On the day of my appendectomy, my mate, Alpha Devon, promised to be there. Yet, when the procedure ended, he was nowhere in sight.

Coming to after anesthesia, I noticed a message from him sent two hours earlier:

"Alaina's stomach is acting up. I’m taking care of her. I’ll be there soon."

I called, only to catch his former mate’s voice in the background: "Alpha, can you grab me a towel?"

Whenever I needed him, she always seemed to have a crisis. Her depression or her stomach issues—there was always something.

Between us, he inevitably put her first.

Calmly, I hung up and took a cab to the pack healer’s office. I was exhausted. I wanted out.

Arriving at the packhouse, my footsteps seemed to echo in the emptiness. I dropped the rejection papers onto the coffee table, that cold document mocking what had become of our mating bond.

Then Devon’s video call came through. There he was, looking composed, dressed in a bathrobe, as though the sweet-talking man on the call wasn’t him.

"Has the surgery started?" he asked casually, like my well-being was an afterthought.

"It’s finished," I replied icily, staring at the screen at the face I once adored.

"That was quick." He sounded surprised, then quickly added, "Alaina was really unwell today. I was worried, so..."

"You were worried about her, and left me to deal with surgery alone? Who’s your mate here?"

I cut him off, my voice dripping with sarcasm.

He hesitated, clearly caught off guard. When he spoke, his voice became louder, defensive. "What are you talking about? Alaina and I are just friends!"

"Friends?" I sighed, feeling utterly worn out. The physical weakness from the surgery now paled in comparison to the wave of helplessness.

"Friends who share bathrobes and towels? Alpha Devon, do you think I’m clueless?"

"What’s your point? Alaina’s not well, and I was just helping. Why are you turning this into something it’s not?" he retorted.

"Stop being dramatic, Eileen," he sighed.

“Dramatic?” I exclaimed, attempting to stand, only for a sharp pain to shoot through my abdomen. But I ignored it.

"Where were you when I was sick? Every time it’s the same: Alaina comes first, always!"

The video shifted, and suddenly a woman in a vintage nightdress appeared onscreen.

"Eileen, don’t blame Alpha Devon. He’s just concerned about me..." Alaina’s voice was frail, almost convincing, if not for the challenge in her eyes daring me to react.

"I’m an orphan, you know? Alpha Devon is just being kind..." she said, giving me a look that screamed territorial.

"I’m not bothered," I replied, a smirk on my lips, laden with sarcasm. "A touching reunion, you two are perfect for each other."

Devon’s expression darkened, his voice tinged with irritation: "Eileen, stop being so bitter! Alaina’s sensitive, if her depression flares up, then what?"

He drew Alaina into an embrace like she was some treasured possession. Only now did I notice that Devon wore nothing beneath his robe, and Alaina settled herself comfortably on his lap—an intimate scene that turned my stomach.

I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms, but even that pain couldn’t match the shattering of my heart. I had loved Devon for ten years, from youthful infatuation to this painful present. I’d given my all, only to be rewarded with this.

"Alpha Devon, do you still remember your parents?" I asked coldly.

He froze, his gaze shifting away from mine.

Of course, he couldn’t meet my eyes.

When his family’s pack fell into ruin, his father had jumped to his death to escape creditors, and his mother was left blind by grief. His then-mate, Alaina, who had sworn eternal loyalty, abandoned him in his darkest hour, taking off with his family’s last resources.

Back then, despite my family’s objections, I put my overseas studies on hold to stand by him, like a loyal Delta, supporting him and his sightless mother. I worked tirelessly to fund his education and living expenses, until my own health gave way.

I offered hope when he was at his lowest. Later, we mated, and he rebuilt his pack’s standing. For four years of our mating, his hatred for Alaina never waned, fueling his drive to expand his pack’s influence in a bid for revenge against his family’s downfall.

A month ago, during the financial crisis, Devon’s pack prospered, while Alaina’s crumbled. She threatened suicide, scaling the rooftop of the packhouse. He rushed to her, pleading for her to live, promising he’d do anything for her.

That night, Alpha Devon didn’t return to the packhouse—it was the first time he’d stayed out all night. My calls to him went unanswered until, finally, he picked up, his voice hurried and breathless. “Eileen, I’m at the airport. There’s an emergency pack meeting overseas. The signal’s weak—I’ll explain when I’m back.”

Before I could respond, he hung up, and when I tried to call again, his phone was off. My wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, a low whimper escaping her. I pushed her down, refusing to let her doubts take root.

Over the next few days, Alpha Devon remained absent, sending only brief messages through the pack’s mind link. “Busy with pack business. Take care of yourself,” he’d say. When I pressed for a return date, he’d reply, “Complications. Need a few more days.” He didn’t mention that the hotel had sent me a reservation confirmation for five nights.

I told myself he needed space, that perhaps he’d come back to me, to us. I loved him, so I chose to believe him, to give him a chance. But what I got in return was betrayal so cold it froze the bond between us.

When I finally reached him, my voice was ice. “Alpha Devon, if you’re not coming back, then don’t come back at all.”

His voice crackled through the mind link, tinged with panic. “Eileen, calm down. I’ll return immediately. Wait for me!”

I severed the link, my body aching from the recent appendectomy. The pain in my side mirrored the ache in my heart. I drifted into a restless sleep, waking to an empty packhouse. He hadn’t returned.

The door creaked open, and there he stood, Alpha Devon, his tall, muscular frame filling the doorway. He carried two bags of groceries, his dark eyes bright with a smile that once melted me. “Eileen, I’m back!” he announced, holding up the bags. “Fresh sea bass. Perfect for fish soup.”

My heart softened for a moment—had he rushed back to care for me? But then he added, “Alaina’s stomach has been sensitive. She needs something light.”

My heart plummeted, the warmth replaced by a chilling void. My wolf snarled silently, but I silenced her.

“I’ve just had surgery, Alpha Devon. Fish soup isn’t suitable for me,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me.

He paused, then shrugged. “Oh, right. The soup’s for Alaina. She’s been unwell.”

Before I could respond, Alaina’s voice drifted in from the doorway. “Devon, why does your packhouse have so many stairs? It’s exhausting.”

She stepped inside, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders, her delicate features framed by a soft smile. She wore a light-blue Victorian-style dress—the one Alpha Devon had chosen for our anniversary. My stomach churned.

“Oh, Eileen, you’re here too?” she said sweetly. “Join us for fish soup.”

Alpha Devon’s expression shifted awkwardly. “Eileen, I didn’t want Alaina to be alone, so I brought her here.”

“This is our packhouse,” I said, my voice sharp. “Alpha Devon, have you no shame? What do you take me for?”

“What’s your problem?!” he snapped, slamming the fish onto the counter. “She’s unwell. Can’t you show a little compassion?”

I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow. My wolf growled, her pain echoing mine. “Compassion? For her? For you?”

“Eileen!” he shouted, his alpha tone commanding, but I didn’t flinch. He turned to Alaina, his voice softening. “Are you alright? Don’t let her upset you.”

I sank onto the couch, the pain in my side unbearable. My vision blurred, but I refused to let them see me break.

Alaina placed a hand on Alpha Devon’s arm, her touch lingering. “I’m fine, Devon. Eileen’s just recovering. I understand.”

“How thoughtful,” he murmured, his gaze softening as he looked at her. “Unlike some people.”

I closed my eyes, biting back the bile rising in my throat. “The rejection papers are on the table. Sign them.”

Alpha Devon froze, his eyes narrowing as he picked up the documents. “Eileen, what is this?”

“Rejection,” I said, my voice steady despite the storm inside me. “I, Eileen, Delta of the Silvermoon Pack, reject you, Devon, Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack, as my mate.”

His face paled, his alpha aura flaring. “You’d really reject me over this?”

“Yes,” I said, meeting his gaze without hesitation. “Alpha Devon, search your heart. How have I treated you all these years? When have I ever failed you?”

He stood silent, his lips trembling, but no words came.

My wolf growled softly, her pain mingling with mine. But for the first time, I felt a flicker of strength. This was the end.

Alaina stepped forward at that moment, gently placing her hand on Devon’s arm. “Alpha Devon, please, don’t be upset,” she murmured softly, her voice dripping with false concern. “Luna Eileen is just overwhelmed right now. She’ll come around once she cools off.” Her eyes met mine, and I could see it—pity laced with triumph.

“Luna Eileen,” she continued, her tone patronizing, “I know this is difficult for you, but try to see things from Alpha Devon’s perspective. He’s only trying to be compassionate. As an Alpha, he can’t bear seeing anyone in pain, especially not someone from his pack. After all the years you two have been mated, surely that counts for more than the brief time he and I have reconnected.”

“Enough!” I snapped, my wolf growling faintly in the back of my mind, urging me to act. I lunged forward, grabbing Alaina by the collar and slapped her hard across the face.

The sharp sound echoed through the room as she stumbled back, her hand flying to her cheek. Blood trickled from the corner of her lip, and she let out a soft gasp, her eyes wide with shock.

“Eileen!” Devon’s voice thundered, laced with the alpha tone that made my knees weaken despite my anger. He stepped between us, shielding Alaina with his broad frame, his muscular build towering over me. “Don’t you dare hit her!”

He shoved me back, the force of it sending me stumbling until I collided with the coffee table. My wolf whimpered, a faint echo in my mind, but I clenched my fists, refusing to show weakness.

“Alpha Devon, you…” I pointed at him, my voice trembling with a mix of anger and betrayal. Words failed me as I watched him cradle Alaina protectively, his hands gentle as he wiped the blood from her lips.

“Are you okay, Alaina?” he asked, his voice soft, filled with concern. “Does it hurt?”

Alaina shook her head, her gaze tender as she looked up at him. “I’m fine, Alpha Devon. Please, don’t worry about me.” Then her eyes flicked to mine, and I saw it—the taunting triumph that made my stomach churn.

Watching them was like witnessing a cruel parody of the mate bond I thought we had. This was pointless. Our bond had long lost its meaning.

Suppressing the turmoil in my heart, I spoke coldly, “Alpha Devon, just sign the rejection papers. I’ll let you two have each other.”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might refuse. But then he grabbed the pen, his hand trembling with resentment as he scrawled his name across the rejection agreement. The paper tore slightly under the force of his pen, as though it were a physical representation of the bond he was severing.

“I, Devon, Alpha of the Silvermoon Pack, reject you, Eileen, as my mate,” he declared, his voice cold and final. The words cut through me like a blade, the mate bond burning in my chest as it began to unravel.

I felt my wolf whimper, a faint, desperate sound in my mind, but I pushed it down. Expressionless, I collected the documents and turned to leave.

“Eileen, you’ll regret this!” Devon’s voice rang out behind me, sharp and filled with anger, but I didn’t look back.

I descended the stairs, my stomach churning, the wound from my recent appendectomy burning with intensifying pain. My vision blurred, and I steadied myself against the wall, my wolf growling faintly in protest.

Regret? What was there to regret?

I had given everything to this bond, only for it to end as a farce.

Stumbling down the stairs, I hailed a cab and directed it to the pack’s legal office. Once there, I summoned the strength to finalize the rejection. As of today, Devon and I were officially severed.

Exiting the office, dusk had settled in, and the streetlights cast long, dim shadows. My phone rang suddenly, an unknown number flashing on the screen.

“Hello?”

“Is this Luna Eileen? I’m a healer from the pack infirmary. Alpha Devon is here, he…”

The urgency in the healer’s voice made my heart sink. “What happened to Alpha Devon?”

“He’s been in a car accident, and his condition is serious. We need you to come to the infirmary.”

It felt as if lightning had struck me, my mind going blank. A car accident? Devon was in a car accident?

Without further thought, driven by instinct, I rushed to the infirmary. In the corridor, I saw Alaina. She sat disheveled on a bench, head down, her hands covering her face, shoulders trembling slightly.

I approached her, grabbing her arm in a fierce grip. “What happened? How could there be an accident?”

Alaina looked up, her face full of confusion and fear. She opened her mouth but hesitated to speak.

Just then, the door to the infirmary opened, and Healer Woods emerged, removing his gloves wearily. “Who’s the family member?”

I rushed forward, grabbing the healer’s hand. “It’s me. How is Alpha Devon?”

The healer sighed. “He’s stable for now, but his condition isn’t good.” Then, with a hint of reproach, he added, “Young wolves shouldn’t get distracted while driving! You can’t be doing such things behind the wheel!”

My mind exploded, the healer’s words echoing over and over. I didn’t need details; I already knew.

In that instant, my heart was utterly crushed. I walked mechanically out of the infirmary doors, my spirit completely broken.