During the three years I was mated to Nikolai Lawrence, a Beta from the rival Lawrence pack, I watched as my pack sisters found their destined mates. Inspired by their happiness, I decided it was time to solidify my bond with Nikolai, even if he hadn’t formally marked me yet.

As I was arranging the proposal venue, I stumbled upon him flirting with another woman:

"Isla, I bought the cottage next to mine for you to enjoy. How do you feel about that?" Nikolai’s voice, usually so commanding, was now laced with a sickening sweetness.

Isla Gibson, a Gamma from the Gibson pack, playfully teased, "If Freya finds out, she'd rip me to shreds."

Nikolai scoffed, his tone dripping with disdain. "Three years and still no pups in sight. Who knows if she’s even fertile? You, on the other hand, Isla, got pregnant after just a few attempts."

The words hit me like a physical blow. I turned away silently, my wolf stirring uneasily in the back of my mind. That night, I accepted my brother Adonis's suggestion for an arranged mate bond with Julius Carlson, the Alpha of the Boston pack.

---

"Miss Carlson, do you think the hall needs any more decorations?" asked Malaya Mason, the pack event planner, looking at me with a mixture of pity and professionalism. She held ribbons and flowers in her hands, her gaze flickering toward the couple passionately embracing in the hall.

I turned to her, forcing a faint smile. "No need, Malaya. You’ve made the trip for nothing."

She hesitated, glancing again at Nikolai and Isla before softly asking, "Are you sure, Miss Carlson?"

I nodded firmly. "Yes, it’s fine."

Only then did she cautiously mention, "Miss Carlson, about the cancellation fee of twenty thousand..."

Rainy Days Events was the top event planning service in the city, known for their award-winning designs and exorbitant prices. When I’d signed the contract with them, the penalty and cancellation fees had been highlighted in bold red. But back then, I’d been so determined to give Nikolai a lavish and unforgettable proposal that I’d signed without hesitation.

Now, looking back, it all seemed absurd.

"Did you bring a card machine? I’ll pay now," I said, my voice steady despite the ache in my chest.

After settling the cancellation fee, I followed the Rainy Days team down to the street. In the elevator, the young planner looked like she wanted to offer some words of comfort, but I gave her a gentle smile and said calmly, "I’m fine. It’s like searching for a unicorn when regular horses are everywhere."

But as the team drove away, leaving me alone on the street, my eyes welled up with tears. The weight of Nikolai’s betrayal pressed heavily on my chest. I took out my phone and called my brother, Adonis Carlson, the Future Alpha of the Carlson pack.

"Adonis, I’ve agreed to the arranged mate bond. Please help me organize the marking ceremony as soon as possible," I said, my voice trembling.

He listened quietly, his presence steady and reassuring even over the phone. When I finally let out a choked sob, he spoke. "It’s good that you’ve realized it, Freya. Come home; I’ll take care of everything for you."

His words were a balm to my wounded pride. After a moment, he added, "Freya, while they say suffering can be a blessing, no daughter of the Carlsons needs to endure such blessings."

His tone was firm, leaving no room for doubt. The Carlsons were one of the most prominent packs in the city, and Adonis was known for fiercely protecting his own. If I wanted, those who wronged me would face consequences.

"There’s no need, Adonis," I replied, my voice steadier now. "It’s just a part of growing up. I’ve seen through it, and I’ve understood."

He didn’t push further, but I could feel the silent promise in his words. The Carlsons didn’t need to retaliate for me to feel vindicated. I had chosen to walk away, and that was enough.

As soon as the call ended, I walked through the front door of my family’s pack house, the heavy wooden door creaking shut behind me. The room was cluttered with belongings—remnants of a life I had foolishly built with someone who didn’t deserve it. A sharp pang of discomfort twisted in my chest as I pulled out some storage bags and began sorting through the shared items I had naively bought during our time together. My wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, a low growl of disapproval echoing through my thoughts.

"Freya, what are you doing?" Nikolai’s voice broke the silence, startling me.

I hadn’t noticed his return until he wrapped his arms around me from behind, his lips brushing the side of my neck. His scent—once comforting, now tainted with the faint trace of Isla’s floral perfume—filled my nostrils, making my stomach churn. I nudged him with my elbow, trying to free myself from his embrace.

Nikolai, mistaking my reluctance for playful resistance, chuckled and picked me up, carrying me toward the bedroom. "When did my sweet Freya become such a little firecracker? So fierce, I must admit I like it," he said, his voice dripping with amusement, though his eyes gleamed with something darker.

A wave of nausea rolled over me. It was clear now—Isla’s pregnancy might not be solid yet, and Nikolai had sought me out for his own entertainment. The thought of his unfaithfulness made my chest feel heavy, as if a stone had lodged itself there. My wolf snarled in my mind, urging me to confront him, but I held back. Now wasn’t the time.

"Beta Nikolai, put me down. I’m not feeling well today," I said firmly, using his title to remind him of the boundaries he had so carelessly crossed.

Around this time every month, my mood would always plummet, and though it was an excuse, it wasn’t entirely false. Seeing my somber expression, Nikolai believed me, though I could see a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He set me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist for a moment too long.

As I turned to leave, his phone rang—a ringtone I didn’t recognize. I hesitated, glancing back to see Nikolai’s face light up with amusement.

"Isla, what’s going on?" he answered, his tone softer than I’d ever heard it when speaking to me.

Even from a few feet away, I could hear Isla’s surprised shout from the other end. Nikolai’s brow furrowed immediately, his worry evident as he brushed past me, rushing toward the front door. It swung open from the outside, and Isla walked in with a wide smile, her confidence radiating like a challenge.

"Nikolai, did I just give you a scare?" she teased, her voice dripping with mock innocence.

"Isla..." Nikolai hesitated by the door, momentarily shocked. Realizing she was fine, he sighed in relief, pretending to scold her. "You almost gave me a heart attack, you know?"

Isla, eyes twinkling with mischief, wrapped an arm around his neck but paused when she noticed me standing there, my back stiff and my expression unreadable.

"This must be Freya, right?" she asked, her tone casual, as if she hadn’t just walked into my pack house uninvited.

Releasing Nikolai, she lightly patted his shoulder, her eyes direct as they met mine. Nikolai turned to look at me as well, a slight frown crossing his face. There was no awkwardness in her demeanor—no guilt, no shame. Just the confident sway of her hips as she approached me, her scent—vanilla and something floral—filling the air.

"Hi, Freya. I’m..." she started, glancing back at Nikolai before finishing, "I’m your new neighbor, Isla Gibson. Gamma of the Gibson Pack."

Her introduction was a declaration, a reminder that she wasn’t just Nikolai’s mistress—she was a ranking member of a rival pack, and she wasn’t going anywhere. My wolf growled low in my mind, a warning, but I forced a polite smile, my Alpha bloodline keeping my composure intact.

"Welcome, Gamma Isla," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "I hope you’ll find our pack hospitable."

Her smile widened, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "Oh, I’m sure I will."

Isla Gibson’s smile was subtle, her eyes daring. I averted my gaze and reached for the first aid kit, my fingers trembling slightly. She was a Gamma from the Gibson Pack, but her confidence—or arrogance—made her presence feel larger than life.

"Freya, why are you giving me the cold shoulder? Am I not welcome here?" Her voice oozed with false innocence, her expression anything but. The saccharine tone made my wolf stir uneasily in the back of my mind, a low growl of warning I forced myself to suppress.

The tension in the room was palpable, and I could feel the weight of the pack members’ eyes on us. As the daughter of the Alpha of the Carlson Pack, I was used to being watched, but this felt different—judgmental, almost mocking.

Just as I was about to reply, Nikolai Lawrence, the Beta from the rival Lawrence Pack, hurried over. His grip on my arm was firm, almost painful, as he pulled me to face Isla. His aura, though not as commanding as an Alpha’s, still carried the weight of his rank.

"Freya Carlson, Isla’s talking to you. Are you ignoring her?" His voice was sharp, laced with irritation. Earlier, he had pushed me during a training session, causing me to hit my lower back against a pack bench. Now, being jerked like this made the pain flare up, and I broke out in a cold sweat.

"Nikolai Lawrence, let go!" I snapped, my voice sharper than I intended.

During the three years we were mates, I had never raised my voice at him. I had always acquiesced, going along with his wishes, playing the role of the obedient mate. To Nikolai, I had been the perfect partner, always agreeable. But this sudden outburst from me seemed to catch him off guard. For a moment, he was stunned, frozen, yet his grip on my arm only tightened, his dark eyes narrowing.

Just as he was about to lash out again, Isla linked her arm with his, gently tugging. Her voice was soft, almost purring. "Nikolai, I made a spiced honey cake for you two. Can you help me bring it over from my place?"

Her words defused his anger instantly, and he nodded, releasing me with a dismissive shove before heading out. I looked down, a small, bitter smile on my lips. Even now, she had him wrapped around her finger.

Once Nikolai left, Isla dropped the act. She circled me, her smirk widening. "Freya, did you hurt your back just now? What a shame."

I eyed her warily, my wolf growling softly in my mind. "Isla Gibson, what do you really want?"

I knew better than to think she cared about my well-being. Sure enough, she laughed, feigning sympathy. "Oh, nothing. Just expressing my regret."

"Yesterday, I got a little burn from hot water on my finger, and Nikolai was so worried he rushed me to the pack healer. He’s so attentive to me, his neighbor. Why is he indifferent to you, his official mate?"

Her words were deliberate, each one carefully chosen to provoke me. Even though I knew her intentions and that Nikolai’s heart was with her, my own heart ached with a deep, bitter pain. Suppressing it, I answered stiffly, "I don’t need your fake concern. I can handle myself."

Feigning surprise, Isla tilted her head, her golden hair catching the light. "Freya, you really are... strong. No wonder Nikolai says you’re not very feminine."

I looked up at her, her eyes dancing with amusement, and my chest ached sharply. I had never realized this was Nikolai’s view of me. So, he had reserved all the care meant for me for this woman, had he?

I had known Isla’s name for half a year now, knew she was the one Nikolai had always idealized, who had just returned from abroad. Once she was back, Nikolai began coming home later, every time dismissing my questions with pack business, his assistant playing along.

In reality, he was spending his time with Isla, captivated by her charm. I had put up with it all. I convinced myself that as long as Nikolai still came home, I could eventually win back his attention and heart.

But reality is always harsh. To ensure Isla could be in our lives legitimately, Nikolai went so far as to buy the neighboring villa. Knowing this, my hope of reconciliation was completely shattered.

I’m truly exhausted, and I’ve decided to let go. My wolf whined softly in my mind, a sound of both pain and acceptance. It was time to move on, even if it meant walking away from everything I thought I had.