I scoffed, glancing at the screen, confused on top of being mad.

I had no idea what he was talking about, but looking at the junk around me, I must have done something crazy in delirium.

“Jena’s in a critical condition and the last thing she needs is you being a jerk. You should’ve been more understanding!” Axel went on, and I felt even more numb after hearing all of that crap.

What was there to understand? Her condition sure wasn’t critical when he bonded with her last night.

I looked over the mess that seemed to mirror the chaos of my life and felt tired. I’ve had enough of Axel forcing me to yield to Jena every time.

“So, you called me just to say that?” I asked, devoid of emotions.

“What else do you want me to say, Diana?” Axel became defensive. “I’ve told you like a hundred times. Nothing’s going on between me and Jena. I’m looking after her because she’s the Alpha’s daughter.”

That blatant lie was more painful than the molten lava that tortured me last night.

I didn’t get him. He should’ve rejected me outright if he felt strongly enough toward Jena to bond with her even if they weren’t mates. Why keep me around if he was only going to hurt me?

“Come by the hospital and apologize,” he said and hung up.

I sighed and scrolled through the call registry. Axel was accusing me of something pretty interesting and it had me curious. For once, he wasn’t lying. I did, call him fifty times and then rang up Jena.

I opened the voicemail I sent her and honestly, it was scary.

“Let the stars be my witness, the moon, my judge. I swear to the eternal night sky, you will suffer ten times as much the pain you caused me.”

My voice sounded so feral and malicious that it even made me shiver. However, knowing it terrified that whiny Jena felt great.

After that, I did a lot of thinking, grieving all the love I poured onto Axel who was like a bottomless pit. No matter how much I gave, it would never be enough because I wasn’t who he wanted. On the other hand, he had plenty of love to give when it came to Jena. She even had him at her beck and call no matter the time and occasion. Begging for the love of a man like that only made me pathetic.

I never thought mate bonds would be this terrible. If I knew the goddess would put me through such torment, I would’ve run away at first sight.

“I swear, I’d never go through this again.” I got up, sighing.

That night, I didn’t bother going to the hospital and slept in my room like the dead. When morning came, I headed to the pack mansion to bury my head in the documents at the Alpha’s office and get my mind off this joke. I’ve been his secretary for years, and my work consisted of helping the Beta with documentation and running simple errands.

I walked into the office as usual and went straight to work. However, I didn’t realize that my poor attempt to cope made the others uncomfortable.

That afternoon, Beta Ryker told me Alpha Lycus wanted to see me. I quickly dropped everything and headed for the door, but Beta Ryker stopped me.

“Wait.”

I looked back and waited for an order but I got an apology from someone who hadn’t hurt me one bit.

“I’m sorry about what happened, Diana. Don’t hold back and tell me if you need anything, okay?” Beta Ryker said, and his sincerity made me hate Axel even more.

His uncle wasn’t even at fault but he still had the sense to apologize while Axel had the audacity to yell at me.

I felt my wall crumbling, so before I let myself be vulnerable, I swiftly brushed him off with a nod and marched to the Alpha’s office.

Just as I raised my hand to knock on Alpha Lycus’s door, his gravelly voice echoed in my mind. “Come in.”

Inside, the room was thick with the scent of smoke. He stood by the window, a cigarette in hand, the ember glowing faintly against the dusky light. His sharp gaze was fixed in the garden below, where pups darted about, their laughter carrying through the air.

“Precious, aren’t they?” he said, not turning as the door clicked shut behind me.

I followed his gaze to the children, their giggles infectious as they chased one another in carefree abandon. A small smile tugged at my lips. “They are.”

Then, he turned, his eyes piercing, his next words slicing through the tranquil moment.

“Tell me,” he asked, his tone low but weighty, “would you go to the ends of the earth to protect them?”

“I…”

I wasn’t sure how to respond. It wasn’t a difficult question. Of course, anyone with a sound mind would say yes, but I know that wasn’t the answer he was looking for.

Alpha Lycus’s gaze softened, his expression painted with a hint of sadness.

“I’ll never forget the day you arrived at Crimson Wolf.” He sighed. “The tragedy of your old pack took every bit of joy from your face, and seeing that was heartbreaking.”

“Alpha, where are you heading with this?” I asked.

Alpha Lycus puffed a cloud of smoke and continued, “What Jena did was terrible, and I know nothing I’ll do would be enough to make up for what had happened, but I’d still want to. You’re like a daughter to me and I wouldn’t want you to suffer,” he said, making it harder for me to respond.

I know he meant well and I have always appreciated him treating me like family after I lost mine, but I’m not dull. Jena was his flesh and blood, and I’m only a mutt he pitied and picked up. So, I wouldn’t decline his kindness even if he did this for Jena.

I thought deeply about what I wanted from this exchange and could only think of freedom.

“I’d like some time away. I’ll settle everything before leaving,” I said, firmly.

Alpha Lycus understood what I meant and nodded. “Alright. I’ve been meaning to send you on vacation, but knowing you, you’d rather work than relax so I’m sending you to an aid mission with Gamma Brandon. You’ll leave next week.”

“Thank you.” I smiled.

He did know me well. Gamma Brandon’s missions took months to complete. This was a perfect opportunity to get away from Axel. I know how greedy he was. He took all he could and played with our hearts. He’d never let me go even if he was secretly bonded with Jena.

Mate bonds were a crazy work of mystery, but I knew about his betrayal thanks to it. Screw the perfect mate image he wanted us to be. I would never sacrifice myself for their happiness.

I went home past the dark, feeling lighter than I was this morning.

The following day, I woke up and got to work like usual. My day was surprisingly going well, until late afternoon when Axel called. I didn’t plan to answer his call but was too preoccupied to check the caller ID when I picked it up.

“You’re off work today, right?” I jumped, hearing his voice. “Jena’s getting discharged today. Come pick us up from the hospital.”

I scoffed, wondering how much of a pushover he saw me as.

“I’m busy doing errands for the Alpha. I don’t have time for detours,” I lied. I was done with those earlier so I’ve got the rest of the day free, but there was no way I would waste my time chauffeuring for them.

“Then, it’s perfect timing. You’ll return to the pack mansion anyway, so come get us on the way,” he shamelessly insisted.

How stubborn. Talking with him gave me headaches.

“I’m not going. Call someone else or take a cab. I don’t care. Figure it out,” I said and hung up.

While grumbling about how my day had just been ruined, a colleague cautiously approached me.

“Diana, wanna grab a few drinks at the pub?”

I used to decline these invitations because I was crazy trying to get Axel’s attention.

But to hell with him! I’m going to enjoy myself tonight!

And I did. It was my first time drinking with friends, so I let loose and got home wasted at midnight.

I entered the house humming, thinking I was alone, but a deep voice scared me sober.

“You’re home pretty late.”

I twirled, looking at the living room. Axel was sitting on the couch with a dark shadow on his face.

He looked angry but I just sneered and kicked off my shoes wherever, then went straight toward my room. Axel suddenly dashed toward me, blocking my way with a slam of his fist on the wall.

“Why are you ignoring me?” he snarled, leaning close.

Having this distance between us used to give me butterflies. Now, I feel like vomiting.

“What’s the matter?” I tauntingly asked and chuckled.

“Diana,” he growled. “You’re too busy to pick us up at the hospital but you got time to get wasted, huh?”

My ears rang. Was he seriously playing the victim here? What was so wrong with me having fun?

I gritted my teeth and was about to argue when his bedroom door opened.

“Goddess, Diana. Did you drink? The alcohol stinks.”

Jena walked out of his room wearing a lacy nightgown.

Her appearance was so unexpected, and the shock cleared my drowsiness away. All of the emotions I bottled were bubbling up.

“Oh, I see why you’re mad. Did I interrupt you two?” I scoffed. “So, which of us is leaving, me or both of you because I’m not interested in hearing you moan?”

Axel got furious, grabbing me by my arm tight. “Will you get your head out of the gutter!” He yelled, and I saw red. My hand swung hard and ripped a slap on his face.

“And, you, stop dribbling my head,” I snarled, my hand still shaking from the impact.

“I’m not stupid, Axel. I know what went on between you two.”

Jena ran to him, worriedly checking his face. “You’re so mean, Diana. We didn’t—”

“Shut it.” I cut her off. “Alpha Lycus gave me the green light to deal with you however I like. Beat it if you don’t want to get hit too.”

Jena looked at Axel with teary eyes and whined, guilt-tripping him.

“I guess I should leave.” She walked to the door sobbing.

Axel pulled her back. “Where are you going dressed like that? It’s late and unsafe outside,” he said with tender concern, making me laugh.

What a ridiculous joke they were. Although the territory’s security was tight, it was still dangerous at night with crafty rogues occasionally sneaking in to harass people. Axel never cared about that when I usually went home this late. A bloody rogue almost defiled me once. I could have spared myself a lot of heartache if I wasn’t quick and failed to save my ass from that mutt.

Being around these dorks was exhausting. I just want to shut my eyes and forget about them. I pushed past the two and entered my room, locking the door behind me.

Axel called me out, banging a few times, but I ignored him. He only left when Jena cried about how awful I was to him, so he took her back to his room.

I threw my bag in frustration. This house only had two rooms. Despite being mates, he and I slept separately. Things were a little at the beginning though.

That night, I crashed into bed and had another insane dream.

When morning came, I found Axel sitting on the sofa with dark circles under his eyes. With a pillow and unfolded blankets to his side, I figured he slept there all night.

What were they putting an act for? They should’ve just slept peacefully like the unbothered jerks they were.

I went to the kitchen, pretending he didn’t exist but he walked up to the counter and placed two opera tickets on the table.

“I remember you liked the novel, so I got the tickets for the play. Why don’t you take the day off and come with me?” He smiled as if everything was okay.

“No thanks. I’m up to my neck with work,” I brushed him off.

Axel came around and tenderly hugged me from behind. My skin crawled from disgust, especially when he whispered in my ear.

“Are you still mad? You’re my mate, and Jena was just a sister to me. So, quit it with the childish jealousy, okay?”

The glass almost shattered in my palm. It was first thing in the morning and he was already getting on my nerves.

He made it sound like I was at fault and believed he could call it quits with tickets to a play I didn’t even know.

Oh, Goddess, why did you pair me with this mule?

I peeled his arms around me and flatly said, “I’m not angry,” leaving him without a glance, but this daft wouldn’t get the clue and still followed me.

“So, we have a date then. I’ll pick you up later at three,” he said, convinced I had forgiven him.

At that moment, Jena came out of his room, dazed and wearing his shirt.

“Well, good luck on your date.” I snorted loudly, not meaning to, and then walked out.

“Diana, wait! I can explain.” Axel chased me.

“Save it, Axel. I don’t want to hear your bullcrap.”

He grabbed my hand, looking like a beaten pup. “Diana, please. I know I shouldn’t have left you that night, but it was a matter of life and death.”

“You mean, out of all those people in the temple, only you could bring Jena to the hospital?” I slapped his paws off in utter disbelief. “Have you thought about what I’d feel before you abandoned me, alone in that temple?” I roared.

Axel went silent for a while but all he could say was, “I did.” which was the lamest lie I had ever heard. If he had ever put my feelings first, he wouldn’t have put me through that pain and torn a hole in my soul.

“Enough. I don’t have time for this bloody conversation,” I said, soulless, and left.

Axel shouted that we would talk about this late, but I refused. What was there to talk about? Everything was crystal from the start.

For the next couple of days, work suddenly flooded in. The rogues had gotten more aggressive with their invasions. With new challenges arising, preparations for the aid mission were expedited but the departure was delayed. It was hectic and I couldn’t even catch a break between the menial tasks and meetings with Gamma Brandon.

The invasions were horrible but they couldn’t have come at a better time. With this, I could avoid seeing Axel, but it came with a downside. He was bombing my phone with clingy texts, asking me how I was doing, or if I already ate, and it was a pain to look at.

Was he high on mushrooms? Why was he doing things he had never done?

Gosh! I felt sorry for myself when I sent him the same messages that never got answered.

I put my phone away and kept ignoring Axel. My phone buzzed again a second later, but this time it was a voice chat from my best friends.

“Hey, D! Training’s done at the Royal field. We feel so bad missing your wedding, so free your weekend. We’re gonna have a blast!”

I felt a pinch in my heart. They were training closed doors so they probably hadn’t heard the news. Cris and Dawn would go berserk once they found out.