Silver Tears of the Forgotten

The notification of my successful hospital appointment glowed on my phone as I slowly awoke. My mate, Karl, leaned in to scent my neck as he did every morning, but I shifted away, pretending to check my phone.Karl froze, his Alpha pheromones suddenly spiking with confusion. When his eyes fell on the phone next to my pillow, his brow furrowed into a frown."You need to spend less time on that device," he said, his voice carrying that commanding Alpha tone he used when concerned. "It's not good for our pup."I offered a bitter smile and nodded, quickly closing the prenatal appointment page on my screen. Despite being an Omega, I'd learned to mask my scent well enough that Karl didn't notice my distress. He merely glanced at my phone before the corners of his lips curled almost imperceptibly.He dressed quickly, his powerful frame moving with practiced efficiency as he buttoned his shirt. "There's an important pack alliance meeting today. Don't wait for me tonight."He strode out before

After being discharged from the clinic, I returned to our den alone.I lay in bed for a long time before finally picking up my phone to call my old pack mentor."Fiona, is the pack translator position still open?" I asked, hoping my voice sounded steadier than I felt.Fiona hesitated before answering uncomfortably, "Alpha Karl arranged for Natalie to handle all translation duties. I don't think there's anything available right now."I forced a smile she couldn't see and thanked her before ending the call.As the screen went dark, I heard Karl push through the door, his Alpha scent filling our den before he even appeared. He was typing on his phone, a faint smile playing on his lips.When he looked up and met my gaze, the smile vanished instantly."Why aren't you resting?" he asked, confusion and a hint of irritation in his voice.I sat on the sofa across from him and asked casually, "The pack has a new translator? I heard their family name is Northwood. Do you know them?"Guilt flashed

As the days passed, Karl continued his pattern—leaving early, returning late. Natalie's Instagram documented their intimate moments while I quietly made my arrangements.Two days before our supposed mating ceremony, Natalie appeared at our door uninvited."It's been a while, Luna," she said, the title dripping with mockery.I opened the door to see her standing there, her Omega scent mixed with Karl's Alpha markers. She sauntered in as if she owned our den, examining everything with proprietary interest before turning to me disdainfully."When you rejected me from the pack's program, did you ever imagine this day would come?""The day you became nothing but a mistress?" I retorted.My words struck a nerve. Her expression twisted with rage, her voice rising to a shrill pitch."Just wait! Not only will your mate become mine, but your pup will call me mother. Everything you have will be mine!"She suddenly grabbed my arm, her manicured claws digging into my flesh.I instinctively moved to

Fifteen hours later, I crossed into Northern territory.I had secured a position as a language instructor at the academy where I had once studied as an exchange student. The administration had arranged everything—I needed only to arrive with my belongings.Settling into my faculty apartment and activating a new communication crystal, I finally allowed myself to relax completely.By my calculations, Karl and Natalie should have received the surprise I'd carefully prepared by now.I activated my old communication crystal one last time and saw news about Karl's pack spreading throughout the wolf territories.The video showed Karl standing in his ceremonial attire, watching expectantly as a vehicle approached the sacred clearing.When the door opened, Natalie emerged wearing the white ceremonial dress meant for me.Before Karl could speak, the crystal projector behind him activated automatically, displaying the collection of images I had compiled—a thousand photographs documenting Karl and

"Isabelle, I—"Karl's face was drained of color. His lips moved, attempting an explanation, but no defense came forth.The snow fell heavier, accumulating on his shoulders and in his unkempt hair."Do you remember what you promised during our first winter solstice together?" I asked.Karl stared at me with hollow eyes, as if searching through distant memories.I laughed softly, knowing he had forgotten long ago.During our first winter solstice, Karl had spent his entire savings to reserve a private area in neutral territory for us.I had never believed in eternal love, but when he appeared with wildflowers gathered from the mountainside, I began to imagine growing old together.Karl had always been straightforward and serious—what humans might call a "no-nonsense" Alpha. I was drawn to his steadiness, though I never expected to become his mate.That night, he knelt before me with surprising humility and vowed: "Isabelle, I swear by the Moon Goddess, my heart will belong only to you un