The Discarded Omega: An Alpha's Cherish

Kira's pov I stood outside the Northern Military Base, checking my watch for the fifteenth time. Three-thirty. I'd called my husband, Damon, six times; each call went straight to voicemail. He's just running late, I told myself. My phone buzzed with a message notification. Finally. But it wasn't from Damon. It was from an unknown number, but the photo loaded immediately, and all the blood drained from my face. Damon with a woman, pressed against a wall in what looked like a hotel room. His hands tangled in her golden hair, her dress hanging off one shoulder, barely covering her. The message beneath the photo was sickeningly sweet: So sorry for occupying your husband's time today~ He's been such a comfort while I've been feeling unwell. I promise I'll visit in person soon to apologize properly. - Serena Damon's first love. My hands shook so badly I nearly dropped the phone. Mira,my wolf roared inside me, “Kill her! Kill that woman!” I drew a deep breath and gritted my teeth, swallowing the pain. He wasn't coming. He'd never intended to come. While I stood here waiting for him to honor my parents, heroes who'd given their lives for the kingdom, he was with her. "Kira?" I looked up to find Rylan Cole, the Alliance’s second-in-command, approaching, his crisp military uniform pressed to perfection. His weathered face was kind, but concern creased his brow as he glanced around the empty area beside me. "Where's your mate? Isn't he coming?" According to Alliance rules, both mates must be present to claim the bodies. I slipped my phone into my pocket and met his gaze steadily. "I won't have a mate anymore, not after today." Rylan's expression darkened with understanding, but he didn't press. Instead, he simply nodded and gestured toward the base gates. "Then let's bring your parents home." The ceremony was everything it should have been. Soldiers lined up in two rows, standing at attention beneath the Silverland Werewolf Alliance's flag. The afternoon sun cast long shadows across the parade ground as the honor guard marched forward in perfect formation. Commander Rylan carried the urn himself, my throat burned as I watched him approach. The people who had raised me, who had loved me unconditionally, were nothing but ash inside that wooden box now. My father, Ronan Vance, had been the First Commander of the Werewolf Alliance. He'd led our forces on the frontlines for fifteen years, earning the respect and loyalty of every soldier who'd served under him. My mother, Liora Vance, had been the Chief Healer of the Wolf Kingdom. She'd saved hundreds of wolves on the battlefield, her healing abilities legendary throughout the Alliance. Three years ago, they'd answered the call to serve overseas during the war against the Rogue Alliance. They'd signed the peace treaty that finally ended the bloodshed and they'd died for it. Assassinated by extremists who wanted the war to continue. My brother Caleb had been with them. He'd gone missing during the attack, and despite every resource I'd poured into finding him, there'd been no trace. Just... gone. The Vance family had been heroes of the Alliance and Damon had never once asked about them. He'd assumed they were ordinary warriors, nothing more. "Kira." Rylan's voice was deep, laced with sorrow as he stopped before me. "Your parents were found together. The overseas team cremated them as one, just as they would have wanted." "Thank you, Commander." My voice came out steady despite the tears threatening to fall. "They loved each other so much in life. Now they can be together in death." Rylan's eyes gleamed with unshed tears as he gave a sharp military salute then he straightened, holding the urn firmly with both hands as he presented it to me. "The heroes' spirits live forever!" he called out. "THE HEROES' SPIRITS LIVE FOREVER!" the soldiers echoed in thunderous unison. I finally lost my battle with the tears. They slipped down my face as I returned their salute with dignity, my spine straight, my hand steady. "I, Kira Vance, am here to bring my parents home." I extended my trembling hands and took the urn, bringing it close to my chest. Mom. Dad. Forgive me. I'm finally bringing you home. After the ceremony, Rylan walked me back to my car. "Kira." He stopped me with a hand on my shoulder. "The Air Force unit has been in disarray since you left. Morale is low, performance is declining. We need you back." I looked up at him, surprised. Mira immediately let out a low, rumbling sound. I knew she was reminiscing—longing for the freedom of running wild and the thrill of battle. "You were the best captain we ever had," he continued. "You led your unit with honor and skill. The base gates are always open for you and this will always be your home." Three years ago, I'd resigned my commission when I married Damon. My mother’s final wish was for me to find a mate—she feared that without the protection of our family, I would be torn apart by countless enemies. She wanted me to disappear into anonymity, to live as an ordinary she-wolf with a simple but safe future. Damon happened to appear in my life then—handsome, young, ambitious. On countless nights haunted by nightmares, he wiped away my tears and my pain. I'd thought I was building a future with him, a perfect mate bond. I'd used my parents' death benefits to give him the capital to start his company, believing in the dream we'd build together. The image of Damon kissing Serena flashed through my mind, and that suffocating pain washed over me again. What a fool I'd been. "I'll think about it, Commander," I said quietly. "Thank you." He nodded, understanding in his eyes. "If anyone gives you trouble, don't suffer in silence. I may be getting old, but I've still got your back."