The Alpha Prince's Lover

Casey

I was packing up my things when Shia’s message came in. I ignored it until the last box was taped shut.

Bella’s birthday is tomorrow. Come with me. I already sent you a dress.

I sighed. What was the point of me standing beside him anymore? That question gnawed at what little feeling I still had left.

I have a meeting with my professor. Sorry, go with your friends instead.

The moment I hit send, his call lit up my phone.

I didn’t answer. Silent mode was my escape.

By the time I stepped out that evening, my savings were enough for a smaller apartment closer to campus.

That was my plan—to shrink my world, piece by piece, until Shia was no longer in it.

But the next morning, he was there.

Leaning against his sport car, arms crossed, dark glasses hiding the storm in his eyes. A bad boy through and through.

I tried to turn away, but his hand caught mine.

“Who told you to move out of our apartment?” His voice was low, hard.

“I don’t—”

“Get in the car. We’re talking inside.”

Like always, I obeyed.

Five years of our bond had trained me too well. No public fights. No cracks in the contract.

“Answer me.”

“I don’t love you anymore, Shia. Let’s end this. You’ve already gone back to who you were.”

His jaw tightened. “Is this about Bella? Don’t twist it, Casey. I saved one of my omegas—she was being harassed. That’s my duty as Alpha.”

“It didn’t look like just that.” I turned to the window, voice flat. “I can tell the difference, Shia.”

“Don’t blow this out of proportion. You want money? Bags? Shoes? Jewelry? I’ll buy it all. Just come back home.”

“No.”

I opened the door and stepped out. His shout followed me.

“I don’t care. You’ll come with me tonight, Casey.”

And he made good on his threat.

By evening, his wolves dragged me back.

Shia was waiting, arrogant and reckless, the same man I had met five years ago.

“You look pale.”

“I’m tired, Shia.”

He ignored me, ordered an omega to dress me up, and soon I was molded into the sweet, pretty doll he wanted by his side.

At Bella’s party, she sparkled brighter than anyone. A Cinderella reborn, basking in Shia’s attention.

“Alpha Shia, thank you for this. The party, the dress, the jewelry… I love it.”

And then, right in front of me, she hugged him.

My chest tightened. They weren’t even hiding it anymore. I slipped away, grabbed a glass of champagne.

For a moment, I swore someone was watching me, but when I turned—no one. I was invisible.

The alcohol sent me to the restroom, but when I came back, my world shattered.

Shia was kissing Bella.

The glass slipped from my hand, shattering against marble.

All eyes turned, but I was already running heels echoing, gown dragging, heart in pieces.

“Casey!” Shia’s voice chased me, but I didn’t look back.

The night air was sharp against my skin. I bolted into the street, blinded by tears—then headlights, a horn, the violent crack of impact.

The world went dark.

**

I woke to harsh white light, body aching, an IV in my arm. Voices drifted in from the hall.

“Poor girl… hit and run, just left there.”

“Yeah, but I saw Shia Renouf carrying another girl in. Said she twisted her ankle while dancing. He looked so worried. Must be trouble between them.”

My heart froze. So, Shia carried Bella like a hero while I bled alone?

I pulled the IV out, dressed, and staggered toward the corridor.

And there he was—pushing Bella in a wheelchair.

“Casey…” His face flickered.

Bella spoke first, soft and sweet, all fake innocence. “Don’t misunderstand. After you left, Alpha Shia was devastated. I only wanted to comfort him. But I was clumsy, hurt my ankle, and he couldn’t leave me alone…”

Her eyes glistened like she was the victim.

Shia added, firm but colder than I remembered, “I told my warriors to bring you here. But I couldn’t abandon Bella.”

I looked at them both. Bella lowered her gaze, pretending to blush.

Shia stood tall, convinced of his own righteousness.

Something inside me went numb. Like glass sealing off my heart.

“I understand,” I said flatly.

No fight left. No reason left.

Back in my room, a doctor came in holding a file. His eyes were heavy.

“Miss Stone… I’m sorry. The tests confirm it. You have leukemia. And from the stage it’s at… you may not have more than a year.”

The word leukemia hollowed me out. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

One year—that was all the time stamped across my life.

The doctor kept talking, but his voice faded into static.

My fingers tightened around the paper, trembling, as if I could crush the truth out of existence.

I wasn’t just Casey anymore. I was a countdown. A girl with an expiration date.

The weight of it pressed down on me until even my tears refused to fall.

I walked out of the hospital into the night, my body moving though my mind was ash.

At my apartment, my phone buzzed. A message from Bella.

Casey, I’m sorry. But I think I’ve won Alpha Shia’s heart. He needs someone who truly understands him.

I stared at the screen. My fingers typed without hesitation.

Congratulations, Bella. You can have him. Our relationship ended yesterday. You two are perfect for each other.

I hit send without hesitation. No more tears or pain.

Only the bitter truth of finally letting go.