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.
