My face paled as I stared at Jalen, shocked that he would use my deepest pain against me. The secret I had guarded so carefully was now laid bare in front of everyone. My claws flexed involuntarily, the sharp tips pressing into my palms as I struggled to contain the surge of anger coursing through me.

I had already sacrificed so much for Jalen. He had no right to stand there and judge me. Slowly, I rose from my seat and walked over to where Jalen and Ariella stood, my expression cold and unyielding as I faced him. The faint scent of rosemary—my wolf’s favorite—drifted between us, a reminder of the bond we once shared.

"Jalen," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me, "if you’re so concerned with propriety, then I suggest you practice what you preach. Mind your words when speaking to others."

The calm facade on Jalen’s face cracked, his eyes narrowing as a warning flashed in them. But I didn’t give him a chance to interrupt.

"Alpha Jalen," I continued, emphasizing his title with a hint of mockery, "there are two things I need to remind you of."

"First, I have no ties to the Blue Moon Pack, and my relationship with Ariella is nothing more than superficial. Don’t assume I’ll continue to tolerate your disrespect."

"Second, since you seem to dismiss the value of the healing herbs I’ve provided, I’ll no longer supply them to your pack for free."

I made sure to stress the word "free," knowing how much it would wound Jalen’s pride. His eyes darted around the room, gauging the reactions of those around us. Desperate to save face, he turned red and shouted at me, "A few plants? You think anyone cares? I don’t need your handouts!"

I smiled, unfazed. "In that case, I’ll compile a detailed account of the costs for the herbs your pack has received over the years. I’ll send the invoice to you soon, Alpha Jalen. I trust you’ll settle the debt promptly."

The room fell silent, the weight of my words hanging in the air. I turned and walked away, leaving Jalen to stew in his humiliation. My wolf, Nyx, stirred within me, a low growl of satisfaction echoing in my mind. For the first time in years, I felt a sliver of control over my own life.

Facing the facts, even if Jalen was furious, he couldn’t find a point to counter. But Jalen was far more shameless than I had imagined. Seeing that he couldn’t gain the upper hand in this argument, he quickly shifted the topic back to emotions.

He pointed at me, his voice strained and accusatory. "You’re jealous, aren’t you? Sofia, you’re just jealous that I’ve marked Ariella as my mate."

"All I know is that when I was sick and nearly dying, it was Ariella who stayed by my side. She felt my pain as if it were her own, while you were off in the woods, obsessing over pack remedies."

"You always complain that no one loves you, but do you even deserve love? Someone as cold and unfeeling as you?"

His words hit like a punch to the gut, but I refused to let him see how much they stung. My wolf, *Luna*, stirred in the back of my mind, a low growl of anger and pain. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm.

"You think I’m unfeeling?" I shot back, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "Do you have any idea how many times I risked my life in those woods to find the herbs that saved you? Do you even remember how close you were to death, Jalen? I didn’t stay by your side because I was too busy making sure you *had* a side to come back to."

His expression faltered for a moment, but he quickly masked it with a sneer. "That’s just an excuse, Sofia. You’ve always been distant, always more interested in your pack duties than in me. Even now, you’re defending yourself with logic instead of feeling. That’s why Ariella is better for me. She *feels*. She *cares*."

I took a step closer to him, my scent—earthy and tinged with the faint bitterness of betrayal—filling the space between us. "Ariella cares? Then why is it that every time you needed something, it was *me* who provided it? The herbs, the medicine, the life-saving treatments—all of it came from *me*. But you’re so blinded by her scent, by her sweet words, that you can’t see the truth. You’ve chosen her, Jalen, but don’t you dare act like it’s because I’m unworthy of love. You’ve just chosen someone easier to manipulate."

His face twisted in anger, but I didn’t give him a chance to respond. I turned on my heel and walked away, *Luna* growling softly in agreement. I wouldn’t let him break me. Not again.

Jalen’s voice boomed across the gathering, silencing the dozens of wolves in the courtyard. All eyes turned to me, waiting for my reaction. I didn’t feel the urge to argue anymore. Instead, my mind drifted back to when he had fallen ill—the same time he had betrayed me.

Jalen had always been frail, prone to bouts of weakness that left him bedridden. But the worst was when he had coughed up blood and collapsed, lying unconscious for three days straight. The pack’s healer had said his life depended on a rare plant—one that was not only expensive but nearly impossible to find. His parents had been distraught, weeping and wringing their hands, while no one could come up with a solution.

In that moment, I had to be the one to stay calm. I spent my life savings and moved into the wilderness for a year, dedicating every day to tracking and harvesting the plant that would save him. It wasn’t just about the pack or duty—it was about him. And now, standing here, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of how much I had given, only to be cast aside.