No Second Chances for an Unfaithful Alpha

Nora POV

In the past, one of the things that would make me and Ryker go for days without saying a word to each other was me always – like he would say ‘nagging’ him about his closeness to Scarlett.

He would lash out at me and say I frustrated him but these days, I remained indifferent which unsettled him the more. He would come home late, sometimes he would leave the house again, telling me that Scarlett needed him to come to check her heater and I would just shrug without responding.

It was amusing, really… to watch him pause every time I said ‘okay’ or said nothing at all.

One morning, I was in the kitchen, preparing a new healing regimen for a patient, when he walked in. From the way he wrecked of smell and the tiredness on his face, I knew the night patrol he just got us from was indeed a long one.

“Hi!” I said not bothering to look up from what I was doing.

I heard him pause, probably waiting for more words but when it wasn’t forthcoming, he slumped onto the couch, letting out a long-exaggerated sigh. “I don’t feel so good, Nora,” he muttered. “Last night’s shift was hell, every part of my body aches. I think I might have caught something.”

In the past, as soon as he walked through that door, looking like he hadn’t slept in days, I wouldn’t even wait for him to tell me that he was sick. I would have rushed to his side with worry. I’d have dropped everything to tend to him, prepare his favourite soup, give him a massage afterwards – waiting on him hand and foot until he felt better.

But that was an older version of me.

“Oh, okay!” I paused for a second, then continued grinding the herbs.

Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw him freeze, as disbelief crossed his face. I guess he hadn’t gotten used to this new version of me yet.

“You’re not even going to ask me how I feel or if I need anything?” he asked with incredulity in his tone.

I stopped what I was doing and looked up, holding his gaze calmly. “Do you need anything?” I asked without concern in my tone.

“Seriously, Nora…” his eyes widened.

I returned to my grinding “There’s willow bark tree in the medicine cabinet. It should help with any fever or aches.”

He rose to his feet, stunned by my lack of emotion… yet! “That’s it?” he asked. “I tell you I’m ill and all you can say is there’s tea in the cabinet?”

I sighed facing him once more. “What would you have me do, Ryker? Abandon what I was doing when you walked in to nurse you through a mild illness? You’re the Alpha. I’m sure you can manage to make a cup of tea.”

His eyes narrowed. “What the hell, Nora? What’s happened to you? What’s with the attitude? You’ve changed. You’re so…cold.”

“Have I changed?” I asked him. “Or I’m no longer at your beck and call?”

His temper flared. “Wait! Is this about Scarlett? Are you still holding a grudge over that misunderstanding? I told you, we’re just friends. There’s nothing more to it.”

I shrugged casually as if he didn’t just say a whole sentence. “Okay.”

My response seemed to increase his annoyance into two folds. “Okay?” he repeated, his tone rising. “That’s all you have to say? Okay?”

“What else is there to say? Ryker?” I replied, my tone calm. “You’ve made your choices and I respect it a lot. I’ve also made mine.”

“No, you haven’t – you can’t!” he fired back. “You’re holding a grudge because I hang out with her and now, you’re being cold and distant and it’s not fair.”

I wanted to say ‘okay’ again but I restrained myself, instead, I continued grinding my herbs, acting like he wasn’t in the room with me. It wasn’t that I was holding a grudge – I simply didn’t care anymore.

I’ve stopped caring for him in general.

“Nora!” he called out my name “Say something for moon’s sake!”

I nodded, flashing him a smile. “I guess it’s fine!”

His eyes glinted with fury as he stared at me. I could tell I was driving him up the wall.

“Fine! If you want to play games, go ahead. I’m out of here!” he grabbed his jacket and stormed towards the door, slamming it behind him as he left.

“Good riddance!” I murmured with a smile.

For the first time in a long time, I felt truly free.