Lucy’s POV
I quietly opened the door to my home with a racing heart. The weight of the tension between me and my mate, Alenjro, was suffocating. This had always been the atmosphere whenever I went anywhere and returned late. I had been so restless while I was with Aiden because I knew I was already running late. I didn’t want Aiden to find out about what was going on between me and Alenjro, especially since they had clashed in the past.
Alenjro wasn’t always like this. When we met, he was the sweetest. He had shown me love and affection, but in the last three years, he had become obsessed with having a pup. His friends always teased him that he would have to submit to me because I am an Alpha, and I feel like those are the things that made him feel inferior. He had been on edge for months now, and the last thing I needed was another confrontation.
As I stepped inside, the living room was dimly lit, but Bri, my wolf, picked up the shadowy figure of Alenjro sitting in the armchair near the fireplace. He was waiting for me, his posture rigid, arms crossed, his eyes gleaming with a mix of frustration and fury. I swallowed hard as a sense of dread washed over me. Bri whimpered inside, but I steeled myself, hoping tonight wouldn’t turn ugly.
“You’re late,” Alenjro’s voice came out low, but it held a dangerous edge.
“I’m sorry,” I stammered, my hands shaking as I closed the door behind me. I quickly made my way toward him, bowing my head slightly in a subconscious show of submission.
“I didn’t mean to take so long. I went to see Aiden…”
“Aiden,” Alenjro spat the name as though it disgusted him, cutting me off. “Of course, the great Alpha Aiden.” He leaned forward, glaring at me. “What did he say to you? Did he remind you how much better you are than me? That you’re an Alpha and I’m just a lowly Delta?”
“No, no!” I shook my head in panic. “He didn’t say anything like that. We were just-”
“Lies!” Alenjro shot up from his chair, his sudden movement making me flinch.
“I’ve noticed how you act when you’ve talked to him-always acting like you’re better than me. You think I should grovel at your feet just because you’re an Alpha.” He took a step toward me, his tall figure looming over me. “But where’s the Alpha wolf now, huh? You can’t even give me a pup. What kind of Alpha is that?”
My chest tightened at his words, venomous as they were. Bri screamed from within, threatening to take control as usual, but I overpowered her.
“I’m trying, Alenjro. You know I am,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “The Moon Goddess will bless us when the time is right.”
“I don’t need the Moon Goddess!” he roared, grabbing my arm roughly, and pulling me closer. I could feel the rage vibrating through him. “I need a real mate who can give me a legacy, not a barren Alpha who pretends to care!”
Tears welled in my eyes as I struggled to maintain my composure.
“I love you. I’ve always loved you,” I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper. “Please, Alenjro… I don’t know why this is happening to us, but I’m still your mate. I’m still the woman you loved.”
Alenjro’s expression twisted with bitterness as he released me, pushing me back.
“The woman I loved? You stopped being that woman the moment you couldn’t give me a pup,” he hissed. “And don’t you dare stand there with that Alpha pride? That’s why I make you submit, Lucy. To remind you that you’re not better than me.”
My heart shattered at his words. I had tried so hard to make things work, to be the mate he wanted, but nothing was ever enough. I had thought Alenjro loved me and that he was just going through a phase, but now it was clear-his love had turned into resentment the moment I failed to meet his expectations.
He stepped closer again, his hand curling around my wrist tightly, making me wince.
“Do you think you can keep running off to your brother, hiding behind that Alpha title?” His eyes glinted with cruelty. “In this house, you belong to me. And you will do as I say, or I’ll make sure you remember your place.”
“Alenjro, please,” I sobbed quietly, trying to pull away. “I’m trying to be the mate you want. I’m doing everything I can-”
“You are not enough.” His voice was icy. He threw my hand aside and walked back to the chair. “From now on, things will change. No more running off without my permission, no more talking to Aiden unless I say so. You’re my mate, and you’ll do as I command.”
I stood frozen, feeling my spirit break piece by piece. Bri screamed for freedom, for strength, but I had long learned to suppress her for him. I had tried to hold on to the love I once had, but now it was clear-he didn’t want love, he wanted control.
I silently cried as it dawned on me that Alenjro was no longer the man I had fallen in love with. He had become someone else entirely, consumed by his own inferiority and taking it out on me. I had to decide if I would continue to endure this torment or finally let Bri take over and fight back. Bri would be more than happy to rip his throat out.
For now, I swallowed my pain and nodded silently to his commands, knowing the storm brewing inside me was not going to stay quiet forever.