The strain of our broken connection was taking a toll on me. My body felt heavy and sluggish, my senses dulled. The energy that once flowed effortlessly through me now felt blocked, stifled. It was as if a part of me was missing, and the emptiness was slowly draining my strength.
Just as I was about to try reaching out to Cassia again, my phone buzzed with relentless notifications. Someone had added me to the group chat, it was for the gathering. It seemed like although many wolves were old-fashioned, some still coped with trends. I clicked into the chat, my curiosity and dread mingling.
Photos from the event streamed in, showing various activities and smiling faces. Felicity featured prominently, her bright smile and effortless charm shining through. She fit in perfectly with the Alpha's circle, laughing and engaging with ease. One picture in particular made my breath catch: my mate carrying Felicity in his arms, lifting her off the ground like she was his Luna. She clung to his neck, her cheek resting against his chest. If she tilted her head just slightly, she could kiss his chin.
The group chat erupted with cheers and comments, tagging Dane and Felicity and calling them a “perfect match.” Flattery and eager compliments flowed in, each more effusive than the last, all seeking to ingratiate themselves with Dane.
Since I had been added to the group, I couldn’t ignore it. Maintaining a facade was essential, even if it meant participating in this farce. So, I typed two words, “Perfect match", my fingers trembling slightly as I hit send.
With a click, I exited the group chat and silenced my phone. The digital world buzzed on without me, its superficial praise and false cheerfulness nothing more than background noise. I returned to my work, the medical records providing a brief refuge from the storm raging in my mind. By the time I finished, darkness had settled outside.
While doing all that, I refused to listen to any of my mates' attempts to mind link me.
As I finally checked my phone again, I saw dozens of missed calls from him. There were even messages, but I refused to care anymore.
I stood up after hours of sitting, but suddenly my world felt like it was spinning. I thought it was because my body was shocked by the sudden movement, but when I looked in the mirror, I saw my nose bleeding.
