My Mate Marked His Stepmother

My mate, Mason, didn’t merely inherit the Phantom Pack’s Alpha title—he also inherited his stepmother, Olivia, the former Luna. Each time he crawled back from her bed, still smelling of her scent, he would whisper the same hollow lies to me: “Evelyn, please, don’t take it to heart… I am only doing this for us.” “You are the one I truly love. Once Olivia gives birth, I will mark you as my soulmate. You will be my Luna—my queen.” But love, to him, was nothing more than a planned bargain. In order to claim the throne, he sold his body and surrendered his nights to the woman who once belonged to his father. For nearly a year, Mason spent over three hundred nights with Olivia. And me? I was the secret, the shadow—his so-called “future Luna,” perpetually waiting in the wings. When Olivia finally conceived, I foolishly believed my time had come. However, that fragile hope shattered the moment I witnessed them—in each other’s arms, in a warmth that was never extended to me. That’s when I truly understood… Mason had already given her everything. His desire. His complete devotion. All I received were empty promises—pretty words crafted to hide the internal rot. I turned to my daughter. “Sweetheart, would you come with Mommy if we left?” She nodded without hesitation. “Yes. I want to be with you.” Mason will never understand — I never wanted the Luna crown. All I ever yearned for… was a love that was genuine and real. And he was never man enough to provide it.