Naomi Armstrong had always been a determined and talented werewolf, the daughter of a powerful Alpha from the Southern Pack. She had left her home to pursue her dreams of becoming a respected healer, eventually earning the rank of Healer in her new pack. But her journey had been far from smooth.

Miles Jackson, a Beta from a rival pack, had once been her mate. They had shared a secret bond, a connection that Naomi had believed was unbreakable. But that belief shattered when she discovered Miles’ betrayal with Sariah Meyer, a cunning and ambitious werewolf who had risen to the top of the pack through deceit.

Standing before the pack’s trial board, Naomi’s eyes burned with anger as she stared at the results displayed on the screen. Her name was nowhere to be seen, while Sariah’s name shone brightly at the top. The title of "Pack's Top Healer" had been stolen from her, and Miles had been the one to orchestrate it all.

Miles stood nearby, his expression unapologetic. His dark eyes met hers, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of guilt. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by a cold indifference.

“Naomi,” he said, his voice calm, almost dismissive, “you’re still a respected healer. You’ll find another role in the pack. But Sariah—she needs this. She deserves it.”

Naomi’s jaw tightened. “Deserves it? How, Miles? By stealing my work? By manipulating the results?”

Sariah stepped forward, her face a mask of innocence. “Naomi, I understand your frustration. But this isn’t about you or me. It’s about what’s best for the pack. I’ll make sure your contributions are recognized.”

Naomi’s claws extended slightly, her wolf bristling beneath her skin. “Don’t patronize me, Sariah. I know exactly what you’ve done.”

Miles’s voice cut through the tension, sharp and commanding, laced with his Alpha tone. “Naomi, stop. You’re making a scene. Sariah is the top healer now. Accept it and move on.”

The crowd around them murmured, their eyes shifting between Naomi, Miles, and Sariah. Some looked sympathetic, while others whispered accusations, their words like daggers.

Naomi’s heart ached, but she refused to show weakness. She straightened her shoulders and met Miles’s gaze head-on. “You’re right, Miles. It’s time to move on. But not the way you think.”

She turned to Sariah, her voice steady. “Congratulations, Sariah. I hope you can live up to the title you’ve stolen.”

Sariah’s eyes widened, but before she could respond, Naomi turned on her heel and walked away. The crowd parted for her, their whispers trailing behind her like shadows.

Back in her quarters, Naomi began packing her belongings. The room felt suffocating, the walls closing in on her. She had given so much to this pack, to Miles, only to be betrayed in the worst possible way.

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. She opened it to find Miles standing there, his expression conflicted.

“Naomi,” he said, his voice softer now, “you don’t have to leave. You can still have a place here.”

Naomi shook her head. “No, Miles. I can’t stay where I’m not valued. Where my mate—my supposed mate—chooses someone else over me.”

Miles’s jaw tightened. “It’s not like that, Naomi. Sariah—she needs me. She needs this position. You’re strong. You’ll survive without it.”

Naomi laughed bitterly, her wolf snarling in her chest. “Survive? Is that what you think this is about? Survival? Miles, you don’t know me at all.”

She slung her bag over her shoulder and stepped past him. “Goodbye, Miles. I hope Sariah is worth it.”

As she walked away, she could feel Miles’s eyes on her, but she didn’t look back. Her mind was already focused on what came next. She would return to the Southern Pack, to her family, and rebuild her life. She didn’t need Miles. She didn’t need Sariah. She only needed herself.

But as she left the territory, a part of her couldn’t help but wonder if she would ever trust another mate again. The bond she had shared with Miles had been broken, and the pain of that betrayal would linger for a long time.

I hailed a cab and just as I was settling the fare, Miles appeared again, his presence like a shadow I couldn’t shake.

"Naomi, I’m giving you one last chance. If you come with me now, I’ll pretend today never happened," he said, his voice tight with frustration.

"Sariah even said she’d take you under her wing. You’ll have a place in the pack."

I glanced at him indifferently. "I don’t need it."

As if I didn’t know what they were really after.

Miles, seeing my stubbornness, grew more agitated. "Naomi, you’ve read enough to know it’s futile to fight against those in power, haven’t you? Sariah’s the top healer now. Crushing someone like you—a rogue with no pack—would be as easy as stepping on an ant."

My gaze turned icy as I stared at him.

It was almost laughable that he still believed that lie I’d told him years ago—that I had no pack.

I let out a cold laugh. "Is that so? Then I’ll wait and see how you crush me. And I’ll watch how Sariah keeps her position as the pack’s top healer."

With that, I climbed into the cab and shut the door behind me.

As the cab pulled away, I finally allowed myself to relax, though the tension lingered in my chest. Despite my resolve to cut ties with Miles, the bitterness of it all still clawed at me.

Three years ago, I’d arrived in the city, alone and unfamiliar with the territory. It was Miles who’d helped me settle in, who’d made me feel like I belonged.

Perhaps because he was a Beta, he didn’t carry the arrogance or entitlement of higher-ranking wolves. Instead, he was carefree, almost reckless, and unlike anyone I’d ever met. I’d been drawn to him instantly.

We’d been inseparable, our bond deepening quickly. I’d even considered giving up my dreams of becoming a healer, content to stay by his side.

But before I could voice those thoughts, Sariah appeared.

Miles had told me she was just a childhood friend, someone he saw as a sister. But over time, I noticed the way they interacted—the way he looked at her, the way they laughed together.

He started coming to see me less often, brushing off my invitations with excuses about pack duties and training. Yet I’d see them together, walking through the city, their closeness undeniable.

We’d argued about it, but his response was always the same: "If you don’t trust me, go find someone else."

Every time, I’d apologize, desperate to prove my loyalty. I’d even suggested we solidify our bond, but he’d dismissed it, saying we should focus on our roles in the pack first.

He’d promised to wait for me, to make things official once I’d proven myself as a healer. I’d believed him, pouring myself into my studies, even helping Sariah when he asked, sharing my knowledge and skills without hesitation.

Then, last month, on his birthday, I’d gone to him with a gift, only to overhear him telling Sariah, "Naomi and I are just friends. It’s not like it’s official. It doesn’t mean anything."

The words had hit me like a blow, my heart turning to ice.

I’d thought about confronting him, but the years of memories held me back. Instead, I’d swallowed the pain, telling myself I’d focus on my goal—becoming the pack’s top healer.

I’d worked tirelessly for this, even defying my father’s wishes to pursue it. If I’d lost the position because someone was truly better, I could have accepted it. But to lose it because of a betrayal—because of my own misplaced trust—was unbearable.

Closing my eyes, I let out a tired sigh, the weight of it all pressing down on me.