My fingers trembled as I dug further and felt a hard, flat edge. I pulled it out, my breath catching in my throat. It was an ultrasound report, Melanie’s name scrawled right across the top. I scanned the image, the tiny form barely visible, and yet it hit me like a ton of bricks.

“She’s pregnant?” The words slipped out in a horrified whisper.

I stumbled back, nearly dropping the report, and my heart twisted as the pieces clicked together. The note I’d found earlier flashed back into my mind. *Drake, you make my heart race. Can’t wait to see you again. Love, Mel.*

My stomach churned. Not only was he seeing her—she was carrying his child, the child he had never mentioned!

I quickly snapped photos of everything. I needed proof. This wasn’t just about me now; it was about our pup too. I couldn’t just sit around waiting to see how deep his lies went.

The front door creaked open suddenly, and panic shot through me. I stuffed everything back into the bag and bolted to the bedroom, throwing myself onto the bed and pretending to read. My hands shook, gripping the book, as I heard Drake’s footsteps coming closer.

“Hey, babe,” he called out, his voice casual, completely unaware of the storm he’d just unleashed in me.

I forced a shaky breath and looked up, trying to mask the hurt and fury in my eyes. “Hey.“

“What are you up to?”

“Oh, you know, just relaxing,” I said, forcing a smile. I could feel him moving closer, and I tried not to let my nerves show.

“Great! I need to grab something,” he said, and I knew he was going for his bag. My heart sank as he sat down on the bed next to me.

“Cassandra, you okay?”

I turned to look at him, forcing my expression to soften. “I just don’t feel well,” I lied, putting a hand on my belly. “It’s been a rough day.”

Drake frowned. “Do you want me to stay home? I can reschedule that meeting.”

My heart leaped at the thought. “Yes! Please, I’d feel so much better if you could just be here for me,” I pleaded, hoping he’d choose me over whatever he had planned with Melanie.

He hesitated, glancing at his phone on the nightstand. “I really can’t, Cass. This project is important.”

Those words hit me hard. I felt a lump in my throat as I fought back tears. “I get it,” I said, my voice shaky. “But I really need you. Can’t it wait just this once?”

He looked torn, and for a moment, I thought I saw guilt in his eyes. “I promise I’ll be back as soon as I can,” he said softly. “I just… I need to take care of this.”

“Fine,” I said, biting my lip to hold back tears. “But I really wish you wouldn’t go.” I turned my face away, trying to hide the hurt I was feeling.

As he walked out, it felt like all the air left the room. I flopped back onto the bed, the tears finally spilling over. How could he do this?

I buried my face in the pillows, letting them soak up my tears. I couldn’t believe he chose this “urgent meeting” over being with me?! The betrayal felt like a knife twisting in my heart.

After I gathered myself, I made my way outside, my mind racing. I had seen enough! I followed his scents to the sacred werewolf grove. I know he’s going there! It was one of those places we used to visit together, where the moonlight danced through the trees and made everything feel magical. But tonight, it felt more like a horror movie.

As I approached, I could hear their laughter cutting through the night air. My heart pounded louder with each step until I found a spot to hide behind a thick oak tree.

And there they were! Drake stood under the silver light, his arms wrapped around Melanie. They looked so cozy together, and my heart shattered as I watched him shower her with the love he used to give me.

“Mel, you look beautiful tonight…” his voice oozing affection.

“Thank you, Drake! I’ve missed you so much!” she replied, leaning into him and kissed him.

My breath caught in my throat.

How dare she kissed him?!

Drake was holding Melanie like she was his whole world. Every gentle touch, every sweet word, felt like a stab to my heart. He brushed a strand of hair from her face and kissed her forehead, and I could barely breathe.

Then, as if to twist the knife, he bent down and placed his hand on her belly, smiling that warm, adoring smile I’d never seen him give me. My stomach turned as he kissed her bump, whispering, “I can’t wait to meet our little one.”

Those words echoed in my mind like some cruel joke. *Our little one.* The love in his voice, the tenderness in his touch—it was all for her, for their unborn child. Meanwhile, I was just... nothing.

As he whispered promises to her and their pup, memories came flooding back. I remembered my first pregnancy, how thrilled I’d been, how nervous. But Drake had barely cared. “Our pup has an Alpha’s blood,” he’d shrugged, brushing off every worry I had. “Alpha pups are born strong. They don’t need coddling.”

He’d been distant for the second pregnancy too, always busy with his “Beta’s duties.” But now, here he was, pouring all the love I’d only dreamed of into this new life with her.

I clenched my teeth, forcing myself not to cry as I watched him kiss her belly again. My heart felt like it was breaking, but I knew I couldn’t let them see me like this. I had to stay strong—for myself, and for my own unborn pup.

Melanie’s laugh snapped me back to the present. She placed her hand over his, smiling, “Drake, I can’t wait for us to be a family. Our pup’s going to have the best father.”

The best father? I felt a surge of anger as memories of his neglect flooded back. The distance, the way he’d brushed off every concern I’d had, and here he was, practically worshipping her and their future together!

He pulled her close, murmuring, “They don’t understand us. But none of that matters now. We have each other, and soon, we’ll have our pup.”

I bit my lip, holding back a sob. The first raindrops started falling, cool and light, but they quickly turned into a steady downpour. I watched as Drake and Melanie stopped, looking up at the sky, and my heart twisted at what he did next.

Without a second thought, he shrugged off his jacket and draped it over her head to keep her dry. “Come on, let’s get you out of the wet,” he said, his voice soft and caring.

She laughed, clinging to his arm. “Always looking out for me, aren’t you?” she teased, and he just smiled, brushing a strand of her wet hair behind her ear.

“Of course,” he murmured, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I stood there, frozen, soaked from head to toe. Memories hit hard. The last time I’d been caught in the rain like this, I’d come home drenched, shivering, with my clothes stuck to my skin. I’d been pregnant with our first child then, hoping Drake might at least hand me a towel. But he barely looked at me, just walked straight into our bedroom without a word.

Not a towel, not even a bit of concern.

But here he was, fussing over Melanie, making sure she stayed dry, laughing with her like she was all that mattered. I watched him rub her shoulder, holding her close, and every little touch felt like a reminder of the times he’d ignored me, all the moments I’d needed him but he wasn’t there.

“You’re soaked,” he chuckled, pulling her even closer under his jacket. “Let’s get you home before you catch a cold.”

I clenched my fists, feeling the rain on my face, not even sure if it was rain or tears. All I knew was watching them felt like reliving every time he’d pushed me aside.

As they turned to leave, Melanie’s gaze shifted. For a brief second, her eyes locked onto mine, hidden in the shadows. Melanie leaned into him, her voice playful. "Drake, what if Cassandra catches us out here in the rain? You know she’s always watching."

Drake chuckled, "Don’t worry about her… She’s probably asleep by now," he said, his tone so casual it stung. "Besides, what’s she going to do? Scold us for enjoying a moment together?"

Melanie giggled, nuzzling closer to him. "I guess you’re right. She never did understand you the way I do."

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding. The way they spoke about me—as if I were some distant, inconsequential figure, a shadow of my former self—was unbearable.

I should’ve turned away, but I couldn’t. Not yet.

Then, a slow smirk spread across Melanie's face, the kind that said, *I know you’re here. I know you’ve been watching.* Her look dripped with smug satisfaction, as if she’d already won, as if I was just some obstacle she’d finally pushed aside.

But instead of breaking down, I felt… calm. It hurt, of course it did, but it was almost like the pain had reached its peak, and there was nothing left to give.

I’d done my crying. I’d felt the heartbreak, the betrayal. Now, there was only this odd, empty peace.

I met her gaze and just smiled, a bitter, knowing smile. I raised an eyebrow, my look clear. *Take him. He’s all yours.* I didn’t care anymore. Let her have him, all of him, the lies, the secrets, the empty promises.

With that, I turned on my heel, walking away from them, from him, from everything we once were. For the first time, it felt like I wasn’t the one losing something. I was the one finally letting go.

I walked back home, soaked to the bone, each step feeling heavier than the last. By the time I got to the house, all I wanted was to crawl into bed and disappear under the covers. But as soon as I opened the door, there was Rachel, my Gamma friend, staring at me with wide eyes, looking horrified.

“Oh my goddess, what happened to you?” she gasped, rushing over.

“It’s... a long story,” I mumbled, trying to keep it together. But the exhaustion, the hurt—it was all catching up with me.

Without saying another word, Rachel guided me to the bathroom and started running a hot bath. I just sat there, numb, staring at the wall. She didn’t ask questions or push, just helped me out of my drenched clothes and into the warm water. The heat soaked into me, easing the tension in my muscles, but it didn’t do much for the ache in my chest.

After the bath, she wrapped me in a thick blanket and handed me a mug of hot chocolate. I took a sip, feeling the warmth spread through me as I sank onto the couch, finally feeling a bit of comfort.

Rachel sat across from me, watching carefully, waiting for me to speak. I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself.

“Rachel, I need you to call the pack elders tomorrow,” I said quietly, staring down at my cup. “I’m done with Drake. I want to break the bond... officially.”

She looked at me, stunned for a second, then nodded slowly. “Are you sure, Cass?”

I nodded, feeling an odd sense of relief just saying it out loud. “Yeah. It’s over. He’s made his choice, and I’m done being his second option.”

Rachel reached over, squeezing my hand. “I’ve got you. Whatever you need.”

--

That night, I lay in bed, completely exhausted but too restless to sleep. Just as I was starting to drift off, my phone buzzed. Drake’s name flashed on the screen. For a second, I thought about ignoring it. I didn’t think I could handle another one of his lies. But curiosity got the better of me—I wanted to hear what excuse he had this time.

I picked up, trying to keep my voice steady. “Hello?”

“Hey, babe,” he said casually, like nothing was wrong. “I won’t be home tonight. There’s something important I need to take care of. Don’t wait up, alright?” And before I could even respond, he hung up.

I stared at my phone, fingers flying over the keyboard before I could stop myself.

"Important business, huh? Is that what you call making out with Melanie in the rain and playing perfect dad? Nice touch with the ‘I love you,’ by the way. Real smooth."