After being in a long-distance relationship with Cassius Hughes, the Beta of the Silver Moon Pack, for two years, I decided to surprise him by secretly quitting my position as an Omega and moving to his territory.

While hiding in his apartment, plotting my surprise, I stumbled upon a handwritten list entitled "999 Things to Do for Lana Chavez." Lana Chavez wasn’t me. She was a Gamma from the rival Crimson Fang Pack—the woman Cassius loved and proposed to.

Following the instructions for the final item on the list, I found myself at a bungee jumping gorge in the Alps. As I approached, I heard Cassius exclaiming, "Lana, this is the 999th thing I’m doing for you—let’s become mates."

Despite his fear of heights, my normally timid mate showed incredible bravery. The girl on the jumping platform blew him a heart-shaped kiss.

Unable to bear watching any longer, I quietly turned away. But when I fully disappeared from his world, he regretted it.

In my view, Cassius was dangling from a bungee cord on the edge of the cliff, and even though he fainted as he jumped, he still managed to form a heart with his hands for the girl on the platform.

That girl, Lana Chavez, was the true recipient of the 999 things. She stood on the platform, calling back to Cassius, "I accept!"

Together, hand-in-hand, they walked to the center of a glass bridge strewn with roses. Cassius’s face was lit up with joy as he shouted, "Lana Chavez, a lifetime is too long; I want to spend it with you as my mate."

The crowd erupted in applause. Lana blushed and nodded shyly. They embraced and kissed, surrounded by cheers as if they were the perfect couple.

But where did that leave me? I retreated to the back of the crowd, my heart aching in despair. During our long-distance relationship, I often brought up the mate bond, but Cassius always seemed annoyed, saying, "Why do you keep asking like you’re desperate to be my mate?"

Now it was clear—I was the outsider. Cassius didn’t mind the mate bond; he just didn’t want it with me.

I tried to adjust my glasses, only to realize tears were streaming down my face. My legs shook, desperately wanting to leave, but every step felt like it had the weight of a thousand pounds.

And then, I collapsed. As I fell, I caught a glimpse of them locked in an embrace.

With the last of my strength, I managed to call for help. When I came to, I was lying in a hospital bed with an IV drip.

Low blood sugar has always been an issue for me, but Cassius used to slip snacks into my bag or chocolates into my pocket to prevent it.

But now, I had fainted during his proposal scene while he was passionately kissing another woman. Skyler Payne, a Delta in the Silver Moon Pack and my longtime packmate, came over with some glucose tablets, looking at my weakened face.

"What happened here? You haven’t passed out in ages, right?" he asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

I didn’t reply, my voice flat. "You mentioned wanting to go overseas for trade but couldn’t find a partner."

"I’ll go with you."

Skyler looked surprised. "Are you kidding? Aren’t you about to mark each other?"

"Meeting you here was sheer luck thanks to your mate. Otherwise, seeing you is near impossible."

I clenched my fist, a bitter smile forming as memories of the list—those 999 things—flooded my mind. Rock climbing, gliding, skydiving…

Given Cassius’s fear of heights, I never mentioned my interest in extreme sports during our years apart. But it turned out all those romantic gestures that challenged him were meant for someone else.

As I was about to speak, Skyler sighed. "I shouldn’t interfere in what’s between you and the Beta."

"But work isn’t a game. If you decide to join me, there’s no backing out."

I listened quietly, meeting his gaze with determination. "I’ve made my decision."

My phone buzzed; it was Cassius calling. This was our usual time for our nightly check-in, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer. Instead, I sent a quick text: *I’m at the pack infirmary.*

Before he even arrived, his voice echoed through the sterile halls of the infirmary, urgent and desperate. "Kya! Kya, where are you?"

The sound of his voice brought back the memory of his proposal to Lana, a moment that still twisted my insides. Despite his clear anxiety, he stumbled over the threshold but quickly regained his footing, rushing toward me. His face was etched with concern, his chest heaving as though he’d run the entire way. "Kya, are you alright? Was it your low blood sugar again?"

I nodded faintly, too weak to speak. He emptied his pockets, dumping all the chocolates he had into my trembling hand. But my grip was too weak, and each piece slipped through my fingers, clattering to the floor. The sight of his worry clashed violently with the image of him on one knee, offering a ring to someone else. My heart ached, the bond between us—once so strong—now felt like a frayed thread.

Then, Lana walked in.

Her presence was like a cold breeze, chilling the room instantly. Her demeanor was calm, almost detached, a stark contrast to the passion I’d seen between her and Cassius earlier. My jaw tightened as I glared at her. "What are you doing here?"

Her voice was sickeningly sweet, grating on my nerves like nails on a chalkboard. "Cassius told me about your low blood sugar. I rushed over to bring you some sweets."

Cassius chimed in, his tone light, as if this were the most natural thing in the world. "Yeah, we bumped into each other at the pack gathering today."

My anger flared, hot and uncontrollable. I reached for the IV needle in my arm, ripping it out with a sharp wince. I shoved Lana toward the door, my voice trembling with fury. "You’re not welcome here."

But Cassius caught my wrist, his grip like iron. He yanked me back, and I lost my balance, collapsing to the floor. The wound on my hand reopened, blood seeping through the bandage. Any trace of his earlier gentleness was gone, replaced by a cold, simmering anger. "Kya, we just ran into each other by chance. Is this really something to be jealous about? What if you’d hurt Lana with that push?"

I was the one lying on the ground, weak and bleeding, yet all he could think about was Lana. My body felt like it was made of lead, but I summoned every ounce of strength I had left. I dragged myself up, leaning heavily against the wall for support. My voice was hoarse, barely more than a whisper, but it carried all the pain and defiance I felt.

"If you two aren’t leaving, then I will."

As I stumbled out of the room, Lana’s voice followed me, sweet and cloying. "Brother, is she going to be okay?"

The words twisted the knife deeper, but I kept walking, my resolve hardening with every step. The bond between Cassius and me might still linger, but I refused to let it define me anymore.

As I reached the hospital entrance, Cassius suddenly appeared, his broad frame blocking my path. His voice carried the faintest hint of an Alpha tone, a reminder of his rank as Beta of the Silver Moon Pack.

"Kya, Lana didn’t mean any harm."

I recoiled, shaking off his hand with more force than I thought I had left. My legs trembled, the low blood sugar making my vision blur for a moment, but I steadied myself.

"Don’t you know she’s my arch-enemy?" I hissed, my voice low but sharp. "She took the Gamma position that should’ve been mine. Or have you forgotten how she spread rumors about me being unfit for the pack because my wolf hasn’t awakened?"

Cassius’s jaw tightened, his dark eyes flashing with something—anger, maybe regret. But it was gone as quickly as it came, replaced by a cold, dismissive glare.

"Even if that’s true," he said, his voice steady but cutting, "Lana earned that position fair and square. Why didn’t you fight for it? In the end, it’s because you’re too weak, Kya. You lack the strength to stand up for yourself."

His words hit me like a blow to the chest. Seven years. Seven years of him standing by me, reassuring me when I felt like an outcast in the pack.

"It’s okay," he’d say, his voice soft and comforting. "Even if your wolf never awakens, you’re still my mate. You’re still worthy."

But now, he was the one tearing me down, his words sharper than any claws.

The sky darkened, and a crack of thunder echoed above us. Rain began to pour, drenching us in seconds. I couldn’t tell if the water on my face was rain or tears, but it didn’t matter. I felt hollow, the weight of his betrayal pressing down on me.

"Kya," he said, his voice softer now, almost pleading. "You know I have to think of the pack. Lana’s a Gamma. She’s strong, capable. I need someone like her by my side."

I stared at him, my heart shattering all over again. My wolf, silent for so long, stirred in the back of my mind, a faint whimper echoing in my thoughts.

"Is that what this is about?" I asked, my voice trembling. "You’re ashamed of me because I’m an Omega? Because I’m not strong enough for you?"

Cassius’s silence was all the answer I needed.

The rain poured harder, but I didn’t care. I turned and walked away, my legs feeling like they might give out at any moment. Cassius didn’t follow, and for the first time, I was glad.

I didn’t need him. I didn’t need anyone who saw me as a burden. My wolf stirred again, a quiet growl of defiance. For the first time in years, I felt a spark of something—anger, determination, maybe even strength.

I would prove him wrong. I would prove them all wrong.