"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.

I looked at the ring before turning my attention to him. I explained calmly, "I just felt it getting too small for my finger. It's hurting me."

Alpha Zyro's expression shifted from curiosity to concern. He held my hands and inspected my ring finger.

"Are you okay? Why didn't you tell me earlier? We should have bought another ring," he said, his tone softening.

I sighed, avoiding eye contact. "You've been preoccupied with work; I didn't want to bother you." My voice remained flat to mask the hurt, knowing it was more than just work that kept him busy.

Alpha Zyro's remorse was palpable as he pulled me into a hug. I was shocked by this; it had been so long since we'd had any physical contact. All he seemed to think and do was work.

"Are you really okay? I know I've been busy with work and haven't spent enough time with you, but I promise I'll make it up to you," he promised, his voice tinged with sincerity.

The sweet scent of wood and forest wafted up, and then I also smelled a sweet, unfamiliar cologne. I knew it was Krisha's.

I'd had enough. His apology felt hollow after neglecting me for another woman. Memories of our crumbling relationship flooded my mind.

"No need to apologize," I said firmly, pulling away from his embrace. "If you really want to make up for lost time, then take me on a date. Maybe go for a night run or get out of town. I know the elders would manage the pack for a while." My gaze locked onto his, searching for genuine commitment.

Alpha Zyro sighed, running a hand through his hair in hesitation. "I can't promise an out-of-town trip, but a date by the lake—" but his phone rang, cutting him off.

He retrieved his phone from his back pocket and saw it was Krisha calling. Her picture was even displayed on the screen.

"Work emergency. I need to attend to it immediately. I'll be home late tonight, so sleep early, okay?" he said, retreating.

I watched him go, unconvinced by his excuse. Even if he said he prioritized me, his actions spoke otherwise. He loved his work, and Krisha, more than me.

Resignation washed over me. Our eight-year relationship had disintegrated because of a third party. I went to my bedroom, no longer expecting anything from him.

The next morning, I was surprised when Alpha Zyro took me to the lake. We had a date. But unfortunately, Krisha was there.

"Did you like the decorations?" she asked sweetly, batting her eyelashes.

I looked at the plain white blanket on the meadow, a worn basket with fresh berries, and a small cake with melting icing. It was simple, but boring. And why was she there?

"She helped me set this up. She's a really helpful member of the pack," Alpha Zyro added.

When he excused himself to wash his hands, Krisha looked at me, arms crossed.

"You should be grateful I helped him with your date," she said smugly.

"Really? How can I be grateful when it's as boring as you are?"

Hurt by my words, she grabbed the cake and smashed it on her dress. Then, she screamed, bringing Alpha Zyro running.

"What did you do, Mikah!? She helped with the food and decorations, and now you're acting like a spoiled brat? If you don't like it, maybe we shouldn't have planned a date."

I stormed off, crying. At the hotel, I called my mom. She was worried and angry.

"They'll pay for what they did to you, honey. I'm going to teach them a lesson."

The day I left, I packed my things. I wanted to go back to the Moon Hunters Territory to say goodbye to Aunt Heilen, but stopped myself.

I didn't want to see his face. Remembering how he defended Krisha made me sick. I was definitely dating the wrong Alpha.

At the airport, my phone buzzed with numerous messages. I was stunned to see pictures of Alpha Zyro and Krisha sitting in a clinic bed, their faces bruised.

Then, I received a text from my mom saying she'd already dealt with them.

The scouts then texted, saying they needed my help to aid their Alpha and Beta, as I was their only healer.

I ignored their pleas, closing my phone, just as Alpha Zyro and Krisha had ignored mine at the ambush before.