Mated to Alpha Bastain

Chapter 4: A Daring Gambit

Margareth POV

My brother’s voice—gravelly, laced with menace—echoed in my mind: “Step down, or the pack burns.” His hooded figure, clutching the council’s scroll, had vanished into the gala’s chaos, leaving Bastian’s hand firm in mine. “We’ll face this together,” he’d said, his amber eyes anchoring me. My heart raced, torn between Xavier’s betrayal, Ashley’s treachery, and my brother’s return. The Brown Iris Pack teetered on ruin, and I, its Luna, stood at the edge. Yet Bastian’s touch—electric, stirring Emma’s fated mate claim—ignited a flicker of hope I couldn’t ignore.

I faced Xavier in the ballroom, his arm still around Selena, her smirk a blade. “You heard the council,” he sneered, voice low to avoid the guests’ ears. “Step aside, Margie, or lose everything.”

His words cut deeper than any council threat. “Everything?” I spat, defiance flaring. “You’ve already taken my trust, my pride. I’m still Luna, Xavier, and I won’t bow to you or Selena.”

He gripped my arm, eyes cold. “You were nothing—an omega scraping by—before me. Without my name, you’re dust.”

Tears stung, but I held his gaze, Emma growling, *He’s wrong. You’re enough.* His cruelty laid bare the truth: Xavier never loved me, only my submission. “You’re wrong,” I said, voice steady. “I’m more than your shadow.” I yanked free, storming upstairs, his laughter chasing me.

On the second-floor balcony, I gripped the railing, the full moon’s glow a quiet balm. Stars twinkled, mocking my turmoil. Tears fell, each one carrying Xavier’s words, Selena’s smirk, Ashley’s betrayal. My brother’s ultimatum loomed—why had he returned, aligned with the council? I’d lost so much, yet my dignity as Luna burned fierce. I wouldn’t let Xavier erase me.

A deep voice broke the silence. “Margie?” Bastian stepped onto the balcony, his pine-and-steel scent stirring Emma again. *Him,* she whispered. His amber eyes softened, tracing my tear-streaked face. “You okay?”

I wiped my cheeks, forcing a smile. “Not really. Just… personal stuff with Xavier.”

He shook his head, closing the distance. “I saw the fight. You don’t have to face this alone.” His voice, warm and sure, cracked my defenses.

I met his gaze, searching for truth. “You’re a guest, Bastian. How can you help?”

He took my hand, his touch sending a jolt through me. Emma howled, *Fated.* “Trust me,” he said, eyes blazing. “I know how to turn this around.” His confidence was infectious, pulling me from despair.

Before I could protest, he led me downstairs, his steps purposeful. In the ballroom, Xavier laughed with Selena, their ease a slap to my pride. Bastian’s voice cut through. “Alpha Xavier, a word. Privately. With Luna Margareth.”

Xavier’s eyes narrowed, his hand tightening on Selena’s. “Fine. My study.” He laced fingers with Selena, leading the way, her smug glance daring me to react.

In the study, Bastian sat across from Xavier, his posture commanding. “I’m here to challenge you,” he said, voice steel. “You’ve disgraced your Luna. Let’s settle this like alphas.”

Xavier grinned, leaning back. “A challenge? Name it.”

Bastian’s gaze didn’t waver. “If Selena’s pregnant by next month, you reject Margareth and let her go. If she’s not, you ditch Selena and honor your Luna. Simple enough?”

My breath caught. The bet—bold, reckless—made me a pawn, yet Bastian’s eyes flicked to me, promising protection. Emma purred, *He’s fighting for us.* Xavier’s betrayal had numbed me, but Bastian’s gambit sparked something new—hope, or maybe defiance.

Xavier studied Bastian, then smirked. “Trying to steal my Luna? I’ll take your bet. Selena’s mine, and Margareth stays under my thumb.” He leaned toward Selena, her smile predatory.

I clenched my fists, voice low. “I’m not your prize, Xavier. Bet or not, I’m done being your fool.”

Bastian nodded, a flicker of pride in his eyes. “Send me your email. I’ll draft the agreement. Sign it, and we’re bound.”

Xavier scribbled his email on a slip of paper, tossing it to Bastian. “Send it. I’ll sign. You’ll lose.”

“Thank you,” Bastian said, pocketing the paper. He glanced at me, a silent vow, then left the room, his steps echoing with purpose. Outside, he muttered, “No one hurts my fated mate.” The words, meant for himself, reached me, sending a shiver down my spine. Fated mate? Emma’s certainty roared louder.

Alone with my thoughts, I realized the bet didn’t ease my fears—it deepened them. Xavier saw me as property, and Selena’s ambition threatened the pack. My brother’s council-backed challenge loomed, a shadow over Bastian’s plan. But Bastian’s touch, his resolve, stirred a truth: I wasn’t alone anymore.

As I returned to the gala, a figure blocked my path—Ashley, her eyes glinting with guilt. “Margie, I didn’t mean to hurt you,” she whispered. “Selena promised me a place in the new order. Join us, or the council will crush you.”

Shock froze me. Ashley, my confidante, was Selena’s pawn, and now she offered me a traitor’s deal. Before I could answer, a low growl sounded. Bastian appeared, his alpha aura flaring. “Back off, Ashley. Margareth’s not yours to sway.”

Ashley flinched but held her ground. “You can’t stop what’s coming. The council’s chosen Selena—and Xavier’s too weak to fight her.”

My heart pounded. The twist hit hard: Selena wasn’t just after Xavier—she’d orchestrated the council’s move, using my brother to destabilize the pack. And Ashley was her spy. “Why, Ash?” I choked out.

She looked away, but a commotion interrupted—shouts from the ballroom. I rushed forward, Bastian at my side, to find Xavier on the floor, clutching his chest, eyes wide with panic. Selena knelt beside him, her voice urgent. “He’s been poisoned!”

The crowd gasped, and my brother stepped forward, scroll in hand. “The council demands order,” he declared. “Margareth, surrender the pack now—or Xavier dies.”

Bastian’s hand found mine, his voice a fierce whisper. “We’ll save him, Margie. But you decide our next move.”