After His Betrayal, I Rejected the Bond

"Where’s the report I asked for?"

In the past, I’d always wake up before dawn to prepare breakfast and organize Alpha Lincoln’s work documents and training gear. I took a bite of my sandwich and mumbled, "What report?"

Lincoln’s golden eyes narrowed, his Alpha aura rippling with irritation. "The one I mind-linked you about."

I didn’t budge from my seat at the kitchen counter. "I didn’t check my mind-link. You’ll have to find it yourself."

For four years, I had always responded to his mind-links instantly, dropping everything to cater to his needs. He didn’t expect me to brush him off so casually this time. I gestured to my phone plugged in at the outlet. "It’s charging."

Lincoln placed the pastries he’d brought on the table, the scent of freshly baked bread mingling with his Alpha presence. "Your favorite, from the bakery downtown."

I unfolded the packaging, the smell of fish filling the air. As I lifted my head, I met his self-satisfied gaze, his broad frame towering over me.

It didn’t take a genius to figure out where he’d gotten these. I’m allergic to fish, and Sienna, the pack’s Gamma, loves the bakery’s fish special. The thought of him sharing breakfast with her made my stomach churn.

"Thanks, but I don’t care for these," I said, my voice detached. "You should take them to the training grounds and give them to someone else."

Earlier, I’d seen Sienna’s hunting post: "It’s a pleasure when someone is willing to share a warm breakfast with you." The picture showed her smiling at the camera, holding a pastry with a fork, her fur scarf draped over her shoulders—the same scarf Lincoln had gifted her last winter.

Lincoln crouched down, his muscular frame blocking the light as he reached for my injured ankle, his Alpha tone softening. "Let me see your foot."

Instinctively, I pulled away, my Delta instincts flaring. "It’s fine."

He sat back on the ground, rubbing his face with a cold sneer. "Alice, just because I asked you to handle the healer visit yourself, you’re throwing this tantrum. Really?"

I continued eating my breakfast, my voice steady. "I’m not angry."

Lincoln clearly didn’t believe me. He stood, his Alpha aura flaring as he pointed at me with disdain. "Alice, even tantrums have limits. You don’t seem ready to be Luna if you’re always overthinking like this."

Every time we argued about Sienna, he’d accuse me of being paranoid, watching as I spiraled into defending myself, proving it was his fault with tears and shouting. But this time, I stayed silent for a long while before speaking, "Why don’t we just call it quits?"

Lincoln paused, his Alpha aura flickering as if caught off guard. "What do you mean, 'call it quits'?"

I looked up at him, my voice calm but firm. "I mean, let’s end the mate bond. This isn’t working anymore. You and Sienna should give it a shot."

His eyes darkened, and he kicked the trash can across the room, the metal clattering against the wall. He leaned over the table, his Alpha tone sharp. "Alice, enough is enough. Don’t test my patience."

In the past, when he got this close to anger, I’d drop my grievances and rush to placate him, my wolf whimpering in submission. But this time, I didn’t consider his feelings. "Think whatever you want."

I tidied up my breakfast, picked up my training bag, and took the trash with me as I headed for the elevator.

Lincoln had never chased after me during these exchanges before, but this time he followed, his Alpha tone commanding. "Where are you going if not to the training grounds?"

I looked at him coolly, my Delta pride keeping my voice steady. "I have errands to run."

His lips twitched as if he had more to say, but the elevator doors closed slowly, cutting him off.