I arrived at the Blue Moon Packhouse early, just as I had every day for the past three years. The first time I ended up in Alpha Cyrus Graham’s bed, he told me I no longer needed to adhere to the pack’s strict schedule. He said I could come and go as I pleased—a privilege reserved for those in his inner circle. He called it a perk.

But I never took advantage of it. I told him I was used to the discipline of a Gamma and couldn’t sleep in. Truthfully, I felt that indulging in such privileges would mean losing the last shred of dignity I had left. In a world where Alphas ruled with unquestioned authority, I clung to the respect I’d earned through hard work and loyalty.

"Good morning, Gamma Millie." The voice belonged to Romina Thompson, a Delta who had recently been promoted to be the Alpha’s personal assistant. She was dressed impeccably, her vintage dress and flawless makeup suggesting she’d been up for hours. I didn’t dislike her; in fact, I felt a vague sense of sympathy for her.

Being close to the Alpha might seem like a dream, but in reality, it was exhausting. Not only did I have to maintain my position as Gamma, but I also had to prove myself constantly so others wouldn’t dismiss me as just another pawn in Cyrus’s games.

"Morning," I replied curtly, already turning to leave. Suddenly, I hesitated and handed her a neatly folded slip of paper. "Alpha Cyrus has a lunch meeting with Lycan Prince Steven Alexander today. I’ve arranged it at the Italian restaurant in town. Be there by noon to oversee the preparations."

"Me?" Her voice was tinged with excitement, a stark contrast to my own detachment. She and I were fundamentally different—she thrived on the idea of getting closer to the Alpha, while I was desperate to distance myself.

"Yes, you. This meeting is crucial for pack alliances. Make sure nothing goes wrong."

Cyrus had wanted me to handle this meeting myself, but I knew he was just trying to test me, to see if I’d still obey his every command. The truth was, I didn’t care anymore. I had long stopped worrying about proving my loyalty to him.

I turned and headed back to the packhouse office, where the perpetually late Alpha Cyrus finally made his appearance. I gathered the stack of documents I’d prepared and followed him into his private study.

"Alpha Cyrus," I began, my tone formal and respectful, "as you instructed, you have lunch with Lycan Prince Steven today. I’ve arranged for Delta Romina to handle the details."

He stiffened at that, tossing his phone onto the polished oak desk. "Oh? You’re quite obedient and efficient, Gamma Millie. Someone might think you’re eager to get away from me."

I suppressed a sigh. Even if he was right, I had to pretend otherwise. Playing my part had become second nature over the past three years.

I met his gaze, my eyes slightly reddened—a carefully calculated act. "Alpha Cyrus, what exactly do you want from me? I’ve already distanced myself as much as I can. Isn’t that obedient enough?"

The vulnerable act was one I’d perfected over the years, and it worked. His expression softened, though only for a moment. "She might not handle it well. You should go at lunchtime."

"Of course, Alpha."

"Wait," he added, his voice sharp. "Take her with you. She needs to learn."

"Understood." I handed him the stack of files I’d been holding. "These are the internal approval documents you’ve already reviewed. They just need your signature."

He opened the file, barely glancing at the contents, and signed his name with a flourish. I watched him carefully, my heart pounding as he unknowingly signed the last document—my resignation letter.

"Alpha Cyrus," I said, my voice steady, "you have no scheduled commitments this afternoon. You’re free to arrange your time as you wish."

I left his study, clutching the signed documents, and finally allowed myself a quiet sigh of relief. Hidden among those papers was my ticket to freedom.

As I guided Romina Thompson through the packhouse, I felt a twinge of unease. Her bright eyes darted around, taking in the grandeur of the Alpha’s domain. "What do you think of Alpha Graham?" I asked, keeping my tone neutral.

She practically glowed with excitement. "Before I joined the Blue Moon Pack, I never imagined he’d be so commanding and striking! Whoever ends up as his Luna is truly blessed by the Moon Goddess."

Romina then turned to me, her curiosity sharp. "Millie, since you’ve worked closely with Alpha Graham for so long, he must really trust you, right?"

"Our relationship is purely professional," I replied with a practiced smile, choosing my words carefully. "Romina, just remember, this is a position of responsibility. If you ever feel uncomfortable, you have the right to set boundaries."

"What do you mean by that, Millie?" she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Cyrus isn’t fond of being challenged. If it happens too often, he loses interest—whether in a subordinate or a potential mate.

"It’s nothing," I said evasively, spotting Cyrus and Steven approaching from the far end of the hall. I couldn’t say more. "Just don’t push yourself beyond what you’re ready for."

The pack gathering felt like it stretched on forever.

It was tiring not just because Romina was with me but because she had no chance against Cyrus’s commanding presence. His aura alone was enough to make most wolves falter, and Romina was no exception.

In no time, she subtly shifted her entire posture towards him, her body language eager and submissive. She seemed at ease, which was a relief—for her sake, at least.

Finally, the gathering concluded.

Cyrus and Steven were deep in conversation at the head of the room, their voices low but carrying the weight of two high-ranking wolves discussing pack matters. Romina turned to me, her cheeks flushed with excitement. "Millie, now I understand why you told me to stand my ground."

"What do you mean?" I asked, though I already suspected the answer.

She leaned in, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Alpha Graham just mentioned he’s interested in me."

"So, are you thinking of turning him down?"

She laughed, a high, nervous sound. "Why would I say no? A mate like him is more than I could ever dream of."

I nodded, preferring not to delve further into her thoughts. Her infatuation was her own to navigate.

Cyrus started walking towards us, his presence as commanding as ever. I was about to excuse myself when behind me, Romina murmured under her breath, "Millie Bryant, are you with Alpha Graham? Are you just scared I’ll take your place?"

Her words hung in the air, sharp and unexpected. I paused for a moment, my jaw tightening, but I didn’t turn back. Instead, I continued walking, leaving her to her delusions.

Romina slid into Cyrus's car, her presence a stark reminder of the shifting dynamics in the pack. The Alpha glanced at me, his voice casual but laced with that commanding tone only an Alpha could wield. "Millie, do you need a ride back to the packhouse?" he asked, his piercing gaze lingering just long enough to make my wolf stir uneasily. I shook my head politely. "No, thank you, Alpha. I was planning to take some time for myself today."

For three years, I’d never missed a single duty, never shirked my responsibilities as Gamma. But today, I was ready to break that streak. According to pack law, I still had a month to transition my duties before I could officially leave. In the meantime, it was crucial not to provoke the Alpha’s ire; otherwise, my departure could become far messier than I wanted it to be.

I didn’t return to the packhouse that afternoon. Romina didn’t either. The next morning, whispers began to ripple through the halls of the Blue Moon Pack. My packmates no longer tiptoed around me; instead, they approached me with a mix of curiosity and thinly veiled excitement. "Millie, did you hear? The new Delta is going to be the Alpha’s personal assistant too," one of them said, her voice dripping with implication.

Their use of "too" was a deliberate jab. For the past three years, I had been the only one in that role. I kept my expression neutral and replied, "The pack is growing, and the Alpha has many responsibilities. It’s only natural he’d need more support."

"Millie, just so you know, this morning, that Delta got out of the Alpha’s car," another packmate chimed in, her eyes wide with gossip.

So, the perks of the Alpha’s favor were now being lavished on someone else.

"And get this—the Alpha’s driver even opened the door for her," she added, as if that detail somehow made it worse.

I forced a chuckle, masking the ache in my chest. "Alright, enough with the rumors. If the Alpha hears about this, you’ll all be in trouble."

Deltas usually wore the standard pack attire, but Romina had arrived in a brand-new dress today. She looked polished, almost regal, as if she were already staking her claim as the Alpha’s mate.

When I arrived at the packhouse, I found my desk had been moved from its prime spot next to the Alpha’s private office. Romina was overseeing the relocation, her voice firm as she instructed the pack members, "Be careful not to damage Millie’s belongings."

Just as she spoke, my water cup—a gift from the Alpha—fell to the floor and shattered. Everyone froze. The cup had been a symbol of my place in the pack, a reminder of the bond I’d once shared with Cyrus. It had always sat on my desk, never tucked away in a drawer.

Romina’s face flushed with panic. "What’s going on? You broke the cup!" she snapped, her voice rising.

The pack members moving the desk looked mortified, their eyes darting between Romina and me. I stepped forward, my tone calm despite the storm brewing inside me. "It’s fine," I said, my voice steady. "It’s just a cup. No big deal."

I’d already let go of so much. A cup, no matter how sentimental, wasn’t worth the drama.

My desk was now in the open area, a clear demotion from my former position. I sat down without protest, though the sting of humiliation lingered. On the desk was a note, hastily scribbled:

"Millie, I work better without distractions, and the Alpha said it’s not ideal for me to sit with everyone else. I moved you to a different spot. Hope you’re okay with it."

It wasn’t the message that irked me—it was the sloppy handwriting, a stark contrast to the precision I’d come to expect from my packmates. I crumpled the note in my hand, my jaw tightening. My wolf growled softly in the back of my mind, urging me to stand my ground, but I pushed her down. Now wasn’t the time for defiance.