"All hail our new Beta, Krisha!"

When a new she-wolf was appointed Beta, my boyfriend, Alpha Zyro, became interested in her. He started leaving for work earlier than usual and returning home late.

I thought this was simply due to the Moon Hunters Pack expanding its territory, but I was hurt to discover it was more than that.

One night, under a full moon, the pack held a hunting session—an official welcome for Krisha as Beta. We were in our wolf forms. Krisha ran beside Alpha Zyro, who led our V-shaped formation. Usually, I would be the one on his side as his support, but he chose Krisha instead. There were five of us, and I, the pack healer, brought up the rear.

"Halt! Someone's coming!" Alpha Zyro mind-linked us. This is how we communicate in wolf form.

We slowed our pace, our paws crunching softly on the dry leaves. I smelled a strong combination of wood and fur and sensed unseen eyes in the dense forest.

"Alpha, it's an ambush!" Our Gamma warned. We were alerted and formed a circle, facing the dark forest and protecting our backs.

Suddenly, unknown werewolves attacked from all sides. We fought back, but were outnumbered, so Alpha Zyro ordered a retreat to our territory.

I was about to follow when an enemy werewolf bit my leg.

"Alpha Zyro, help me! I need backup!"

I tried to pull away and mind-link Alpha Zyro, but he only said, "You can handle it. You're the healer, right? Krisha needs to be safe."

If it weren't for our Gamma, I might have been killed because no one else helped me. Afterward, I limped to my room at Zyro's house. I called my mother and fought back tears.

"I'm accepting the arranged marriage, Mom," I said, bandaging the tended wound on my foot. Even though I'm the pack healer, I still needed help with my wounds but Alpha Zyro didn't care. For eight years, he'd been attentive to me, until Krisha arrived.

"Why all of a sudden? Did Zyro do something horrible? I already sensed you and he would break up sooner or later because if he really is your mate, why did he make you wait eight years?"

"It's time to find your destiny, Mikah. Break your bond with your pack mate and meet the Alpha from Luna Nueva. The wedding is soon so pack your things now."

I was stunned by what she said. I'd been fooling myself, thinking I could be with Alpha Zyro, even though we were only pack mates and not true mates. When we first met, it wasn't instant attraction. We became friends and fell in love gradually. To be with him and his pack, we needed a bond, so we underwent a ritual to become pack mates.

I returned to my thoughts when my phone pinged, showing dozens of wedding plans my mother had sent.

I bit my lip before sending her a voice message: “Mom, I know you'll pick the best theme, so I trust your choice, but let's keep the wedding simple.”

"Wedding? Whose wedding?"

I was surprised when Alpha Zyro's voice echoed on the room. He entered and sat beside me on the bed.

"Nothi—" I started, but his phone beeped. He answered the call while raising his hand to shut me up.

I could hear the voice on the other line, filled with anxiety and panic.

"Zyro, my ex-boyfriend is following me! I’m so scared! Help me!"

Alpha Zyro's expression went from serious to worried.

"Krisha, calm down. Stay where there's a well-lit space or where there are many people. Don't worry, I’ll be there in a minute!"

He hung up, rushing out, forgetting the wedding. Again, I was alone in my room, tending my wounds without any help. His concern for Krisha broke my heart and I cried uncontrollably.

Later, I visited Aunt Heilen, a cherished elder who'd welcomed me to the pack. When I first joined the Moon Hunters Pack, she welcomed me wholeheartedly, so telling her I was getting married felt crushing.

"Married to Lucas? That’s good—it’s time for the both of you to settle down."

I corrected her. “No, Auntie. The wedding is arranged. I don’t know the man.”

She was silent, pondering, then asked, “Have you reconsidered? Your eight years together were long. It's a waste to give up. I think he has a reason for not proposing yet. Do you want me to talk to him?”

I smiled sadly. “No need. I wasn't really his mate. Our bond was forced. I don't think he loves me anymore.”

The next day, I bought handmade gifts as farewell presents. I was in the living room, writing a goodbye letter to Aunt Heilen as I was leaving the pack when I heard Alpha Zyro behind me.

"What are you doing?"

"Zyro," I blurted, looking back to where he stood.

He wasn't alone; Krisha was with him, smiling innocently like a lost angel. Alpha Zyro held paper bags, and Krisha clung to his arm, resembling a newlywed couple arriving at their new home. I hadn't noticed I was almost crumpling the paper in my hand from the betrayal.

Just then, Aunt Heilen announced her arrival. She paused, sensing the tension and observing the gift packages in the living room. She carried fresh cyclamen, accompanied by two scout werewolves.

Before she could speak, I interrupted. "Aunt Heilen, I planned to give these gifts to you and the pack members; it's been almost a decade since you welcomed me. I'm just so grateful," I said.

I also wanted to explain my departure from the pack to her but I don't want Alpha Zyro and Krisha to hear it.

Ignoring him and Krisha's arrival, I paid more attention to Aunt Heilen.

His furrowed brow showed he noticed my avoidance, so he explained, "Listen, Mikah. Krisha's ex-boyfriend has been stalking her for days. She's staying at my house temporarily to keep her safe. Don't assume it's anything more than that."

I took a deep breath, feigning indifference. "I know."

Turning to Aunt Heilen and the scouts, I smiled, "Scouts, please take these gifts and distribute them to the pack members. They're already labeled, so you won't be confused."

Alpha Zyro, believing I didn't care, relaxed. Then, Krisha stumbled. He instantly steadied her, touching her waist and pulling her close for support right before my eyes.

"Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

Krisha's face contorted in pain. "Sorry. I was just dizzy. I'm fine."

Without hesitation, Alpha Zyro set down his bags and scooped Krisha into his arms in a bridal style.

"You two, take these bags to the guest room now," he ordered.

The scouts abandoned my gifts to retrieve his bags. My heart felt crushed, but I offered my help to Krisha as a healer. After all, she was our Beta.

"No need, Mikah. I don't think you can help," Krisha replied.

"Take care of yourself instead, Mikah," Alpha Zyro said and continued walking, seemingly oblivious to his long-term girlfriend watching them.

How could he? I breathed deeply, trying to ease the pain in my chest. I want to slap him for the insult but he's still our Alpha and he should be respected at all times.

"Are you okay?" Aunt Heilen asked.

Tears welled in my eyes, but I masked them with a smile. "I'm fine."

"Do you still want me to talk to him?" she offered.

"No need, Auntie."

I watched the closing guest room door. I can't helped but to compare my past self to Krisha. He had been just as attentive and caring with me before. I remembered the night I was injured during a full moon run with him for our anniversary, he'd stayed awake to guard me. Now, he was discarding me like trash.

Even after Aunt Heilen left, they remained in the guest room.

The next morning, I woke early and found Alpha Zyro cooking. Smiling, I approached and hugged him from behind.

"What are you cooking, dear?"

He stiffened and stepped back when he heard my voice. He scrutinized me for a minute and frowned, then ignored me as if I were a useless display of his house.

Then, Krisha's shrill voice broke the silence.

"Good morning, everyone!" She walked toward Zyro, bumping my shoulder as she passed. "Are you cooking?"

Zyro smiled. "Yeah. It's for you. Take a seat and wait. You deserve the most delicious dish in the world."

Stunned, I watched Krisha smile sweetly at him.

"Z-Zyro," I stammered, trying to get him to explain their affectionate interaction.

He sighed, as if burdened. "Don't overthink things, Mikah. I'm just making sure she eats healthy as my Beta. She's important to the pack, okay? I don't want any stress right now, and you're causing some."

"Are you mad at me, Mikah?" Krisha asked, pouting as she sat down at the dining chair. "Do you want me to leave?"

"What? No! Stay, Krisha. Don't leave. Mikah, if you're going to keep assuming things, you might as well leave."

His words widened my eyes. In eight years, he'd never spoken to me like that. What had changed? Was it because of Krisha?

Hurt, I stormed off to the forest for a solitary run in my wolf form.

Returning in human form, I went to Alpha Zyro's house to shower and rest, only to find them together in the living room, sitting side by side. Then, I saw Krisha move closer to Alpha Zyro and give him a peck on the lips.

I thought my heart had lightened during the run, but the heavy feeling returned. I walked inside, ignoring their gaze. Their infidelity was enough for me to finally leave the pack and sever our bond.

Once in my room, I retrieved my suitcases and packed my belongings. I waited for the two to sleep so I could sneak out to leave, hoping no one would notice.

"Where are you?" Alpha Zyro called when the sun rose.

I'd spent the night at a nearby hotel. Seeing him more just makes me feel like an unnecessary part of his life. I don't want that because I know my worth.

"My friends and I are having a sleepover. Don't worry about me," I lied.

He didn't ask further, which made me cry my eyes out in my hotel room. He wasn't like that before. He always noticed when I was sad because he knew my subtle movements. Now, he's different.

After my breakdown, I opened social media for entertainment but regretted it immediately. Krisha posted a picture of Alpha Zyro's topless back while he was cooking.

The caption said: [This Alpha might be dangerous from the enemy's point of view, but he's actually a sweetie pie. Can I keep this one forever?]

The post was flooded with comments from her friends and other pack members

[Wow! I never knew Alpha Zyro served anyone]

[He's so hot. Can you let me borrow him?]

[Shush! This is posted by his mate. Don't be ridiculous!]

[Isn't Mikah his mate?]

I instantly closed the app; I couldn't take it anymore. I thought spending the night away would clear my head, but I was wrong. Even away, I'm haunted by their—openly displayed—infidelity.

In our earlier relationship, we always had each other's backs. I was insulted by his pack members before because I was bonded with him, even though I wasn't his true mate. But can they blame us for loving each other? Now, I think he's losing interest, and it hurts immensely.

The next morning, I returned to the Moon Hunters Pack area because Aunt Heilen said a guardian werewolf was injured during the night's patrol. I went to the Pack clinic and tended to his wounds.

When I was finished, I was cleaning my arms in the bathroom when I overheard a conversation.

"Have you seen how sweet Alpha Zyro is to Beta Krisha?"

"Yeah. It's like she's his true mate."

"But what about Healer Mikah? Isn't she bonded with him?"

"Yeah, but it's not fated. The bond between pack mates can be broken when the Alpha finds his true mate."

"Ouch! I feel so sorry for the Healer. They've been together for almost a decade."

"Yeah. She wasted her time on the Alpha. But I'm glad he finally found his mate."

I'd heard enough. I left the bathroom and saw the two she-wolves widen their eyes at my appearance.

"If you have nothing better to do, find something more interesting to talk about than other people's personal lives."

That night, I went to Alpha Zyro's house to collect my belongings. I stopped short when I saw a picture frame of him and Krisha on the TV cabinet. He was looking at her intently, while Krisha smiled sweetly at the camera, her head tilted towards him.

Suddenly, I was blinded by the reflection of my ring in the light. I looked at it—the diamond ring Alpha Zyro gave me during the ritual. It symbolized our pack mate bond, but I guess it's useless now.

I sighed, took the ring off my finger, and placed it beside their picture frame, only to be caught by Alpha Zyro, who was entering the living room.

"Why did you take that off?" he asked, making me nervous.