She Eyed My Spot, My Alpha Let Her

Chapter 19: Leaving

Leia’s POV

I barely slept that night. Every time I closed my eyes, I heard the same words again. “You should go to college.” Such simple words, yet they carried so much weight. Maybe Pete truly meant it as an opportunity, but after everything that had happened between us, how else was I supposed to take it?

To me, it sounded like he had finally chosen the pack and Sharon. A life that no longer had space for me in it. I sat on the edge of my bed as the early morning light slowly crept through the curtains. Our room looked exactly the same, but it no longer felt like a space I could call mine. Maybe it never truly was.

Tania was unusually quiet. Even she seemed exhausted by everything we had been through. “I think this is it,” I whispered softly. Her sadness washed through me immediately. She clearly did not want to leave him. Neither did I because that was the cruelest part of being mated. Especially for those of us who never even saw the light of the mating day.

But the fact that no matter how much Pete hurt me, no matter how much he neglected our bond, I still loved him. My heart still reacted to him. My wolf still longed for him. And perhaps that was exactly why I needed to leave. Because staying here was destroying me piece by piece.

A soft knock sounded at the door. I stiffened slightly before answering. “Come in.” One of the maids stepped inside carefully. “Luna Leia,” she said softly. “Alpha Pete asked me to inform you that arrangements are already being made for your enrollment.”

‘So quickly?’ My chest tightened painfully. I nodded once. “I understand.” The maid hesitated, as if she wanted to say something else, but eventually she lowered her head and left. The moment the door closed, I let out a slow breath.

Everything suddenly felt too real, not just words spoken in anger or desperation. He was actually making real arrangements, actual plans. So he truly was sending me away. I stood up slowly and walked toward the wardrobe, staring blankly at my belongings. My gaze lingered on the dress I had bought for my birthday. I picked it up carefully.

Just a few days ago, I had imagined wearing it while celebrating with my mate. I had imagined laughter, warmth, maybe even healing between us, a turn around for the better. Instead, that birthday became the moment everything finally broke. A bitter ache settled in my chest at the thought of that.

I folded the dress neatly and placed it into one of the travel bags. If I was leaving, there was no reason to leave pieces of myself behind. I packed everything that was mine. Hours passed by quietly. The pack house felt different now that the decision had been made. Some servants looked at me with pity. Others avoided my eyes completely. But even so, there were whispers amongst the pack members. “She’s really leaving?” “Does that mean Lady Sharon will become Luna?” “I heard Alpha Pete made the decision himself.”

Each word cut deeper than the last. By afternoon, I could not bear staying inside anymore. I slipped out toward the back gardens, needing air. The weather was cooler today, the breeze soft against my skin as I walked aimlessly along the stone paths.

Normally, this place brought me peace. Today it only reminded me of how lonely I had become. “You seem quiet.” I stopped immediately at the familiar voice. Sharon approached slowly, elegant as always, her expression carefully composed.

I straightened instinctively. “Was there something you needed?” Her eyes lingered on me for a moment too long. “I heard about the college decision,” she said softly. Of course, she did. Why wouldn't she? There was no hiding anything in this pack from Sharon.

“I think it will be good for you,” she continued gently. “A fresh start, a chance to grow outside the pressure of pack expectations.” The concern in her voice sounded almost believable to those who didn’t know her real self. I remained silent.

She stepped closer. “You are still young, Leia. Perhaps this is exactly what you need right now,” she added. “It seems it’s also about what you need!” I pointed out quietly before I could stop myself. Something flickered briefly in her eyes before disappearing.

“I only want what is best for the pack,” she replied smoothly. There it was again, “the pack.” The scapegoat is always the pack. I looked at her carefully then, really looked at her, at how composed she seemed. At how comfortable she had become in spaces that should have belonged to me. At how naturally everyone had begun to accept her beside Pete.

For the first time, a terrible thought crossed my mind. Maybe I had already lost long before I realized there was a competition. “Congratulations,” I said softly. Her brows furrowed slightly. “For what?” I forced a faint smile that did not reach my eyes. “You won.” For the first time since meeting her, Sharon looked genuinely caught off guard. But it only lasted a second.

“Leia,” she started carefully, “this was never about winning.” I almost laughed. Maybe once upon a time I would have believed that, but not anymore. I stepped back slightly. “You do not have to pretend or explain yourself to me,” I said quietly. “It is clear now where Alpha Pete’s priorities lie.”

A strange silence settled between us. Then Sharon sighed softly, lowering her gaze with practiced sadness. “I know this is painful,” she murmured. “But perhaps some distance will help all of you.” All of you? Not both of you? It was clear that she had already included herself in his future.

My chest tightened painfully again. “I should finish packing,” I said before she could continue. She nodded gracefully. “Safe travel, Leia.” Safe travel, huh? The words echoed in my mind as I walked away. It wasn’t come back soon. Not we will miss you, but just safe travel. How would I even expect her to miss me? To her, it was “good riddance” when she wasn’t putting on a mask for the pack.

It felt as if everyone already expected this separation to become permanent. By the time I returned to my room, something inside me had gone frighteningly numb and so did Tania. Maybe this was for the best. Maybe distance would finally weaken this bond enough for me to breathe again.

Because staying here and watching my mate slowly choose another woman over me was becoming unbearable. I opened one of the drawers and slowly pulled out the small birthday card Pete had once given me. For a long moment, I stared at it silently.

Then I placed it inside the bag too, not because it still gave me hope but because some foolish part of me still could not let him go completely, and I hated myself for it.