The next day, the pack lawyer I contacted swiftly drafted the mate bond dissolution papers. We didn’t have much to divide in terms of assets. Celia had already depleted most of our shared savings. I decided she could keep the house; I didn’t have much time left to concern myself with such matters anyway.

Oddly, the thought of severing our bond left me feeling calm when it came to Celia. She returned late that night, as usual, and walked into the kitchen, her voice casual. "Alpha, I’m hungry. Can you make me some dinner rolls and pulled pork?"

Instead of reacting with the anger or silence I’d shown in the past, I quietly got up and prepared her a plate of pulled pork sandwiches. She seemed surprised by my composure. Over the last two years, every time I’d discovered her sneaking around with Ivan, I’d give her the cold shoulder for days. But now, there was an unsettling peace within me.

She softened, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Alpha, you’re so good to me." I watched her, trying to figure out how to bring up the dissolution of our bond. She picked up a piece of spiced honey cake and offered it to me. "What’s on your mind? Try the cake I made."

She’d done this countless times before, but now the thought of her submitting to Ivan made me recoil instinctively. A wave of repulsion washed over me. I leaned back, my voice steady. "No, thanks. You have it."

She didn’t push, just continued eating her sandwiches and casually remarked, "The day after tomorrow is our anniversary. Let’s go out and celebrate. I’ve already reserved a spot at the restaurant."

We’d marked our anniversary every year. With Ivan back in town, I’d assumed she’d forgotten, but to my surprise, she brought it up herself. Maybe she wanted to make this farce of a bond official with one last celebration.

I considered it and decided it might be best to discuss the dissolution after the anniversary. "Alright."

She looked pleased, her tone almost playful. "If you’d always been this considerate, I’d have treated you better."

"I know I was a bit harsh yesterday, but…"

She suddenly stopped, her eyes narrowing as she stared at my face. "Alpha, why are you having another nosebleed?"

A ringing in my ears drowned out everything else. When I regained awareness, Celia was frantically pressing tissues against my nose, trying to stop the bleeding. But the blood kept flowing, unstoppable, like a river breaking through a dam.

I bolted into the bathroom, not wanting her to see me like this—weak, vulnerable. The Alpha of the Silver Moon Pack shouldn’t be seen this way, especially not by her. Celia followed, her voice edged with concern, "Let me take you to the healing lodge."

I turned the faucet on hard, splashing cold water on my face, trying to stop the nosebleed. My wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, a low growl of discomfort. I silenced it, focusing on the icy water. Celia paced behind me, her anxiety palpable. "This isn’t normal, Alec. You need to see the pack healer. Now."

I hesitated, my hand gripping the edge of the sink. I didn’t want her to know about the cancer. Didn’t want her pity, or worse, her indifference. But before I could decide, her phone rang.

She answered it quickly, her tone softening as she spoke. Less than three minutes later, she was already heading for the door. "You should go to the healing lodge," she said casually, not even looking at me. "Ivan’s hungry, and he wants me to make him some ravioli."

I watched her leave, her scent—once so comforting to me—fading as she walked away. My wolf snarled, a bitter sound that echoed in my mind. I let out a bitter laugh. How thoughtful of her.

After taking the medication Dr. Esteban Morgan had prescribed, the nosebleed stopped, but the headache remained, a relentless pounding in my skull. My wolf growled again, restless. Maybe I should go to the healing lodge after all, if only for some relief.

Dr. Morgan was waiting for me when I arrived. His eyes narrowed as he took in my condition. "Alpha Williamson," he said, his tone firm but respectful. "You need to admit yourself for treatment. Without it, you don’t have much time left. But if we act now, we might be able to extend it."

I shook my head, forcing a smile. "I’d rather enjoy what’s left of my time than spend it in a healing lodge."

The pack healer sighed, his expression heavy with concern. "Where’s your mate? Why hasn’t she come with you even once?"

I shrugged, my voice flat. "She’s gone."

It wasn’t exactly a lie. The fire that had claimed my parents had taken something from her too—something I couldn’t quite name. And now, with the way she was with Ivan, she might as well be gone.

As I turned to leave with my medication, a familiar voice called out from behind me. "Alpha Williamson?"

I turned to see Celia, her arm linked with Ivan’s. They stood too close, their scents mingling in a way that made my wolf bristle. Celia’s face was flushed with guilt, but she managed a small smile. "How’s your nose?"

"Fine," I said coolly, unwilling to give her more than that. "Just a bit of stress."

Ivan smirked, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Seems like an Alpha needs to let off some steam, or he’ll get sick from holding it in. How about I let Celia spend the night with you? For old times’ sake."

My wolf growled low in my chest, but I kept my expression neutral. "No need," I said, my voice icy. "You two are a better match."

With that, I turned on my heel and walked away. Celia caught my arm, her grip surprisingly firm. "Wait for me at the entrance," she said, her voice low. "I’ll go home with you."

I nodded, though I had no intention of waiting. As soon as I stepped outside the healing lodge, the nausea hit me like a wave. I leaned over the flowerbed, vomiting until my vision blurred. My wolf whined softly, a sound of pain and frustration. The signs from my body were becoming impossible to ignore.