The Alpha's Hybrid Bride

Rebecca's POV

"I will cut out your tongue if you reject me!" Leon roared in my face. I took a step back, heart hammering as I stared at him. Who was this monster? "You think you can just walk away from me, Rebecca?" He advanced, swallowing the space between us in a heartbeat. His hand clamped around my throat, the pressure stealing my breath. His gaze blazed as he looked me over, eyes seething with something I hadn't seen in him before. "You will be my wife today, even if it kills you." A chill ran through me. It already had, I thought to myself. I was supposed to be dead. I should have been dead, but somehow, I was here-back in the moment that sealed my fate. His fingers tightened, sending a wave of cold sweat across my skin. "No one else would want a hybrid bitch like you, so be grateful." "If I'm just a hybrid bitch," I managed, forcing my voice steady, "why marry me? I know it's Diane you really want." He froze. "Diane is your best friend," he said, as if I didn't already know. "And the woman you're sleeping with," I replied, my tone flat. His face twisted, and I saw his closed fist too late. Pain exploded across my jaw, sending me to the floor in a daze. Blood filled my mouth, dripping down onto my wedding dress. Stars danced before my eyes. "You're marrying me," he growled, voice low and furious. "Or I'll kill you-and trust me, no one would care what happens to an abomination like you." He would kill me, just like he did last time. But that was before-before I was reborn, given this second chance to rewrite the past. This time, I'd be the one to walk away. --- "It's been five years," I said, trying to keep the edge out of my voice. "I've served Silvercreek all those years, alongside you, as Luna. But I'm still not recognized as Luna." Elder Erwin scowled, the lines of his face deepening. "A half-witch hybrid should know her place." I looked to Leon, hoping-desperately-that he'd defend me. But he remained silent, his gaze cold. "Alpha Leon?" I pressed, my voice barely a whisper. He raised a brow, shrugging. "What do you want me to say?" His tone was sharp. "The elders are right. Instead of being greedy, maybe you should be grateful for all I've given you." I swallowed the hurt, forcing my face into a mask of calm. This was the man I had served beside, whose pack I had poured my own resources into strengthening and expanding. I knew then what I had to do. "I want out," I said quietly. "Alpha Leon, I want a divorce." Silence fell. Then he barked a laugh, as if I'd just told him some absurd joke. "What the hell are you talking about? A divorce?" I nodded, pulling out a manila envelope from my bag and sliding it across the table to him. "I've already signed. You just need to add your name." He blinked at the papers, shock flickering across his face before his expression hardened. "What kind of childish stunt is this?" he sneered. "You think you can throw around divorce papers to get what you want?" I held his gaze, keeping my voice even. "This isn't about pressuring you, Leon. I'm serious. I'm not that naive girl anymore, thinking I could win respect just by working hard. This marriage-" I paused, steadying myself, "-means nothing if I'm still just a tool to you." He stared, his face tightening. "You're my wife, Rebecca," he said coldly. "There's no divorce." "Not for long." My heart ached, but I didn't back down. "Sign the papers." A flicker of something-remorse?-crossed his face before it vanished. He nodded to the elders. "Leave us." "Alpha, she's bluffing," Elder Erwin insisted. "Leave," Leon repeated, voice hard. One by one, the elders filed out, casting me dark glances until it was just the two of us. Leon's piercing eyes pinned me to my seat. His silence was like a weight pressing down on me. Then he broke it, turning to a drawer and pulling out a heavy file, bound in leather. He tossed it onto the table in front of me. "You think I wouldn't make you Luna?" he sneered, pushing it toward me. "I was waiting for your birthday." I blinked, speechless. Seeing my hesitation, Leon scoffed. "Still don't believe me?" Before I could respond, the door opened. Diane entered, her expression twisting in mock disappointment. "Well, so much for the birthday surprise," she pouted, carrying a tray with champagne glasses. She set it down and wrapped me in a warm hug, whispering, "Congratulations." I returned her embrace, guilt knotting in my chest. I'd been ready to walk away, and they'd been planning a surprise. "You guys wanted to surprise me?" I asked, still stunned. Leon held his glass up to me, his eyes unexpectedly soft. "I wanted to make sure you'd proven yourself to the pack first," he said, as if explaining something tender. "Then, on your birthday, we'd announce you as Luna." Diane raised her glass. "I suggested making it extra special," she added, beaming. "You deserve it." I looked up at Leon, tears pricking my eyes. "Thank you. I'm sorry-I thought you were ashamed of me." "Never, darling," he murmured. Warmth spread through me as I looked between them, the two people I trusted most. I raised my glass, clinking it softly against Leon's. The champagne was cool and sweet, and I took a long sip, steadying myself. "Now, Rebecca," Leon said, handing me a pen. "Sign it. Take your rightful place by my side." My heart raced as I picked up the pen. This was the moment I'd waited for. But something felt... off. I glanced at Diane, who was watching with an odd, almost smug smile. Shrugging it off, I pressed the pen to paper. But before I could sign, dizziness washed over me. My vision blurred, the edges darkening, and I stumbled, clutching the table. Leon's hand steadied me, his grip firm. "Feeling alright, darling?" he asked, voice mocking. "I... I'm fine." I tried to breathe, but my throat felt tight. A cough racked my chest, and blood filled my mouth, spilling over my lips. Pain lanced through my stomach, and I doubled over with a groan. "Leon..." Panic rose in my chest as he stepped back, his lips curling in a cruel smile. He crossed the room to stand beside Diane, slipping an arm around her waist. "Charlotte..." I gasped, my words choked with blood. "Leon?" Neither of them moved to help me as I fell to my knees, blood staining the floor. The room spun as I tried to speak, but my voice wouldn't come. "Look, honey," Diane laughed, "it's nothing personal. It's just time for you to go. You've served your purpose." "You're delusional, Rebecca," Leon added coldly. "A hybrid could never be my Luna. You should have realized that long ago. But instead, you threatened me with divorce papers." He shook his head, laughing. "You deserved this. It was a long time coming." My world shattered. The warmth of betrayal spread like ice through my veins. This had been a trap. They were together. They'd planned this. I was just a pawn to them. I tried to speak, to beg for mercy, but my throat closed, the pain unbearable. I clutched at my chest, gasping as my vision darkened. My gaze lifted to see them, my husband and my best friend, locked in an embrace as I lay dying on the floor, their laughter echoing in my ears. I reached out a hand, the last spark of hope dimming as darkness closed in. "If only I had known," I thought as I felt myself slipping away, "I'll come back for them. This time, they won't win."