Goodbye, Mate

I had been away from the pack house for three days now, yet my mate hadn't bothered to search for me. It was not the first time I went to my best friend's during our heated arguments about Amber. But this time, he was convinced it was just another one of my dramatic episodes. He didn't feel the need to pacify me, so he didn’t even bother to look.

At that moment, through a mindlink, Amber's voice trembled, "Alpha, there's a blizzard tonight. I'm really scared. Can you come and stay with me?"

I observed Chris's hand tighten momentarily before he replied, "I'm mated. It wouldn't be appropriate for me to come over." It was shocking to get that answer from him knowing he could not bear resisting his first love.

Just when I thought he was being reasonable, he continued, "Why don't you come to my place instead? She's not home."

Even Amber seemed surprised. "Chris, that's not right. What if she suddenly returns? We won't be able to explain."

I couldn't help but scoff inwardly. She knew exactly what she was doing. Here she was, feigning innocence.

However, Chris insisted, "What do we have to explain to her? This is my home, my pack at that, and you're my friend. I don't care what she thinks!" He paused, "So don’t worry, okay?”

“Fine. Besides, Hillary won't come back,” she confidently said out of nowhere.

Upon hearing her say those words, Chris suddenly fell silent, then after a few seconds, he cautiously asked, "How can you be so sure?"

As if realizing what she had just said, her tone had shifted, she added quickly, "I mean, did Hillary have another argument with you?"

Chris grunted, "On our ten-year anniversary, I told Hillary I was going to see you." He stopped talking through the mindlink, but it seemed like he could no longer contain his emotions. "Damn it, we're innocent, but she always doubts so much! Why did the Moon Goddess pair me with such a spineless wolf? Why couldn't my fated mate be you?"

"Amber, I'm sorry. I didn't reject her immediately at that time because she's the daughter of another pack's Alpha; rejecting her could lead to war between the packs. But now I've made up my mind. I don't care about wars and bloodshed anymore; you are what matters. When she returns, I'll reject her outright. Whether or not you're my mate, I want you to be my true Luna. She doesn't deserve to be my Luna!"

Hearing him say this, a bitter laugh almost escaped me.

The funny thing is, he would never get the chance to reject me in person because I was already gone. Too bad, huh? Perhaps death was better than being disrespected as his mate my whole life.

They claimed innocence, but no sane person would celebrate a ten-year anniversary with an ex-lover after having a mateship ceremony. And it happened to be my death anniversary.

Chris, next year on this day, will you celebrate your anniversary with your first love, or mourn my death?

Meanwhile, the same night, Amber rushed to the pack house. As soon as they met, she eagerly threw herself into my mate’s arms. Pain ran across my being as I witnessed their affection.

"Chris, it's so dark outside. I'm scared," she murmured.

I rolled my eyes silently, masking all the emotions I was feeling deep inside.

Chris held her close, reassuringly patting her back. "Don't be afraid. I'm here, okay?"

Amber leaned against his shoulder. "Chris, you're my light."

As the night grew deeper, Amber prepared for bed. She entered my bathroom, closed the door, and used my bathroom necessities, leaving them scattered with lids open. She was thick-faced enough to touch another person’s belongings.

She sneered, "Hillary, since you're not coming back anyway, I'm sure you won't mind."

In the mirror, I watched silently. My anger was already consuming me, and if only I could grab and pull her hair, I would.

Suddenly, the thunder rumbled, and in a flash of lightning, it seemed there was an extra figure on the mirror, making Amber scream her lungs out, calling Chris.

Out of concern, Chris rushed in like a knight, protecting Amber in his arms.

Trembling, she asked, "Is this okay? What if your mate suddenly comes back?"

"She won't," he replied firmly, still coaxing her.

After a moment's pause, he added with a determined look on his face, "Even if she sees us, she has no right to say anything. If not for her, you wouldn't have had to leave back then, and we wouldn't have spent all these years apart." He, then, kissed her forehead and proceeded, "You don't need to care about her at all. Even if she dies outside, it means nothing to me."

Well, my Alpha, your wish has come true. I hope my death truly means nothing to you.