Chapter 17: Chapter 17 Meant To Be Cast Aside

He instinctively turned toward the source—and in that split second, Greg seized the opportunity. His foot slammed into Zion’s side. Though Zion managed to block most of the force, the impact still sent him skidding several feet across the dirt, his boots carving a long trail in the ground.

“Alpha Zion, I won,” Greg declared smugly, brushing imaginary dust off his hands.

Zion’s brows furrowed. It wasn’t exactly a dignified victory—but a loss was still a loss. He said nothing, simply nodding in acknowledgment, though a flicker of irritation crossed his face.

His gaze drifted toward the source of the distraction—a woman passing by, laughing beside a man. The sight made his frown deepen.

“Z-Zion! Are you alright?!” Claire rushed over, her hands protectively cradling her pregnant belly, her eyes full of concern. She studied his face, confused by the faraway look in his eyes.

When he didn’t respond, she called again, more gently this time. “Zion?”

Only then did Zion blink himself back to the present. His gaze shifted to Claire, and he gave a slow, absentminded nod before turning to look at his Beta.

“So,” he said with narrowed eyes, suspicion lacing his tone, “what exactly was it you wanted me to do again?”

It was clear he already sensed Greg was up to something mischievous.

Beta Greg grinned broadly, his canines flashing as he spoke with mock innocence. “It’s really not that difficult, Alpha Zion. Just a simple task—accompany our precious Miss Claire and don’t leave her side for the entire week.”

He clasped his hands behind his back, looking far too pleased with himself. “She’s still pregnant, and it’s her first time in our pack. Aside from you, she isn’t quite comfortable with anyone else. Being by her side will definitely help lift her spirits—and stabilize her emotions, which could affect the pup.”

Greg shrugged casually. “While you keep her company, I’ll handle your duties and manage the pack. That way, you can focus on her.”

Of course, what he didn’t say aloud was his true intention: to give Claire and his Alpha more time together, hoping their bond would deepen. If he could just nudge their relationship forward, maybe—just maybe—he could finally convince Zion to dissolve his mate bond with Addison.

When Zion hesitated for a moment too long, clearly lost in thought, Beta Greg pressed further, his tone a bit more persuasive.

“Alpha, you know how important it is to protect Miss Claire and make sure she feels welcome and safe in our territory. If she’s unhappy or mistreated, the Alpha King won’t take it lightly—and the last thing we need is for him to think we’re neglecting his precious daughter.”

Greg gave a pointed look, lowering his voice just enough to sound serious. “This isn’t just about her… it’s about the greater good of our pack.”

Zion took a deep breath and looked off into the distance before giving a curt nod. His lips were pressed into a firm line, but he said nothing. And just like that, he began accompanying Claire as promised.

Meanwhile, as Beta Greg had planned, he stepped in to handle Zion’s office work. The very first thing he did was march straight into Addison’s office. The smile on Addison’s face, mid-conversation with her Gamma, vanished the moment she saw him.

Her expression turned cold, her eyes narrowing in displeasure. Greg hadn’t knocked. He hadn’t announced himself. He had simply barged in—blatantly disregarding protocol, authority, and her position as the pack’s Luna.

Without even acknowledging their presence properly, Greg stepped forward and declared in a commanding tone, “Hand over all the core projects of the pack. I’ll take over from here. There’s no need for you to be involved.”

His tone dripped with condescension, as if speaking to a subordinate rather than the Luna. Gamma Levi frowned deeply at the blatant disrespect and started to respond—but Greg didn’t spare him even a glance.

“Hurry up. I don’t have the whole day to deal with you,” Beta Greg said impatiently, his arms crossed and tone dismissive.

Addison’s eyes narrowed, her jaw clenched. “Are you seriously telling me to hand over all my work? That you’re kicking me out of my own projects?”

Her voice was tight, carefully restrained—but barely. Rage simmered just beneath the surface.

She stood tall, refusing to be intimidated, but the sting was undeniable. For three long years, she had poured her blood, sweat, and tears into these core projects.

She had painstakingly negotiated alliances with other packs, established vital trade routes, and built a thriving farming initiative from the ground up. Every contract, every partnership, every success had been hers. And now, just like that, it was all being stripped away?

She could hardly believe it.

“You can’t be serious,” she muttered, more to herself than to Greg. Her hands trembled slightly at her sides, whether from anger or disbelief, even she wasn’t sure.

But Beta Greg didn’t flinch. “I’m not here to argue with you, Luna. This is what the Alpha wants. Hand everything over. Starting today, your involvement is no longer required.”

Beta Greg crossed his arms, his expression filled with disdain. “What? Just because the Alpha fucked you, you think that makes you the rightful Luna of this pack?” he sneered.

His tone was sharp, each word laced with venom. “Did you forget your place, or are you still clinging to some foolish dream that you’ll hold on to that title for long? Haven’t you realized by now—you were always meant to be cast aside.”

He took a step forward, voice dropping, deliberate and cruel. “Especially now that Miss Claire is here.”

His lips curled into a mocking smile as he stared at her, his eyes scanning her face—beautiful, but still pale. Her complexion had just begun to recover after three days of Zion’s attention, after he’d fed and pampered her in bed like she mattered. The hollowness in her cheeks had softened, the exhaustion on her face beginning to fade.

But now, under Greg’s words, that fragile strength threatened to crack all over again.

How could she forget?

Even without Beta Greg’s cruel reminder, Addison already knew—Alpha Zion hated her. She had known it deep down all along. But hearing it spoken aloud, having the wound that had just barely begun to scab over torn open again, hurt far more than she expected.

She could pretend not to care, act like the martyr if she wanted to—but the truth was, she wasn’t one. She was just a woman holding on to a thread of hope that she couldn’t quite let go of.

Earlier that day, when she got out of bed, still confused by Zion’s hot-and-cold treatment, a fragile hope had begun to bloom inside her. Maybe—just maybe—something was changing.

So she’d left the Alpha’s suite and, with her Gamma beside her, walked the pack grounds under the guise of conducting an inspection. They passed near the training ground, chatting and laughing as if everything was normal.

But really, she was only there to steal a glance at him—her mate.

And what she saw shattered whatever illusion she had left.

There he was… with Claire. The way he looked at her—gentle, attentive, warm—was so different. So painfully different from how he looked at Addison. With her, there was only tension, obligation, and the faint pull of the mate bond, laced with carnal desire that felt more instinctual than emotional. But with Claire… he was considerate, calm, and tender in a way he never was with Addison.

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