Alpha, You're a Hundred Times Too Late

Layla's POVFor ten years, the entire pack called Adeline Hill their future Luna. Nobody corrected them.Not even my mate, Alpha Finn Cooper.Even though she found her mate five years ago and left to his pack, everyone still anticipated when she would return to rule beside Finn as his Luna.Today was finally the day she returned, and the excitement radiating through the pack was impossible to miss.Finn signed the documents on his desk one after another without even looking at them. Instead, his eyes remained fixed on the television mounted on the wall, displaying Adeline's convoy almost arriving at the border of Silvercrest Pack.Pack members lined the streets, holding placards and chanting, "WELCOME BACK, LUNA ADELINE!"Finn stood to leave when a throat cleared in the room. His Beta, Derek Hill, Adeline's elder brother, stalked forward. "Alpha, my sister can come visit you later. Luna isn't well. Maybe you should stay with her instead?"Finn's lips curved into a frown. "Adeline is

"Luna! Are you okay?"The panic in his voice made my heart ache."I'm fine," I whispered, stepping back from him.I glanced towards the stage, where Finn was affectionately hugging a visibly shaken Adeline.Without another word, I turned and walked off.I was almost at the house when a hand clasped around mine."I'm sorry," Finn said immediately as I turned."For?" I asked, my voice flat.He sighed and rubbed the back of his neck."I know today is important to you. I even planned to introduce you as my mate before everyone today.""Oh.""I also wanted to come protect you, but Adeline..."I raised a brow."You know she lost her mate. Rogue attacks give her panic attacks. I couldn't leave her side."My heart gave a painful jump."I promise I'll make it up to you."I almost laughed."This time, I promise I'll announce our bond during the New Moon Festival tomorrow."The words should have made me happy.But after today, and after hearing them ninety-nine times, I felt nothing."You promise

Finn's POVThere were only a few minutes left before the opening of the festival when Adeline and I arrived at the grounds.I looked around quickly, my brows furrowed as I didn't see Layla or Derek anywhere around.My plan for today was to pick Layla up myself, but I asked Derek to do so when Adeline informed me some pack members were gossiping about her.Adeline's step slowed down as we approached the crowd of wolves. I turned to her, seeing her head lowered and her eyes filled with tears.I squeezed her hand, making her look at me. “Don't worry. No one will say anything about you while I'm here.”“Thank you, Finny. You always protect me. Without you, I won't survive,” she whispered softly.I smiled back at her, pinching her cheeks.“See how perfect the Alpha and Adeline are? I really hope they're mates,” a pack member said to her friends.As expected, Carl, my wolf, growled.I frowned.“What is wrong with you these days?” I asked him. He always did this whenever someone mentioned Ade

I raised a brow."Because she lost her mate, Layla. She lost her mate."“Just like I've lost mine,” I said without skipping a beat.Finn's face paled. “Layla, please... I'm right here. You haven't lost me—”"I have." I cut him off mid-sentence, pointing to my neck, to the place where his mark had once been.“I gave you many chances, Finn. You just chose her over and over again.”Finn's body went completely still. "Layla, I... just... I never chose her. I thought you understood and supported me. When did I choose her over you?"A bitter laugh escaped my throat.“When, Finn? When didn't you choose her?”“You placed your mark where my hair would cover it, would hide it.”Finn shook his head, his eyes glistening.“You told the pack I was only working at your house as a live-in maid.”“No, Layla. It's because—”“You missed all my birthdays in five years, each time because something happened to her.”“Layla,” Finn whispered, shaking his head.“You protected her while your wolfless mate stood

Mates? Didn't Adeline say her mate died in a rogue attack?Adeline's eyes lit up. "You're really alive, Tristan. I still have my mate."A low scoff escaped his throat. His gaze moved from Adeline to Finn, then back to her.Adeline stood frozen in place for a few minutes, then, as though finally waking from a dream, she leapt forward."Tristan!"She extended her arms for a hug, but before she could touch him, Tristan stepped sideways.Her arms wrapped around the empty air. She stumbled, almost reaching the floor.“Don't make a fool of yourself, Adeline. I didn't come here for you."Adeline shook her head, her eyes glistening with unshed tears."W-what do you mean, Tristan?" she muttered.Tristan's face remained blank."Stop pretending. I'm just a rogue now, Adeline," he said mockingly. "No power, no wealth, no title."His lips curled into a sarcastic smile."We both know you can't survive with a nobody like me as your mate."I frowned, my mind racing to make sense of what was going on.