Alpha Begged Me to Stay

When she was on their home, Celes felt an overwhelming weariness despite not having been physically active during the entire procedure. As she arrived, her eyes fell upon Andros waiting for her, and to her surprise, Szarina was with him.

The sight of Szarina brought back a flood of emotions for Celes. She had not yet moved past the sting of Andros leaving her to tend to Szarina and her son, and now, here Szarina was again. Celes recalled the hurt she felt upon seeing the photos of Andros and Szarina together during the Lunar Month, which Andros' mother had continuously shared in their family group chat. These pictures, filled with moments of Szarina and Andros enjoying the pack’s festivities like some power couple, had been a painful reminder of her exclusion from their family.

Throughout the Lunar Month event, Szarina had been at the center of every activity, enjoying her role as the pack's Luna. In one particularly stinging video, Andros had carried Szarina in his arms, eliciting cheers and comments from the pack members who declared them a perfect match. They indeed looked too perfect for each other, she could not even deny. It was only stopped when Ales finally commented, "Delete these, Mother, before Cel sees this."

But it was too late; she had already seen everything.

Now, back in the present, Andros could sense her disappointment. He began to explain his actions during the Lunar event, claiming he had only taken Szarina out because she was bored and needed company. She was still the Luna, and he felt it was his duty to keep her entertained. His explanations were filled with justifications, but they only deepened Celes’s sense of betrayal.

"Celes, believe me."

Andros's hand brushed against hers as he tried to force her gaze to meet his. Desperation filled his eyes as he asked if she really didn't care, or if she was just pretending to be okay out of spite. He promised it wouldn't happen again, vowing to keep his distance from Szarina from now on. His words and actions revealed that he understood the boundaries he should have maintained as a married man, yet he had repeatedly failed to honor them. His deception and lies had eroded the trust between them.

Despite his plea, Celes felt a cold realization settle in her heart: Andros no longer mattered to her. The decision had already been made; she would be leaving soon. The anger and hurt seemed distant and muted, overshadowed by a sense of finality.

"Okay, I believe you," she replied, her voice devoid of emotion, almost mechanical. The words were a formality, a step towards the inevitable end of their relationship.

Szarina, sensing the tension, excused herself and left. Celes watched her go, the sight of her retreating figure a bittersweet reminder of what had been lost. Andros tried to draw her into conversation, but Celes’s responses were curt and detached. She could see the frustration building in him, but she no longer had the energy to care.

Over the next few days, Celes focused on her training with Larkin. The work was demanding, but it provided her with a much-needed escape from the turmoil at home. Larkin's strict and no-nonsense approach kept her grounded, and she found solace in the routine of their work.

One evening, as they were wrapping up a particularly intense session, Larkin paused and looked at her intently.

"You've improved a lot, Celestine," he said, his tone unusually gentle. "Father made the right choice in choosing you as his apprentice."

Celes felt a warmth spread through her at his words.

"Thank you, Larkin," she replied, her voice soft. "I’m grateful for the opportunity."

Larkin nodded, his expression serious. "I know things are difficult, regardless if it's home or work. If you ever need anything, or if you just need to talk, I’m here."

The unexpected offer of support touched Celes deeply. Her first impression of him was bad, but guess she was wrong.

"Thank you," she said again, her voice thick with emotion. "That means a lot to me."

As she left the healer's quarters that night, Celes felt a renewed sense of determination. She would continue to grow and learn, to become the healer she had always dreamed of being. Andros's betrayal and their crumbling marriage were painful, but they no longer defined her. She was more than her relationship, more than the hurt and disappointment. She was Celestine, the healer, and she would forge her own path forward.

Back at home, Andros was waiting for her, his expression wary. "We need to talk," he said, his voice tense.

Celes nodded, bracing herself for yet another confrontation. "Yes, we do."

They sat down at the kitchen table, the air between them thick with unresolved tension. Andros took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on hers.

"I’ve been thinking a lot about us, about everything that’s happened. I know I’ve made mistakes, and you've been disappointed. I’m truly sorry. But I want to make things right."