Chapter 14
During the days when I was consumed by Jalen’s illness, Ariella also endured her share of hardship.
When Jalen’s condition worsened, she would kneel before him, her tears streaming down her face as she cried. She would bring meals from the kitchen, feeding him with her own hands, her actions tender and meticulous. When I returned from the pack training grounds, I had even felt a sense of gratitude toward her for taking care of him in my absence.
Little did I know, their feelings for each other had already blossomed during that time.
I don’t blame Jalen for falling out of love with me. What truly pains me is that, while we were still bound by our mate bond, he betrayed me, secretly entwined with Ariella for three long years. The mate bond, a sacred connection blessed by the Moon Goddess, had become a lie.
The scent of betrayal lingered in the air, sharp and acrid, a bitter reminder of what I had lost. Ariella’s vanilla scent, once just a sister’s scent, now mingled with Jalen’s dominant Alpha aura, a cruel symbol of their union.
I could feel the bond between us fraying, its threads snapping one by one, leaving behind a hollow ache in my chest. My wolf, Athena, whimpered softly in the back of my mind, her pain mirroring my own.
I had trusted him, believed in the bond that was meant to be unbreakable. But now, it was as fragile as glass, shattered by their deceit. The weight of it all pressed down on me, a constant reminder of the love I had lost and the betrayal I had endured.
Yet, even in the midst of my heartbreak, I refused to let it break me. I would rise above this, stronger and more determined than ever. The bond may have been broken, but I would not let it define me.
Athena growled softly, her voice steady in my mind. *We are stronger than this,* she said, her words a quiet reassurance.
And I knew she was right. Together, we would find a way to heal, to move forward, and to reclaim the life that was rightfully ours.
The pain of their betrayal would linger, but it would not hold me back. I would face the future with my head held high, ready to take on whatever challenges lay ahead.
Chapter 15
Dealing with someone like Jalen, indifference is the best approach.
The more heated he becomes, the less I should respond.
Jalen, with his fragile pride, tends to spiral into chaos when ignored, flailing like a desperate rogue.
The Silver Fang Pack’s beta, who’s been managing the gathering, finally steps in, using his alpha tone to firmly urge Jalen and Ariella to leave.
Surrounded by my pack sisters, I’m gently pulled back to my seat.
The event’s program is meant to be dazzling, but after everything that’s happened, I can’t seem to focus.
No matter how captivating the performances, my mind remains unsettled.
One of the girls beside me notices my distraction and tries to lighten the mood, pointing discreetly to a man seated by the waterfall.
“Sofia, look,” she whispers, her voice tinged with excitement. “That’s Reed Palmer, the Gamma hosting this gathering.”
I follow her gaze.
Reed’s features are calm, his presence understated yet commanding, much like the elegant handwriting on the invitation I received.
I’ve always been grateful to him for offering me a space of dignity when I became the pack’s omega.
I want to thank him in person, but I hesitate.
Our earlier confrontation must have been heard by everyone, including him.
I’m not sure where he stands in all of this.
The thought makes me shrink back, my courage wavering.
Yet, as I glance at him again, I can’t help but feel a flicker of hope—that perhaps, in this world of rigid hierarchies and betrayals, there’s still someone who values respect over power.
Chapter 16
The man noticed my gaze, his eyes calm yet piercing as they settled on me.
Just as I hesitated whether to approach him, he stepped forward, closing the distance between us.
He inclined his head slightly, his voice low but firm. “Miss Sofia Watson, I’m Reed Palmer, Gamma of the Silver Fang Pack.”
His words were measured, yet there was an undeniable authority in his tone, the kind that made it clear he wasn’t someone to be dismissed lightly.
“Given everything that’s happened,” he continued, his gaze steady, “I imagine you’re not in the mood to linger. Allow me to escort you home.”
The mention of Ariella’s scent flashed in my mind, and I took an involuntary step back, my throat tightening. “No, that’s not necessary,” I stammered, shaking my head.
Reed didn’t press, but his expression didn’t waver either. “Very well. But I do have something to give you,” he said, his voice leaving no room for argument.
Before I could protest further, he turned on his heel and started walking, leaving me no choice but to follow.
I hurriedly bid farewell to the pack sisters around me, their whispers fading into the background as I struggled to keep up with Reed’s long strides.
He stopped beside a sleek black SUV, the kind that spoke of understated power rather than flashy wealth. Without a word, he handed me an old, weathered book, its leather cover worn but sturdy.
“This belongs to you,” he said simply, his tone leaving no room for questions.
I took the book, my fingers brushing against the rough edges, and for a moment, I felt a strange sense of calm settle over me. Reed’s presence was quiet yet commanding, and though I didn’t fully understand his intentions, I couldn’t deny the strange comfort it brought.
“Thank you, Gamma Palmer,” I murmured, clutching the book to my chest.
He nodded once, his expression unreadable, before gesturing toward the car. “Let’s go.”
I didn’t argue this time. Something about the way he carried himself—calm, composed, and utterly in control—made it clear that this wasn’t a man to be trifled with.
As the car pulled away from the pack gathering, I couldn’t help but glance at Reed, his profile sharp against the passing city lights. There was something about him—something that made me feel both safe and unsettled at the same time.
And though I didn’t know it yet, that moment would mark the beginning of something far greater than I could have imagined.