Chapter 4

I froze for a second.

Not just on the desk. Our photos were everywhere. They covered my phone wallpaper, filled my wallet, and lined my bedroom walls. Those photos were like good luck charms to me. They reminded me that no matter what Alex did, he loved me in the end.

It was laughable now.

Those photos only mocked how stupid I'd been.

"I accidentally broke it and put it away," I said flatly.

Alex frowned and immediately looked down to check for glass shards on the floor. "Why are you always so clumsy?"

"Make sure you clean it up," he added. "Don't let anyone step on it."

He walked out after that.

I stared at his back and laughed bitterly. He wasn't worried about me. He was scared Madison might cut her feet.

This was our home. I took care of everything in the pack house. A few months ago, I found Madison's hair tie on his office floor and noticed someone had moved the pillows in our bedroom. That was when I realized he'd been bringing her home all along.

I confronted him about it. He turned it around on me and said they were discussing pack business. He called me petty and paranoid. To "punish" me, he started bringing Madison home openly.

I could feel the challenge in Madison's eyes when she looked at me. But their interactions never crossed the line, at least not on the surface. Over time, I started wondering if I was just being too sensitive.

Looking back, if I'd spent that time improving myself, I'd be successful by now.

The next morning, Alex called a pack meeting. He announced that Madison was being promoted to Senior Beta and would handle all external affairs. As for me, I was being demoted to the lowest rank as an Omega service worker.

When he made the announcement, he kept glancing at me nervously. When he saw I had no reaction and my face stayed blank, he relaxed.

He was in a great mood. So was I.

Over the next few days, while Alex threw a celebration party for Madison, I prepared the paperwork to leave the pack. While they went on dates to the amusement park, I packed my things. Everything I wanted to take fit into one suitcase. While they were at the bar networking and being pressured to drink together, I finished handing off all my responsibilities.

Two days later marked my last day at the pack.

I was getting ready to leave when a colleague stopped me. She said, "Head up to the Alpha's office. Alex wants to see you."

I wanted to refuse, but then I stopped myself. Tonight I'd be gone, and if Alex spent the night with Madison like he always did, this would be our last chance to see each other. Five years together deserved at least a goodbye.

I headed upstairs and walked to the Alpha's office door.

Through the glass wall, I could see Alex leaning back on the couch. Madison sat beside him in a short dress, her head resting on his lap in that intimate way of hers. Alex said something, and Madison laughed, covering her mouth with her hand like she always did when he amused her.