Chapter 1I showed up at the Pack House for my "injured" mate's recovery leave.
The sentinel stared at me. "Ma'am, Alpha Garrick comes through here every day. With his Luna."
"And that ain't you."
Then I saw him—walking out, hand-in-hand with his precious Isolde.
He saw me. Froze.
I looked at that Enforcer insignia on her collar and just... lost it.
"I sold Dad's heirloom ring for you! How could you do this to me now!"
Nothing. He just stood there.
Isolde stepped closer, voice dripping sweetness. "He promised me everything, honey. Before you showed up."
Three years I played the devoted mate.
Turns out I was just keeping his bed warm.
But here's the thing—
I'm still his Luna on record.
Time to remind everyone what that means.
---
"Shut up! Nobody asked you!"
I whipped around to Garrick, eyes burning. "Tell me. Right now. Is this real?"
He exhaled like I was exhausting him.
"Tessara, babe, I just—I didn't wanna mess with your head, okay?"
"Figured if you knew, you'd freak out. You said you'd stay no matter what."
"Don't you DARE throw that back at me!" My voice cracked.
"Three years! You think I'm that shallow? I sold Dad's ring for you!"
I was shaking now. "Or did you just figure I'd never catch on?"
He let go of Isolde and reached for me. "No, that's not—"
I jerked back.
I stared at Isolde's collar—that new Enforcer rank shining right there.
He'd promised me a place in pack leadership someday. Guess he just handed it to someone else.
I forced the words out. "Not what? Then what's she doing here?"
"Isolde and I go way back. You knew that. We work together—she's transferring in for the new security unit. That's all."
"Then what was that shit she just said?!"
He shot Isolde a look. "She's messing around. You know how she—"
"Not messing around." Isolde's voice went all smooth. "You told me that on your bonding night. While she was passed out cold right—"
"ISOLDE!"
She smiled and shut up.
My chest went numb.
He still wouldn't look at me. "Just—go back to the guest house. I've got pack business. We'll talk later."
I laughed. Cold and sharp.
"No."
"We're done."
"Have fun, you two."
Chapter 2
"Tessara, just calm down. We'll talk at the den."
I laughed in his face. "Den? You mean that dump you call a den?"
His jaw tightened. Pack members were slowing down now, watching us like we were some kind of show.
He grabbed my wrist. "Knock it off. You're embarrassing yourself."
"Let. Go."
He squeezed harder. "What, you mad I didn't give you status? That it? Gotta throw a fit in front of everyone?"
"I dealt with three years of your broke-ass pack position without saying a word. What the hell else do you want from me?!"
"Keep acting insane and you'll get NOTHING!"
I stared at him like he'd shifted into something unrecognizable.
Who the hell was this wolf?
Isolde snorted. "Babe, let's go. This is embarrassing."
She looped her arm through his. "You promised to take me to that new boutique before the Alpha Summit. Inter-pack delegates are coming—I need to look the part."
He didn't even blink. "Yeah, done. I'll get you that luxury SUV too. You're representing Ironveil now."
Isolde's eyes slid to me, pure venom. "Hear that? What's his is mine. You want to break the bond? Good luck getting anything."
She leaned in closer. "But you know what? You did keep his bed warm for me all these years. That counts for something."
"Call me 'Luna' and maybe I'll convince him to buy you boots that aren't falling apart."
Something inside me snapped.
All those years scraping by. Wearing the same worn-out clothes. Cheap soap instead of decent shampoo. Taking side jobs till my hands cramped just to keep us fed.
When she shoved her smug face at me—
I clocked her across the jaw.
She went stumbling sideways, hand on her face, eyes huge.
Dead silence.
Then she shrieked. "You fucking PSYCHO! Garrick! She HIT me!"
He was on me in a second. Shoved me back hard.
I hit the ground. Palms scraped raw on the stone path. Knees screaming.
I glared up at him, breathing hard. "You really wanna do this?"
"DO WHAT?!" He was losing it now. "You're still a nobody after three years! Same worthless position!"
"You got no pack standing, so you take it out on US?!"
The cold stone burned through my clothes.
Everything hurt.
I pushed myself halfway up, voice shaking. "Fine. We're done. Right now."
He froze. "What?"
"You think I'm desperate? Watch me." My voice went ice cold.
"Every bit of my inheritance money you spent. Every connection you bought with MY resources. Every rank you climbed using MY support. I'm reporting ALL of it."
His position. The house he gave her. The car. The perks.
The Pack Council would love to hear how their golden Alpha played house with two women while one held the bond mark.
Isolde's face went white. "You wouldn't DARE—"
I didn't answer.
Just dragged myself to my feet and started walking.
Every step felt like claws tearing through my knees.
But I kept my head up.
Let's see who's laughing when the Council gets involved.
Chapter 3
Pack Council hearing let out after dark.
I limped back to that shitty little cottage. Walked in—duffel bag wide open, right in the middle of the living room.
Garrick folding his formal pack gear. Isolde on our worn-out couch.
"Oh, you're back." Garrick barely glanced up. "Good. Need to tell you something."
"Isolde just transferred. Den assignment's not ready, she's not feeling great. Gonna help her get settled for a few days."
I picked up a lace bra from under his shirts. Held it up.
"This part of her Enforcer uniform? Which supplier hands these out?"
He snatched it. "Got mixed in. Look, I know today was rough, but I'm not fighting right now. Isolde needs help. We'll talk later."
Needs.
When he needed me? Always there.
When I needed him? With her.
But you know what? I'm done keeping score.
"Fine." I walked into the bedroom.
I started packing his stuff myself.
Got to the photos. Our bonding ceremony picture.
Me in traditional robes, him in ceremonial Alpha attire, both grinning like idiots. My eyes full of hope I didn't know was worthless.
"Tessara, what're you doing?" He followed me in, voice finally shaking.
"You're leaving, right?" I didn't turn around. Grabbed the frame.
"Just helping you pack. You're welcome."
"I said a few days—"
"Make it forever." I shoved his clothes at him. "Take your shit and go."
Garrick grabbed the frame, put it back. "Quit being dramatic. I'll be back once she's settled."
Isolde showed up in the doorway.
He looked at her, then me. "Fine. I'll have the pack treasurer wire this year's Luna stipend and some reserves. That'll cover you."
Right before his phone screen went dark—I saw it. Transfer request. Open.
Isolde's third inter-territory move. Every single one following his rank promotions like a shadow.
Luna stipend. The money I'd have to work side gigs for months to earn.
Isolde caught me looking. Smiled real sweet.
"Tessara, honey, you checking out transfer forms? Want one too? Planning a big career move in the pack?"
Shit. Thought I'd been slick.
Garrick laughed. "Come on. She's not built for it. Stuck doing ceremonies and cultural stuff for years going nowhere. Even if she got a real position, she'd choke. This is her ceiling."
I looked at him. Really looked at him.
Then smiled.
"You done?"
He blinked.
I pointed at the door. "Then get out. My den."
"Tessara, this is our—"
"No." My voice didn't shake. "This is mine. My name on the lease. My utilities. My furniture. You just crashed here three years. So what'd you actually pay for? Go on. I'll wait."
His mouth opened. Nothing.
Voice went cold. "Fine. I'm leaving. But don't come crawling back."
"Don't worry." I leaned against the doorframe. "I won't need to."
The door slammed.
Silence.
Wind outside. My heartbeat.
I slid down to the floor. Tears came.
My phone buzzed.
Unknown number. Photo.
Guest house. Garrick asleep on Isolde's shoulder.
"Thanks for stepping aside."
I stared at it.
Wiped my face.
Typed back: "Thanks for the evidence."
Sent.
My contact said they'd been careful. No solid proof yet.
Guess what?
Now I had it.
And I knew exactly who to send it to.
