The truth was before Leila had returned to the pack, Haynes and I had been happy. We were inseparable, our hands intertwined as if letting go would mean losing each other forever. Even though my wolf had always been distant, aloof to him despite the mate pull, I was content. Happy, even, with him by my side.
So, why did things have to change? What went wrong?
As I walked, my breath grew heavy, each inhale more labored than the last. I couldn’t shake the feeling of suffocation.
When I finally reached the villa, I felt a strange sense of relief wash over me. I had barely stepped inside when my phone buzzed. Haynes.
[Have you arrived home?]
I stared at the message, my thumb hovering over the screen. But what was there to say? I let the phone slip into my pocket without replying. A few minutes later, another message came through, the tone more insistent.
[Everyone didn’t have a good meal because of you today, especially the Elders. Let’s invite them to dinner another day.]
My grip tightened around the phone, frustration bubbling up inside me. How could he not see what he was doing? How could he not see how deeply he was cutting me with every careless word, every thoughtless action?
The buzzing of the phone stopped in silence as Haynes switched to mind-linking me directly, his voice insistent in my head. I severed the connection immediately, closing my eyes to block out his voice.
I was done listening. Done waiting for things to change.
Arriving at my office, I opened the door to find breakfast laid out neatly on my desk. The sight of it made my heart clench—how many times had I tried to win him over with similar gestures? I didn’t need to wonder who had placed it there. The familiarity of the situation was almost nauseating. Without a second thought, I picked up the tray and headed for the door, my movements deliberate.
As I passed by the trash can, I tossed the breakfast inside, my actions filled with a finality that startled even me. The clatter of porcelain echoed in the hallway just as Alpha Haynes appeared, his face clouded with anger and disbelief.
"You threw away the breakfast I bought for you," he said, his tone heavy with frustration. His eyes, once so familiar, now felt like they were piercing through me, demanding an explanation.
"I’ve told you before, Alpha," I replied coolly, meeting his gaze without flinching, "I don’t want what you have to offer anymore."