Chapter 3

"Where’s the report I asked for?"

In the past, I’d always wake up before dawn to prep breakfast and make sure Alpha Lincoln’s work docs and training gear were in order. I took a bite of my sandwich and mumbled, "What report?"

Lincoln’s golden eyes narrowed, his Alpha vibe radiating irritation. "The one I mind-linked you about."

I didn’t budge from my spot at the kitchen counter. "Didn’t check my mind-link. You’ll have to track it down yourself."

For four years, I’d jumped at every mind-link, dropping whatever I was doing to cater to him. He wasn’t expecting me to blow him off so casually. I nodded toward my phone plugged into the outlet. "It’s charging."

Lincoln set the pastries he’d brought on the table, the scent of fresh bread mixing with his Alpha energy. "Your favorite, from that bakery downtown."

I unwrapped the package, the smell of fish hitting me. As I looked up, I caught his smug expression, his massive frame looming over me.

It wasn’t rocket science to figure out where these came from. I’m allergic to fish, and Sienna, the pack’s Gamma, loves that bakery’s fish special. The thought of him sharing breakfast with her twisted my stomach.

"Thanks, but I’ll pass," I said, my tone flat. "Take them to the training grounds. Someone else might appreciate them."

Earlier, I’d seen Sienna’s hunting post: "Nothing beats a warm breakfast shared with someone special." The pic showed her grinning at the camera, holding a pastry with a fork, her fur scarf draped over her shoulders—the same one Lincoln gave her last winter.

Lincoln crouched down, his muscular frame blocking the light as he reached for my injured ankle, his Alpha tone softening. "Let me see your foot."

Instinctively, I pulled back, my Delta instincts kicking in. "It’s fine."

He sat back on the floor, rubbing his face with a cold smirk. "Alice, just because I told you to handle the healer visit yourself, you’re throwing a fit. Really?"

I kept eating, my voice steady. "I’m not mad."

Lincoln clearly wasn’t buying it. He stood, his Alpha energy flaring as he pointed at me with disdain. "Alice, even fits have limits. You’re not ready to be Luna if you’re always overthinking like this."

Every time we argued about Sienna, he’d call me paranoid, watching as I scrambled to defend myself, proving it was his fault with tears and yelling. But this time, I stayed silent for a long moment before saying, "Why don’t we just call it quits?"

Lincoln froze, his Alpha aura flickering like he’d been blindsided. "What do you mean, ‘call it quits’?"

I looked up at him, my voice calm but firm. "I mean, let’s end the mate bond. This isn’t working anymore. You and Sienna should give it a shot."

His eyes darkened, and he kicked the trash can across the room, the metal clattering against the wall. He leaned over the table, his Alpha tone sharp. "Alice, enough is enough. Don’t push me."

In the past, when he got this close to losing it, I’d drop everything and rush to calm him down, my wolf whimpering in submission. But this time, I didn’t care about his feelings. "Think whatever you want."

I cleaned up my breakfast, grabbed my training bag, and took the trash with me as I headed for the elevator.

Lincoln had never chased after me during these fights before, but this time he followed, his Alpha tone commanding. "Where are you going if not to the training grounds?"

I looked at him coolly, my Delta pride keeping my voice steady. "Got some errands to run."

His lips twitched like he had more to say, but the elevator doors closed slowly, cutting him off.