Scorned By The Alpha

Selene’s POV

My heart fractured silently into a thousand sharp pieces as I stared at the photo on my phone.

There he was—Aiden Crowe.

Kissing my stepsister, Marissa.

It was a selfie, sent by Marissa herself. The caption glared back at me like a slap across the face:

“It just happened. I’m really sorry, Selene.”

Just last week, I had opened my soul to Marissa, confessing how deeply I felt about Aiden. He wasn’t just some crush—I had loved him for as long as I could remember. What I felt for him was primal, like a burning ache beneath my skin that refused to ease.

I was so sure that on the night of my birthday, we’d finally feel that pull, that unmistakable sign that we were fated mates. But instead, this was the gift I got.

How poetic.

Sitting at the kitchen’s breakfast bar, I stared blankly at the spiced lentil wrap my stepmother had lovingly prepared. The smell made my stomach churn. I kept my head down, silently praying my tears wouldn’t fall in front of her.

“Selene?” My father’s voice drifted into the kitchen.

Startled, I quickly wiped my face and glanced up, forcing some composure. “Yes, Dad?”

He eyed me for a moment, brow furrowed, then glanced at my stepmother, who was cheerfully humming while flipping rosemary flatbreads in the pan.

“When you’re back from the get-together with your friends, make sure you get ready. We’ve been invited to dinner by the Alpha’s family,” he said casually.

I blinked in confusion.

“The Alpha’s family? Why are we invited?” I asked, shifting my gaze between the two of them.

My stepmother beamed, clearly overjoyed. My father shrugged as he took a bite of his wrap. “Does it matter? Just be ready by 6PM.”

I didn’t want to go. I knew what this was. I could already see Aiden fawning over Marissa, and the thought of being in the same room as them made my skin crawl with dread.

My eyes stung as I looked at my father. “I… I don’t want to go,” I murmured, voice raw.

“I’m not giving you a choice, Selene,” he said sternly. “You’re coming. End of discussion.”

His voice carried finality, and I winced under its weight. I looked to my stepmother, hoping she might intervene. But she only smiled and added, “Come on, Selene. You know tonight is special. You should be there.”

Oh, I knew why it was “special.”

Tonight, Alpha Orion and Luna Selah would likely be announcing Aiden and Marissa’s engagement.

Both were nineteen.

Both conveniently “fell in love.” It was essential for the pack to meet their future Luna—the mate of the Alpha heir.

Before Marissa arrived, Aiden and I had something.

At least, I thought we did.

We teased each other constantly, found reasons to hang out, and shared a connection I couldn’t put into words. I could still feel the way his fingertips would graze mine like it meant something. Like it wasn’t just in my head.

Everything changed the day I brought Marissa to the get-together. It was barely a few weeks ago. She was nervous, holding onto my arm like a shy child, and I introduced her to Aiden with nothing but pride.

But from that moment on, he became someone else.

Every day, he paid her more attention—flowers, smiles, constant affection—and eventually, he told everyone she was his mate. The shock hit me like a slap.

They were both nineteen.

Marissa basked in his attention.

And Aiden?

He barely acknowledged me when she was around. My heart ached every time she giggled at something he said, while he acted like I didn’t even exist.

But whenever she was cold toward him, I could see the hurt in his eyes. And somehow, my own heart cracked right alongside his.

I said nothing.

How could I question the “mate bond” that everyone held sacred?

Besides, Marissa was my family. My stepsister. It would be wrong to betray her.

But here’s what no one knew: Marissa also had feelings for Nathan—Aiden’s best friend and future Beta. She told me herself that she was torn between them. She was Aiden’s mate but claimed she loved Nathan.

It made no sense, but it was my burden to carry. She made me promise not to tell anyone. She cried every time I pushed her to make a decision, and I hated her for playing them both.

I had a feeling Aiden would propose tonight. That thought burned like wildfire through my chest. The pain felt physical, dragging its claws through every breath I took.

“Dad, please,” I tried again, my voice barely above a whisper.

“Can I just skip this one?”

“Selene,” he snapped, eyes narrowing. “Quit acting like a spoiled pup. Be ready when I get home.”

I clenched my jaw, hiding the scream rising in my throat. My stepmother looked at me and winked.

“I just wanted a quiet dinner,” I muttered, slinging my satchel onto my shoulder. “And maybe we could go into the woods afterward, so I can finally shift and meet my wolf. You know, since no one’s even said anything about my birthday yet.”

My father didn’t flinch.

“The Alpha invited us. For your birthday,” he said stiffly.

That caught me off guard. For me? I didn’t believe that.

Still dazed, I left the house and got into my car. At least I hadn’t told anyone else about my feelings for Aiden, only Marissa. Not that it mattered now. Her photo had sealed it. They were together. And I needed to let go.

As I drove toward the get-together, I tried to armor myself emotionally. It was too late to cry over a love that was never mine. Aiden had made his choice. Now it was time for me to protect myself.

The venue was twenty minutes from home. Since Marissa had already left earlier, I arrived alone. But the moment I stepped into the hall, I froze.

There they were—Marissa and Aiden—practically devouring each other with their lips.

I stood motionless, bile rising in my throat. I turned and fled.

The bathroom was my refuge. I clutched the sink and hurled into it, the pain in my chest twisting deeper. Then came the tears—guttural sobs that wracked my whole body. I sank to the cold floor, knees pulled to my chest, and cried until nothing came out.

That’s when the truth hit me: it hurts like hell to come second to the one person you wanted first. And no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t tear myself away from this toxic love.

Eventually, I glanced at the clock. I had lost hours in that bathroom.

My phone buzzed. Marissa again.

“Selene, where are you?” she whined.

“Why?” I rasped.

“I need to talk to Nathan. I’ve decided to end things with him. Can you tell him for me?”

“What?” My voice cracked.

“Why don’t you do it yourself?”

“I know it’s terrible,” she sniffled. “But I don’t want to hurt him. You understand, right?”

So she wanted me to be the villain while she walked away blameless? My lips trembled. “Please, Marissa… That’s cruel.”

“Selene, I know you’re mad that Aiden’s my mate, but it’s not my fault. It’s fate,” she said.

“Just do this one thing for me, please. Tell Nathan I’m choosing Aiden.”

So it was confirmed. The dinner was a cover. The real purpose was to celebrate her and Aiden. My birthday was nothing more than a convenient excuse.

I forced the words out, “I don’t hate you…”

And I didn’t. Not really. I hated the situation.

“Fine,” I said. “I’ll tell him.”

After washing my puffy, blotchy face, I tied my blonde hair into a messy bun. I looked like a wreck. What a birthday day this had turned out to be.