“Don’t start with me, Sarah. You have no idea what it’s like to lead a pack,” he shot back, his voice rising. “And you have no clue how hard it is to run a company while juggling everything else. Being Alpha isn't just about making speeches and looking good in front of the pack. It’s about sacrifice—something you clearly don’t understand.”
“Oh, so now I’m just a clueless Luna?” I replied, throwing down the dish towel. “I’m supposed to sit here and nod while you act like you’re the only one who matters?”
Caleb clenched his jaw, his anger palpable. “You’re just being jealous, and it’s making you look ridiculous!
“Jealous? Seriously?”
“Yes! Damn it. Just because I’m busy with Hannah doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”
I laughed, but it was bitter. “You think I’m jealous of her? Maybe I’m just sick of being treated like an afterthought. You’re the one with the narrow mind, Caleb!”
He stepped closer, eyes blazing. “Don’t twist this around. You’re making it impossible to even talk to you!”
“I’m making it impossible? You think I’m the problem here?” I shot back. “You’re the one who chose to run off and play house with Hannah! I’m the one stuck here trying to hold things together!”
Caleb’s frustration boiled over. “You don’t know what it’s like to balance everything! I have a pack to lead, and you think it’s all about you!”
“Maybe if you actually included me in your life instead of pushing me away, I wouldn’t feel so alone!” I yelled, my heart racing. “You think you’re the only one dealing with tough stuff? Newsflash: I’m not your emotional punching bag!”
He took a step back, his anger softening. “You’re acting like I don’t care. That’s not true, Sarah.”
“And yet you act like I’m not even here!” I shot back, feeling the heat rise in my chest. “You’re so focused on your new life that you don’t see how much this hurts me.”
“I’m trying to do what’s best for the pack,” he said, his voice dropping. “But maybe if you didn’t make everything about you, I could actually focus!”
The silence that followed felt heavy. I couldn’t hold back anymore. “You really want to talk about making things about me?” I demanded. “Maybe you should explain the video I saw. You and Hannah—kissing.”
His eyes widened, and for a moment, I thought he might actually be shocked. But then his lips curled into a dismissive smirk. “It was nothing, Sarah. Just a friendly kiss. You’re blowing this out of proportion. You’re just crazy if you think it means anything.”
I could feel my heart break all over again. “A friendly kiss? Really?” I laughed, but the pain was sharp. “You expect me to believe that? After everything, that’s all you have to say?”
He shook his head, clearly frustrated. “You’re twisting this. You’re making it something it’s not. It was nothing, Sarah. Nothing.”
The silence that followed felt suffocating. His words echoed in my ears, but the pain of betrayal was louder. “You know what? I’m done being your second choice. If you can’t see how much you’re pushing me away, then maybe you should take a good look in the mirror.”
He shook his head, frustration written all over his face. “You’re so stubborn, Sarah. You always have to turn everything into a fight.”
“Maybe it’s because I’m tired of just sitting back and letting you walk all over me!” I shot back, crossing my arms. “I’m not going to stay quiet while you act like I don’t matter!”
He slammed his fist on the table. “You’re acting crazy! You’ve lost it, Sarah! I can’t deal with this right now.”
“Crazy? You think I’m crazy?” I shot back, my heart racing. “I’m just standing up for myself! If that makes me crazy, then so be it!”
Caleb shook his head in disbelief. “You need to calm down. You’re acting like a lunatic!”
“Maybe I wouldn’t have to if you paid attention to me for once!” I snapped, feeling tears prick at my eyes.
“You’re making this a bigger deal than it is. I can’t believe you’re turning into this person,” his voice rising. “You’re not the woman I married. You’re acting like you’re losing your mind!”
