Chapter 13
My world came crumbling down when I saw Alpha Lucien posting a video on his official account two hours
ago.
Did he know about my promotion abroad?
Shit. That’s why he did this and made my life more difficult by deciding between him and my work!
Though I already knew which one I will stay loyal to: my work.
But curiosity got the worst of me and I decided to watch the video–the
announcement–he posted.
In his formal black suit and red tie bearing the insignia of the Brightheart Pack, he spoke in front of the camera with a solemn expression.
“Charmaine is not my girlfriend. She never has been. We‘ ve known each other
since we were young but she’s only like a
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sister to me.” He paused as he looked down and held on to his tuxedo. He looked up again, this time with a more calculated expression, like the face an Alpha wore before engaging in a battlefield. “Please avoid spreading false news and such. outright malicious rumors. Such comments are not only uncomfortable for Charmaine but also distressing for my girlfriend and future wife and Luna, Vesta Blake. Your remarks may cause unexpected harm to both of them. In fact, it already has…”
I immediately stopped the video. I hope my parents don’t see them though I‘ m confident they won’t. They rarely were active in any forms of social media. They prefer to talk face–to–face and engage physically.
After watching the video, my decision became more…questioning. Overwhelmed was the right term. I felt like I’d be guilty if I left abroad at the very time the Alpha had declared that–that I still belonged to him. That I was still his girlfriend.
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Is this part of his games? Is this another method of his scheming to manipulate me and win me back?
My phone rang again, this time an incoming call displayed on the screen.
“Francis? It’s almost midnight!”
“Vesta, where are you?” Francis seemed to be panting, extremely worried. I never heard in my life that he addressed me by my first name. “Are you alright? Did anyone follow you home? Are you safe-
“Francis, why are you asking me this?” A small hint of irritation echoed in my voice. “I’m safe, I’m in my parents‘ house.” I don’t know if he’s angry or worried or scared. Perhaps all of the above. “I‘ m fine, I repeated.
“Oh, thank the Moon Goddess!” he blurted and I could see him putting a hand on his chest in relief.
“I told you this morning, Francis. Nothing on earth can change my decision. I’m still
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working abroad. The Alpha…he doesn‘ t own me nor I’m still his girlfriend. He‘ s just hesitant to admit that he’s single now, probably to refrain from chaos from his fanatics.”
Silence howled on the other end of the line. Then a tight sigh.
“Alright,” Francis said, his tone
softening. “I’ll post a note in case
anyone brings this up tomorrow. Stay safe, Vesta Blake.”
“Thank you,” I chirped politely before ending the call.
I plopped down my bed with my body feeling heavier than my head and heart. I sat in silence, letting the news sink in.
“Fuck you, Lucien!” I hissed, perhaps I said it in more of a shriek as I threw a pillow on the wall, knocking down a picture frame of me in my early days in college.
He really does only think of himself. He
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doesn‘ t think about the fact when he posted that video if it can affect my work or me personally. He just does what he thinks is right for him–such as publicly declaring that I’m still with him even when we‘ re already done three months ago.
Another notification chimed in, this time it’s my number for work. Only my work colleagues and boss knew of this number.
I hope it’s not who I think it is.
Summoning the remaining courage I have for the day, I opened the message. There, a video thumbnail appeared on my screen with Lucien still in his intimidating attire.
My thumb took a minute before it finally pressed the play button.
Looking directly into the camera, as if he’s looking in my eyes, he mastered the face of someone close to slitting their throat just to beg. “Vesta, if you truly don’t want Charmaine in our lives, then I’ll do my best to stay away from her.”
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doesn’t think about the fact when he posted that video if it can affect my work or me personally. He just does what he thinks. is right for him–such as publicly declaring that I’m still with him even when we‘ re already done three months ago.
Another notification chimed in, this time. it’s my number for work. Only my work colleagues and boss knew of this number.
I hope it’s not who I think it is.
Summoning the remaining courage I have for the day, I opened the message. There, a video thumbnail appeared on my screen with Lucien still in his intimidating attire.
My thumb took a minute before it finally pressed the play button.
Looking directly into the camera, as if he’s looking in my eyes, he mastered the face of someone close to slitting their throat just to beg. “Vesta, if you truly don’t want Charmaine in our lives, then I’ll do my best to stay away from her.”
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I groaned. If he really had an intention of doing that, he could have done that long
ago.
“You‘ re the one I love. It’s always been you.”
Then the video ended with those words.
I could have vomited here and now if I wasn‘ t in my bed.
Whatever. Lucien might be stubborn but I’m even more stubborn.
I sighed with all the thoughts swarming in my mind. If he really has an intention of reconciling with me, he should have sent this weeks ago. Probably in the few weeks. after we broke up.
I might have convinced the deeper part of me that still loves him to reconsider the breakup. Fortunately or unfortunately, I have long buried that part of me in that graveyard of my mind.
His message came too late. I was already
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fed up by how he had treated me as only someone else when it comes to Charm. Now, he made that disappointment deeper as he jeopardized my opportunity and promotion abroad all for his dramatic. spectacle. A theatric, publicity stunt.
“We’re never ever getting back together, Alpha Lucien.” I recorded my response with my unfiltered face and sent it to the unknown number.
After delivering the message, I blocked the number without breaking a sweat.
***
The two weeks came faster than I
anticipated.
Though Lucien still bothers me with hist signature ways of delivering delicious food to my apartment or at the pack hospital through the same butlers, I always send them away and tell them to eat it
themselves.
I ignored the praises and the jealousy of
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some because of those ‘loving‘ gestures of my ex–boyfriend. I stuck to the lunch and snacks I prepared myself.
I dipped my head in greeting to the flight attendant as I boarded the plane, my luggage already safe in the check–in. My handbag and wolf stuff toy were with me however.
The plane took off without difficulty. I looked beyond the window, drinking in the last sight of the Brightheart Pack before I ventured to the new life awaiting for me.
I looked at my seatmate and he’s wearing some weird attire: a mask and a baseball
cap.
My eyes landed on his eyes, and my heart sank to my knees as I recognized those eyes.
“You.” I spat, glaring at Lucien with all the anger in the world.
