Betrayal of Wolves

I turned eighteen the night my world burned.

Flames engulfed Uferstadt, illuminating the sky as if it were midday. The howling of the rogues blended with the cries of my people as they overran our territory. In the confusion, my sibling vanished. disappeared in a flash. There's no way to stop it. There is no time to defend yourself.

"Annalena, flee! "Into the woods!" My father's words silenced the roar of the fire. He had blood and soot all over him.

He then dashed into our flaming house.

"No! Father!" I yelled, my voice drowned out by the devastation all around me, and my throat ripped. With my fists burrowing into the charred ground, I dropped to my knees. As quickly as my tears dropped, smoke sucked them up and wrapped around my fingers.

"Annalena!"

The voice was familiar. I raised my head. Elfriede, Aunt.

"Aunt, my dad... he-"

I was unable to finish. I was too weak to stand, and my body trembled. I must have appeared ghostly, with all of my color gone.

My shaking finger led her eyes to the house. Her expression of disbelief conveyed everything. She let a tear fall down her cheek. She inhaled. "I'll look after her, brother. I promise.

Then the fire began to move.

We both froze.

My mother was in my father's arms when he staggered out. She was comatose, covered in a wet blanket. The scorch covered his entire body. However, he continued to walk till he came to us, one step at a time.

He set my mother down gently on the floor. His gaze fell on mine, brimming with something profound and unsaid.

"No, no, no," I muttered as I scurried over to him.

Before I could get to him, he fell.

I took hold of his hand. "Please-"

However, he had already left.

Aunt Elfriede drew me in while keeping her own tears to herself. "We must leave. "Now."

My mother and I dragged her far into the forest to the secret hiding place the Sternmond Pack had constructed for the purpose of fighting wars. The Sternmond Pack intended it to be a secure location. However, the pack had vanished. My dad had left.

Finally, there was silence. Take a breath.

After cleaning her up, we put my mother to bed. She remained asleep.

"Go wash up," my aunt replied, petting my shoulder tenderly.

At first, I didn't move. I simply looked at my mom and wished for her to open her eyes.

"Annalena. You must tidy yourself up.

I gave a nod and proceeded to the restroom.

My senses were shocked when the chilly water contacted my flesh. I let it numb me as I stood beneath it. This actually happened. This was not a figment of my imagination. My dad had passed away. There was no sign of my brother. My mother was struggling to make ends meet.

My reflection hardly resembled a human being by the time I left. My complexion was pale, and my face was empty. I had lost everything.

Then there was anguish. Sharp. Suddenly.

With a cry, I grabbed my chest and fell to my knees. I experienced a sensation of my heart being torn apart from within.

I could hear Leni's voice, weak and hurt. "This is betrayal, Anna." Our partner is with someone else.

No.

Dominik?

Anger flared in its place as the ache subsided. After hastily getting dressed, I bounded from the cabin.

I rushed, becoming my wolf. As my paws tore through the ground, trees whizzed by. I'm on my way.

Dominik's home.

I opened the door with a push. The smell hit me first. Next came the sound of a gentle groan. Gentle groans. Laughter.

I took a step into the gloomy light.

Dominik was there, caught in the sheets.

Katharina, too.

Whispering against his ear, she ran her fingers down his chest. "You adore me, Dominick. Not her. Correct?"

As bile rose in my throat, I covered my mouth.

His response broke everything.

"Obviously. I would never have selected Annalena as my Luna if it weren't for the partnership. The person I adore is you. Always.

Something broke inside of me.

I turned on the light.

With a shout, Katharina pulled the covers over her head. Guilt flashed across Dominik's face before settling into something colder as his eyes widened.

Katharina grinned. "Well, lying is pointless since you witnessed everything. He adores me. Not you. Get out now.

I cocked my head. Do you feel pleased with yourself? Imagine if I told you that I had a record of everything.

She froze. Then sneered. "Good attempt. You're playing a bluff.

I took my phone out.

Dominik threw himself at it. I stepped back and ducked.

Katharina's smile disappeared. "Grab her phone, Dominique! Should this leak, my reputation-"

He became nasty in his despair. He gave me a firm shove. I felt pain shoot up my spine as I struck the wall. My phone fell to the ground as my fingers relaxed.

He trampled it underfoot.

The crunch reverberated through the quiet.

"Dominik, you-"

I stooped to pick up the broken fragments. It wasn't despair that made my hands shake. from rage.

His voice was chilly as he peered down at me. "Annalena, I adore her. Not you. However, you are welcome to remain with me if you so choose. However, it should be noted that you are not considered my Luna.

Katharina gave a harsh laugh. "Have you heard that? You are nothing. You are welcome to remain, but only as a breeder. I'll be his Luna.

I took a slow stride forward. She took a step back.

"What are you doing, exactly? Dominik's pack is this one! You're not entitled to-"

I chuckled. "I'll let you have him since you're such a sucker for discarded men, Katharina. However, check the drawer before I leave.

After a moment of hesitation, she opened it.

The color left her face.

Inside was a partially used bottle of erectile dysfunction medication.

I looked over at Dominik. "You believe I really desired you? Do you believe I would fight for this? Rethink your thought. I turn you down, and I'm eighteen today."

Pain tore through my chest, but this time it was different.

A reality became ingrained in my bones.

My actual mate was never him.

Dominik clutched his chest and screamed in a guttural way. His face twisted in pain as he grasped at me. "No! Don't-Annalena.

I pushed him away. "Don't touch me."

"Please! I'm hurting so much-"

I changed and ran into the woods. My tears mixed with the rain that pummeled down. Even though the wind was howling all around me, I continued. I kept running until my body gave out and everything turned black.

Something in the darkness surrounded me with warmth. There was a scent that calmed the anger within me.

I could still hear Leni's voice. "Annalena, he's your partner for a second chance."