Ada’s excited voice came through the phone.
“Of course! We’ve been holding the Chief Healer position for you. But… I heard Theo finally returned to the pack. Will he agree to the transfer?”
I laughed bitterly.
“He’ll be relieved.”
That evening, Theo came home early, looking slightly guilty about missing Alex’s birthday party.
“Hey buddy, want to do some training together?” He tried to ruffle Alex’s hair.
Alex stepped back coldly. “I have combat practice scheduled.”
“I could teach you some Beta-level techniques…” Theo offered awkwardly.
“No thanks. The pack trainer already knows my level.”
Theo’s hand dropped. He turned to me, pulling out a small velvet box.
“I brought you something.”
Inside was a silver necklace with a crescent moon pendant. I recognized it immediately – from the photos Sarah had shown me. She’d bragged about how Theo spent $100,000 on her ring, and this necklace was part of the matching set.
“I don’t want your leftover gifts,” I said quietly.
“It’s not… I just thought…”
I took Alex’s hand and walked past Theo, wearing a deep red dress I hadn’t touched in five years. Back then, he’d said he didn’t like bright colors on his mate – too attention-grabbing for an Omega. I’d worn nothing but white ever since.
He looked at the red dress I was wearing.
“You look… different. Where are you going? I’ll drive you.”
The same controlling tone, masked as concern.
“No need. I’ve learned to do a lot of things while you were gone.”
Like running a healing practice.
Like raising a son alone.
