Brena sighed as she hung up the phone, a familiar ache settling into her chest. She had just gotten off a call with her boyfriend Ten, but something felt...off. There was a strange voice in the background that she didn't recognize.

"Who was that?" she had asked suspiciously.

Ten had stammered an excuse about his new roommate that didn't quite add up. Brena felt a knot forming in her stomach as doubt crept in. She had been with Ten for two years, since they were sophomores in high school. They were perfect together - the future alpha female and a strong, loving gamma wolf by her side.

It was Brena's 18th birthday, but instead of feeling celebratory, she only felt a growing sense of dread. She trusted Ten, but she couldn't shake the feeling that he was hiding something from her.

Pushing the negativity aside, Brena steeled herself and got ready for her birthday party that evening with the pack. Her father, the respected Alpha, had insisted on a huge bash to honor her coming of age. As she put on her red dress and did her makeup, Brena reminded herself that everything would be fine. Ten loved her, and though she hadn't shifted into her wolf form yet, the pack specialists assured her she would be a powerful alpha when she hit 20 years old.

The party was in full swing when Brena arrived, music thumping and pack members drinking and laughing. Her parents swept her into hugs, her mother kissing her cheek affectionately.

"Happy birthday, my brilliant daughter," her father's deep voice rumbled with pride. "Tonight, we celebrate you and the great alpha you will become."

Brena felt a rush of affection for her parents mixed with the usual tinge of anxiety she experienced around her demanding father. She was the heir apparent, and she felt the pressure to be perfect constantly weighing on her shoulders.

Ten wasn't there yet, but Brena tried to relax and enjoy herself, catching up with friends and pack members. When he finally arrived, Brena's heart leapt. Ten looked incredibly handsome in a crisp shirt and slacks, his usual warm smile lighting up his face when he spotted her.

"Brena! Happy birthday, my love," he murmured, pulling her into a tight embrace and kissing her deeply.

In that moment, Brena let herself get lost in the comfort and familiarity of Ten's arms. This is what she had been waiting for - her magical 18th birthday celebration with her pack, parents, and the man she loved by her side. Whatever doubts she'd had earlier melted away.

But the night took a turn when a striking young man with chiseled features arrived, seeking out Ten. Brena watched with a frown as Ten's face flushed when he greeted the newcomer. They seemed... very friendly. Too friendly.

"Who's that?" she asked Ten once he returned to her side, trying to keep the accusation out of her voice.

"Oh, uh, that's my new roommate at college. Damon."

There was that name again. Brena felt the knot of doubt returning full force.

The party raged on, but Brena couldn't shake her growing unease every time Ten wandered off to chat with Damon. She found herself getting recklessly drunk to cope with the rising anxiety and suspicion swirling within her. At one point, she stumbled outside for some air, bracing herself against the cool night.

That's when she saw them.

Ten and Damon. Kissing passionately in the shadows, hands roaming over each other with clear desire.

It was like a kick to the gut. Brena couldn't breathe. She felt dizzy, heartbroken, and angrier than she had ever been in her life. How could Ten do this to her? On her birthday? After two years and all their future plans together?

Tears burned in her eyes as she stormed back inside, grabbing Ten roughly by the arm and yanking him away from Damon. The two men looked at her with horror.

"Brena, I...I can explain," Ten stammered, his expression pained.

"Don't bother!" she shouted, causing a hush to fall over the crowd of partying wolves. "I saw everything! We're through!"

She turned and ran, ignoring Ten's pleading cries and her mother's worried voice calling after her. Brena fled into the night, away from the pack house and celebrations, hot tears of anguish streaming down her face.

How could this be happening? Her life was supposed to be perfect - marry Ten, become alpha of their pack with him as her loyal gamma at her side. But now...now she had nothing.

As she stumbled deeper into the dark woods surrounding the pack lands, her vision blurred by tears, a chilling realization washed over her. This wasn't just the devastating betrayal of her first love. This was an omen - a shattering of the perfect life that had been laid out for her as the alpha heir. If Ten could be unfaithful like this, after all their promises and plans for the future, then what else could go wrong?

But she didn't know that this was just the beginning, a much worse pain awaits her in the future.