I cut short my studies and returned home earlier than planned. As soon as I stepped off the plane, I spotted Alonzo Garcia, Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack, in the waiting area. He wore a black trench coat that accentuated his broad shoulders and towering frame, his commanding presence impossible to miss. His gaze was fixed intently on the exit, a bouquet of deep red roses in his hand—each bloom vibrant and full of life, a rare gesture from a man who seldom indulged in grand displays.

Alonzo rarely went out of his way to make a scene. After five years as his Luna, I knew him well. He must have found out about my early return and come to pick me up. Just as I was about to approach him, a heavily pregnant woman hurried past me and flung herself into his arms. "Alpha, the baby and I missed you so much," she exclaimed, her voice trembling with emotion.

Alonzo embraced her tightly, his protective aura enveloping her, their intimacy drawing a mix of curiosity and applause from the onlookers. My grip tightened on my suitcase handle. If he was her mate, where did that leave me?

I stood there, frozen at the exit, until someone’s suitcase collided with mine from behind. A grumbled complaint followed, "Why are you just standing there blocking the way? Can't you see people behind you?"

The commotion caught the couple’s attention. Alonzo lifted his eyes, and his gaze locked onto mine across the crowd. The air between us thickened with tension. I wasn’t sure who felt more awkward—discovering my mate’s betrayal in an airport, a scene that even the most dramatic pack gossip would struggle to conjure.

The stiffness in Alonzo’s posture made the woman in his arms suspicious. She turned to see me, her face paling at the sight. It was no stranger after all. The pregnant woman was Shiloh Hansen, a Delta in our pack and my old friend.

I took a deep breath, the scent of roses and something faintly floral—Shiloh’s mate scent—assaulting my senses. I walked briskly toward them, my heels clicking sharply against the floor. Shiloh’s face turned ashen as she hid behind Alonzo, mumbling, "Luna, why are you back?"

My knuckles whitened around my suitcase handle as I met Alonzo’s gaze, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "Can someone explain what’s going on here?"

"If I hadn’t come back early, I suppose I’d never have known that the two most important people in my life betrayed me together."

Shiloh stepped forward, her hand instinctively moving to her prominent belly. She retreated to Alonzo’s side, her eyes filled with a mix of guilt and pity. "I’m sorry, Luna, we didn’t mean to keep it from you..."

I didn’t miss the fleeting triumph in Shiloh’s eyes, and I raised my hand, slapping her hard across the face. The sharp sound echoed, silencing her, shocking everyone around us. No one expected someone as composed as me, the former Luna, to lash out.

Alonzo held Shiloh protectively, his Alpha aura flaring as he frowned at me. "I had planned to tell you sooner. I didn’t want it to affect your studies, so I kept quiet. Shiloh said you took your education seriously, and if it disrupted your studies, she’d feel terribly guilty."

"Shiloh was only thinking of your best interests, and you should appreciate her intentions."

"If you need to blame someone, blame me. It's all my fault."

Shiloh covered her face, her eyes red, looking at me without speaking, only sniffling and saying, "Luna, can we talk about this at home?"

Home? Whose home? Mine and Alonzo’s, or hers and Alonzo’s? I no longer cared to know. The sudden blow felt like a punch right between the eyes. I held onto the suitcase handle, trying to maintain the last shred of my dignity. I enunciated slowly, "No need, my mentor sent a car to fetch me."

"Now I just need to know one thing—how long have you been together?"

Shiloh clutched her belly, stepping back in fear. Alonzo moved forward, shielding her with his body. "The duration doesn’t matter anymore. The child she’s carrying is mine. Do what you need to—yell or curse, it’s up to you. Since you don’t want us to drive you, let’s discuss this at home."

The two of them walked away, leaving me standing in the airport, my heart hollowed out like a cold wind sweeping through a valley. The anticipation and joy of a long-haul flight had turned into the biggest joke of my life. My wolf stirred within me, a low growl of pain and betrayal that echoed in the depths of my mind. But I silenced her. Now was not the time to show weakness. Not in front of them. Not in front of anyone.

Two years ago, my mentor, a respected healer in the Silver Fang Pack, suggested I pursue advanced studies at a renowned research lab in the Lycan Kingdom. Initially, I resisted, but Alonzo Garcia, the Alpha of our pack, convinced me: "A Luna needs her own purpose. Go, and I’ll be here waiting for your return."

My best friend, Shiloh Hansen, a Delta in the pack, reassured me, "I know you worry about the Alpha. I’ve got your back and will make sure he stays loyal." Her words were comforting, a promise of solidarity.

Little did I know, Alonzo’s gaze wouldn’t be wandering; it would be fixed on her.

When I returned, the Alpha’s quarters reeked of cigarette smoke, and Alonzo was already there, his broad frame towering in the dimly lit room. I slipped into my house shoes, leaving my suitcase by the entrance. Alonzo looked at me solemnly, his alpha aura heavy in the air, and said, "About Shiloh and me—don’t hold it against her. It’s all on me."

"I know she’s your closest friend, and falling for her was wrong. But sometimes emotions are irrational. I can’t ignore my feelings—I have to follow my heart."

"Alanna, we’ve grown too comfortable, to the point of feeling indifferent. But Shiloh brings something new and lively into my life. I know I’m hurting you, but even if you despise me, I can’t let her go."

"She’s willing to forego titles, desiring only to have my child. Her selflessness amazes me—how can I let her down?"

"You were away for two years, focused on your studies, and I dealt with loneliness alone—until Shiloh was there for me. I admit my feelings grew, and that’s how we came together."

His romantic narrative felt straight out of a pack legend, leaving me feeling utterly crushed.

What about me? If Shiloh makes him feel alive and indispensable, then what does our mate bond of five years signify?

In the early days of his leadership, when the pack was struggling, I endured living with him in the cramped quarters of the packhouse. We survived on minimal resources, and I stood by him through every challenge. Whenever he was overwhelmed, I was there, offering support and strength. During the toughest times, I even used my own inheritance to help stabilize the pack’s finances.

For three years, we faced such challenges, the pack barely scraping by, and I supported it with my earnings as a healer. I even avoided seeking medical attention when I was unwell, always battling through on my own.

Working tirelessly, juggling my duties as Luna and healer, I pushed myself to the limit. My health suffered, yet I never burdened Alonzo with my struggles.

Now, the pack is thriving, and thanks to me, Shiloh found her place as one of his most trusted warriors. After I left to study, she stayed by his side, supporting him through thick and thin.

My sacrifices seem to have vanished like smoke, forgotten by him.

His hardships boiled down to loneliness, and Shiloh’s presence gave him all he needed.

I felt a chill deep within, gritting my teeth as I confronted him: "Alpha, after four years together and five as mates, nine years in total—does none of that weigh against Shiloh’s two with you? One profession of love, and it erases everything we’ve built?"

Studying abroad took two years, and I pushed myself hard—pulling all-nighters, conducting research, all to return quicker.

Yet it all feels futile now—a cruel joke. I toiled alone while he and Shiloh observed it all.

Alonzo stubbed out his cigarette, opened the window for air. The cold draft made me shiver as he explained, "Shiloh is pregnant now and can’t stand the smoke. I’m clearing the air for her."

Turning back to me, he said decisively, "I only feel familial love for you, not the mate bond anymore. Alanna, let’s end this. Two years have changed a lot, and I can’t pretend. Let’s go our separate ways."

"Let’s go our separate ways." His words were detached, casually ending all those years together.

His phone rang, and he answered it. The voice from the other side was audible enough to catch, "Sweetheart, when will you be back? The baby wants some spiced honey cake. Can you pick one up on your way?"

"Am I interrupting? If the Luna’s upset, stay and talk it out with her. I can handle things here," the voice was careful, probing the situation.

Alonzo replied gently, "I’m heading back soon, and I’ll get you and our baby that cake, don’t worry."

The tenderness on his face was something I hadn’t seen for ages—once reserved for me, now for her.

Holding my aching stomach, remembering the joy I felt coming back home, I hadn’t eaten on the journey. Now the stomach pain was setting in. Looking pale, I sank onto the couch, unable to speak through the piercing pain.

Alonzo looked at me, frowning, "Alanna, don’t play the victim. Shiloh’s pregnant, she needs support. Acting weak won’t keep me here."

"Even if I stayed the night, nothing would change. I won’t be intimate with you, nor will I hurt Shiloh."

"Let’s just say it’s my fault. You can set the terms for our rejection. Take your time, but keep Shiloh out of it; she’s vulnerable."

"I hope we can part on good terms."

I rolled my eyes, speechless with unsaid words—unfaithful alphas are downright despicable.

Alonzo left quickly, decisively, as if escaping was his only goal.

Before the door even closed, I heard him on a call as he waited for the elevator: "I’m heading down now, don’t be jealous. I promised I’d be back with you tonight, not with her. I keep my promises, silly."

Saying I wasn’t hurt would be a lie, faced with the emptiness of the quarters and the remnants of our past.

Holding back tears through the night, they finally fell, burning with pain.

Had Alonzo cheated with anyone else, perhaps I wouldn’t be as shattered. But Shiloh? My best friend? It’s like being stabbed and then betrayed by someone I trusted.

My stomach twisted painfully, cold sweat rolling down. Trembling, I reached out to Conor Ryan, the pack’s Gamma who had returned with me: "Conor, help me." And then everything faded to black as I slipped into unconsciousness.