Tempted by the Beta

Leaving the Pack

In the end, Yvonne left with a soul full of reluctance, though she gazed at Zacharias before she did. Zacharias did not return her gaze. He gently caressed my bangs.

"Don't get mad at her, Lucilla. She's just used to helping me out." A momentary pause later, he added with a hint of hesitation, "But I think she has a point. The elders always hold their meetings in the territory. It's better if the place looks more formal."

That was a quiet slap in the face of my dignity. I hung my head low, mortified. Ever since I moved in, Zacharias gave me carte blanche to do anything I wanted. The old Zacharias told me, in a loving voice, "This is our home now. You can do whatever you want with it. I don't mind."

Now he crushed everything I did. I was going to say something, but then his phone rang. A hint of anger flickered across his face.

"I explicitly told them today is for you and you only. Who's disturbing me now? I can't believe they're disobeying my direct ord—"

When he saw the name on the screen, he froze up. It was Yvonne's name. Zacharias put his phone away. Fidgeting, he said, "I know we're supposed to pick out the wedding stuff today, but the elders just said…"

I refused to hear his lies any further. Instead, I said, "It's alright. Work's important, I know."

He gave me a tender look and smiled at me. Then he kissed my forehead. "I knew you'd understand."

He left without saying another word. I saw him off, though my mind was on something else. Something more turbulent.

I wondered if he was going to see Yvonne. I hung on to some foolish hope that maybe, just maybe, he was going to handle work.

Driven by those thoughts, I followed him.

Zacharias did not leave the territory. Instead, he went to his second-in-command's residence and knocked on her door quietly.

Yvonne peeked out of her yard. She was wearing a red slip dress that hung to her body and showed off all her curves. Zacharias looked down. All he saw was Yvonne now.

"I thought you wouldn't show up. So, tell me, who's prettier? Me or her?" Yvonne put on a seductive smile. She grabbed Zacharias' arm and led him inside.

The moment the door swung shut, all my strength left me, and I slumped down to the ground. I knew this was coming, but seeing his betrayal right in front of my eyes still hit my heart hard.

The man who loved me with all his heart was gone. Dead. I wiped the tears off my eyes and pushed myself back up.

Now that he had someone else, it was time for me to bow out of this relationship. I grabbed all the Luna keepsake and went to the City Hall. Then I handed them over to the registration elder.

The elder pushed his spectacles and slowly unfurled my bloodline scroll. Hesitant, he asked, "Are you sure you're leaving the pack, Lucilla? If this goes through, you will be stripped of all status. You will no longer be tied to the Dawn Pack. Even after death, your soul will not return to our holy land."

I nodded. "I'm sure."

The elder was conflicted. He said, "The Alpha has told us that you are to be Luna. Once the bonding ceremony is over, you will reign over all females. Are you sure you want to leave the pack now? That seems like a shame."

I closed my eyes and pondered my decision again. Then my eyes snapped open, filled with determination. "I don't share that sentiment, elder. Please process the paperwork for me."