Chapter 5

Marcus

My head was pounding when I woke up.

A sharp, unbearable pain that felt like something was drilling into my skull. I groaned, pressing my fingers to my temples. 

The headache had been there since yesterday… since Lydia showed me those pictures.

I shut my eyes tightly.

I had taken pills yesterday just to sleep and eased the pain. I didn’t even remember when I passed out. Until I woke up and came downstairs to find Ella in the living room.

I sighed heavily. Slowly, I sat up on the bed, my chest heavy.

Goddess, even right now, I still couldn’t believe it.

Cheating? Ella?

No… it still doesn't make sense.

When Lydia first showed me the pictures, I refused to believe it. I thought it was fake. A mistake. Something was wrong. Because Ella… she wasn’t that kind of woman.

She loved me.

Or at least… I thought she did.

But Lydia didn’t stop there. She called one of the men in the picture. And he confirmed it. He said they had been seeing each other.

That moment…

It felt like something inside me broke.

The pain that tore through my chest scared me. I had to hold myself together, especially when Lydia suddenly asked, “Do you have feelings for her?”

The question caught me off guard.

I couldn’t answer.

Because I didn’t even know the answer myself.

When Ella came back yesterday, I expected her to deny it. To cry. To beg. To explain.

But instead… she stood there and lied to my face.

My jaw tightened at the memory.

I got out of bed and walked downstairs.

For a moment, everything felt normal. The soft morning light, the quiet hall… and something was off. I was expecting to perceive the familiar aroma of Ella's cooking as I stepped into the living room. But I perceived nothing.

My steps slowed.

Then, I moved faster, almost without thinking.

“Ella?” I called as I stepped into the living room.

No answer.

I frowned and walked into the kitchen.

Empty.

The maids were there, but… not her.

“Where is Luna?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.

They all exchanged glances. “We… we haven’t seen her this morning, Alpha.”

My heart dropped.

“What do you mean you haven’t seen her?”

No one answered.

A strange uneasy feelings crept into my chest. .

I turned and walked out quickly, my steps faster now. I went straight to her room.

I pushed the door open.

Empty.

My chest tightened.

I checked the bathroom. Nothing.

“Ella?”

Silence.

I pulled out my phone and called her.

It was not reachable.

My grip tightened around the phone. “Damn it.”

Where could she have gone this early?

I turned around, and that’s when I noticed it.

Her things were one.

Not all… but most of them. Enough to make it clear.

Goddess, she left.

For a moment, I just stood there, staring.

Then I let out a dry laugh.

“Good,” I muttered. “That’s good.”

I mean, It’s better this way.

If she left, then it means she knows what she did. It means she’s guilty.

But…

Why does it hurt?

My chest ached, tight and heavy. My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, growling low in pain.

I ignored it.

I had to.

I walked back downstairs.

Lydia was already there, sitting calmly like nothing had happened. She looked up and smiled. “Good morning, Marcus.”

I forced a small smile. “Good morning.”

We sat down, and the maids served breakfast.

I stared at the food.

Same dishes... But something felt… off.

I took a bite.

And immediately spat it out.

“Gosh! This taste horrible,” I snapped, pushing the plate away.

Lydia frowned. “There’s nothing wrong with it.”

Goddess, did I hear her right? 

I looked at her, confused. How could she not taste it?

This… this wasn’t how it used to taste. This is not how Ella used to prepare it.

My mind flashed back at Ella in the kitchen.

Her soft smile.

The way she would laugh when I teased her.

How I used to come down early just to see her… just to be with her.

I clenched my jaw.

“This isn’t how Ella used to prepare it.” I muttered.

Lydia said something, but I wasn’t listening anymore.

I stood up abruptly. “I’m going to work.” I said. Lydia nodded reluctantly.

.......

The entire day was a mess.

I couldn’t focus.

Files blurred in front of me. Meetings made no sense.

Every few minutes, I found myself reaching for my phone… calling Ella's number again.

Still not going through.

My wolf was restless now.

No… not just restless.

He was in pain.

I leaned back in my chair, running my hand through my hair. “What is wrong with you?” I muttered to myself.

Lydia is back.

The woman I once loved.

The one I thought I lost forever.

And yet…

Why do I feel like something is missing?

I always thought Ella was just a replacement. Someone to fill the empty space Lydia left behind.

But somewhere along the way…

I got used to her.

Her presence.

Her voice.

Her quiet strength.

Goddess, I liked being around her.

I didn’t even realize when it started.

And now… she’s gone.

I slammed my hand on the table, standing up abruptly.

“Enough.”

I grabbed my phone and dialed my guards.

“Find her,” I ordered, my voice cold but shaking underneath. “Search everywhere. I want her found.”

“Yes, Alpha.”

I ended the call, breathing heavily.

My wolf howled inside me, desperate, and in pain.

I clenched my fists.

“I need to find her,” I whispered.

No matter what it takes.

Even if I have to tear the whole world apart…

I will find Ella.