Alessia jumped up, hands on her hips, her Omega aura flickering weakly in the dim light of the den. "Alpha Albert, what’s gotten into you? I generously bought you a car, and this is how you repay me?"

Her voice cracked, and she turned away, tears streaming down her cheeks. In the past, the sight of her tears would have shattered me, and I would have wrapped her in my arms before a single drop fell, offering comfort in my Alpha tone. But today, that instinct was dead. I brushed past her, the weight of my Alpha presence pressing down on her, and retreated into my private study, closing the door firmly behind me.

Since our mating ceremony, Alessia and I hadn’t shared the same den. Every one of those countless nights, I spent alone in the study, staring at the narrow single bed that felt more like a prison than a sanctuary. My wolf growled in frustration, its voice echoing in my mind, questioning the purpose of this bond. Perhaps it was time to end this one-sided connection.

I opened my laptop, the screen illuminating the dark room, but my mind was elsewhere. Alessia had been my ideal, my chosen mate, love at first scent. I had been captivated by her vivacious spirit the moment I first saw her at a pack gathering. I did everything I could to win her over, offering her everything I had—my protection, my resources, my heart.

Eventually, my persistence wore her down, and she agreed to be my mate. The day I announced our bond to the Silver Moon Pack, I arranged for 9,999 roses to be laid out in the clearing under the full moon, their fragrance mingling with the crisp night air. I vowed to love her forever under the gaze of the Moon Goddess. Her bright smile had convinced me that I had won her heart.

Even after our marking ceremony, though she didn’t want to share a den, I tried my best to respect her wishes. But the arrival of Ozzy Jones, that rogue wolf, opened my eyes to the fact that some wolves could easily claim what I had yearned for. It was time to wake up from this dream.

"Knock, knock."

The door to the study creaked open, and Alessia entered, holding a cup of coffee. Her scent—a mix of lavender and something faintly metallic—filled the room, but it no longer stirred the longing it once did.

"Okay, Alpha, it was my fault," she said, her voice softer now, almost pleading. "I shouldn’t have gotten you a second-hand car. How about we go to the dealership tomorrow and buy a new one?"

It was rare for Alessia to swallow her pride like this. She set the cup down on my desk and gently leaned against my shoulders from behind, pressing her soft form against me. Her hands wandered over my chest, rekindling a long-dormant desire with every touch. I felt a bit lost, entranced by the familiarity of her touch, and turned to take her into my arms. She responded willingly, and I traced a path down to her neck, where her mark should have been.

There, an unmistakable red mark caught my eye, hitting me like a punch to the gut as images of her and Ozzy flashed in my mind. My wolf snarled in fury, its voice cutting through my thoughts like a blade. Passion cooled instantly, and I pushed her away, my Alpha tone sharp and commanding.

"Leave," I murmured, my voice strained with control. "I need to be alone."

Alessia was stunned by my rejection, her lovely almond-shaped eyes filled with hurt. Once, those were the eyes I adored, so full of emotion. But now, they seemed to mock me with indifference.

Seeing that I didn’t react as she expected, a sarcastic smirk appeared on her lips. "Oh, Alpha, stop pretending. Haven’t you always wanted to be with me?"

"Now that I’m here, what’s with the act?"

I couldn’t believe such words came from Alessia. Meeting her dismissive gaze, it felt as if a vibrant flower was wilting right before my eyes.

"No big loss," she said, her voice dripping with bitterness. "I’m not dying to cater to you anyway."

The door slammed shut with force, the sound echoing through the den. I clutched my chest, gasping for air as tears flowed freely. It felt like my insides were being torn apart, the mate bond screaming in agony.

I wiped away my tears, resolute in my decision. This bond—this charade—had to end.

The next morning, I woke to an empty bed, the scent of Alessia lingering faintly in the air. To my surprise, she was already in the living room, moving gracefully through a yoga routine in her fitted workout outfit. Her lithe form and fluid movements were captivating, as they always had been, but something about the sight felt... performative.

Seeing me emerge, she paused her practice and glided into the kitchen, returning with a tray of breakfast she had prepared—a rare gesture from her. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and warm pastries filled the room, but it did little to ease the tension in my chest.

"Alpha," she began, her voice soft and honeyed, "I’ve been thinking a lot about us. I realize I’ve been neglecting you. I promise to love you better from now on." She used my title, a formality that felt forced, given the intimacy she was trying to project.

She then handed me a stack of neatly organized brochures, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. "I stayed up researching and found a few cars that would suit you perfectly. Which one do you like? Let’s go to the dealership today to check them out."

Her words were sweet, almost too sweet, and I couldn’t help but notice the dark circles under her eyes. My wolf stirred faintly in the back of my mind, a low growl of suspicion, but I pushed it down. Years of affection for her still lingered, and part of me wanted to believe her promises. Maybe, just maybe, we could salvage what was left of our bond.

"Okay," I agreed, my voice steady despite the unease gnawing at me.

"Then let’s head out as soon as we finish breakfast," she said, visibly excited.

At the dealership, we started visiting the brands she had researched. I found a car I had admired for quite some time, a sleek, powerful model that seemed fitting for an Alpha. I was about to take it for a test drive when her phone rang. She glanced at me, her expression flickering with something I couldn’t quite place, before quickly stepping out to answer.

When she returned, her face was flushed with anxiety. "Alpha, I can’t stay with you to choose a car today. Ozzy is sick, and I need to check on him."

Ozzy. Again.

My jaw tightened, and I felt a surge of frustration. "He’s a grown wolf, isn’t he? Can’t he go to the healer by himself? Why is he calling you?"

Her reaction was sharp, her eyes narrowing as she retorted, "He just got back from abroad and isn’t familiar with anything here. He needs me to be with him." With that, she turned on her heel and walked out, leaving me standing there, the weight of her words pressing down on me.

I sat in the test drive car, feeling hollow. Ever since Ozzy had returned, Alessia had become a different wolf—constantly preoccupied with him, as if her loyalty to me, her Alpha and mate, meant nothing. Ozzy was sick, Ozzy was moving, Ozzy was sad—even when Ozzy’s dog was feeling unwell, Alessia had to be there for him. Meanwhile, I’d turned into a ghost in my own den, my needs and feelings invisible to her.

My wolf growled again, louder this time, a primal sound of frustration and hurt. I took a deep breath, forcing myself to focus. Pulling out my phone, I made a call.

"Kolton," I said when my Beta answered, "I’m in. I’m ready to start on that project anytime."

Kolton laughed on the other end of the line, his voice warm and encouraging. "Alpha, you’ve finally come around! It’ll be a tough project, but if you do it right, it could really pay off."

Hanging up, I felt a sense of relief settle over me. Over the years, I’d passed up many opportunities to stay by Alessia’s side, dedicating myself to caring for her. They say love is like tending to a garden, and I had nurtured her into a vibrant rose. But her blossoms weren’t meant for me, so why hang on?

It’s time to focus on myself. You have to love yourself first before you can truly love someone else.

Walking out of the dealership, I hailed a cab to Ozzy’s place. I needed to see for myself what illness warranted having someone else’s mate by his side every single day. My wolf growled in agreement, a low, menacing sound that echoed in my chest. This was far from over.