Too Late to Claim me - I am Already Gone!

Renan stayed out late often because of his pack duties or events. I would always wait up for him. No matter the hour. I would have a hot stew simmering on the stove, or prepare some herbal tonics to reduce his headache or hangover. I did everything to ease the strain of his endless responsibilities.

But tonight, there was none of that.

Renan’s expression was clouded with frustration as he pushed past Lyla, stumbling into our home with heavy steps. He frantically looked for my belongings, searching for something in particular as he tore through the drawers, the shelves, anywhere he could think of. His shoulders only relaxed when he found my healing course certificates intact. After all, he knew how much it meant to me. It was my dream to become the best healer of the pack one day.

He let out a quiet sigh of relief, his voice low and tense. “Of course, she wouldn’t just disappear without these…”

When I tried to touch him, my hands passed through him. I was nothing but a ghost now. I could never return now. I desperately wanted to tell him the truth that I hadn’t chosen to leave. And I don't need those anymore. I was dead.

I didn’t know when Renan would find out. The car had exploded. That meant they may take some time to find out it was me. And Renan wasn't even looking for me.

“Renan, how can she be worth this much tension?” Lyla said softly, a hint of triumph in her voice as she leaned closer to him. “You need to move on.”

She guided him toward the bed, deliberately brushing past a photo frame on the mantle. It wobbled and then fell, the glass shattering across the floor.

My soul lurched as I looked at the photo. It was one of the few I had convinced Renan to take with me. We were both smiling, and he had held me in his arms. It was early in our relationship, back when he still made promises of forever. But as the years went by, those promises grew faint, and his patience wore thin.

“Oh, I am sorry… I didn’t mean to knock it over. Are you upset?” Lyla said with a small gasp, her eyes glinting as she crouched down to pick up the pieces.

Renan glanced at her, then at the broken photo. With a careless shrug, he muttered, “Leave it. It doesn’t matter anymore.”

A cold dread filled me as he bent down, picking up the picture. And then he lit his lighter.

“No, Renan, please don’t…” I whispered, my voice trembling. But he couldn't hear it.

I was nothing now, a mere shadow of what once existed. My pleas couldn’t reach him. The tiny flame flickered before catching the edge of the photograph, consuming it slowly. I stood frozen, unable to do anything but watch the fire devour our memory.

Renan let the charred remains fall inside a dustbin, his face expressionless. “What is the need for it when it feels like a lie? It's better this way.”

But Lyla wasn't done. Her eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she walked towards my dressing table. On top of it, inside a small box was my most cherished necklace. It was a simple chain with a small pendant. Not even pure gold and no stones. It wasn’t expensive, but Renan had given it to me the day he had proposed to me on our first appearance at the Blood Moon gathering as the new mate couple. I treasured it more than anything, keeping it safe from harm, knowing how much it meant.

And Lyla knew it, too.

Lyla picked up the necklace, a smug smile curling on her lips. “This necklace is quite lovely,” she mused, her voice dripping with false admiration. “I never saw her wear it.”

I clenched my fists, willing Renan to stop her, to say something, anything. But instead, he looked at the necklace with distant eyes and shrugged.

“If you want it, take it.”

It felt like I was dying all over again. He was giving away the symbol of our love, our union, without a second thought.

At that moment, I felt the last flicker of hope die.

I stood there, numb, watching Lyla slip the necklace over her head. She didn’t hesitate as she curled up beside Renan on the bed, her lips curling into a smug smile.

“If Ariella had been more like you…” Renan muttered, his voice thick with regret.

Like what? What more could I have done? Hadn’t I been there for him in every way I could?

I couldn’t understand what had gone wrong. I had given him everything. My heart, my time, my love.

But strangely, I didn’t feel pain anymore. Perhaps I had always known this was coming. Renan’s betrayal wasn’t a shock anymore. Maybe I knew already we were heading for something like this.

Renan drifted off into a fitful sleep, his arm draped over Lyla. She, however, stayed awake, her eyes glinting with satisfaction. She reached for her phone and, with a sly smile, took several pictures of them together. Moments later, I saw her sending those pictures to me.

"Renan won't leave me!"

I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. She was stupid to try to provoke me. She was stupid to do this and think she could take my place. She was stupid to think Renan could love her, only her!

He had promised 'forever' to me once. I have had my apprehensions since I was an orphan, an omega. But he said he didn't care about all that. But only seven years, and he didn't hesitate to burn our photo and give away our symbol of love.

At this moment, it felt like Renan wasn't even capable of love.

Just as I was drowning in my thoughts, Renan stirred, his eyes snapping open. His voice cut through the air like a sharp blade.

“What are you doing?”

Lyla froze with her hand still on her phone. Renan’s eyes, dark and intense, were now fixed on her. He hadn’t been asleep after all.