The wife he gave away

Untitled EpisodeChapter33

can't speak, but I can't stay silent.

There were moments in a man's life when he suddenly realized he had become someone he would have despised years ago. I used to believe betrayal belonged to weak men, men who lacked discipline, men who chased excitement because they were too foolish to appreciate peace. I used to look at adulterers with disgust. I used to think loyalty was simple. You loved your mate. You stayed faithful. You raised your children. You served your Alpha. It was easy. At least that was what I thought before Valeria entered my life and complicated everything I believed about myself.

Now, as I stood outside Alpha Alaric's study with sweat gathering beneath my collar despite the cool evening air, I finally understood that betrayal rarely announced itself as betrayal. It arrived disguised as comfort, disguised as admiration, disguised as understanding, and by the time a man recognized it for what it truly was, he was already drowning in it.

The beautiful thing is that I love her so much, and I'd never ever think of trading her for another, not even Seraphina.

I sat there for several minutes, staring at the wooden door in front of me while my mind replayed the events of the previous day over and over again. I could still hear Valeria speaking with Alpha Darius as though they had known each other for years. I could still hear her calmly discussing Alaric's downfall as if she were discussing the weather. She had smiled while talking about overthrowing the man who had given her a title, a home, and protection. She had spoken about replacing him as though Alaric were nothing more than an obstacle standing in the way of her ambitions.

The most frightening part was not what she had said. It was how naturally she had said it. There had been no hesitation in her voice, no guilt in her expression, and no indication that she considered herself a traitor. In her mind, she was merely taking what she believed belonged to her.

And yet, despite everything I had heard, despite everything I now knew about her, I still could not bring myself to expose her. Perhaps I was a coward. Perhaps I was selfish. Or perhaps I was simply terrified of what would happen if the truth came out. If Valeria fell, I would fall with her. Seraphina would discover that I had betrayed her. Kael would learn that his father was not the man he thought he was. Alpha Alaric would look at me with disappointment and disgust. Everything I had spent years building would collapse in a single day, and I wasn't ready for that. I wasn't brave enough for that.

The study door suddenly opened, pulling me away from my thoughts, and one of the guards stepped outside before bowing slightly in my direction.

"The Alpha will see you now," he said respectfully.

I nodded slowly and rose to my feet. My legs felt strangely heavy as I walked into the room. Alpha Alaric sat behind his desk exactly as he always did, his posture straight, his expression unreadable, and his piercing eyes fixed on me from the moment I entered. There was something unsettling about him. He rarely raised his voice, rarely displayed emotions openly, and rarely threatened anyone. He didn't need to. His silence alone was enough to make even seasoned warriors nervous.

"You wished to see me," he said calmly as he folded his hands together atop the desk.

"Yes, Alpha," I replied quietly.

"Then speak."

It should have been easy and simple. I had walked into this room intending to tell him everything. I had imagined myself exposing Valeria, imagined myself warning him that his Luna was plotting against him, imagined myself finally choosing loyalty over fear.

But now that I stood before him, the words refused to come.

Alpha Alaric studied me for several seconds before speaking again. "You're nervous."

I forced out a weak laugh. "I've never been good at giving reports."

One of his eyebrows lifted ever so slightly. "You've been my Beta for seven years," he said, his voice remaining calm. "You've delivered hundreds of reports."

I swallowed hard. "That's true."

"So why are your hands shaking?"

I lowered my gaze, because I was about to betray my lover, myself, and I was afraid. But before I could answer, the doors opened behind me. I knew who it was before I even turned around.

Valeria.

She stepped inside gracefully, dressed in a pale blue gown that seemed to glow beneath the candlelight. She looked composed, elegant, and entirely innocent. No one looking at her would ever imagine that she had spent the previous day discussing treason with another Alpha.

She bowed slightly. "Forgive me, Alpha," she said softly, offering him an apologetic smile. "I didn't realize you were occupied."

Alpha Alaric leaned back slightly. "You seem to forget rather often that people knock before entering rooms."

Valeria chuckled lightly and placed a hand over her chest. "I suppose I spend too much time speaking with my wolf," she said playfully.

Then she looked at me… only briefly… only for a second. But that second was enough. There was a warning in her eyes. A threat. A promise.

‘Don't do it. Don't betray me,’ I could hear her wolf howling in anger.

Alpha Alaric looked between us. "Interesting timing," he said.

Valeria tilted her head. "What do you mean?"

Alaric's gaze shifted toward me. "Beta Dominic requested a private audience."

Valeria smiled. "Did he?"

"He did."

"And what did he wish to discuss?"

Alpha Alaric folded his arms. "He told me he wanted to say something about my Luna."

For the first time since entering the room, Valeria seemed genuinely surprised.

"About me?" she asked, blinking once.

Alaric nodded. "Apparently."

Valeria slowly turned toward me. She was still smiling. Still pleasant and beautiful. But beneath that smile was danger. Her expression seemed to ask a single question.

Well?

I felt sweat gathering against my forehead as she took a small step closer.

"What were you planning to tell Alpha Alaric about me?" she asked sweetly.

I opened my mouth. Closed it. Opened it again. Then I lied.

"Nothing serious."

Alpha Alaric narrowed his eyes slightly.

I continued.

"I simply wanted to report that Alpha Darius appears willing to negotiate."

Valeria immediately nodded.

"He does," she said smoothly. "We spoke extensively, and I believe he has grown tired of conflict."

I forced myself to continue. "He mentioned surrendering certain claims if it meant avoiding unnecessary bloodshed."

Valeria smiled warmly. "I believe peace is possible."

Alaric remained silent. I couldn't tell if he believed us. I couldn't tell if he suspected something.

Eventually, he nodded. "If peace can be achieved, then peace is preferable."

Valeria bowed slightly. "That was my thought exactly."

Alaric looked at her for several moments. "Perhaps your interference in a meeting of men proved useful after all."

She smiled. "I'll consider that a compliment."

"You may."

He waved a dismissive hand. "Both of you may leave."

I didn't wait. I stood up immediately and walked out of the room. Valeria followed behind me. The moment the study doors closed, her smile disappeared completely. She grabbed my wrist so hard.

"Were you about to betray me?" she asked quietly, but there was steel beneath her voice.

I pulled my hand away. "I almost did."

She laughed softly. "What stopped you?"

I looked at her. "I remembered that you're insane."

She smiled. "No." She stepped closer. "I'm prepared.”

Prepared to destroy an entire pack?," I asked, lowering my voice to avoid being heard.

Prepared to build a better one," she answered casually like it meant nothing.

"You want to destroy Alpha Alaric."

"I want to replace him."

"You want to kill innocent people."

"Casualties are unavoidable," she said flatly.

I stared at her. "You're becoming a monster."

Her expression darkened. "And what exactly are you?" she asked. "A loyal husband? A faithful mate? A devoted Beta?"

I looked away. She had a point… she always had a point.

Valeria reached out and touched my cheek gently. "If you expose me, Dominic, I won't be the only one falling."

I said nothing.

She continued. "Do you think Seraphina will forgive you?"

Again, I said nothing.

"Do you think Kael will still look at you the same way?"

I still refused to respond, which irritated her.

"Do you think Alpha Alaric will spare you after learning that you've been sleeping with his Luna?"

I clenched my fists. "You manipulated me."

"And you enjoyed being manipulated."

I hated that she was right.

She smiled softly. "Remember who I am." She leaned closer. "I am the Alpha's Luna. Alpha Alaric may question me, but he'll question you first."

She paused. Then her smile widened. "And besides..." She lowered her voice until it was barely above a whisper.

"We still have a secret to protect."