As I steadied my emotions, a healer informed me that my mother had regained consciousness. By the time I entered her room, I had composed myself, the weight of the Alpha’s aura masking the turmoil within.

"You’re a wonderful daughter," my mother said, her voice frail but warm as she looked at me. I leaned in to adjust her blanket, keeping my demeanor steady despite the ache in my chest.

"Really, it’s nothing. The most important thing is your health and safety," I replied, my tone calm, the practiced ease of an Alpha concealing the storm beneath.

A faint worry creased her brow. "Where’s that Kolton boy?"

My hand hesitated for a fraction of a second, but I quickly resumed smoothing the blanket, forcing a casual smile. "Oh, he was here earlier. He got called away for an urgent pack matter. He said he’ll return later to see you."

She studied me closely, her sharp eyes piercing through my façade. "Be honest, how are things between you two…"

I cut in gently, my smile unwavering. "That’s the truth, Mom. Kolton’s tied up with pack duties, but he feels guilty about not being here."

Feigning busyness, I tidied the room, turning so she wouldn’t notice the flicker of pain in my eyes. In reality, Kolton hadn’t visited my mother, and certainly not me. His betrayal cut deeper than I cared to admit.

After my mother dozed off, I returned to my office. As Alpha, there were always pressing matters demanding my attention. While reviewing the pack’s financial reports, I discovered Kolton had unilaterally terminated a major alliance with another pack.

"Why wasn’t I informed about something this significant?" I demanded, my voice sharp with authority.

"Well, isn’t your mating ceremony to Beta Mendez coming up? And didn’t you authorize him to make decisions on your behalf?" one of my Gammas replied hesitantly.

My anger momentarily froze. It was true, I had passively allowed him that power. After my father’s unexpected passing, I hadn’t yet fully stepped into my role as Alpha. Kolton had offered to help, citing my inexperience as a reason to take on more responsibilities. I thought, since we were to be mates, it would be fine. But I hadn’t realized how far his overreach would go.

I mind-linked him immediately, my tone cutting through the connection. "What happened with the alliance? We’ve been negotiating for months, nearly finalized, and you just decide to end it?"

Kolton’s response was dismissive, his voice cold in my mind. "Zendaya’s mating ceremony is soon. We’re friends, so consider it a gift."

Barely containing my anger, I replied, "That alliance is crucial. We’ve invested so much and are nearly finished. You can’t just dismiss the losses with a simple explanation."

"What kind of gift is so special, Kolton, that you—"

"Enough!" Kolton snapped, his voice cutting through the mind link like a whip. "Alpha Martinez, when did you become so petty? You even made Zendaya cry today—shouldn’t you apologize and make things right? This conversation is over."

Before I could respond, he severed the link, leaving me seething.

Silently, I clenched my fists, my wolf stirring in the back of my mind, a low growl of frustration echoing within me. Fueled with anger, I shifted into my wolf form and ran straight to Kolton’s territory, the forest blurring around me as I moved with the speed of an Alpha on a mission.

As I reached the Alpha’s office door, the faint murmur of voices drifted through the crack. The door was slightly ajar, and I froze when I saw Kolton standing with his back to me, his broad shoulders tense, his voice low but sharp.

“…What makes me not good enough for you? The Alpha is devoted to me, so why can’t you see me?”

“For you, I even got involved with someone I don’t love. I thought you’d care, but all you could say was congratulations?”

My legs buckled, and I leaned heavily against the wall, my chest tightening with a suffocating weight. My mind went blank, and then a wave of despair crashed over me. It was all a lie.

Kolton’s feelings for Zendaya had never wavered. Even back then, his pursuit of me was nothing more than an act of revenge. So what did that make me?

Inside, Kolton suddenly pulled Zendaya into his arms, kissing her with a fervor that made my stomach churn. The sound of their kiss, punctuated by soft moans, echoed in my ears. Through the crack in the door, Zendaya’s eyes met mine. Her initial surprise twisted into a scornful smirk.

She locked her gaze on me, her fingers trailing along Kolton’s back as if encouraging him. Brazen. Provocative.

I clung to the wall, my hand trembling as I fought the urge to push the door open. My wolf stirred in the back of my mind, a low growl of betrayal and pain, but I silenced her. This wasn’t the time.

Kolton, Zendaya, and I had grown up in the same pack. In those early days, I had been captivated by Kolton’s composed demeanor, his natural authority as a Beta. But he only ever had eyes for Zendaya. It was only after she left for another pack that he turned his attention to me.

I took a deep breath, but the suffocating feeling wouldn’t relent, forcing me to clutch my chest and bend over in pain.

I’ve never been the naive and sweet type. Though I was taken aback by Kolton’s sudden interest, my doubts grew as I calmed down. I wouldn’t allow myself to be anyone’s substitute.

But it was him—he who knelt before me, his voice steady as he vowed, “I, Kolton Mendez, Beta of the Mendez Pack, take you, Angela Martinez, Alpha of the Martinez Pack, as my mate.”

He swore with such passion that I was the only one for him. And I, foolishly, believed him.

I glanced up, seeing my tear-streaked reflection in the sleek, modern glass window of the Alpha’s office. At some point, I had started crying uncontrollably. I felt something inside me begin to unravel, slowly letting go.

“Alpha?”

The voice snapped me back to the present. I straightened, wiping my tears with the back of my hand. My wolf growled softly, urging me to confront them, to unleash the fury simmering beneath the surface. But I shook my head, silencing her. This wasn’t the way.

Kolton’s betrayal would not break me. I was the Alpha of the Martinez Pack, and I would act with the strength and dignity that title demanded.

“Alpha Angela, what are you doing here? Surely you don’t think... Oh no, don’t tell me you’re jumping to conclusions again.”

A voice feigning surprise came from behind, but I didn’t bother to turn around. I could already smell the faint scent of rosemary—Zendaya’s scent—mixing with Kolton’s usual pine. It was enough to make my stomach churn.

“Alpha Angela, why the silent treatment?”

Kolton’s voice was as cool and detached as ever, and it inexplicably sparked a wave of irritation within me. My wolf stirred faintly in the back of my mind, a low growl of discontent I quickly suppressed.

“Why aren’t you saying anything? Are you suspecting something is going on between Zendaya and me again? I’ve explained over and over; you’re really making this exhausting.”

“Or is this about the alliance? I told you, let’s just consider it a favor for Zendaya. There’s no need to…”

He was chattier than usual, which was unlike the typical Kolton. I mused to myself quietly. People always say that when you’re guilty, you tend to babble—much like now.

Only after the tears had dried on my face did I turn around. Kolton was still holding Zendaya’s hand. The two of them stood side by side, comfortably close. Just like when we were kids, I thought wryly.

Despite the three of us growing up together, I was always the odd one out. There was simply no room for me between them.

Surprisingly, I calmly accepted this fact.

When Kolton noticed my gaze lingering on their intertwined hands, he abruptly let go. His face flushed with awkwardness, struggling to find the right words.

“Alpha Angela...”

I gently interrupted him, “About the alliance, discuss it with my Gamma, Hadlee.”

“Let’s keep it professional. Follow the procedures, and arrange for the appropriate breach and damage compensation.”

With that, I turned to leave.

But Kolton stopped me. “Let’s have dinner tonight.”

I didn’t look back. “No, I’m busy.”

Yet Kolton, usually reserved, unexpectedly moved forward and grabbed my arm. I turned my head, our eyes met. There was a complexity in his gaze as he looked at me intently.

“We still need to discuss the mating plans.”

It was the first time Kolton spoke to me so tenderly. I was momentarily taken aback. My wolf growled again, louder this time, but I silenced her with a firm mental push.

By the time I regained my senses, I had already agreed.