Cast the Alpha away

The door creaked open in the middle of the night, rousing me from restless sleep. I didnt need to turn around to know who it was.

Cassian.

The bed dipped beside me as he settled in, his presence filling the space that once felt warm but now only suffocated me. A hand reached out, fingers grazing my hair with practiced gentleness.

What did the healer say today? His voice was soft, careful.

A scent clung to himsubtle but unmistakable. A she-wolfs fragrance. Not mine.

The pang in my chest was immediate, but I ignored it. I had gotten too good at doing that.

Oh, nothing important, I murmured, shifting just enough to avoid his touch. I forced a smile, though I knew it didnt quite reach my eyes. Everythings fine.

Cassian hesitated. My position as Alpha has been giving me a hectic schedule lately, he offered, the words too rehearsed, too smooth.

Right.

The lies were piling up again.

Rolling onto my side, I faced away from him. Maybe you should take a shower before going to bed.

For a second, silence stretched between us. Then, without another word, he rose, and the sound of running water filled the air. I lay still, listening, waiting. Not for him. Not for an explanation. Just waiting for the feeling in my chest to disappear.

Because I no longer cared.

...

The realization hadnt come all at once. It was gradual, creeping in like a slow-burning fire that eventually consumed everything.

Two months had passed since my abortion. It had been an accidentI had slipped, the impact causing too much stress on my stomach. The miscarriage that followed had been inevitable.

Cassian had agreed to accompany me to my checkup today. But, as always, when the time came, he found an excuse to leave.

I no longer felt the need to chase after him.

Instead, I sat quietly in the sterile infirmary, listening to the distant sounds of the pack outside. The healers handed me my test results and medication. I swallowed the pills without much thought and left.

The old me would have been heartbroken. The old me would have waited, clinging to the hope that Cassian would come back, that maybejust maybethis time would be different.

But that girl was gone.

The final push had come not long after I stepped outside the infirmary.

Selene, you can go home on your own, right? I still have things to do.

Cassians voice in my mind link was casual, indifferent.

Once upon a time, I would have begged. But I need you, Alpha. Please, just this once.

Instead, I replied, Fine.

I took a cab back to the pack house, my mind blank. As I settled into my seat, I found myself glancing back at the infirmarys entrance. Cassians car was still parked outside.

So why had he left me?

The answer came not long after.

Scrolling through Twitter on autopilot, I saw a notification. A post tagging Cassian.

[Just had a small scratch, but he insisted on dragging me to the pack's infirmary and has been accompanying me since! After all this time, you're still the best!]

The words didnt sting. They should have, but they didnt.

I had expected it.

Sienna Vaughn.

I knew her well. Who wouldnt? She was Cassians childhood sweetheart. Years ago, she had left with her Alpha mate, only to return recently, a fallen Luna with a child in tow after her mates death.

The moment she set foot back in Moonvale Town, it had been clear where Cassians heart truly lay.

I had just been a placeholder during her absence.

And I had been foolish enough to believe that was enough.

...

Later that evening, Cassian returned home. He didnt come alone.

I stood in the dimly lit hall of the pack house, watching as he entered, Sienna at his side. In his arms, he carried her child, holding them as though they belonged there.

From behind, they looked like a family.

A dry chuckle escaped me before I could stop it. The child needs a father figure, huh? My voice was steady, empty. Then spend more time with them, Alpha.

Cassian stopped in his tracks. His grip on my arm was immediate, almost desperate. His eyes bore into mine, searching for somethinganything.

Selene, he murmured, his voice raw, uncertain. Why dont you care anymore?

Why dont I care anymore?

Because caring had become exhausting. Because loving him had drained me until there was nothing left.

The first real crack had appeared long ago. I just hadnt wanted to see it.

The Alpha Gala photos that had landed in my inbox a few weeks ago should have been my breaking point. The images of Cassian and Sienna, standing too close, his hand lingering at the small of her back.

But I hadnt confronted him.

I hadnt said anything at all.

That night, when Cassian finally came to bed, I had simply turned away.

That was the moment I knew.

I didnt need to leave Cassian.

Because I had already let him go.

The following day swept me into a flurry of responsibilities. As Luna, my duties to the pack consumed my time and energy. After wrapping up the morning meeting, a mind link from Cassian interrupted my focushis tone laced with irritation.

"Selene, why didnt you wake me up? You left early without telling me, and now Ive overslept."

A familiar wave of frustration surged through me. Since our mating, I had devoted myself entirely to him, attending to his every need. Each morning, I carefully laid out his clothes, lovingly prepared his breakfast, and gently woke him to ensure his day started smoothly. This routine, one I had meticulously upheld, had become second nature to me. Yet, his tone now revealed an unsettling truthmy acts of love had turned into mere obligations and duties he expected me to perform without question.

Taking a deep breath, I let the weight of my realization settle. I was not his caretakerI was his Luna. His unreasonable demands were not mine to obey.

"Well, since youre running late, youd better get up soon," I replied, my voice carrying a subtle edge.

"What am I going to wear today?" he asked, as if dressing himself was an impossible task.

"Just pick something from the closet, Alpha. Everything you need is there," I answered, my patience wearing thin.

"But I cant find it..." His voice trailed off into a familiar whine of dependence.

An Omega called for me, and I seized the opportunity to end the ridiculous conversation.

"I have other matters to attend to. Youll have to manage on your own," I said, turning away.

Barely a moment passed before his voice pierced through the mind link again.

"The shirts are wrinkled! You didnt iron them? How am I supposed to attend a meeting like this?"

And, as expected, another complaint followed.

"You didnt prepare anything to eat!"

As his words echoed in my mind, the weight of my choices bore down on me. I had given up my wolfmy essenceto be with Cassian. I had envisioned a life filled with love, pups, and leadership by his side. But now, those dreams feel foolish, na?ve. Staying with him no longer held any appeal. I felt nothing but emptiness.

Desperate for peace, I left the pack house and wandered into a nearby town. There, I found solace in an inn catering exclusively to she-wolves. A sanctuary. A place where I could momentarily escape the suffocating weight of my regrets.

Lying on the bed, I stared at the wooden ceiling, lost in memories. Regret clawed at me as I reflected on the past. Then, a mind link shattered my thoughts.

"My daughter..." My mothers voicesoft yet filled with concern. The Moon Goddess. She had always been my guiding light, warning and advising me. And yet, here I was, drowning in remorse.

Her voice was a balm to my wounded spirit, a reminder that I was not alone. But it also served as a stark symbol of the price I had paid for my choicesa burden I would carry forever.

Flashback

My 18th birthdaya momentous day for every wolf.

"Are you excited to find out who your mate is?" my mother asked, her eyes shimmering with both joy and apprehension.

"Yes, Mom! Can you show me?" My heart pounded in anticipation.

With a wave of her hand, the mystical orb she possessed revealed my destined mate. As the image materialized, I saw himAlpha Cassian of the Celestial Night Pack in Moonvale Town. His strong, commanding presence filled the orb. My heart soared. But then, my mothers smile faded into something more troubled.

"Your mate..." she began, her voice tinged with hesitation.

"What is it, Mom?" A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach.

Her gaze softened, her concern unmistakable. "He is cursed. His bloodline has been plagued for generations. This curse was placed on by a wolfless woman, betrayed by his ancestoran Alpha who was friends with a powerful witch. It is a dangerous fate, Selene."

My mind reeled. "What kind of curse? What happened?"

With a deep sigh, she explained, "Many years ago, an Alpha from Cassians lineage cruelly rejected his wolfless mate. He belittled her, played with her emotions, and tormented her until she was driven to abort their unborn child. In despair and fury, she sought the aid of her closest friendthe most powerful witch of that time. Together, they cursed his bloodline. Every Alpha would be doomed to make their mate wolfless. If you choose Cassian, you will lose your wolf. Your wolf will never wake again."

A pang of sorrow pierced my heart. But as I gazed at the orb, I saw more than a curseI saw the man I had loved long before I knew he was my mate.

"But..." I hesitated. My love for Cassian burned brighter than any warning. "Mom, I dont care anymore. Im so sorry, but I will choose my mate!"

Her eyes widened in silent plea. "Are you sure? Think carefully, my daughter. Wont you regret losing your wolfyour essence?"

I inhaled deeply, the weight of my decision pressing upon me. "But, Mom, choosing my wolf means turning away from my fated mate. I choose Alpha Cassian."

End of Flashback

Regret coursed through me. The choice I had made for love now felt like a distant echo of foolishness. I had embraced my mate, only to later realize the depth of my sacrifice.

Outside the window, darkness had settled. I remained silent, ignoring my mothers mind link. I couldnt face hernot after what I had done. The weight of my regret was unbearable, and I let the stillness of the inn swallow me whole.

Then, Cassians mind link intruded again, his voice brimming with impatience.

"Why arent you home yet? Wheres dinner?"

A deep, unsettling revulsion stirred within me at the thought of returning to him. I chose to stay at the inn, savoring the quieta stark contrast to the chaos I had left behind.

If only. If only I had listened to my motherthe wisdom of the Moon Goddess. I could have been the Lunar Princess, radiating power and grace, instead of this pitiful Luna, shackled to a faithless Alpha.

"I had something urgent to take care of," I lied, my voice steady despite the turmoil within. "Let the maids cook dinner tonight."

His surprise was palpable. "What?"

In the past, the very idea of eating food prepared by the maids was beneath him. I had been the one to cater to his every meal, dedicating myself to his comforts.

"Is there a problem?" I asked, my tone edged with challenge.

A pause. Then, his voice softened, hesitant. "No. Just... take care of yourself."

"Thank you," I replied flatly, devoid of warmth.

A heavy silence stretched between us before he finally asked, "Selene, are you angry?"

His questionso painfully latestirred something within me. Anger, perhaps. But mostly, disappointment. Was he truly this oblivious, or did he simply not care?

Yet, with startling clarity, I realized it no longer mattered. The anger had long since faded, leaving behind nothing but emptiness.

"Im not angry," I murmured, more to myself than to him.

Anger was a luxury I could no longer afford.

With an apologetic tone, Cassian reached out through our mind link. "Selene, it's difficult for Sienna to raise a child on her own. She doesnt know anyone else hereshe only has me."

His words hit me like a slap. It was as if he had forgotten that I, too, only had him. But of course, that never mattered to him.

"I already understand, okay? She must have been through a lot," I replied, forcing myself to sound calm.

However, the sarcasm in my voice didnt go unnoticed. Cassian's reaction was immediate and defensive. "Selene, whats that supposed to mean? Whats with your attitude?"

"I said I understand," I repeated, now with an unmistakable edge in my tone. "Is there a problem with that?"

"Do you have to talk to me like that?" he snapped, frustration creeping into his voice.

I let out a tired sigh. "What do you want me to say?" I countered, feeling my patience wear thin.

A heavy silence settled between us. After a moment, Cassian muttered a curt, "Fine! Do as you wish," before abruptly severing the mind link.

The irony wasnt lost on me. If I questioned his visits to Sienna, I was the annoying one. If I asked when he planned to return, I was still the problem. Now, even trying to be understanding is met with irritation.

I shut my eyes tightly, trying to push away the frustration. There were far more important things to focus onlike rediscovering my own path, even if it meant losing the version of myself I once knew. Could I do that, now that I had sacrificed my wolf?

The night stretched on as I lingered in the inn, drowning in regrets and unanswered questions. The thought of returning to the pack house was unbearable, yet when I finally did, Cassian was already gone. I took a shower, hoping to wash away the exhaustion, and crawled into bed, seeking refuge in sleep.

Just as I began to drift off, Cassians urgent mind link jolted me awake.

"Selene my stomach it hurts."

I mumbled a barely coherent response, too exhausted to care. In my sleep, I vaguely registered him calling my name again, but it felt distant, unimportant.

Sometime later, the sound of the door opening startled me awake. Cassian stood by the bed, his face twisted in pain.

"Selene, why dont you care anymore? You used to worry when I was sick!"

His words stirred up memories I had tried to bury. Once, when he had a stomachache, I had rushed to his office with medicine despite the pouring rain. I arrived drenched, disheveleda sight that drew laughter from his wolf subordinates. Cassian did nothing to stop them. He simply told me not to show up at his office again because, in his words, I was an embarrassment.

If it hadnt been for Beta Adrian and his quiet kindnesshanding me my favorite chocolate tea to warm me upI might have shivered all the way back to the pack house. Adrian had always been my silent protector. Every time Cassian belittled me or treated me like a servant, Adrian was there, offering a small act of comfort.

I suddenly realized that Adrian had transferred to the Celestial Night Pack around the same time I did. We had known each other since childhood, growing up in the same town. We spent countless hours playing together, running through the woods like normal children. We had even attended the exclusive school for wolves together. That was where I had first seen Alpha Cassianand foolishly, I had fallen for him long before discovering he was my mate.

Lost in these thoughts, I was pulled back to the present by Cassians expectant gaze.

"Are you feeling better now?" I asked, rubbing my eyes. "We might be out of medicine. Maybe you can get some yourself."

Cassian stared at me, his frustration evident. Without warning, he grabbed my arm, his grip tight. "Selene, how long are you going to keep fighting with me about Sienna? Ive told you, theres nothing between us!"

His words hung in the air, but I met them with a calmness that surprised even me. "Oh, okay," I said evenly, my lack of emotion standing in stark contrast to his anger.

His frustration boiled over, and he stormed out, slamming the door behind him.

The silence that followed was liberating.

And as I sat there in the quiet, my thoughts drifted back to Adrianthe only person who had ever truly been there for me.

The days blended into a dull, unchanging cycle. After Cassian stormed out, he stayed away for several days, and I made no effort to ask where he had gone. On the third day, he finally reached out through our mind link.

"I'm heading to another pack for a meeting," he informed me.

"Okay, stay safe," I responded, a dry chuckle escaping my lips as the link faded.

Absentmindedly, I opened my social media. A post from Sienna on Twitter immediately caught my attention:

[First holiday in what seems like forever. I never thought I'd miss the sand on my feet! Someone insisted on bringing me to the beach!]

The attached photo showed my mates hand, his mateship ring still on his finger. The location tagged in her tweet was the same place Cassian had just mentioned.

Suddenly, the ring on my own finger felt unbearably heavy, as if it burned against my skin. Without hesitation, I yanked it off and tossed it into a drawer. From that moment on, I threw myself into my duties as Luna, using an endless list of tasks to drown out the turmoil inside me. I no longer cared whenor ifCassian would return. I simply worked and worked until exhaustion claimed me, leaving no room for anything else.

One day, Cassian unexpectedly arrived at the pack house to pick me up. I was caught off guard by the sight of his familiar car parked outside. Fatigue from the days work clung to me as I approached him.

"Why are you here?" I asked quietly.

"Did you forget today is our mateship anniversary?" he replied, opening the car door for me.

"Oh," I mumbled. "Sorry. Ive been really busy, and it slipped my mind."

"You used to care about this the most. How could you forget?" Cassians voice held both disbelief and disappointment.

In the past, I had never missed a single occasionour mateship anniversary, his birthday, any milestone. I used to plan elaborate dinners, carefully choosing every detail, all to make him feel cherished. But what once brought him joy eventually became an inconvenience.

I vividly remembered the time I threw him a surprise party at a restaurant. Instead of being touched, Cassian had pulled me aside, his expression one of embarrassment. "Selene, youre making such a big deal out of this. Everyones looking at us. Its very uncomfortable, you know?" he had said, dragging me away in front of the pack warriors and his Beta.

Now, standing before him, I realized there was nothing left to celebrate. The love and devotion that once defined our bond had faded into nothingness.

"Come on, lets go have dinner and celebrate," he urged, gesturing toward the car.

As he drove, silence settled between us like an unspoken barrier. He kept glancing at me, searching my face for any flicker of the enthusiasm I once had.

"Whats wrong? Are you upset?" he finally asked, breaking the tension.

"No," I said, shaking my head.

"No?" he echoed, frustration creeping into his voice. "Then whats with the attitude? Here I am, making an effort, picking you up for dinner. Cant you at least pretend to appreciate it?"

His words hung between us, but I found myself unable to respond. The Cassian who had once meant everything to me now felt like a stranger, and I couldn't force myself to care. His so-called "effort" felt hollow, meaningless. The bond that had once tethered us together had unraveled, leaving nothing but silence in its wake.

"I'm not angry, Alpha."

"Fine!" he huffed. Then, as if throwing me a lifeline, he added, "I promiseno more contact with Sienna, okay?"

I stared at him, my emotions tangled. Did he truly believe that a simple promise could erase months of lies and betrayal?

"Are you happy now?" he pressed, his gaze locked onto mine, searching for a reaction.

I said nothing.

The rest of the drive was steeped in silence. At the restaurant, Cassian had gone all outour table was adorned with flowers, and beside my plate sat a wrapped gift. It was a picture-perfect setting, designed to mimic romance. Around us, other diners cast admiring glances, but I felt nothing, as if I were watching someone elses life unfold before me.

Before I could even open my gift, Cassians phone rang. I watched as his expression darkened with concern.

"Fever? Do you have any medicine? I cant take you to the packs infirmary today, I have something to do. What? That high? Okay, wait for me. I'll be right over."

As he hung up, he turned to me, his face taut with awkwardness. "Selene, it's Sienna. Her child has a fever. I need to"

A lump formed in my throat, but I forced it down. "It's fine," I said, my voice eerily monotone. "You should go. The child's more important."

He hesitated for a moment, his eyes searching mine for some hint of resistance.

"Wait for me to come back and pick you up. I'll be back soon," he promised before grabbing his coat and rushing out.

I sat there alone, staring at the half-eaten cake in front of me. Outside, rain drummed against the window, mirroring the storm within me. But I refused to cry. Taking a deep breath, I forced myself to finish the cake, savoring its sweetness despite the bitterness curling in my heart. Then, without a second glance at the abandoned gift, I stood up and left the restaurant.

As I stepped into the drizzle, a car passed by and came to a stop. The window rolled down, revealing Beta Adrian. Without a word, he stepped out and opened the door for me.

I slid inside, grateful for his presence. The ride back to the pack house was quiet, but it was a peaceful silenceso unlike the suffocating void that existed between Cassian and me.

When we arrived, I realized I had no umbrella. The rain continued to fall, icy droplets stinging my skin. Bracing myself for the dash to the entrance, I moved to step out.

"Wait, Luna."

Adrians voice cut through the rain. I turned to see him holding out an umbrella.

"Use this," he said, his voice deep and steady.

"Thank you," I murmured, taking it from him.

Once inside, I took a long, hot shower, hoping to wash away the lingering chill. Wrapped in a towel, I sat on the edge of my bed and mindlessly scrolled through social media.

Then, Siennas latest tweet appeared on my feed.

The image attached to her post showed Cassian sitting beside her and her child, the warm glow of their room casting them in a perfect light. A stark contrast to the cold rain outside. A painful reminder of the life he had chosenone that didnt include me.

The next morning dragged on as I waited for my mate to return home. When he finally did, he immediately launched into an explanation, his voice heavy with exhaustion and concern.

"Tricia had a high fever all night. It wouldnt go down."

"Is she okay now?" I asked, making an effort to sound interested. The name 'Tricia' felt foreign and unwelcome on my tongue. Yet, I knew she was Siennas daughter.

Funny how my mate showed more care for another womans child than for his own mate.

He paused mid-motion, irritation flashing briefly across his face. "Are you being sarcastic again?" His sigh was long and wearywhether genuine or just for show, I couldn't tell. "Look, I didnt sleep all night. I'm exhausted."

"Then you should rest. I have duties to attend to," I said, reaching for my bag. The responsibilities of a Luna awaited me.

"Selene..." He reached out, his grip gentle yet hesitant. "What is it?"

"We'll make up for the mateship anniversary celebration next time, okay?" His attempt at reconciliation was met with a faint, empty smile from me.

"Im not mad," I murmured.

He pulled me into a hug, but the embrace felt hollow, his promises even more so. "Theres a Wolf gathering this weekend," he said, his voice quiet against my hair. "Many packs will attend. Lets go together."

The Celestial Night Pack held a prestigious position, not just in Moonvale Town but in the surrounding territories as well. Gatherings like these were prime opportunities for Alphas to network, all vying for Cassians favor. Once, being mated to him had felt like a blessing, but as his Luna, I felt nothing but numbness. Despite my efforts, the packs elders and warriors still looked at me with disdain, treating me as though I were nothing more than a glorified servant.

In the past, I would bring Cassian meals or medicine, even in inconvenient situations, like his office. Yet, in front of othersespecially the elders or the Omegashe never acknowledged my presence with respect.

Reality snapped back into focus as Cassian clenched his jaw, frustration evident. "Well, suit yourself," he muttered.

I didn't attend the gathering. But what I hadnt expected was that he would take Sienna instead.

As I worked in the office, Luna responsibilities keeping me occupied, my phone buzzed incessantly. Annoyed, I checked social media, only to be bombarded with pictures from the gathering. Sienna was in nearly every photo, effortlessly mingling with Cassian and the other Alphas, as if she had always belonged there.

Oddly enough, Beta Adrian was nowhere to be seen in any of the images. Perhaps he had refused to assist the Alpha this time. I often found myself scolding him for his apparent indifference toward serving Cassian, yet that very stubbornness never failed to impress me.

As I stared at the tweets, a bitter thought crossed my mind: Why didnt you just become his Luna instead of me, Sienna?

One image stood outAlpha Cassian carrying Sienna like a princess across the lawn, her cheek resting against his chest. The onlookers cheered and showered them with compliments, calling them the perfect match.

Unable to ignore what I had just witnessed, I joined the chorus of voices, leaving a single comment on one of the photos:

"Perfect match."

A lone clapping emoji punctuated my indifferent acknowledgment.

Then, without another thought, I closed the app, silenced my phone, and shut off my mindlink. I just wanted peace.

Night had already fallen by the time I finished my tasks. When I finally checked my phone again, I found dozens of missed calls and messages from Cassian.