Rejecting the Unfaithful Alpha’s Bond

As soon as the call ended, I walked through the front door of my family’s pack house, the heavy wooden door creaking shut behind me. The room was cluttered with belongings—remnants of a life I had foolishly built with someone who didn’t deserve it. A sharp pang of discomfort twisted in my chest as I pulled out some storage bags and began sorting through the shared items I had naively bought during our time together. My wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, a low growl of disapproval echoing through my thoughts.

"Freya, what are you doing?" Nikolai’s voice broke the silence, startling me.

I hadn’t noticed his return until he wrapped his arms around me from behind, his lips brushing the side of my neck. His scent—once comforting, now tainted with the faint trace of Isla’s floral perfume—filled my nostrils, making my stomach churn. I nudged him with my elbow, trying to free myself from his embrace.

Nikolai, mistaking my reluctance for playful resistance, chuckled and picked me up, carrying me toward the bedroom. "When did my sweet Freya become such a little firecracker? So fierce, I must admit I like it," he said, his voice dripping with amusement, though his eyes gleamed with something darker.

A wave of nausea rolled over me. It was clear now—Isla’s pregnancy might not be solid yet, and Nikolai had sought me out for his own entertainment. The thought of his unfaithfulness made my chest feel heavy, as if a stone had lodged itself there. My wolf snarled in my mind, urging me to confront him, but I held back. Now wasn’t the time.

"Beta Nikolai, put me down. I’m not feeling well today," I said firmly, using his title to remind him of the boundaries he had so carelessly crossed.

Around this time every month, my mood would always plummet, and though it was an excuse, it wasn’t entirely false. Seeing my somber expression, Nikolai believed me, though I could see a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He set me down gently, his hands lingering on my waist for a moment too long.

As I turned to leave, his phone rang—a ringtone I didn’t recognize. I hesitated, glancing back to see Nikolai’s face light up with amusement.

"Isla, what’s going on?" he answered, his tone softer than I’d ever heard it when speaking to me.

Even from a few feet away, I could hear Isla’s surprised shout from the other end. Nikolai’s brow furrowed immediately, his worry evident as he brushed past me, rushing toward the front door. It swung open from the outside, and Isla walked in with a wide smile, her confidence radiating like a challenge.

"Nikolai, did I just give you a scare?" she teased, her voice dripping with mock innocence.

"Isla..." Nikolai hesitated by the door, momentarily shocked. Realizing she was fine, he sighed in relief, pretending to scold her. "You almost gave me a heart attack, you know?"

Isla, eyes twinkling with mischief, wrapped an arm around his neck but paused when she noticed me standing there, my back stiff and my expression unreadable.

"This must be Freya, right?" she asked, her tone casual, as if she hadn’t just walked into my pack house uninvited.

Releasing Nikolai, she lightly patted his shoulder, her eyes direct as they met mine. Nikolai turned to look at me as well, a slight frown crossing his face. There was no awkwardness in her demeanor—no guilt, no shame. Just the confident sway of her hips as she approached me, her scent—vanilla and something floral—filling the air.

"Hi, Freya. I’m..." she started, glancing back at Nikolai before finishing, "I’m your new neighbor, Isla Gibson. Gamma of the Gibson Pack."

Her introduction was a declaration, a reminder that she wasn’t just Nikolai’s mistress—she was a ranking member of a rival pack, and she wasn’t going anywhere. My wolf growled low in my mind, a warning, but I forced a polite smile, my Alpha bloodline keeping my composure intact.

"Welcome, Gamma Isla," I said, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. "I hope you’ll find our pack hospitable."

Her smile widened, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "Oh, I’m sure I will."