Chapter Three

Ryan's POV

I hadn’t prepared for this.

The moment my eyes locked onto her, everything around me fell away. Mikaela. Standing beside another man, laughing like she belonged there, like the past five years hadn’t happened.

She hadn’t changed. Not really. Her eyes were still sharp, her hair loose around her shoulders the way I used to love. But there was something new in her posture, something stronger. Like she’d found peace.

And I hated it.

Tobias extended his hand, breaking the silence. “Alpha Ryan. Welcome to the Monsoon Pack. We’re grateful for your visit.”

I nodded stiffly, forcing a smile as I shook his hand. “Aloha Tobias. Thank you for having us.”

Staring at her so fixed beside him sent something churning through me. I knew from the news that Tobias and the Monsoon Pack had a Luna. Seeing that there was no other woman beside him, it didn't take much to put the pieces together.

My jaw clenched. Five years. She had disappeared for five years and had patched onto another Alpha.

Lydia stepped forward, her arm bushing mine. “And I’m Lydia, Luna of the Scarlet Pack. We’re honored to be here.”

“Of course,” Tobias said, smiling warmly. “Come in, both of you. There’s much to discuss.”

He turned and gestured toward the path leading up to the packhouse. Mikaela didn’t move at first. Her eyes were locked on me. I could feel her gaze like a flame dancing across my skin.

I didn't even know when I pulled Lydia close, something akin to satisfaction filling me as her gaze widened as she looked at the place Lydia and I had joined.

Before I could savor it her expression quickly closed. She turned to walk beside Tobias, too close beside him.

The sight clawed at my chest.

I fell into step behind them, my jaw clenched so tightly it ached. Tobias laughed at something she said. She smiled up at him. The way she leaned toward him, comfortable, natural, it made something ugly twist inside me.

Lover? Surely. No other explanation made sense. She disappeared without a word, and now she was walking beside this Alpha like they’d been together for years.

Lydia’s hand tightened around mine.

“Ryan,” she said softly, a warning in her voice.

I blinked and realized I’d stopped walking. She tugged me forward, and I forced my legs to move.

As we approached the packhouse, Tobias turned to face us.

“You’ll be staying in the west wing during your visit. I’ve made sure your quarters are prepared.”

“Very generous of you,” Lydia replied smoothly.

My eyes slid back to Mikaela. She stood off to the side now, arms folded across her chest, face neutral, but I saw the crack in her expression when I wrapped my arm around Lydia’s waist and pulled her close.

A flicker of something. Regret? Pain?

Good.

She deserved it.

No, I reminded myself. You’re over her. You have Lydia now. You’ve moved on.

But even as the thought formed, it felt hollow.

The meeting with Tobias was brief, but every second grated on me. He was confident, charismatic, everything an Alpha should be, and far too fond of Mikaela for my liking.

“We’ve had our share of rogue attacks these past months,” he said, leaning back in his chair. “But with Mikaela’s help, we’ve reinforced our border patrols.”

I raised an eyebrow. “She’s involved in security?”

“She’s more than involved. She’s my Pack Advisor,” he said proudly. “One of the best I’ve ever seen. She's completely amazing in every other way too. There's so much I could say about her really, but words won't be enough.”

Of course, she is, I thought bitterly.

Seeing how open he was it was clear that he was besotted with her. How long had he known her? Had he fallen for her? Marked her skin like I once did?

I had to hold back from clenching my fists. I smiled thinly. “She seems close to you.”

Tobias nodded. “She’s family.”

Family? Of course.

…

After that we continued our discussion. Throughout he didn’t mention anything about her.

Later that evening, I wandered the packhouse halls, pretending to familiarize myself with the layout. Truthfully, I was searching for her.

I found her in a quiet sitting room near the library, staring out the window. Alone. Vulnerable.

I stepped inside, letting the door close behind me.

She turned sharply, and when her eyes met mine, something unreadable passed between us.

“Well,” I drawled, “look at you. All grown up. New title. New home. New Alpha.”

Her jaw tightened. “Ryan.”

“I didn’t realize you moved on so quickly,” I continued, stepping closer. “Then again, you always were quick to run. I just didn’t think you’d jump into another Alpha’s bed the moment I turned my back.”

Her nostrils flared. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.” I let the venom pour out, my voice low and mocking. “Or did you forget you had a mate? Or does that not matter when someone more powerful gives you attention?”

She stood, eyes blazing now. “You don’t get to talk to me like that.”

“Oh? I think I do. You disappeared without a word. Left everything behind. Including me.”

“You lost the right to be angry the moment you chose her over me,” she snapped. “You don’t get to play the victim.”

I stepped closer, the words tearing from me. “You were mine. And now you’re some other Alpha’s, what? His whore?”

The slap echoed through the room before I even registered the sting on my cheek.

Her hand was still raised, shaking slightly.

“Don’t you dare,” she whispered. “You don’t get to talk about my life like you know it. You gave up your place in it the moment you betrayed me.”

My pulse pounded. Rage. Regret. Everything twisted together until I didn’t know what I felt anymore.

I turned away, swallowing the bitterness clawing up my throat. Without another word, I stormed out, slamming the door behind me.

But even as I walked away, her voice rang in my ears, sharper than any blade.

You have no right.

And the worst part was, she was right.