Timothy and I started dating right after graduating from pack school. I can still vividly recall the moment he confessed his feelings. He was so shy he couldn’t lift his head, and the faint blush on his ears betrayed his nervousness.

“Iliana Price, I really like you,” he said, his voice nearly trembling. “Will you be my mate?”

When our eyes met, we both instinctively looked away, overcome by the moment. We were young and clueless, consumed by love yet unsure of how to handle it. As the future Alpha of the Moonlight Pack, Timothy had always carried an air of authority, but in that moment, he was just a boy with a racing heart and a fragile hope.

To celebrate, we decided to go for a run in the nearby forest, which was especially beautiful during the fall season. In our wolf forms, we raced through the trees, their leaves a fiery mix of crimson and gold. The crisp air carried the scent of earth and pine, and for a while, it felt like the world belonged only to us. When we shifted back, we talked about the things we loved—he was passionate about painting landscapes, and I was fascinated by writing short stories.

Our favorite spot was always the little bakery at the end of the street that had the best spiced honey cake. We would sit there for hours, sipping on coffee, discussing everything from the latest innovations in the human world to the wonders of the supernatural realm, dreaming of one day traveling to the Alps together. It was a rare escape from the strict hierarchies and responsibilities of pack life, a place where we could just be ourselves.

I remember wearing a vintage-style dress that day, trying to appear more mature than the 18-year-old she-wolf I was. Timothy wore his usual sweater and jeans, looking casually comfortable and warm, though his broad shoulders and muscular frame always hinted at his Alpha lineage. We talked and laughed, losing track of time, as the world outside grew darker. The street lamps began to glow, casting a soft light on the stone paths as we walked hand in hand, promising to always be there for each other.

Back then, I believed every word he said. I believed in the bond we shared, the one the Moon Goddess had blessed us with. I believed that no matter what challenges came our way, we would face them together. But now, as I sit here, the scent of his betrayal lingering in the air like a poison, I can’t help but wonder if that promise was just another lie in a world built on power and deceit.

Back then, when we were just pups in pack school, his love burned with a fierce, untamed passion. As a future Alpha, Timothy carried himself with an air of authority, his broad frame and commanding presence making him stand out even then. Yet, for me, he was always gentle. He’d have an umbrella ready whenever it rained, shielding me from the storm. If I had a stomachache, he’d sit beside me, his strong hands patiently rubbing my belly until the pain eased. Late at night, when hunger struck, he’d slip out of the packhouse without a word of complaint, returning with whatever snack I craved.

In those days, I’d save my allowance for months just to buy him a new graphics card for his gaming rig, knowing how much he loved to unwind after long days of pack training. I’d plan his birthday gift a month in advance, carefully crafting something that would make him smile. We’d spend our winter and summer vacations traveling together, exploring forests and mountains, always in sync, always in step. Meeting him felt like the Moon Goddess herself had blessed me. For six years, we navigated the transition from pack school to our roles as adults in the Moonlight Pack, dreaming of a future together.

But now, he’s the one who’s crushed all those dreams. His actions, his betrayal—they’ve shattered the bond I once thought unbreakable. My wolf whimpers quietly in the back of my mind, a low, mournful sound that mirrors the ache in my chest. How could the Alpha I once trusted with my heart become the one who broke it?

A sudden noise jolted me back to reality. The scent of freshly baked bread and spiced honey cake, usually comforting, now felt suffocating. The Alpha’s presence lingered in the air, even from a distance, his dominant aura unmistakable. But there was something else, too—a faint floral scent that didn’t belong to me.

I watched as the lights in the bakery ahead dimmed. With a radiant smile, Vienna, the Omega from the Shadowfang Pack, emerged arm-in-arm with Timothy. The shop’s doors locked behind them, and they headed into the nearby inn together. My wolf stirred within me, a low growl echoing in the back of my mind, but I silenced her. Now wasn’t the time.

I stood silently among the bustling crowd of pack members and rogues, the noise of their conversations blending into a dull hum. Tears silently ran down my face, but I didn’t wipe them away. Let them fall. Let the world see the Gamma of the Moonlight Pack, the she-wolf who had devoted herself to her Alpha, reduced to this.

The warm evening breeze, still heavy with the day’s heat, swept over me, carrying the mingling scents of the city and the forest beyond. It only intensified my irritation, my wolf’s restlessness growing with every passing second. How could he do this? How could the Alpha, the one who had claimed me as his mate, so openly flaunt his betrayal?

I turned and walked away, my boots clicking against the cobblestone streets. The crowd parted instinctively, their eyes darting to me and then quickly away. Some whispered, their words barely audible over the chaos of my thoughts. Others simply watched, their expressions a mix of pity and curiosity. I held my head high, refusing to let them see how much it hurt.

As I walked, the image of Vienna’s arm linked through Timothy’s replayed in my mind. Her laughter, so carefree and full of life, contrasted sharply with the tension that had been growing between us for months. She was everything I wasn’t—young, vibrant, unburdened by the weight of pack responsibilities. And Timothy, my Alpha, had chosen her over me.

My wolf growled again, louder this time, but I pushed her down. “Not now,” I whispered, my voice barely audible even to myself. “We’ll deal with this later.”

The streets grew quieter as I moved further from the bakery, the noise of the city fading into the distance. My mind raced, trying to make sense of what I’d just seen. This wasn’t just a fleeting moment of weakness—it was a deliberate choice, a blatant disregard for our bond. And if he could do that, what else was he capable of?

I stopped at the edge of the forest, the towering trees casting long shadows in the fading light. The scent of pine and damp earth filled my nostrils, grounding me in the present. I took a deep breath, my chest rising and falling as I tried to steady myself. The tears had stopped, but the ache in my chest remained.

“Iliana,” a familiar voice called from behind me. I turned to see Murphy, her expression a mix of concern and anger. “I saw what happened.”

I nodded, unable to find the words to respond. She stepped closer, her presence a small comfort in the midst of my turmoil. “What are you going to do?” she asked, her voice soft but firm.

I looked back at the city, the lights of the bakery now just a distant glow. “I don’t know,” I admitted, my voice trembling. “But I won’t let him destroy me.”

Murphy placed a hand on my shoulder, her touch warm and reassuring. “You’re stronger than you think,” she said. “And you’re not alone.”

I glanced at her, gratitude swelling in my chest. She was right—I wasn’t alone. And as much as it hurt, I couldn’t let Timothy’s betrayal define me. I was still the Gamma of the Moonlight Pack, and I had a duty to my pack, to myself, and to my wolf.

With a deep breath, I straightened my shoulders and turned away from the city. The forest stretched out before me, dark and vast, but I wasn’t afraid. I had faced worse, and I would face this too. Whatever came next, I would handle it—on my own terms.