The Breaking Point of Mate: Giving Up on My Alpha novel Chapter 36

er 36

Melanie’s POV

Trista must have been having too much fun with Camille because she didn’t text me all weekend.

The mating bond gave a soft tug at the back of my neck, then went quiet again–that wasn’t a response from Archer, just my own instinct running on empty.

I suppressed the ache and went into the office on Monday as usual.

Just before quitting time, Gillian called and asked to treat me to dinner.

I said yes. She always manages to make me forget the painful night I was shredded on the full moon.

The restaurant lights were warm, and the glass walls were fogged up. Midway through dinner, I went to the restroom to touch up my makeup. Coming out, I ran straight into Dwight.

He was standing under the hallway lamp, his scent cleanly contained, his Alpha aura hidden beneath his skin.

Our eyes met, but I didn’t stop. I treated him like any other guest, walking past him.

He didn’t leave immediately; it was like he was waiting for me.

When I came out of the restroom the second time, he was still in the same spot, turning his head to look at me. “You’re dining here too?”

“Yes,” I nodded, my tone neutral. “Do you think I’m stalking you all again, Alpha Dwight?”

He paused, his brow furrowing slightly. “I didn’t mean that.”

I didn’t care what he really meant, and I wasn’t going to spend any more energy on him.

I walked past him and returned to my booth. As I sat down, I consciously contained my pheromones into a light, clean scent, not allowing anyone else’s emotions to stick to me.

After dinner, Gillian said she wanted to pick out a birthday gift for her mother, so we went to a high–end jewelry store nearby.

She immediately spotted a Colombian emerald necklace and was talking to the manager about the stone’s weight and cut when someone pushed the door open. The person spoke quietly to a sales associate, “Hi, I’m here to pick up a custom order.”

That voice and the familiar scent made my heart flutter unexpectedly.

The manager looked up, a huge smile instantly forming on his face. “Oh, Mr. Haines! What a pleasure.”

He walked over, apologizing to us with a nod, and then addressed the man. “Your custom piece is all wrapped up—”

“Melanie?” Marvin looked up, recognized me, and walked straight over. “Are you here ordering jewelry too?”

I looked up at him for a moment and didn’t speak.

My wolf, Frost, let out a low growl in my mind, then hid her teeth and chose silence.

Seeing my coldness, Marvin’s expression clearly dimmed. “Melanie…”

I turned my head away, refusing to engage with him. I spoke only to Gillian “Are you going with this one? The color is really

clean.”

Gillian didn’t recognize Marvin. She lightly nudged my side with her elbow and whispered, “Who is that?”

I didn’t answer. Marvin didn’t leave, still looking at me. “How have you been lately?”

1/3

Chapter 36

+30 Bonus

I pressed my lips together, finally looking at him. I kept my voice low. “What do you want?”

“I” He softened his tone. “Do you have to use that attitude with your me?”

“What attitude do you think I should use?” I asked.

“I know I did some things wrong back then,” he sighed. “But you know I’ve always cared about you.”

I let out a laugh that held no warmth. “You ‘cared about me,‘ so you let Camille get close to my mate, and you asked my mate to take good care of her‘–is that what you call caring about me?”

Marvin frowned. “I understand you’re emotional. But Camille and Archer truly love each other. That’s a blessing from the Moon Goddess. Why do you-”

“A blessing from the Moon Goddess? Are you saying your sworn vows in front of the Moon Goddess don’t mean anything?” I nodded. “No wonder you cheated back then and thought you did nothing wrong. Now, she’s following her mother’s lead, acting as the mistress, and feels justified. Is that the logic here?”

His face darkened. “When did you become so mean?”

“Me, mean?” I stared at him. “So if I just go sever the mating bond right now to make room for Camille, you wouldn’t think I’m mean anymore?”

The store door opened again.

Paisley and Gloria walked in.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify