To Be My Alpha's Stand-In Mate

The morning dragged on as I finished the herbal medicine and infusion prescribed to me. Dizziness clouded my mind, and I could barely stand, nearly stumbling after a few unsteady steps.

I opened my phone to call Damien, but my heart sank when I saw there were no messages from him. No check-in, no updates, not even a word about where he was.

Reluctantly, I dialed his number, hoping to avoid any misunderstandings. When he heard I was still at the healer's hut, he hesitated on the other end.

“I’m sorry, Thalia. I was planning to come back for you once I took Kaia home, but... her stomach started acting up, so…”

Wait, so he took Kaia home?

Before he could explain further, I overheard a voice in the background, a server announcing, “Sir, your dishes are all served. Please enjoy your meal!”

I could hear the surprise in Damien’s voice as he quickly covered the receiver, but it was too late—I had already heard enough. He fell silent for a moment, as if realizing he had been caught.

With a sigh, I replied, “It’s fine. I can manage on my own.”

I wasn’t sure why I said it. Maybe I wanted to reassure him, or maybe I was just trying to convince myself that I was truly fine.

Just as I was about to end the call, he suddenly called my name, “Thalia, just head home. I’ll explain everything later.”

Explain what? More lies to string me along?

I ended the call without another word and arranged for a driver to take me home. But when night fell, Damien still didn’t come back.

I tried to sleep, but the sounds outside kept me awake. Through the window, I saw fireworks lighting up the sky, likely the result of someone’s romantic surprise.

A bitter smile tugged at my lips.

The noise from the fireworks kept me awake, so I grabbed my tablet and went back to sketching custom wedding gowns for a client. As I worked, my finger accidentally brushed against the chat app, revealing a recent post from Kaia.

It was a stunning photo of fireworks in the night sky, captioned with poetic words:

“After half a lifetime away, I return to you. And here, the fireworks bloom, a welcome in all its glory!”

I stared at the post for a while, my mind racing. It was only when I tried to log out that I realized Damien’s account was still open on my tablet.

I wasn’t interested in delving into their flirtations, so I quickly logged out and put the app away.

The next morning, I arrived at the office, feeling somewhat refreshed.

The manager handed me my approved resignation letter, and when she learned that the reason for leaving was because I was about to get a bond marriage and will leave the pack to transfer residence, her expression became a mix of happiness and sadness.

“I’m going to miss you. You’re one of my best team members.”

Unsure of what to say, I hugged her tightly and thanked her for all her support over the years.

Once I finished with the formalities, my colleagues insisted on a farewell lunch to celebrate my upcoming bond marriage. I didn’t decline and booked a table at a restaurant Damien and I often visited. It was one of the few places I knew well, and the food was always good.

Halfway through the meal, I excused myself to use the restroom, only to run into Kaia.

She greeted me with a bright smile, “Didn’t expect to see you here! This is the restaurant Damien first brought me after we reached our coming of age ceremony. We’ve been here so many times.”

I offered her a polite smile and started to walk away, not feeling the need for any small talk.

But she stopped me just as I was about to leave.

“I noticed last time that Damien always rinses the shrimp in water before peeling it for you. Do you also not eat spicy food?”

The word also made me pause.

The truth was, I did enjoy spicy food. But every time Damien peeled shrimp for me, he insisted on rinsing them in water. He always said it was better for my health and not to eat too many spicy foods. I had always assumed he was just being considerate. But now, I realized it wasn’t out of concern for me.

The one who didn’t eat spicy food—the one he was worried about—was Kaia.