I was shocked to receive a romantic handwritten love letter and lilies scented perfume along with a set of gold jewelry from my Alpha mate of nine years, Blake Holmes, on our anniversary.

He was the Alpha of our pack, the White wolves pack and he ran the pack loosely.

When I received his gifts, I was so excited that I posted it on Facebook.

However, his ‘ideal mate’ commented, [How can someone treasure what I rejected?]

As soon as I saw that comment, I started investigating her on social media and found out that he had bought her a car – a new model BMW right after buying me a second-hand golf.

I also found out that he had given those gifts, but she rejected them, so he gave them to me.

I was so heartbroken that I cried and sobbed.

Wiping my tears away, I decided to take the love letters back to her. So I got her address online and walked there since it was only a few blocks away from our house.

I rang the doorbell and she finally opened the door after I rang it multiple times.

I was devastated to see Blake standing beside her with the first few buttons of his shirt open and lipstick marks on his neck.

It seemed that I caught them sleeping together.

A frown fell on Blake's brows and he groaned. He didn't waste any time putting the blame on me as he yelled, “You thought you've caught us in the act? Well, you didn't because I'm just here because of pack work. If Hailey and I were together, I wouldn't even look at you to even ask you to be my mate.”

The truth was so obvious and I felt the urge to growl at him for being a douchebag, but I held it in.

If this was a year ago, I would have thrown accusations his way and fought with him until he admits that I was right.

However, I have changed now. So instead of throwing a tantrum, I threw the love letters at his chest, and tore the bracelet that he gave me on the day that he asked me to be his mate from my wrist and also threw it at his chest.

“I hope you mark each other soon and live happily ever after.” I said in a steady voice.

The mates bracelet hit his chest and slid down to the floor.

He didn't hold back his growl and let it rumble from his throat. He kicked the bracelet, making it slide across the floor and hit the wall of the doorway resulting in the clasp breaking.

It felt like he kicked my heart and stomped on it.

He growled, “I won't mark you as mine if you keep getting in my business. Stay out of my way from now on.

Hailey and I need to talk about important issues regarding work. So why don't you leave and think about what you've done?”

Even though he was putting the blame on me and acting like he was innocent like he usually did, I felt relieved.

As soon as I left the house, I called Blake's Mom and told her how he cheated on me then announced that I was going to reject him.

She called him and told him. Even though he stopped calling me a long time ago, he called me while on the call with her to have a group call. As soon as I answered the call, he called his sister, his Dad, my Dad and brother.

“Hey everyone, I've been so busy with pack business and a hardworking warrior has been helping me with guarding the pack territory and preventing rogue attacks.” He said in a bored tone of voice.

Before I could say anything, he quickly started pointing fingers at me as he said, “Amber, you can't just have angry outbursts just because I couldn't buy you a diamond jewelry set for our mating anniversary, and instead bought you a gold one instead.”

“I even forgave you for staying out late until 10:00 pm that day that you went out with your friends on a girls night out and strange he-wolves brought you home in their car.” He added in a pitiful voice.

Immediately, everyone started talking at the same time, but then they quieted down as Dad said, “What kind of a spoilt daughter did I raise? Blake is an Alpha, yet you're acting like you're better than him. Well, he's better than you, and you to repent to him.”

I was made speechless by his words, and his next words shocked me even more.

“If you don't stay as Blake's and let such a great Alpha mark you as his mate, don't bother calling me your father again.”

I gasped as I felt my heart clench in pain, “Dad, no…”

He didn't wait to hear anymore of what I had to say and hung up.

The rest of the family started talking at the same time again and I hung up too. I wanted to call Dad and explain to him what really happened, but from my past experiences with Blake's scheming, I knew he wouldn't listen.

My Mom passed away when I was only seven years old, so her death hit my Dad pretty hard and it changed him into a very angry man.

Not receiving love and care from my father like it should be pushed me straight into Blake's arms when he showed up, filling my ears with his sweet words and careful pampering.

However, that all changed over the years that we've been together and I found out that he was very fake. He has pretended to be loving, and now, his love and care was all towards Hailey Keith.

His good behavior was for those that were not close to him until now while his ice cold attitude, biting and snarky comments were for me.

He loved mocking and taunting me, but what he enjoyed doing the most was making me pissed off in front of pack members.

He wanted them to see me crumble while angrily demanding answers from him and he will act like he was a good mate by showing that he listens to me and puts the past behind us.

The pack members see me as a slow, deranged she-wolf. However, now, he had misjudged me.

Only those who refuse to move on make a fuss. A flame that's extinguished cannot be rekindled by Blake again.

I was feeling down, so I knew that going for a run would do me good.

I made my way out of the house and started shifting into my wolf form.

As soon as I was fully shifted, I raced into the woods beside the pack house.

I howled, feeling excited as I ran faster. I had a power of fast speed so I was running very fast.

I felt peace as the wind brushed through my fur and my feet directed me to wherever the wind called me as it whistles in my ears.

However, my peace was disturbed when I heard a growl.

I stopped running and looked around to find out where the growl came from.

Five wolves walked out of the bushes and surrounded me.

I didn't recognize any of them, so I knew that they weren't our pack members and from the feral look in their eyes, I could tell that they were rogues.

One of them shifted into his human form and growled at me again. He looked rough with his hair and beard looking unruly.

“Come with us quietly or we'll kill you right here.” He grunted as he glared at me.

Did they want to drag me away from the pack territory to rape and kill me so that the Alpha wouldn't come after them?

Well, from how Blake's been behaving, I doubt he would go after them once he finds out they attacked me.

I shifted into my human form and growled, “I'm not going anywhere with you. Leave me alone or I'll make you regret trying to kidnap me.”

I heard some rogues eat other werewolves, so maybe they also wanted to eat me.

I shuddered at the thought and shook my head. I would never let them defeat me.

“Then we'll kill you right here!” He yelled and quickly shifted back to his wolf form.

They attacked me all at the same time and I was prepared.

I stretched my hands out and used my mind powers to make them feel the force of the air around them hit them, so they all fall back on the ground.

It gave me enough time to shift into my wolf and before I knew it, two of them got up and jumped on me.

One bit down on my hind leg while the other bit down on my shoulder.

I shifted into my human form as I summoned my mind power of control and my eyes glowed golden. I stared into the eyes of the wolf that bit my shoulder and his eyes started flowing golden too.

“Get off me.” I said the command in a low tone of voice.

He got off me and I commanded one again, “Fight him until he runs away.”

He moaned in response and turned to the wolf still biting my leg. He growled at him, making him let go of my leg and look up then he pushed him off me and started fighting him.

My mother came from a strong line of ancient werewolves that had magic in their blood, so that was how I was able to have such powers unlike most werewolves.

The rest of the wolves growled and rushed to attack me, but I stared into the eyes of one as I whispered the command, “Stop them and protect me.”

He jumped in front of me, stopping them from getting to me and growled at them.

They looked confused, but they growled back.

I looked into the eyes of another of rogue wolf and commanded, “Leave.”

He turned and ran away.

When the one that I haven't used mind control on saw that, he jumped on the one protecting me and they started fighting.

They didn't stop fighting until the one that wasn't being controlled got up and ran away.

The one that bit my leg also got up and ran away.

The remaining two that were being controlled by me shifted into their human form, looking as rough as the other one that I saw in his human form.

“It is done, mistress.” They both reported at the same time.

“Good. Now, leave the pack territory.” I commanded as my eyes glowed a brighter golden.

“Yes, mistress.” They both answered and shifted into their wolf form then raw away.

“That was close.” I muttered to myself and glanced down at my leg to see that it has already healed.

Only the blood remained. I would have to wash it away once I get home.

I shifted back to my wolf form and ran back home.

Blake walked into the house, holding a torn piece of his love letters while I was sitting peacefully on the couch and watching TV.

With his voice dripping with disdain, he said, "You can't even make a simple cup of tea? Are you still angry? I wrote you those love letters you've always wanted. Now stop being dramatic." He flung the crumpled letters at my feet.

I'd often admire women carrying handwritten love letters, their smiles betraying a deep contentment. I confided in Blake, sharing my longing for such gestures, but he'd brush it off, his dismissive nature a stark contrast to the love I craved.

He lashed out, "I regret ever getting involved with someone as shallow as you. You contribute nothing, but laziness, spending your days vegging out on the couch, glued to TV. Do you even deserve any luxury?"

His hypocritical words cut deep. The same man who seduced me to stop working in the pack office with promises of a lifelong bond now branded me sluggish and loving luxury too much.

His true intentions were now obvious; I was merely a servant, not a mate. He couldn't give me even a heartfelt word or modest gift yet he gave Hailey a car, love letters, and jewelry.

After I came back from my run, I scrolled through Facebook and came across Hailey's video.

They had a candle light dinner as he read love poetry to her and they grinned as they stared into each other's eyes.

After she tore those love letters apart, he bought love poetry letters from a company that writes and delivers love poetry letters. He gave many to her and then gave only one to me.

I gazed at the love poetry letter in disgust and ripped it to shreds.

I glanced at him as I said in a firm voice, “I wouldn't settle for filthy, worn-out stuff, and I certainly won't settle for filthy, worn-out love.”

As soon as Blake heard my words, his face twisted into a scowl as he growled, “How dare you speak to me like that, Amber?! Remember that I'm your Alpha and your mate, you live in my pack, so I mean everything to you!”

Telling him off was the best option. In the years that we've been together, I've always done my pack duties as Luna and a member of the pack.

Even while I was working at the pack office, I would clean the pack house and do laundry for all pack members living in the pack house on certain days. I never asked him to take me out of doing those duties after I became his Luna mate.

However, I wasn't able to tell him off as the doorbell rang.

I walked over to the front door and pulled it open. The delivery man for Wendy's handed me the white cake box and I closed the door.

Blake looked confused for a second then a thoughtful look showed on his face and he murmured, “Don't tell me today is your birthday.”

It was indeed my birthday and I was turning 34. It was also our 9th mating anniversary, yet he still hasn't marked me. I didn't know why, but now, I suspected that it has something to do with Hailey.

I have spent the whole day sewing a nice dress with the intention of wearing it when Blake took me out for my birthday and our anniversary dinner like we did every year after he came back home from the pack office.

Haunted by regret, Blake took the cake box from my hand then pulled the cake out and set it on the center table as he rushed out, "I've been swamped with trying to keep rogues out of our territory recently. I want to make amends. Why don't we go shopping this evening so that you can select a new diamond mates bracelet?”

I sat down and he followed, sitting beside me on the couch, his loving attitude returning.

“Amber, you don't have to worry about Hailey. I mean, we used to be mates when we were just teenagers, but that was ages ago and I'm over her now.” He added in a soft voice.

Was he really over her?

There was a time when we had just become mates and he introduced me to his family.

I stood up to go to the bathroom and overheard their conversation with my heightened werewolf hearing when I was about to enter the bathroom.

They asked him what happened with Hailey and he replied, “I can be with anyone, just not her.”

I thought that meant he was over her, but I could now see that I was fooling myself.

As I thought about my relationship with Blake, I noticed that it wasn't what I expected it to be.

Agreeing to become Blake's mate has been the worst thing to have ever happened to me and I had to put a stop to this problem.

I glanced at him as I replied in an uncaring tone of voice, “Don’t worry about it. Just go wherever you want to go, you don't need to worry about it.”

A shocked look appeared on Blake's face at my response.

However, after years of me biting my tongue, he had become accustomed to my silence.

It seemed that he believed that I had put what he had done behind us and grinned as he picked up the knife from the table and cut a slice of cake.

“Here, have a bite.” He murmured as he handed me the plate that he had placed the cake on and added a fork on it.

I always tried to stay away from cake and any dessert related food because I wanted Blake's love. But now, I was willing to eat the whole cake because I wanted to live a happy life far away from Blake.

As I made my decision, I took a bite of the cake and savored the taste.

I finished the slice and cut a bigger slice. I was so concentrated on eating the cake that I didn't notice when Blake left.

I looked around and found the dress that I had spent all day sewing had fallen to the ground and had a dirty footprint on it like someone had matched it.

He was trying so hard to get away from me that he had pushed over my dress and stepped on it on his way out.

I picked the dress and placed it in the washing machine.

My phone beeped, indicating a notification coming through. I glanced at the screen to see that it was from Facebook.

Hailey has posted a video, and I clicked on it to see her saying, “Hey, guys! You have no idea what happened today. I’m such a scaredy little cat! I was afraid of a spider. Good thing my savior will always rescue me.”

The video ended and I saw her next post which was tagged in. It was actually Blake's post from his second account which I had no idea he had.

The post was a reply to her post and it was also a video of him saying, “I’ll always rescue you even if it's from fire breathing dragons.”

He never replies to my post even after I posted that I was attacked by rogues.

I commented on the post, [You did good.]

Immediately, he texted me, [ Hailey was traumatized by a spider in her house, so I'm taking her to the pack hospital to see a psychiatrist.

You need to help her, so come over and do her laundry. By the way, make some chicken soup for her and bring it to us at the pack hospital. Remember not to add onions inside the soup.]

That was when it hit me. Blake always liked onions, but whenever I added onions when cooking a meal, he would get angry and curse at me. So he has actually been making me cook for Hailey and not him.