The Alphas Craved Her Love When She Stopped Caring Them

When her best friends cast her aside for someone they’d barely met,she turned away, accepting the arranged mateship with a powerful Alpha,for her,leave is the best choice!

Marissa’s heart was breaking, but she refused to let it show. Hunter and Caleb, her oldest friends—the ones who’d once vowed to protect her—stood across from her, their expressions cold, with Ivy nestled between them, eyes wide and innocent as ever.

“Maybe if you weren’t so distant, we’d still trust you,” Caleb spat, not even sparing her a glance.

Hunter’s voice was softer but no less painful. “Ivy’s done nothing to you, Marissa. She only wants to belong, and maybe you’re the problem.”

The words cut deeper than she’d expected, the sting of betrayal sharper than anything she’d endured. They were willing to cast her aside for someone they’d barely met, and suddenly, the decision felt clear. Accepting the arranged mateship with a powerful Alpha—a stranger—seemed better than staying where she was so easily dismissed.

Without a word, Marissa turned away. Leaving them would hurt, but not as much as staying.

--

“Marissa, we’ve arranged a Mateship Ceremony for you,” her mother’s voice echoed through the mind link. “Your blood is becoming more volatile every day. Only the strength of an Alpha mate can keep your blood stable and keep you safe.”

Marissa sat alone in her dimly lit room, her gaze fixed on the shadowy corners. Silence stretched between them, filling the air with an unspoken weight. She knew her mother was about to speak again, offering her a way out as always.

"If you don’t want this, I’ll speak to your father and cancel everything. We won’t force you," her mother finally said, her voice softening.

But Marissa’s lips parted as she answered, voice steady and unyielding, “I’m willing, Mom. I’ll go through with the arranged mateship.”

There was a stunned silence on the other end, and then her mother stammered in disbelief. “You…you agreed?”

“Yes, I agreed,” Marissa repeated, her voice calm and devoid of any visible hesitation. “But I need time to wrap up some things in the Shadow Pack first. Please start preparing for the Mateship Ceremony.”

She ended the mind link without asking a single question about the Alpha her parents had chosen. She didn’t care who he was or what he’d heard about her fragile health, only that he was willing to mate with someone everyone believed was dying.

Though, Marissa wasn’t dying. Not yet. Her blood, the powerful Lycan bloodline coursing through her, was more than her body could handle without a mate’s mark to stabilize it. She was growing weaker every day, struggling against the surging strength within.

Just as the connection faded, loud music from the packhouse carried up through her walls. The faint sound of voices singing “Happy Birthday” mingled with the clinking of glasses and laughter. Downstairs, Hunter and Caleb, her oldest friends and the Alpha’s sons, had thrown a celebration for Ivy, the newest member of the Shadow Pack. The orphaned omega had arrived only a month prior, mourning the loss of her parents after a rogue attack left her alone.

A soft knock at her door interrupted her thoughts, followed by the quiet creak of it opening. Ivy entered with a shy smile and a slice of blueberry cake; remnants of frosting smudged on her carefully made-up face. She stepped closer, her eyes wide and pleading.

“Marissa,” she began in a soft, sweet voice, “won’t you come down and join us? I’d love to have you there with me.”

Marissa’s gaze hardened. Beneath Ivy’s innocent expression, she’d seen flashes of something else—a slyness she hadn’t missed. “I have work to finish, Ivy,” she replied, her tone icy. “Go enjoy your party.”

A flicker of hurt crossed Ivy’s face, tears welling in her eyes. “Marissa… do you not like me? Is that why you always keep your distance?”

Marissa clenched her jaw. She hadn’t even done anything, but Ivy was already playing the victim. The act felt so transparent it was almost laughable.

“Ivy,” she said, voice laced with warning, “save your performances for Hunter and Caleb. They may fall for it, but I don’t.” And with that, she turned to close the door

But Ivy, not to be deterred, reached out to stop it, catching her hand painfully between the door and the frame. She winced in pain, her hand already swelling purple.

“Aww—”

At that moment, Hunter and Caleb rounded the corner. Their eyes fell on Ivy, cradling her injured hand, and they rushed over without sparing Marissa a second glance. Caleb’s face turned red with anger as he looked at her.

“Marissa, if you don’t like Ivy, fine, but you didn’t have to hurt her!” He snapped, his words sharp with accusation. “When did you become so cruel?”

Hunter, ever the quieter one, regarded her with a cold, disappointed gaze. “Today’s her birthday, Marissa,” he said in a low voice. “There was no need for this.”

He turned back to Ivy, instantly switching to a gentler tone. “Let’s get that hand of yours looked at. Does it hurt much?”

Hunter led Ivy away, Caleb following close behind. Marissa watched them dote on her, whispering promises to lift her spirits. She felt as though she were watching strangers rather than the two friends who’d once been her everything.

As they disappeared down the stairs, Marissa closed her door and leaned against it, memories flooding in from a time when she had been the one those two always protected.

They’d all grown up together in Shadow Pack, childhood friends who had once been inseparable. Hunter and Caleb, the Alpha’s sons, had always been by her side, ready to defend her or make her laugh. On the other hand, Marissa, the daughter of the Beta, born with an unstable Lycan bloodline, was fragile from birth, prone to bouts of weakness that left her bedridden in the damp climate of the pack territory. At five, her parents had sent her to a city known for its warmer weather to help her recover under the guidance of a skilled healer.

But it was more than just her frail health; her blood held a rare strength, the power of an ancient Lycan lineage, a force that pulsed through her but was far too much for her body to withstand alone. The only solution, the healer said, was to find her fated mate—an Alpha strong enough to mark her and anchor the power within her.

She had been close to Hunter and Caleb all through childhood. They were her protectors, her friends. When she’d left for the city to recuperate, they’d practically begged her not to go, vowing to stay by her side, no matter what. The bond between them was unbreakable.

But that bond was crumbling, and it had all started when Ivy arrived.

The first day Ivy joined the pack, she had sat alone, avoiding eye contact and refusing to join the pack for meals. Marissa had pitied her then, hearing of her tragic past and feeling the urge to protect her as she’d once been protected. She invited Ivy to join her, introducing her to Hunter and Caleb, who welcomed her into their circle without a second thought.

And Ivy, with her doe-eyed innocence, had captivated them.

Hunter, once the silent, steady presence at her side, now laughed and joked at Ivy’s every word. Caleb, who used to spar and train with her, dropped everything the moment Ivy needed something.

It was painful, the realization that she had been replaced, and yet, in a twisted way, it also freed her. She could walk away from them both without regret now. Her decision to accept the arranged mateship was more than just a means to stabilize her blood.

Chapter 2

It was late in the evening and Marissa closed her door, pulling on sound-dampening earplugs, shutting out the celebration’s music below. The decision to return and accept her arranged mating to a powerful Alpha was final. But leaving Shadow Pack wasn’t something she could just rush; she had duties to complete, things to set in order, all without raising suspicion.

She turned to the tall window, where the forest stretched beyond the pack's territory. Hours later, satisfied she had finished everything she could, she stretched and took out her earplugs, feeling the peaceful quiet settle around her.

Just then, her phone buzzed with a message. Ivy.

“Why don’t you ever like my stories?” It read. A minute later, another message popped up, “Oh, I’m sorry, Marissa! That was sent by mistake. Don’t be mad?”

Marissa shook her head, sensing the hidden jab. She knew Ivy wanted her to see something. Curiosity piqued, she tapped open Ivy’s pack stories, letting the images fill her screen.

The first image was Ivy surrounded by presents from Hunter and Caleb. Her grin was wide, eyes glistening with innocence, wearing the new satin dress Hunter had given her, soft pink and delicate as rose petals. And beside her, Hunter and Caleb stood protectively, each with an arm around her.

There was more: Hunter’s gift, a pair of crystal-studded shoes, and Caleb’s, a dagger set with intricate gold designs, usually only gifted within the pack's inner circle. The last image held her attention. Ivy, framed by both men, with the caption, “Guess who got to feel like a princess today!”

Marissa felt an old bitterness rise but quickly quelled it. Ivy could have it all if that’s what they wanted. In a week, none of this would matter.

She tapped a heart emoji on the story, feeling oddly light. From now on, her ties to Hunter, Caleb, and Ivy would mean nothing.

The next morning, Marissa wrapped up her duties at the pack’s intelligence office, making sure her work was in good order. When she returned home, she opened the box of photos that chronicled years of memories with Hunter and Caleb. She sorted through the worn edges and faded faces. They’d shared everything together—school adventures, their first shifting ceremonies, even holidays, and family trips. Memories from a past she could no longer cling to.

With a deep breath, she took the stack to the old stone fireplace, where she placed each photo onto the flames, watching as their edges curled and blackened before crumbling into ash.

She’d just tossed the last picture onto the fire when Hunter and Caleb entered, stopping dead at the sight. Hunter’s eyes flashed, and he crossed the room in a heartbeat, gripping her wrist.

“Marissa, what are you doing?” he growled, his gaze darting from her to the burning memories.

Caleb’s brows knitted with distress as he reached to rescue a half-burned photo, only to pull his hand back as the flames hissed up.

“Why would you burn them? These are our memories!” Caleb's voice cracked, red creeping into his eyes as he struggled to keep his emotions in check.

Marissa met their looks calmly, slipping her wrist from Hunter’s hold. “They’re old memories, Hunter. Time to let go.”

Hunter’s icy glare shifted, softened by a flicker of uncertainty. They were like this now, but she knew that one of these days, they would choose Ivy over her again— as if they didn’t know her first—Ivy, who had wormed her way into every corner of their lives. They could wound her for Ivy’s sake, but when a few photographs went up in flames, they suddenly cared.

She almost wanted to laugh. But instead, she lifted her chin, knowing she was making the right choice.

Now, she wondered how the two would react the moment they learn about her arranged mateship.

Chapter 3

“It’s just a photo. We don’t need any more photos together.”

Her tone was so final, it left no room for questions, but Hunter, always the one trying to bridge gaps, suggested softly, “Well, the skies are clear tonight. We could still take a few later if you’d like. Besides, it’s been a while since we left the pack grounds. It might be good for all of us.”

Caleb, eager to support Hunter’s idea, quickly added, “And we could bring Ivy along, too. She’s always wanted to see the northern forest.” His voice held a hopeful note, as if this trip could somehow keep things as they were.

The mention of Ivy—sweet, sheltered Ivy—brought a faint smile to Marissa’s face, though it was more in resignation than joy. She didn’t let the moment linger, but the two men took her silence as agreement, a tiny reprieve from the weight pressing down on them.

They started toward the den, their relief visible, but they halted abruptly as they noticed the stacked boxes by the door.

“What’s all this?” they both asked, bewildered.

Marissa didn’t meet their eyes, just glanced at the boxes before replying, “I resigned from the pack’s intelligence division. Alpha Nathan already approved it.”

Hunter and Caleb exchanged a look, shock and disbelief crossing their faces. They both knew what her position in the intelligence division meant to her—she’d fought to keep it, refusing to let even her health stand in the way. Hunter’s brow furrowed, his mouth opening slightly as if to question her, but no words came.

Both of them stood there, flustered and at a loss for what to say, the faintest flicker of panic in their eyes. Caleb, always quicker to voice his emotions, finally moved his lips as if to speak. But before he could, the sharp ring of a phone cut through the silence.

Hunter answered, and Ivy’s soft, anxious voice filled the still air. “Hunter? My power’s out, and it’s… so dark. I’m scared. I don’t know what to do.” Her words trembled, fragile as glass.

Caleb’s expression shifted instantly to concern, and before Hunter could reply, he interjected, “Don’t worry, Ivy. I’m coming over.” Hunter’s face tightened with worry as well, his usually composed features betraying clear unease.

Without a word to Marissa, they both turned and shifted into their wolves, their sense of urgency apparent as they streaked out the door, paws kicking up loose bits of paper and dust from Marissa’s carefully packed boxes. Marissa watched them disappear, their absence settling into the room like an exhaled breath, filling the empty spaces they left behind.

Once they were gone, Marissa reached for her phone, dialing a familiar number. The call connected after a couple of rings, and Anna’s warm voice came through. Anna, the healer, was more than just a pack member; she had fostered Marissa during her early years, providing the warmth and care of a mother when circumstances had left her alone.

“Marissa?” Anna’s voice carried the soft, gentle strength that had been her comfort as a child.

Marissa’s own voice softened in response. “I’m calling to let you know I’ll be leaving soon. I’m heading to join my mate… a match arranged by my parents.”

Anna was silent for a moment, absorbing the news. When she finally spoke, her tone held a tinge of sadness. “Have you told Hunter and Caleb?”

“No,” Marissa replied, voice steady. “They’ll find out in time. For now, I just need things to stay… uncomplicated. Please, Anna, don’t tell them.”

Anna let out a slow sigh, and Marissa could almost picture the healer shaking her head, her heart torn between understanding and sorrow. “You’ve always been their anchor, Marissa. They’ve guarded you fiercely since you were a child. I always thought… well, that one day you’d choose one of them. It’s hard to see you going elsewhere.”

A faint, wistful smile played at Marissa’s lips. “There’s no pity in it, Anna. We weren’t even fated mates, not for sure. They’ll understand.”

Another pause, and when Anna spoke again, her voice was quieter, almost wistful. “Promise me you’ll come see me before you leave, Marissa. It feels so sudden… and who knows when we’ll see each other again?”

“I promise,” Marissa replied, warmth creeping into her tone. “I have something for you, anyway. I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye.”

They exchanged a few more words before ending the call, leaving Marissa alone once more. But the silence barely settled before another communication filled her mind—this time, it was Alpha Nathan, his voice authoritative and decisive, reaching her through the pack’s mind link.

“Marissa, your work in the intelligence division has served the pack well. As a reward, I’ve arranged for a crystal plaque to be crafted for you. It’s already been delivered to your home.”

The link went quiet as quickly as it had begun, and before she had a chance to consider his words, the doorbell rang. When she opened it, Ivy was standing there, holding a small box with the crystal plaque inside. Her expression was a mix of gratitude and something else—something deeper that Marissa chose not to analyze.

“It’s your reward,” Ivy said softly, holding out the box, her eyes tracing Marissa’s face with a quiet wonder, as if searching for an answer to a question she didn’t dare ask.

Chapter 4

Ivy held the crystal plaque in her hands, her gaze flickering with a hesitant, almost pleading expression. But the innocence on her face didn’t match the cunning gleam in her eyes as she addressed Marissa.

"Marissa," she began, her voice low and soft, almost pitiful. "Alpha Nathan asked me to bring you this reward. It's incredibly precious… you’ve earned something so special. You’re… amazing."

Marissa met her words with a raised eyebrow, sensing that Ivy was only just warming up to her real request. The air between them grew tense, electric, as Ivy bit her lip and took a shaky breath.

"I know this award isn’t mine," she continued, glancing up through her lashes. "But could I… well, borrow it? Just for a few days?"

Marissa felt her wolf stirring, the fierce protector within her bristling at the audacity of Ivy’s request. Borrow her reward? The reward Marissa had worked tirelessly to earn after years of service and sacrifice? The very idea was insulting, as if Ivy had no understanding of what it meant to honor hard work, commitment, and loyalty.

A dangerous smile crept onto Marissa's lips, a smirk that was all teeth, and none of them gentle. "Wow, you really are shameless, aren’t you?" she replied coldly, her voice sharp. "If you’re so desperate for a crystal plaque, why don’t you go work for it? Talk to the intelligence division, Ivy. Maybe, after years of dedication, you’ll earn one too."

She reached for the crystal plaque, expecting Ivy to hand it over with at least a hint of respect. But Ivy clutched the box tighter, her face twisting into an expression of shock and wounded pride.

"Why are you being so mean?" she whispered, her voice laced with false hurt. "I’m not trying to take it from you. I just… I just wanted to keep it with me for encouragement. To remind myself of what’s possible.”

But Marissa’s patience had worn thin. She extended her hand, her fingers curling as she demanded, "Hand it over, Ivy. Now."

But Ivy’s grip only tightened, her arms wrapping around the box as if her very life depended on it. Marissa felt her temper rise, the anger rolling through her like an incoming storm. Just then, as they struggled, the box slipped from Ivy’s hands, hitting the ground with a dull thud.

The delicate crystal plaque shattered, its pieces scattering across the floor like shards of ice. A chill silence fell between them, the soft glow of the crystal plaque now gone, replaced by fractured bits.

In the midst of the stunned silence, a shadow stirred at the door. Marissa looked up, only to see Hunter and Caleb entering, their expressions morphing from confusion to horror as they took in the scene. Ivy, ever the master of theatrics, let out a small scream of pain, clutching her leg where a thin line of blood trickled down, courtesy of a jagged crystal plaque shard.

Hunter’s eyes darkened, his gaze shifting from Ivy’s wound to Marissa, accusation heavy in his eyes. Without a second’s hesitation, he knelt by Ivy’s side, lifting her skirt just slightly to inspect the cut on her calf. The sight of blood made his eyes narrow with worry, and he shot Marissa a look of reproach as he stood.

“Are you hurt?” Caleb murmured to Ivy, barely sparing Marissa a glance. They leaned closer to Ivy, their focus solely on her and her slight wound.

Hunter, not waiting for Ivy’s response, scooped her into his arms, his protective instinct overshadowing all else. “I’ll take you to the healer,” he said firmly, ignoring Ivy’s feeble protests as he carried her away, leaving Marissa standing in a stunned silence.

Caleb turned to Marissa, his face clouded with disappointment and anger. “Marissa, how could you?” He said, his voice low but sharp. "You have everything—the respect, the power, the title—and yet you try to rob Ivy of this small comfort?”

Marissa blinked, caught off guard by his words. Rob? Ivy had been the one holding onto her crystal plaque, clinging to it as if it was her own. She felt the simmering anger within her start to bubble over, her wolf’s presence flaring in her mind, howling at the injustice.

“This is my reward, Caleb,” she replied, her voice laced with a calm anger. “It’s the result of my years of sacrifice and work. Yet, she clung to it with that innocent little look, and you think I’m robbing her?”

Her tone grew sharper, her wolf’s anger bleeding into her words as she pointed at the fragments on the floor, shards that glinted in the moonlight like accusing eyes. “She’s the one who held on, she’s the one who refused to let go, and she’s the one who broke it. If anyone should be apologizing, it’s Ivy. I want her to own up to what she did.”

But Caleb’s face only grew darker, and he lifted his voice, anger flashing in his eyes. “It’s just a reward, Marissa,” he shot back. “No matter how much you earned it, it’s nothing compared to Ivy’s wellbeing. You’re the one who caused her to get hurt, and instead of acting cold, you should be the one apologizing to her.”

Without another word, Caleb turned on his heel and stormed after Hunter, leaving Marissa standing alone, her wolf’s outrage resonating deep within her. Her pulse thundered in her ears, and she stared down at the ruined crystal plaque, the last remnants of her reward scattered in pieces on the floor.

Caleb expected her to apologize? To the one who’d taken what was rightfully hers and destroyed it?

Marissa clenched her fists, her breath coming in quick, shallow breaths. Her chest ached, and she only then noticed the sharp, searing pain in her own leg. She looked down to find that her own calf was bleeding, far more than Ivy’s shallow cut. The shattered crystal plaque’s shards had pierced her leg deeply, cutting through muscle and leaving the skin raw and bleeding.

Her lycan blood, although strong, was very unstable, and it wasn’t enough to seal wounds. Unlike Ivy’s cut, which would heal in a few minutes, her wound would fester. Gritting her teeth, Marissa bent down, carefully picking up the fragments, each shard sharper and colder than the last. She’d take care of the mess herself—she didn’t need anyone’s pity or misguided protection.

As dusk settled into night, Marissa cleaned the wound as best she could and bandaged it with steady hands, refusing to let herself wince from the pain. Just as she finished, her phone buzzed, and her mother’s name flashed on the screen.

She answered, her voice softening as she greeted her mother. “Hi, Mom.”

Her mother’s warm tone washed over her like a balm. “Marissa, I’ve sent over some Mateship Ceremony dress options. Tell me which ones you like, darling. We don’t want anything less than perfect for you.”

Marissa’s heart ached at her mother’s excitement, at the love so evident in her voice. She scrolled through the photos, each dress more beautiful than the last, her mother’s enthusiasm bringing a lump to her throat.

“Mom…” she started, her voice barely a whisper, betraying her fatigue.

Her mother picked up on it instantly. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” she asked gently. “Are you alright?”

Marissa swallowed hard, biting back the bitterness and the resentment that simmered within her. Instead of answering, she redirected the conversation. “I’ll be ready soon, Mom. Just another week, and then it’ll all be settled. How are the preparations on your end?”

Her mother’s voice grew lighter, her excitement palpable. “Everything is coming along wonderfully. Soon enough, you’ll have a new life waiting for you.”

“About the Mateship Ceremony—”

Just then, Marissa heard the familiar sound of Hunter and Caleb entering the house. Their footsteps echoed down the hallway, and she felt her wolf stir uneasily within her, the instinct to protect herself flaring up as they neared.

The two of them paused as they caught the last word of her conversation.

“Mateship Ceremony?” They asked in unison, their voices laced with shock.