In the photo, Alpha Timothy had his arms wrapped around her waist, his chin resting on her shoulder as they took a selfie. There was another image of him playfully tugging at her cat-ear headband while she looked down, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. These were their private moments, captured in a way that made my stomach twist.

Strange, wasn’t it? When he was with me, his Gamma, he was always so careful, so gentle—like he was treading on eggshells. Yet, in these photos, it was clear he was in control, his Alpha aura radiating even through the image. My eyes zeroed in on the charm bracelet on her wrist—it was identical to the one I wore. Alpha Timothy had given it to me for my birthday last year, claiming he’d engraved both our names on it, making it unique. A lie, it seemed. How ironic.

It was painfully obvious their relationship had been going on for far longer than a year. A sharp pang shot through my chest, and the mate bond within me twisted like a knife, sending waves of agony through every fiber of my being. My wolf whimpered in the back of my mind, her pain echoing mine. I closed my eyes, feeling utterly drained. When I opened them again, tears blurred my vision. I fought back the nausea rising in my throat, took out my phone, and snapped a picture of the evidence before saving it.

The weight of it all pressed down on me. I, Iliana, Gamma of the Moonlight Pack, had been betrayed by my Alpha, my mate. The one who was supposed to lead our pack with honor, with loyalty. And yet, here he was, entangled with an Omega from the Shadowfang Pack. The hierarchy, the rules—none of it seemed to matter to him now.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. The mate bond throbbed again, a cruel reminder of what we were supposed to be. What I had believed we were. But now, it felt like a chain, binding me to a man who had shattered my trust, my dreams, and everything we had built together.

Just then, a message came through. It was from my best friend, Murphy, a Delta in our pack.

"Iliana, I’ve got something exciting to tell you. Alpha Timothy is planning to propose on your birthday! He’s already picked out the perfect place and sworn us to secrecy. How romantic is that?"

When I didn’t respond, she followed up with, "Where are you? Aren’t you thrilled? It’s a total surprise, right?"

I replied, "Not really, it’s actually kind of a letdown."

She was puzzled and asked, "What? What’s happening?"

"Alpha Timothy cheated on me."

The next moment, Murphy called. I answered, and she spat out through clenched teeth, "That jerk Alpha Timothy!!!"

---

Later, I found myself sitting at the cozy bakery down the street, a place Alpha Timothy and I had frequented since our pack school days. The aroma of freshly baked spiced honey cake—his favorite—mixed with the scent of coffee, a reminder of the countless mornings we’d spent here, dreaming of our future together. Now, everything felt tainted.

Murphy arrived, wearing a chic vintage-style dress that swayed with her confident strides. She carried a box of dinner rolls, a comfort food we often shared during pack celebrations. We sat in the corner, watching the bustling street outside, the lively scene a stark contrast to the heaviness in my chest.

Murphy sighed as she took a sip of her coffee, carefully placing her cup back on the saucer. "Iliana, you deserve so much more. You’re a Gamma, one of the strongest she-wolves in our pack. Alpha Timothy should be honored to have you as his mate. You know, we’ll always be here for you, no matter what."

I nodded, grateful for her steadfast support. The pain lingered, but I knew with friends like Murphy beside me, I would navigate my way through these tangled emotions. My wolf stirred within me, a low growl of agreement echoing in my mind. She was right—I was stronger than this, and I wouldn’t let Alpha Timothy’s betrayal define me.

After collecting my thoughts, I grabbed the USB drive and headed out. My car was in the shop for maintenance, so I hailed a cab to get to the Moonlight Pack’s headquarters, where Timothy’s office was located.

The driver, Paul, a Delta in our pack, greeted me with a friendly nod as I slid into the backseat. “Heading to the Alpha’s office, Gamma Iliana?” he asked, his tone respectful but warm.

“Yes,” I replied, forcing a smile. “Thank you, Paul.”

When we arrived, I stepped into the grand building, the scent of pine and fresh earth—distinct to our pack—filling the air. The Betas and Gammas I passed bowed their heads slightly in acknowledgment, their deference to my rank as a Gamma evident. I returned the gestures with a nod, my heart heavy but my expression neutral.

When I handed Timothy the USB drive, I had to act as if everything was perfectly normal. It felt quite awkward, especially with the weight of his Alpha aura pressing subtly against me, a reminder of his dominance. He stood tall and broad-shouldered, his presence commanding the room as always.

Just as I was about to leave, Timothy suddenly took my hand, his grip firm yet gentle. His dark eyes softened as he said, “Having you in my life is such a blessing.” His voice carried the warmth that had once made me feel secure, but now it only stirred a bitter ache in my chest.

At that moment, William, a Beta and one of Timothy’s closest advisors, happened to walk by. He paused, his lips curving into a teasing smirk. “Oh, our Alpha’s flaunting his romance again!” he joked, his tone light but still laced with the respect owed to his leader.

I discreetly pulled back my hand, my smile tight. “I promised to meet Murphy for some shopping, so I’ll head out now,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me.

Timothy nodded slightly, his gaze lingering on me for a moment longer. Then, with a small smile, he reached out and gave a gentle pat on my head, his touch as familiar as it was painful. “Take care, Iliana,” he said softly.

I turned and walked away, my steps measured and deliberate. The pack members I passed continued to show their respect, their bows and nods a reminder of the world I still belonged to—even if the man at its center no longer belonged to me.