Marked by the Alpha After His Brother's Betrayal

On the day of our Mate Ceremony, Daniel left the pack territory with Samantha, the Beta's daughter. Before leaving, he made sure to explain himself: "Samantha wants a pup, and I don't trust any other man to give her one. It has to be mine. But don't worry, we're doing it through clinical means. As soon as she's pregnant, I'll come straight back and mark you. Don't be upset, okay?" Three years later, Daniel and Samantha finally returned from abroad. He tracked me down, his tone dripping with entitled casualness: "Samantha is carrying my pup after all, so you'll just have to be my mistress from now on. I've already marked her. To make it fair, I'll still give you a public Mate Ceremony. That way, neither of you loses out." Samantha immediately hooked her arm through Daniel's, putting on an envious pout: "Summer, Daniel is being so generous to you. Giving you a full Mate Ceremony so everyone acknowledges you? You're honestly so blessed." Watching the two of them play off each other, I let out a cold laugh. "You can keep that 'blessing' for yourself." After all, Harrison marked me three years ago. Daniel's face darkened, immediately assuming I was just throwing a childish tantrum. "Why can't you be smart like Samantha?" "Giving you a Mate Ceremony means letting the entire pack know you're Daniel's woman! Do you have any idea how much prestige that gives you?!" "Look at Samantha. She took my mark without even getting a proper ceremony. She suffered in silence, and here you are, acting completely ungrateful!" The moment the words left his mouth, Samantha lowered her head and tugged gently on his sleeve: "Daniel, don't be too hard on Summer. She probably just needs some time to wrap her head around it." "I really don't mind. A little hardship is nothing as long as you're here for me and the baby. Please don't fight with Summer because of me." I stared at the two of them, stunned. Had they both lost their minds? I looked up, my voice coated in sarcasm: "Daniel, what on earth makes you think I'd spend three years waiting around for you while you played house overseas?" Daniel paused, then let out a scoff as if he'd just heard the funniest joke in the world: "Everyone in Crestwood knows you're head-over-heels in love with me, Summer. You made it clear you'd never be with anyone else." He pulled Samantha closer, looking as confident as ever that my entire universe still revolved around him. To him, I was just pouting, waiting for a quick apology and a few sweet words before falling right back into line. "Besides, if you really didn't want my mark, you would've walked away three years ago." His words instantly dragged me back to that night three years ago. It was our anniversary. Daniel had promised to take me out to dinner, only to cancel at the last minute, claiming his friends were throwing a bonfire party and telling me not to wait up. I waited all night. Worried that he might have had too much to drink, I went to the bonfire to look for him. Pushing through the crowd, I saw Daniel and Samantha kissing by the firelight while everyone around them cheered and whistled. I froze. When Daniel spotted me, he pushed Samantha away and rushed over to explain: "We lost a party game! It was just a dare! It was just one kiss, don't overthink it!" I actually believed him back then. Looking back now, I realized how pathetically naive I had been. What truly shattered my feelings once and for all was the day Daniel announced he was taking Samantha abroad to help her have a baby. That very night, I walked into Harrison's study alone and said, "Our engagement is off.""Samantha and I grew up together. We're practically family. If there was ever anything between us, you wouldn't even be in the picture, would you?" How ridiculous. How utterly shameless. Wrapped in each other's arms naked, and they called it 'nothing'? Back then, honoring my late mother's dying wish was the only reason I chose to forgive him. And that single act of leniency only emboldened them. They started wearing matching outfits, checking into the same hotels... It wasn't until Daniel announced he was taking Samantha abroad to get her pregnant that I finally called off our betrothal. Did Daniel really think I was just bluffing out of anger? Whatever. What he thought didn't matter anymore. Looking at the shameless pair in front of me, I felt repulsed just breathing the same air. I turned on my heel and walked away. Daniel's furious roar erupted behind me: "Summer, have you had enough yet?! Don't push your luck! Go home and think it through. When you come to your senses, come crawling back before I lose my temper for real! You'll regret it if you don't!" I rolled my eyes and headed straight for the parking lot. Today was supposed to be my routine prenatal checkup. Running into those two was pure bad luck. After parking, I stepped into the healer clinic lobby. This was the only clinic in the Silver Creek Pack. Dr. Lee, the head healer, held consultations here three days a week and spent the rest of his time on duty at the Alpha Manor. My phone buzzed in my pocket with a message from Harrison: "Don't be nervous about going to your first prenatal checkup alone, honey. You're the bravest girl in the world! As soon as I wrap up this business trip, I'll be right home to take care of you and our pup. Be good." Reading his text instantly lifted my mood. At the same time, I couldn't help but wonder: how could two sons of the Silver Creek Pack Alpha be so entirely different? Daniel was selfish, hypocritical, and promiscuous, grinding my loyalty beneath his boots without a second thought. Harrison, on the other hand, was gentle and deeply attentive. In our three years of marriage, he had spoiled me completely. He remembered every tiny detail about me. Whenever I needed him, even if he was miles away, he would move mountains to make sure things were taken care of. The checkup went smoothly. The healer assured me our pup was growing strong and healthy. Once it was done, I drove back to the estate. The moment I pushed the front door open, my eyes landed on Daniel and Samantha sitting on the living room sofa. It hit me then: the private residence Harrison and I were renovating wasn't ready yet, so we were temporarily staying at the Silver Creek Alpha Manor. Technically, this was Daniel's family home too. Still, seeing them here made a wave of nausea wash over me. Hearing the door, Daniel looked up and smirked: "Look who decided to show up. Not so tough after all, are you, Summer? It's only been a few hours, and you've already come running back to me." "What? Finally came to your senses?" Before I could get a word out, Samantha chimed in: "I'm so glad you've come around, Summer." She paused, tilting her head with fake concern. "Oh, by the way... when Daniel and I were at the healer clinic earlier, I saw someone who looked just like you from behind. Were you there too? Are you feeling unwell?" Daniel scoffed again before I could answer: "Why else would she be there? She probably followed me, terrified that I'd actually cut her off. She went to the clinic just to put on a show so I'd feel sorry for her." Samantha blinked in feigned surprise, watching me closely: "Really? But Daniel, I think Summer arrived before us. And I happened to notice she went into the specialized exam room." She covered her mouth, letting out a soft giggle: "Don't tell me... Summer, are you having fertility issues?"Daniel frowned, pondering her words for a moment before speaking: "Even if she is, it doesn't matter. Samantha is already carrying my pup, and that pup will carry the Silver Creek Pack bloodline." "As long as you behave yourself and treat Samantha and the baby well, I'll even let the pup call you godmother once it's born." Instead of getting angry, I let out a light laugh. Did Daniel seriously think he was the center of the universe? Once I finished laughing, I looked at them both, articulating every single syllable clearly: "I went to the clinic for a prenatal checkup." The smug expression on Daniel's face froze instantly. A second later, he burst out laughing: "Summer, could you at least try to make your lies believable? Who do you think you're fooling? As if you'd ever let another man put a pup in you!" Samantha nodded in agreement, looking at me with undisguised condescension: "Summer, I know you're upset about Daniel and me, but making up a pregnancy just to make him jealous is a little childish, don't you think?" The smile vanished from my face. Fine. It was time to clear the air once and for all. Harrison had quite the possessive streak. If he found out what was happening right now, he'd lose his mind with jealousy. I took a breath and spoke calmly: "Daniel, the day you boarded that flight with Samantha, our betrothal was over." "Furthermore, I'm already marked. My mate gets extremely jealous, so stay the hell away from me." "Besides, didn't you already mark Samantha? I wish you two a long, miserable life together. Keep your nonsense to yourselves from now on. I'm not interested." Without another glance, I turned toward the stairs. Suddenly, a hand clamped down hard on my wrist. Fury twisted Daniel's face: "You're really doing this, aren't you, Summer?" "Samantha and I have been giving you an out ever since we got back! We've been trying to appease you, and you just keep throwing it in our faces!" "Fine! If that's how you want to play it, get out. Get the hell out of the Silver Creek Pack territory!" Samantha hurried over, pretending to hold Daniel back while the triumph in her eyes practically danced. She pleaded in a sugary-sweet voice: "Daniel, please don't be mad! Summer is just confused. Don't banish her! If she gets kicked out of the pack, she'll become a rogue with nothing to her name. Please, just forgive her one more time!" Her words acted like gasoline on Daniel's temper. Instead of letting go, his grip tightened violently: "A rogue? That's what she deserves for acting so high and mighty! Let her starve out there!" He yanked my arm, trying to drag me down the stairs. Panic hit me. I immediately covered my lower belly with my free hand and shouted: "Let go of me, Daniel! Let go!" Daniel acted deaf to my cries, his fingers digging like iron claws into my skin as he dragged me toward the front door: "Weren't you acting tough a minute ago?! What are you doing clinging to pack grounds now?!" Right then, the kitchen door swung open. Martha, the head cook, walked out carrying a tray of dishes and immediately took in the scene. Her face drained of color. The platter crashed onto a nearby side table with a loud clatter as she rushed over, screaming at the top of her lungs: "Release Mrs. Grace this instant! She's pregnant! She can't be handled like that! Let go of her before you hurt her and the pup!"Martha threw herself between us, shielding me with her own body to keep Daniel away. Daniel's grip loosened in shock, the vicious snarl on his face freezing solid. He whipped his head toward Martha, his eyes wide with disbelief: "What did you just say? She's pregnant?" Before Martha could reply, Samantha stepped up, her tone sharp with accusation: "Oh, Martha, why are you making things worse?" "Daniel is furious enough as it is. How could you help Summer lie to him? Daniel is the son of the Silver Creek Alpha! He's one of the true masters of this manor! How dare you help an outsider deceive your own master? If word gets out, who would ever hire you again?" Hearing that, the hesitation in Daniel's eyes vanished completely. He turned back toward me, a cold sneer curling his lips: "Three years away, and you've really learned some new tricks, haven't you, Summer?" "You actually managed to get one of our oldest pack staff to lie for you? You're getting bolder by the day." His hands curled into fists as his voice turned dangerous: "Let me tell you something: don't think for a second you can play me. I'm not an idiot! Keep up this act, and I won't hold back on you!" Martha's face turned stark white with panic. She stood firmly in front of me and pleaded: "Mr. Ford, I am not lying to you! Mrs. Grace is truly with pup! Smell the air yourself! Her scent has shifted—she carries the distinct scent of a pup. Any werewolf can scent it!" As Martha's words hung in the air, Daniel and Samantha both froze, their brows furrowing deeply. They scented it. Summer's scent had undeniably shifted. Wrapped within her usual sweet aroma was the faint, unmistakable warmth of an unborn pup. It was a biological truth no werewolf could deny. The color bled from Daniel's face, but his mind fought violently against reality. He glared at my stomach, his Alpha senses forcing the bitter truth down his throat—she was pregnant. His voice shook with rage: "You bitch... You dared to let another man knock you up?!" The moment the insult left his lips, red hot anger flared in my vision. For Harrison's sake, and because Daniel was Harrison's younger brother, I had tolerated his arrogance and swallowed his insults. But now, he had the nerve to curse my unborn baby. That crossed every line I had. I raised my arm and slapped him across the face with every ounce of strength in my body. *Smack!* The sharp crack echoed through the vast living room, leaving behind dead silence. Seeing this, Samantha immediately put on her concerned, supportive act: "Daniel, please don't get worked up. It's bad for your health!" "Now that this has happened, we have to deal with it calmly." She paused, casting a venomous glance my way before continuing softly: "Option one: you cut ties with Summer completely. We can live our lives in peace and ignore whatever bastard she's carrying." "But I know... you still have feelings for her. You won't want to let her go." Samantha sighed heavily, playing the selfless martyr: "Then there's only one other choice. Take Summer to a healer and purge that foreign bloodline from her womb. That's the only way things can go back to how they were. We can still be a family, can't we?"