Due to my hectic duties and the fact that I could not leave the pack mansion once all tasks were done, it was too late for me to realize how bad the weather was.
Eventually, a fierce blizzard hit and every pack member was ordered to remain indoors. Yet, I was the only one left standing in the biting cold, abandoned to endure the freezing storm and their cold-hearted neglect.
My mate, Aiden, the pack healer of the Moonstone Pack, vowed to come for me, promising to safeguard me and our pups from harm.
Through our mind link, Aiden said, “Elana, this weather isn’t safe for you and our pups. I’m coming to bring you home.”
Though two hours had gone by, my mate was still nowhere to be found.
With no other choice, I decided to leave the pack mansion, accepting that my mate had abandoned me.
I always believed Aiden was different from the rest. While nearly everyone looked down on me as an Omega, I feared he would reject me too when he discovered I was his mate, just like the others had done to Omegas. But he didn’t.
He claimed me as his mate, declaring, “I, Aiden, healer of the Moonstone Pack, proudly take you, Elana, as my mate.”
I had once offered my prayers to the Moon Goddess, believing Aiden was the one. Yet, he proved otherwise. This wasn’t the first time he had turned his back on me.
Without a second thought, Aiden vowed to join our celebration. But when the day came, he shifted his plans, explaining that a rogue ambush had injured nineteen, with one life lost. Overwhelmed with patients, he urged me to go without him.
By then, it was too late. My mother was thrilled when I mind-linked her about Aiden’s arrival, and she went as far as to cook his favorite dish. But in the end, he let her down, neglecting both her excitement and her efforts.
Despite Aiden’s claims that his healer responsibilities called him away, I could see through it—it was nothing more than a lie.
My inner wolf had sensed it long before and even warned me, but I chose to ignore her instincts.
Right then, as I scrolled through my newsfeed, I saw a photo posted by one of Aiden’s healer assistants.
With a caption, [This pack healer insisted it wasn’t safe for a she-wolf like me to walk alone at night, especially in this bad weather, so he walked me home.]
That night, my inner wolf and I burned with rage, nearly running off to find the healer assistant he had chosen to accompany, leaving my mother and me behind, forgotten.
When he finally came home, fury surged through me, and I nearly shifted into my wolf form to attack him.
But he calmed me down, and as I returned to my human form, I demanded, “How could you walk with that healer while my mother and I waited for you? I thought you were in the infirmary that night!”
Aiden’s eyes widened in shock, but instead of explaining, he became defensive, insisting that Alpha Argon, our Alpha of the Moonstone Pack, had just appointed the healer assistant.
“You have to understand, this week, our pack is vulnerable to attacks. I couldn’t let my assistant roam alone. Besides, your mother has a birthday every year,” he said, calm and composed.
Yet, I had always served Alpha Argon in the pack mansion and never once heard of him appointing a new healer to assist my mate.
Knowing his excuse was flimsy, Aiden stormed out of our shared room. That marked the beginning of our silent treatment, turning deaf ears to each other.
I snapped back to reality. This night marked Aiden’s first mind link to me after a week of silence between us.
With anxiety creeping in, I rushed downstairs and outside the pack mansion, still trying to reach Aiden through our mind link, but he ignored me completely. I was certain he had received my call, yet chose to remain silent.
As helplessness and fear overwhelmed me, I hurried out, my mind racing with panic. In my haste, I misstepped and fell to the cold ground. Sitting there, I felt a warm, wet sensation spreading beneath me.
Drenched in sweat, a chilling realization struck me through my inner wolf: I was on the verge of losing our pups.
As panic set in, I desperately tried to mind-link Aiden, but he still chose to ignore me. I picked up my phone and called him, yet the response was still the same.
As the minutes ticked by while I sat on the ground, I finally received a text from him, [Just take a taxi. An emergency came up, and I had to treat newly injured warriors from another rogue ambush.]
Deep down, I sensed it was a lie. But just before slipping into unconsciousness, I managed to mind-link a fellow servant for help.
In a heartbeat, I was rushed to the infirmary, but my precious pups were gone. I had prepared myself for motherhood, dreaming of our future, yet in the end, all my hopes faded away like a distant memory.
As I inquired whether my mate had come to see me, they merely shook their heads, informing me that no one ever visited.
Just as I was about to reach out to him through a mind link, I came across a post from Lauren, his healer assistant, captioned, [Thanks to this amazing pack healer! My pups and I are doing great!]
I smiled through my pain and mumbled, “So you devoted your night to your assistant and someone else’s pups, all the while neglecting me and losing our own.”
Chapter 2All day long, I waited for my mate to finally visit me, but as night fell, I found myself once again overlooked and abandoned.
In the dead of night, Aiden unexpectedly mind-linked me, but I hesitated to reply.
His anger surged as he said, “Rogue sightings are still happening around the pack, and you’re out there, not at home? Don’t you fear for our pups' safety?!”
Aiden persisted in his accusations, claiming I was merely searching for reasons to resent him and hoping to find a new mate to claim as my own. I sensed it clearly; his connection to me had faded as if he were rejecting me and replacing me with Lauren.
If I had foreseen this darkness awaiting me, I would have steered clear of accepting him as my mate, choosing instead to stand alone and wait for my true fated mate.
To put an end to the chaos, I mustered the courage to mind-link him back, “No, you’ve misunderstood. I’m in the infirmary. Our pups are gone. I had a miscarriage.”
Right then and there, Aiden persisted in mind-linking me, his fury evident as he refused to accept the truth.
To him, my words seemed like a weapon I wielded against him. Finally, he shouted, “For Pete's sake, just go home! Alpha Argon needs my presence!”
I knew it was just another lie. Alpha Argon was off at a gathering with a neighboring pack and was not expected back until tomorrow. Who did he think he was fooling?
Despite my strong desire to head back to the pack mansion and continue my duties, terrified that Alpha Argon would punish me, the healer who had previously looked after me urged me to rest, believing that he would comprehend my situation.
Taking his advice to heart, I hoped to encounter Aiden around the infirmary during my three days of rest. Yet, I was left heartbroken when I discovered that my dear mate was away on leave with his healer assistant, Lauren.
The moment the pack healer permitted me to resume my duties after three days of rest, I determined to concentrate solely on my work, pushing thoughts of Aiden aside. I had reconciled myself to my fate as a servant, an Omega who was never meant to be cherished.
When the head servant caught sight of me in the pack mansion, she announced, “With your long absence, you’re now burdened with every task. This is Alpha Argon’s decree.”
Despite my desire to explain my situation, the head servant would not hear me out and demanded I throw myself into my duties, all while I struggled to cope with the aftermath of my miscarriage.
As I toiled away all day, my mate, concerned about my absence from our home, reached out through the mind link. “Are you still upset with me? Why aren’t you home yet?”
Despite the warmth of his words, I opted for deception, telling him my tasks had become overwhelming, and I was too exhausted to argue with a pack healer who thrived on lies.
Once again, he pledged to fetch me that night, ensuring my safe passage home. I opted not to dispute his promise, choosing instead to immerse myself in my duties.
Little did Aiden know, once I finished my duties, I embraced my inner wolf and ventured home, feeling braver facing the wandering rogues than enduring the disappointment of waiting for him.
Upon arriving home, I was greeted by silence. Then, unexpectedly, a furious mind link broke the stillness, “I’m at the pack mansion, and you’re missing. Where are you?”
“I apologize, Aiden. I lost track of time. I’m already home,” I replied, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor.
When my mate asked what was wrong, I explained the heartbreak of my miscarriage.
He had been swamped with warrior patients, terrified that Alpha Argon would reprimand him for neglecting his duties.
Yet, at that moment, I lay alone in the infirmary while he was nowhere to be found.
There were no injured warriors, nor had there been any rogue ambushes. It was all just a fabrication of his lies.
I allowed him to grasp that his repeated assurances to fetch me were nothing but empty words, always followed by last-minute changes of heart.
When he finally walked through the door and confronted me, I let out a weary sigh and asked, “Where were you when I needed you the most, Aiden? When I lost our pups, you brushed it aside like it was nothing.”
Aiden lapsed into silence, yet before he could slip away again, I gathered the courage that surged within me and uttered, “Aiden, you’ve been the only one to see my worth as an Omega, yet I’ve grown weary of this path. I think it’s time we part ways and reject each other as mates.”
Chapter 3With courage surging through me, I conveyed my feelings to Aiden. However, he brushed me off, insisting my anger clouded my judgment. He urged me to take it easy, accusing me of carelessness and holding me responsible for the loss of our pups.
When we tied the knot beneath the full moon, I was delighted to prepare dinner for my mate.
However, Aiden seldom showed up, and too often, my soup turned cold, his predictable excuse being that Alpha Argon summoned him to work overtime with wounded warriors.
The moment I grew suspicious of his excuses, reminding him that I, as Alpha's servant, was privy to all the pack's affairs, he shot back, "I'm the pack healer, and my duties are demanding. If you don't wish to cook, then don't. It's really that simple. My existence isn't confined to you alone."
With that thought lingering in my mind, I somewhat convinced myself he was right. I held my tongue and waited for him to come home, even if it stretched into the late night.
Yet, it didn't take long for me to grasp that the reality was much more complex than it seemed.
Amid the silence that hung between us, Aiden and I had lapsed into an uneasy silence. When I expected him to come home late, he unexpectedly stepped through the door early, his confusion evident as he saw me dining alone. "Where's my dinner?" he asked.
Assuming he would be late yet again, I decided against offering an explanation and simply suggested he cook for himself.
When Aiden finally lost his temper, he demanded an explanation, exclaiming, "Why have you been so challenging lately? I've poured everything into this—what else can I do to meet your expectations?"
It was he who had been stirring trouble in our mateship, so I chose not to press further. Instead, I turned my back and made my way to our bed, unconcerned about igniting his wrath.
Additionally, I was intent on bringing this mateship to a close.
Following our passionate clash that night, Aiden had slipped away for days, only to return today. I was confident he had weathered the storm, unharmed by any rogue encounters.
However, today, I felt completely at ease, savoring the peace it brought me.
If this had happened before, my inner wolf would have spiraled into paranoia, relentlessly searching for the root of his fury. But today, I felt an unexpected serenity wash over me, embracing the stillness within.
Gazing at him from the outside of that toxic cycle, he resembled a soul battling serious emotional struggles, quick to ignite with anger, belittling those around him, and always ready to deliver a sermon.
I once dashed home after work, paralyzed by the fear that Aiden would come back to find me gone. Now, though, that fear had lost its grip on me, leaving only a hollow sense of peace as Aiden's frustration lingered like a storm cloud.
In the void of his presence, I dedicated myself to serving Alpha Argon as his devoted servant, never daring to defy his commands.
In the face of the head servant's cruelty, Alpha Argon stayed composed, never raising his voice at me, unlike others who belittled my worth. Instead, he consistently praised my commitment to my responsibilities.
After all the years I poured into serving him, Alpha Argon resolved to uplift my status, assuring me that I would soon leave my Omega past behind and embrace my role as a remarkable mate of Aiden, the pack healer.
When Aiden's name slipped from his lips, it dawned on me that we hadn't spoken in more than a week.
The room buzzed with praise for Aiden, my cherished mate, who had excelled as a pack healer and saved countless lives.
Yet, the moment they began to speak of his mate, me, laughter erupted. To them, Aiden was perfectly matched with Lauren, not with someone of my lowly status.
But that didn't faze me. What did it matter that I was an Omega? I had devoted my life to serving this pack. Without us, who would tend to the chaos they created?
In the end, I embraced tranquility, allowing the pack members to gossip as they pleased. Little did I know, their chatter had caught the attention of Alpha Argon.
He summoned me to the Pack Hall, encouraging me to brush aside the gossip surrounding Aiden and his healer assistant, Lauren.
"Elara," he said with conviction, "the moment your mate, Aiden, chose to neglect you, you rightfully gained the option to reject him. I will not allow my faithful servant to suffer."
Although it felt a bit strange to seek advice from Alpha Argon, I nodded in agreement, determined to handle my affairs on my own.
As I pondered Alpha Argon's unexpected concern for me, I stumbled upon a new post from Lauren on my newsfeed. Her caption read, [I truly regret never meeting someone like you, Aiden. If we had crossed paths earlier, would you have chosen me as your mate, or would you still have rejected and neglected me?]
As I had foreseen, Aiden responded with a comment, [Yes, Lauren, you are the perfect mate I've always dreamed of, the one the Moon Goddess destined for me to marry under the full moon.]
Chapter 4Even Aiden's fellow healers rallied behind him, insisting that he was truly meant to be with Lauren, not me. To them, I was merely a mistake he had made in choosing his mate.
I felt a heavy heart in silence. I wanted to mock myself for my foolishness, but instead, tears spilled down my cheeks.
I once believed the pack healers who cared for me after my miscarriage were oblivious to Lauren and Aiden's closeness. However, it soon became clear that they were fully aware and had simply chosen to play the fool with me.
It dawned on me with a jolt that even Alpha Argon was aware of the reasons behind his counsel to reject my mate when the suffering became too intense.
Unable to hold back any longer, I commented, [Oh, really? How about I make it simple for you? Let's just reject each other as mates.]
Just minutes after I posted my comment, the post was gone, perhaps indicating that Aiden understood how much it hurt me.
Yet, despite everything, Aiden still didn't come home that night. When morning broke, I went to the pack mansion, where Alpha Argon greeted me with the news, "From now on, you will stay in the servants' quarters to serve me more promptly."
Deep down, my wolf and I sensed that Alpha Argon was aware of the gossip surrounding my comment. I overheard some of the others discussing it.
Aware that it could associate me with Alpha Argon, I gave myself more time to contemplate the matter.
As much as I craved peace, Aiden and his healer assistant, Lauren, remained entwined, making me feel like a mere mistress. The two of them seemed unbothered by the consequences, wearing their relationship like a badge of honor.
With that realization, I returned to Alpha Argon. I proclaimed, "Alpha, I accept your offer and choose to reside in the pack mansion to create some distance from Aiden."
Right then, Alpha Argon fully backed my decision.
However, when the head servant and some elders caught wind of my choice, they advised Alpha Argon against it, arguing that it would entangle him in our personal matters and could lead to potential complications. Yet, Alpha Argon stood firm, ignoring their protests.
That night, I was in high spirits as I packed my belongings and arranged them in my new quarters within the servant's area.
As I made my way out, I overheard a few envious servants whispering about how I had bewitched Alpha Argon.
Determined to put an end to their gossip, I confronted them head-on, stating that I had done nothing but serve him faithfully and that their wild imaginations were unfounded. With that, I turned on my heel and left them to stew in their jealousy.
As I prepared to venture out and toast my newfound freedom with my Omega friend at a nearby restaurant, I unexpectedly ran into Aiden and Lauren; fate intervened, and I unexpectedly encountered Aiden and Lauren strolling casually through the pack.
Though I longed to keep my distance, their presence had already darkened my night. My wolf was teetering on the edge, ready to confront Lauren. When they noticed me, I had no choice but to put on a brave face, pretending their bond didn't hurt.
Lauren, that self-proclaimed healer assistant, interjected, "Elara, there you are! I was just helping your mate after we finished three surgeries today. Didn't you hear? A few young warriors had a duel, and some players suffered minor injuries, so we took a quick break."
"Who goes to the trouble of reserving a table for a 'quick bite'? And for couples, no less. Some folks have such audacity," my Omega friend remarked.
I didn't shy away from sharing my miscarriage with my friend, as Lauren played a significant role in its unfolding.
Instead of confronting the situation, Lauren simply advised Aiden against dining at a couple's table, warning him that it might be misinterpreted—and she wasn't wrong.
Noticing Lauren's pregnancy, I couldn't help but ask where her husband was while she carried his pups.
Yet, Lauren seemed to be at her wit's end, her eyes narrowing as she replied, "I'm a single mother without a mate to support my pups. This really isn't your concern. My time with Aiden was solely for work; why do you insist on making it a drama?"
As expected, Lauren feigned tears, acting heartbroken. Before Aiden could come to her defense, I laid bare the truth once more, sharing how I had suffered a miscarriage while my mate chose to be by her side.
I added, "While my mate ensured your safety during your pregnancy, he turned a blind eye to my pain and treated my miscarriage as if it were nothing. So, who are you to question me?"
Despite everything, Aiden couldn't fathom the truth and felt the need to ask again if I was sincere.
"Yes, I suffered a miscarriage," I affirmed, my voice unwavering. "I've mentioned it before, yet you chose to disregard my words. You just didn't trust me."
Aiden stared at me, unable to comprehend.
"You assumed I was fabricating the truth, right? I would never lie to you, Aiden," I insisted.
It had never crossed my mind that Alpha Argon might be dining at the same restaurant, but he soon approached us.
In front of Alpha Argon and with Lauren there, I announced, "Aiden, after everything you've done, I will reject you as my mate."