I crossed my arms, unamused by his possessive display. "That's none of your business, Alpha. We've broken up."
He growled, stepping forward until we were just inches apart. "I don't think you're hearing me. Who was that man?"
I lifted my chin, meeting his furious gaze without flinching. "My *boss*, Tom. Not that I owe you any explanation. We're done, remember? Or did you forget about that little detail?"
His hands clenched into fists at his sides. "You're angry Anita, but that doesn't mean I'll stand by and watch another man—"
"Watch another man what?" I interrupted, glaring at him. "Live his life? Do his job? You don't get to control what I do or who I talk to anymore. It's over, Alpha Joseph. You need to let this go."
His lips pressed into a thin line. I could see the conflict brewing in his eyes. The bond between us was broken, but he was clearly still clinging to it. I was exhausted from the constant push and pull, and the fight was draining me more than I wanted to admit.
"Why are you acting this way, Anita? Did I do something wrong?" His voice softened, as if he truly didn't understand the depth of his betrayal.
I shook my head, feeling a hollow laugh bubble up inside me. "You don't even know what you did wrong."
His eyes flickered, the fiery red receding slightly. For a fleeting moment, he looked vulnerable, as though he was truly grasping the weight of the situation. But as quickly as it came, his usual stubbornness resurfaced, like a wall he couldn't help but put up.
"Anita..." he began again, desperation ringing his tone. "Is this about the fireworks? I've told you before, Nene is just a sister to me."
There it was again, the pet name that made my stomach churn.
"Don't," I said firmly, my voice cracking slightly. "Just stop. It was supposed to be our mating ceremony, Alpha Joseph. You lied to me. You humiliated me, made me look like a fool in front of the caterers."
He reached for my hand, holding it with a gentleness that felt foreign coming from him. "Alright, fine. I'll cut ties with her if that's what you want."
"I don't want that..." I started to say, but then his phone rang, interrupting the moment.
Of course, it was his sweetheart. Close enough to him, I saw the name flashing across his screen—*NeNe.*
"Your NeNe is calling you again. Go see her," I said bitterly, yanking my hand out of his grip.
His face hardened, but he didn't stop me as I pushed past him. I turned away, determined to walk into my house without a shred of attachment left. When I glanced out the window a few moments later, he was gone, his shadow no longer lingering outside.
I pulled back from the window and laughed bitterly at myself. The truth had always been there—I had just been too blind to see it.
---
The next day, I arrived at the boutique and had barely settled into my desk when a group of my colleagues burst into my office, their faces lit up with excitement.
"Anita, have you seen the video of Alpha Joseph and his girlfriend? There's even a follow-up!" one of them chirped, holding out a phone for me to see.
I glanced at the screen, my stomach sinking. The video showed Alpha Joseph, his back to the camera, but Nelly was hugging him, her face beaming with an unmistakable smile. They looked like the perfect couple, as if they had just stepped out of a romantic film.
"Ah, how romantic! The YouTuber said she saw them on her way home from work yesterday and thought the atmosphere was so beautiful, she had to record it," one of my colleagues gushed.
"Yes, our Alpha must really like her. Setting off fireworks for her, giving everyone in the pack a chance to witness it! How sweet!" another chimed in, her voice filled with admiration.
"They'll definitely be happy. Look how much he dotes on her. Maybe soon we'll hear news of their mating ceremony and marriage," yet another added with a dreamy sigh.
I listened to them, feeling as though iced water was slowly filling my stomach. He wasn't incapable of love—he just hadn't loved *me.*
I saw everything clearly now, and instead of the familiar sting of rejection, a strange sense of relief washed over me.
I smiled at them, calm and composed. "Yes, they're quite a match. I hope, as you wish, they can get married soon."
I hoped they would be together forever, sparing others from their crooked ways.