The Alpha's Hurt Mate

The crescent moon hung high above the pack hall, its silver glow illuminating the grand chamber where the Crescent Shadow Pack met for important business. Trista Everwood, the Luna, stood in the middle of the room, her emerald-green eyes scanning the faces of the pack members around her. Tonight felt different. There was an unsettling tension in the air, a weight she couldn't pinpoint.

Beta Jack stood to her left, his strong features tense and uneasy. Trista's closest friend, Hazel, smiled reassuringly to her right, but her golden eyes were filled with concern. Trista clutched the edge of the oak table, bracing herself for the news Liam, her husband, and Alpha had promised earlier that day.

The Elders whispered amongst themselves, their ancient faces filled with curiosity and apprehension. The hall fell silent as the heavy wooden doors creaked open to reveal Liam Blackthorn. His tall, commanding figure dominated the doorway, his dark hair catching the light and his piercing blue eyes scanning the room. Trista's heart raced, but the spark of hope was extinguished when she noticed the woman on his arm.

Lucy Redwyne.

She was an Omega from the notorious Red Moon Pack, which was known for its ruthless tactics. Whispers erupted throughout the room as Lucy, dressed in a scarlet gown, entered with a sense of triumph. Trista's stomach turned, her instincts screaming that something was wrong.

Liam paused in the middle of the hall, his expression cold. "Trista," he said, his voice cold. "I've called this meeting to inform the pack of a significant change."

Trista's breath caught, and her knuckles turned white as she gripped the table. "What happened, Liam?" she inquired, her voice steady despite the storm brewing within her.

He turned to Lucy and put his hand on her back. "This is Lucy Redwyne, my first mate. She's returned to take her rightful place as Luna.

Gasps echoed down the hall. Hazel moved forward, her voice sharp. "What is this nonsense, Liam?" Trista's been your Luna for three years. She's been with you through everything!"

The Elders exchanged uneasy looks, and Beta Jack's jaw tightened. "Alpha," he asked, his tone measured, "have you thought this through? "This will divide the pack."

"I've made my decision," Liam said abruptly. His eyes met Trista's, but they contained no remorse. "The bond we share is no longer strong enough to sustain this pack."

Trista felt as if the ground beneath her feet had collapsed. She wanted to scream and demand an explanation, but she maintained her composure. "I see," she said calmly, despite her inner turmoil.

Lucy smirked, her eyes gleaming with triumph. Trista turned and walked out of the hall, her head held high, but the moment she reached her quarters, she collapsed.

---

Later that night, Trista waited in Alpha's dimly lit office. She knew Liam would return, and she wanted answers. When the door finally opened, Liam stepped in, his expression darkening at the sight of her.

"What are you doing here?" he inquired, his voice icy.

Trista stood, her voice steady but full of pain. "Liam, you owe me an explanation. Why are you doing this? "Why now?"

Liam ran his hand through his hair, frustrated expression on his face. "Because I need to, Trista. Lucy was my first mate. I thought I had lost her forever, but she's returned. She belongs at my side."

"And what about me?" Trista demanded, her voice raised. "For three years, I've been your Luna. I've encouraged you, stood by you, and fought for this pack. "Does that mean nothing to you?"

Liam's gaze faltered briefly before hardening. "You were my second chance, mate. Lucy is my true mate. I can't ignore that bond under any circumstances."

Trista's heart broke. "Is that it? You're throwing me away because she returned? Do you really care what this will do to the pack? To me?"

He did not respond, and his silence was louder than any words could have been. Trista stepped back, her chest heaving from suppressed emotion. "You're a coward, Liam," she exclaimed, her voice trembling. "And I pity you."

She turned and walked out, leaving him alone in his office.

---

Trista spent the remainder of the night in her quarters, packing a small bag. She couldn't stay with the Crescent Shadow Pack after this humiliation. She needed to leave, to find a place where she could heal and begin again.

As she folded the last of her clothes, a wave of nausea struck her. She stumbled to the restroom, her body tense with unease. When the illness passed, realization hit her like a thunderclap.

She was pregnant.

Trista sank to the floor, her hand resting protectively on her abdomen. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she considered the life growing inside her. It was a bittersweet revelation, filling her with both hope and fear.

"I can't let him know," she told herself. "I won't let him take this from me, too."

Trista finished packing and left her quarters with a renewed sense of purpose. She slipped through the pack's territory under cover of darkness, her heart heavy but determined. She planned to forge a new path for herself and her child, one free of betrayal.

As she vanished into the night, the crescent moon guarded her, its light a beacon of hope in the darkness.

Trista asks, "Why, Liam?" "Why her?"

Liam replied: "Because she's my true mate."

Liam: "Trista, this isn't up for debate. Lucy was my first mate, and she's replacing Luna."

Trista: "After everything, you're just dismissing me? Do I mean that little to you?"

Liam: Trista, you were my second chance. But Lucy-she is my true bond. "You would not understand."

Trista: "Do you understand? I gave up everything for you-for this pack! "And now you've betrayed me?"

Liam: "It's not betrayal. "It is fate."

Trista says, "No, Liam. It's a weakness. And you'll come to regret it."

Liam: "We'll see."