The infirmary of the Blue Moon Pack received a young she-wolf with a ruptured ovarian cyst.

She met my gaze and adjusted her neckline, exposing the faint scent of rosemary clinging to her skin—a scent that was unmistakably Rhys’s. My stomach churned, but I forced myself to remain composed. As the pack’s Healer, I couldn’t let personal feelings interfere with my duty.

"Healer Cruz," she began, her voice dripping with false sweetness, "how often do you and your mate spend time together?"

Her words struck like a blow, but I refused to let it show. My wolf stirred within me, a low growl forming in the back of my mind, but I silenced her. Not here. Not now.

---

When Lana Griffin walked into the infirmary, her presence was impossible to ignore. She was beautiful, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders, her figure lithe yet curvaceous—the kind of she-wolf who turned heads wherever she went. Holding her stomach, she carefully sat down on the examination table. "Healer Cruz, my stomach hurts," she said, her voice soft but laced with an underlying challenge.

I gently palpated her abdomen, focusing on my task. "When did the pain begin? Have you been involved in any strenuous activities lately?"

She bit her lower lip, her cheeks flushing as she hesitated. "About two hours ago, after I was with my boyfriend..."

I didn’t need her to elaborate. The pieces fell into place all too quickly. My wolf snarled within me, but I pushed her down, keeping my expression neutral. "You should get an ultrasound," I said, my voice steady.

As she struggled to rise, I signaled the assistant to accompany her. The results arrived swiftly. It was indeed a ruptured ovarian cyst, with 26mm of internal bleeding in the pelvic area.

"You need to be admitted to the hospital wing for treatment. Is there anyone here with you?"

She shook her head, her eyes gleaming with something I couldn’t quite place.

"Then you should call someone to bring some personal items for you."

Her gaze lingered on the mark on my neck, the faint scent of rosemary still clinging to her skin. A slight smile formed on her lips. "No need," she said, her tone casual. "My boyfriend is at home, cooking for his mate."

The words were like a dagger, but I refused to let her see the pain. "Then inform your family," I said, my voice clipped. "I’ll have the assistant help you with the admission process. You should avoid any rigorous activities; they’re quite detrimental to your health."

She let out a soft laugh and leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Healer Cruz, how often do you and your mate get together? Is it passionate?"

I glanced at the mark on her chest, the faint scent of rosemary now mingling with something else—something that made my stomach turn. "That’s a personal question," I replied coolly, "and not something I’m willing to discuss."

She reclined, her eyes displaying a hint of challenge. "My boyfriend said his mate is like a log in bed, unlike me. I’m considerate and make him happy."

"Every time he sees me, he’s like a ravenous wolf, never satisfied, even during my cycle. He doesn’t leave a moment for his mate."

She continued, "His mate must be really clueless, her own mate—"

I pressed my pen firmly onto the table, the sound cutting her off. "That’s enough, Miss Griffin," I said, my voice sharp. "I’ve completed your examination. You may leave now."

Using the table for support, she stood up, her gaze sweeping over me with a satisfaction that made my skin crawl. She smiled, her lips curving into a smirk that felt like a victory she hadn’t earned.

As she walked away, my wolf growled again, louder this time. *He’s a fool,* she said, her voice tinged with anger and pain. *He’ll regret this.*

But I wasn’t so sure. The scent of rosemary lingered in the air, a bitter reminder of the bond that had once been everything to me. And now, it felt like nothing more than a chain I needed to break.

When I stepped into the packhouse, the scent of stew wafted through the air, mingling with the faint trace of Rhys’s pinewood and leather scent—something I used to find comforting, but now it only made my stomach twist. He was in the kitchen, his broad shoulders hunched over the stove, the muscles in his back shifting beneath his shirt as he stirred the pot. Hearing the door close, he glanced up, his dark eyes meeting mine.

"Georgina, you're back," he said, his voice low and smooth, the kind of tone that once made my wolf stir in contentment. Now, it only made her whimper softly in the back of my mind.

I gave a brief nod, swapping into my indoor shoes before walking over to him. He was the Beta of the Blue Moon Pack, a position that demanded respect, but tonight, I couldn’t bring myself to care about titles or hierarchies.

"Today, I made your favorite," he said, offering a gentle smile, his eyes crinkling as if he truly cared. "Sweet and sour pulled pork."

I didn’t respond. My fingers brushed the edge of the plate, and with a light push, it hit the floor, the crash echoing through the silence of the packhouse.

Rhys froze, setting the ladle down with a clatter. His face darkened, the aura of a Beta radiating from him, sharp and commanding. "What kind of nonsense is this now?"

I fixed my gaze on him, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Had your fun with someone else this afternoon, and now you’re here cooking for me. Aren’t you exhausted?"

His brow furrowed, his voice dropping to a growl. "Have you been spying on me?"

I laughed, the sound hollow and bitter. "Why would I need to? Your little girlfriend came boldly to find me herself."

His expression shifted, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Oh, she’s got some nerve, huh?"

I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest.

He walked slowly to my side, his presence overwhelming as it always was. "Is that what’s got you upset? Such a pity about the food." His tone softened, though his eyes remained hard. "Okay, I promise she won’t show up in front of you again. Georgina, you know she’s just a fling. You will always be Mrs. Cruz; no one can replace you." He reached out, brushing a strand of hair from my face, his touch lingering. "Weren’t you eyeing that jewelry set recently? I’ll have it delivered to the house tomorrow."

His gaze was tender, the kind of look that once made my knees weak. Now, it only made my wolf snarl in disgust.

I muttered a curse under my breath and glanced at the steaming pot of stew behind him. "Dinner’s ready," I said flatly.

I could resist anything, except diamonds.

The packhouse attendant, always perceptive, quickly arranged for the mess to be cleaned up, and the meal was served promptly. Rhys sat across from me, his posture relaxed but his eyes darting to his phone every few seconds, as if waiting for a message that didn’t come.

"By the way," he said casually, though his grip on the fork tightened, "what did you talk about with Lana?"

I cracked a smile, though it didn’t reach my eyes. "Rhys, I’m the pack Healer."

"Is she unwell?" His voice was sharp, his concern for her evident.

"Yeah," I said, my tone flat. "She took quite a beating from you. Ruptured corpus luteum. And I mentioned—"

Before I could finish, he stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor, and rushed out without another word.

I lowered my gaze, a bitter smile tugging at my lips. This wasn’t the first time Rhys had cheated. But it was the first time he showed such concern for his mistress. My wolf growled softly in my mind, a sound of both anger and pain.

It was then I knew, more than ever, that the bond between us was fraying—and there was no way to stitch it back together.

Rhys and I have been mated for seven years. Over the years, he’s been unfaithful five times. Whenever the thrill of a new affair faded, he would use me as his excuse to end things, painting me as the loyal mate he could never leave.

I remember all too well the first night I discovered he was seeing someone else. I was gasping for breath, like a wolf caught in a trap, helpless and betrayed by the side of our bed. I grabbed his collar, confronting him, slapping him hard and spewing venomous words at him and his lover. But he just stood there, letting me vent until I collapsed in tears on the floor.

He calmly said, "Georgina, this is just how alphas are. Life’s too long to be with only one person. You need to understand that. You can't have it all. My heart belongs to you; my body deserves freedom." He reassured me, "I only choose those who are careful. They’re clean, no diseases."

With each betrayal, my heart broke a little more. I would look through the bonding vows he wrote for me, the trinkets he crafted, and the videos of us together. I couldn’t comprehend how he changed so drastically. After all, I was the mate he once swore he would die for. When his parents, both high-ranking in the Blue Moon Pack, opposed our mating, he endured endless lectures from his father, the Gamma. Even when the arguments became heated, he didn’t abandon his desire to bond with me. He locked himself away, refusing food and drink, even resorting to silence to pressure them. He once said that without me by his side, he’d never know happiness. During our marking ceremony, he solemnly vowed, “I, Rhys, Beta of the Blue Moon Pack, accept you, Georgina Cruz, Healer of the Blue Moon Pack, as my mate. I swear to cherish and protect you for as long as the moon shines.”

After we bonded, he cherished me above all else. When a pack member hinted that I wasn’t good enough for him, he used his authority to cut off their privileges, forcing an apology. He never let anyone belittle or disrespect me, even his own family. We agreed to delay having pups for the sake of our roles in the pack, and he didn’t hesitate. He even went so far as to falsify a medical report, claiming low fertility, telling his parents he needed specialized treatment. They felt guilty and treated me with newfound respect.

But within three years, everything changed. He let his mistress openly mock me, ridiculing my appearance. He no longer defended me, even letting his brother, a Delta warrior, suggest I be more understanding. "Georgina, Beta Rhys and those women are just having fun. The other mates envy you because he’s never talked of severance. You should be content."

It was his parents who were outraged, invoking their familiar reprimands. "You fought so hard for her, and now you treat her like this? How dare you keep a mistress? Your grandfather and father never disgraced the Cruz family like this."

Once again, he faced their anger, their disappointment clear, yet he refused to admit his mistakes or change. He’s stubborn, unwavering once he’s made up his mind. I never doubted his sincerity; it just shifted. He once loved me, but now he doesn’t. And my love for him has finally run dry.

My wolf whimpers in the back of my mind, a faint echo of the pain I’ve carried for years. She’s been silent for so long, but now she stirs, her presence a reminder of the bond we once shared. I close my eyes, trying to shut out the memories, but they flood in like a pack of rogues, relentless and unforgiving.

Rhys may be the Beta, but he’s no longer the mate I once knew. And as I stand here, surrounded by the remnants of a bond that’s been shattered too many times, I know it’s time to let go. For my sake, and for the sake of the wolf within me who deserves better.