The next day, I had an early meeting at my workplace. I woke up early in the morning. Erick was still sleeping. I left him sleeping, made a coffee for myself and then left for the office. I attended the meeting with my seniors and after it ended, I received a call from Erick. His voice seemed irritated as he asked in a complaining voice, “ Lizzy, Why didn't you wake me up? I overslept for two hours. Now, I’m getting late because of you.”

I used to wake him up in the morning because he didn't like getting late for his office nor did he like the sound of an alarm. So, I would wake up early in the morning just to wake him up on time even though my shift started very late. It was my act of love and care for him. However, he took it for granted and regarded it as my duty. He was thinking that I was obligated to do these chores for him.

I then replied in a calm voice, “You shouldn’t waste your time in talking to me when you are already this late. You should better hurry up.”

“ Lizzy, you-” I could feel him chewing his lips in annoyance as he continued, “ Fine! Have you selected the suit I'm going to wear today?”

I used to select the suit from his wardrobe every morning before he went to take a shower because he was not good at selection. He would remain confused wondering which dress would look good on him. So, I helped him out. Another act of love which he took as my obligations.

“I had urgent work at my office. I didn't have time for this. Just choose the suit on your own.”

“Lizzy, how could you be so careless? You left me in a mess.”

I didn't reply to him and hung up the phone. However, just a second later my phone beeped with a notification. It was Erick’s message which read [Why are my suits wrinkled? How am I supposed to wear it in my office?]

I sighed before replying, [You are supposed to iron them before wearing. Simple!]

He texted again with a confused emoji [Iron?]

It seemed like he wasn't aware that I used to iron his clothes every morning. After a few minutes my phone started beeping again. Erick was sending me messages continuously. [Where is my red file? I can't find it.] [You haven't prepared breakfast for me? What am I going to eat?] [Can you come back home for a few minutes? I need help.]

I used to do everything for him. From cooking meals three times a day to taking care of his belongings, I handled everything for him even when he didn't ask me to. Now, he got used to getting served everything on his table and didn't bother himself in appreciating my efforts.

I was going to reply to him. Just then my senior called me and I couldn't continue chatting with Erick. I put the phone back and went to my senior’s cabin.

“Lizzy, Good news for you.” My senior greeted me with a smile before adding, “ The idea of your project is passed by the manager. But, this time he wants you to lead the project yourself. I heard you have recovered now. If that’s true, start planning to go abroad to handle this project because this time our boss will not trust anyone else except you.”

I had suggested many projects to the company before but I couldn't lead them on my own because I was busy taking care of Erick and his pack’s chore. I was planning to leave this project as well because I wanted to bear a child for Erick. However, God has another plan for me. There was no reason for me to refuse.

“I’ll take this project.” I replied. My senior was overjoyed as he said, “ Good decision, Lizzy. This is a good opportunity for your career. Our boss is in a hurry. So, prepare all your documents as soon as possible. We will leave everything on you. You are free to choose your team before leaving. So, evaluate the performance of our employees as well and choose the people you want to work with in this project.”

I planned to prepare all the documents on the same day. After that, only evaluation of employees would be left. I didn't want to delay myself anymore. I was so lost in my work that I didn't notice when the outside world turned dark and it was already very late at night. I started packing my stuff and suddenly my phone rang. It was Erick's call.

“Why are you not home yet? It's too late.”

I changed my mind after listening to Erick's voice. I liked the idea of seeing him irritated as I was once. I then replied, “I got some urgent work. I have to stay at my workplace tonight to complete the work.”

He sounded anxious as he asked, “You aren't coming home tonight. Then, how would I manage tomorrow? What about my breakfast and clothes?”

“Manage it the way you managed today.” I replied flatly.

“I can't wear wrinkled clothes everyday or stay hungry.”

Turned out he didn't eat the whole day just because I didn't cook for him. Usually, I used to prepare meals for him and even have them delivered to him on time. He didn't like eating outside. Turned out, I had spoiled him more than it was necessary.

“You should probably hire a maid to take care of you, Erick.” I replied indifferently.

“Is there anything wrong?” He asked.

“No.” I replied casually. He hesitated for a while before he asked, “Lizzy, are you angry at me?”

Was I angry at him? I think I had passed that phase of my life long ago when I used to get mad at him. I felt no emotion towards him.

He was too late to ask me this question. Now, I would no longer bother myself explaining to him how I was feeling towards him.

I remained silent while he continued in an apologetic voice, saying hoarsely, “ Lizzy, I know you are mad about Christine. Try to understand me. She is alone with her child. She knows nobody except me.”

Christine had only him. He didn't hesitate while saying this as if I had the whole world with me. I belonged to the Silver Wing Pack. My parents were omega and so was I. My father had once helped Erick's father. This way they became friends. After my father died in assisting Erick’s father in a battle, he took me to his pack with him.

I have lived in the same pack house as Erick since childhood. Erick’s father assured me that I would be treated equally as his daughter. But, he was wrong. I was an omega. How could I be compared with Alpha blood?

In his absence, Luna would often hand me several household works to do. All the pack members believed I was a maid in Alpha House. I remember Erick once introduced me to his friends as his personal maid. I had a crush on him. So, I was always eager to do his work. I thought he would take a fancy to me this way. Didn't expect him to actually take me as his maid.

That night, I cried so much. Alpha came to know this and scolded Erick. He later apologized to me. I instantly forgave him and the very next day began running after him to do his chores. I was really foolish.

“Yeah, you are right. She and her child have only you while I have the whole pack with me. You should spend more time with them. Take care of the family. I’m happy on my own.” I replied flatly.

“What do you mean?” He seemed angry while saying this.

“What do you think I mean by saying that? I said you are right. That means I’m agreeing with you. Do you have any problem with that?” I asked.

“Then what's this tone for? Why are you showing so much attitude?” He snapped.

“In which tone should I talk to you then?” My voice lost all the calmness and it felt quite rude. He remained silent for a while before adding, “Do as you wish.”

The phone was hung up. I threw my phone aside in anger. Earlier, he expected me to understand his closeness with his childhood sweetheart. I couldn't. Then I was labeled by him as a jealous wife who didn't understand her husband. Now that I was trying to understand him, he still had problems with it. I sighed and then shook everything out of my mind. I had much more important things to do, my paper work.

I stayed awake the whole night and when the sun rose, my work was completed. However, I didn't like the idea of going back home. After purposely delaying myself, I went back home. Erick had already left, as expected.

I took a shower, prepared breakfast for myself and after filling my stomach I went to my bed for a nap. I had just laid on the bed and my phone rang. It was Erick’s call.

“Lizzy… I got in an argument with the Alpha of our neighborhood pack. I have got scratches everywhere.”

“Hmm… ” I mumbled in a tired voice and went back to sleep. Through our mate bond, I could hear Erick's wolf's voice calling out for me. He seemed moaning in pain. But, I was too sleepy to open my eyes.

After some time, I opened my eyes only to find Erick standing by my bedside, looking coldly at me. Finding me completely awake, he snapped at me with a loud voice, “Lizzy, Why are you unaffected by everything?”

He was indeed right. I was not getting affected by anything which used to be a big thing for me earlier. I remember once Erick was wrestling with another Alpha. I saw a few scratches on his arms and couldn't hold myself. I jumped into the fight only to get beaten by the other Alpha. I became a laughing stock for everyone and Erick, instead of coming to check my wounds, shouted at me. He said I was foolish. He forbade me from coming to see his fights in the future. In his words, I was an embarrassment.

I ignored his words as I said in a casual voice, “ How are your wounds now? Are they healed? If they are not healing on their own, you would have to bring potion from the infirmary. We don't have them at home.”

Erick was easier to get offended from childhood and always got into arguments with others. Sometimes, his wounds would heal on their own due to his Alpha blood and sometimes it would take time. To take care of him, I took training in the pack’s infirmary of making potions for healing the wounds so that we don't have to go to the infirmary every time he gets into a fight. I used to brew potions myself and apply them on his wounds.

That's why my words surprised him. He was speechless at my response. I could see his eyes turning red in frustration. He then pulled me up in anger and yelled, “ Lizzy, how long are you going to fight me about Christine? I have told you many times there is nothing between us.”

“Oh, okay.” I replied in a calm voice and again fell on my bed to sleep which infuriated him. In anger, he chewed his lower lips and said nothing. Then, walked out by stomping his feet. Probably going to Pack’s infirmary to get potion for his wounds.

Erick didn't return after that day. Days passed by and I received no call or messages from him. I didn't know where he went and I didn't bother calling him to ask where he was. After a few days, my phone beeped with a message from him. He told me he got some Pack’s chore to handle and had to go out of town on short notice. He even shared his location with me.

[Okay, stay safe and take care of yourself.] I texted him, a sad sigh escaped through my lips.

I had just put my phone back after sending him the reply that I got notification from my social media account. It was again from ‘Sweet Angel'. Christine made a post with a caption that read [ Seeing the sunset with your loved one is the best scene in the world! I have been feeling bored for the past few days. Someone insisted on taking me out for a holiday to refresh my mind.]

The location she shared matched with Erick’s location. They were in the same town at the same time. There was a picture with the post. Christine’s hands were wrapped around a man’s shoulder. His neck and the part below it was visible. There was a heart-shaped pendant hanging on his neck. The letter ‘L’ written on the heart pierced through my eyes. It teased my eyes with a burning sensation.

On our first wedding anniversary, I bought two heart shaped pendants with each other's initials. I wore one with ‘E’ written on it and gifted the other heart with ‘L’ to Erick. He didn't like the wedding gift. He didn't want to wear it at first. According to him it was cringe. After my continuous insistence, he wore it. However, he always hid it with his shirt’s collar or muffler. He didn't want anybody to see it.

I looked at the heart pendant hanging on my neck. It felt like a heavy weight was on me and I couldn't carry it anymore. I pulled out the pendant and threw it on my desk’s drawer. I didn't want to even look at it.

After that office work became the excuse to divert my mind. I busied myself in team building to not think about Erick or Christine. It was the easiest way of pushing aside my emotions. From that day, I stopped thinking where Erick was and when he would be returned.

One day I was coming out of my office. Unexpectedly, he showed himself at the main door. A wave of surprise passed through me. I hadn't heard from him for a long time and his sudden arrival at my office was something I would never have expected. Not too far, his long car was parked.

“When did you arrive?” I blurted out.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in a tired voice. The day was very exhausting today. I had been taking interviews from morning to evening, and hadn't left my seat except for meals and natural calls.

“Lizzy, do you know what day today is?” he asked, looking surprised with my question.

“Monday?” I replied innocently which left him in a daze.

“Lizzy, How can you forget our wedding anniversary? It's our wedding anniversary today.” He blurted out. I pursed my lips. I indeed forgot about it. It was surprising to me as well.

“Ah… I have been really busy these days. It slipped through my mind. I’m sorry.” I replied casually. Erick was stunned for a moment. He asked in an excited voice, “ Lizzy, you used to care about these things more than anyone. How could you forget it?”

He was right. In the past, I used to be excited for his birthday and our wedding anniversary. I used to start preparing everything a month earlier. From arranging food and decoration to inviting all his friends, family and colleagues. They were all done by me. I would spend a lot of time selecting meaningful gifts for him which he would always complain about before accepting. He didn't even like the idea of celebrating these days. According to him, it was childish and didn't suit his ‘Alpha’ image.

I remember on our first wedding anniversary, I threw a surprise party for him. I prepared everything and invited his friends over. But, he went mad on me. He didn't even care about my reputation in front of his pack members and shouted at me before everyone. According to him I should have informed him before gathering the ‘crowd’ at his home. This way, ‘surprise parties’ changed into ‘informed parties’, then only ‘small celebration’ until the spak finally died and I no longer craved his presence. However, I had always arranged something for our special day. Even if it's just a special dinner prepared by me at home. But this time, I simply forgot about it.

“Come, let's go. I have prepared a dinner date for us. Let's celebrate our anniversary together.” said Erick, pulling me back from my thoughts.

“Erick! I’m very tired today. How about we go home and rest.” I said in a low voice. He chuckled before replying, “ What are you saying? I have arranged everything for you. You can't cancel our plan.”

His plan was ‘our’ and my plans always needed permission from him. I smiled sarcastically as he led me to his car. Without waiting for my response, he opened the front door of his car and asked me to sit there. I sat inside the car.

Erick began driving while I remained silent. A few times, he glanced at the rearview mirror to see my reflection. He was looking for the slightest expression of joy or surprise in my face. However, I remained indifferent throughout the journey. He couldn't stay silent anymore and asked, “ Lizzy, is everything alright?”

“ What do you think is wrong?” I asked while raising my eyebrows.

“ Are you upset with me?” He asked, still observing my expression through the rear view mirror.

“ No, I’m fine.” I denied flatly.

“Then why are you pulling the long face?” His voice was filled with annoyance as he continued, “I’m putting so much effort here. I came back to celebrate our anniversary, arranged a dinner date for us. Can't you just pretend to be happy about it?”

I pursed my lips as I turned to him, saying ironically, “Thank you very much for the surprise, Erick. I’m glad you planned everything for me.”

My appreciation was as flat as his several promises. I could see him getting irritated as he let out a sigh, saying, “Fine! I’ll not see Christine from now on. Can you stop being angry at me?”