Chapter 1

I’ve been secretly mated to Sterling Garcia, the rising Gamma of the Hutchinson Pack, for ten years. But on the day of our marking ceremony, he announced his intention to reconcile with his first love, Annabelle Jordan, an Omega in our pack, planning to make her his Luna. The revelation sent shockwaves through the private gathering of his closest packmates.

"Your Highness, Vanessa has been your advocate forever, and you couldn’t do without her before. What’s changed now?" one of them burst out.

Sterling, unbothered, produced a marking ring with a sly grin. "She’s nothing but a stepping stone. How could she ever compare to my true mate?"

"But the future Lycan Queen has unparalleled skills. Aren’t you worried she might leave in a huff?" another packmate probed.

Sterling sneered, his voice dripping with indifference, "She’s just a Beta’s daughter. Do you really think I can’t rise in the pack without her?"

Little did he know, I was listening just outside the door, absorbing every hurtful word.

I tore up the freshly signed alliance treaty with the powerful Blackthorn Pack, Alpha Josue Baker’s pack, and called my father, the Lycan King.

“Father, he doesn’t want the alliance. Pull the support,” I asserted firmly.

This time, I was determined not only to walk away but to ensure his complete downfall.

As I prepared my resignation as his advocate, Sterling summoned me to his quarters.

“Tell Alpha Josue I want Annabelle to join the alliance negotiations,” he demanded, not even bothering to look at me.

I stifled a laugh at his absurdity; wanting an Omega like Annabelle to lead in negotiations with a powerful Alpha. My face remained expressionless as I nodded.

Sterling scrutinized me, noticing my calm demeanor, and his brows furrowed in irritation. “Why are you so upset again? Annabelle is new; shouldn’t I give her a chance?”

“If you’re really mad, just use my card and buy yourself a new dress,” he added carelessly.

Such was Sterling’s typical dismissive attitude. Once, I believed this was his way of indulging me, willing to do anything for him.

But Annabelle was notorious for her lack of diplomacy, and yet he wanted her as the lead.

I slipped the resignation letter among his other documents. “No need, I don’t care for these.”

Sterling was taken aback; this was the first time I refused him. He sighed with frustration, "Vanessa, you’re becoming so narrow-minded!"

With impatience, he tossed a pen at my feet, "Do these trivial matters really need my attention?"

I remained silent and walked out.

In the stairwell, a smile of relief spread across my face as I held the resignation letter.

Sterling and I had been together for eight years. When he wanted to rise in the pack, I quit my position as a Delta warrior to be his advocate. He avoided the pack’s social hierarchy, so I persuaded my father, the Lycan King, to invest in his training and alliances. When rival packs tried to undermine him, I stayed up for nights drafting strategies and gathering evidence. I even leveraged my family’s connections to secure renowned Alphas to mentor him.

He once claimed he couldn’t survive in the pack without me. I always thought I was the most important person in his life.

Today, I realized it was all a facade. He simply wanted someone to manage his rise and life, a caretaker in every sense.

He even forgot the promises he made to me, forgot that today was my birthday.

Back at my desk, I saw Annabelle’s name trending in the pack’s mind link: #NewLunaCandidateDinnerDateWithMysteryMate#

The image showed Annabelle cozying up with someone, the pair sharing an intimate dinner. Though the man’s face was blurry, I knew it was Sterling. He wore the suit I’d gifted him for our eighth anniversary.

Then Annabelle sent me several messages via mind link:

"[Your Highness, years without a marking? That’s some dedication.]"

"[Too bad Sterling only sees you as a fling. Isn’t today your birthday? What a pity, he’s with me.]"

"[Sterling proposed to me. We’ll be getting our marking ceremony soon.]"

Before I could block her from my mind link, she bombarded me with dozens of images.

Pictures of them touring rival packs, kissing by the Silver Moon Lake, making vows in a sacred grove.

During those times, I was fighting for my life in the pack’s infirmary, bleeding profusely after a miscarriage.

Every smile on Sterling’s face was like a dagger, leaving me bleeding internally.

I forced a bittersweet smile.

Next, messages from Father arrived:

"[Alpha Josue decided not to work with him and is rallying the packs to blacklist him.]"

"[I’ve coordinated for the pack to pull the plug, and reported Sterling Garcia’s position for misconduct. Also, some recordings of him bullying younger packmates are being prepped for upload.]"

"[Once it’s all settled, come home. Father’s waiting to celebrate your birthday.]"

Since Sterling no longer needed me as his insignificant sycophant, what reason was left for me to stay?