The Cracks in Our Bond

The once warm and inviting rays of the sun now felt like a cold, unforgiving stare as I watched my mate, Alpha Ryder, lavish attention on his Beta mistress, Lillian. Their laughter echoed through the halls of our pack's mansion, a stark contrast to the emptiness I felt within. It had been weeks since Ryder's behavior changed, and I couldn't help but wonder if I was losing him. As his mate, I had always been by his side, supporting him through the trials and tribulations of leading our pack. But lately, he seemed distant, preoccupied, and increasingly cold towards me. The little things he used to do for me, the small gestures that made me feel loved and appreciated, had stopped. It was as if I was no longer on his mind. I tried to brush it off, telling myself that he was just stressed with pack business, but deep down, I knew better. Ryder's eyes would light up whenever Lillian was near, and he would go out of his way to make her happy. I had seen the way he looked at her, the way he smiled at her, and it cut me to the core. I stood in the kitchen, my eyes fixed on Ryder as he held Lillian's hand, his thumb caressing her palm. The scene before me was like a slow-motion nightmare. How could he do this to me? Hadn't I been a good mate to him? Hadn't I supported him through thick and thin? My thoughts were interrupted by Ryder's voice, his tone clipped and dismissive. "Rowena, I need to speak with Lillian. Alone." He didn't even bother to look at me, his gaze lingering on her instead. I felt a sting from his words, but I kept my composure, turning to leave the kitchen without a word. As I walked away, I couldn't help but wonder what was happening to us, to our relationship, and to the man I thought I knew. That night, Ryder barely spoke to me, his attention still fixated on Lillian. I went to bed feeling empty and alone, my heart heavy with a sense of foreboding. Something was wrong, and I didn't know how to fix it. The next morning, Ryder announced that he had booked a vacation for us, claiming that I needed to rest. I was taken aback by the sudden trip, but I didn't think much of it, assuming that he was trying to make amends. Little did I know, it was just the beginning of a journey that would change my life forever. As I stood in our bedroom, staring at the clothes Ryder had packed for me, I felt a pang of unease. Something didn't feel right. The departure date was set for two days from now, and I couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. I decided to call my mother, seeking her advice and guidance. As we spoke, I made a decision that would alter the course of my life. "Mother, I'll accept the arranged marriage," I said, my voice barely above a whisper. The conversation with my mother was brief, but it marked the beginning of a new chapter in my life, one that I wasn't sure I was ready for. As I hung up the phone, I couldn't help but wonder what the future held, and what lay ahead for me.