Alpha’s Regret: Claiming My Stolen Twins – Every muscle in my body screamed with exhaustion. The day had stretched endlessly – tending to the pack kitchen, ensuring operations ran without a hitch, caring for the abandoned pups discovered beyond our territory boundaries, and entertaining the orphaned children who looked to me for comfort. My bones ached for nothing more than a scalding bath and the sanctuary of my bedroom. Typically, our house remained silent at this hour. Julian and I existed as strangers sharing the same roof. Most evenings, he disappeared before I returned home, and days would pass without us crossing paths. Tonight, however, something had shifted. Rich laughter echoed from the living room – genuine, warm laughter I hadn’t heard from him in years, certainly never within these walls. Dread twisted in my stomach before I even stepped inside. When I finally entered the living room, the scene before me stole my breath.
There on our sofa sat my mate and betrothed, doubled over with mirth. His eyes blazed with a light I’d forgotten existed, radiating pure joy – none of which was meant for me. Every spark of happiness belonged to her. Roxanne. My sister had returned. She appeared untouched by time, perhaps even more stunning than before. Her cascading ebony waves framed a face blessed with emerald eyes that could ensnare anyone’s attention. She remained breathtakingly beautiful, a vision that could stop traffic. Yet her beauty wasn’t what paralyzed me. It was the way Julian gazed at her, the radiant smile painting her features. The sight transported me to memories I’d buried deep. The past I’d fought so hard to escape. I never chose this destiny, but fate had dragged me here kicking and screaming. For eighteen years, I lived as an omega’s daughter, enduring a miserable existence under a mother who despised me for reasons I never understood. My father remained too weak to intervene, allowing her cruelty to flourish unchecked. I suffered in silence because it was all I knew, until the day she shattered my world. She confessed – not privately, but before the entire pack – that I wasn’t her blood. She’d switched me with her real daughter at birth, revealing the devastating truth: I was Alpha Maxwell’s biological child from the Solstice Fang.
The revelation suffocated me. My throat constricted, and indescribable agony tore through my chest. The past was crashing back with devastating force. I became that terrified girl again, arriving at the Solstice Fang with nothing but a worn backpack containing three pitiful outfits. Every instinct urged me to flee. I couldn’t face this confrontation, not tonight. But Roxanne’s eyes found mine, and her smile transformed into something cruel and calculating. She hadn’t changed at all – still the same Roxanne who thrived on destruction. The difference was that this time, she didn’t need to lift a finger. The tableau before me provided all the torment she could desire. “Sister,” she purred, rising gracefully. She didn’t bother masking her satisfaction. Victory danced in her gaze as she absorbed my discomfort, relishing every moment of my obvious pain. “Forgive us for not noticing you,” she continued, her voice dripping false sweetness. “I hope you haven’t been standing there too long. You should have joined us – we have so much catching up to do.” I couldn’t fathom why she maintained this charade. Everyone knew we despised each other, though she’d always painted me as the aggressor. The truth was, I’d never harbored ill will toward her, not then, not now. But in her eyes, I would forever remain a threat to her carefully constructed world.
She resented me for reclaiming my birthright, for making her the adopted daughter while I became the blood heir. I hadn’t come to destroy her life, yet my very existence had upended everything. Before my arrival, everyone assumed she would become Julian’s destined mate. But when I came of age and encountered Julian, our mate bond blazed to life, crushing her dreams to dust. She wept for weeks, but tears couldn’t rewrite destiny. So she began her campaign against me, framing me for imagined slights while playing the innocent victim. Her tears became her greatest weapon. Julian had remained silent upon discovering our bond, never fighting the connection fate had forged. But Roxanne’s performances slowly poisoned him against me. I pleaded my innocence repeatedly, but no one believed me. They chose Roxanne, the girl they’d watched grow up, over the outsider who’d invaded their perfect world. When I feared Julian might reject me entirely, Alpha Quintus – Julian’s father – delivered an ultimatum that stripped away his son’s choices. Marry his fated mate and secure prosperity for their pack, or forfeit his right to lead. Essentially, Julian had been coerced into accepting our relationship. “I’m afraid I can’t stay,” Julian announced, standing and finally acknowledging my existence. His eyes held nothing – no warmth, no recognition, just arctic indifference. I’d grown accustomed to this treatment, but tonight I’d desperately hoped for some reassurance.
Instead, he reminded me exactly where I stood in his priorities. “Can you prepare Roxanne a room?” he asked, though his tone made it clear this wasn’t a request. “Is that all you have to say to me?” The words escaped before I could stop them. I deserved an explanation, but he’d already dismissed me, making it obvious this was a command, not a conversation. Questions burned in my throat – why was she here, and why hadn’t I been informed? But I swallowed them, knowing the answers would only deepen my anguish. Especially when he turned to Roxanne with tender concern instead of sparing me even a glance. I was dying inside, but to him, I remained invisible. My heartbreak meant nothing because I meant nothing. I forced down the lump threatening to choke me, refusing to crumble before them both. “I wish I could cancel this summit, but my attendance is crucial,” he told her, his voice gentle in a way he’d never used with me. “But I’ll return tonight.” He’d never felt obligated to explain his schedule to me. I simply didn’t matter enough. Roxanne immediately threw herself into his arms while I stood mere feet away, forgotten. He didn’t push her away. “I missed you terribly. Please hurry back,” she whispered against his chest, and he gazed down at her with unmistakable tenderness. I watched it all unfold like a ghost haunting my own home, my own life. He lavished upon her the affection I’d craved for two long years.
I couldn’t even remember how his gentleness felt anymore. The sight gutted me completely. When he finally released her, he strode past me without acknowledgment. Only Roxanne and I remained, suffocating silence stretching between us. Her innocent facade vanished the moment he disappeared. Pure triumph gleamed in her eyes, and she’d earned it – she’d claimed everything that would forever remain beyond my reach. I inhaled deeply, forcing my composure back into place. I needed to appear unaffected, even as my world disintegrated around me. “Roxanne,” I began carefully, “seeing you is certainly unexpected. Unfortunately, I wasn’t notified of your arrival. Had I known, proper arrangements would have been made. I’m afraid we cannot accommodate you here. Please return to the Solstice Fang. I’m certain our parents are eager for your company.” Her expression shifted rapidly – shock, then rage, finally settling into that familiar, chilling smile. “Oh dear sister, surely he didn’t keep you in the dark!” she exclaimed, stepping closer with predatory grace. “I’d planned to go straight home from the airport, but Julian practically begged me to come here instead. He’s even promised to throw an elaborate welcome party in my honor.” … Seraphina’s POV My heart dropped to my stomach. Roxanne’s cruel words sliced through me like a blade, but I stood there and took it. This was what I deserved for even imagining a different future with Julian.
The pain felt familiar, a constant companion that had lived in my chest for years. If he really wanted Roxanne back, why hadn’t he told me? Why hadn’t he rejected me outright? I would have been devastated, but I never would have stood in his way. He had never cared about my feelings anyway. I was a fool for thinking things could be different. I should have known she would return, and that he would welcome her back without hesitation. He always had. “I’m glad you decided to come home,” I said, forcing my voice to stay level even as my knees threatened to buckle. “But whoever brought you from the airport should be the one helping you settle in. Tell them I can’t do it.” I turned and walked away, fighting every instinct to run. Behind me, I could hear her soft laughter, each sound like a knife twisting in my wounds. My legs felt weak and unsteady, but I couldn’t collapse. Not here. Not where she could see. I barely remember making it back to my room. The second I closed the door behind me, I locked it and stumbled toward the bathroom. I turned the shower on full blast, letting the freezing water shock my system. I wanted to scream until my throat was raw, wanted to break something, but I couldn’t afford to lose control. I was exhausted in every possible way. Physically drained from years of trying to prove myself. Mentally worn down from constant rejection. Emotionally empty from loving someone who would never love me back.
I had no tears left to cry because crying never changed anything. This brought back every horrible memory from my early days at Solstice Fang. Living there had been a daily nightmare. I was Alpha Maxwell’s biological daughter, but they treated me like I was nothing. Like I didn’t exist. They had always chosen Roxanne over me without a second thought. My father spent hours teaching her pack management, took her hunting, showed her how to fight. He never once asked if I wanted to learn. My mother cooked Roxanne’s favorite meals, took her shopping for clothes I could only dream of owning, treated her like a best friend. She barely acknowledged my presence. All because I had no wolf. My mother had actually told me once that she regretted bringing me to Solstice Fang in the first place. They saw me as an embarrassment, a stain on their perfect family image. Watching them shower Roxanne with the love and attention I desperately craved was torture. It felt like they were ripping my heart out over and over again. After a long shower that did nothing to wash away my pain, I collapsed into bed. I expected to lie awake all night with my thoughts spinning and my heart aching. But my body and mind had reached their limit. I fell into a deep, mercifully dreamless sleep. My phone ringing jolted me awake. This was unusual since nobody ever called me unless something was seriously wrong. I answered without checking who it was.
His voice made my stomach clench. “Where are you?” Julian’s tone was ice cold and demanding. I sat up quickly, trying to clear the fog from my brain. I was usually prepared for everything. If we had something important planned today, I wouldn’t have slept so deeply. I couldn’t figure out what he meant. “Why aren’t you here yet?” he repeated when I didn’t respond immediately. I searched my memory frantically, trying to remember if I had forgotten something crucial. “Where am I supposed to be?” I finally managed to ask. “Roxanne mentioned she told you about her welcome party.” His words hit me like a physical blow. He was angry at me for not being there to watch him celebrate the woman he really wanted. “I can’t make it,” I whispered, already knowing it was pointless. I wanted to hang up and disappear forever, but I knew better. When Julian gave an order, I had to obey. “You’re my mate. You will be there. I expect to see you soon.” The line went dead before I could argue. Of course. The master had spoken, and the servant would comply. Just like always. I forced myself to get ready, applying makeup to hide how exhausted and broken I looked. My future mother-in-law constantly reminded me that a Luna must always appear put-together, that she must set an example for the pack.
I hated makeup, but it was the only way to mask the pain written all over my face. I was late when I finally arrived at the pack bar. Even from outside the massive building, I could hear their loud laughter and celebration. Roxanne’s voice rang out above all the others, bright and joyful. I pushed through the heavy doors and stepped inside. The entire room went silent. Every pair of eyes turned toward me, filled with hatred and disgust. They didn’t need to say a word. Their silence spoke volumes about how unwelcome I was. They didn’t want me there, but I forced myself to hold my head high and walk toward their table. When I got closer, I realized there was no seat for me. Roxanne was sitting right next to my mate, looking like she belonged there more than I ever had. I didn’t break down. I didn’t let them see how much their rejection destroyed me. I found a small empty table in a dark corner, away from their laughter and happiness. I held everything inside, but my heart felt every cruel slight. I didn’t belong in their perfect moment because I had never been one of them. They had all grown up together, shared memories and inside jokes I would never understand. They loved Roxanne like a sister and hated me for supposedly breaking her heart. I had been humiliated many times before, but this felt different.
Worse. Gift after gift appeared for Roxanne, each one more thoughtful than the last. I hadn’t received so much as a kind word since she returned. I knew I wasn’t their first choice, but I didn’t deserve this level of cruelty. I wasn’t asking them to stop loving her. I just wanted a tiny fraction of that warmth and acceptance. I had tried so hard to earn their respect, but nothing I did was ever good enough. They had called me names, excluded me from everything important, and made it clear I would never truly belong. “This is all so wonderful! Thank you for these amazing gifts! I missed you all so much!” Roxanne gushed, practically melting into Julian’s side. “But surely you got me something special too? Something you picked out yourself?” Everyone knew Julian would have brought her a gift. When he pulled out an elegant necklace, my heart stopped. “I saw this on my way back to the pack. It reminded me of you.” He smiled at her in a way he had never smiled at me. I stared at my mate in shock. Julian was always too busy with pack business to shop for gifts. Everything he gave me was selected by his beta and delivered like a business transaction. He had never personally chosen anything for me. Not once. On my first birthday as his mate, I received flowers and a generic card. The next year brought a fruit basket. I knew he hadn’t picked any of it. These gifts were just obligations, things he had to do to maintain appearances for his father.
He wanted us to look happy together in front of Alpha Quintus, so I played my part. Everything about our relationship was fake, designed to fool others. I thought the evening couldn’t get worse until someone suggested Roxanne should thank him properly for such a personal gift. Right in front of me. “Roxanne,” her closest friend said with a sly grin, “Julian personally selected that necklace just for you. Don’t you think such thoughtfulness deserves a proper thank you?” “Kiss him!” someone else shouted. … Seraphina’s POV Roxanne glided toward Julian through the scattered applause, her face glowing with shy excitement. I stood motionless, watching this pathetic display with dead eyes. If anyone here truly saw me as their future Luna, they would never dare humiliate me like this. They had crushed my dignity under their feet. But I was curious about one thing. What would Julian do? Would he let her kiss him in front of everyone? To my shock, Julian jerked his head away, dodging Roxanne’s advance. “Stop,” he snapped, his voice slicing through the applause like ice. “A man doesn’t wait for a woman to make the move.” He stepped backward, shooting their friend a look that finally killed the show. Then his eyes locked on mine. I raised an eyebrow, my mouth twisting into a cold smile. Was he suggesting he should have been the one to start it? Would he already have his hands all over her if I wasn’t here? My freezing stare seemed to shake him. Julian’s face darkened, then he purposely looked away and threw himself back into the party.
The people around me saw everything. “She needs to give up. Julian belongs with Roxanne,” someone whispered. “Look at her. Always trying so hard to make everyone happy. Acting like she’s perfect. But we all know better.” “She’s not Luna yet,” another voice cut in. “Things could change any second.” I let out a long breath. I stayed quiet. Three years with the Zenith Moon Fang had shown me the power of words. How they could slice you open, how they could burn. Once, they had torn through me, sparking rage, pain, the wild need to fight back. But time had changed me, turned what was soft into stone. Now, I don’t react anymore. I don’t care anymore.