Lira's POV

“But Ravena was hurt. You 're simply performing your Alpha’s duty to one of the members of your pack. The rules said that the Alpha must ensure the safety of every member.

Ravena wasn't an exception to that! C’mon man, you're not wrong.”

Varek saw an assuring and incredible seriousness from Anthony for the first time.

“Yeah, I know the point is that Lira…She does not see it that way.

Her own perspective to the situation is way beyond what you're saying at the moment. All she thought was that I placed Ravena as my priority over here. She thought I was choosing Ravena over her.”

Anthony's expression melted and faded away. He was silent for a while before he spoke out.

“Varek , you didn’t choose Lira over Ravena. You chose the pack over everything. That's your responsibility. That’s who an Alpha stood for. I can bet my life that Lira knows that deep down, even if she’s angry right now.”

Varek twisted his fists as frustration crept inside him.

“I know she does, but it feels like I’m losing her. It feels like we're far apart. I’ve been solely focused on the pack recently, on Ravena, that I didn’t even have any spare time for her.”

“I can't see that as a form of neglecting her, Varek. You’ve got responsibilities that most people will never understand. Lira'’s upset, that without a doubt.

But will she come around? Obviously yes! You’ve always been there for her, and she knows that. That is not a bone for contention.”

Varek was silent as Anthony spoke all through. He just stared at the window. A part of him knew Anthony was right.

I've always stood by him, but lately, things have taken a different approach and dimensions. He felt like we're adrift and distant from each other like two parallel lines.

Anthony must have sensed the inner war Varek was struggling with because he continued, "You’re doing what is required of you, Varek.

Ravena's part of the pack, and as Alpha, you have to take care of her. Lira will understand once she has calmed down.”

Varek gaze at him with an empty look,

There was still skepticism in his heart.

“You really thought that's her plight?”

"I'm absolutely certain about that. Don't wear yourself out because of this matter. , it's nothing. Lira’s hurt right now, but she’ll realize you were just doing your job," Anthony spoke with complete boldness and self-assurance.

Varek nodded his head. He'd been overwhelmed by guilt and frustration that doubt started creeping within him.

He was extremely scared of what was going to happen with our relationship.

He was doing the right thing and couldn't be in two places.

He thought that what he did for Ravena is what any compassionate Alpha would do.

“I just… I don’t want to lose her. She meant the whole world to me”. He whispered.

“No,you won’t. Lira genuinely loves you. That’s why this was so hard for her to take.”

Lira’s POV

“There’s no cause for alarm, she’ll come around. You’ve been together so long to be ruined by just a kind gesture of help and care to someone in your pack."

Varek let out a long breath, feeling some of the tension in his chest loosen. Anthony was right.

“Thanks, Anthony. I was dying to hear that.” He smiled with eyes glistening and scintillating.

“Anytime. That’s what I’m here for. I am always ready to render my little token of help.”

Varek stood up from his chair, feeling a little lighter than before. His conversation with Anthony was indeed helpful, but he still had a lot of work to do to repair the damage between us . But at least now, he didn’t feel like he was drowning in guilt.

“I’ll talk to her later. Maybe by that time, she had calmed down."

“That's a good idea. Lira always has a soft spot for you, so maximize it to your advantage.”

They walked to the door together, and Varek felt more prepared to face whatever came next.

Anthony held him on the shoulder. “You’ve got this, Varek . Just don’t forget that you’re not alone in this.”

“I am really indebted to you, Anthony."

When Anthony stepped out of the apartment, Varek could feel the weight on his shoulder had lightened.

But now, he had to find a way to make things right with me. He went to the apartment we shared together. When he opened the door, he called me, and I didn't respond.

He looked for me everywhere, and suddenly, his instincts urged him to check the wardrobe. To his surprise all my apparel and stuff were all gone. I left him, and he sank to the floor.

His inner fear has manifested. He was so careless with the only woman he professed to love.

He thought that standing firm and holding onto his position as the Alpha of the pack will make me calm and stay. He was completely wrong. The signs were glaring at him that I

he might lose me and it happened.

He could recall when we started our relationship about seven years ago.

In the first and second year, he never made room for me to doubt him, no matter what. All his actions were carefully executed.

He did things with absolute discretion. At some point, there was a lady we met in one restaurant sometime ago when we went to have lunch together.

I think the lady knew him way back. When she saw him at the restaurant, she ran and wanted to hug him. He quickly reacted and dodge it.

He didn't want to create any room for doubt for me . He wanted to be plain and clean to me .

When the lady saw how he reacted, she apologized to me because I was almost boiling. How can a random lady from nowhere want to hug my man.

She introduced herself and I got to know she was his junior way back in the university.

Lira's POV

I never thought packing my stuff could be this complicated. All the items I stashed into my box felt like broken pieces of my life with Varek. The life I had imagined would last forever.

I withheld my tears when I stared at the empty closet. I couldn’t believe this was happening.

How did we arrive at this point? We were supposed to be together for life. But instead, here I was, about to leave. I dried up my tears. Now was not the moment to be vulnerable.

I was worth more than this.

My phone beeped, and it was Anthony. He seemed unfinished with his lecture.

“Lira, please don’t make any hasty decisions that will have a disastrous outcome.

I’m quite sure Varek will handle the case very well. He is just a little preoccupied with some responsibilities. Spare him some time, he will make it up to you.”

I jeered and smirked slowly.

" Huh! You're definitely not serious.Fix this? How could he? Where was he? He called off the bonding ritual without a second thought.

He didn't even think of me. And I have to understand him," I hissed and ignored Anthony.

I stashed the last shirt into the box, trying to shift my mind away from the supposed bonding ceremony.

I had dreamt of walking down the aisle with the entire pack watching. But today, when my desire and joy was to come to fulfillment and reality, Varek's heart and soul went to Ravena, who conspired deceitfully to take him away.

I couldn't count how many times she had done it and how myopic and ignorant Anthony was about this.

"Damn them!"

I closed the box, grabbed my luggage, and headed out. I never told anyone, not even Androlina Wood, who cherished and loves me a lot as her daughter.

The taxi driver I called was already outside waiting. I rushed to stuff my things inside the car's trunk and went inside, instructing the driver to leave.

I gazed out through the window with a grievous heart as each passing street reminded me of the life I left behind.

I had fought for so long, but now I was done. I was taking back control, even if it hurt.

When I got to my old apartment, I stared at it before entering. I had lived here less than a year, and it felt like home, comforting but painful.

I wished to become the old me, full of hope and love for Varek.

I dragged my suitcase, and its weight felt lighter compared to what was in my chest. When I reached the bedroom, the small space felt foreign to me, but I welcomed the change.

As I unpacked, I tried to push thoughts of Varek from my mind, but they kept creeping back in.

Just as I was arranging my bed to lay on it, my phone vibrated again. I was reluctant initially before I decided to pick it up, thinking it would probably be Anthony or Ravena.