime they brought food to me here.

When I asked for water, they said they'd asked Luna-Arden's mother-to give me water, but she declined and ordered that not a single drop of water be given to me.

I haven't drunk water, nor have I taken a sip of it for five days now.

When I think of everything I've gone through in these last few months, trying to be Arden's Luna, I end up cursing the day I met him... and cursing his mother.

"I hope she faces a stronger rogue one day... and meets her death."

On the sixth day, a new cellmate was brought.

She said nothing to me. She looked really down, and I soon figured out she was an Omega by the way her dress was tattered and the sickly pale skin she wore.

I realized how badly she must've been treated. She didn't talk to me until I finally got her to speak on the 8th day. She had a pretty smile, though.

Of course, I didn't fail to countdown to the days I was expected to be killed for something I didn't do.

I had already made peace with the fact that I came to this life to meet doom and then face death.

I am always ready to accept my fate.

However, before I draw my last breath, I will be sure to bite the sand and curse Arden and his mother for contributing most to my demise.

Then, I thought about my father.

I've been separated from him since I was a child. I don't even know my mother, nor would I recognize my father now. I hope the Moon Goddess protects him wherever he is and grants him peace and happiness. I wish I could see him one last time before my death.

But now, Arden had to be a devil's incarnate and ruin so many life plans for me.

His mother took the baton from him, making my life even more miserable.

~

On the 9th day, a new inmate came in. She was lively. And, I think her crime was serious because of the way she related to me and the other girl.

She engaged us in useless conversations and spoke about her friend who betrayed her, which led to her landing in the pack's cell.

She asked about what made me land in the cell, but I didn't tell her. I was relieved that the words of me killing Vera hadn't spread yet.

It was only extended to a few people, and something told me it was Klaus's handiwork. Aside from Arden's mother and Lyra, Klaus also knew that Arden was the one who murdered Vera.

And, he cared about me. At least, a little.

It could be him that prevented the words from spreading.

The new inmate kept ranting on and on about her friend's betrayal, and my mind drifted off to other things.

However, when she said something about a new Beta, my attention snapped back to her.

"A new Beta? What about Klaus?"

"Please, can you come again?" I asked her.

She paused mid-sentence, looking from me to the other girl.

"So, you haven't been listening?" she said, frowning.

I smiled awkwardly, urging her to go ahead and repeat herself.

She did. Of course, she would. She liked ranting.

"I said, the pack is appointing a new Beta. Betas, actually. They're twins from another pack," she said.

I quickly asked, "Why exactly are they appointing new Betas? Why is that? What happened to the old one? Klaus, I mean?"

"He stepped down," she replied.

"What? Klaus stepped down?" I said, surprised, then continued, "Why? He was next-in-line for the Alpha's position."

"It only makes sense that he stays there until he's appointed Alpha. Why would he leave now, so close to the position?" I added, looking at the girl.

"I don't know why. I wish I did, honestly. So I could share the information with anyone who cares to listen," she replied, reminding me of how she'd pointed out earlier that I hadn't been paying attention.

From the little time we spent together, I knew she would spread any tidbit of information she got her hands on to anyone who would listen.

"Word is, they're extremely good looking. And they don't have mates yet. Girls are literally on their toes, anticipating their arrival and wishing one of the twins is their mate," she added, taking a deep breath.

"I know I can't be that lucky, though. The Moon Goddess is just going to bless me with some mid-average-ranked wolf as my mate. How about you? Would you want one of them to be your mate?" she asked me.

"Yes," I quickly responded. If I said no, she'd ask why, and I didn't want to tell her it was because I'd be dying in 24 hours.

"Their crowning ceremony is tomorrow. I hear it's going to be a blast, and here I am, stuck in this hellhole, unable to attend," she added.

"So, that witch had the guts to hold a party after accusing me falsely and locking me up here?" I thought, frustrated.

However, as the new inmate continued with her rant, I took note of something she said.

She mentioned that everyone would be at the ceremony tomorrow, which would make it a busy day. So I started thinking of escaping when everyone was focused on the ceremony.

I knew it might be futile, but it was worth trying.

Moreover, attempting an escape or remaining here would still yield the same result-death. So, I wasn't afraid of the outcome.

I couldn't sleep that night, plotting how I would execute my escape plan.

Then I remembered-"The guards always come around in the morning to take us to ease ourselves." I thought that would be the perfect time to strike.

The next day, just as the new inmate had reported, it was a busy day. I could hear the ceremony alive from the cell.

Instead of two guards to come and get us, only one was available to do so.

It gave me more opportunity to succeed with my plan.

The guard took us around the yard.

When he got to a spot only a few steps away from the entrance, I dashed away.

A stupid move, one might say.

But my reasoning for making that move was simple: there was a small window at the end of the hall waiting for me to slip through, and the guard would never be able to reach me. He was too hefty.

So, I skillfully climbed through the window and knocked down the burglary before the guard got to me.

Thank Goddess my power could do just that.

I passed through the small opening of the window.

I waited a few minutes. The guard never showed up.

I smirked to myself.

I never thought I could come up with such a clean, smart plan.

I patted myself inwardly and headed for the river bank of the pack.

"I don't mind becoming a rogue. As long as I survive death..."