Alicia's POV

When the news arrived that my husband, Alpha Blake, was returning victorious, I had already waited at home for an entire year.

I quickly changed into a fresh outfit, taking extra care to check myself in the mirror multiple times before heading out. Only after confirming that I looked flawless did I rush to the door to greet Blake.

Blake had won an impressive victory this time, so much so that even Alpha King Kronos Gray sent someone personally to deliver commendations. Therefore, the pack folks had gathered early at the main gates of the town, awaiting his return.

As I approached the pack gates, a strange and alluring scent wafted into my nose. I couldn't describe that scent—it was like the smell of gardenias, and it totally captivated me.

The fragrance wafting through the air hit me like a wave, making my heart race unexpectedly. A sudden sharp pain flared in my head, and an image of a tall, broad-shouldered figure's back briefly flashed through my mind.

Who could that be? A flush of confusion washed over me. I couldn't recall anyone I'd ever met with such a form.

Blake was similarly built, but that figure's shoulders were broader, its proportions more perfect.

I was lost in thought as I continued walking, and suddenly, I bumped into a firm chest.

“Sorry,” I hurriedly apologized.

The gardenia scent grew stronger as I looked up, and then, a devastatingly handsome face came into view. His features were so striking and mesmerizing that, for a moment, I forgot to step away from his embrace.

“Are you okay?” His deep, husky voice echoed in my ears, and my heart skipped a beat.

My entire body trembled, overwhelmed by a jumble of indescribable emotions coursing through me.

I couldn’t utter a single word, my gaze glued to him as if under some spell. He was tall and muscular. His facial features were sharp and chiseled, which were so perfect that they seemed to have been carved from stone. And what captivated me most was his sapphire-like deep blue eyes.

Oddly, his gaze at me carried an intense yet perplexing emotion I couldn’t decipher.

We stood so close to each other that I could even hear the rhythmic beating of his heart. He breathed on my cheeks, air warm, turning them so hot I could swear I was burning.

It seemed as though he was fighting to restrain himself.

Before I could even begin to process what was happening, whispers erupted around us.

“Look! It’s Alpha Axel Gray! What brings him here?”

“He’s just as handsome and powerful as they say. No wonder he’s the Mr, Perfect every she-wolf wants!”

The name struck me like a thunderbolt.

Anyone in the werewolf world knew who Axel Gray was. He was the son of the Alpha King of Thunderclaw Kingdom. Due to constant combats against the frequent vampire invasions at the border, he was known for his unparalleled strength and countless victories, beloved by all the tribal packs.

Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I would run into him like this. I quickly stepped out of his arms.

“I’m good,” I said, shaking my head. My cheeks kept feeling hot, so I lowered my gaze to avoid eye contact.

Curiosity got the better of me, and I looked up, asking, “What are you doing here?”

“The King sent me to present commendations to Blake,” Axel explained. Before I could give a response, I asked, “Are you a wolf from the Shadowfang Pack?”

I hesitated, unsure how to answer. Though I was married to Blake, deep down, I preferred to introduce myself as the daughter of the Silverpeak Pack's Alpha.

“Yes, I’m Blake’s newlywed wife. My name is Alicia,” I eventually replied after a brief pause.

“Alicia,” Axel repeated it, his gaze turning even more enigmatic.

Somehow, I found myself yearning for him to say more, but he didn’t. He simply stood beside me, waiting for Blake along with the rest of us.

The gardenia scent lingered in my nose, making it impossible to calm my racing heart until the crowd started stirring again.

“Blake is back!”

I jerked my head up and soon spotted Blake amidst the crowd. He was all smiles, walking toward me, surrounded by admiration.

He looked leaner than the last time I saw him, with faint battle scars adorning his handsome face. Due to the recent victory, he was radiating a proud, confident vibe that made him look even more charming than a year ago.

“Blake!” I couldn’t help but call out his name as he approached me.

Yet, he didn’t immediately respond to me. Instead, he first turned to greet Axel, bowing respectfully.

“Congratulations,” Axel said with a polite smile. “This is the reward from the Alpha King.”

Axel’s men brought forward several boxes filled with rare herbs and gemstones.

“Oh, I really appreciate this gift from Alpha King, and thank you, Alpha Axel.” Blake beamed, expressing his gratitude. However, he still didn't spare me a look.

Just as I was about to say hi to Blake, a strange woman’s voice called out from his car.

“Are we here already, Blake?”

“Yes, we are,” Blake turned and replied softly. “Come on out. I’ll take you to your room to rest in just a moment.”

The car door opened, and a stunning, strikingly composed woman stepped out, stretching before walking up to Blake.

I recognized her immediately. It was Lilith, the female Beta everyone had been raving about lately.

Lilith and I came from the same pack. I was Alpha Darius’ daughter, and she was Beta Damien Shade’s daughter. We had even played together when we were children.

On my eighteenth birthday, tragedy struck the Silverpeak Pack. Overnight, my pack was massacred, with corpses strewn across the land.

I managed to escape thanks to my mother's sacrifice, while Lilith and her family were lucky to avoid the tragedy only because they happened to be away at the time.

Blake had taken me in after my escape, and before heading off to war, he’d told me that Lilith had been assigned to fight alongside him on the front lines.

After their victorious campaign, Lilith returned with Blake and was announced as the Shadowfang Pack’s new Beta, becoming the first-ever female Beta in Thunderclaw Kingdom’s history.

I’d heard all of this before, so I wasn’t surprised to see her here.

But something about how Lilith acted around Blake just felt off.

It didn’t take long for my suspicions to be confirmed.

“Alicia,” Blake finally turned his gaze to me. But as I stared at him with a big smile, he tenderly took Lilith’s hand in his, continuing, “Lilith is staying with us. I hope you will be nice to her.”

I felt like I'd been struck by lightning, completely dazed, unable to hide my expression.

“You’re together?” My voice was sharp and cutting, eyes filled with anger.

“We are,” Blake replied firmly, his words breaking me like a dagger in my heart.

To me, Blake wasn’t just my husband.

After my escape from the Silverpeak Pack, I ran into danger several times due to the vast inheritance I was carrying. It was Blake who shouldered great risks to bring me into his pack, saving me from the desperate situation of becoming a lone wolf.

That was why I married Blake a year ago, and while he was away at war, I spent my inheritance helping expand the Shadowfang Pack and took great care of his mother.

Our wedding took place on the same day he left for the battlefield.

Even though I couldn’t form a mate bond with him because I was wolfless, we had exchanged rings. He had promised to love only me and never take another mate for the rest of his life.

At that time, his words and gaze were full of conviction, even more than now.

Yet now, only a year later, he had shattered the vow so easily. How could he do that?

Rage and disappointment erupted within me like a storm, slicing through my heart like a blade and leaving me broken.

“Blake, have you forgotten the promise you made when you proposed to me last year?” I roared at him, shaking with fury.

“You’re overreacting, Alicia,” Blake said, frowning. There was irritation in his expression, as if he somewhat loathed me. “Just over this? Come on! Stop making a scene in public like a shrew! It’s embarrassing.”

“Embarrassing? You betrayed me! You broke your promise to me, and now you’re blaming me for embarrassing you, huh?” I shot back, my voice trembling with hurt and fury. I clenched my fists, glaring daggers at him.

“The Alpha King has already approved my marriage to Lilith. I don't need your permission. We earned this marriage through our achievements on the battlefield. You got no say in it. And besides, Lilith is my mate.”

Blake’s words struck me like a physical blow, like my very soul was being crushed under the weight of them.

When he left for war, he had promised to talk to the Alpha King after winning the battle and ask for a new investigation into the truth behind my pack's massacre.

However, he not only broke that promise but also he used his achievements to justify this betrayal instead.

A bitter chill seeped into my bones, spreading through my entire body.

Every ounce of trust and love I had ever felt for Blake shattered in that instant.