When the Alpha Chose His Pack Over His Mate Chapter 09

When the Alpha Chose His Pack Over His Mate Chapter 09

Dinnertime arrived, and Rowen Watson, the Alpha of the pack, took his seat at the head of the table. The Omegas began to lay out the dishes, but something felt off. The grilled salmon he usually favored wasn’t placed in front of him as it always had been. I used to make sure of that, reminding the Omegas of the small details to ensure Rowen’s meals were comfortable after a long day of leading the pack.

But now, without me there to guide them, the Omegas seemed lost, their usual precision slipping. The table felt disorganized, and the atmosphere was heavy with an unspoken absence.

Rowen rubbed his temples, as if trying to dispel the sudden wave of unease. He must have remembered how I’d gently remind him not to let his responsibilities consume him, to take care of himself and eat well. My voice, soft and warm, seemed to echo in his mind, but the space across from him remained empty.

The Omegas, sensing the tension, stood frozen, barely daring to breathe. After a long silence, Rowen finally waved them away, his voice tired. “Leave us.”

Not long after, Memphis Reynolds, Rowen’s Beta, arrived with two bottles of wine. “Rowen,” he said, setting the bottles on the table, “the Lycan King’s assignment for you to welcome Sky Harris back to the pack is a clear sign of his favor. I thought of you as soon as I got my hands on these. Tonight, we drink.”

He found a seat and began pouring the wine, his movements familiar and relaxed. Rowen forced a faint smile. “You’re too kind, Memphis.”

Memphis clapped him on the shoulder. “You’re a lucky man, Rowen. Reuniting with your childhood friend after all these years! I thought you might struggle after Ivy left. She handled everything for you—your meals, your schedule, even the pack’s events. She knew exactly what you needed, even what the rest of us liked when we visited.”

“Every full moon, the packhouse was perfectly prepared, elegant but warm. She made you look good in front of the others. I could tell you appreciated it, even if you never said it. Now that she’s gone, of course you’d feel the difference.”

Rowen’s hand paused mid-air as he reached for his glass. His expression flickered briefly before he masked it. “Memphis, what are you talking about? I’m not one to be weighed down by sentimentality. She took care of things because I allowed her to. Now that we’ve gone our separate ways, I can focus entirely on the pack’s future.”

He downed the wine in one gulp, but the taste was unusually bitter, not at all like the smooth flavor he was used to.

Memphis watched him, shaking his head slightly. “Well, if that’s how you see it, all the better. Tonight, we drink until we forget everything.”

Rowen nodded, refilling his glass. The two of them continued drinking, their conversation growing louder and more candid as the alcohol loosened their tongues. Hidden frustrations and regrets began to surface, spilling out in fragmented words.

Eventually, Memphis, too drunk to stay, excused himself. The Omegas helped Rowen to his room, where he lay down on the bed, restless. The space beside him felt cold and empty, missing the warmth of another body. In the darkness, he reached out instinctively, searching for something—or someone—but his hand found only the chill of the air.

He opened his eyes, confirming it wasn’t a dream, and let out a bitter laugh. Years of habit were hard to break, and he knew forcing himself to adapt too quickly would only make it worse.