Chapter 1

Dating Milana for three years, I never acknowledged our relationship publicly. As Alpha of my pack, every move I made was scrutinized, and I couldn’t risk the scandal of being tied to a Beta, no matter how brilliant she was. But when Nova came into my life, I wasted no time making her my Luna. At the pack’s gathering, I proudly introduced her, our matching mate bracelets glinting under the lights—a symbol of our bond.

Nova, perched on my lap, casually scrolled through my phone, her sharp eyes catching the contact labeled “doormat.” She tilted her head, curiosity flickering in her gaze. “Who’s this?” she asked, her voice light but laced with suspicion.

I chuckled, leaning back in my chair. “Oh, just someone I used to see for… specific reasons,” I said, my tone dismissive. “Nothing compared to my darling Nova.”

The room erupted in laughter, the sound echoing through the grand hall. One of the pack members, a Delta, raised his glass with a grin. “Alpha Leon knows how to enjoy himself,” he teased. “You better keep an eye on him, little sis,” he added, winking at Nova, who rolled her eyes but smirked.

“With so many ‘friends,’ how could I possibly keep track of him?” Nova pouted, her tone playful but with an edge that made my lips curve.

“Watch me,” I replied, taking the phone from her hands. I opened the contact—Milana’s—and without hesitation, blocked it. “See, sweetheart? I’ve blocked her. Whatever there was, it’s history now. No need to worry, alright?”

I rarely showed vulnerability, but in that moment, I let my guard down slightly, my gaze softening as I looked at Nova. The pack cheered, urging us to seal the moment with a kiss. Nova blushed, her cheeks turning a delicate pink, and leaned in willingly. I smiled, tilting my head slightly as our lips met. But as I kissed her, my eyes flicked briefly to Milana, who stood at the edge of the room, her expression unreadable.

That glance was deliberate. I knew she had seen it all—the contact, the blocking, the kiss. For a moment, I felt a flicker of something, something I quickly pushed aside. Relief washed over me, though. At least our relationship had remained a secret. Public humiliation would have been unbearable for her, and I didn’t want to deal with the fallout.

Nova pulled back from the kiss, her eyes narrowing as she followed my gaze to Milana. “Milana,” she called, her voice carrying across the room. “I heard you’ve been by Alpha Leon’s side all these years and haven’t found a mate.”

The room fell silent, the tension palpable. I watched Nova with a mix of amusement and pride, my Luna asserting her dominance. Milana stood still, her hands clenched at her sides. Nova continued, her tone casual but sharp. “Milana, everyone says you’ve secretly loved Alpha Leon. Is it true?”

Feigning realization, Nova covered her mouth with a gasp. “Could that contact he just blocked be yours—”

“No,” Milana interrupted, her voice steady despite the tension. She dug her nails into her palms, her composure impressive. “I just broke up.”

The room erupted again, this time with curiosity. Pack members gathered around Milana, eager for gossip. “Milana, you’ve been keeping secrets!” one of them teased. “When did you start seeing someone? We didn’t hear a peep!”

“Yeah, sneaking around without telling us! You owe us a drink!” another chimed in, raising a glass. Milana raised hers as well, her eyes meeting mine. “Well, it’s done now, isn’t it?” she said, her voice calm but with a hint of steel. “The account’s blocked, no more contact ever.”

I held her gaze for a moment, a silent acknowledgment passing between us. Then I turned back to Nova, who was watching me with a mix of satisfaction and curiosity. “See?” I said, my voice low, my Alpha tone creeping in. “Nothing to worry about.”

Nova smiled, leaning into me again, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted. Milana’s calm demeanor, her steady gaze—it wasn’t the reaction I’d expected. But I pushed the thought aside. I was Alpha, and my pack, my Luna, were my priorities. Milana was in the past, and that’s where she’d stay.