“It’s great,” I lied.
“Really?” She watched me expectantly.
I managed another bite, then set down my fork. ‘I’m not that hungry this morning.”
Her face fell. “Oh. I thought… did I do something wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong.” I stood and moved toward the coffee pot. Maybe caffeine would wash away the disappointment in her eyes. “Just not feeling like breakfast today.”
The coffee was bitter enough to strip paint. I grimaced and added more cream.
I walked to my home office with the mug, needing to escape the mess.
Camila followed me into the office. ‘Let me help you with something else.” She moved to my desk, hands hovering over the scattered papers. “Your workspace looks so disorganized.”
Don’t touch those.
But she was already gathering reports into neat stacks, completely destroying the system Sable had established. Client files mixed with territory reports. Urgent correspondence buried under routine memos.
‘Camila, please.” I set down my mug harder than necessary. ‘I’ll handle it myself.”
‘I’m just trying to help. Her voice carried a hurt edge. “You seem so distant this morning.”
I suddenly realized my weird attitude. She was trying so hard to make me happy.
So why did everything feel wrong?
I’m sorry.” I rubbed my face with both hands. Work stress, I guess.”
She nodded, but uncertainty flickered in her eyes. “Maybe you should take a break. We could go shopping for the new bedroom furniture?”
“Actually, I need to go out.” I grabbed my keys from the counter. “Your head injury is healing well. You should rest at home today.”
“Where are you going?”
“Meeting some friends. Pack stuff. I headed for the door before she could ask more questions.
I needed space.
And I needed a drink.
Marcus, Tommy, and Jake had beaten me there, already deep in their second round.
“Look what the cat dragged in!” Marcus slapped my shoulder as I collapsed into the leather booth. “You look like death, Alpha.”
“Rough day?” Tommy slid a whiskey across the table.
I downed it in one swallow, relishing the burn. “Something like that.”
“Let me guess.” Jake leaned forward with a knowing smirk. “You’ve been worn out juggling two women? Must be exhausting.”?”
“Sable’s gone. The words came out flat. “Completely gone. Quit her job, cleared out her stuff. Vanished.”
The three of them exchanged glances.
“Gone where?” Marcus frowned. “She doesn’t have anywhere else to go.”
“That’s what I thought.” I signaled the waitress for another round. “But apparently I was wrong.”
Tommy laughed and raised his glass. “Good riddance! She was dead weight anyway.”
“Seriously,” Jake chimed in. “A nobody orphan with delusions of grandeur. You’re better off without her.”
Marcus nodded enthusiastically. Besides, now you can focus on what really matters.”
Their words hit exactly where I needed them to. The tight knot in my chest began to loosen.
They’re right. Sable was holding me back.
You’re absolutely right. I felt my confidence returning. ‘She’ll realize her mistake soon enough.”
“Of course she will. Tommy grinned. ‘Where else is she going to find someone willing to put up with her attitude?”
“And when she comes crawling back, Marcus added, ‘make her work for it. No more mister nice guy.”
The alcohol was warming my blood, washing away the morning’s doubts. These were my real friends. My pack brothers who understood what strength looked like.
“She can beg all she wants,” I said, feeling more like myself. “She made her choice.”
“Exactly! Jake raised his glass. “To your freedom, Alpha. May you never settle for less than you deserve again.”
By the time I stumbled out of the bar four hours later, the hollow feeling had been replaced by righteous indignation.
Sable wanted to play games? Fine. Let her see how far her pride gets her.
The house was dark when I made it home, swaying slightly as I fumbled with the door locks. Camila appeared in the living room, silhouetted against the warm lamp light.
“Relly?” She moved toward me with obvious concern. “You drank too much.”
Her voice sounded faraway, muffled by the alcohol buzzing in my head. But she looked beautiful in the soft light. Hair loose around her shoulders, wearing one of my old t-shirts like a nightgown.
“Camila.” I reached for her, needing to feel something real.
My mouth crashed against hers with desperate hunger.
“Relly…” She gasped against my lips. “What’s gotten into you?”
I couldn’t explain the frantic need clawing through my chest. Instead, I picked her up and carried her toward the bedroom.
She didn’t protest. Her arms wrapped around my neck as I laid her on the bed.
My hands moved over her body with rough urgency. Pulling off clothes, mapping familiar curves, trying to lose myself in sensation.
I pushed inside her with a groan.
But as I moved above her, as her soft sounds filled the darkness, I found myself squeezing my eyes shut.
And in that private blackness, another face appeared behind my eyelids.
Amber eyes instead of green. Smaller hands. A different laugh.
No.
I opened my eyes, forcing myself to focus on Camila s face. Her pleasure. Her body responding to mine.
But the phantom image lingered at the edges of my vision like a ghost refusing to be banished.
Caelan’s POV
The Blackwood Manor’s flower garden stretched before me under the golden light of early evening. I surveyed the outdoor setup one final time – white tablecloths fluttering in the breeze, crystal glasses catching the dying sunlight, silver platters arranged with geometric precision.
Everything has to be perfect for her.
My chest tightened with anticipation. Tonight would be different from all the other gatherings I’d hosted over the years. Tonight, Sable would be here. Not as the daughter of a visiting Alpha, but as my future queen.
I wanted to announce it officially. Let every pack know she belonged to me now. But Sable had made it clear she preferred keeping things quiet for the moment.
Respect her wishes. There will be plenty of time for announcements later.
Still, the knowledge that she was mine – truly mine – sent warmth spreading through my chest like aged whiskey.
I tugged at my shirt cuffs and checked my watch. The black timepiece caught the light, its subtle diamond accents glinting. My fingers traced the smooth metal surface without thinking.
“Look at our king,” Peter’s voice boomed across the garden as he strode toward me with his characteristic swagger. “You’re looking particularly… energetic tonight.”
Leon followed close behind, surveying the elaborate setup with raised eyebrows. He clapped my shoulder.
“This is the most effort I’ve ever seen you put into a party.”
More Kickass Werewolf Reads
Dive into our collection of free werewolf romance novels—where fierce Alphas, daring heroines, and heart-stopping twists await. Every story burns with forbidden desire, loyalty, and destiny. Don’t wait—here’s a world where love bites hard and nothing is stronger than the call of the mate.
Leave a Reply