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."

My thumb hovered over the send button. For a second, I wanted to blow up his entire little act, let him know I saw everything. But then I sighed and erased the message. What was the point? He wouldn’t care, and I wasn’t about to give him the satisfaction of knowing he got to me.

Then a message coming from him. “I love you.”

I stared at the screen, letting out a bitter laugh. The audacity. He could lie to my face without a hint of guilt. He could even throw in an *I love you* right after spending the night with her?

Wow.

As my laughter faded, anger bubbled up. I was furious—not just at him, but at myself. How could I have been so blind? I’d trusted him completely, certain he’d never betray me. I mean, I was an Alpha, and he was my mate. I thought that actually meant something. I thought he’d never cross that line, especially with someone like Melanie.

I’d brushed off the rumors, ignored the whispers from pack members who’d seen them together. I’d been so sure of him, so convinced of our bond. I thought I knew him, thought he loved me. But I’d been wrong.

I clenched my fists, feeling the sting of betrayal all over again. He’d shattered the trust I’d built over the years, and now, there was no unseeing the truth.

The next morning, I headed to the pack elders’ court. It was the one place we could go to officially sever bonds—a sacred space for the pack, where all serious matters got handled. And today, it was where I’d finally be free from Drake’s lies.

As I walked, I tried calling him. He needed to be there to complete the bond break, but of course, his phone went straight to voicemail. I called again. And again. Nothing. Frustrated, I pulled up *PackLink*, our pack’s app, like a werewolf version of Facebook, packed with status updates, pack announcements, and way too many memes.

I scrolled through the main feed, skipping over posts about the latest hunt and cute pup pics, until I found Melanie’s profile. She’d just posted a photo of her and Drake, looking all smug, with the caption, “Blessed beyond words.” I rolled my eyes, then clicked on her profile to send her a message.

She replied almost instantly. “Oh, what do you need, sweetheart?” Her message practically oozed fake sweetness.

“Tell Drake to meet me at the elders’ court. We have things to settle.” I kept it simple.

Her reply came with a laughing emoji. “Drake’s a bit busy right now. He’s with someone who actually makes him happy.”

I clenched my jaw, typing back. “Then you come instead. If you’re so confident, meet me face-to-face.”

“Fine. Meet me at the bar at the end of town. I’ll be waiting.”

I closed the app, my blood boiling. She really thought she’d won, flaunting their ‘relationship’ all over PackLink like some trophy. But I knew exactly what I’d say to her when I saw her. If she wanted Drake, she could have him—every last worthless piece of him. I was done.

I met Melanie at a bar way out on the edge of town, just like she’d wanted. She was sitting there, legs crossed, with sky-high heels that practically screamed, ‘Look at me’. I raised an eyebrow—she was obviously pregnant, the scent gave it away immediately. She looked me up and down with this smug smile, then gave me a slow, taunting smirk.

“So, you actually showed up,” she purred, crossing her legs all dramatic. “Figured you’d be too scared to face the truth.”

I kept my face calm, even though her attitude was grating on me. “Trust me, Melanie, I didn’t come here for you. I just came to say you can have Drake. Every single bit of him.”

She let out this cold laugh that echoed in the empty bar. “Oh, Alpha, I already HAVE him. And this baby?” She patted her stomach. “He’s counting down the days till our family is complete. He’s done with you.”

I leaned in close, matching her energy. “Good. Keep him closely.” I raised my chin. “Enjoy being his new mistake.”

Her eyes narrowed, and before I could react, her hand slapped me hard across the face, leaving a sting. I clenched my jaw, vision blurring with anger, and slapped her back just as hard, satisfied when her head whipped to the side.

“You—!” she spat, eyes blazing, and she lunged at me, grabbing my hair so hard it felt like my scalp was on fire.

I fought to pull back, but she shoved me with everything she had. I crashed into a chair, pain shooting through my back as I fell, clutching my stomach. But it wasn’t just the impact—there was something sharper, deeper, twisting through me like lightning.

Melanie just stood there, looking down at me with horror mixed with satisfaction. “Pathetic!” she muttered, brushing her hands off as if to get rid of me entirely.

Struggling, I reached for my phone, my fingers trembling. I hit Rachel’s number, praying she’d pick up.

"Rachel…" I whispered, my voice barely there. “Please… I need you. Something’s wrong… I think… I think the baby…”