When the Alpha Chose His Pack Over His Mate Chapter 07

When the Alpha Chose His Pack Over His Mate Chapter 07

“Alpha, you’ve been standing here for a while. Please, come inside and get out of the wind,” Zen Hoffman’s voice was soft, almost hesitant, but Rowen didn’t seem to hear him.

He only relaxed slightly when the car, which had disappeared into the distance, turned back. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“That careless woman,” he muttered under his breath. “She probably forgot something again. Zen, tell the cook to prepare some of her favorite dishes—the ones with honey-glazed pastries. Make extra. Since she’s back, she might as well stay the night. No need to rush off tomorrow.”

Zen opened his mouth as if to say something, but it ended in a quiet sigh.

The young Delta, Lennox, who had been driving the car, stepped down and hurried over. “Alpha, I’ve taken Miss Ivy to the crossing. The car is ready to be moved to the west gate…”

Rowen stiffened, his gaze flickering to the car. Oh. She hadn’t come back after all.

“Did she… say anything?” he asked, his voice low.

Lennox hesitated, his face uneasy. He stammered, “Alpha, Miss Ivy… she didn’t say much during the ride. At the end, she just told me to drive carefully on the way back…”

He quickly lowered his head, not daring to meet Rowen’s gaze, which had turned pale.

Rowen hadn’t expected her to leave so decisively. She had arranged everything with the pack members, down to the last detail, yet she hadn’t left a single word for him.

He wanted to ask more, but suddenly, it felt unnecessary. He waved Lennox away with a flick of his hand.

Zen hovered nearby, clearly wanting to say something, but before he could, a messenger from the Lycan King arrived, announcing that Rowen was to host a welcome ceremony for Sky Harris in three days’ time.

Rowen froze for a moment. He had been preparing for Sky’s return, eagerly anticipating the honor of hosting her. But now that it was here, he felt no joy—just an emptiness that seemed to drain him of all energy.

Forcing a smile felt like a struggle, but he managed to compose himself. Straightening his posture, he turned to Zen. “Prepare the east wing. Have it thoroughly cleaned and redecorated. Use the finest linens and curtains—everything must be perfect.”

Zen hesitated. “But Alpha… Miss Ivy just left. Is it really appropriate to—”

Rowen’s expression hardened. “Enough. Do as I say. Sky’s status demands nothing less. The east wing is close to the main hall, making it convenient for hosting. We can’t afford to be disrespectful.”

His words were firm, but there was a flicker of unease in his chest he couldn’t quite shake.

Zen nodded. “Yes, Alpha,” he said before turning to carry out the orders.

Rowen glanced one last time in the direction the car had gone, as if to confirm she wouldn’t return, before finally stepping inside.

Out of habit, he headed straight for his study. As he pushed the door open, the familiar scent of wildflowers and pine—Ivy’s signature scent—wafted over him.

“Ivy, you—” he started to say, halfway through the sentence before he remembered. The woman who had always sat quietly in the corner of his study, her presence a calming force while keeping him company, was gone.

The room felt colder, emptier, without her presence. He stood there for a moment, the weight of her absence settling heavily on his shoulders.

For the first time, he wondered if he’d made a mistake. But it was too late to turn back now.