When I woke the following day, the first thing I noticed was the emptiness of the bed. Lewis hadn’t come home. Again. The hollow space beside me had become familiar—another reminder that I was alone in this bond. But I refused to break down again. Not today. I was Luna, and my pack needed me, even if my mate didn’t. I dragged myself out of bed and dressed for the day. The weight of curious stares followed me wherever I went, whispers behind my back, but I held my head high. I would not let them see me fall.
Hours passed, and I buried myself in the reports my assistant brought me. Work—that was all I had left. I focused on the she-wolves in our pack, determined to help them find their strength and purpose beyond just being a mate and breeding tool. They deserved more—we all did.
His voice pulled me from my thoughts as I was lost in another report.
“Elysian...” He said through our mind link again.
His voice used to stir something inside me, a spark that connected us. Now, it was just a bitter reminder of what was broken.
“What?” I asked, my voice cold, detached.
It was the Alpha. My mate. And yet, it felt like he was a stranger.
"Where are you?"
"I'm still at work."