I maintained the smile on my face until the moment I walked out of Richard’s house.
The wooden door clicked shut behind me, and only then did I let my expression crumble, my jaw clenching so hard it hurt.
In my previous life, Richard had encouraged me the same way to participate in the Gamma selection, even giving me many precious herbs to help with my elixir brewing.
He’d placed the herbs in my hands with that same paternal smile, telling me I was destined for greatness.
I had nothing but reverence and gratitude for this highly respected Beta, never once harboring any suspicion.
His wisdom was legendary in our pack, his decisions always fair and just—or so I had believed.
Since childhood, he had kindly taught the pack children how to brew werewolf enhancement elixirs, always with a gentle smile that made everyone feel comfortable around him.
Most of my skills were taught by him.
In my heart, he was my mentor and also my family.
After my parents died fighting rogues when I was twelve, Richard had taken me under his wing, giving me extra lessons and encouragement.
However, the person who made my wolf lose its resistance and became the pack Gamma was Victoria.
And Victoria was Richard’s granddaughter.
It was hard not to overthink this connection.
Had he groomed me all these years just to build me up for Victoria’s triumph? Was I nothing but a stepping stone?
I couldn’t figure out where things had gone wrong, but this time I wouldn’t brew the Beta wolf enhancement elixir, nor would I use the method from Richard’s book that called for heart blood. Surely then, nothing would go wrong.
I was naturally talented and had worked diligently, conducting thousands of experiments until I succeeded. The Gamma position should have been mine by right.
This time around, I was determined to make those who had mistreated me kneel at my feet and beg for forgiveness.
