Rejected by the Pack’s Deception

I hailed a cab and just as I was settling the fare, Miles appeared again, his presence like a shadow I couldn’t shake.

"Naomi, I’m giving you one last chance. If you come with me now, I’ll pretend today never happened," he said, his voice tight with frustration.

"Sariah even said she’d take you under her wing. You’ll have a place in the pack."

I glanced at him indifferently. "I don’t need it."

As if I didn’t know what they were really after.

Miles, seeing my stubbornness, grew more agitated. "Naomi, you’ve read enough to know it’s futile to fight against those in power, haven’t you? Sariah’s the top healer now. Crushing someone like you—a rogue with no pack—would be as easy as stepping on an ant."

My gaze turned icy as I stared at him.

It was almost laughable that he still believed that lie I’d told him years ago—that I had no pack.

I let out a cold laugh. "Is that so? Then I’ll wait and see how you crush me. And I’ll watch how Sariah keeps her position as the pack’s top healer."

With that, I climbed into the cab and shut the door behind me.

As the cab pulled away, I finally allowed myself to relax, though the tension lingered in my chest. Despite my resolve to cut ties with Miles, the bitterness of it all still clawed at me.

Three years ago, I’d arrived in the city, alone and unfamiliar with the territory. It was Miles who’d helped me settle in, who’d made me feel like I belonged.

Perhaps because he was a Beta, he didn’t carry the arrogance or entitlement of higher-ranking wolves. Instead, he was carefree, almost reckless, and unlike anyone I’d ever met. I’d been drawn to him instantly.

We’d been inseparable, our bond deepening quickly. I’d even considered giving up my dreams of becoming a healer, content to stay by his side.

But before I could voice those thoughts, Sariah appeared.

Miles had told me she was just a childhood friend, someone he saw as a sister. But over time, I noticed the way they interacted—the way he looked at her, the way they laughed together.

He started coming to see me less often, brushing off my invitations with excuses about pack duties and training. Yet I’d see them together, walking through the city, their closeness undeniable.

We’d argued about it, but his response was always the same: "If you don’t trust me, go find someone else."

Every time, I’d apologize, desperate to prove my loyalty. I’d even suggested we solidify our bond, but he’d dismissed it, saying we should focus on our roles in the pack first.

He’d promised to wait for me, to make things official once I’d proven myself as a healer. I’d believed him, pouring myself into my studies, even helping Sariah when he asked, sharing my knowledge and skills without hesitation.

Then, last month, on his birthday, I’d gone to him with a gift, only to overhear him telling Sariah, "Naomi and I are just friends. It’s not like it’s official. It doesn’t mean anything."

The words had hit me like a blow, my heart turning to ice.

I’d thought about confronting him, but the years of memories held me back. Instead, I’d swallowed the pain, telling myself I’d focus on my goal—becoming the pack’s top healer.

I’d worked tirelessly for this, even defying my father’s wishes to pursue it. If I’d lost the position because someone was truly better, I could have accepted it. But to lose it because of a betrayal—because of my own misplaced trust—was unbearable.

Closing my eyes, I let out a tired sigh, the weight of it all pressing down on me.