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.

The following day, I called in sick and returned to the apartment I had bought earlier, quietly setting up a hidden camera in the corner of the living room. My hands trembled slightly as I adjusted the lens, but I forced myself to stay calm. This wasn’t just about Timothy anymore; it was about reclaiming my dignity as a Gamma of the Moonlight Pack.

That evening, when Alpha Timothy returned, I told him I needed to go on a pack assignment for a week. His sharp, commanding eyes flickered with surprise, and for a moment, the Alpha tone in his voice softened.

“Isn’t your birthday in a few days? Will you be back for it?” he asked, his deep voice carrying a note of concern that almost felt genuine.

I nodded slightly, keeping my expression neutral. “I’ll do my best.”

His towering frame relaxed, and he stepped closer, the warmth of his aura brushing against me. “Iliana,” he said, his voice low and intimate, “I’ll be waiting for you to come back. I have a special gift planned for your birthday.”

For a fleeting moment, I saw a glimpse of the Timothy who had confessed his feelings to me years ago, back when we were just fresh out of pack school. Back when he wasn’t the Alpha yet, and I wasn’t just his Gamma. But the memory was quickly overshadowed by the scent of vanilla—a scent that wasn’t mine—lingering faintly on his clothes.

I shook my head and replied softly, “Alright.”

In just a few days, I’d be ready to walk away from these six years of emotions and leave them in the past. The mate bond between us still burned faintly in my chest, but I could feel it fraying, like a thread pulled too tight. My wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, a quiet growl of pain and betrayal that I pushed aside.

As I turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of Timothy’s reflection in the window. He stood tall and imposing, every inch the Alpha he was meant to be. But for the first time, I didn’t feel the usual pull of pride or admiration. Instead, there was only the cold clarity of resolve.

I would return, but not for him. Not for the mate who had betrayed me. I would return for myself, to reclaim the life I had built and the strength I had always carried. The Moon Goddess had given me this bond, but she had also given me the will to sever it. And I would.

Soon.