The Alpha’s Loss

Chapter 1

When I lost my pup in a rival wolf attack,Zachary just happened to be passing by with his female Beta,Aria,in the passenger seat.

He saw my fur soaked in red,shielded Aria’s curious eyes,and coldly muttered,"Bad luck.Don’t look.Avoid bringing bad things to us."Then he sped off.

That same night,while I was back in my den,I found a purple dress stuffed in the corner of our closet—a dress that definitely wasn’t mine.because purple carries the shadow memory of my childhood，Over the years,I have avoided the color purple.

Closing the closet door,I calmly called Alpha Taya."Alpha,I've made up my mind.I can leave the pack next week and start training with your wolves."

"That's wonderful news,Ms.Rose!We're excited to have you!"she replied cheerfully through the link.

The second the call ended,Zachary walked out of the bathroom.

He used to take five minutes to shower.Lately,he’d been spending at least half an hour,always with his phone in hand.

"Who were you talking to?"he asked,not even looking up from his phone.

"I was on the phone with Ms.Nells,HR."I replied honestly.

"Ah,"he said,barely paying attention.As usual,he wasn’t really listening.

And for the first time,I didn’t get mad or make a fuss.I just started drafting my resignation letter on my phone.

When he reached for his water cup,likely expecting the calming tea I used to make for him every night,he paused,noticing it wasn’t there.

Finally,he spared me a glance.

"I showed your scan to a healer.He said it was just a minor injury,nothing serious.Just keep the wound dry."

"Alright,"I said without looking up,still typing.

This afternoon,I had eight stitches in my hind leg from the attack.Worse still,I had just found out I was four weeks pregnant and already showing signs of losing the pup.

The healer apologized,saying that if I had been brought back to the den sooner,the pup might have been saved.

Seeing the blank expression on my face,Zachary frowned and started walking over to check what I was doing.

But just then,his phone buzzed.

His lips curved into a smile,and without a second thought,he turned and disappeared into his study.

Once he was out of sight,I opened up my secret social media account and scrolled through his feed.Sure enough,there was a new post—visible to everyone but me.

It was an apology letter.

[I shouldn’t have let the best Beta in the pack down.Promised her dinner after patrol,but work got in the way,and I made her wait a whole ten minutes.Totally my fault.I'll do better from now on,be a good Alpha.]

I liked the post and,in the same breath,received a notification from Ms.Nells:the contract.

I clicked the link and signed the document without hesitation.

The next morning,Zachary woke up early and brought back venison and pastries from a popular pack bakery.

Just as I was about to open the bag with chocolate croissants,he slapped my hand away.

"You like peanut butter bagels,right?I got one just for you."

I froze for a second before realizing—the chocolate croissants weren’t for me.

They were for Aria.

I couldn’t hold back anymore."We’ve been together for seven years,and you still don’t know I’m allergic to peanuts?"

His expression darkened,and he stood abruptly,snapping,"Stop making a fuss.Eat or don’t.I don’t care."

As he prepared to leave,I walked into the bedroom and came back with a bag.

"When you see Aria later,do me a favor and return this to her."

His brows knitted together before taking the bag.When he peeked inside and saw the purple dress,a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.He opened his mouth like he was about to explain something,but when he saw my calm,indifferent face,he only said,"I’ll tell her to stop being so careless."

"Yeah,"I replied with a quiet tone.

Sensing my low mood,Zachary offered,"I can give you a ride to the packhouse today."

Seven years together,and not once had he driven me to the packhouse,no matter how bad the weather was.He always kept work and personal life separate.

But Aria?On her first day as his Beta,she was already getting chauffeured by my chosen mate.

Chapter 2

As I pondered the difference between how Zachary treated Aria and his own mate,I accidentally knocked my fork to the floor.My fingers trembled as I bent down to pick it up.

When I straightened,I saw Zachary standing at the entrance,already ready to leave.Without looking back,he tossed over his shoulder."Something urgent came up with the pack.I'll give you a ride next time,"he said before hurrying out the door.

Half an hour later,I limped into my cubicle to work.For some reason,my packmates looked at me with a mix of sympathy and concern.Later,while filling my mug with water in the break room,I overheard two pack members whispering to each other.

"So it's true—Alpha Iron really ditched Harper for his female beta,Aria?"one asked.

"Uhuh!You should have seen it this morning!Aria came in with a little stain on her dress,and Alpha Iron picked her up in front of everyone at the training grounds,"the other replied.

My hand slipped,and the mug shattered on the floor,silencing their gossip.I crouched down to gather the pieces,carefully tossing them into the trash can without saying anything.

I ended up working late.It was past ten o'clock when,suddenly,I felt a weight on my shoulders.

"Harper,"Zachary muttered,draping a coat on my shoulders,"why didn’t you respond to my messages?"

I didn’t turn around;instead,I checked my phone to see a message from him:[What type of meat do you like best?]

Three years ago,I asked him to hunt with me under the moonlight for the first time.Back then,he had only looked at me with disdain and said,"Hunt?You want me to go on a hunt with you?Harper,you’re almost 30!Don’t make me sick with this childish crap!"

But behind me,there he was,bringing me meat.

I focused my eyes on the computer screen before me,ignoring the offering.I didn’t have to look at him to know his expression was shifting,frustration creeping in.He hated being ignored—despised it.Zachary thrived on attention,on control.Any time I’d pull away,even just a little,it was like a personal attack on him.

He needed to be the center of my focus,always.If I dared to act like he wasn’t the most important thing in the room,it drove him crazy.It was part of his dominance,his way of making sure he always had the upper hand.Every time I ignored him,I could feel the tension rise,as if he couldn’t handle the thought of losing that grip,even for a moment.And now,I could practically sense the irritation building beneath his calmness.

"You used to beg me for this,"he said,sounding confused.

"It’s past 10.If I eat now,I won’t be able to shift properly,"I said dismissively.

There was a brief silence.Then,in a cold voice,he muttered,"I’m going to the bathroom.Let’s go home together after."

Barely 30 seconds later,his phone lit up on my desk.I glanced to see that it was a message from Aria.

[My best alpha，Who sends dozens of cuts of meat all at once?You’re not trying to turn me into a little wolf piggy,are you?]

I shifted my eyes back to the computer screen nonchalantly and organized the files on my desk.

We got home a little after 11.As soon as I stepped out of the car,I headed straight into the bedroom and started packing my things.When Zachary walked in,freshly showered,he noticed my vanity looking emptier than usual.

He frowned but didn’t seem to mind it."Hey,I’m going on a business trip to the Silverback pack next month.If you want anything from there,just make a list,and I’ll get it for you."

I didn’t even hesitate."Nah.I don’t want anything.Thanks anyway."

After all,I was leaving in a few days.What was the point?

Suddenly,he threw his towel onto the bed,his eyes cold as he stared at me."So,what?You’re upset because I bought you the wrong kind of prey?Is that what this is about?"

I opened my mouth to explain I wasn’t angry,but he let out a scoff before I could speak.

"You know I can’t stand females being dramatic.Harper,you’re being out of line,"he said with a hint of disgust and dismay.

With that,he stormed into his study,slamming the door behind him.

In our seven years together,he was always the first to give countless silent treatments.And every single time,I had always humbled myself to apologize and make it up.But this time,I just cocked an eyebrow and turned off the bedside lamp.

He stayed in the study all night.For the first time,he didn’t hear a single knock on the door.

The next morning,I made breakfast for both of us as usual.I’d just finished eating my portion and was getting ready to leave for work when he came out of the study.He was on his phone when he barked at me,"Take the day off.By 5 p.m.,I need you to make me an identical fondant cake."

Chapter 3

Ever since Zachary and I started dating,I'd been making him a birthday cake every single year—always by hand,never using shortcuts.

When I glanced at the screen of his phone,I knew immediately who the request was for again.I'd seen that little wolf avatar on his screen—it was Aria's profile picture.I didn’t say a word,and the living room felt unnervingly quiet.

Zachary was completely unaware of how unreasonable his request had been,looking at me,waiting for a yes.Eventually,I just nodded,keeping my face neutral."Send me the picture,"I said,standing up."I'll head out now to buy the ingredients."

I thought back to that night seven years ago.If Zachary hadn't been there,I wouldn't have made it out of that rival wolf attack unscathed.I glanced at him one last time,thinking,'Once I finish this cake,I’ll finally be done with him.'I headed for the door,feeling the heaviness in my steps.Before I could reach the doorway,Zachary's voice,surprised,cut through the silence behind me.

"Harper…"he started,his voice unsure.

I didn’t bother turning around."Anything else?"I asked,my tone flat.

There was a pause before he spoke again."I'll Venmo you for the ingredients."

I continued walking without a word.When I stepped into the elevator,I pulled out my phone and stared at our chat history.

19065 messages—that’s how many I’d sent him.

He’d replied to only 30.

It was exhausting to care,so I could only smirk.Upstairs,in the living room,Zachary's phone would buzz with the notification of the$200 transfer being rejected.I could imagine his hand clenching around the phone as he read the alert.

Later that night,around 8 p.m.,my phone rang.Zachary's name flashed on the screen.

"Hey,where are you?"he asked,sounding almost…concerned.

I was sitting in a booth at a diner near my place,picking at my food."What’s up?"I asked,sidestepping his question.

"Nothing much,"Zachary replied,his voice softer now."I just wanted to say...the cake you made was delicious.As always."

There was a brief silence on the line before he added,in a lower voice,"Thanks.I know it was a lot of effort."

Before I could respond,I heard Aria's sugary voice in the background.

"Harper!"she called out,her tone light and overly sweet."I heard from Zach that you made my birthday cake today.Wow,you’re so talented!I wish I could do that,but I’m so clumsy.Zach's always calling me his little pup."

I could picture her pouting as she spoke.Before I could even process her words,she invited me to the party.But I didn’t get a chance to respond before Zachary’s voice returned to the line.

"Well,you don’t need to come,"he said,a bit firmer this time,before hanging up.

A few minutes later,my phone buzzed again.It was a message from him,with his location pinned and a note attached:[If you do stop by,grab a bag of deer-flavored chips for Aria from the convenience store.]

I sighed,letting out a sarcastic faint smile.When I pushed the door open to the private room,I spotted Zachary immediately.He was feeding Aria a slice of cake,her wide,doe-like eyes looking up at him.The moment he saw me,his expression shifted into one of irritation.His gaze darkened,and I knew exactly what he was thinking.

Why did I show up?

I knew already that Aria had been the one to send the message,not him.But I'd come anyway.

"Harper!"Aria greeted me with a wide smile,her voice as sugary as ever.Zachary’s eyes narrowed at me,and I could feel the tension in the room rising.

"Didn't I tell you not to come?"Zachary snapped,his irritation spilling over.

I opened my mouth to respond,but Aria quickly jumped in,pouting dramatically."I’m sorry,Zach.I just wanted some chips,so I tricked her into coming,"she said,her voice dripping with false innocence.

Zachary’s hard expression softened as he reached out,ruffling Aria’s hair affectionately."You little pup,"he muttered with a fond smile.

Watching him,I knew this was my moment.I reached into my bag and pulled out my resignation letter.

"Zachary,"I said,stepping forward,"one of my pack members has a family emergency and needs to leave.I’ll need you to approve this."

Technically,Alpha Iron himself,Zachary,should’ve handled it,but since it was me,the HR manager had sent the letter directly to me.The lighting in the room was dim,casting shadows across Zachary’s face.He didn’t even glance at the letter as he scribbled his signature,his attention fully on Aria.

Just as I was about to take the letter back,Zachary’s hand shot out,grabbing mine.His expression shifted,his brow furrowing as he stared at my hand.

"You…You came here just for this?"he asked,his tone low and unreadable.

I nodded.

His face darkened again,and for a second,I thought he was going to say something.But then he flinched,pulling his hand back as if burned.I realized his fingers had brushed the burn marks on my palm from making the cake.

He must’ve been disgusted.

From the corner of my eye,I saw Aria’s eyes light up with sudden interest."Oh!Harper!That necklace you’re wearing…It looks quite familiar,"she said,leaning in,her smile widening."I just remembered,a few days ago,I saw something just like that in Zachary's trash can."

I watched Zachary subtly move his hand to cover his neck,but I pretended not to notice.Keeping my voice calm,I replied,"These necklaces are pretty common.If you like it,I can give this one to you."

Aria didn’t respond.

When I walked out of the room,I headed straight for the nearest trash can and threw away the bracelet.I’d worn it for the past seven years,but it no longer meant anything—just trash.I turned to the elevator,and while waiting,my phone buzzed.It was Ross calling.

"Did you book the subsidiary pack’s relocation yet?"he asked.

"Not yet,"I replied,my voice steady."I’ll do it in a few days."

Before I could hang up,I heard Zachary’s voice behind me."You’re booking something?"he asked,his voice confused.

Chapter 4

I quickly ended the call,turning around with a blank expression."Yeah,there’s a restaurant nearby that’s super popular,"I lied smoothly."You have to reserve it days in advance if you want to try the menu."

Zachary didn’t press the matter any further.He just pulled me along to a nearby hotel and booked us a suite.We worked side by side in silence,waiting for a client overseas to respond.Eventually,I couldn’t fight off the exhaustion any longer and fell asleep.

The next morning,I woke up in bed,surprised to find myself tucked in.Zachary sat beside me,flipping through the financial section of the newspaper.He glanced at me as I stirred.

"Breakfast's on its way,"he said,already calling room service.

Halfway through breakfast,Zachary suddenly asked,"Why’d you change your phone password?"

I didn’t even look up from my plate."Felt like changing it,"I replied casually.

The truth was,the old password was a combination of our birthdates.Since I was planning to leave,it didn’t make sense to keep it.

He set down his knife and fork,his tone shifting."You were always asking me to run patrols with you,weren’t you?There’s a new territory nearby."

I knew there wasn’t an option to say no,not with the Beta skipping work.So I nodded.

As we patrolled the woods together,the image I’d once dreamed of played out before me—the two of us,running under the moonlight,side by side.But while it was happening for real,I was struggling to stay focused.

Zachary must’ve noticed."This was your idea,"he said."You don’t want to be here?"

"It’s fine.It’s good,"I replied,not even bothering to fake enthusiasm.

He pressed his lips into a thin line,clearly unconvinced.Just as he was about to say something,his phone buzzed.

Without a word to me,he stepped away.

The patrol ended,and Zachary still hadn’t returned.Annoyed,I was about to mind-link him when I heard a familiar,sickly-sweet voice in the distance.

"Oh,Zachary!You're so amazing!"Aria squealed.

I turned and saw her practically bouncing up and down,clutching a massive stuffed wolf as she leaped into Zachary’s arms.He held her by the legs,laughing softly,but the moment his eyes landed on me,his smile vanished.

"Harper!I didn’t know you were here too,"Aria exclaimed,wide-eyed and pretending to be innocent.A few seconds later,she covering her mouth."Oh no!Don’t get the wrong idea!I just got a little excited,that’s all..."

Zachary lightly tapped her on the nose,his tone playful."What are you apologizing for?"he said,amused.

His arm was still wrapped around her waist as they turned away from me.

That night,I sent him a text message.

"I'm resigning from pack duties,and we're done."

There was no reply.

As soon as it was sent,I pulled out my SIM card and tossed it in the nearest trash can.

It was nearly midnight when I arrived at the station in my hometown.As I stepped off the train,I saw Dad waiting for me.He smiled the moment he saw me and led me to the car.

Sitting in the passenger seat,I noticed a large bag of my favorite snacks and yogurt waiting for me.

Before starting the car,Dad chuckled softly,grabbing one of the yogurts and poking a straw through the lid,handing it to me."Here,drink this,"he said warmly.

As I took it from him,I noticed the gray hairs at his temples,and something inside me broke.

Without warning,I burst into tears,sobbing uncontrollably.

"Dad,I'm home for good this time,"I choked out between sobs."I'm never leaving again.I'm going to stay here with you and Mom.Forever."

Dad chuckled again,this time a little more tenderly."Whether you stay or not,you'll always be our precious Harp."

He could tell I wasn't in the best place,but he didn't ask me to explain.He just drove,respecting my silence.

When we got home,I showered and ate a simple dinner my parents had prepared.

By 10 p.m.,I was lying in bed,staring at my phone.I opened my music app,hoping to find something relaxing to help me sleep.That's when I noticed several unread private messages.

They were from Ross,one of my closest colleagues.He seemed shocked by my sudden resignation.His message was full of concern,asking if everything was okay and if there was anything he could do to help.

Just as I was trying to figure out how to reply,another message from him came in—a video file this time.

It came with a note.

[Harp,this video's blowing up in the pack group chat.It's about Aria and Zachary.]