Chapter 1

My mate Leon is the Alpha heir of Shadowclaw pack.

Once again, he didn't spend my birthday with me this year.

Because today is also his childhood friend Nora's birthday.

I opened Nora's Ins, and sure enough, there was a new post.

"Grateful for your company every year on my birthday. We promised to spend every future birthday together!"

The photo showed two hands making heart signs in front of a cake.

One of them was Leon's—I recognized the watch I'd given him.

I hit like, set down my phone, and dumped all the dishes I'd lovingly prepared—all Leon's favorites—into the trash.

Then I went to a restaurant, ordered what I liked, and celebrated my birthday alone.

Leon didn't know I'd already made my decision—to break up with him and return to Frosthowl pack to become the Alpha heir.

Halfway through my meal, Leon called, his tone somewhat anxious. "Rhea, did you see Nora's post?"

"I did."

"I'll come back after I finish celebrating with her. I'll spend it with you next year. Be reasonable and don't make a fuss, okay?"

The old me would have cried and thrown a fit. But not anymore. I simply said calmly, "Okay."

The next morning around seven, my phone woke me. It only rang a few times before stopping—probably because he didn't want to wait again. I picked it up and looked. It was Leon.

He used to be too lazy to use his own key, so he'd always call me like this—let it ring a few times, then hang up.

No matter what I was doing, I'd immediately run to open the door for him.

But not today. I tossed my phone aside, pulled the covers over my head, and went back to sleep.

The spare key was under the doormat. He knew that.

I'd stayed up until three in the morning packing last night, and my head was still foggy. My phone rang several more times, but I didn't even bother looking.

I don't know how long passed before I groggily heard someone opening the door. The door slammed against the wall with a loud bang, then the bedroom door was shoved open, accompanied by Leon's angry questioning.

"Rhea, why didn't you open the door for me? I called so many times! You know I hate using keys!"

I opened my eyes and looked at him without much emotion. "I was too tired. Didn't hear it."

Leon opened his mouth, then finally just said, "I'm hungry. Get up and make me something to eat. I was up all night, and I need to catch up on sleep after I eat."

In the past, I would've jumped up immediately to make him breakfast. But now I just said flatly, "I'm really tired too. Go buy yourself some breakfast downstairs."

Leon was clearly angry, but he held it in. "You're still mad I didn't spend your birthday with you yesterday?"

"No, you're overthinking it."

Leon didn't believe me and explained unprompted, "Nora is like my little sister. Her dad died for mine. I've taken care of her since we were kids—if I don't stay with her, who will? Stop being so petty, or I'm really going to get angry!"

"You're right, you should stay with her. I'm not mad."

Nora's father was Leon's father's Beta. When Nora was seven, a Rogue attacked Shadowclaw pack, and her father died protecting Leon's father.

Nora's mother died not long after from grief. Since then, Nora had lived with Leon's family.

Unlike their childhood bond, Leon and I met through a friend's introduction.

When we first met, we both realized we were fated mates.

Leon blushed as he looked at me, said it was love at first sight, and asked if I wanted to date him.

I blushed too and said yes.

Later we fell in love and went on dates everywhere.

I thought I'd be happy like that forever—until I met Nora and saw how attentively Leon cared for her.

Later I accidentally overheard Nora's friends talking and learned that before meeting me, Leon and Nora had almost started dating. I was the one who'd come between them, forcing them to remain just friends.

From then on, I kept thinking back to my first meeting with Leon. I couldn't help wondering—did Leon really fall for me at first sight?

Or was the so-called love at first sight just an act, something he said because dating his fated mate would solidify his position as Alpha heir?

My reminiscing ended. I couldn't sleep anymore, so I got up to go to the bathroom.

Leon grabbed my wrist and reluctantly pulled a bracelet from his pocket. "Here, stop being upset. Your birthday present."

Looking at that cheap bracelet, the decorative metal piece dangling and swaying with the movement, it seemed so perfunctory.

Then thinking about the designer watch Leon wore in Nora's social media photos, I couldn't help but smile bitterly.

I shook my wrist, revealing the watch my mom had sent a few days ago. "Thanks, but I have a watch now. Wearing this would be inconvenient. You keep it."

Leon said angrily, "And you say you're not mad! You used to be so happy with whatever I gave you. Now you're turning up your nose at it, is that it?"

Leon's income wasn't high. The things he gave me for my birthday in the past were never expensive either—little trinkets costing a few dollars or tens of dollars, sometimes he'd even forget to give anything. But I'd never minded.

Every year on his birthday, though, I carefully prepared gifts. Last week for his birthday, I gave him a designer bracelet.

I was tired. I really didn't have the energy to argue anymore. I took the bracelet and put it in my pocket. "Thank you."

I changed clothes and prepared to leave. Leon asked urgently, "Where are you going?"

"Meeting friends. Going to the gym together."

Since getting together with Leon, I'd spent almost all my free time on him. Accompanying him, taking care of him, barely having any time for myself.

But not anymore. From now on, I was going to live for myself.