I woke from a nightmare, my heart pounding, only to feel the soft weight of a blanket being draped over me. I looked up to see my mate, Arthur, the Beta of the Blue Pack, gazing down at me with concern. His strong, muscular frame loomed protectively over me as he wiped the sweat from my forehead with a gentleness that belied his powerful build. "Bad dream?" he asked, his voice low and soothing.

I nodded, still shaken. "I dreamed you were unfaithful to me and even tried to harm me."

Arthur’s deep brown eyes softened as he knelt beside me, his broad shoulders casting a shadow over the bed. He reassured me in that calm, steady voice of his, the one that always seemed to anchor me. "You know I’d never hurt you, Makenzie," he said, his tone firm yet tender. After a moment, he stood, his tall frame towering over me as he headed to the kitchen to prepare something to eat.

My best friend, Livia, a Delta warrior in the pack, often remarked that I had found a rare mate in Arthur—gentle, commanding, and devoted. But what she didn’t mention was that she had gotten involved with him.

Before leaving our den, Arthur turned to me, his chiseled jaw set with purpose. "I’ll be busy with pack duties today," he said, his voice carrying the weight of his position. "Don’t wait up for dinner."

I knew what that meant. Today was the day he was accompanying Livia to her prenatal appointment. As Arthur stepped toward the door, his broad back facing me, I called out, my voice trembling despite my resolve. "I want to sever the mate bond."

Arthur froze in the hallway, his powerful frame tensing. Slowly, he turned, his dark eyes flashing with a mix of surprise and defiance. "Why do you think I’ve been unfaithful?" he demanded, his alpha tone sharp, though it lacked the harshness he reserved for others. "And with whom?"

---

The morning passed in a haze of restless thoughts. I tried to distract myself with the ritual of brewing coffee, the rich aroma filling the den as rain pattered against the windows. Outside, the storm mirrored the turmoil within me. I sipped from my mug, my reflection in the glass staring back—hollow, haunted.

Thoughts of the upcoming pack gathering swirled in my mind. The Alpha would preside over the feast, a lavish spread of roasted game, fresh herbs, and honeyed cakes—a stark contrast to the emptiness gnawing at me.

Arthur was still absent, likely attending to his duties as Beta. I knew he was often occupied with the pack’s affairs, his responsibilities weighing heavily on him. Meanwhile, I found solace in messages from other pack members through our mind link, though even their words couldn’t fill the void left by my suspicions.

As evening approached, I prepared dinner, placing rolls in the oven and slow-cooking a hearty stew. The scents mingled in the air, a small comfort in the midst of my unraveling world. But even the warmth of the den couldn’t dispel the cold dread settling in my chest.

My wolf stirred within me, a faint whisper of unease. *Something’s wrong,* she murmured, her voice a shadow in my mind. I clenched my fists, trying to silence her, but the doubt lingered like a ghost.

Arthur paused as he was leaving, and for a moment, his Beta aura seemed to still the air around us. Before I could fully process what was happening, he took my hand, his grip firm yet gentle.

"Makenzie, do you really want to reject our mate bond?"

I pulled my hand away, reaching for the rejection agreement I had prepared. The document felt heavy in my hands, the weight of what it represented pressing down on me.

"Take a look at this clause—I'm giving you the pack house and the car. I don't want them, but our shared assets..."

Without even glancing at it, Arthur tossed the document straight into the shredder, his eyes darkening with emotion.

I looked at him, puzzled:

"Is there something you're unhappy with in the agreement? The part about the division of our assets..."

He drew me closer, his presence overwhelming as it always was. The scent of pine and earth that was uniquely his enveloped me, making it hard to think straight.

"So, you really intend to leave me?"

"But why? Have I really been so terrible?"

Arthur took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the floor, the weight of his Beta rank evident in his posture:

"Is it because I never learned to cook like your mother does?"

I hesitated, recalling the countless pack gatherings where conversations lingered late into the night. My mind drifted to the traditional robes I wore during those cherished ceremonies in the heart of our territory.

"It’s not about the cooking, Arthur. You know I’ve never been one to fuss over meals."

Arthur looked at me, his eyes searching for answers, the bond between us pulsating with unspoken words:

"Then why, Makenzie? Is it our different ways of celebrating, of living? Have I failed to be the mate you imagined during those times when we shared laughter over the latest pack gossip or chatted through mind links?"

I shook my head, memories of shared joy and experiences flooding back. I realized it wasn't about the status symbols we wore or the rituals we performed, nor the pack traditions we tried to uphold.

"No, Arthur. It's something else. It’s the space between us, the moments lost in translation, not the things we tried to adapt to. It’s never been about the cooking or the robes."

He sighed, drawing me even closer, the weight of our shared yet disjointed world pressing gently between us. His voice was soft but carried the authority of his rank:

"Makenzie, let's not lose each other to this. Let's focus on what truly matters, beyond the facade we've created."

His words echoed in the silence of our pack house, the bond between us trembling with the weight of his plea. I could feel my wolf stirring within, a low whine of uncertainty resonating in the back of my mind.

Arthur’s hand cupped my face, his touch both commanding and tender. "I, Arthur, Beta of the Blue Pack, refuse to let you go. Not like this. Not ever."

The formal vow hung in the air, binding us together with the strength of the Moon Goddess’s decree. My heart ached with the intensity of his declaration, the bond between us flaring to life once more.

I looked into his eyes, the bond thrumming with unspoken promises and lingering doubts. "Arthur..."

He leaned in, his forehead resting against mine. "Stay with me, Makenzie. Let’s rebuild what we’ve lost. Together."

The room seemed to hold its breath, the pack house silent except for the steady rhythm of our hearts. I could feel my wolf’s approval, a soft growl of agreement resonating within me.

"Alright," I whispered, my voice trembling with emotion. "Together."

Arthur’s arms wrapped around me, his embrace both protective and possessive. The bond between us pulsed with renewed strength, the space between us closing as we stood united in the heart of our pack.

Arthur used to be incredibly considerate toward me. Whenever I casually mentioned my favorite gelato, he would queue up at the shop to get me a cone, even if it meant standing in the rain. Once, a packmate called to invite me to a late-night run, and I told Arthur not to wait up. I shifted and sprinted through the forest to meet them.

Later that night, as a storm rolled in, my packmate escorted me home. Dazed from the evening's events, I stumbled back into human form and made my way to the front door. There stood Arthur, drenched, holding a melted cone, yet he didn’t show a trace of irritation.

“Winning a mate requires effort,” he said, his alpha tone softening as he handed me the messy treat. At that moment, I realized I needed to hold Arthur dear.

So, when he grumbled about me eating ice cream in his car, I didn’t fire back. Instead, I patiently reasoned:

"It’s just ice cream. It doesn’t have a strong scent."

"I’m being careful. It won’t spill in your car."

Arthur studied me with a frown, eyeing the ice cream. We’d known each other for years and understood one another well, but right then, his impatience felt alien to me.

I took a large bite of the ice cream, feeling the chill settle in my stomach.

“Arthur.”

“Hmm?”

“Look, there’s just a little bit left. I’ll finish it soon. I know you don’t like mess, and I won’t dirty your car.”

I reached out to playfully pinch his cheek, hoping to coax a smile from him.

Arthur leaned back, avoiding my touch.

“Your hands are covered in cream. Don’t touch me.”

Feeling a bit deflated, I withdrew my hand and stared at him intently.

“Arthur, would you get out of the car with me so we can finish eating on the sidewalk?”

“Do you really need me to join you for ice cream? Aren’t you an adult?”

A mix of unnamed emotions bubbled up inside me, overwhelming my senses.

“I’m your mate. What’s wrong with you sharing an ice cream with me?”

Arthur’s face turned cold.

“Makenzie, can’t you be a bit more mature? Yesterday, when I went to Livia’s office to discuss pack strategy, I bought her an ice cream to cool down. She said she’d rather focus on her duties as a Delta than worry about trivial things like that. You two are friends, yet you handle things so differently. Here you are, getting all worked up over ice cream.”

I stared at him, disbelief washing over me.

“Are you comparing me to someone else now? Are you implying I’m lacking?”

“What am I comparing? You just don’t have the outlook that Livia has. Am I not supposed to mention that?”

He chuckled softly, but there was no warmth in it.

“Are you jealous because your friend is more accomplished? She’s a Delta, trained to protect the pack, risking her life for us. And you? You’re a Gamma, focused on training warriors. Yet here you are, obsessed with this ice cream.”

Arthur had always been logical. As the Beta of the Blue Pack, he was known for his sharp mind and commanding presence. But I never imagined he’d use his alpha tone against me, pointing out my shortcomings in front of the pack.

I couldn’t argue with him. My throat felt dry and sore, the weight of his words pressing down on me.

Tears streamed down my face as I sobbed in the car, while Arthur opened my door like he was simply an observer.

“Get out. The ice cream’s melting. Don’t mess up my car.”

As soon as my feet touched the ground, Arthur drove off, leaving me standing there in disbelief. The ice cream gradually melted, sticky cream covering my hands.

I thought, if Arthur had just told me he didn’t like packmates eating in his car, I would’ve been okay. Even if he’d lumped me in with “others.”

The next day, unfortunately, I saw Livia getting out of Arthur’s passenger seat, holding an ice cream cone. She was smiling sweetly, and Arthur’s expression was gentle, his alpha aura calm and content.

It turned out, I really was just “another packmate.” Arthur’s aversion was genuine, but there was someone who got a pass.

Closing my eyes for a moment, I sighed, “Why haven’t you left yet?”

Wasn’t he worried about missing Livia’s prenatal appointment?

Arthur loosened his tie in frustration.

“My mate wants to sever the bond, and you ask where I’d go?”

I thought, fine, he could stay. It was his house, after all. I started packing some items I had bought with my own money, preparing to leave.

Once the cooling-off period ended, the rejection vow would automatically take effect.

Arthur watched me in surprise as I packed.

“Do you hate me that much? You don’t want to stay in our home?”

I didn’t understand. He and Livia had secretly become close, yet he was arguing about the rejection, not keen on registering the child?

Arthur sighed.

“Let’s both take some time to cool off. You stay at the house. I’ll crash at the pack office for a few days.”

I looked up at him.

“So, you’re giving me the house, but keeping all the assets?”

Arthur’s brow furrowed deeply, his alpha aura flaring with frustration.

“Are you really set on this rejection?”

I didn’t want to waste words with him, so I shoved him out and called a locksmith to change the locks right in front of him. Arthur watched me intently, his alpha tone heavy in the air, but he said nothing.