Chapter 2
Beta Veronica’s graceful figure trailed closely behind Alpha Simon, each carrying bags filled with household items from the supermarket. To an outsider, they resembled a young couple moving into their first home together.
The sight didn’t sting like it once might have. My wolf stirred restlessly, but I silenced her, focusing on the bags in my hands instead of the ache in my chest.
As I was directing the driver to unload the truck, Aunt Camelia appeared, her warm smile faltering as she caught sight of the scene. She opened her mouth to say something, but I quickly cut her off.
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“Mom sent these gifts for you,” I said, handing her a list. “Make sure to check the expiration dates so nothing goes to waste.”
I didn’t glance at Alpha Simon, not even
once.
Unexpectedly, he was the one to break the silence.
“Elena, don’t get the wrong idea,” he started, his voice tinged with something that sounded almost nervous. “Veronica’s old neighborhood wasn’t very safe, so I found her a new place. I wasn’t aware your aunt lived here, too.”
As if that explained everything.
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“By the way,” he added casually, “why did you buy so much stuff?”
I gestured for the driver to bring up the remaining packages. “You don’t need to explain your work to me,” I replied coolly. “My mom bought these. We’re not sure when we’ll be back, so she stocked up.”
Simon visibly relaxed, misinterpreting my disinterest as
“No Worrerstanding.
The West Suburb isn’t far,” he
Offered with a faint smile. “Just let me know
if you ever want to visit.”
He still didn
know I was relocating
permanently. And I had no intention of telling him just yet.
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Aunt Camelia shifted beside me, her brow furrowed as she took in Simon’s demeanor and Beta Veronica’s proximity.
The four of us stood there awkwardly until Veronica broke the silence.
“Alpha Simon, should we start unpacking? It’s been a long day.”
Simon immediately turned to her, “Of course. Let’s use the elevator first since we’ve got fewer things.”
Without another glance in my direction, he directed the delivery driver to pause the unloading. Veronica walked ahead, her bags shifting slightly, and I stepped aside to let them pass.
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Simon hesitated as if expecting something from me–a reaction, a word, anything. I met his gaze with a blank expression.
His eyes flickered briefly before he turned away, hastily following Veronica into the elevator.
As the doors slid closed, I caught their reflection–his attentive posture and her soft smile. It was impossible not to see a ghost of my younger self in her place. Back when I’d first arrived in his life, Simon had been just as attentive, just as eager to make me feel like his “future Luna.”
Aunt Camelia sighed gently as she watched the elevator ascend.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to talk to
D
Head Romance
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him?” Aunt Camelia asked gently, pulling me from my thoughts. “You’ve been mates for so long. It would be a shame if this ended over a misunderstanding.”
“No need,” I shook my head decisively. “There’s no misunderstanding between us. Simon never lets one linger. If he hasn’t explained by now, then that’s it.”
Aunt Camelia studied me, her lips pressed into a thin line as if she wanted to argue but couldn’t find the words.
I finished delivering the gifts to her and said my goodbyes, grateful for her unwavering support. But as I stepped back into the quiet lobby, I couldn’t help but notice one thing: Simon and Veronica still hadn’t come back downstairs.
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They didn’t have much to carry. One trip should have been enough.
My wolf growled softly in my mind, a low rumble of frustration and hurt. But I shoved it down. There was no point in dwelling on what I already knew.
*Some things were meant to end before they truly began.*
Out of courtesy for a fated mate bond that still lingered, I pulled out my phone and texted Alpha Simon to ask when he’d be back
The reply came almost instantly, but it wasn’t from him. A voice message lit up my screen, and when I pressed play, Beta
D
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Veronica’s sweet tone filled the air.
“Elena, Alpha Simon is helping me fix the electrical wiring here. This place hasn’t been occupied before, so there’s quite a bit to sort out. You shouldn’t let us keep you, though!”
My jaw tightened. I swallowed my initial response and was about to close the app when another message popped up.
“By the way, Elena,” Veronica continued, her voice light with feigned concern, “please don’t read too much into this. Alpha Simon is just lending a hand. He felt sorry for me being all alone here in The Eclipse Pack.”
Alone.
The word echoed in my mind. My parents
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had moved far away years ago, their focus on expanding the Red Moon Pack. I’d grown used to navigating life without them, but hearing her casual pity stung more than I cared to admit. I swallowed the lump in my throat, shut the chat, and flagged down a cab.
As the car pulled away, my phone buzzed again. This time, it was a call.
“Why were you so hard on Beta Veronica?” Alpha Simon’s voice carried an edge of irritation, his usual calm demeanor cracking. “She’s my Beta, Elena. I was just helping her get settled. The packhouse hasn’t set up her accommodations yet. Isn’t it normal for me to help?”
I clenched my teeth, gripping the phone
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tightly.
“When did you start acting like this, huh?” he continued, his voice rising slightly. “At the birthday party, you were sulking because you felt unwell and wanted to leave. I haven’t even brought that up, and now you’re starting trouble again?”
In the background, Beta Veronica’s soft sobs punctuated his words like daggers.
I inhaled deeply, steadying myself. Her demeanor in my presence was a far cry from the sweet, innocent junior Alpha Simon described.–it all fell into place. But I was too drained to argue, too tired to point out what he refused to see.
“Yeah, you’re right,” I said finally, my voice
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quiet but firm. “My mistake. I was just asking. Don’t worry–I’m already home. I didn’t wait for you.”
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