Chapter 2
I stepped into the pack’s administrative office, the resignation letter clutched firmly in my hand. Khaleesi Porter, the Beta of the Hutchinson Pack and my father’s most trusted advisor, looked up from her desk, her sharp eyes narrowing in disbelief.
“You’re resigning?” she asked, her voice low but laced with concern. “What about Sterling’s upcoming training and promotions? Didn’t you just secure him a position as Gamma in the southeastern patrol? That’s a high-ranking role—one step closer to Beta! Didn’t he promise you something in return for your support? Are you really ready to walk away from that?”
A promise? Sterling Garcia had vowed that if I helped him rise through the ranks and secure the Gamma position, he would finally mark me as his mate. So, I poured my energy into achieving that goal, dreaming of standing proudly by his side as his Luna.
But now, I realized that if he truly cared for me, he wouldn’t have let the pack’s Omegas mock me for years, nor would he have allowed their whispers and sneers to follow me through the halls. He wouldn’t have stood by as they questioned my worth, my place beside him.
“Does Sterling know?” Khaleesi asked, her tone implying she assumed I was leaving because of unrequited devotion.
Everyone in the pack knew how much I adored Sterling Garcia. Yet, he never showed me any special affection publicly, nor did he grant me any privileges. To maintain his image as a dedicated Gamma, he even treated me with cold indifference in front of others, making them believe I was nothing more than a hopeful admirer.
“He knows,” I replied, placing the resignation letter on her desk with steady hands. Khaleesi said nothing more, and the letter was accepted.
As I gathered my belongings and passed Sterling’s office, I overheard him speaking with Quincy Robinson, his Delta friend.
“Sterling, how can you treat Vanessa like this after everything?” Quincy asked. “What if she really walks away?”
With a dismissive laugh, Sterling replied, “Leave me? You’re giving her too much credit. She’s been loyal to me for years. Besides, with my career on the rise, she wouldn’t dare. A mate and a mistress—I can manage both.”
Despite my decision to leave, hearing Sterling mock the eight years I had devoted to loving him left a bitter taste in my mouth. My father had been right all along—Sterling Garcia was never someone to entrust my future to.
My phone buzzed incessantly; my father, the Lycan King, had sent over dozens of termination notices. Warren Richards, the pack’s legal advisor, was ensuring Sterling’s dreams of becoming Beta were crumbling. Even the southeastern patrol had removed his name from their roster, and his future promotions were canceled.
Back in my quarters, I began packing. Years spent revolving around Sterling left me with surprisingly few belongings that were truly mine. The only exception was a ring Sterling had given me, a token I had cherished and stored away lovingly.
I had almost forgotten how much I enjoyed hunting in the forests and indulging in the freedom of my wolf form, yet I had sacrificed all that, caught up in the fantasy Sterling had spun. Without hesitation, I tossed the ring into the trash.
At that moment, Sterling walked in. “What did you just throw away?” he asked, his brow furrowed.
“Nothing important, just things that don’t matter anymore,” I replied, my voice calm and steady.
Sterling, unfazed, approached with open arms, attempting to embrace me, but I stepped back. His voice softened, “Are you still upset about today?”
“Annabelle is new to the pack. I just felt bad for her and wanted to help,” he added. This sudden conciliatory tone was unusual for him, and I wondered if he knew I planned to leave.
Trying to mask my apprehension, I forced a smile. “I understand.”
Satisfied, Sterling handed me a finely crafted dagger, its hilt adorned with intricate silver designs. “Here’s a gift for you.”
For a fleeting moment, I thought he remembered my birthday. But then his next words reminded me how foolish I was. “Please be kind to Annabelle. I want to recommend her for a warrior position; can you handle that?”
With that, he kissed my hand. “When I’m back from patrol, we’ll go on a hunt in the northern forests, alright?”
His eyes were warm and tender, leaving me questioning what I truly meant to him—a devoted admirer or merely a pawn. I managed a strained smile. “Sterling, why don’t we mark each other?”
His smile faded, and his brows furrowed in annoyance. “Vanessa, you’re dreaming again.”
“This is my peak! Marking you now would mean being overshadowed by the next rising Gamma!”
Any last shred of hope I had for him was shattered completely. He didn’t want to mark me—not now, not ever.
Seeing my unchanged expression, he softened his tone. “Vanessa, I haven’t cooked for you in ages. How about I whip up something special tonight?”
Before I could respond, his phone buzzed. Annabelle Jordan’s bright voice came through. “Sterling, we’re marking each other tomorrow at the sacred clearing! I’m so nervous, can you come over?”
In an instant, Sterling grabbed his coat and was ready to leave. I called out, “Sterling, today’s July 8th.”
He paused, glancing back at me with a puzzled expression. “What about it?”
“It’s my birthday,” I said quietly.
He stared at me for a moment, then shrugged. “Oh. Right. I’ll make it up to you later.”
And with that, he was gone, leaving me standing alone in the silence of my quarters, the weight of my decision pressing heavily on my chest. My wolf stirred within me, a low growl of frustration and pain echoing in my mind. But I silenced her, knowing this was the end. Sterling Garcia was no longer my mate, no longer my future. And for the first time in years, I felt a flicker of freedom.