"All hail our new Beta, Krisha!"
When a new she-wolf was appointed Beta, my boyfriend, Alpha Zyro, became interested in her. He started leaving for work earlier than usual and returning home late.
I thought this was simply due to the Moon Hunters Pack expanding its territory, but I was hurt to discover it was more than that.
One night, under a full moon, the pack held a hunting session—an official welcome for Krisha as Beta. We were in our wolf forms. Krisha ran beside Alpha Zyro, who led our V-shaped formation. Usually, I would be the one on his side as his support, but he chose Krisha instead. There were five of us, and I, the pack healer, brought up the rear.
"Halt! Someone's coming!" Alpha Zyro mind-linked us. This is how we communicate in wolf form.
We slowed our pace, our paws crunching softly on the dry leaves. I smelled a strong combination of wood and fur and sensed unseen eyes in the dense forest.
"Alpha, it's an ambush!" Our Gamma warned. We were alerted and formed a circle, facing the dark forest and protecting our backs.
Suddenly, unknown werewolves attacked from all sides. We fought back, but were outnumbered, so Alpha Zyro ordered a retreat to our territory.
I was about to follow when an enemy werewolf bit my leg.
"Alpha Zyro, help me! I need backup!"
I tried to pull away and mind-link Alpha Zyro, but he only said, "You can handle it. You're the healer, right? Krisha needs to be safe."
If it weren't for our Gamma, I might have been killed because no one else helped me. Afterward, I limped to my room at Zyro's house. I called my mother and fought back tears.
"I'm accepting the arranged marriage, Mom," I said, bandaging the tended wound on my foot. Even though I'm the pack healer, I still needed help with my wounds but Alpha Zyro didn't care. For eight years, he'd been attentive to me, until Krisha arrived.
"Why all of a sudden? Did Zyro do something horrible? I already sensed you and he would break up sooner or later because if he really is your mate, why did he make you wait eight years?"
"It's time to find your destiny, Mikah. Break your bond with your pack mate and meet the Alpha from Luna Nueva. The wedding is soon so pack your things now."
I was stunned by what she said. I'd been fooling myself, thinking I could be with Alpha Zyro, even though we were only pack mates and not true mates. When we first met, it wasn't instant attraction. We became friends and fell in love gradually. To be with him and his pack, we needed a bond, so we underwent a ritual to become pack mates.
I returned to my thoughts when my phone pinged, showing dozens of wedding plans my mother had sent.
I bit my lip before sending her a voice message: “Mom, I know you'll pick the best theme, so I trust your choice, but let's keep the wedding simple.”
"Wedding? Whose wedding?"
I was surprised when Alpha Zyro's voice echoed on the room. He entered and sat beside me on the bed.
"Nothi—" I started, but his phone beeped. He answered the call while raising his hand to shut me up.
I could hear the voice on the other line, filled with anxiety and panic.
"Zyro, my ex-boyfriend is following me! I’m so scared! Help me!"
Alpha Zyro's expression went from serious to worried.
"Krisha, calm down. Stay where there's a well-lit space or where there are many people. Don't worry, I’ll be there in a minute!"
He hung up, rushing out, forgetting the wedding. Again, I was alone in my room, tending my wounds without any help. His concern for Krisha broke my heart and I cried uncontrollably.
Later, I visited Aunt Heilen, a cherished elder who'd welcomed me to the pack. When I first joined the Moon Hunters Pack, she welcomed me wholeheartedly, so telling her I was getting married felt crushing.
"Married to Lucas? That’s good—it’s time for the both of you to settle down."
I corrected her. “No, Auntie. The wedding is arranged. I don’t know the man.”
She was silent, pondering, then asked, “Have you reconsidered? Your eight years together were long. It's a waste to give up. I think he has a reason for not proposing yet. Do you want me to talk to him?”
I smiled sadly. “No need. I wasn't really his mate. Our bond was forced. I don't think he loves me anymore.”
The next day, I bought handmade gifts as farewell presents. I was in the living room, writing a goodbye letter to Aunt Heilen as I was leaving the pack when I heard Alpha Zyro behind me.
"What are you doing?"
