When the Sparks Die

Ashley’s POV

As I stared at my phone, a deep sense of isolation washed over me.

It was my 22nd birthday, a day I had cleared entirely to spend with my boyfriend, Jared. I had worked tirelessly to keep this day free, despite the pack responsibilities I had to fulfill as the Alpha’s daughter.

Three months ago, Jared and I had made plans. He knew how much this day meant to me, but I also understood that his life was different.

Jared wasn’t just any werewolf; he was the Alpha to one of the largest, most powerful packs in the region. His duties often demanded more of him than I would like. I tried to be supportive, understanding, but lately, things felt off.

I dialed his number, praying he would pick up.

“Sigh! Pick up please”

In recent weeks, his time with me had dwindled. He claimed there was a major dispute brewing between neighboring packs, something I was all too familiar with as my father had warned me as well.

I tried to give him space, but I couldn’t shake the nagging worry that gnawed at the back of my mind. The worry wasn't just about the looming inter-pack rivalry; it was about Sara -- his first love, who had recently returned to our pack.

“Jared. Please pick up.” I whispered, as the call went straight to voicemail.

I paced around the small living room (parlour) of my cabin, trying not to think about the dangers he might be facing, or him being with Sara.

Wolves from rival packs were always eager to assert dominance or make a statement.

A notification blinked on my phone, and I hurriedly grabbed it. It was a message. I quickly opened it, hoping it would be from Jared.

“Something urgent came up.”

I sighed after reading the text, feeling a familiar pang of disappointment.

The bond between Jared and I was becoming strained, as of recent.

My mind raced back to the times we had planned something simple, like a night run through the woods or a picnic by the lake, only for him to cancel last minute due to pack matters.

But now, something else bothered me. Sara. She was more than just his ex; she was the one the pack elders had once considered his true mate. She had left years ago, but since her return, things felt different.

Jared had started to pull away, and I hated the cold emptiness it left in my chest.

I typed out a message: “Will I see you today?”

Time crawled by, my heart growing heavier with each minute that passed without a reply.

My thoughts couldn’t help but wander back to our last few dates—the ones he canceled or rescheduled, leaving me to ride my bike alone through the forest or sit by the river in silence.

It wasn't that Jared didn't love me—he did. But lately, his love felt distant, as if something or someone else had taken priority.

I stood in front of the fridge, shoving the half-melted chocolate ice cream cake back inside. As I did, I thought about our last date. Jared had promised to meet me at the lake for ice cream and stargazing. He said he was right around the corner, but after waiting fifteen minutes, I called him, only to find out he had rushed to help Sara move furniture in her new cabin.

The excuses were always so... reasonable. He couldn’t let her struggle. She needed help. But why did it have to be him?

A social media notification pulled me from my thoughts. A live video was going viral, and the caption hit me like a punch to the gut: Sara Howling Under the Full Moon.

My breath hitched. Sara had always been in the spotlight. She was the poster child of what every she-wolf wanted to be—beautiful, strong, and now a well-known model in the human world. I clicked the video, curiosity and dread swirling inside me.

The moment the video opened; my heart shattered.

There, on a moonlit cruise, was Jared. My Jared, with his arm wrapped around Sara as they laughed together.

I couldn’t help but wonder, what exactly was funny?

Actually, the laughter quiet’s fits my situation. Here I am, waiting for my boyfriend who had his arms wrapped around another woman

The intimate way he held her made my blood boil. The live feed showed them both looking up at the sky, pointing at something.

My eyes widened in disbelief as I realized what it was—It was fireworks exploding in the night sky, spelling out, Sara in glowing letters.

It was my birthday, but here he was, celebrating another woman under the full moon.

Tears stung my eyes, but they quickly turned to anger.

This was too much. Jared had never once made such a grand gesture for me, even though we’d been together for over a year. I’d always been the one to wait, to be patient, to understand that his responsibilities came first. But what was this? This was a blatant mockery to my efforts.

I dialed his number, my hands trembling with fury.

He picked up on the third ring, his voice calm, almost bored. “Ashley, what’s with all the calls?”

“Excuse me for interrupting your very “public” date,” I spat, my voice trembling with a mix of hurt and sarcasm and I made sure to emphasize on the word, public.

“I’m busy at work,” Jared replied, his tone clipped.

Work? That’s what he called this? Did he think he was lying to a one-year-old, what did he take me for?

“I can see how ‘busy’ you are,” I said, my voice shaking. “Busy holding hands with Sara under the moonlight and fireworks.”

There was silence on the other end, but I could hear him exhale sharply. “Are you accusing me of something, Ashley?”

“If you don’t want me to, tell me where you are right now,” I demanded, even though I already knew the answer.

“I’m at work. There’s a lot going on with the packs. I could be ambushed at any moment, so calm down!” His voice raised, frustration creeping in.

I clenched the phone tightly, watching the livestream of him laughing with Sara. This wasn’t about pack business. This was about betrayal.

“You know what, Jared? Don’t even think of coming back to me.”

“What the hell makes you think you can talk to me like that?” he growled; his anger clear.

“It doesn’t matter,” I replied coldly. “Enjoy your night with your future Luna.”

I hung up before he could respond, my chest heaving as I stared at the screen. The livestream ended, and I turned my phone to flight mode, unable to bear hearing his excuses anymore.

Tonight, I wasn’t just losing a boyfriend. I was losing a connection, a bond I thought would be unbreakable.

The full moon hung heavy in the sky as I sat alone in my small cabin, letting the silence and my own sorrow consume me.

I felt like a fool.

But I won't continue like this!

I packed my things and left a note: Let's cut ties!

Finally, I left with my things without looking back.