Betrayed By The Alpha: Unknown Twins

NATALIA ~~ "As the new Alpha of Starfall Pack, I announce my mate and Luna as..." I stepped out eagerly, knowing that there was no need to hear the rest of his words. I already knew it was me– but… but why wasn't he looking at me? This wasn't right. Something was wrong. I mean, Why was my best friend stepping out with a smile which Rylan returned brightly? ******* I was carrying his child. I was pregnant with the child of the love of my life — Rylan Thorne, the son of the Alpha of Starfall Pack. "I’m pregnant, Mira. We are going to have our own pup for Rylan." 'I know you are happy, but can you please not make it too obvious?' Mira, my wolf scoffed in my mind. I rolled my eyes. "I can tell you are just as happy… Have you forgotten we are one of the same? Besides, are you not elated that you will finally be with Kai without having to sneak around?" Mira went quiet and I knew I already silenced her with that argument. I could literally hear my heart beating with excitement since I heard the news from the pack doctor a few hours ago, and it took all self-control not to skip around while I stood with the other kitchen staff, waiting to hear the final decision from Alpha Raymond on whom his successor would be. I watched as Rylan came in with his stepbrother, Caleb, my smile widening at the sheer beauty of the man I loved. He looked all handsome and regal, and I could almost feel my baby kick with joy at the sight of its father… almost. I imagined how he would react when I revealed to him that was carrying our child and how we had already planned to tell the whole pack that we had been together for the past two years. It would be the highlight of the day. I recall how he had whispered to me yesterday night, soft kisses trailing my skin as he made promises of how he would announce to the whole pack about me. "Who do you think Alpha Raymond will pick?" I heard one of my co-workers whisper beside me. "The Alpha is always biased towards Prince Rylan, so I'm very sure he is going to pick him," another one of them whispered back. "But we all know Prince Caleb is the best pick for the position, besides he is the Alpha's first son." And another one added. "And he is legitimate not like Prince Rylan." This speaker earned my wrath. "You all should really stop gossiping about the Princes," I hissed at the four gossipers. I hated it when people made statements about Rylan being an Illegitimate child. He was more than that to me. Whereas, I didn't care who the Alpha was going to pick. I would be happy for Caleb if he turned out to be the Alpha. I only wanted to spend the rest of my life with Rylan, be he an Alpha or not. You could call me stupid for saying that, but my love for Rylan was not tied to material things. It was a pure form of love that came from genuine feelings. Several important guests, namely Alphas from other packs were seated to grace the occasion. The subtle playing of music embraced the room accordingly, and I could already see the expectant look on everyone's face as Alpha Raymond stood up from his seat with elegance, smiling at the guests. "Good day everyone, I welcome you here today on this special occasion that will determine the future of Starfall Pack and its neighboring province. As you all know, I have two able sons that I would pick from to be the next Alpha of this pack..." He paused for effect. My gaze slid to Caleb and Rylan who now stood beside their Father, both with a blank look on their face. I knew Caleb never liked Rylan and he was already pissed that he had to compete with Rylan for the position of the Alpha but Caleb was a good man as well. He and Rylan just never seem to be on the same side. "I have tested both my sons on prowess and power, and I know that the son whom I have in mind is the best pick for Starfall." At that point, I was fearful of who Alpha Raymond will pick, not because I wanted Rylan to be Alpha, but because I knew how pissed off Caleb would be if he wasn't pronounced the successor. "And so without further ado," Alpha Raymond continued. "I ANNOUNCE RYLAN THORNE AS MY SUCCESSOR!" At first, I thought I heard wrong until Rylan stepped out with a huge smile on his face. My heart jumped for Rylan at the announcement, elation spreading through me like wildfire. It was him the Alpha Chose. It was my Rylan. "You cannot do this to me!" Caleb's loud voice stopped the rejoicing earning disapproving looks from the guests. "How could you make him Alpha when I am your first son?!" "Caleb, this is the best decision for the pack. You should be happy for your brother." Alpha Raymond gritted "Happy for him? Have you lost it, Father? You are taking what should be mine away from me and you expect me to be happy?" Alpha Raymond yelled, "Do not speak to me like that, Caleb Thorne!" "I will speak to you however I want to! I am the first child and your only legitimate heir, but you give my birthright to a boy who only just arrived at the pack when he was fourteen? Is that even logical?!" Caleb hissed, pointing out the facts about Rylan’s origin and childhood. "Logicality is not what is needed to pick an Alpha, Caleb. I know what is best for the pack and you will stand by my decision without any objections, do you hear me?!" I gasped at the heated exchange between Alpha Raymond and Caleb while Rylan only stared on unconcerned. "I hope you know what mistake you are making," Caleb concluded and turned away from his Father, walking off. "Natalia." Caleb stopped in front of me. Caleb and I had been friends since we were kids even before Rylan was brought into our pack. He always confided in him whenever he had things to get off his chest, it was how I knew he saw Rylan as an opponent not as a brother who just lost his mom and found out he was the son of an Alpha. I also knew he had nursed some kind of feelings for me since we were in high school. "Caleb," I said softly. "I'm sorry about this, I know how much you wanted to be Alpha," I continued, sympathizing with him. Caleb muttered, "Natalia, come with me. You cannot possibly want to stay and watch this injustice being done to me, after all, you are my friend and you are on my side, right?" "Caleb," I started, my gaze reaching for Rylan again who was receiving congratulations from different people. "Caleb you know I cannot come with you. I have to be here with Rylan." The look on Caleb's face was that of pure hurt, he followed my line of sight and shook his head. "Of course it is him. It has always been him, has it not? Everyone would prefer the illegitimate child over me, the real son. Even you??" "Caleb—" I called. And he answered gently, holding my gaze with his teary eyes. "Natalia." "Please, you have to understand that I care about you but Rylan is the one. You know this, do not make this difficult for me," I stated, looking back at Rylan with a sad smile. Silently, he whispered. "I hope you will still stare at him with such affection by the end of the night." My face pinched with confusion but before I could ask Caleb what he meant by what he had just said, he was already out of sight. My heart was torn between following to comfort Caleb, but I knew I had to be there for Rylan. "I am doing the right thing. Am I not, Mira?" I questioned my Wolf. "Caleb will get over it. He has no choice but to accept the fact that you and Rylan are lovers." I sighed happily, promising myself to go back to see Caleb after the ceremony so I could comfort him. I knew he needed me around because he never got to keep friends. I was his only friend. Soon it was time for Rylan to give his speech and also announce his mate, my cheeks were already hurting at how wide I was smiling. My feet was already one step out and all I needed was for him to call my name and for us to share the happiest moment of our life. I was eager, my heart beating fast against my chest. I tapped my feet impatiently, waiting. "As the new Alpha of Starfall Pack, I announce my mate and Luna as..." I stepped out eagerly, knowing that there was no need to hear the rest of his words. I already knew it was me– but… but why wasn't he looking at me? This wasn't right. Something was wrong. I mean, Why was my best friend stepping out with a smile which Rylan returned brightly? And then Rylan called out the name of his Luna and my stomach bottomed out. It can't be. It just cannot be.