The Alpha's Loyalty Score

Tonight was our daughter Joyce's fourth birthday. Alex had promised three days ago that he'd be home early for dinner this time and swore he wouldn't miss it again.To celebrate Joyce's birthday, I'd made roasted veal, a favorite of both hers and Alex's. I'd even texted him earlier to remind him.But Joyce sat in front of the roasted veal waiting from six o'clock all the way to ten-thirty, and my Alpha mate still hadn't come home. Joyce was too hungry to hold out anymore, and it was way past her bedtime.Worried, I video-called Alex and saw that he still seemed to be at some hotel entertaining clients, women's laughter mixed into the background. Before I could make anything out, Alex rushed out, "I'm not done here yet. Eat and get to bed early." Then he hung up.I stared at the black screen of my phone, thinking about that number only I could see. 72%.Last week it had been 76%.Joyce tugged at my sleeve. "Mommy, Daddy's not coming home again, is he?""Daddy's busy with work."I ate wi

I looked at the 67% loyalty score above that coworker's head and said nothing.Near the end of the party, I headed to the restroom. Just as I was about to push the door open, I heard someone on the phone inside. It was Lisa's voice."Relax, his mate is just a stay-at-home mom. She doesn't know anything except taking care of the pup. You really think a woman like that still has any appeal?"My hand froze on the door handle."Besides, I haven't done anything out of line. Alexander and I are just doing overtime and grabbing meals together. The Alpha chooses to stay on his own. It's not like I'm forcing him."She laughed and kept complaining. "The Alpha complains to me all the time, says Irene's petty and throws tantrums. An Omega who can't even make her mate feel secure? She deserves to be replaced, am I right?"Three nights after the company party, Alexander finally came home. The number above his head had dropped to 67%, another five points gone.I sat in the living room, a cup of coffe

The next morning, I went to Alexander's company. The front desk knew me and smiled in greeting. "Irene, here to see the Alpha? He's in a meeting on the twenty-third floor.""Not here for him. I have an appointment with Mike in Legal to look over a contract."I got on the elevator but didn't go to Legal. I went to Marketing instead.Lisa's office was at the very back of the department, the door half open. I didn't go in, just took a quick glance as I passed. Lisa wasn't there, but there was a photo frame on her desk. A group photo, Lisa standing dead center, beaming. Alexander stood right beside her, the two of them very, very close.I looked away and kept walking. At the corner, I ran into a girl filling up at the break room."Hi, is Lisa in?""Lisa's out at a meeting. You are?""I'm Alexander's mate."The girl's hand jerked, water spilling over the cup."Hi, Irene.""It's fine, just wanted to meet you all." I smiled. "Heard your department's been swamped with projects lately. Thanks f

"One month, Irene. Just one month. I'll prove to you how much I actually care about this family. If you're still not satisfied after that, I won't stand in your way anymore. We have a pre-bond agreement. You already asked Mike about it. You know what it says."I closed my eyes. I knew Alexander had already changed.I just couldn't let go. Couldn't let go of the Alexander who'd once been a hundred percent. Couldn't let go of the Alexander who'd said he'd spend the rest of his life with me. And more than anything, I couldn't bear to see Joyce hurt.Alexander had no idea I could see the number above his head, and it hadn't changed a bit, no matter how sincere he sounded."Irene, I've truly never thought about leaving you two. Why won't you believe me?"Just as Alexander was pleading with me to agree, Joyce suddenly pushed the door open. Her little head peeked out, and she came running over clutching that bunny with the missing ear. "Mommy, Daddy, are you still fighting?"Alexander glanced

That night, my phone kept ringing, and I didn't pick up.Alexander had always believed that without him, Joyce and I would have nothing. What he didn't know was that I'd opened a private investigation firm a long time ago, one that specialized in services for married clients, and I already had a steady stream of customers. More than enough to support myself and Joyce. Hell, a lot of Alexander's own clients' wives were loyal fans of mine. Alexander just didn't know it.I didn't enjoy telling people the truth about their marriages. If I could, who wouldn't want to choose someone at a hundred percent? Most people's marriages just bounce around the passing line.But my bottom line was different. Once I made this decision, I wasn't going to regret it.After staying at Mia's for a while, Joyce and I decided to move to the next pack over, Blackmoor Pack, and leave this place for good. After a short adjustment period, Joyce accepted the situation fast. She was even looking forward to Blackmoor