The Best Anniversary Gift for My Ex-Alpha Novel – The day I lay on the healer’s bed inside the pack infirmary, grieving the hollow silence in my womb where my five-month old pup once lived, was the same day I learned my mate, Jareth Warhowl, was bedding his personal aide, who was also the sister of his closest warrior. I tried to tell myself it was only a nightmare born from grief, until I stood outside the door of his private study in the Alpha mansion and heard the cruel truth slip through the narrow crack. “You said you love me,” Luvena whispered harshly. “Then why are we still hiding like this? Just reject her already.” “I cannot do that yet,” Jareth answered, his tone cold and careful. “If I cast Ashara aside now, while she is still healing from losing the pup, my grandfather will strip me of my inheritance.
I need the Alpha throne first. Once I hold the power of the pack, I will discard her and we can live freely.” In that moment, the she wolf who loved him died together with her unborn pup. Instead of screaming, I simply made the call that would erase me from his world. Jareth believed he could discard me whenever it suited him. What he did not know was that I was preparing the perfect gift for our upcoming mating anniversary. I would disappear from his life forever. —— The day I lay on the healer’s bed inside the pack infirmary, grieving the empty silence in my womb where my five-month old pup once lived, was the same day I learned my mate, Jareth Warhowl, was sharing a bed with his assistant, who also happened to be his best warrior’s younger sister.
At first, I believed my mind was playing tricks on me. But when I heard their voices inside his study, the truth became impossible to deny. “You said you loved me,” that assistant, Luvena Wildbriar, whispered sharply, her voice low but clear in the quiet hall. “You have told me that a thousand times, Jareth. So why not reject her? Why are we still sneaking around like young wolves? What are you waiting for?” My hand froze on the door handle. My breath caught painfully in my throat. Jareth let out a long sigh and ran his fingers through his dark hair. I once thought that habit was charming. Now it looked calculated. “Don’t tell me you actually love her,” Luvena pressed as she stepped closer. “Do you?” “Of course I love my mate,” Jareth answered. Those words should have comforted me.
Instead, they struck like a blade. How could he say that while standing so close to another woman? “But I love you more, Luvena,” he continued softly. “You are the one who makes my blood burn. She is only my responsibility. My family chose her.” “Then leave her.” “It is not that simple,” Jareth said quietly. “Especially now. She just lost our pup. She is weak with grief. If I reject her now, the other packs will tear my reputation apart. And my family wants a true heir of the Alpha bloodline.” His voice hardened. “If you became pregnant now, before I ended my bond with her, they would never accept it. My grandfather would strip me of my future. And what about your brother? If he learns I am sleeping with his sister while my mate is still mourning her lost pup, he will challenge me. It would destroy the alliance between our families.” “So I must live like this forever?” Luvena’s voice trembled. “Hidden in the shadows? Just your secret?” “Of course not,” Jareth murmured gently.
I could picture him reaching out, holding her face. “Just be patient. My grandfather is dying. Soon he will name the next Alpha King. Once the title is mine, once I hold the power of the pack, no one will control me. I will reject her, give her compensation, and bring you beside me as my true Luna.” “Fine,” Luvena said after a moment, her voice softer. “But you owe me.” “I will make it worth your wait.” “Kiss me.” And he did. Through the narrow crack of the door, I saw my mate lower his head and press his lips against hers. It was not hesitant. It was hungry. Possessive. It was the kiss of a man who had done this many times before. I did not burst inside or even scream. Shock pressed down on me like a heavy stone.
Slowly, silently, I stepped backward until my legs touched the edge of the bed in our chamber. I crawled beneath the blankets, pulled them over my head, and let the silent tears fall. My pup was gone. My bond was a lie. And the two people I trusted most were downstairs planning how to discard me. The next morning. the sun rose brightly above the Alpha estate, cruelly mocking the darkness in my heart. I had not slept at all. I spent the whole night staring at the wall while my grief slowly turned into something cold and sharp. I needed to see them again. I needed to know if the monster from last night was truly the man I had once loved.
Soon I washed my face with cold water and forced the swelling around my eyes to fade. Then I walked downstairs. The smell of roasted meat and strong coffee filled the kitchen hall. When I stepped inside, I stopped. They were already there. Jareth leaned against the ston