Alpha, Let's break our bond

Erick didn't return after that day. Days passed by and I received no call or messages from him. I didn't know where he went and I didn't bother calling him to ask where he was. After a few days, my phone beeped with a message from him. He told me he got some Pack’s chore to handle and had to go out of town on short notice. He even shared his location with me.

[Okay, stay safe and take care of yourself.] I texted him, a sad sigh escaped through my lips.

I had just put my phone back after sending him the reply that I got notification from my social media account. It was again from ‘Sweet Angel'. Christine made a post with a caption that read [ Seeing the sunset with your loved one is the best scene in the world! I have been feeling bored for the past few days. Someone insisted on taking me out for a holiday to refresh my mind.]

The location she shared matched with Erick’s location. They were in the same town at the same time. There was a picture with the post. Christine’s hands were wrapped around a man’s shoulder. His neck and the part below it was visible. There was a heart-shaped pendant hanging on his neck. The letter ‘L’ written on the heart pierced through my eyes. It teased my eyes with a burning sensation.

On our first wedding anniversary, I bought two heart shaped pendants with each other's initials. I wore one with ‘E’ written on it and gifted the other heart with ‘L’ to Erick. He didn't like the wedding gift. He didn't want to wear it at first. According to him it was cringe. After my continuous insistence, he wore it. However, he always hid it with his shirt’s collar or muffler. He didn't want anybody to see it.

I looked at the heart pendant hanging on my neck. It felt like a heavy weight was on me and I couldn't carry it anymore. I pulled out the pendant and threw it on my desk’s drawer. I didn't want to even look at it.

After that office work became the excuse to divert my mind. I busied myself in team building to not think about Erick or Christine. It was the easiest way of pushing aside my emotions. From that day, I stopped thinking where Erick was and when he would be returned.

One day I was coming out of my office. Unexpectedly, he showed himself at the main door. A wave of surprise passed through me. I hadn't heard from him for a long time and his sudden arrival at my office was something I would never have expected. Not too far, his long car was parked.

“When did you arrive?” I blurted out.

“What are you doing here?” I asked in a tired voice. The day was very exhausting today. I had been taking interviews from morning to evening, and hadn't left my seat except for meals and natural calls.

“Lizzy, do you know what day today is?” he asked, looking surprised with my question.

“Monday?” I replied innocently which left him in a daze.

“Lizzy, How can you forget our wedding anniversary? It's our wedding anniversary today.” He blurted out. I pursed my lips. I indeed forgot about it. It was surprising to me as well.

“Ah… I have been really busy these days. It slipped through my mind. I’m sorry.” I replied casually. Erick was stunned for a moment. He asked in an excited voice, “ Lizzy, you used to care about these things more than anyone. How could you forget it?”

He was right. In the past, I used to be excited for his birthday and our wedding anniversary. I used to start preparing everything a month earlier. From arranging food and decoration to inviting all his friends, family and colleagues. They were all done by me. I would spend a lot of time selecting meaningful gifts for him which he would always complain about before accepting. He didn't even like the idea of celebrating these days. According to him, it was childish and didn't suit his ‘Alpha’ image.

I remember on our first wedding anniversary, I threw a surprise party for him. I prepared everything and invited his friends over. But, he went mad on me. He didn't even care about my reputation in front of his pack members and shouted at me before everyone. According to him I should have informed him before gathering the ‘crowd’ at his home. This way, ‘surprise parties’ changed into ‘informed parties’, then only ‘small celebration’ until the spak finally died and I no longer craved his presence. However, I had always arranged something for our special day. Even if it's just a special dinner prepared by me at home. But this time, I simply forgot about it.

“Come, let's go. I have prepared a dinner date for us. Let's celebrate our anniversary together.” said Erick, pulling me back from my thoughts.

“Erick! I’m very tired today. How about we go home and rest.” I said in a low voice. He chuckled before replying, “ What are you saying? I have arranged everything for you. You can't cancel our plan.”

His plan was ‘our’ and my plans always needed permission from him. I smiled sarcastically as he led me to his car. Without waiting for my response, he opened the front door of his car and asked me to sit there. I sat inside the car.

Erick began driving while I remained silent. A few times, he glanced at the rearview mirror to see my reflection. He was looking for the slightest expression of joy or surprise in my face. However, I remained indifferent throughout the journey. He couldn't stay silent anymore and asked, “ Lizzy, is everything alright?”

“ What do you think is wrong?” I asked while raising my eyebrows.

“ Are you upset with me?” He asked, still observing my expression through the rear view mirror.

“ No, I’m fine.” I denied flatly.

“Then why are you pulling the long face?” His voice was filled with annoyance as he continued, “I’m putting so much effort here. I came back to celebrate our anniversary, arranged a dinner date for us. Can't you just pretend to be happy about it?”

I pursed my lips as I turned to him, saying ironically, “Thank you very much for the surprise, Erick. I’m glad you planned everything for me.”

My appreciation was as flat as his several promises. I could see him getting irritated as he let out a sigh, saying, “Fine! I’ll not see Christine from now on. Can you stop being angry at me?”