The Alpha Who Never Loved Me (Serena and Kieran) novel Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Serena’s pov

I stood at the front desk, my heart hammering as the clerk slid a thick envelope across the counter. The golden plaque behind her read Mating & Marriage Administration – Records, Dissolutions & Addendums.

“Mrs. Thawthorne?” The clerk peered at me over her glasses. “Is everything alright?”

“Fine.”

I tore the seal open with my thumb and eased the papers out just far enough to read the header.

Request for Dissolution of Mating Contract — Preliminary Draft

My heart sank. The form was blank, waiting for signatures and dates. I folded it back into the envelope, smoothing the crease with shaking fingers.

“Thank you.” I tucked the envelope into my bag.

I turned to leave and walked straight into a familiar chest.

“Serena?”

Mark. Kieran’s Beta and one of my oldest friends. We’d grown up together in the same circle of pack children, back when Blackthorn and Crimson were separate territories with their own politics.

His eyes dropped to the bag I was clutching against my chest.

“What are you doing here?”

“Nothing.” The lie came too quickly. “Just… paperwork for my mother’s medical expenses.”

Mark frowned. “How is your mother?”

“Better. She should be discharged in a few days.”

“Good.” He hesitated, then added, “I hope you are okay.”

My smile felt like cracked glass. “I am.”

“Well.” Mark squeezed my shoulder, his touch warm and familiar. “It’s good to see you, Serena. Take care of yourself.”

I nodded and slipped past him. I had to get ready for dinner.

Kieran had surprised me with a make up dinner at his favorite restaurant for missing our anniversary dinner.

The restaurant was beautiful, it had crystal chandeliers, white tablecloths and a string quartet playing softly in the corner. Kieran had reserved the private room, the one with the view of the city skyline and the $500 bottles of wine.

It was exactly the kind of place he always chose to show the world that the Alpha of Crimson Pack spared no expense for his Luna.

But it wasn't my favorite restaurant. That was a tiny Italian place downtown. Kieran had taken me there once, years ago, and I'd told him it was the best meal I'd ever had.

He'd never taken me back.

"I got you something." Kieran slid a velvet box across the table.

I already knew what was inside before I opened it. A Diamond and white gold bracelet, it was elegant and expensive, the same style he'd given me every anniversary for five years.

"It's beautiful," I said, because that was what I always said.

Once, I'd meant it. I'd worn each bracelet with pride, showing them off to anyone who would look. My husband gave me this. My mate chose this for me. I'd convinced myself that the consistency meant something, that he knew what I liked.

Now I understood, he didn't know me at all. He just had his assistant order the same thing every year because it was easier than learning my actual preferences.

I knew everything about him. His favorite color (navy blue). His favorite food (his mother's venison stew, which I'd spent months learning to replicate). The way he liked his coffee (black).

He didn't even know I was allergic to matcha.

A server appeared with dessert, a delicate green cake dusted with powder.

"Matcha torte," she announced. "The chef prepared it specially for the occasion."

My throat closed as I stared at the cake, remembering the Instagram photos. Kieran made a cake with his own hands for the people he actually loved.

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