He delayed our ceremony seven times, the eighth time I cancelled it

Three days and three nights. I lay on the cold floor of the cellar, curled into a small pump without food and water.

Everyone told me that the Alpha of the Blackwood pack was cold and ruthless. I never believed that. But now I witnessed his ruthlessness by myself.

Never did once he checked on me let alone feeding me. Occasionally, I would feel his presence on the door, giggling and gasping in Celeste's scent, making my blood run even colder.

Three days later for what felt like living hell, when the heavy iron door groaned open, I didn't expect the Alpha. I expected another taunt from Celeste or perhaps someone sent by the Goddess to take my soul.

Instead, the silhouette of Albus filled the doorway. He wasn't wearing his usual armor of cold indifference. He looked... tired.

"Diana," he said, his voice unusually soft.

I didn't move from my corner. I didn't want him to see how much I was shaking. He stepped into the cell, the expensive leather of his boots clicking against the wet stone. He knelt a few feet away, reaching out as if to touch my shoulder before drawing back.

"The physician looked at Celeste," he began, his tone lacking its usual bite. "She’s fine. The baby is stable."

There was a brief moment of pause before he continued,"The guards said they saw her heel catch on the rug. I... I reacted in the heat of the moment. Protecting the pack’s legacy is my duty, Diana. You have to understand that."

“The baby…” I whispered, no longer interested in his explanation, “Is it yours?”

Albus's hands that were reaching out to hold my shoulder stopped midway. I could feel his heart skipping a beat before he regained his composure and said, “Does it matter?”

The fact that he spoke the same words as Celeste and doesn't even care how much his betrayal could hurt me, ripped my heart apart.

“Shouldn't it, Albus?” I raised my eyebrows, my lips shivering. “You slept with her. She is carrying your child and you think it's not a big deal?”

“It was an accident, Diana!” He spat, “I have told you a million times. I was just helping her wolf feel comfortable and things just went wrong.”

“As for her baby… he will be the heir to our pack. The next full moon, I’m going to adopt the baby as our son, Diana.” He said while smiling as if he was offering me something good.

“I have talked to Celeste. She will let you raise her child as your own. This way, you will be his mother and I’ll be the Dad.”

“The next full moon, it's a big day, Diana.” He said, reaching out to hold my hands. “After you accept her baby as your own before the whole pack and they all accept him as the legitimate heir to the pack, I’ll hold the moon ceremony for you the same night.”

“We will be a family!” He added.

“What about Celeste?” I asked, “What would come of her? Where would she go?”

“She will live with us.” He replied, “That's the least you can do for her. After all, she is giving you her baby.”

I pursed my lips so hard it bled. I looked up at him to see if this was a kind of joke.

He has been offering me Celeste’s baby, a symbol of his betrayal to be his nanny while he continues embarrassing our bond in Celeste’s bed and that's even in my own house. And the audacity, he was even making it look like he was doing me a favor.

He didn't stay for long. After declaring his decision, he left.

Even though I was released from the cell, I didn't stay in the Alpha House. I simply walked out to live in the outhouse.

The next few days passed in blur. Every time I bumped into Albus, he would be either taking Celeste to see the healer or giving her a massage. Later, I locked myself in the cottage to not ruin my sight.

On the day of Full Moon night, he just left me a message.

[Tonight is the full moon. Our Moon ceremony. Don't forget.]

[Make sure to arrive on time. 7:00 PM sharp. I’ll be coming with Celeste. She is feeling weak today.]

Of course, he would be coming with Celeste or else she would again miss her dead husband. How can he have the heart to see her alone?

He can only see me alone and embarrassed in the gala when my mate will be coming with another lady in the gala, like always. After all these while, I should have gotten used to it.

I shot a short glance at the white gown his guard had delivered early in the morning. It was supposed to be my ninth mating gown.

But, I was not going to wear that.

One hour later, I stood outside my cottage waving hands for a cab.

Two hours later, I stood in the airport waiting for my flight, the small leather bag clutched to my hands.

Three hours later, I was already boarding my flight. I shot a glance at my wrist watch. It was 7:30 PM.

I grabbed my phone and saw ten missed calls and twenty messages from Albus. I didn't bother checking them.

I simply blocked his number and shut the phone off.

Goodbye, my Alpha.