As soon as I got back to my apartment, I wasted no time. I packed only the essentials into a box and headed straight for the shower. The warm water did little to calm the storm raging inside me.
Once I was dressed and ready, my phone buzzed. Of course, I didn't pick up. But the notification that followed caught my attention—Beta Ethan had added me back to the group chat I had left weeks ago.
Curiosity got the best of me, and I opened it. My eyes scanned the conversation. Beta Ethan and the others were sending comforting gifs to Nelly. They were all rallying around her, except one person—Alpha Joseph.
"Why isn't Anita saying anything?" John, one of Alpha Joseph's friends, asked.
"I don't know. I added her some minutes ago," Bata Ethan replied.
"I bet she's happy she won," John commented.
"I wish it was Nelly," Beta Ethan added.
Before I could even process it, my fingers moved, typing a response. "Don't worry, your wish will come true."
Without hesitation, I exited the group and deleted the app for good this time. Enough was enough.
I grabbed my bag, my resolve firm, and headed out the door. Hours later, I landed in Vegas, feeling the weight of my old life slowly lift as I stepped off the plane. A young woman, friendly and cheerful, greeted me at the airport. She drove me straight to my new apartment, assuring me that she'd check in after I'd settled.
The apartment was stunning, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a breathtaking view of the Vegas skyline. But I was too exhausted to fully appreciate it. I dropped my bags, collapsed into bed, and let sleep take over.
The next morning, I woke up feeling refreshed. I didn't bother checking the news—I knew Alpha Joseph would be all over it, and I wasn't interested in being reminded of him. Instead, I took out my old SIM card and snapped it in half. It was time to completely cut ties with that life.
The rest of the day was spent exploring my new apartment and getting accustomed to the area. The following day, the same lady returned and took me to my new job. The boutique was breathtaking, one of the largest I'd ever seen, and my office was equally impressive.
My coworkers were kind, and my new boss was warm and welcoming. Best of all, they were human—no werewolves, no packs, no alpha drama. I felt a huge sense of relief. I was starting to forget about my past, slowly but surely.
For a week, things went smoothly. I settled into my routine, enjoying the fresh start, until one evening after work, I was about to get into the car the company had provided for me when a familiar scent hit me.
I froze, heart pounding. Slowly, I turned around and saw him—Alpha Joseph, looking pale and gaunt, standing in front of me.
"Anita," he said, his voice hoarse. "It's really you. I've been searching for you."
I rolled my eyes, frustration bubbling up. "What do you want from me?"
"Anita, why… why didn't you come to the mating ceremony?" His voice was desperate.
I crossed my arms, glaring at him. "What mating ceremony, Alpha? The one *you* didn't honor?"
"Anita, please. I'm sorry... I made a mistake. Please come back to me."
"No," I said, raising a hand to stop him. "Just stop. As you can see, I've moved on. I'm living a better life now. So, go back to your pack and leave me alone."
He shook his head, his eyes full of desperation. "No... I'm never going back. Not without you."
I sighed, exasperated. "Suit yourself then."
Without another word, I got into the car and drove away, leaving him standing there. This time, I wasn't running. I was walking forward, leaving the past where it belonged—behind me.