Once His Mate Now His Rival (by Lord Browny) novel Chapter One

On the bustling night streets of Duskdale, Amber Cross made her way home from the hospital, a bright smile stretching across her face as she held a brown envelope tightly against her chest.

The doctor’s words echoed joyfully in her mind, “Congratulations, Mrs. Cross. You’re two weeks pregnant!”

Amber let out a soft squeal of happiness, her fingers trembling with excitement as she gently rubbed her stomach.

As Luna of the Silver Moon Pack, humiliation had always been part of the package. Married to Alpha Damon—heir to a billion dollar empire and leader of one of the most powerful packs in the region. Yet, in the eyes of the pack members, she was still just a lowly omega who married up.

And Damon?

He had never truly loved her.

The only reason he agreed to the marriage was the mate bond. There was no affection. No warmth. Just duty.

But now, with this pregnancy coming her way, Amber couldn't help but hope it might change everything.

Her heart pounded as she reached the pack house.

With a soft push, she opened the front door and stepped inside, only to be greeted by the unmistakable sound of moans coming from upstairs.

A knot tightened in her chest, her legs barely holding her up.

She clutched the envelope closer, her fingers trembling.

Damon? Having sex?

No, that couldn’t be right.

But deep down, she already knew.

The sounds echoing through the house left little room for doubt.

Still, like a fool grasping at denial, she moved up the stairs, each step heavier than the last, each breath harder to take.

Please let me be wrong. Please let this be some awful misunderstanding. She prayed silently.

But the closer she got, the louder the moans became.

Raw.

Unmistakable.

Her heart pounded like thunder in her chest.

She reached the bedroom door.

And then she heard it, clear as day;

Flesh slapping against flesh.

Breathless grunts.

"Ahh.... Faster!" A female voice screamed.

"Fuck me Damon!" Still the female voice

"I want it rough!"

Unable to take it any longer, Amber pushed the door open, her hands flying to her mouth in shock at the sight before her.

On the bed was her husband, Alpha Damon, naked and ramming hard into the blonde haired girl moaning loudly beneath him.

His hands gripped her tender boobs tightly, oblivious to the fact that Amber was right there at the door, watching.

"Oh I love it so much Bel!" Damon groaned, thrusting harder.

Amber felt the air drained from her lungs. Each thrust a painful stab to her heart.

"Da... Damon?" She managed to call, the tears escaping her eyes.

"Amber... "

Damon hissed as his eyes fell on her.

With a grunt, Damon roughly pulled out from the girl and pushed her naked butt from him before slipping into his pants.

"Why did you stop Damon? I said I want it rough!" The girl who didn't know why Damon abruptly stopped when she was about to climax asked, standing up from the bed.

Amber's eyes went wide as they fell on her.

Bella Blaine.

Damon’s ex girlfriend.

She had left the pack the moment she found out Amber was his fated mate.

His voice rose, sharp and final.

“Are you deaf? I said the marriage is over.” Then without hesitation, he growled, “From this moment on, I, Damon Cross, reject you, Amber Smith, as my mate.”

The pain hit her like a crashing wave.

Amber clutched her chest as the bond tore violently within her. Her legs buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, gasping for air.

The rejection hurt a thousand times more than his betrayal ever could.

She reached for his hand, praying for even the smallest sign of compassion.

But Damon looked down at her with disdain, then turned and walked away without a word.

Bella followed, but paused when she noticed the envelope lying on the floor.

She picked it up and tore it open before Amber could stop her.

Her face twisted with shock as she scanned the contents.

“You’re... pregnant?” she asked, stunned.

Amber didn’t respond. She couldn’t. Not with how weak she'd gotten.

Bella’s expression quickly shifted from disbelief to rage.

“How dare you try to sabotage our relationship with this fake paper?” she hissed, ripping the document into pieces and letting them fall like confetti around Amber’s broken form.

She leaned down, her eyes filled with scorn.

“Don’t you dare say a word of this to Damon. If you do, I swear you’ll regret it.”

Then she straightened,

tossed her hair, and walked out, slamming the door behind her.

Amber remained on the floor, silent, shattered.

Her heart torn.

Her world... destroyed.