When my mate, Alpha Levi Jones, lay dying during a rogue attack, he made his brother, Beta Justin Jones, promise to take care of me after he was gone.

       After Alpha Levi’s passing, Justin inherited the Alpha position, and true to his word, he looked after me for five years.

       One night, after too many drinks, my heat came early and my scent flooding the room, stripping away all rationality. We lost control, surrendering to the wild pull of our wolves. That night changed everything—I became pregnant.

       Excited by the thought of telling Alpha Justin, I recalled the Luna’s ring he had tucked away in his drawer. Foolishly, I assumed it was meant for me.

       However, as I stepped into the packhouse, my world shattered. Alpha Justin was with his chosen Mate, Joey Miller, a stunning Beta, engaging in a passionate bonding session.

       My blood ran cold, and I turned to flee.

       But his husky voice stopped me.

       “Sara Roberts, could you grab me a box of suppressants?”

       I clenched the pregnancy test in my hand, forcing a bitter smile.

       When I returned with the suppressants, Alpha Justin sent me fifteen hundred dollars as payment for the errand.

       Joey glanced at the box before turning to me, her eyes full of malice.

       “, your brother’s widow looks so innocent, but she sure knows how to pick things.”

       Alpha Justin’s gaze hardened as he scolded, “You’re still young. Stay out of adult matters. Go to a cabin in the outer territory for a few days before coming back.”

       Obediently, I left—but I never returned.

       That same day, I went to the pack doctor to arrange an abortion.

       She looked at me, puzzled. “Is something wrong?”

       I wasn’t surprised by her reaction. Just days ago, I had been overjoyed about the pregnancy. Now, my face was drained of all color.

       “Schedule the earliest appointment,” I said, my voice devoid of emotion.

       Having witnessed the fleeting nature of pack relationships, the pack doctor didn’t try to dissuade me. But when it came time to sign the consent form, she insisted I get a family member’s signature.

       I instinctively dialed a familiar number. The call barely rang once before Alpha Justin hung up.

       I forced a smile. “I don’t have any family. I’ll sign it myself.”

       After the procedure, a message from Alpha Justin appeared on my phone. It contained a screenshot of a cabin reservation along with a curt note:

       “Don’t call me unless it’s an emergency. You know why.”

       He was considerate enough to arrange a place for me to stay—for a whole week.

       I wasn’t a fool. The moment I saw the Luna’s ring on Joey’s finger, I understood everything.

       I had been so naive, believing Alpha Justin had set that ring aside for me. Even more foolishly, I thought he might cherish the night we spent together.

       I looked at the bloodstained remains of what could have been my pup, feeling my heart turn to ashes.

       The luxurious pack guest quarters had everything I needed, just like the cozy room Alpha Justin had once prepared for me.

       But curled beneath the blankets, I felt nothing but bone-deep cold.

       With trembling fingers, I made a call. My friend Amy Prescott.

       “Amy, you mentioned forming a medical aid team for rogue-infested areas. Count me in.”

       Her voice held excitement but also concern.

       “Sara, didn’t you say before that your Alpha wouldn’t let you go? Did something happen between you two?”

       She hesitated before adding, “If you’re leaving out of anger, don’t act on impulse. If he finds out, he’ll search everywhere for you.”

       Her concern was understandable.

       After that reckless night with Alpha Justin, I had slipped away in embarrassment while he was still asleep. He never mentioned it afterward, treating me as he always had—like his late brother’s Luna.

       His indifference angered me. How could he take me and then act as if nothing had happened?

       So, I left the pack without a word, traveling to clear my mind.

       Alpha Justin had turned the entire pack’s territory upside down searching for me. His actions led everyone to believe he cherished me like a precious younger sister.

       I had once thought I meant something to him.

       But I was wrong.

       One night with his beloved, and all I got in return was a temporary place to stay. Now that he was bonded, there was no longer a place for me in his world.

       I couldn’t bear to watch them flaunt their love every day.

       “I have his approval,” I reassured my senior.

       “Alright, I’ll add you to the team. I’ll send you the details so you can prepare,” she finally agreed.

       I booked my flight for seven days later—enough time to wait out my stay in the cabin before leaving for good.

       As for what to pack, I realized there was nothing I truly needed.

       Since the rogue attack that took Levi’s life, I had never really belonged anywhere. Everything I had afterward came from Alpha Justin. He covered all my expenses, so I never had to touch the inheritance my parents left me.

       But I didn’t want to owe him anything.

       I sent back most of the money he had given me, keeping only a small portion for myself.

       Once everything was settled, exhaustion took over, and I fell into a deep sleep.

       In my dreams, I felt as though the ground was shaking.

       I was so lost in slumber that I didn’t hear my phone ringing—again and again.

       Then, a loud, urgent pounding echoed through the door.

       “Sara! Open the door!”