Jealousy and pride

“Baby, would you mind if I ask you to come with me to the fashion show tonight? I miss you so much,”

The voice on the other end of the line was soft, warm, and thrumming with the gentle, magnetic energy that only an Alpha’s mate or close family could hold. It was Rica, speaking to Ace, who was currently leaning back in his office chair, one hand pressed hard against his forehead as he stared at the mountain of paperwork spread across his desk. He let out a long, tired sigh and glanced at his wristwatch, only to wince when a sharp throb began to build behind his eyes — a headache that always came when his wolf, Kaelthar, grew restless and uneasy, sensing the tension in his master’s heart.

“I don’t know if I can,” he replied flatly, setting the phone down on the desk and returning his attention to the documents before him.

“I’m so scared here at the mansion, the halls feel so cold and empty without you,” Rica continued, her voice growing a little more pleading, carrying the faint, soothing scent of jasmine that wolves could pick up even through a phone line. “Could you please just come over? We could snuggle up together like we used to. I really miss you, Ace.”

Ace closed his eyes tightly, fighting down the rising irritation that was building inside him. Rica had been so clinging and demanding ever since they had become involved. If it were not for the fact that he had known her family for years — especially her father, Jacob, who was a respected Elder and leader within the pack council — he would never have agreed to marry her or bind his life to hers. Still, there was one solid, unchanging reason he had chosen her: unlike Selene, whose body carried a curse that made her unable to bear children, Rica was strong, fertile, and capable of carrying a healthy heir, and she could do it quickly — something that was sacred to werewolf kind, as every Alpha’s bloodline was meant to continue for generations.

Thinking of that, he reached into the cabinet beside his desk and pulled out the same brown folder he had looked at so many times before. He had stared at it nonstop since the day before, and ever since everything had happened, he had been struggling to make sense of his own actions and feelings. His wolf had been growling low in his chest all night, confused and restless, sensing a wrongness in the choices he had made — something Ace tried hard to ignore.

“What am I supposed to do with you, Selene?” he murmured to himself, speaking aloud without meaning to, his voice softening against his will.

“Baby, are you still there?” Rica called out again from the other end of the line, her tone shifting to one of gentle curiosity.

“Yeah, I’m still here. I really don’t know if I can make it,” he answered. He heard a soft sigh, then her voice returned, warm and concerned.

“How is Miss Selene doing? Is she alright? I heard she was taken to the hospital yesterday.”

“How did you find out about that?” Ace asked, surprised and immediately alert — Alpha senses had always made him sharp to every detail, but this time he truly wanted to know.

“Well, my cousin works at the hospital where she was admitted, and he told me he saw her in one of the rooms when he went there last night around midnight. He said she looked pale and tired, like her spirit was heavy. What happened to her?”

There was a pause on the line, and Ace’s expression grew serious. His wolf whined softly inside him, sensing the distress of the woman he had once been bound to.

“I… she fainted. I don’t know any more details than that,” he said simply, his gaze drifting to the large wall clock above his office door. His mind kept going back to her — to her pale face, her trembling hands, and the way she had looked when she left him, like a flower that had been crushed by a storm.

After he had taken her to the hospital the day before, he had been called back to the company urgently because of problems with the shareholders — powerful leaders from other packs who demanded answers and guidance. As the Alpha of the Heavenly Demon Pack, he was the only one who could resolve such issues, for the law of the packs stated that only the ruling Alpha had the authority to make binding decisions. So he had been forced to leave, even though his wolf had howled in protest at the thought of leaving her alone. But he had promised himself — promised her, and promised his own heart — that he would come back as soon as everything was settled.

He was just about to end the call when the door to his office opened, and his secretary, Kendra, stepped inside carrying a thick stack of reports and documents. She was the daughter of a respected pack Sergeant, and she had been working for him for years, trusted because she understood the way of the wolves — that duty came before everything else, even personal feelings.

“Alpha, here is the report from yesterday’s meeting,” she said, setting them down on the table. Ace gestured for her to sit in the chair opposite him.

“Ace, can’t you really come with me?” Rica asked again, her voice sounding a little more insistent, her scent growing sharper and more demanding.

Ace looked down at his phone for a moment, then spoke firmly, his voice carrying the weight of an Alpha’s authority. “I’m sorry, but I really can’t.” He did not wait for her to reply; he simply ended the call and put the phone aside, as was his right to do.

He turned his attention back to Kendra, who was adjusting her glasses and smiling at him politely, though she could see the conflict in his eyes — something rare for an Alpha who always appeared so strong and unshakable.

“Early this morning, the doctor told me that Ma’am Selene woke up. She wasn’t alone, either,” Kendra said directly, getting straight to the point.

Ace frowned, a look of confusion crossing his face. “Probably one of her family members — her blood relatives would come to care for her, as is the custom.”

Kendra shook her head gently, her expression serious. “No. They said the person with her was her friend. He arrived at the hospital very early today, and from what I heard, he is Alpha of another pack. And I also found out that Ma’am Selene is scheduled to be discharged tomorrow.”

“He?” Ace repeated, lifting an eyebrow. Alpha eyes could pick up even the smallest changes, and he felt a strange, sharp twist in his chest at the news. Kendra nodded in response.

He stood up from his chair and began putting on his long, heavy coat — made from the finest wolf hide and woven with protective charms, a tradition among Alphas that kept them safe and strong. “I’ll leave these papers with you for now. Go through them carefully, and if you find anything wrong with the contracts or if there is any misleading information, call me immediately. I need to go out for a while.”

Kendra rolled her eyes and glared at him, crossing her arms over her chest. “Hey! I’m your assistant, not your replacement CEO! And don’t forget — I’m also a warrior of the pack, I have my own duties to attend to!”

Ace smiled playfully as he placed the brown folder back into the cabinet and locked it — the folder held not just papers, but the bond that had once connected him to Selene, a bond that had been sealed with pack rituals and promises, now broken.

“Think of it as part of the job description, Kendra. And you know your father will be very angry if I tell him you’re being lazy and difficult,” he said, his tone light but with a hint of teasing sarcasm.

Kendra snorted, waving her hand dismissively. “Stop using my dad as an excuse! You’re the difficult one here, not me! And anyway, being an Alpha doesn’t mean you have to be so hard on everyone!”

“Alright, alright,” he continued, still smiling. “But I have to warn you — if you don’t finish this work, I’ll cut your bonus. And you know your father would much rather send you to the warrior training grounds than let you study arts if he knew you were refusing to work hard. After all, a true wolf is strong in both mind and body.”

Kendra’s face immediately turned red at the mention of training grounds and military discipline. She frowned and pouted, crossing her arms tightly. “Fine! I’ll do it! Just… please don’t call my dad anymore. I hate admitting it, but I really don’t want to go through harsh training. I’m far too pretty and gentle for that kind of thing!”

Ace laughed, tapping her shoulder lightly — a gesture of affection that was allowed between pack members, but only from those of equal or higher rank. “Good girl. Get to work now — don’t act like a slow tortoise, alright? Remember, a wolf that moves slowly gets left behind.”

“I was so unlucky to be born as the daughter of a Sergeant who wants me to be tough and strong, and then I got stuck with a ruthless Alpha like you! Ugh! I really hate you both!” she complained, though there was no real anger in her voice.

“Whatever you say. Stop complaining and start working. See you later!” Ace said as he walked out of the office, his steps light but confident — the way all Alphas moved, carrying themselves with grace and power.

Kendra watched him go, then turned back to the pile of papers in front of her, pulling her chair closer and sitting down. She sighed loudly, crossing her arms again and glaring at the documents. “I wonder why anyone would ever choose to become an Alpha! It feels like it’s going to be the death of me!”

“Wow, tulips! How beautiful!”

Selene’s voice was bright and excited as she held a large bouquet of fresh tulips, their soft petals smelling like spring and sunlight. Standing beside her, Marco watched her with a warm, fond expression in his eyes — he was Alpha of the Gray Life Pack, a land known for its vast fields of flowers and quiet, peaceful valleys, and he understood the value of beauty and nature, something that many warrior Alphas often forgot.

She turned to look at him and said, “Thank you, Alpha Marco! I really love tulips. They are so pure and gentle, just like the Moon Goddess intended all beautiful things to be. This means so much to me.”

Marco smiled gently, reaching out to take her hand in his — a gesture of friendship and respect, allowed between pack members, but he did it with great care, as if she were something precious and fragile. “I’ve known that for a long time. I’m so glad you like them. And remember — in our pack, we believe that flowers are like wolves: they grow strongest when they are loved and cared for.”

“So you still remember what I told you before?” she asked, her eyes lighting up with happiness.

“Of course I do! I will always remember,” he replied. “After you leave the hospital, we can go to the tulip fields in Salisbury. I know the place well — it is one of the most sacred lands, where the earth is blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. The air there smells like magic, and when the wind blows, it feels like the spirits of our ancestors are walking among the flowers.”

“Really? Oh my goodness, thank you so much, Alpha Marco! You’re such a great friend!” she said, beaming at him.

Marco reached into his bag and pulled out a pack of fresh grapes — sweet, juicy, and grown in the fertile soil of his pack’s farms. Selene’s eyes lit up even brighter, and she laughed softly as she took them. She ate three pieces in a row without stopping, her mouth full of sweet fruit.

“I saw you at the mall late one night, a few days ago, buying a whole bunch of grapes,” he explained. “So I went straight to our best orchard and picked these fresh ones just for you. We grow them with special care, using the old ways that our elders taught us — we sing to them while they grow, so they taste like happiness. Do you like them?”

Selene nodded eagerly, unable to speak properly because she was still eating. “Yes! Yes! They’re so delicious! I love them!”

The hospital room was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation. Marco was known for his jokes, funny stories, and silly remarks — he was the kind of Alpha who believed that joy was as important as strength, and that a happy pack was a strong pack. Selene laughed along with everything he said — so much that at one point she had to hold her chest and catch her breath, she was laughing so hard.

Still holding the bouquet, she looked at him and said, “You’ve been here since this morning, Marco. You should go home and rest. You must have important things to do, right? Your pack needs you — and isn’t Shane your Luna? In our ways, the Luna is the heart of the pack, and she needs her Alpha to be with her. I’m sure she’s waiting for you.”

A faint shadow of sadness passed over Marco’s face. He sighed, and a bitter smile touched his lips. He was a strong, powerful Alpha, but when it came to Selene, he felt as soft and vulnerable as a young wolf just learning to walk.

“You know how I feel about you, Selene,” he said softly, his voice sincere, carrying the quiet power of an Alpha who spoke from the heart. “From the very first time I met you, I prayed to the Moon Goddess every night that you would be the one to become my Luna, and no one else. I believe that when the Goddess pairs two souls, no bond is stronger than that — and I know in my heart that my soul belongs to you.”

“Alpha, the Moon Goddess decides who is meant to be together,” she replied gently, her voice full of wisdom. “That is the oldest law of our kind. Besides… I am already married to someone else, and marriage is a sacred promise between two people, sealed with vows and traditions.”

“Selene, it is so hard to love someone when I know in my heart that I only want you,” he said, his voice growing more intense, but never rude or demanding. “I only want you to be mine. If you wanted me to, I could break off my bond with Shane right now — it is within my power, as Alpha, to choose my own path. I would do it in a heartbeat, just to be with you.”

“Marco, please don’t do that,” she interrupted quickly, her expression serious. “Don’t hurt her. She is such a kind, wonderful person — she loves you, and she has done nothing wrong. I believe that if you give your heart time, you will come to love her too. That is how love grows, isn’t it? Like a tree — it takes time to grow strong and deep roots.”

“Selene —”

They both turned toward the door as it suddenly opened. Ace stood there, frozen in place for a moment when he saw the scene before him: Selene sitting on the bed, holding flowers, and sitting next to her was another man, holding her hand and looking at her with eyes full of devotion.

For a second, Ace could not move — his Alpha senses were reeling, his wolf Kaelthar was snarling and pacing inside him, angry and possessive, as if he had found another wolf touching what was his. It went against every instinct of their kind: the bond between a male and female was meant to be exclusive, and seeing another Alpha near his wife triggered every protective and territorial instinct he had.

When he finally regained his composure, his face went back to its usual cold, empty expression — the mask he wore to hide his true feelings, something he had learned to do long ago. He walked inside without saying a single word of greeting, his steps heavy and purposeful.

“What are you doing here?” Selene asked, looking at him with clear annoyance, her own eyes sharp and strong — a sign that she was no longer the quiet, shy she-wolf he had once known.

Ace ignored her question and looked straight at the man beside her, his voice sharp and demanding, carrying the authority of a ruler. “Who are you?” he asked, his eyes flashing with the power of his rank.

Marco stood up slowly, smiling politely, and walked toward him. He was also an Alpha, and he carried himself with the same grace and confidence, but he did not try to challenge Ace — he only wanted peace. He extended his hand, as was the custom when meeting someone of high rank.

“I am Alpha Marco Rhinos Sandoval, from the Gray Life Pack. It is a pleasure to meet you, Alpha Ace.”

Ace looked down at the outstretched hand, his eyes cold and unimpressed. In the world of wolves, rank and status meant everything, and he saw no reason to treat this man with special kindness. “We are still married, and already you are here with her like this? How shameful,” he said plainly, his words cutting like a knife.

Marco let his hand fall back to his side and put it in his pocket, his smile not fading, though his eyes grew a little more serious. He understood that Ace was acting out of instinct — but he also knew his own worth.

Selene glared at him, her eyebrows furrowed, and sat up straighter on the bed. “You have no business being here, Ace. Please go away!”

“Why are you giving her grapes?” Ace asked, turning his attention back to Marco immediately, his tone harsh. “She doesn’t like them. I know her better than anyone.”

Marco looked at Selene, confused and curious. He had seen how happy she was, how she had eaten them with joy, and he could not understand why Ace would say such a thing.

“Why do you care? I don’t need you here at all! Get out and never come back! Just seeing you makes me feel sick!” Selene yelled, her voice strong and clear. She had learned to stand up for herself, something that took great courage, especially in a world where Alphas were used to being obeyed.

“Are you really her husband?” Marco asked, looking at Ace with understanding. “I am sorry for giving her the grapes, but she likes them. Aren’t you mistaken about what she likes and dislikes? A true partner knows their other half better than anyone, but sometimes… even the closest people can change.”

“I am her husband, not you — so I know her better than anyone!” Ace shot back, his voice rising slightly, his hands clenching into fists. “You should be the one to leave. What are you doing here? I told you to go away!”

“You’re the one who needs to leave!” Selene cut him off quickly, her tone firm and unwavering.

Ace felt a wave of strange, overwhelming emotions wash over him — emotions he had never felt before, and ones he did not know how to handle. Seeing her sitting there, smiling happily with another man, made his blood boil with a rage so deep it felt like fire burning through his veins. His hands clenched into tight fists at his sides, so hard that his knuckles turned white. When he saw Marco gently take her hand again, holding it as if it were something precious and sacred, he felt as if his heart were being squeezed in a vice. He stared at their joined hands, and for a moment, he could barely breathe — it felt like thousands of sharp needles were piercing his heart over and over again, each one bringing a new wave of pain and jealousy.

But what hurt the most, what cut deeper than any wound, was seeing how comfortable and happy Selene looked. She did not pull her hand away from Marco; she did not look uncomfortable or annoyed. Instead, she smiled at him warmly, her eyes soft and bright, and she did not stop him or tell him to let go. In the world of wolves, touch was a language all its own — and the way she accepted his touch spoke volumes. It told Ace that he had lost something far more important than he had ever realized.

“I will go now, Selene,” Marco said softly, his voice gentle and full of respect. He bent down slightly, keeping his movements calm and unthreatening, and leaned forward to press a light, respectful kiss to the back of her hand — a gesture of affection and protection, common between close friends and pack members.

To Ace, however, the sight was like a blow to the chest. He felt as if he were being burned alive from the inside out, his wolf Kaelthar howling and pacing wildly within him, furious and desperate to claim what was his. But Ace forced himself to stay still, hiding his raging emotions behind a mask of cold control, his hands still clenched so tight his nails dug into his palms. Selene, though, did not seem upset or uncomfortable at all. She smiled back at Marco, and he smiled gently in return before turning to leave the room, his steps steady and peaceful.

Selene looked at Ace once more, her expression cold and distant, like ice on a winter morning.

“I didn’t know you liked tulips,” he said suddenly, breaking the silence. His voice was much calmer than before, quieter and lower, as if he were trying to find some truth in the words.

She rolled her eyes at him, her tone sharp and sarcastic. “You don’t need to know anything about me. You don’t care, anyway, right? What I like or dislike — it never mattered to you in the first place.”

Ace leaned back in the chair he had sat down in, resting his weight against the backrest and closing his eyes tightly. The room fell silent, heavy and tense, filled with the unspoken words and feelings hanging in the air. The wind outside howled softly, carrying the scent of rain and earth, a sound that always made his wolf restless, but today it only added to the weight in his chest.

“Do you really like grapes, or are you just pretending?” he asked, breaking the quiet after a few moments. His voice was low, serious, and curious.

Selene did not answer. Instead, she lay back against the pillows, closed her eyes, and pretended to go to sleep, turning her face away from him as if he were nothing more than a stranger.

“As far as I remember,” he continued, speaking again after a short pause, his voice softening just a little, “you always pushed aside any food or drink that had grape flavor. You never liked them. You used to say they were too sweet, too heavy, and you always left every single one on your plate, no matter what. You even used to tell me they tasted like nothing but sugar and water.”

“People change,” she said simply, her voice muffled by the pillows, cold and distant. “I hope you change too.”

“Change into what?” he asked, opening his eyes and looking directly at her, his gaze intense and searching. “What kind of person do you want me to be? What do you want me to change into?”

“I just wish you would disappear from my life entirely, Alpha Ace,” she said clearly, her voice firm and unyielding. She spoke with the strength of a she-wolf who had finally found her own voice, no longer afraid to say what she felt.

“I cannot do that,” he replied firmly, his voice low but steady, carrying the weight of an Alpha’s determination. “No matter whether you like it or not, Selene. We are bound by vows and traditions, by the laws of our packs and the promises we made. Those things cannot be broken just because you wish them to be.”

“You have no rights over me anymore — not after we are divorced,” she told him, turning her head just enough to look at him, her eyes clear and determined. “That is when I will be able to completely erase you from my life. That is when I will be free.”

“Is that the reason why you signed the papers?” he asked again, his curiosity growing stronger. He watched her closely, hoping to see some sign of what she was really feeling, his hands resting on his lap — though they were trembling slightly, a small, hidden sign of how nervous and anxious he truly was. “What does that man mean to you? Why is he here with you? Why do you look at him like that?”

Her eyes softened a little, but her face remained calm and dry, showing no trace of the pain she had felt before. She pressed her lips together, and a small, sad smile appeared on her face as she spoke, her voice gentle but steady.

“He is the best man I have ever known,” she said, her words clear and honest. “And yes… I realized that I wanted to be free, so I signed the papers. Isn’t that exactly what you wanted me to do? You told me to leave, you told me to go away, you told me to start a new life. Well, I am doing exactly what you asked.”

Ace was completely stunned. His heart — which he had long thought was cold and unfeeling, frozen by his own choices and his desire for an heir — broke into pieces right then and there. He lowered his eyes to look at the tiled floor, his jaw tightening as he tried hard to keep his emotions under control. A long, heavy sigh escaped his lips, and for the first time in a long time, he felt lost and unsure of himself.

“Are you in love with him?” he asked her, and this time there was a clear note of sadness and vulnerability in his voice — something he would never have let anyone else hear, but which slipped out without him meaning it.