Well Beyond

24

As soon as I step into the dining room, an overwhelming sense of suffocation hits me. Alphas and their mates fill the room, each pair a vivid reminder of what I lack. Rosia is here, her presence a painful reminder of old acquaintances. Several others are new, likely Lycans, adding to the unfamiliarity of the scene. Jasper's laughter rings out, mingling with the buzz of conversation. It feels intrusive to listen in, but I can't help it.

"Didn't you guys just have your baby?" Rosia snorts, her tone light but sharp, directed at a couple in front of her.

I notice with a pang of recognition that Rosia and the woman seem eerily similar—likely family. The woman rolls her eyes playfully at her mate, who looks at her with a tender affection. The intensity of their connection makes me freeze momentarily. I wonder, fleetingly and with a tinge of bitterness, if Erik and I could ever share something like that. I immediately push the thought away; it's too painful to entertain.

"We wanted another," the man replies, his voice laced with pride.

"When are you and Theo going to settle down?" he asks, his tone teasing yet serious.

"Same time you guys stop popping out pups," she retorts, sipping from her wine glass with a smirk.

"That's the thing about mates, honey. We're the weird ones here," Theo, Rosia's mate, laughs heartily.

I place the tart on the table, desperate to escape the stifling atmosphere. A Luna, whose name I don't know, steps aside without a word to let me set the dessert down. I can feel Erik's gaze like a brand against my skin. It's almost unbearable.

"I love that everyone's mates are here. I hardly get to meet everyone like this anymore," Jasper says, his voice carrying across the room and drawing almost everyone's attention, including mine.

Jasper's gaze lands on Erik, and I see his frown deepen. It's clear that Erik is not even trying to hide his scrutiny. The tension is palpable.

"I see your mark, Erik. Where's your mate?" Jasper's voice is sharp, laced with annoyance at Erik's blatant staring.

"I prefer to keep my private life private," Erik responds, his voice strained, barely concealing his frustration. I can't help but meet Erik's gaze for a split second. His eyes lock onto mine, and my breath catches in my throat.

"You can't say much with all those tattoos, Erik," Rosia chimes in, her tone more biting than before. "I know how your pack is."

Erik's gaze shifts to her, intense and threatening. The air crackles with his barely contained anger. I shift my weight uneasily, feeling the weight of the situation press down on me. I need to leave, but my curiosity keeps me tethered to the room.

Jasper leans forward in his chair, curiosity piqued. "I've been out of the loop for a few decades. What are the tattoos for?"

Erik's jaw clenches, but he remains silent. Rosia, clearly unfazed, sets her wine glass down and gestures with her hand.

"You're more dramatic and secretive than usual, Erik," she teases, her voice dripping with mockery. "His pack does this whole ritual when they find and accept their mates. It's an entire day of tattooing, dedicated to the mate. Quite romantic, in a primal kind of way."

The words hit me like a punch to the gut. He must have taken another mate. My "insurance policy" seems to just have expired. I swallow hard, feeling the weight of Erik's actions press down on me. I back away from the table, my heart pounding, and quickly retreat from the room. The door slams shut behind me, and I sprint back to my room.

I tear open my emergency bag, pulling it out from beneath the bed and tossing it onto the mattress. My hands fumble as I rip it open, frantically searching through the contents. Relief washes over me as I find my passport among the money and essentials.