Six Days to Abandon My Fated Alpha

Reina stubbed out her cigarette, the faint scent of smoke mingling with the crisp night air. Across from her, the young woman sat, her youthful face still bright with the innocence of someone who hadn’t yet been hardened by the harsh realities of pack life. She was a Delta, a warrior from the Crimson Fang Pack, and from the moment Reina had laid eyes on her, she’d felt a pang of nostalgia for her own younger self—before the weight of being Luna-to-be had settled on her shoulders.

"You’re right about one thing," Reina said, her voice steady despite the sharp pain that lanced through her abdomen. She masked it by leaning casually on the table, her posture relaxed, as though the conversation didn’t affect her. "If Alpha Dean still loved me, you wouldn’t be here."

The girl flinched at the title, her eyes darting to the floor in a gesture of deference. It was instinctive, the way lower-ranking wolves responded to the mention of an Alpha’s title. Reina almost pitied her—almost.

Reina straightened, her gaze piercing. "But I’d advise you not to get too involved. Alpha Dean’s never truly loved either of us."

She paused, letting the words sink in. The girl’s hands twitched in her lap, her fingers curling into fists as if to steady herself. Reina continued, her tone softer now, almost regretful. "He only cherishes the memory of a young Reina—a pure, beautiful girl who vanished long ago while trying to help him succeed."

The girl’s eyes flicked up, a hint of defiance in them. "You’re lying," she said, though her voice lacked conviction.

Reina smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach her eyes. "In a few years, he’ll look for a fresh face, and you’ll end up worse off than me."

In reality, she was deceiving the girl. With her own time running out, she couldn’t be worse off than she already was. At most, the girl would be tossed aside once Alpha Dean lost interest, left to wander the ranks of the pack as just another forgotten Delta. But Reina didn’t say that. Let the girl hold on to her illusions for a little longer. Reality would find her soon enough.