Garrett's POV

She ran away.

The woman who tangled with me last night just left me behind and ran away.

Did she think that by dyeing her hair black, wearing a veil, and donning the attire of a common girl, I wouldn't recognize her?

Anila.

What should I do with you?

I lay on the inn's mattress, inhaling the lingering scent she left behind.

I fell into memory and recalled the day before, the celebration.

Since childhood, I had a strong aversion to such celebrations.

They were noisy and chaotic.

Moreover, the diligent Beta, Anila, had begun to neglect her well-being, working tirelessly without rest.

I had hinted at her numerous times to take proper care of herself, but Anila seldom heeded my advice.

Her audacity was growing, and I blamed myself for indulging her excessively.

I idly shuffled through the documents on the table. In fact, I had prepared many things for the Ritual, or I should say, I had them all sorted out. My efficiency was commendable.

If I handed over these materials to Anila, she would undoubtedly be delighted, and the burden upon her would be lessened.

At that moment, Cooper leaned against the study room's door and knocked. "May I come in?"

"You aren't already in?" I didn't look at him, engrossed in organizing the documents.

"Our great Alpha is actually sorting documents. Let me see what has piqued your interest so much," Cooper sauntered into the study, boldly seating himself on my desk.

"Aren't these preparations for tomorrow's Ritual? Are you handling them all by yourself, or did Anila send these documents?" He gazed incredulously at the dense sea of papers, his expression revealing surprise.

I reclaimed the papers from his hand. "Of course, I've done it myself." I asserted firmly. After all, it was just a matter of planning some minor details.

Cooper Gerson is the general's eldest son. I grew up with him and Anila. Both of them were known for their roles in protecting and assisting me.

Until now, Cooper remained my closest confidant.

He was also the next in line for the position of general, nominally tasked with ensuring my safety.

But when no one was watching, we could interact as friends without any barriers.

However, I never considered Anila a friend. This was because, at the age of eighteen, I detected the scent of gardenias and a hint of lime liqueur on her.

She was my fate mate.

At that time, I should have kept her close, but I couldn't.

I had to ensure her protection from any harm.

But I regret it now.

In her eyes today, there's only that Pack doctor.

Even a blind man could feel the desire in her gaze when she looks at him.

And what about me?

Now, all I see in Anila's eyes is disdain and respect for me...

At this point, I pinched my stiff shoulders because I carried too much, and it weighed heavily on me.

"Tell me, if you were a woman, would you prefer that poor doctor or me, the Alpha?" I gazed at Cooper, eager for his answer.

"Don't try to set a trap for me, but I'd definitely choose you because you're more handsome," Cooper said, brushing his fingers against my chin, his gaze growing sultry.

"Don't look at me with those eyes; it makes me question your orientation." I swatted Cooper's hand away, having long suspected he had ulterior motives for my body.

Hahaha—Cooper burst into laughter, and if we hadn't grown up together, I might have bitten him.

"Okay, enough fooling around, Alpha, hand those documents over to Anila quickly; she looks utterly exhausted," Cooper wiped away his tears, urging me to get back to work.

Indeed, Anila was a workaholic. Her unwavering determination ensured that the celebration was well-organized every year, even the previous Alpha acknowledged it.

I wanted to find Anila myself, so I shooed Cooper away. Who needs a third wheel?

But then, I saw her in the Pack doctor's room.

They were talking and laughing.

Anila even wore a smile that she'd never shown to me before.

Her eyes, gently curved, were like the warm winter sun, radiant and enchanting.

But the one who could admire that face up close was never me!

I tore up the documents in my hand, scattering the fragments haphazardly in some corner of the palace, allowing the shredded paper to flutter away like falling snow in the wind.

"What are you doing?" A woman's voice came from behind me, piercing and unpleasant.

She picked up a piece of paper nonchalantly.

"Garrett, this couldn't be the documentation for The Lupercalia Full Moon Ritual tomorrow, could it? Why did you tear it up? Hmph, this is your first Ritual, and I haven't seen much from you. If it weren't for Antony being under eighteen, the Alpha's position should rightfully be inherited by Antony," The speaker is Ashley Leonard, my stepmother, a woman I find malicious, hypocritical, and revolting.

I felt the blood in my veins rushing and burning within my body, my face turned a ghastly shade of blue, and I must have appeared rather frightening.

I clenched my fists tightly under my sleeves, and they creaked.

But I had to suppress the anger brewing inside me, fearing I might lose control and bite her to death.