Betrayed by the Alpha

Emma's POV

The night started with heartbreak, but who would have thought it would turn into a nightmare? I never knew my life was about to be completely shattered.

There I was, standing in the middle of the Full Moon Pack's great hall, watching Alpha Damon-yes, my Alpha Damon-introduce Camila as his Luna. He held her like she was the greatest thing to ever happen to him. His arms wrapped around her like she was some delicate treasure he couldn't bear to let go of. And the way he looked at her? Ugh. It was the kind of look that made you feel like you were in a cheesy romance movie-only it wasn't me he was looking at.

It was her-Camila, the perfect, strong, and beautiful daughter of the Alpha of our neighboring pack, Red Moon Pack. And to top it all off, she had the audacity to smirk as the entire pack bowed in reverence. I swear, that girl's ego was through the roof. Plus, whenever she visited our pack, she always made my life a living hell.

Now she's our pack's Luna. My Luna!

"Don't worry, Emma. The Moon Goddess has someone better for you, someone who'll actually love you."

Andrea wrapped her arms around my shoulders. Andrea is my best friend, the only person who cared about me and treated me with respect in our pack. She didn't care that I was a wolf less omega-no, not just any omega, but the lowest ranked omega.

She was wrong though. Damon wasn't just the Alpha-he was The ALPHA, the kind of guy who didn't just walk into a room; he owned it. Six-foot-four, broad shoulders, chiseled jaw, dark hair that looked like silk, and those intense brown eyes that could probably melt steel. He was a walking dream. My dream, to be exact.

Nothing and no one could top him!

I shot Andrea a look, but she just sighed like a disappointed mom. "Come on, Em. It's only fair," she added. "Alpha Damon's mate was always going to be someone like Camila."

And she was right. Camila was the daughter of an alpha-popular, beautiful, and strong. She had everything handed to her on a silver platter, while I was nothing but a poor, wolfless omega. A runt. Nobody cared about me.

My parents were slaves and had died when I was just a kid, leaving me with nothing but the weight of their debt to Alpha Damon's family. They'd served the pack their whole lives, and when they were gone, that responsibility fell squarely on my shoulders. Cleaning, cooking, running errands-whatever needed to be done, I did it. And I knew I'd be stuck doing it until the day I died.

But none of that mattered whenever I looked at Damon. I couldn't help it-I loved him. Every single thing about him. The way he spoke, that commanding tone that sent shivers down my spine. The way he smiled, rare but so devastating when it appeared. And his scent... it was intoxicating, like warm cedar and fresh rain. Just being near him made my knees weak.

If only-if only-I was his mate. He could've saved me. Saved me from this endless suffering. But no, the Moon Goddess had other plans. Alpha Damon wasn't mine to love. And no matter how much my heart yearned for him, I'd always be invisible to him, just a shadow in the background of his perfect life.

And just when I thought I couldn't feel more invisible, Alpha Damon leaned down, brushed a strand of hair from Camila's face. "Come with me, my sunshine. I want the whole pack to see how much you mean to me," he says.

I almost choked. Alpha Damon. Calling her sunshine. Alpha Damon, the guy who barked orders and never said a single word to me unless it was about cleaning something, was now Mr. Romantic. I couldn't watch anymore.

"Why her?" I mumbled bitterly. "Why does she have to be his Luna? I wish she'd just disappear."

"Emma..."

"I...I need some air," I mumbled, turning to leave. But Andrea grabbed my arm.

"Wait, Emma. Don't-"

"I'll be fine," I pulled away before she could stop me.

I made it to the bar area and ordered something strong enough to drown my pains and sorrows. The bartender raised an eyebrow but poured me a glass anyway. "Rough night?" he asked, sliding the drink over.

"You have no idea," I muttered before downing it in one gulp. Three drinks later, my head was buzzing, and my heart still hurt like hell. So much for drowning my sorrows.

I stumbled outside, needing air or space-or maybe just a miracle-and ended up by the riverside. That's when I saw her. Camila. She was on the phone, pacing and looking...nervous? Weird. Camila never looked nervous. Curious (and maybe a little tipsy), I walked over.

"Camila?" I called out.