Alpha's Regretful Mate

The Shattered Crown

I walked away from the study, my legs moved but my mind didn’t seem to be in control. The walls closed in on me. I couldn’t breathe well and I felt pain in my heart. I barely noticed the curious glances of the pack members as I walked carelessly out of the palace.

The cold was hard on me because I wasn't with my coat or anything, but I didn't care, rather I embraced it. It was better than the choking betrayal that I had just uncovered moments ago.

I wandered aimlessly, letting my feet guide me wherever they wanted to go because my mind was not in focus. My head was filled with a thousand questions, none of which had any answers.

"What do I do now? Where do I go? How could they do this to me?"

I thought of the child growing within me and held onto my stomach protectively. "I won’t let them take you away from me." I whispered.

I walked for hours, under the bright light of the moon. The woods surrounding the pack’s territory felt different to me today. The rustling leaves, the distant howl of wolves, even the cool breeze, all of it seemed different.

After what felt like an eternity, I found myself by the edge of the lake where I first met Matthew. The water mirrored the stars in the sky, the water was still. I sat down on the soft grass, staring at the reflection.

Tears are filled my eyes and I started crying again, I felt like my entire life had come crashing down.

“I’ll figure this out.” I said to myself and cleaned my eyes, my voice sounded determined despite the tears streaming down her face. “I don’t need Matthew, and I certainly don’t need Karen. This child will be my strength.”

I stayed by the side of the water, killing fishes and hunting animals.

I returned to the palace after three days of staying by myself in the woods. I had avoided everyone, spending my time in the woods to clear my head and decide what to do next. But I knew I couldn’t stay away forever. If I wanted to protect my child, I needed to face Matthew and Karen on my own terms but I will not reveal that I was pregnant.

The palace was big and it seemed bigger to me, it had started to feel more like a cage than a home. As I stepped inside, the familiar scents and sounds of the pack welcomed me. But I felt no warmth, no comfort.

Matthew was waiting for me in the main hall, his face was just plain. I paused for a moment, preparing herself. I walked past him without a word, and headed straight for our shared chambers.

“Lily.” Matthew called, he didn’t sound sure.

I stopped but didn’t turn around. “What is it?” My tone was cold and I made sure that I didn't add any have emotions.

“We need to talk.” he said.

I sighed and turned to face him. “About what?”

Matthew hesitated, he sounded guilty as he looked at me. “About everything. About us.”

I folded my arms. “Fine. Talk.”

Matthew gestured toward the sitting room, and I reluctantly followed. "Please, go in and sit with please."

Karen was already there, seated on one of the plush sofas with a smug look on her face. My face dropped slowly and I frowned at her.

“I’m sorry for how things happened,” Matthew began, his voice low. “But I need an heir, Lily. The pack depends on it.”

My jaw clenched, but I stayed silent, letting him continue.

“I didn’t want things to go this way, but Karen... she’s pregnant. And I can’t ignore that.” He paused, as though waiting for me to respond. When I didn’t, he added, “I’ve decided to take her as my second mate.”

My eyes widened, but I quickly covered mt shock. I glanced at Karen, who was smirking ever so slightly.

“Of course you have, if you don't, I will be shocked.” I said bitterly. “And what choice do I have in this?”

Matthew shifted uncomfortably. “I... I thought you’d understand. It’s for the good of the pack.”

I let out a hollow laugh. “The good of the pack? Or the good of Matthew? You get to be Alpha now, don't you? ”

Karen interjected, her voice sounded sickeningly sweet. “Lily, this doesn’t have to be so hard. We can all coexist peacefully. Matthew loves you too, you know.”

I shot her a glare that could freeze fire. “Don’t you dare speak to me about love or anything at all.”

Matthew stepped between them. “Enough. This is how it’s going to be. Karen will stay here with us as my second mate. I expect you both to get along.”

I was already very angry but swallowed it down. I nodded curtly. “Fine. If that’s what you want. I'll do as you say, your Majesty.” I mocked. I turned and left the room, my hands trembled but I managed to keep myself from lashing out.

I kept to herself after that. I avoided Matthew and Karen as much as possible, spending most of my time in the pack’s library, the hospital or out in the woods. When I was forced to be in the same room with them, I remained silent, with a blank look on my face.

Matthew kept trying to initiate conversations and started paying more attention to me like he used to when they just got together, but I was not having any of it. He was only doing this out of guilt and nothing else.

The pregnancy wasn’t showing yet, and I did everything I could to keep it hidden. I wore loose clothing and avoided any situation where someone might notice. This was my secret, and I intended to keep it that way.

Cuddy, Matthew’s younger sister, became my only source of comfort. Cuddy had always been close to me, and she made it clear me had no love for Karen.

One afternoon, the sun entered through the open window of my chambers, I already moved out of our shared space, covering the room and making it orangish in color. I sat across from Cuddy, Matthew’s younger sister, on the edge of my bed.

“Lily.” Cuddy started, her voice low and full of empathy, “you can’t let them have this win. Matthew and Karen... they don’t deserve your silence or calmness or whatever the f**k it is that you are doing.”

I stared at her hands, her fingers held onto the fabric of her skirt. “What do you expect me to do, Cuddy? Matthew has made his choice, and Karen...” my voice trailed off. “She’s carrying his child, that b***h. That’s all he cares about now. Not me. Not what we built together.”

Cuddy leaned forward, her eyes were dull. “That’s exactly why you can’t just sit back and let this happen. Do you know what happens to wolves who don’t fight back? They’re cast aside, forgotten, or worse, destroyed.”

I frowned. “And what would you have me do? Fight Karen? Challenge Matthew’s decisions? He’s already made it clear that I have no place in this anymore.”

Cuddy shook her head. “Not fight them in the way you’re thinking. You need power, Lily. Real power. As long as Matthew thinks you’re just another submissive mate, he’ll keep walking all over you. You need to rise above him and her.”

I blinked, things were starting to confuse me. “How? What kind of power are you even talking about? He is going to be the Alpha.”

“The kind that makes you indispensable.” Cuddy said firmly. “The pack listens to strength, to leadership. Matthew may be the Alpha, but you’re still his mate. If you start taking control, making decisions, involving yourself in the pack’s affairs, they’ll have no choice but to respect you.”

I hesitated. The idea of stepping into a position of power felt strange, but something in Cuddy’s words struck a chord.

“And what if Matthew doesn’t approve?” I asked.

Cuddy smirked. “Let him disapprove. You’re not here to make him comfortable. You’re here to survive, and to protect yourself. You have a child to think about now, don’t you? Let's hope it's a male child, so that things will fall better for you. Don't let him know that you are pregnant yet though.”

My hand instinctively went to her still-flat stomach. She nodded. “You’re right. I can’t stay in the shadows anymore.”

Cuddy smiled and placed a hand on my shoulder. “Good. Now let’s figure out how to make this happen.”

Cuddy went back to her chambers and Lily went to take a nap, but was almost immediately awoken by the noise in the palace. Several hours had gone by but I didn’t notice.

“What was that?” I asked, rising to my feet and I was already heading towards the door. “It sounds like the wolves. Something’s wrong.”

I followed closely behind as the distant howls grew louder. They were sharp, mournful, and synchronized, a sequence that every werewolf knew too well. It was the call of death.

The corridors of the palace were in chaos. Wolves ran past me, their faces carried panic and urgency. My heart pounded as I made her way through the commotion.

“Do you think it’s an attack?” I asked one of the guards, but he just pointed towards the grand hall.

They rounded a corner and entered the grand hall, where a crowd had gathered. My eyes scanned the room, searching for Matthew. My heart hurt painfully at the thought of him lying lifeless somewhere. Despite everything, I couldn’t bear the idea of losing him.

At the center of the crowd, Matthew knelt on the ground, his shoulders hunched and shaking. Beside him was a woman, crumpled and lifeless. I was glad that Matthew wasn't dead and hoped that it was Karen.

I pushed through the crowd.

“What happened?” I demanded, my voice sounded shaky.

Matthew didn’t respond. He was sobbing, his hands holding the woman’s body.

I looked at the face of the woman and she was shocked.

"It can't be." She said.