48th Times Betrayed By My Mate, Saved by the Alpha Brothers

Emily’s POV

“Who might this beauty be?” Alpha Magnus asked Oscar, his eyes raking over my body with a slow, predatory hunger as he licked his lower lip.

A violent shiver ran down my spine. I instinctively tried to hide behind Oscar, but he held me firmly in place, fingers digging into my waist like claws.

“Behave,” Oscar whispered sharply into my ear, tightening his grip until it hurt.

I swallowed hard. He always used that tone when I was expected to play along. And tonight… Tonight was the 48th time he had dragged me to a meeting with a powerful wolf.

The 48th time, he was offering me up like a bargaining chip.

The 48th time, he promised, “Just smile for them, Emily. It’s good for my standing. It helps us.”

But at times, I feel like he wasn’t helping “us.”

He was skimming me off to higher-ranking Alphas and Betas in exchange for alliances, favors, status, anything that lifted him higher. Oscar wasn't a high-ranked wolf; he was just an ordinary one, whom I sometimes think is too power hungry.

As much as I hate that about him, he is my mate, and I have no choice but to love him. We have been mated for three years now. However, we are not yet married or have completed the mating rituals. Oscar said he wasn't ready yet. Whenever I bring up the topic, Oscar says the sooner he gets to the position he wants to be in, the sooner we will complete the bond. That's why I always try to be a supportive mate to him, because I can't wait for us to start our family.

Oscar slightly pinched me and brought me out of my thoughts.

“I am Emily,” I said, forcing myself to smile as I extended my hand. “Oscar’s… Mate.”

Alpha Magnus’s answering smile was a barbed wire around my throat.

“Oh, the pleasure is all mine,” he said, voice too smooth, too deep, too amused.

He took my hand, pecked me, and didn’t let go. His grip tightened, while his thumb caressed my hand.

I shivered in disgust as I tried to pull away lightly, not wanting to cause a scene, but he held even tighter. My pulse was hammered. His thumb is stroking the back of my hand with a slowness that makes my stomach twist.

I flicked my gaze to Oscar, silently pleading for him to do something.

He ignored me.

Of course he did.

He just kept talking about pack alliances, trade routes, land borders as if I wasn’t here, as if my hand wasn’t being crushed by a wolf notorious for collecting women like trophies.

Anger, humiliation, and something cold and sharp pooled in my chest.

I yanked my hand free, too abruptly, too loudly, earning a dark smirk from Alpha Magnus before he turned back to Oscar.

The meeting dragged on like torture. Their conversation was a blur: politics, resources, territory, dominance displays, things Oscar was desperate to be part of. And the cost of his desperation was always me, his darling mate.

When Oscar excused himself, I froze.

No.

No, no, no.

Please don't leave me here with this man! I silently pleaded with Oscar with my eyes.

Oscar, being Oscar, left me alone with Alpha Magnus.

The moment Oscar disappeared into the crowd, Magnus’s whole expression shifted. The polite mask fell away. Something darker, hungrier, surfaced in his gaze.

I sat rigid as he walked to the bar, vanishing briefly into the cellar to mix drinks. My heartbeat thundered. My palms were cold. My wolf — weak because Oscar had never allowed me to train- whimpered inside me.

Magnus returned with two glasses.

He placed one in front of me, his eyes burning into mine like he already owned me.

“Drink,” he said softly.

Every instinct screamed run.

But Oscar’s voice echoed in my head:

“Just be nice. Don’t embarrass me. He’s important.”

So I lifted the glass.

“Thank you,” I whispered, taking a small sip.

The liquid burned. Bitter. Wrong.

He leaned closer. “Is everything all right, my dear?” His breath brushed my ear.

I forced a stiff smile. “Just waiting for Oscar.”

“Ah, yes. Oscar.”

Magnus’s smile sharpened.

“Such a lucky wolf to have such a tempting little mate beside him.”

I felt sick.

“There’s no need to thank me,” he continued. “Now that we’re alone, why don’t we get to know each other better? After all…”

He leaned back in his seat.

“…we are about to become partners.”

Partners?

That cold feeling in my stomach solidified.

“There’s not much to know about me,” I said tightly.

“Oh, come on,” Magnus chuckled, licking his lips. “A beautiful female like you must have plenty of secrets to share.”

My chest tightened.

Okay. This was too much.

I stood up quickly, but the room tilted violently. My vision blurred at the edges.

“I… excuse me,” I managed.

Magnus rose with me. “Do you need help?”

“No,” I said firmly. “I can manage.”

I tried to walk, but my legs felt like water. My pulse spiked with terror.

I have been drugged.

I stumbled toward the door, reaching for it, but a firm hand yanked me back.

“Not so fast,” Magnus murmured, voice low and dangerous. “Stay. I promise you’ll enjoy this.”

“Not interested,” I hissed, trying to pull away, but my limbs were heavy, sluggish, useless.

He dragged me closer.

I panicked, and with the last burst of strength I had, I swung my fist and punched him in the eye.

He roared in pain.

I ran.

Or tried to.

My eyes fluttered. My legs buckled. The hallway spun wildly. I ducked into the nearest booth, hoping to hide, and smacked straight into a solid wall.

No. Not a wall.

Two strong arms caught me before I hit the floor.

Warm, steady, powerful.

I blinked up at a broad chest, blurred tattoos, and the faint scent of pine smoke and winter frost.

Not Magnus.

Not Oscar.

Someone else.

“Hey…” a deep voice said, laced with concern. “Miss, are you all right?”

My lips trembled.

“H-Help… me…”

And then everything went dark as I went limp in his arms.