Marked in Shadows

I held the document in my hands that confirmed my release from the pack, signed with the Alpha's own name, Matteo Donovan.

Just as I was about to leave the office building, Elder Jason Briggs called me again.

He said, "The Alpha doesn't know it's you who's leaving. If you tell him, he'll definitely ask you to stay since you're his most trusted Beta."

I lowered my eyes slightly and replied, "No need to trouble him with something so trivial."

Jason still refused to give up. "You've been at his side for four years. You've handled almost everything for him. If you leave, he won't know how to manage without you."

He kept trying to talk me out of it, but my mind was made up.

"His life will be more comfortable without me anyway. I'm just an extra presence that doesn't belong. My pack is at war, and I have to go back.

"Plus, I've reached the age for my marking ceremony, so I really don't have the energy to stay by the Alpha's side anymore. Since the Alpha already approved my request, I'll spend the next month briefing his new Beta on everything, and then I'll leave."

Jason tried once more to convince me over the phone. However, seeing how firm I was, he finally gave up.

After hanging up, I started packing my belongings.

I had lived in that house for three years. Aside from daily necessities, I threw everything else away.

Sitting in the empty room, I felt my heart hollow out too. For a moment, memories from eight years ago came flooding back.

Eight years ago, I left my poor, struggling pack and went to the Norland Pack to study. At college, I met the Matteo's sister, Penelope Donovan.

We hit it off quickly despite her privileged upbringing, and soon we became best friends. She never cared about where I came from and even brought me into high society circles, introducing me to influential wolves.

At one gathering, she introduced me to her brother, the pack's greatest man, the Alpha. I was instantly drawn to Matteo's tall, handsome appearance and fell hard for him.

Throughout college, I channeled my love for him into improving myself, all just to get a little closer to him.

After graduation, I got my wish and became Matteo's Beta. Just thinking about seeing him every day made me so excited that I could not sleep for a whole night.

I thought I would bury that love in my heart forever, until that accident happened.

Matteo was poisoned with wolfsbane laced with aphrodisiac. I was about to call the hospital when a powerful force suddenly pulled me onto the bed. Before I could react, his kisses were all over me.

That night of passion was beautiful yet fleeting. It felt like a dream I never wanted to wake from.

The next morning, I opened my eyes and saw him standing by the window. Bathed in sunlight, his chiseled face looked even more striking. I stared at him, completely mesmerized.

Noticing my gaze, Matteo turned to look at me and said just one thing.

"I'll take responsibility for what happened last night."

My heart skipped a beat.

Just when I thought my dreams were finally coming true, he handed me a check.

He said, "I know you like me, but I already have someone I love. This money will make sure you live comfortably for the rest of your life, so consider it my compensation."

I froze, suddenly remembering that last night he had called out someone else's name: Sabrina Monroe.

I had heard from Penelope that Matteo had always carried a torch for his first love, and her name was Sabrina. Although she had abandoned the pack to become a healer in a more powerful one and had countless flings, he still waited for her.

It was precisely because I knew he loved someone else that I had kept my feelings buried. Perhaps it was the alcohol from the night before, but somehow, I found the courage to speak up.

Taking a deep breath, I called out to Matteo as he was about to leave.

"I don't want compensation. I want to be with you."

Matteo stopped in his tracks and turned to frown at me. "Alyssa Whitlock, do you not understand what I'm saying? I told you I already have someone I love. There will never be anything between us."

I blurted out everything that was buried deep inside me. "I know you love someone else. When she comes back, I'll leave quietly, but until then, can you at least try being with me?"

Faced with my sudden confession, Matteo froze.

Just when I was bracing myself for rejection, he handed me a card with a hotel address written on it.

"Tonight at ten. Don't keep me waiting."