The year Lilia started university, Dax Webb, the rising Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack, finally agreed to be her mate. For four years, she followed him around, and everyone in the pack remarked that they seemed perfect together. Yet, Dax always countered, "We’re just childhood friends." Whenever Lilia felt hurt, he’d comfort her privately, saying, "I just don’t want to make our relationship public yet; we should focus on our duties to the pack."

At their graduation celebration, hosted in the grand hall of the Silver Moon Pack’s territory, Dax got drunk and joked that if Lilia confessed to him three times in front of the pack, he’d announce their mate bond publicly. Lilia tried but failed to muster the courage. During a small gathering afterward, one of Dax’s close friends, a Gamma, confided in her, "Confessing three times was something Viviana Oliver, that Gamma from the Crimson Claw Pack, once insisted on. She was his 'one that got away.'" Lilia’s heart sank. Dax had never fulfilled that promise with Viviana, yet now he used it as a hurdle for her. With that realization, she finally decided to let go.

When Dax asked her to confess three times publicly, Lilia felt confused. After all, they’d been secretly mates for four years, so why the need for a public declaration? Hearing him mention revealing their bond stirred something within her. She thought it was just one of Dax’s antics, a way to surprise the pack and dispel the rumor that mates drift apart after their formal duties began. But she had clearly overestimated his intent.

"Lilia, what are you staring at? Hurry up and pour the Alpha a drink; aren’t you childhood friends?" the Class President, a Delta, shouted from across the room. Lilia snapped back to reality, realizing everyone’s eyes were on her. She blinked back tears that threatened to spill and forced a smile, "What did you just say?"

Dax, tipsy, looked at her over his glass. He studied her slightly reddened eyes for a long time before smirking, "Come on, Lilia, wasn’t it just you confessing three times the other day, and I turned you down every time? Can’t you handle it? No need to spoil the mood for everyone with your sulking."

The matter of confessing had already passed some time ago, yet Dax would always bring up her embarrassment from that day, regardless of the occasion. Sensing her discomfort, Mila Johnston, Lilia’s best friend and a Delta, tried to ease the situation, "Alright, so it didn’t work out. No need to dwell on it and hurt feelings. Don’t mind them, Lilia, let’s talk about something else."

Only then did Dax shift his attention to Viviana Oliver, the Gamma from the Crimson Claw Pack, sitting next to him. He was attentive to her every need, offering her food and drinks. Even pack members teased them about being together. Dax just smiled, saying nothing, while Viviana bashfully leaned into him. Although she was an outsider at this pack gathering, she was far more familiar with the males from their pack than Lilia was. Watching them joke and chat happily, a wave of sadness hit her.

She understood why this scene unfolded this way. Viviana was Dax’s "one that got away." Lilia watched him doting on her and felt profound sorrow. It turned out that the presence of "the one that got away" held such power. Despite being with Dax for four years, he always kept a distance from her. Yet, he didn’t mind what people said when it came to Viviana, almost wanting her by his side constantly.

In the past, Lilia might have confronted him, using the status of a childhood friend to urge him to be more considerate. But now, she felt utterly drained.

"I’m not feeling well; I’ll head home. Enjoy the rest of your night," she said, grabbing her bag and hastily trying to leave.

Seeing her expression, Dax stood up to stop her. "Are you okay? Did you eat something cold again? Don’t you know your period is coming soon?" It was the first time he showed concern for her in front of everyone. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that his hand, which was about to rub her stomach soothingly, retracted quickly when Viviana spoke.

"Alpha Dax, since your little childhood friend isn’t feeling well, why don’t you take her home? I’ll head back later," Viviana suggested.

"That won’t do. You just arrived today, and it’s your birthday. Plus, it’s already quite late. I promised to spend today with you, so I won’t leave," Dax said with a smile, heading back to his seat, completely ignoring Lilia.

Looking at him felt like the world was closing in on her. Birthdays were never significant to Dax. She remembered when they first started their mate bond, which happened to be her birthday. She mentioned going out for a big meal, casually noting it was her birthday, and he retorted, "What’s there to celebrate for a birthday? Don’t you know your birthday is a day of hardship for your mother? You really don’t understand gratitude."

Thinking back, he simply didn’t want to spend time with her. Ignoring the protests of her packmates, she left the hall silently. She chose not to hail a cab but instead walked home slowly in her human form. The cool night air blew away the shadows in her heart, clearing her mind.

Four years of companionship couldn’t compare to Viviana’s sudden reappearance. Given that, it was time for her to let go.

Lilia waited the entire night, but Alpha Dax never returned. Her phone remained silent—no messages from him, just a friend request from an unfamiliar account. The username was "SweetTooth," and the profile picture featured a pure white West Highland Terrier. She didn’t recognize the name, but the wolf companion in the photo looked all too familiar.

Tears slipped into her mouth as she crouched down and called out to the Westie playing with a ball, "Buddy, come here." Buddy dropped the ball and trotted over to her, his soft fur brushing against her hand. The tears flowed more freely, and Buddy seemed to sense her sadness. He jumped onto her lap, licking her tears away.

Buddy was Alpha Dax’s wolf companion, now five years old. Lilia had heard he only got Buddy because Viviana, a Gamma from a rival pack, liked the breed. Dax cherished Buddy immensely. Lilia often saw him holding Buddy, quietly wiping away tears. She thought he was just afraid of losing Buddy one day, unable to bear it. But looking back, it seemed he was using the wolf companion to remember someone.

The morning light broke through, but still, there was no sign of Alpha Dax. Rubbing her tired eyes, Lilia accepted the friend request. As she opened the profile, the photo collage confirmed her suspicions. The person who added her was indeed Viviana.

Alpha Dax hadn’t returned last night because he was with her. They had gone to the pack’s training grounds, a place Dax’s family had invested in. Seeing the dazzling lights and the grounds shining brightly in the photographs, Lilia couldn’t quite describe how she felt.

She recalled the countless times she’d asked Alpha Dax to go to the training grounds with her for a run. The grounds were a cherished childhood memory for her, and she wanted to share that joy with him. But each time, he’d either impatiently refuse or hand her a pass, saying, "Such a simple place; you go by yourself."

Seeing Alpha Dax’s joyful smile in the photos, Lilia finally accepted that the person he loved wasn’t her.

After pulling herself together, she headed back to the pack’s school campus. She hesitated outside Beta Dixon’s office for a long time before finally knocking and entering to discuss her plan to study abroad. In the fall of her senior year, Alpha Dax had suddenly told her he wanted to stay on and serve as a Beta after graduation. Although surprised, Lilia had begun to study hard, aiming to stay at the pack’s school with him.

Beta Dixon had guided her through four years, witnessing her relentless dedication. Initially, she had secured a spot in the pack’s advanced training program, which would allow her to stay on as a faculty member after graduation. But now, she didn’t need it anymore.

After she finished speaking, Beta Dixon was silent for a long time. Finally, he sighed, "It’s good for young wolves to explore the world beyond the pack. There’s so much out there."

Lilia thanked him and booked a flight for three days later to go abroad. Alpha Dax, in these three days, let her say goodbye to you properly.

Leaving the pack’s training grounds, Lilia wandered through the forested paths where she and Dax used to meet as pups. These familiar trails now felt foreign, as if the trees themselves whispered of a past she no longer belonged to. The sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the path, before she finally turned toward the packhouse.

As she pushed open the heavy wooden door, Buddy bounded toward her, his tail wagging furiously. Lilia’s heart warmed despite the heaviness in her chest. She knelt to unlace her boots, scratching the wolf companion behind the ears. “Missed me, huh?” she murmured softly.

A soft scoff from the living room drew her attention. She looked up to see Dax and Viviana standing side by side. Dax, still wearing an apron splattered with sauce, raised an eyebrow casually. “Where have you been, Lilia? The sun’s nearly set.”

She ignored his question, her gaze shifting to Viviana. The Gamma stood with a faint smile, her eyes lingering on Lilia for a moment before she crouched down and called Buddy over with a soft, coaxing voice. “Buddy, come here, boy.”

Buddy turned instantly, trotting over to Viviana, who wrapped her arms around him, scratching his neck. She didn’t bother to acknowledge Lilia, who stood frozen at the doorway, feeling like an intruder in her own home.

After an awkward silence, Dax seemed to notice the tension. He slapped his forehead, as if remembering something. “Right, I should introduce you. Viviana, this is Lilia. Lilia, Viviana. She’s my best friend from high school. Just got back from her pack up north.”

Lilia’s chest tightened. She and Dax had grown up together, inseparable since they were pups. The three years of high school were the only time they hadn’t been in the same pack. And during that time, Dax had found someone to fill the space she thought was hers. Perfect.

Viviana nudged Dax playfully, her voice light but laced with authority. “Alpha, why don’t you help Lilia with her boots and bag? Where’s your sense when you need it?”

Dax chuckled, the sound warm but distant, and moved to do as she suggested. Watching him fumble with her bag, Lilia felt a pang of sadness. When had he ever been this attentive to her?

“Enough grinning, Alpha,” Viviana called over her shoulder, her tone teasing but firm. “Check the stove before you burn dinner.” Dax obediently trotted off toward the kitchen.

Lilia stood rooted in place, unsure of where she fit in this new dynamic. Viviana approached her, linking their arms together as if they were old friends. “I’m three days older than the Alpha, so I like to act like the big sister,” she said with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “You don’t need to be formal; call me Viviana, like he does. The Alpha can be scatterbrained sometimes. If he ever messes up, just let me know, and I’ll set him straight.”

Her words were friendly, but the underlying assertion of dominance was clear. Lilia forced a smile and nodded, her throat too tight to speak.

This was the first time Dax had ever cooked for her. In the four years they’d been together, she hadn’t even tasted canned soup prepared by him. Yet here he was, effortlessly whipping up Viviana’s favorite dishes. The sight made Lilia’s stomach twist. She couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like if they were mates instead of her.

After dinner, Lilia retreated to the kitchen to clean up. Dax stayed in the living room with Viviana, their laughter carrying through the house as they watched a comedy show. The sound was cheerful, but to Lilia, it felt like a dull ache in her chest. She didn’t know how long she spent scrubbing dishes, but when she finally stepped out, they were both gone.

The living room was a mess—apple peels scattered on the floor, potato chip crumbs coating the couch. Lilia tidied up silently, her movements mechanical. As she bent to gather the trash, her eyes caught on the small potted plant she’d cared for over the past four years, now resting in the garbage bin.

It had been the only gift Dax had ever given her, back when they’d first started dating. A bitter laugh escaped her lips as she tied up the trash bag and tossed it away. The plant was dead now, just like whatever bond they’d once shared.