The next day, I went to the Stone Creek Pack’s main office and printed out my withdrawal application.

Kaelen and I met in college. He was a werewolf, and I hid my identity. When he joined the Stone Creek Pack, I followed him, refusing my father's arrangements, and supported him as he climbed from a regular pack member to the rank of Beta.

I had hinted before that I wanted a formal Mating Ceremony. But Kaelen always said his position was unstable, that he was afraid my father—the Alpha of the powerful Silver Moon Pack—would look down on him.

Career first, then family. That was always his excuse. To avoid pressuring him, I never revealed my own Alpha bloodline for six long years.

Now he was the Beta, and I thought the ring meant he was finally ready to mark me. It turns out I was just a fool.

My colleague, Kallie, saw my application and gasped. “Alia, you’re about to be promoted to Chief Strategist. Why are you quitting?”

I forced a smile. “I’m getting married soon. I’ll probably join my husband’s pack.”

Kallie smiled back. “Wow, so much good news in our pack lately! I saw on the Beta’s feed last night that he’s getting engaged, too!”

“And I have to say, the Beta and his fiancée look perfect together. I heard they’re childhood sweethearts, each other’s first love.”

My smile felt frozen on my face. I opened my phone and realized Kaelen had blocked me from his personal account long ago.

Just then, Kaelen walked into the office with Layla.

They stood close together, Layla’s cheeks flushed and her smile radiant. She didn’t look sick at all.

Kaelen announced to everyone, “This is Layla Croft, the pack’s new Chief Strategist. I expect you all to cooperate with her.”

Kallie stared in shock, her eyes darting between me and Layla.

I said nothing, silently clenching the application in my hand. Kaelen shot me a disapproving look. “Alia Thorne, everyone has welcomed our new strategist. What is this attitude?”

Layla chuckled softly and extended her hand to me. “We’ll be colleagues from now on. It’s a pleasure.”

The moment I reached out to shake it, Kaelen pulled her hand back. “You’re the Chief Strategist. You don’t need to bother with some low-ranking member. Come on, I’ll show you around.”

They walked away together, leaving me with my hand hanging in the air, a complete joke.