THE ALPHA’S FATED MATE

Chapter 2:BETRAYAL.

RUBY’S ’s POV

Ruby’s knees trembled, but she stayed standing. She wiped away the tears sliding down her cheeks and looked at him with eyes full of fire.

“I came because I needed to see the truth,” she said, voice trembling with hate. “I thought I’d never regret meeting you, Tyrus... but now, I do. I regret ever trusting you. I wish I had ended it before you left your mark on me. That would’ve hurt less than this.”

Tyrus took a step closer. “Ruby, I—”

“You’re not sorry,” she cut him off sharply. “If you were, you would have said no to me from the start. And Sapphire… she’s no sister to me. Never was. I would never betray her like this.”

Sapphire stood apart, her head bowed and her body shaking. “I love him, Ruby. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”

Ruby covered her ears, shouting, “Shut up! I don’t want to hear any of it!”

Tyrus moved right in front of her, voice low. “I’m sorry you had to find out this way. You’re right. I should have rejected you first. But I didn’t have the strength. I waited until you were gone.”

Ruby’s heart cracked open. “So this was your plan? To send me away on a mission so you could break our bond and make one with her? How could you, Tyrus?”

He looked away, guilt clear on his face. “I’m sorry. What’s between us... it’s gone. I love you, but not like I love her. I have to do this. Brace yourself. It will hurt.”

Ruby turned her face away, fighting back screams. She hated him—hated him for not loving her enough, for choosing Sapphire, for the pain he caused. She hated him for everything. But no matter how much she hated him, the love still lived inside her.

It hurt too much.

Tyrus’s voice cut through her storm. “Ruby, I reject you as my mate. You are no longer Luna of this pack. Accept my rejection.”

The words shattered her. She fell to her knees, sobbing as the pain burned through her. But she knew she had to say it.

“I accept,” she whispered through tears. “I am no longer Luna. I am no longer your mate.”

She felt numb as if she was fading away. Slowly, she rose, shame weighing on her like a heavy cloak.

“I hope you never regret this, Tyrus. And you, Sapphire.”

She walked down the steps, ignoring the silent stares of the pack. They had watched her fight for them, protected them for years. Yet now, none of them said a word. They didn’t care.

A familiar voice called softly, “Ruby…”

She turned to see her father coming toward her, a blanket in hand. He wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled her into a tight hug.

“My sweet girl,” he said quietly. “If I had known... if I had known about Sapphire, this never would’ve happened.”

Her voice broke as she whispered, “It hurts, Dad. It hurts so much.”

“I know,” he said, holding her close. “But one day, it won’t. And when that day comes, you’ll see he wasn’t worth your love.”

He led her through the woods to their home at the edge of the pack’s territory. “You’re strong, Ruby. I trained you myself. You will get through this. Maybe one day, you’ll find someone who loves you better.”

Ruby nodded, but her mind was too loud to hear. Her wolf howled inside her, wounded and lost—just like her heart.

“Pull yourself together,” her father said firmly. “He’ll regret this. I promise.”

She nodded again, lips trembling. “Sapphire is beautiful and sweet, but you—you were always strong. He’ll miss that. If she was truly meant to be his mate, the goddess would’ve made it so. He’ll come back, and when he does, you’ll be the one to reject him.”

He opened the door and led her inside. She looked at him, heart pounding.

“Dad?”

He smiled sadly. “I wish I could fix this for you. Words can’t erase this pain. But you have to rest now. You’re exhausted.”

Ruby wrapped the blanket tighter and climbed the stairs to her old room—the one she shared with Sapphire before. She stared at both beds. She should sleep, but how could she, knowing her mate belonged to someone else now?

---

Ruby waited for tomorrow like a prisoner counting the hours. The darkness in her room felt heavier than ever. She lay still all night, staring at the ceiling, hoping the sun would come fast and take the pain away. She pinched her arm again and again, trying to wake herself up from this nightmare.

But the sting only reminded her it was real. Tyrus had rejected her. He was mated to her sister now.

The name and respect she had worked so hard for were ruined. Only shame remained. The pack no longer looked up to her. They looked up to Sapphire for guidance and support.

Ruby hugged her pillow tightly and twisted in bed, glancing at the window. She felt tired but couldn’t sleep. The pain and endless tears kept her awake. The sheets were soaked, soaked in sorrow. Her heart felt like it was sinking, suffocating under betrayal.

She thought about the distance growing between her and Tyrus. She wished she had fought harder to fix things when he first pulled away. But it was too late now.

A soft knock came at her door. “Honey, it’s me. Can I come in?”

Her father’s voice was calm and gentle. He meant the world to her.

“Yes, Dad,” she whispered.

The door opened, and he stepped inside. He was a beta, the former beta of the pack, and had trained her to take his place. But now, she doubted if she could even be a good luna.

“Did you sleep well?” he asked.

“Yes,” she lied.

“I’m sorry to bring bad news, but the alpha wants to see you. He said it’s urgent.”

Ruby sat up, startled. “Why?”

“He didn’t say. I hope it’s nothing bad. I can come with you if you want.”

“No, I’ll go alone.”

Despite the pain, she stood and left her room. She passed her mother, who watched her with unreadable eyes. Outside, Ruby took a shaky breath and stepped down the porch.

She feared what the alpha might say. Last night had hurt enough. If he hurt her again, it might break her completely.

Her steps were unsteady as she walked through the quiet woods toward the pack’s centre. The place where young wolves lived, where elders gathered, and where the alpha’s office stood.

When she reached the marketplace, people stared. Whispering voices filled the air. As a werewolf, she understood every word.

“She’s a hypocrite.”

“She acted better than us because she was the beta’s daughter and the alpha’s mate.”

“Good riddance. Her sister is prettier and humbler.”

“She helped me once when rogues attacked my farm.”

“Probably just for praise.”

Ruby clenched her fists inside her pockets. She heard the harsh words but pretended not to. She had no idea the pack would speak like this after all she had done to protect them.

She was not the hypocrite. They were.

Her teeth clenched as she walked on. Then one whisper stopped her.

“I heard the alpha plans to kick her out. Serves her right.”

Her eyes filled with tears. She turned toward the voice.

“What? He’s going to kick me out?”

The marketplace fell silent except for her shaky breaths.

“I’m useless? After all, I did for this pack, I deserve respect! Where would you be without me?” Her voice cracked. “You have a new Luna now? I hope she can stay awake all night to fight off rogues. I hope she faces every problem without hesitation. I hate that I cared so much about people who don’t care about me.”

A tomato rolled to her feet.

“Told you she was ignorant. A hypocrite.”

An apple followed.

“Your reign is over. Don’t disrespect the new Luna. She’s better than you.”

More fruits and vegetables flew, hitting her hard, staining her clothes and breaking her heart.

She was betrayed again. First by Tyrus, now by her own pack. Shame filled her chest as tears streamed down her cheeks.

Was this how much they hated her?

Did they really want her gone?

Ruby fell to her knees as the attack continued, piles of rotten fruit gathering around her.

Suddenly, a strong voice cut through the noise.

“What is going on here? Stop this nonsense and respect your new beta!”

Tyrus’s voice echoed.

Ruby’s heart stopped. New beta? When had she agreed to become beta?