My coworkers at the pack’s healing center often accuse me of being too tightfisted. They say that to keep a high-ranking mate, I need to invest a little myself. But I just laugh it off and tell them, "As long as I’m generous to myself, that’s all that matters. Investing in yourself is the surest way to make any wolf fall at your feet."

I don’t pretend to be virtuous. Thanks to my mother, an Omega who sacrificed her dignity to support our family after my father’s injury, and my father, a Delta warrior who fell into gambling after losing his leg to a rogue attack, I’ve seen all kinds of wolves and understand life’s harsher truths. I don’t resent them; instead, I’m grateful they’ve given me a clear view of the pack’s hierarchy and its brutal realities.

When I decided to give Jaiden Diaz, a Gamma from the Silver Fang Pack, a chance, I made sure to tell him about my background, tears and all. Surprisingly, it didn’t drive him away; it only fueled his desire to protect me. I guess the allure of a fragile Omega, combined with my tough persona, is hard to resist. But, honestly, I don’t love him. What I love is his status and the security it brings. Ever since Emerson Dunn, the future Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack, abandoned me three years ago, love has ceased to exist in my world. Little did I expect to run into Emerson again when Jaiden and I booked our first hotel room together.

***

Near the end of my shift, Harper, an old friend and my late mother’s colleague, came in. She’s an Omega in the Blue Moon Pack and has known me since I was a pup. "Lilianna, I’ve been seeing someone new. I’m getting older, and I’d like to finally settle down. Could you work your magic on my face?"

"Harper, you’re as stunning as ever. I can’t see a hint of age on you. You’re just being humble."

"You do flatter me, young lady. I adore your sweet talk."

Just after I applied her facial mask, a colleague burst through the door to grab my attention. "Lilianna, you need to come out here and see this."

My curiosity piqued, I walked to the front of the healing center. The floor was covered in roses. I knew instantly they were from Jaiden. My coworkers whispered among themselves, "This place is practically her personal garden now."

"So what if she’s snagged a Gamma? She’s still an Omega. And seriously, who sends roses anymore? So old-school."

I inwardly scoffed and, playing along with their remarks, I covered my face and began to cry. They were all stunned into silence. I knew Jaiden was lurking, hoping to see my delighted surprise. Instead, he rushed to my side, wrapping me in his arms as soon as he saw my tears.

"Who’s gossiping here? Get out, all of you!" he commanded. The healer in charge quickly emerged, bowing and apologizing profusely. "Gamma Diaz, I’m terribly sorry. It’s my fault for not managing my staff properly. Please, calm down."

Jaiden, eyes narrowed, scolded, "Remember this, all of you. Lilianna is my mate. Speak ill of her again, and you’ll never work in this pack again!"

His words shocked me, hitting me with a jolt of pain, brief but piercing. Not because of his protectiveness, but because Emerson once did the same. He held me and told those rogues, "Lilianna is mine! Touch her and I’ll tear you apart!"

Back then, I felt so happy. That feeling—it’s never returned. The staff, frightened, scattered, leaving just the two of us at the front desk.

I cried harder. "Jaiden, I have to work here. How am I supposed to face my colleagues now?"

"Well, it’s their fault for bullying you. Why do you even bother working? I could easily support you."

His words tore at old wounds. Emerson had once quoted a movie to me, cockily asking, "What if you didn’t have to work?"

I laughed, playing along, "Would you support me?"

"I absolutely would!"

The memory bled into fresh hurt, and I felt the pain, so raw and clear. Irritated, I pushed him away, unaware that my face was soaked with tears. "I don’t need you to support me!"

Two tears slipped down my cheeks, but instead of anger, Jaiden misread them. "There, there, no need to cry. I know you love me for who I am, not my status. Look, I got you this limited edition handbag. Try it on."

I was exasperated. "I don’t want it!"

He then produced a jewelry box, revealing a sapphire necklace. "And there’s this necklace you’ve always fancied. I paid quite a bit for it at an auction."

Seeing my reluctance, he insisted, thrusting it into my hands. "I’ve upset you today, haven’t I? Consider these gifts my apology, alright? For me, darling?"

Reluctantly, I forced myself back into reality and accepted the gifts. "Alright, but just this once. I need to get back to work now. Can you wait for me?"

"Of course!"

I returned to the treatment room, gifts in hand. Harper greeted me with a thumbs-up. "Girl, if your mother had your moves, she would’ve mated into a higher rank ages ago, and saved herself a lot of hardship."

I gave a dismissive hum, carelessly tossing the lavish gifts onto the sofa. "Everyone has their path. Thank goodness I didn’t inherit her romantic tendencies."

I said it casually, but the wound remained, deep and unhealed.

After work, Jaiden took me to dine at his family’s newly built five-star hotel in the heart of the city. He claimed it was to introduce me to their latest business venture, but I knew it was just an excuse to get closer to me. As a Gamma of the Silver Fang Pack, Jaiden carried himself with an air of confidence and privilege, his broad shoulders and chiseled features drawing the attention of every Omega and Beta in the room. His charm was undeniable, but I wasn’t fooled by his sweet words. He wasn’t here for friendship, and I wasn’t naïve enough to believe he was.

Since my mate bond with Emerson—future Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack—had been severed three years ago, I’d tried to find someone who could fill the void. But no one ever truly touched my heart, and because of that, all those fleeting relationships ended. I simply couldn’t tolerate anyone getting too close physically. Even a simple kiss would make me feel queasy. Yet, when Jaiden had gently kissed my lips the day he confessed his feelings, I was surprised to find I wasn’t repulsed.

That realization kept me up all night, my mind a jumble of confusion and sadness. Maybe it was true what people said—love fades with time. This thought only added to my agitation, and my mind kept wandering back to Emerson more times than I’d care to admit today. Frustrated, I jabbed my fork into the ravioli on my plate, the rich sauce splattering slightly.

In the next moment, Jaiden placed a peeled shrimp on my plate, his strong hands moving with practiced ease. “I guess I wasn’t being very considerate,” he said with a warm smile. “Other Omegas have mates who peel their shrimp for them, and now you do too. Rest assured, whatever others have, I’ll make sure you do too. Even if no one else has it, I’ll get it for you.”

I forced a smile as I ate the shrimp, the delicate flavor almost lost on me. I knew he probably used these lines on countless women, but I couldn’t help but appreciate the gesture. Especially after Harper, my old friend and fellow Omega, told me this afternoon how she wanted to settle down as she got older, it resonated with me.

Maybe I should think about settling down too. It didn’t matter if I didn’t love him, as long as he treated me well. If necessary, I could just imagine his face as Emerson’s. That might make things easier.

So, I said straight up, “Jaiden, I’m a bit tired and would like to rest for a while.”

His eyes lit up immediately, a spark of triumph flashing in his gaze. “Well, our presidential suite is really nice. How about we relax there?”

Just as I was about to agree, my eyes suddenly widened in shock. My mind couldn’t help but think, *Did the Moon Goddess really grant my wish? How did Emerson’s face actually appear before me?*

However, the next moment, the person in front of me spoke, his deep, commanding voice cutting through the air. “Whoa, planning to get a room?”

With that familiar laid-back demeanor, I snapped back to reality. It really was Emerson standing there, his towering frame and alpha aura immediately drawing the attention of everyone in the room. His dark eyes bore into mine, a mix of amusement and something else I couldn’t quite place.

Jaiden looked bewildered as he glanced between us, his hand instinctively tightening on mine. “Do you know each other?” he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Emerson replied, “Yes.”

I said, “No!”

We answered simultaneously with conflicting responses, making me break into a cold sweat. I had told Jaiden that Emerson was my first mate to maintain a façade of innocence, but now the truth was out in the open.

Emerson smirked and gave me an amused look, his alpha tone cutting through the tension. “Well, that’s interesting,” he said, his voice dripping with mockery. “Seems like someone’s been keeping secrets.”

Both men awaited my answer, and for some reason, a nameless anger surged within me. I stood, my hand gripping Jaiden’s tightly, and said, “Knowing each other or not doesn’t matter. He’s irrelevant. Let’s go upstairs!”

As I turned away, a tear slipped down my cheek, the weight of Emerson’s presence and the unspoken bond between us pressing down on my chest like a stone. My wolf stirred within me, a soft whimper echoing in my mind, but I silenced her. This was my choice now, and I had to live with it.

Just as I took a step forward, Alpha Emerson’s voice cut through the air, his alpha tone commanding and sharp.

“Gamma Diaz,” he said, his presence filling the space with an authority that made even the air seem to still. “Is this how you greet the main investor in your pack’s hotel project? I arranged to meet with your father for a discussion. Aren’t you going to join us?”

Jaiden’s grip on my hand loosened, and I felt the weight of his hesitation. He turned to face Alpha Emerson, his posture stiffening slightly, though he kept his tone respectful. “Alpha Dunn, I didn’t expect to see you here. My apologies. Where are we meeting? I’ll be there.”

“The VIP lounge,” Alpha Emerson replied, his dark eyes flickering toward me for a brief moment. “Will the lady be accompanying us, too?”

Jaiden glanced at me, his expression apologetic but firm. “Lilianna, maybe you should head home for now. You know how my father is—always trying to set me up with some high-ranking pack heiress. I haven’t mentioned us yet.”

I nodded, swallowing the lump in my throat. Of course. I should’ve known better. I was an Omega, after all, and Jaiden was a Gamma from the Silver Fang Pack. My wolf whimpered softly in the back of my mind, but I ignored her, refusing to let my emotions show.

Without another word, I turned and walked away, my heart heavy with a familiar ache. Three years ago, in a secluded mountain village far from pack territory, Alpha Emerson had told me he was accepting his family’s arranged mate pairing. Since then, he’d disappeared from my life entirely. And now, just as I’d begun to piece myself back together, there he was, standing in front of me like a ghost from my past.

Maybe it was time to leave this city—this pack—and start over somewhere new. Somewhere far away from him.

Lost in thought, I barely noticed the shadow that moved behind me until a strong hand clamped over my mouth, dragging me into a waiting car. Panic surged through me, and I struggled, biting down hard on the hand that held me.

It wasn’t until the car door slammed shut that the grip released me, and I heard a familiar chuckle. “Still have a thing for biting, huh?”

My heart sank as I realized who it was. Alpha Emerson Dunn sat across from me, his broad shoulders filling the space, his dark eyes glinting with amusement. Before I could react, he leaned in, his presence overwhelming, his scent—pine and something sharp—filling my senses.

“Alpha Dunn,” I spat, trying to push him away, but his grip on my wrist was unyielding. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He smirked, his alpha aura pressing down on me. “Interrupting your little date, aren’t I? I’m here to make sure you don’t get too lonely.”

I slapped him hard across the face, the sound echoing in the confined space. But instead of anger, he laughed, low and deep, sending a shiver down my spine.

“Seems you remember,” he said, his voice a dangerous purr. “The more you hit me, the more thrilled I get.”