I was left all by myself. I didn't know what to do at this moment. I didn't stop Darek or Mike. They didn't notice what was wrong with me or why I was not saying anything. All they cared was Emily’s feelings that seemingly got hurt because of me. They took her to cheer her up.

I didn't know what to do at this moment. When I could ask for help or tell them I was having my allergic attack, they were already gone. I didn't know anybody to ask for help. Since childhood my lifestyle was driven by Darek and Mike. They didn't let me meet more people. They would say they were enough for me and that I didn't need anyone in my life because they would always accompany me like a shadow. But, where were they now?

Luckily, I did have a friend that I made before meeting Darek and Mike. It’s Faye. She was the daughter of my father's Beta. I could only remember her at this critical moment. I called her for help and she immediately came with Pack’s healer. They were aware of my allergies. Soon, I was healed to a better state. Faye was so pissed. She didn't stop scolding me for eating that stupid breakfast. I calmed her down before she left. I feel entitled to have at least one childhood friend whose feelings hadn't shifted from me.

I wasn't expecting Darek and Mike to return home soon since they went out with Emily. However, soon they came back. Emily was not with them. I didn't bother where she was or why they came back soon. It seemed like she forgot something and they had come to collect it.

They didn't like my silence over the matter and came to me to make me realize how wrong I was doing with my cousin. Darek stopped me from cleaning the floor by holding my mop as he said, “Why are you doing this, Janette? Is it to make us feel pity on you? Why are you becoming like a scheming woman? I can't even recognise you.”

“Darek is right, Janette. I couldn't even recognise you. It's not you. How could you be so mean? Do you know how hurt Emily was? She was even thinking of finding new place to live. She thinks you dislike her. Is it true?” Mike asked.

“Have you tasted the breakfast she prepared in the morning?” I asked, ignoring their hurtful words to me.

“Yes, we did. Why are you asking this?” Mike asked.

“So, you guys knew there was lemon juice in it but you kinda a forget that I have rare citrus allergy and I could die had I finished the whole meal, right?” I asked while smiling sarcastically, “And you guys call yourselves my childhood sweethearts.”

“Janette…”

“I’m really sorry. I-”

Both of them said in unison but couldn't complete their sentence. They eyes showed emotions mixed with guilt and concern as they asked in unison, “How are you now?”

“Not dying anymore. Thanks to my childhood friend, Faye. At least she was there for me.” I replied flatly. They took a sigh of relief then apologized me.

“Emily had put so much effort for your breakfast and seeing you throwing it away, we lost our temper. It really slipped through our mind that you are allergic to citrus. Please forgive us, Janette.” They explained before adding, “It was really a bad coincident. No one did it intentionally. It's good that you are okay now. You should not dwell over this matter anymore.”

Their words were hint to me that they didn't take this incident seriously and were thinking I was over reacting now. They didn't stay for too long and left, probably going to Emily.

Making use of the time, I packed my bags and called the client I talked earlier for selling my house. Actually, the pack wasn't doing good after my father's death. It needed funds to be taken care of. My father's Alpha House was too huge for me to live alone. Besides, I was planning to leave the place for good. So, it wasn't useful to me. A rich family had just joined our pack. I planned to sell my house to them and use the money in developing my father's pack.

After selling my house, I took my luggage and came to my father's studio. I planned to stay in his studio for a few days before leaving. After a few hours, one of the worker came to me and said, “My lady, two handsome men are looking for you outside. Shall I call them inside or you will go see them?”

I knew who these handsome men were. I went to meet Darek and Mike. They looked angry at me. Darek began first, “Janette, What's going on? Why did you sell your house?”

“We went back only to find the house being occupied by someone else. Was selling the house over a minor allergy incident really necessary?” Mike accused, “You didn't even think about Emily before selling your house.”

They were concerned where Emily would live since I sold my house but they didn't bother asking me where I was going to live. I smiled sarcastically before replying, “ Since you guys care so much about Emily. She can stay at your place. As for me, my father's place was too big for me to live alone. I can buy a small house or just stay at his studio.”

Their anger seemed to lighten a bit. It seemed like they liked the idea of Emily living in their place. I couldn't help feeling remorseful. However, Darek seemed to notice something off in me or he just asked out of courtesy, “Janette, is everything alright with you? Are you feeling low these days?”

“How about we all go on a trip? It will lighten your mood.” Mike suggested excitedly. I thought for a while. It was not a bad idea to go out on a trip with my friends before leaving. After all, they were my closest friends since childhood. I nodded my head in agreement before saying, “After selling my father's house, I’m quite rich. I can arrange money for our trip.”

Mike smiled before shooting a glance at Darek, saying, “Emily was saying she had been feeling bored these days and wanted to go out for a trip. Let me give her a good news.”

Darek nodded his head as he commented, “Yeah, I have been considering this as well. Taking Emily out for a trip will divert her mind and she will not miss her mother that much.”

So, they asked me out on a trip only for Emily’s sake and I was a fool who was thinking they still cared about me.

Only a few days were left in leaving the pack. So, I decided to spend a day with Elder Victor. He used to be my grandfather’s beta and later he served the position of a qualified elder in my father's reign. He taught me many things, including hunting, shifting and identifying different smells. After my father died, he also taught me many tactics and helped me in running the pack. He was like a grandfather to me. So, I didn't want to hide anything from him.

“Elder Victor, you see I have been alone since my father left me and despite your teachings, I failed to run my father's pack and his studio smoothly. Besides, our pack members doesn't accept me as their Alpha.” I paused for a while before concluding myself, “So, I’m planning to leave the pack after handing everything to my Dad’s beta, Uncle Mathew for a time being.”

Elder victor was overwhelmed with this sudden news. He tried to convince me in staying while saying, “Janette, you have been doing great and the pack members will accept you sooner or later. You don't need to leave the pack just because they don't accept you. Always remember that you are an Alpha by birth, not by their choice. Besides you have two Alpha mates. If one of them get married to you and help you in running the pack, no one will chalange your claim and as far as I remember they both are fond of you. Have they not proposed marraige to you yet?”

“Elder Victor, it's just one of the reasons behind my departure. I have other reasons to do it as well.” I cut him off. He sighed in defeat before responding, “Alright, if you have already decided, I’ll not stop you. When will you return to lead your pack then?”

“I have not thought about it yet.” I replied. Elder Victor was devastated after hearing me. He sighed, saying, “I always saw you as my own. I just wish you good luck and hope for your better future.”

Elder Victor’s eyes turned red and he couldn't help crying while imagining my departure. I couldn't hold back either. I hugged him immediately and cried while saying, “Elder Victor, you are also like my own grandfather. I really have no choice but to leave otherwise I wouldn't have left everything behind like this.”

“I understand, my child.” he replied while wiping the corner of his eyes. Just then Darek and Mike appeared along with Emily. They were surprised to see me with Elder Victor.

“Janette, what are you doing here?” Darek asked. Seeing Emily standing with them just enhanced my sadness. I was hoping a private time with Elder Victor but she had to intervene here as well. She had already snatched my two friends from me and now she wasn't even letting me spend some time with Elder Victor who was like a grandfather to me.

“Grandpa Victor is Elder of my pack. He is like a grandfather to me. It's very obvious for me to visit him. It should be I asking this question to you.” I said in an indifferent voice, they might not notice it.

“Emily said she has learnt hunting from Elder Victor. She wanted to visit him and thanked him for his service.” Mike said while Darek added, “So, we accompanied her to visit him.”

Emily’s mother was my father's sister. She belonged to the same pack and hence often visited us with Emily. Thus, she learnt many things from our elders. However, it was the only time she thought of visiting one of them. I doubt it to be a coincident.

Darek seemed to notice something and immediately asked, “Janette, why are your eyes swollen? Were you crying?”

Mike also turned to me and looked concerned. He asked, “Janette, is there something you are troubled with? Why don't you share with us anything now?”

As if they were available to listen. I shook my head and said, “It's nothing. Something got into my eyes.”

They didn't look satisfied with my answer and looked up at Elder Victor, hoping he would tell the reason. However, he chose to stay silent to respect my decision.

“Grandpa Victor, I’m leaving now.” I said while turning to him.

“Are you not staying for dinner?” He asked instantly, looking sad by my departure.

I had originally planned to stay and have dinner with him. But, after seeing Emily standing along with Darek and Mike, I lost my apatite.

“I have work to do, Grandpa Victor. I’m sorry but I can't stay.”

After saying these words I shot a glance over my two friends and Emily, then turned to leave. However, Darek held my hands and pulled me back. He looked deeply into my eyes and said, “Please stay, Janette.”

“Yes, Janette. Why are you leaving so early? Let's have dinner together.” Mike suggested.

‘I would have surely stayed if you guys hadn't brought Emily with you.’ I thought but remained silent for a while. Darek came up to me and held my hands, trying to pull me back with him. But, I gently brushed his hands off before saying in a calm voice, “Darek, I have to prepare for my flight. I’m leaving tomorrow. I can't stay with you guys. You two can have dinner with Emily.”

After saying this, I left. They kept staring at me with their stunned eyes. I go back to the studio.

The next day, I was preparing for the flight when Emily called me. She sounded very excited while saying this, “Janette, I’m very happy today.”

“What happened?” I asked casually while being busy at work. She continued, “Do you know Grandpa Victor handed me his potion infirmary since he doesn't have any child to inherit it. Not just that, he told me that he would mention my name in Pack's community. Now, I'll be one of the decision making members of my mother's birth pack.”

Though Emily's mother was an Alpha but her father was a beta. I doubt how she got Elder Victor to include her name in Pack's senior officials. She even managed to trap Elder Victor into her honey trap. She was indeed skillful in manipulating people.

“Well, Congratulations then. You now have my pack as well along with my two friends. Take care of them.” I said sarcastically.

“Yes, I will,” She snapped back while adding, “Do you know after dinner with Elder Victor, they took me to introduce me to their parents. Their parents seemed to like me very much. I’m so glad they liked me. They even said they want their daughter-in-law like me.”

“You have two suitors then. Choose wisely.”

After saying this, I hung up. I didn't want to sound hurt and let her enjoy it. So, before my voice could turn hoarse, I decided to cut the call.

Since my two friends were busy introducing their new friends to their family. I guessed they wouldn't be available to drop me to AirPort. Thus, I called my friend, Faye to drop me to the airport.

I came to know that my flight was delayed by two hours. So, Faye waited along with me to give me company. After chatting for a while, she asked, “Where are Darek and Mike, by the way? Why did you call me instead of them? As far as I remember they never let you take help from anyone else. They would always fight each other to take care of you.”

Her words passed chills down my spine as she just touched my hurtful part. Not noticing the change in my expression, she continued, “ I have always envied you for having two Alpha mates roaming around you like servants. Hah, getting one mate as an Alpha is so hard and here you are enjoying two mates.”

“Even before they knew they were your mates, they were crazy about you. They didn't let any male wolf come near you. I was even afraid of meeting you in their presence. They were so possessive of you. Only if I had such a possessive mate, hah…” she sighed before adding, “Anyways, where are they? How did they leave you alone this time?”

“Faye…” I called her with a hoarse voice, tears forming in my eyes.

“What's wrong, Janette?” Faye was startled. I then told her everything. I told her how hard it was for me after my father's death when my two friends stopped caring about me. I told her that she shouldn't envy me anymore because I was left with nothing now. I told her that my two childhood friends who were also my mate had shifted their feelings from me to their new lover, Emily.

Faye immediately hugged me. I couldn't help crying. She suggested that I go live with her when I return from my Mom's place. I broke our hug and looked up at her with a meaningful gaze. She chuckled and immediately asked, “When are you coming by the way?”

“I don't know…” I said as I hadn't thought about it when I decided to leave.

Just then I heard a familiar voice from behind. It belonged to Darek. He overheard our last few conversations and couldn't hold back himself from asking, “What do you mean you don't know? Have you not booked the returning ticket?”

I turned back only to find Darek and Mike standing along with Emily. Mike walked up to me and said, “Emily told us that you canceled your trip with us. Now, only three of us are going. Is there something wrong? That's why you are hurrying to visit your Mom?”

It was indeed right that I hurried my visit to Mom to avoid the trip with them but I never had such a conversation with Emily. I was planning to leave without telling them. She lied. However, I didn't bother pointing her out. But, Faye couldn't resist anymore. She came between me and them, saying angrily, “ Only now did you get time to ask her? Where were you when she visited her father's grave alone? Where were you when she was dying of allergy? Where were you when she was handling pack issues alone? Didn't you two promise her Dad that you will always look after her? Was your promise that weak that it could easily be shaken with a girl’s seduction?”

She shot a cold glance at Emily while saying the last sentence. She then added, “Janette is your mate yet you guys are always fooling around with another she-wolf. All of you should feel ashamed while ridiculously wandering, holding each other's hands. Even Moon Goddess would be disappointed with all three of you.”

Listening to Faye's words, Darek and Mike went numb for a while. They looked up at me to understand what was going on and why my friend was so mad at her. But then, Emily suddenly started crying. She said while sobbing, “I-I told you guys to not care about me. Janette will not like this. Now see, her friend is portraying me as a scheming mistress who snatches others' mates. If people hear this, my reputation will be damaged and no men will accept me. I… I am sorry, Faye. I will stay away from Darek and Mike now. Please don't talk ill about my character.”

Darek and Mike, both turned to Faye. With a pair of cold eyes, they said, “Faye, apologize Emily.”