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.

The weekend wasn’t a long wait, and I got a slice of peace for once since I stayed in the packhouse, away from Axel. The warrior’s barracks were separated from the mansion, so the odds of me running into those two were none. However, Axel still sent me texts after my shifts asking me out on a date, which I always turned down.

Gosh, he just wouldn’t stop!

This time, his patience must have worn thin and gone back to being a prick.

[Axel: Wait up front. I’m picking you up.]

I quickly muted his number and put my phone on silent.

A black jeep pulled up the back gate and honked at me.

“Hop on, D!” Cris yelled and grinned. Seeing them after a while was like a breath of fresh air.

Dawn immediately captured me in a bear hug the second I sat with her at the back.

“I heard the news,” she said, rubbing my back. I didn’t realize how badly I wanted to be comforted until that moment and cried.

Cris drove away from the pack mansion and they took me to a club. Dawn ordered four rounds of drinks as soon as we got in and got wasted, talking shit about Axel and Jena and hitting the dance floor. At some point, I remember checking my phone for time and seeing hundreds of miscalls, but had no clue what I did after blacking out.

That night, I had a dream again. It was a strange dream of a yellow-furred wolf trapped in a dark place. I’ve had it since I was eight but had no idea why. They said old traumas often resurfaced in dreams, but I didn't think that was it. There was always something different with the wolf whenever I dreamed of him. Well, he used to look like a kid, but as I grew up he did too. Despite those years, we never really interacted with each other, as if I was only pulled into wherever he was for a little company.

Recently, though, my dreams of that wolf have become more frequent. I just had this dream the other night, and I was lost at what to do with a mad huffing ball of yarn.

However, this time was different. The wolf turned into a young man. I knew it was him despite the veil of shadow on his face. I could feel it. Suddenly, his eyes locked with mine and my heart drummed wild for some reason, then I woke up.

I got up in a daze, my phone beeping at my side, and the image of his golden eyes burned in my mind.

“What the hell was that?” I muttered.

I grabbed my phone and saw a long list of voice messages from Axel, screaming at me.

“Where are you? What do you mean we’re over?” he growled.

First thing in the morning and he gave me a headache. What was he whining about now?

Then I saw the screenshot of an anonymous post on wolfline Dawn sent to our group chat.

[PearlMoon: Guys, I’m so sad for Beanie. Some heartless girl broke up with him over the phone. He’s so heartbroken. What should I do?]

The photo attached showed only the back of the guy, but I know by the tattoo on his back that it was Axel.

“You two are such a pain!” I growled, almost crushing my phone in fury.

I called Axel, barely keeping it together.

“You wanted to talk, right? Fine,” I said before he could utter a word.

“Good. I’ll book us a res—”

“Don’t bother,” I cut him off. “Meet me at the training ground cafeteria at lunch.” I hung up immediately.

They love making scenes, I would make them a scene.

Dawn wanted to join me as backup when she found out, but I told her I would be fine. I went to the cafeteria early then grabbed the centermost table and waited for them to come.

Jena always made sure I wasn’t alone with Axel, so I knew she’d tag along. A few minutes later, I was

right. Axel walked up to my table with her hiding behind him.

“Jena said she wanted to talk to—”

“Diana, I don’t think this is a good place for a conversation.” Jena butted in. “How about…”

“Here is fine.” I cut her off, not hiding my contempt. The cafeteria was packed. Almost everyone in Crimson Wolf was here. Why would I change such a perfect stage?

Axel cleared his throat. “Let’s grab a bite first.”

“Hmm.” I shrugged, disinterested.

Axel ordered enough food to fill the table, and I almost gagged watching them eat while flirting like newlyweds in their own world.

I scoffed. “Cut to the chase, Axel. I don’t have all day.”

Axel looked at me as if he just remembered I was there.

“Don’t be cold, Diana.” His hand scrambled to get me food from the table. “Here, I got you your favorite blueberry cheesecake.”

I laughed, hysterically. “Are you planning to kill me? I’m allergic to blueberries,” I snarled.

Axel looked surprised. “What? I didn't know about this.”

“No wonder. You didn’t even care enough to remember I’m your fated mate when you bonded with this skank,” I retorted, loud so everyone could hear.

The cafeteria hushed. Their eyes fixed on us. Axel looked pale as a ghost while Jena sobbed, tears beading in her eyes.

“You’re so mean, Diana,” Jena cried.

“Are you getting back at me for the other night? I’m sorry, okay? I just love Axel so much. But if it makes you happy, I’ll give him up,” she said between sobs and buried her face in his chest.

What a spectacular performance. She always contradicted what she said.

“Are you kidding me? Why would I want to have your trash?” I laughed sardonically.

“Keep it to yourself,” I snarled.

Without warning, juice splashed on my face, and my hand moved in reflex, ripping a slap on her face.