Alpha's Regret: Losing His True Mate

Elodie’s POV

York had always thought I was the perfect Luna, gentle, quiet, and endlessly patient with his brother. I could see it in his eyes every time he looked at me, that faint glimmer of admiration he never said out loud. To him, I was the woman who kept Dante steady, the one who never argued, never made a scene, never showed the cracks forming underneath the surface. If only he knew how tired I was of being the calm one.

He stood awkwardly by the hallway door, scratching the back of his neck. “Elodie,” he said softly, his tone careful, like he was approaching a wounded animal. “You’re... you’ve always been good to him. My brother’s just... stubborn. He’ll realize what you mean to him someday.”

I forced a small smile, even though my chest ached. “Maybe,” I whispered, though even I didn’t believe it.

He nodded, still looking uncomfortable. “Don’t stay up too late, okay? It’s past midnight. Try to get some rest.”

“Good night, York,” I murmured, and he gave me a small, helpless look before heading down the stairs. His footsteps faded, and the silence in the house came crawling back in like fog.

I turned off the main light and switched on the bedside lamp. The warm glow painted soft shadows on the walls, familiar yet empty. When I sank into the bed, I didn’t even bother to pull the blanket up. I just lay there, staring at the ceiling, feeling the quiet thud of my own heartbeat.

The door opened a few minutes later.

I didn’t need to look to know it was him.

I opened my eyes, meeting his for a split second as he walked in. His expression was unreadable, sharp in the dim light.