Chapter 7: One Year Without Her

One Year Later

Leo’s POV

The Omega leaned too far as she poured my coffee, the deep cut of her blouse leaving little to the imagination—her breasts nearly spill out as if begging for attention.

“Do you need anything else, Alpha?” she asked, her voice dripping with seduction, every syllable laced with unspoken invitation.

“No, thank you…”

“Joanna,” she added, lowering herself again in a bow meant to tease.

“Thank you, Joanna. You may leave,” I said curtly, forcing my gaze away as she sauntered off, her hips swaying far too deliberately. Her dress was short—obscenely short for a servant—barely covering her bottom.

I would need to speak with Mirabel about the Omegas’ uniforms. Lately, every one of them seemed dressed to provoke rather than serve.

I rubbed my face with both hands and let out a heavy sigh.

A year had passed since I became Alpha, and yet… nothing had changed. Mirabel still wasn’t pregnant, and her father had not relinquished his power. Alpha Caleb’s promises of “soon” had become a bitter joke.

I’d tried to be patient, even tried to be kind to Mirabel, but the truth was, I couldn’t stand her. I couldn’t forget how she trapped me in this marriage, nor the way she strutted around as if she were queen of the world—barking orders, humiliating pack members, bleeding pack funds dry on useless luxuries.

I had confronted her about it countless times, but my words slid off her like rain on stone. Worse still, I had to keep showing up in her bed twice a week to fulfil my “duty” of producing an heir. Tuesday and Thursday nights had become my personal hell. I felt nothing for her. I would close my eyes, forcing my mind to conjure Lexy’s face, Lexy’s laugh, just to make it through.

Lexy.

I leaned back in my chair, closing my eyes again now. Her laughter—soft, melodic—rushed through me like a forgotten melody. It was enough to burn and soothe me all at once. Where was she now? Was she safe? Did she still hate me? Not knowing was killing me.

Orion stirred restlessly inside me, echoing my own torment. We want her. Only her. Nothing else matters. He was right. Lexy wasn’t just a memory; she was the air I needed to breathe.

The sharp click of heels on the floor snapped me from my thoughts.

Mirabel barged in, as always, without knocking. Tight, short dress. Stiletto heels. Not a Luna’s grace, but I bit back my irritation.

“Leo, look,” she said, holding up a painting of a forest and lake. “Alex Rossi—he’s an incredible up-and-coming artist.”

My gaze slid to the open bank statement on my desk. “Mirabel, ten thousand dollars… for a painting?”

She rolled her eyes and pouted as if I were the unreasonable one. “He’ll be famous soon, and then this painting will be worth triple. And I got it at a charity auction. You told me to do something useful, remember? I socialized with the other Lunas, I supported a good cause, and I invested in the future. Three boxes ticked, Leo.” She smiled smugly, already hanging it on the wall.

“By the way,” she purred, stepping closer, “today is Thursday. Why don’t we skip the boredom of my bedroom and try something new… right here on your desk?”

I stared at her, my jaw tight. Nothing about Mirabel stirred me—nothing ever would. “I’m busy. I’ll come once I’m done with my work.”

She huffed, pouted like a child, and finally left.

My eyes lingered on the painting she’d hung. It wasn’t bad. In fact, it made me think of Lexy—Lexy with paint on her hands and a smile brighter than the sun. She used to dream of becoming a famous artist. Was she painting now? Or was she stuck, struggling just to survive because of me?

I exhaled sharply, guilt pressing heavy on my chest. Even her father had no idea where she’d gone. The mystery gnawed at me. I couldn’t focus, couldn’t work. I just stared at the painting, drowning in the memories of Lexy, my true mate—the only one my heart would ever crave.