The Alpha's Dirty Little Secret No More

When I woke up, I was in a hospital.

Maya was by my bed, her eyes red and swollen.

"You were out for two days. You're finally healing. The visa came through." She placed a passport in my hand. "Lyon, France. The flight is in three days."

I stared at my picture in the passport.

That girl was still smiling.

I couldn't remember how to do that anymore.

"I'm leaving."

"I know." Maya squeezed my hand. "It's time."

The door to my room opened. I quickly hid the passport as someone walked in.

It was Killian.

Vivian was on his arm, holding a huge bouquet of flowers.

"Freya, thank God you're okay!" Vivian's voice oozed fake concern. "If only there had been more room on the chopper. We felt so awful leaving you."

I looked at their linked hands.

"Thanks for your concern."

Killian stood at the foot of the bed, his expression cold.

"The doctor says you need to rest for a few days."

"Yes."

"Good." He cleared his throat. "I have an announcement."

Vivian lowered her head, feigning shyness.

"Vivian has accepted my proposal," Killian said, his voice full of satisfaction. "We will hold our mating announcement ceremony the day after tomorrow."

The room fell silent.

My heart didn't hurt as much as I expected.

It was just… empty.

"Congratulations," I said, my voice as still as dead water. "You're a perfect match."

Vivian’s smile widened.

"These are for you." She placed the bouquet on my bedside table. "Moonshadow, aren't they beautiful? The language of the flower is 'eternal friendship.'"

I stared at the silver-white blossoms.

Moonshadow.

My allergen.

Three years ago, at a business dinner, I'd almost suffocated because of these flowers.

Killian had carried me out of the ballroom and rushed me to the hospital.

He had looked the doctor in the eye. "She is severely allergic to Moonshadow. Remember that."

Now, he just stood there, watching Vivian place a whole bouquet of them by my bed.

The pollen began to drift through the air.

My throat started to itch.

It was getting harder to breathe.

"Take them away," I said, my voice strained. "Please, take the flowers away."

"Why?" Vivian blinked her innocent, wide eyes. "Don't you like them?"

"I'm… allergic…"

Killian’s jaw tightened. "Moonshadow is harmless to werewolves. Stop the drama."

I stared at him in shock.

"Pretending?"

I started coughing violently, tears streaming down my face.

Not from the allergy.

From the despair.

"You forgot," I whispered, a hollow laugh escaping my lips. "Three years, Killian. And you just... forgot."

Killian froze for a second.

Then Vivian cut in. "Oh my god, I didn't know! Freya, I'm so sorry!"

She immediately took the flowers away, her face a mask of apology.

But her acting was terrible.

I pressed the call button by my bed.

A nurse rushed in and gave me an anti-allergy shot.

"You should inform your visitors of your allergies next time," the nurse advised.

"I will."

Vivian and Killian left soon after.

An hour later, Killian's parents arrived.

Though they had always been strict with me, they seemed to know I was Killian’s fated mate.

"Child, are you alright?" Rose sat by my bed, her eyes kind.

"I'm fine, thank you for asking."

"We heard you're planning to leave the pack?"

I nodded. "My health isn't what it used to be. I want to leave the pack and recover in Europe for a while."

"How long will you be gone?"

"I'm not sure. Maybe for a long time. Maybe forever."

The old Alpha sighed. "If this is because of Killian…"

"It's not," I cut him off. "It's my own choice."

"He chose Vivian for the good of the pack," Rose said, taking my hand. "About you two, if you're willing to wait…"

"Madam." I gently pulled my hand away. "I've waited five years. That… bond… it’s all but severed."

They fell silent.

"The packs in Europe are different," I continued. "More welcoming to someone like me. A wolf with the wrong blood."

"Bloodline isn't everything. We've all seen your contributions to the pack…"

"But my bloodline will never be pure enough to produce the pack's Luna, will it?"

The two elders looked at each other. They didn't argue.

"We won't see each other again," I said, bidding them farewell. "Thank you for your kindness over the years."

Just then, the door was thrown open again.

Killian strode in, his face dark.

"Leaving?" he snarled, his eyes pinning me to the bed. "You belong to this pack. You belong to me. And you don't leave until I say you can."