Wrong Fate, Right Choice

After forgiving Lucas for the tenth time, I stopped paying attention to his smell and whereabouts every day.

The Pack Council had unanimously voted for me as the Chief Healer. However, Lucas used his Alpha authority to secretly give the position to his first love Sarah, a rogue wolf who had just returned to the pack.

He noticed my silence but felt no guilt.

Before leaving to answer Sarah’s mind link plea again, he held me.

"Elena, this job is Sarah's only lifeline to stay in the pack. She’s been a rogue for too long. She needs an official rank for protection."

"You’re different. Your healing gift is a blessing from the Moon Goddess. You shine anywhere."

"She only gets a title. You have my complete love. Isn’t that enough? Don't be mad."

My wolf, usually scratching to get out due to his neglect, was unusually quiet.

"Okay."

I didn't plan on keeping him or the job anyway.

Lucas is the Alpha. I am the pack’s most gifted healer. The Moon Goddess fated us as mates. Everyone thought we were perfect.

We agreed to complete the marking ceremony on the full moon after I became the Chief Healer.

However, after the voting results came out, the chief healer was indeed Sarah, Lucas's first love, a rogue wolf who had just returned to the pack.

Lucas pressured the Elders to make it happen.

He even gave Sarah the credit for my silver poisoning cure.

"Sarah just severed her mate bond. She’s incredibly weak. If I don't help her establish herself in our pack, the rogues will tear her apart."

"Elena, you’ve always been generous. You understand, right? You are so much stronger than her."

If I showed any dissatisfaction, I was being unreasonable and unsympathetic.

I didn't understand why saving his first love required sacrificing me.

But arguing was useless. Just like the last five years.

I nodded calmly. "Yeah, you're right."

Lucas looked surprised, then relieved. He rubbed my hair.

"Elena, you’ve really changed. In the past, you would have started a war over this."

"It seems our time apart taught you how to submit to your Alpha."

I paused.

I felt nothing.

He stripped me of my achievements while acting like he was proud of my "growth."

After our last fight, I tried to convince my wolf to reject Lucas as our mate. My wolf was in agony and nearly faded away.

He just used that time to complete his "obedience test" on me.

Five wasted years. Cheap and ridiculous.

After the celebration banquet for Sarah’s promotion, Lucas didn't go to his study for pack business as usual.

Sarah moved into the guest room downstairs six months ago. She claimed she was hiding from her abusive ex-mate, a violent rogue.

Lucas checked his phone and frowned.

"Sarah’s old injury is acting up. Go to the kitchen and brew some of that healing potion. I’ll take it down to her."

I stopped cleaning my weapons. "She can go to the infirmary."

Lucas’s face darkened.

"Those quacks at the infirmary don't know anything. Her wolf is unstable. You are the pack's best healer. Just brew the potion."

He stepped closer, releasing his Alpha aura.

"Elena, mate responsibilities are shared. If you won't make this small sacrifice, why should I keep loving you?"

" It's just helping a sick friend. Are you really that selfish?"

It was funny how self-righteous he looked.

I nodded and threw down the cleaning cloth. "Fine. Since you put it that way, I'll brew it."

Lucas relaxed immediately.

"See, Elena? Why couldn't you just do that from the start?"

He watched me work in the kitchen.

"That's right. As long as you listen and handle these domestic matters, my heart belongs to you, no matter which she-wolf I'm with."

He leaned against the doorframe.

"No one can replace you as Luna. Not even Sarah. She is too fragile. She needs to rely on others. You are the strong she-wolf standing behind me."

I stirred the soup and turned to smile at him. "Yes, you are absolutely right."

Lucas stared at me, looking for any sign of deception.

He found only submission.

Lucas’s phone rang.

It was the special wolf howl ringtone. Sarah was rushing him.

I turned off the stove, filled a thermos, and handed it to him. "Hurry up. Don't make the patient wait."

Lucas took the thermos. He reached out to hold my hand, offering a crumb of affection.

The phone kept ringing.

He pulled his hand back.

"Once Sarah recovers and this busy season ends, we’ll do the marking ceremony."

The mark?

He just wanted a free, high-level healer to serve him and his first love.

I used to dream of leaving my mark on his neck.

Now, the thought just made me sick.

I smiled. "Okay. Drive safe."

Lucas left, satisfied.

The door slammed shut.

Darkness swallowed the den.

I sat alone on the sofa, listening to the clock ticking.

The first time he abandoned me for Sarah, my wolf was in agony.

Now, that pain was gone.

My wolf had gotten used to it.