The Alpha Mate

Chapter 2

The night Evan publicly chose Dominic, I barely slept.

I kept replaying the moment over and over—his arm around my brother's waist, that distant look in his eyes when he acknowledged me. By morning, my chest felt hollow, scraped clean of hope.

I should have known something was coming. I should have felt it in the air, in the way the servants avoided my eyes at breakfast, in how Father's jaw tightened when I entered the room.

Instead, I let myself believe that maybe—just maybe—there was still a chance things could be different.

The pack had gathered in the wide courtyard under a cloudless sky. I stayed close to the edge of the crowd, my hands clenched at my sides, nails biting into my palms hard enough to leave marks.

I already knew, deep down, why we'd all been summoned. But part of me—some desperate, foolish part—still clung to hope that my parents would be fair.

"As you all know," Father began, his voice carrying across the courtyard with practiced authority, "we have been blessed with two sons, but only one can lead the pack. Today, we're here to announce that Dominic has been chosen as your future Alpha."

The world tilted.

The pack broke into applause, some even cheering. My breath caught in my throat, sharp and painful, like I'd swallowed glass.

I could barely process his words before my gaze fell on Dominic, standing a few paces behind Father, his hand intertwined with Evan's.

The look on my brother's face was pure triumph—satisfaction gleaming in his eyes like he'd just won a war I didn't even know we were fighting. Each glance he threw my way was a dagger of mockery, twisting deeper with every second.

My wolf, Hyde, stirred inside me—angry, wounded. But said nothing, as usual.

I know this isn't right, this isn’t fair, I’m the elder twin.

But knowing didn't change anything.

Desperation clawed at my throat. My feet moved before my mind could catch up, forcing my way through the crowd. My voice came out shaking but resolute.

"Father." I stepped forward, every eye turning toward me. "I'm the elder twin. I'm supposed to be the rightful Alpha."

I looked out at the crowd, seeking support—seeking something. But I found only blank stares, a few skeptical glances, and Dominic's smug smile widening like a blade.

Father's gaze hardened, his disappointment so thick I could taste it. "Atlas, Dominic is more suited to lead. He's stronger, more respected. The choice is clear."

Each word landed like a blow. My heart twisted painfully, humiliation setting in as his words echoed across the gathering.

I felt every eye on me—judging, dismissing, pitying. The weight of their stares pressed down on my shoulders until I thought I might collapse under it.

"But… I'm the firstborn." My voice cracked. "I've trained just as hard, done everything—"

"Enough, Atlas.” He cut me off with a sharp gesture, like swatting away an insect. “Don't embarrass yourself and our family further. Dominic has proven himself. This is for the pack."

For the pack.

Not for me. Never for me.

Dominic's voice rang out then, dripping with false sympathy. "It's not personal, Atlas. Some of us were just meant for greatness."

The crowd murmured approvingly, and I watched as Evan looked down at Dominic with open admiration. Watched as he pressed a kiss to my brother's forehead, soft and tender.

As if sealing the betrayal with affection.

Something inside me shattered. Not just my heart—something deeper. The part of me that had believed I could belong here. That I could be wanted.

The weight of it all crashed down—the realization sharp and bitter as poison. I'd always been an outsider, a placeholder, tolerated but never truly wanted. My family had betrayed me, choosing Dominic to lead, to take everything I'd dreamed of.

Everything I'd foolishly believed one day could be mine.

Swallowing hard against the lump in my throat, I turned away. My shoulders hunched as I forced myself to leave the courtyard, each step heavier than the last. The applause continued behind me, celebrating my brother, celebrating my erasure.

But as I passed her, Mother leaned close, her voice a venomous whisper meant only for me.

"We only ever needed one son to rule. Don't make this harder than it has to be."

Her words followed me like ghosts as I walked away, my vision blurring with tears I refused to let fall.

Not here. Not in front of them.

I didn't stop walking until I reached the edge of the pack grounds, where the trees began and the noise of celebration finally faded. Only then did I let myself breathe—a ragged, broken sound that scared even me.

Hyde pressed against my consciousness, even he knew the truth.

There was nothing left for me here. Nothing but pain and a family that had never wanted me at all.