Chapter 2

This sort of thing wasn’t new. Ever since Aleah Gibson joined the pack as an Omega and was appointed by Alpha Weston as his personal assistant, he seemed to favor her unconditionally. Every time tensions arose because of their closeness, Alpha Weston would inevitably take her side, leaving me to apologize to Aleah in the end. As Luna, it was humiliating, but I had learned to swallow my pride for the sake of the pack.

About two weeks ago, I needed to discuss pack matters with Alpha Weston. Upon entering his office, I caught them emerging from the private lounge, looking disheveled. Through the space between them, I could clearly see the unmade sheets inside—there was no need for further evidence of what had occurred.

To think, this lounge was off-limits even for me, his mate and Luna, when I wanted to take a break.

I stood there, frozen, anger bubbling up inside me, but the words wouldn’t come. Seeing my bewildered expression, Aleah smiled casually, "Luna Viviana, don’t misunderstand. Alpha Weston was exhausted from his duties. His back was bothering him, so I was just helping him with a massage."

I really wished I could believe her, but with a man and woman alone in a room, rumpled sheets, and disheveled clothing? It’s hard not to jump to conclusions.

Later, I delicately mentioned the incident to Alpha Weston, suggesting that as my mate, it would be wise to maintain some distance from other females. But Alpha Weston reacted angrily.

"What are you trying to say? I work endlessly every day for this pack, and Aleah was just being thoughtful by helping me with a massage. How can you turn that into something else?" he retorted.

"Is your mind consumed with nothing but nonsense?" he added with frustration.

I couldn’t help but respond, "What do I mean? Being alone with another female in a room—is that appropriate for an Alpha?"

Alpha Weston’s anger flared, and he began throwing things, accusing me of mistrusting him, which led to a heated argument.

From his intense reaction, I suspected there was something he was hiding. Otherwise, why would he be so agitated? But without any proof—and still having feelings for him—I chose to act as if nothing had happened as time passed.

Once the alliance with the neighboring pack was confirmed, and on the eve of my departure for the negotiations, the pack hosted a farewell gathering in my honor. During the event, Aleah drank excessively, yet Alpha Weston, my mate, not only neglected me but sat beside her, shielding her from rounds of drinks.

The pack members noticed this, casting glances my way—some mocking, but most pitying me. I pretended not to notice, continuing to warmly engage with everyone over food and drinks.

Perhaps due to my patience, after the gathering, Alpha Weston offered to take Aleah home, yet didn’t return until morning. Upon coming back, he explained it away, claiming nothing happened as he was merely looking after her.

However, the faint scent of Aleah’s floral perfume lingering on his clothes and the small marks across his chest suggested a much more passionate encounter. But still, I chose to ignore it. I told myself, maybe it was just a coincidence.

Yet, everything that unfolded tonight made me feel like a fool. Trusting repeatedly and forgiving over and over resulted not in understanding, but in even greater betrayal. He actually brought her into our home—the very place we had built together as our mate’s den, the sanctuary symbolizing our bond. He had moved another female in.

Even the most naive would struggle to convince themselves that nothing happened between them.

From the moment we discovered our mate bond to our marking ceremony, throughout this lengthy relationship, I was always the one compromising. After all, every bond faces friction and disagreements. One partner has to be willing to back down. Since he wouldn’t do it, I did. Yet my concessions only seemed to encourage his behavior.

Since that’s the case, there’s no need to retreat anymore. I have decided to leave.