Felix didn’t return home that night.

He came in early the next morning with Bella’s scent clinging to him like a stench. Jade noticed that he hesitated at the door when he saw her already awake and seated at the dining table, eating breakfast calmly.

She watched him as he prepared what to say to apologize to her.

“Jade, baby, I’m so sorry,” he said softly, “Something came up, and I didn’t mean to stay long—I just... it wasn’t supposed to be like that, I swear.”

She said nothing, chewing her food quietly.

Felix sat beside her chair, grabbing her free hand. “Please don’t be mad. I didn’t mean to miss our dinner. I am going to make it up to you. I promise. You know that you mean everything to me.”

Still, she said nothing.

“I brought you something,” he added quickly, reaching into his pocket. “Look. I saw this and thought of you. I know how much you love jewelry.”

He pulled out a box and opened it, revealing a delicate gold necklace with a crystal pendant. Jade blinked at it, and for a moment, she almost laughed.

She knew this necklace.

It wasn’t new. He didn’t pick it with her in mind, she knew it was one of Bella’s old ones. Jade remembered seeing it in a post that Bella made weeks ago, saying she was clearing out her jewelry drawer and giving away pieces she didn’t wear anymore.

And now Felix was giving it to her. Jade stared at it for a moment longer, then raised her eyes to Felix.

“Thank you,” she said simply, keeping her voice calm. “It’s nice.”

Felix blinked. “That’s it?” he asked, confused. “You like it, right?”

“Yes,” she replied, placing her spoon down. “It’s beautiful.”

Felix was surprised. Normally, Jade would’ve been overjoyed. She would’ve hugged him, kissed him, thanked him over and over. But now, she looked as if he had just handed her a worthless piece of trash, instead of a gift. Yes, he knew it was trash, but Jade didn’t know that.

“Wait... are you mad at me?”

She smiled faintly. “No. I’m not mad.”

Jade was mad, but she wasn’t mad at Felix. She was mad at herself for not seeing things clearly before, for allowing herself to be easily manipulated.

“You’re not mad?” His voice raised in disbelief.

“No,” she said again, this time standing up. “You said something came up. I understand.”

“But—”

“It’s okay,” she cut him off. “You don’t have to explain anything.”

He searched her face, probably hoping to find some sort of emotion, but there was none. It was getting him confused, and he hated it.

“Can you stop being so damn dramatic?!” He snapped, annoyance filled his voice.

Jade furrowed her eyebrows calmly, “Excuse me?”

He released a sigh of annoyance, and stormed off.

She watched him leave, shaking her head in amusement. Her phone buzzed with a message from Rowan, and she smiled, typing back a response.

Felix returned to the dining room after calming himself down. But the moment he saw her smiling at her phone, his eyes narrowed slightly.

She hadn’t even noticed when he entered.

Felix stared at her for a moment, then slowly walked to the table, expecting to see his plate already set like always. But there was nothing there, apart from her empty plate and cup.

He cleared his throat, trying to get her attention.

Jade didn’t look up.

He cleared it again, louder this time. “Uh... where’s mine?”

She glanced up briefly, looking surprised to see him still there. “What?”

“My breakfast,” he said, pointing at the empty table. “You didn’t keep any?”

She shrugged, “I didn’t see you, so I made breakfast for myself.”

Felix blinked. “What about me?”

Jade tilted her head. “Kitchen’s right there. Eggs are in the fridge, bread’s on the counter. There’s butter and jam in the drawer.” She said it so casually, like it wasn’t anything new.

Felix stood frozen, gaping at her in disbelief. He had never once made his own breakfast in this house. Jade had always done it cheerfully without being asked.

Now she was directing him to ingredients.

He clenched his jaw. “You didn’t think I would be hungry?”

“I didn’t see you,” she replied simply, turning her attention back to her phone. Her smile returned instantly at Rowan’s next message.

Felix clenched his jaw. She was pretending, trying to get his attention, but he did not give a damn about her games.

“What kind of game are you playing now?” he snapped, stepping closer to her. “Seriously, Jade. I’m not in the mood. I’m hungry.”

Without looking up from her phone, she said calmly, “You should’ve eaten from where you’re coming from.”

Felix’s mouth opened in disbelief. “Wow. I knew it,” he scoffed, “You’re pissed and insecure, but instead of just saying it, you’re pretending to be fine. I told you that something came up at the pack, I wasn’t anywhere else.”

Jade hummed, sounding uninterested. “Okay.”

“And that’s all you have to say?” He asked.

She lifted an eyebrow at him with an unreadable expression on her face. “I said okay. You’re the one who keeps talking.”

Felix’s eyes darkened. “I’m going out,” he muttered, storming and heading back to the room.

Jade didn’t even glance up.

A minute passed before he came back. “Where the hell are all my clean clothes?”

She shrugged. “In the laundry basket. Where you left them.”

“I don’t have anything clean to wear!” he barked.

She finally looked at him with a cold voice “Then you should probably wash something to wear.”

He scowled. “Are you serious right now?”

She stared at him looking dead serious.

Felix stood there for a moment, before he snapped. “Then what use are you?” he spat. “My clothes are dirty, you didn’t cook breakfast for me! You’re getting lazy and useless in this house! What happened to you, huh? You used to be so damn eager to take care of everything, and now you can’t even do the simplest things?”

Jade didn’t flinch, she just sat there, staring at him with cold eyes. She didn’t react the way he expected. She didn’t cry, plead or even respond. It surprised him. He couldn’t even read what was going on in her mind.

Jade replied calmly, “I’ve done everything for you. For years, without complaint, and now because I didn’t do it now, you’re calling me lazy and useless?”

He opened his mouth to shout, but a thought crossed his mind. He couldn’t afford to lose her. Not yet. The conference was coming up, and she was very important to the pack clinic.

Felix froze, then he inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself, as he took a step back.

“You’re right,” he muttered, voice strained. “I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it. I overreacted.”

Felix took another deep breath. “I’m sorry,” he said again, softening his voice, “I didn’t mean to blow up at you. You’re right, I’ve been selfish. Things have been so hectic for me, you know,” he said.

He needed to pacify her, so he leaned closer to her. “Look, I was thinking. Why don’t we start preparing for our mating ceremony?”

Jade didn’t blink. She just stared at him with that same unreadable expression.

Felix waited for her to react with excitement, and joy like before when they talked about the ceremony. But instead, she shrugged indifferently.

“Take your time,” she said coolly, like they were discussing about the weather, “I’m not going anywhere.”

Her response was like a slap in the face, and Felix felt his annoyance rise again. This wasn’t the reaction he was expecting. But he quickly swallowed down his annoyance, smiling at her. “You’re right. We shouldn’t rush it, you know? Let’s make sure we’re well prepared.”

Jade didn’t answer, and Felix clenched his jaw in irritation. He knew she was still in love with him, she was just being overdramatic. She just needed time to get over whatever was bothering her. Felix knew that there was nothing he could do that Jade wouldn’ forgive him, so he wasn’t so worried. After his mating ceremony with Bella, he would shower love and affection on Jade, and everything would be fine.

Finally, he sighed and stood up, “I’ll go grab my clothes from the laundry, and give it to one of the omegas. Let’s not fight over something so stupid.”

He turned to leave, but before he did, he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. “We’ll talk about the ceremony later, okay? When you’re ready. Don’t forget to prepare for the conference coming up.”

At his words, Jade’s eyes brightened, and she forced a smile. “Hey Felix, I just remembered that there are some documents that you need to sign for the conference.”

Felix smiled in response. Finally, He thought to himself. Everything was falling back into place.

He thought he had pacified Jade. His smile widened.

“Okay then, bring them, let me sign.” He replied eagerly.

Jade grinned in excitement as she rushed upstairs and gathered the files. Felix was happy when he saw how excited she was. Things were perfect, he knew he had nothing to worry about.

Just as he was about to read through the papers, his phone buzzed in his hand. It was Bella. He smiled. He needed to finish quickly, and get back to her.

Felix absentmindedly grabbed a pen, and without thinking, he began signing the papers she had handed him quickly so he could reply to Bella.

Jade stood there silently, watching him sign the documents, with a hidden smile on her face. It was almost too easy. She had everything she needed now.

Felix signed the last document, then tossed the pen down.

“Done,” he said, his eyes were still on the phone. “I’ll take care of anything else later. Something came up, I’ll be back later.” He muttered.

“Thank you, Felix,” Jade said softly, giving him a warm smile.

Felix looked up at her, furrowing his eyebrows for a moment as he finally noticed the strange look in her eyes. But he brushed it off. Everything was fine now.

He hurried off, slamming the door too loud behind him.

Jade stared at the door with a smirk on her face. She silently thanked Bella for distracting Felix, because now, the last part of her plan was done. Everything was set.

~

On the morning of Felix’s mating ceremony to Bella, Jade watched as Felix dressed up with an energetic grin on his face. He adjusted his tie in the mirror, with a smug expression on his face.

Felix felt like everything was falling into place just as he had planned. The conference was for a week, so Jade would be out of the picture for a week. By that time he would have thought about what to say to pacify her. It would be easy, he was sure of that.

“Hey,” Felix told her, “The conference starts today, and will last for a week. So you need to leave early. Don’t delay, okay?”

Jade nodded slowly.

Felix grinned. He didn't notice the coldness in her eyes. “Good. I have something urgent to do, but I'll call you later, alright?”

Jade didn’t respond, only watching him silently as he dressed.

When he was about to leave, he paused and glanced back at her with a soft expression on his face.

“Look, Jade… I know things have been a little shaky. But you’ve been by my side for so many years, and I appreciate you, and love you, I really do,” he said, his voice was gentle.

Jade forced a small smile as she nodded. “Good luck, Felix. Have a good time,” she said, instead of telling him ‘I love you too.’

Felix smiled back. He hadn't even noticed. Without another word, he walked out of the door, leaving her alone in the house.

Jade sat there for a moment, watching the door and listening to his footsteps as he walked away.

She took a deep breath, and stood up. She had already packed her bags, just a few things were left, but Felix hadn't noticed.

She glanced around the house one last time, then she smiled.

Outside, a car was waiting, Rowan had sent the driver to drop her at the same place Felix was having his mating ceremony, Rowan was going to meet her there. Felix had invited other alphas to be present for his mating ceremony.

It would be rude of Alpha Rowan and his Luna to not honour the invitation. Right?

Jade laughed to herself.