The Breaking Point of Mate: Giving Up on My Alpha novel Chapter 82

Melanie’s POV

After leaving the hot springs resort, I headed straight back to Hilltop Tech.

So instead, I threw myself headfirst into a world of logic and algorithms, burying the sharp, tearing ache of the fading mate bond beneath endless work. I’d used this method before. It had worked then, and it worked now.

Only after night had fully fallen did I realize I’d been working nonstop for two days.

Just as I was about to leave early and get some rest, Chad’s call came through.

Half an hour later, I was back at the Willis.

The villa was brightly lit. A familiar scent greeted me, easing the tension coiled tight in my nerves.

“Melanie.”

Lucien and Cassian spoke at the same time.

“Mhm.”

I nodded, offering a perfectly measured smile.

“Where’s Trista?” Cassian asked casually. “Didn’t she say she’d already come home?”

“She went to the hot springs. She hasn’t come back yet.”

The answer was plausible enough.

Cassian nodded, not pressing further.

Before stepping inside, my feet stalled involuntarily.

My gaze drifted to the quiet villa across the way.

The key wasn’t with me.

If I had it, I could start clearing away every trace of the Cummings family right now–turn that territory into something that belonged solely to me.

I quickly looked away.

Some things weren’t urgent.

After dinner, Chad slid two invitations toward me, deliberately lowering his voice.

“These are for Razor Pack and Skye.”

“Find time to deliver them in the next few days.”

My fingers hesitated before taking them.

“Alright.”

After nine, I prepared to leave.

Monica personally walked me to the door, her aged but still steady hand clasping mine.

“If the Razor Pack doesn’t want to come, don’t force them.”

Her tone carried quiet, unquestionable authority. “My birthday party doesn’t depend on them being there.”

Chapter 82

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I nodded gently. “I know.”

I’d planned to return to my own place.

But before starting the engine, I found myself turning around, heading instead toward Archer’s villa.

The house was quiet.

Archer and Trista hadn’t returned yet. Moira had gone back to the old estate over the past couple of days.

I took a shower and had just finished drying my hair when the familiar roar of an engine echoed up the driveway.

My heartbeat remained perfectly steady.

Minutes later, Trista’s footsteps thundered up the stairs.

“Mommy!”

The little girl threw herself into my arms, carrying a scent that clearly didn’t belong to her.

Keeping my expression neutral, I switched off the hair dryer and bent down to touch her cheek.

“Did you take a bath?”

“Not yet.”

“It’s late. Go take one first. You have school tomorrow.”

Trista nodded and obediently hurried back to her room.

Only then did Archer step into the bedroom.

Our gazes met briefly before sliding away.

“When did you get back?” he asked.

“Not long ago.”

I didn’t look at him.

He said nothing else, turning toward the walk–in closet.

Just as he was about to enter the bathroom, I remembered something. I pulled an invitation from my bag and handed it to him.

“My grandmother’s birthday is coming up.”

“This is an invitation for the pack.”

As he leaned closer, I caught that familiar scent of sweet orange on him again.

Sharp. Distinct. Like a mark deliberately left behind.

My expression didn’t change as I placed the invitation into his hand.

Then I stepped back

Instinctively distancing myself from ‘territory‘ that was no longer mine.

Archer seemned oblivious to my careful restraint

He took the invitation, his long fingers pausing briefly over the cover before opening it and scanning the contents

“Seventieth birthday?”

Chapter 82

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His tone was flat, stripped of emotion.

“Mm,” I replied.

This time, I didn’t automatically ask whether he was free that evening like I used to. I didn’t quietly hope he’d make time to

accompany me.

Instead, I shifted my gaze away, my voice calm and steady.

“Just let your parents know for me.”

The familiar, sharp note of patchouli in the air seemed to flicker faintly.

I didn’t know whether Archer noticed my omission this time-

The missing question.

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