Severing My Alpha's Mark

Facing Andrew’s suspicious gray eyes, I forced myself to stay calm.

"Nothing's wrong," I said dismissively, then deliberately changed the subject. "Do you remember what today is?"

Andrew’s expression froze, a flicker of panic in his eyes. I saw his Adam's apple bob as he scrambled to remember.

"Today is..." His voice was uncertain.

"Our fifth anniversary," I said softly. "The fifth anniversary of our mating."

The color drained from Andrew’s face, replaced by a wave of guilt and panic.

He opened his mouth, as if to say something, but all that came out was a barely audible sigh.

"Lucia, I—"

"It's okay," I cut off his apology, my voice still unnervingly calm. "I know you're busy. Pack business is important, isn't it?"

My unnatural calm clearly unsettled him.

Normally, if he forgot an important date, I’d be upset, demanding an explanation.

"I can make it up to you," Andrew said eagerly. "What do you want? Jewelry? A new purse? A trip to Paris?"

I stared at his anxious face, a wave of sadness washing over me.

"I only want one thing," I said slowly.

"Anything."

"Do you remember the promise you made when you proposed to me five years ago?"

Andrew searched his memory.

"You said," I continued, "that you would plant me a field of rainbow moonflowers, our symbol of true love."

He remembered. His expression grew even more guilty.

For five years, he had been so busy with pack affairs that the promise had been completely forgotten.

"I'll do it right now." Andrew immediately pulled out his phone. "I'll have the seeds delivered."

After hanging up, he looked at me. "They'll be here within the hour. I'll plant every single one for you myself."

I nodded, saying nothing.

An hour later, his assistant arrived with a dozen bags of rainbow moonflower seeds.

Andrew changed into gardening clothes and began digging in the moonlight.

His movements were clumsy.

I stood on the terrace, watching him quietly. Once, this scene would have moved me to tears.

Now, it just felt ironic.

"In seven days, these will bloom into the most beautiful colors," he said as he planted. "We'll watch them together, babe."

I gave a faint smile.

In seven days, I probably wouldn’t be here to see them bloom.

Two hours later, Andrew had finally finished.

"Go take a shower," I said.

He nodded, kissing my forehead tenderly. "Anything to make you happy, Lucia. I'd do anything for you."

After Andrew went upstairs, I noticed something had slipped out of his jacket pocket.

A pair of black lace panties. They reeked of Crystal's scent.

Worse, my keen senses instantly picked up fragmented images left on the fabric:

Andrew pinning the woman down on his office sofa, her legs wrapped around his waist as he tore at her clothes...

Bile surged up my throat. I couldn't hold it back. I bolted to the bathroom and retched, emptying what little was in my stomach.

Bile burned my throat as tears streamed from my eyes.

Not from heartache, but from pure disgust. I was utterly disgusted by this man.

"Lucia?" Andrew's voice called from upstairs, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps.

He rushed in, a towel wrapped around his waist, his hair still dripping. "What's wrong? Are you sick?"