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.

In the café, Murphy listened intently as I recounted the whole story. Her amber eyes—a trait common among Deltas—narrowed with fury, her canines slightly bared as if she wanted to tear Timothy apart with her bare hands. As a Delta, her loyalty to the pack was unwavering, but her loyalty to me, her best friend, burned even fiercer.

"Alpha Timothy is such a jerk," she muttered, stabbing her fork aggressively into the spiced honey cake in front of her, as though it could somehow vent her rage. Her voice dropped to a growl, low and dangerous, but still respectful enough to use his title. "Iliana, what’s your next move?"

I gazed absentmindedly out the window at the bustling streets, the scent of freshly baked bread from the bakery next door mingling with the faint floral aroma of my own mate scent—a scent Timothy had once claimed to love. My wolf stirred faintly in the back of my mind, a silent but persistent presence reminding me of the bond that still lingered despite his betrayal. Slowly, I responded, "I want to plan a little surprise for him on his birthday."

Murphy’s face lit up at my words, her Delta instincts kicking in as she slapped the table with enthusiasm. Her voice was full of excitement, though her eyes still burned with a protective fire. "Perfect! I’m all in. Just let me know what you need; I’ve got your back."

I shared my plan with her, and she nodded along, her sharp features softening slightly as she absorbed every detail. At the end, she added with determination, "Iliana, count me in. Once we’re done with this, let’s take a trip to the Alps together. A run in the mountains might do us both some good."

Her words were a subtle reminder of our nature—our need to connect with the wild, to run free in our wolf forms even as we navigated the complexities of our human lives. Her eyes were full of anticipation as she looked at me, and I realized she was concerned about how I was handling everything. As our eyes met, a small smile appeared on my face, though it didn’t quite reach my heart.

"Deal," I said, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest. My wolf let out a low, approving rumble, a silent acknowledgment of the strength it took to keep going.