"Oh," I mumbled, "Sorry. I’ve been really busy and it slipped my mind."
"You used to care about this the most. How could you forget?" Roan's voice carried a mix of disbelief and disappointment.
In the past, I had never missed an occasion—be it our mateship anniversary or his birthday. I would plan elaborate dinners and meticulously choose decorations, all to celebrate our time together and show him how much he meant to me. But those efforts, once greeted with smiles, eventually became a source of embarrassment for him.
I vividly recalled the surprise party I organized at a restaurant. Instead of joy, Roan’s reaction was one of discomfort. "Lori, you’re making such a big deal out of this. Everyone’s looking at us. It’s very uncomfortable, you know?" he had said, dragging me away in front of the pack’s warriors and his Beta.
Now, as I stood there, I realized there was nothing left to celebrate. The spark that once fueled our relationship had long since died.
"Come on, let’s go have dinner and celebrate," he urged, ushering me into the car.
As my mate drove, the silence between us grew heavy. He kept glancing over at me, searching my face for any sign of the old enthusiasm I once had.
"What’s wrong? Are you upset?" He finally asked, breaking the silence.
"No," I said, shaking my head.
"No?" he repeated, his frustration rising. "Then why the attitude? Here I am, making an effort, picking you up for dinner. Can’t you at least pretend to appreciate it?"
His words hung in the air, but I found myself unable to muster any response. The Roan who once filled my world with light and love had become a stranger, and I couldn’t pretend anymore. The effort he spoke of felt hollow, and the bonds that once tied us were fraying, leaving nothing but a chasm of indifference between us.
"I'm not angry, Alpha."
"Fine!" Roan sighed heavily. "I promise, no more contact with Tracy, okay?"
I stared at him, a myriad of emotions battling within me. Did he really believe that a simple promise could erase the months of deceit and betrayal?
"Are you happy now?" he pressed again, searching my face for any sign of relief.