Chapter 119: Overstepping
"This was ridiculous." I muttered to myself.
"She is being irrational." I kept telling myself that.
She was just being overdramatic.
I kept making excuses for her behavior.
Running away because of a few words.
Words that....
My thoughts stopped abruptly.
Because those weren’t just ’a few words.’
They were my words.
My voice.
I had humiliated her in public.
My jaw clenched harder.
Damn it.
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.
"This is unnecessary," I muttered.
Even if I had wronged her, she didn’t have to leave.
She could have stayed.
We could have...
Could have what?
My thoughts stalled again.
Because I didn’t have an answer.
I didn’t know what I would have done differently.
Because even now, standing here, I wasn’t sure I would take those words back.
And that realization...was worse than anything else.
Because it meant that I was the problem.
And I hated that.
I hated myself for putting us in that situation because of pride.
I turned and headed back toward the pack house.
Each step heavier than the last.
The early morning silence felt different now.
It was oppressive and uncomfortable.
Because something was missing.
Something I couldn’t quite place.
But I felt it like a void in my heart.
Like something that used to be there...but wasn’t anymore.
I pushed the thought away trying to ignore it the same way I had ignored many things.
But it followed me all the way back.
The moment I stepped into the pack house, I felt the difference.
That sweet scent of roses mixed with honey and something else was suddenly missing.
It made my heart feel hollow as if everything in it had been dug out.
Whispers were still everywhere like always as the pack awakened and people began their daily routine.
However, today I didn’t want to hear anyone talking about Valerie.
My eyes darkened instantly when she was mentioned.
"Silence."
My voice cut through the hall like a blade.
The whispers died immediately.
Every head lowered, and every body stiffened in fear, respect, and submission.
That was how it was supposed to be.
That was how it always was.
Seeing them like this, I wondered why Valerie never seemed to be affected like everyone else.
Was it because she lacked a wolf?
I was thinking about her again.
"Where is the Beta?" I asked.
A warrior stepped forward quickly.
"In the training grounds, Alpha."
"Bring him here."
"Yes, Alpha."
He rushed off immediately.
I moved toward the main hall, taking my seat without another word.
Minutes passed then I heard footsteps.
Andrew entered quickly, his expression serious.
"You called for me?"
"She left."
It wasn’t a question but a statement.
Andrew didn’t look surprised.
"I know."
That made my eyes narrow slightly.
"You knew?"
"I saw her leaving."
"And you didn’t stop her?"
His jaw tightened slightly.
"You didn’t give that order."
That was true. I couldn’t even stop her myself. So, what did I expect anyone else to do?
However, his inaction still irritated me.
"You’re the Beta," I said coldly. "You should have used your judgment."
"I did."
It was an unapologetic statement.
He wasn’t sorry he didn’t stop her.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because she wouldn’t have stayed."
His answer came immediately.
"And you just let her go?" I pressed.
"I respected her decision."
It was the same word Valerie had used before. Respect and freedom.
These were things I wasn’t used to giving to those around me.
Things I wasn’t used to people using against me.
"She’s your Luna," I said.
Andrew’s gaze met mine directly.
"Is she?"
Now, even my beta was challenging me for her. Valerie had indeed changed a lot of things in the pack silently.
"She left because of you," he continued.
My expression hardened instantly.
"Watch your tone."
"I’m stating facts."
"You’re overstepping."
"And you’re ignoring the problem."
Andrew usually doesn’t speak much. He usually cares more about his cars than the problems in the pack, however, today he was challenging me for Valerie.
My fists clenched again.
"What exactly are you implying?" I asked coldly.
"I am implying that you pushed her to this point."
My jaw tightened at his response.
"She’s weak if she runs away because of a few words."
Andrew’s expression darkened visibly.
"She’s strong for walking away from someone who doesn’t respect her."
"She’s my mate," I said again.
As if repeating it would make the bond stronger and more valid.
Andrew didn’t flinch.
"Then you should have treated her like one."
He was right. I knew it.
I never treated Valerie as my mate. I had caused her more trouble with my actions and words.
I didn’t know how to fix the mess I had caused.
Because she was already gone.
My chest tightened again.
That same unfamiliar feeling creeping back, stronger this time.
"What do you want me to do?" I asked finally.
The question came out quieter than I intended.
My voice wasn’t commanding and sounded uncertain.
Andrew studied me for a moment before he replied.
"You have to decide." He finally said.
"Decide what?" I couldn’t understand his meaning.
"What she is to you."
The words settled heavily.
"Your Luna?" he continued. "Your mate? Or just... a problem you want to get rid of?"
I didn’t answer immediately because honestly, I didn’t know what Valerie was to me.
"I’ll send people to track her," Andrew said after a moment.
"No."
The word came out immediately.
He looked at me in surprise.
"You’re letting her go?"
My jaw tightened.
"I didn’t say that."
"Then..."
"I’ll handle it myself."
Because this wasn’t something I could leave to others.
It was a personal mess I had made and I couldn’t leave it to others.
It was mine to either fix or break further.
Andrew didn’t argue with me and just nodded once.
Then turned and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts and mistakes.
I leaned back slowly, staring at the ceiling, thoughts filling the empty space she had left behind.
Because along the way, I had lost something I couldn’t replace.
And now I had to make the decision.
Do I let her go, or do I go after her...?
And finally face everything I’ve been avoiding?