Goodbye, My Alpha

The room erupted with laughter.

Louise, hearing the jest, was overjoyed, playfully grabbing Andrew's arm. "Hey, don't be so tough on Lina. She's not like me; she hasn't traveled much or met many people. The fact that she's willing to bury her nose in books shows she's got ambition!"

She craned her neck to peek at the book in my hand. "Is that a medical text? Lina, to be a healer, reading alone won't cut it. You need real-world experience and wisdom! You've got to be bold, travel between packs like I do—that's how you learn the good stuff!"

Louise went on bragging about her adventures, and everyone looked on with admiration and awe.

Andrew's gaze, which had been filled with irritation because of me, softened into tenderness and affection when he turned to her. "You're incredibly brave for a girl, Louise! I wouldn't even dare dream of doing what you do."

"Obviously, I'm not one of those women who just orbits around home and their mate! My goal is to master the art of healing, to be a true support to my Alpha."

Louise shot me a scornful look. She puckered her red lips and slumped against Andrew, whispering hotly in his ear, "And let's not forget, when it comes to the bedroom, I can hold my own against any woman."

Andrew's pale ears blushed a delicate pink.

Louise, seeing his reaction, taunted me with even more glee, "Looks like our Alpha's got needs that aren't being met, Lina. Seems you're falling short in your duties.

"You know, there are these wild magical herbs up in Northland that bloom right before the full moon. Eat them, and even the most indifferent male will spend the night with you. Sounds like they're made for you!"

I noticed a flicker of recognition cross Andrew's face as if the name of the herb struck a chord.

"You're mistaken." I snapped the medical book closed and faced Louise head-on. "The magical herbs bloom the day after a full moon, known for their detoxifying properties. It's said to induce a hallucination of love, but only with one's destined partner. Otherwise, it's as good as useless.

"You got the effects and the harvest time all wrong. Looks like your expertise isn't that impressive, Louise," I said with a hint of mockery.

Louise went pale instantly, and Andrew, standing beside him, froze, his eyes flickering with a mix of reproach and curiosity.

I did not care about his reaction.

The female friend, defending her, snapped at me, "Stop putting on airs! Everyone knows you're just cooking and washing feet all day, flipping through a couple of pages, and then you think you're some kind of herbalist from Northland? Why not claim you've been there too?"

I met her gaze steadily. "I have, indeed."

The table burst into laughter. "Oh please, you can't even tell a convincing lie. You've never left our pack, right?"

"Yeah, what else do you know besides the kitchen, the bathroom, and Andrew's big bed?"

"Lina, you look so grumpy today. Did Andrew's mom splash you with foot water again?"

Ignoring their taunts, I reached for the book on the table, ready to leave, when I noticed Louise, tears brimming in her eyes, clutching at Andrew's sleeve, looking utterly wronged.

"Andrew, I came back just to wish you well. I didn't expect your mate to be so unwelcoming!

"Magical herb is an aphrodisiac, plain and simple. Her lies are just a way to bully and discredit me! If she doesn't welcome me, then I'll just go..."

Louise tried to rise, but Andrew forced her back down, his face a stormy shade of blue as he hissed a warning at me, "Apologize to Louise for your lies."

I gripped my medical text, defiant. "And what if I refuse?"

"Don't even think about leaving this restaurant without the Alpha's say-so."

The guy next to me, seeing I was not talking, snatched the medical tome I was gripping. Sheets of herbal notes fluttered to the floor, and one I missed was scooped up by Andrew, his brow furrowed in confusion.

The man beside him peered over with a mix of curiosity and surprise, blurting out, "Is this stuff from Northland? Lina, did you actually go there?"