Chapter 3

My pack members tried all sorts of tactics to get Milana talking about our past relationship, offering her drinks to loosen her up. Unable to take the pressure, she seized the chance to escape by pretending she needed the ladies' room. I watched her go, my gaze lingering for a moment before I turned back to the group.

She texted me: *"I'm leaving now."* The notification showed a red exclamation mark. Suddenly, the fog in my mind lifted—I realized I’d blocked her. My jaw tightened, but I didn’t unblock her. She needed to understand her place.

Milana drifted back into the room, her steps unsteady. As she opened the door, the atmosphere seemed to freeze. Everyone’s familiar faces turned to her with guarded expressions, hinting that something big had gone down.

I sat in the center, lounging in my chair, enjoying the drama. Nova was clutching her phone, her expression triumphant, as if she’d uncovered something huge.

"Milana, turns out you were just a lovestruck puppy," she announced, her voice bold and cutting in a way Milana never dared to be in front of me.

Milana was caught off guard, gaping at her. Nova, even more pleased with herself, raised her voice.

"I took the liberty of unblocking the puppy and snooping around on WhatsApp. Guess what? The puppy’s profile is brimming with your photos."

"You’ve stayed single because you couldn’t win Alpha Leon over, right?"

Nova relayed her discovery with mock enthusiasm, displaying a confidence Milana lacked in my presence.

"If I were you, I’d have disappeared ages ago from sheer embarrassment."

I sat there, a slight smile on my lips, the indulgent fondness obvious. Milana and I had known each other for years, seen each other at our worst, yet right now, I felt a twisted satisfaction watching her squirm.

The mood was tense until Keegan, ever the peacemaker, chimed in, suggesting everyone drink. Only then did I casually dismiss Milana:

"Milana’s just my Beta. That’s why I marked her as such—she can be annoying."

"There’s not much difference between subordinates and lovestruck puppies."

Nova kept pressing: "What kind of Beta texts to ask if you’ve eaten?"

I just shrugged off the question, replying instead, "You want to be my Beta if she leaves?"

"I can handle it. I’m preparing for my pack’s advanced training exams—what can’t I do?"

"I’m afraid I’m underselling you. Having you as my Beta would be a waste of talent."

Milana remained quiet, watching us banter. Nova suddenly seemed to notice her, pointedly gesturing at the beer on the table.

"Milana, since you’re so keen on seducing the Alpha, why not finish this bottle?"

She smirked at Milana. "Otherwise, I’ll spill all your flirty texts to Alpha Leon."

Before I could intervene, Milana grabbed the bottle and emptied it. Her stomach turned, and she managed to say, "Miss Harper, would you please help Alpha Leon clear the messages and just erase me."

Holding her churning stomach, Milana walked out, hearing Nova’s last stinging remark:

"Alpha Leon, I’m preparing for my Gamma exams, hoping to join your pack post-training."

"Your pack needs strong warriors, not Betas looking for a shortcut."

"Getting such mediocre staff would be disgraceful."

Mediocre Beta. I chuckled bitterly. Seven years by my side, three years together, and that’s what she’d become.

My stomach felt like it was in knots. I watched her stagger out, almost collapsing in the hallway. Unexpectedly, right before she blacked out, she fell into a reassuring and warm embrace.

In the daze, a concerned male voice came from above. "Are you okay?"

It was Colten, the Gamma from the rival pack. My jaw clenched as I watched him hold her, his protective stance making my wolf stir with irritation. He had no right to touch her—she was still mine, even if she didn’t know it yet.