Wrong Fate, Right Choice

After forgiving Lucas for the tenth time, I stopped paying attention to his smell and whereabouts every day.

The Pack Council had unanimously voted for me as the Chief Healer. However, Lucas used his Alpha authority to secretly give the position to his first love Sarah, a rogue wolf who had just returned to the pack.

He noticed my silence but felt no guilt.

Before leaving to answer Sarah’s mind link plea again, he held me.

"Elena, this job is Sarah's only lifeline to stay in the pack. She’s been a rogue for too long. She needs an official rank for protection."

"You’re different. Your healing gift is a blessing from the Moon Goddess. You shine anywhere."

"She only gets a title. You have my complete love. Isn’t that enough? Don't be mad."

My wolf, usually scratching to get out due to his neglect, was unusually quiet.

"Okay."

I didn't plan on keeping him or the job anyway.

Lucas is the Alpha. I am the pack’s most gifted healer. The Moon Goddess fated us as mates. Everyone thought we were perfect.

We agreed to complete the marking ceremony on the full moon after I became the Chief Healer.

However, after the voting results came out, the chief healer was indeed Sarah, Lucas's first love, a rogue wolf who had just returned to the pack.

Lucas pressured the Elders to make it happen.

He even gave Sarah the credit for my silver poisoning cure.

"Sarah just severed her mate bond. She’s incredibly weak. If I don't help her establish herself in our pack, the rogues will tear her apart."

"Elena, you’ve always been generous. You understand, right? You are so much stronger than her."

If I showed any dissatisfaction, I was being unreasonable and unsympathetic.

I didn't understand why saving his first love required sacrificing me.

But arguing was useless. Just like the last five years.

I nodded calmly. "Yeah, you're right."

Lucas looked surprised, then relieved. He rubbed my hair.

"Elena, you’ve really changed. In the past, you would have started a war over this."

"It seems our time apart taught you how to submit to your Alpha."

I paused.

I felt nothing.

He stripped me of my achievements while acting like he was proud of my "growth."

After our last fight, I tried to convince my wolf to reject Lucas as our mate. My wolf was in agony and nearly faded away.

He just used that time to complete his "obedience test" on me.

Five wasted years. Cheap and ridiculous.

After the celebration banquet for Sarah’s promotion, Lucas didn't go to his study for pack business as usual.

Sarah moved into the guest room downstairs six months ago. She claimed she was hiding from her abusive ex-mate, a violent rogue.

Lucas checked his phone and frowned.

"Sarah’s old injury is acting up. Go to the kitchen and brew some of that healing potion. I’ll take it down to her."

I stopped cleaning my weapons. "She can go to the