The car finally stopped in front of a bakery, its name etched into my memory. It was the same bakery Timothy had adored for the past couple of years, the one we used to visit together, sharing spiced honey cakes and dreams of the future. As soon as he reached the entrance, a figure darted out toward him, flitting into his arms like a butterfly.

She looked just as she did in the photos—young, vibrant, and cheerful. Her laughter carried across the street, and I felt my chest tighten. Timothy, my mate and the Alpha of the Moonlight Pack, gently ruffled her hair, his touch tender in a way that once belonged only to me. Her slender arms wrapped around his neck, playful and intimate, as if she were teasing him. He tapped her nose affectionately, a smile spreading across his face, the kind of smile I hadn’t seen in months. And then, she rose on her tiptoes and kissed him eagerly.

The pain was sharp, cutting through me like a blade. Six years of shared dreams, of whispered promises under the moonlight, of a bond that was supposed to be unbreakable—it all felt like it was crumbling in that moment. My wolf stirred within me, a low whimper echoing in my mind, but I pushed her down, refusing to let her feel the depth of my hurt. A lump formed in my throat, and tears spilled down my cheeks despite my best efforts to hold them back.

Paul, the Delta cab driver, turned to me, his expression sympathetic. He handed me a tissue, his voice awkward but kind. “Come on, Gamma Iliana, don’t let it get you down. My own mate left me years ago because she thought I wasn’t strong enough to provide. For a month, I lived on nothing but bread rolls and water. But look at me now—I’m doing just fine.”

His attempt to console me, though well-meaning, did little to ease the ache in my chest. Still, I appreciated his kindness. “Thank you, Paul,” I said, my voice trembling as I wiped my tears. Stepping out of the car, I took a deep breath, the cool air hitting my face like a slap.

The bakery stood there, a place that once held so many sweet memories now tainted by betrayal. I could still hear their laughter, see the way she clung to him, her Omega scent—vanilla and something floral—mingling with his Alpha’s commanding presence. It was a stark reminder of how far we’d fallen from the love we once shared.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I fought to steady myself. This wasn’t just about me anymore. It was about the mate bond we’d once cherished, the promises we’d made, and the future we’d built together—only to have it shattered by his deceit. My wolf growled softly, her pain mirroring my own, but I silenced her with a sharp thought. This was my burden to bear, not hers.

With one last glance at the bakery, I turned away, my heart heavy but my resolve firm. I wouldn’t let this break me. I couldn’t. Not when I still had so much to fight for.

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?