Chapter 1

My Alpha mate Kieran’s new assistant was his childhood friend. She kept using work reports as an excuse to flirt with Kieran.

Kieran yelled at her and said that if it weren't for their childhood friendship, he'd kick her out of the pack immediately.

But just days later, he put his childhood friend Meredith's name on my life's work - my breakthrough research on silver poisoning treatment.

I stopped arguing and booked a flight abroad.

"Phoebe, stop throwing a tantrum. I know you're upset."

Kieran's message lit up my phone screen as I sat in the VIP lounge waiting to board.

His tone was condescending, like he was talking to a petulant child:

"I let Meredith accept the award for you because the pack needs to develop new talent."

"But don't worry, you'll always be our chief healer."

"Meredith's situation is just temporary. Once she gets the project, I'll have her transfer all the benefits to you."

"She's no threat to you. She just wants to prove herself professionally."

"You've already won five major healing research awards. Meredith hasn't won any. What's wrong with indulging a young girl's dreams?"

I gripped the golden boarding pass, a cold smile playing on my lips.

When Meredith stood under the spotlight with my research, I thought she had stolen it on her own.

Because Kieran had promised me that my research was pack confidential.

But I never expected that he would be the one handing her the knife.

Even though he promised to give everything back to me, that trust was already shattered.

When he didn't get a reply, he must have lost patience:

"Stop this nonsense. I keep my word. When you come back, we'll have our mating ceremony. I'll explain everything to everyone."

"No need."

I replied with two words and blocked him.

He probably switched numbers because a stream of messages flooded in:

[Do you have to be so stubborn? Can't you tolerate one young girl?]

[I can sign a share transfer agreement right now, giving you ten percent of the pack's assets as compensation]

[Besides, you haven't had any new research while preparing for our mating ceremony. Training new healers for the pack perfectly fills your gap. Meredith agreed to cooperate. We're already engaged - do you really want to make this a big deal?]

I turned off my phone and calmly walked toward the boarding gate when they announced boarding.

This overseas training opportunity was truly rare.

Originally, I planned to give it up and present it at our mating ceremony as my declaration to give up my career and return to family life.

But now, I would never give up opportunities for him again.

When I turned my phone back on, the plane was cruising smoothly at thirty thousand feet.

The first news that popped up was a video of Meredith being interviewed.

In the video, Meredith wore my golden magnolia designer gown, standing under the spotlight.

Her face showed just the right amount of excitement and shyness.

The host asked her what inspired this research.

Meredith faced the camera, her eyes slightly moist.

She said that for this project, she stayed up countless nights, barely eating or sleeping.

She especially thanked Kieran, saying that without his support, there would be no her today.

Some people had run out of talent, while she was willing to inject new energy into the pack's future.

"I hope my efforts haven't disappointed my childhood friend's expectations."

I watched the video with a blank expression and turned it off.

How utterly ridiculous.

"I'm not waiting anymore."

I pulled out the mate bond severance papers I'd already prepared from my document folder, took a photo, and sent it to my lawyer.

"Send this to Alpha Kieran."