My Ex Alpha Mate Wants Me Back

Chapter4

Elyra’s POV

Years had passed since I was cast out of the pack, and the world I had once known felt like a distant dream. The betrayal, the cold stares, the heartache — it was all a blur now. All that remained was the new life I had built for myself.

The fashion empire I’d created was something no one could ignore. From a small clothing line I started in my apartment, to now running one of the most sought-after brands in the world, I had become a force to be reckoned with. My name was synonymous with success, and my face was plastered everywhere. Magazines, billboards, TV spots — they were all mine.

Yet despite my accomplishments, I still couldn’t shake the haunting memories of the past, of the pack, of Beckett, and most of all, Clara. They lingered like a shadow, sometimes creeping up in the quietest moments of my life.

But I had learned to bury those memories, to focus on my work. That’s all that mattered now.

Or so I thought.

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The annual formal party for werewolves — a charity event to support the packs — was the one time of year when the elites from all over the world gathered in one place. It was a chance to show off, to network, to pretend like we all cared about something other than our own wealth and power.

I’d been invited, of course. I always was. And although I usually declined such events, this time, something inside me felt different. Maybe it was the nostalgia, the thought of seeing the people from my past, or maybe it was just the challenge of proving how far I’d come.

As I entered the ballroom, the soft hum of conversation mixed with the clinking of glasses. The room was filled with laughter, with suits and gowns that shimmered under the crystal chandeliers. I moved through the crowd with ease, my heels clicking against the marble floor.

I hadn’t expected him to be here.

But there he was.

Beckett.

He stood across the room, his tall frame impossible to miss. His dark suit hugged his broad shoulders perfectly, his posture commanding the attention of anyone near him. His blue eyes scanned the crowd, and for a brief moment, they locked onto mine.

I froze.

For a heartbeat, time seemed to slow. His gaze was as piercing as I remembered, unreadable, cold. Yet I felt a pang of something — something I couldn’t name, something I shouldn’t feel.

It was as if the years had melted away in an instant, and I was back in that garden, facing the man who had turned his back on me. My heart clenched in my chest, but I forced myself to look away, to swallow the emotions that threatened to rise.

But I couldn’t. Not entirely.

I kept my eyes on him from across the room as he approached, his stride confident, purposeful. He was with Clara, of course. Her presence beside him seemed to light up the room, her laughter like the sound of a glass breaking. Her beauty hadn’t faded. She still wore that air of superiority, that sense of entitlement, like the world owed her something.

As Beckett drew closer, I could hear bits of their conversation. I could see the way Clara’s lips curved up in that mocking smile, the one she always wore when she was trying to make someone feel small.

But Beckett didn’t seem to notice. He never had.

And then, he was standing in front of me, his blue eyes locked onto mine. The years that had passed seemed irrelevant. The anger, the betrayal, the hurt — they all came rushing back in a flood.

“Elyra,” Beckett’s voice was low, his tone cold and detached. “It’s been a while.”

I looked up at him, forcing myself to remain calm, to not let the past control me. He wasn’t worth it. He wasn’t worth the pain, the memories, or the tears.

“I see you’ve done well for yourself,” he continued, his eyes scanning me, taking in my appearance. The sleek black gown I wore, the way my hair cascaded down my back, the way I held myself. “You look... different.”

“I’m not interested in catching up, Beckett,” I said, my voice sharp, cutting through the tension.

He raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into that same smug smile I remembered all too well. “You never were one for small talk.”

“No,” I replied flatly, not even bothering to hide my disinterest. “I never was. And I still don’t have time for it.”

I turned to walk away, but he stepped into my path, blocking me.

“I’m not going to let you walk away this time,” Beckett said, his voice insistent, his tone a little softer, though still as commanding as ever.

I looked up at him, frustration bubbling inside me. “And what exactly is it that you want, Beckett? Why are you still bothering me after all these years?”

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I saw a flicker of something — regret? Remorse?

But it was gone just as quickly as it came.

“I don’t know,” he said, his voice quieter now. “I just… want to talk to you. I know why you left, but maybe we can figure it out.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. He was still trying to reason with me? After everything that happened?

“I’m not interested in talking,” I said, my tone flat, emotionless. “Not with you.”

A brief silence stretched between us, and Clara’s voice broke in. “What’s going on here?” she asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked between the two of us.

I turned my gaze to Clara, meeting her eyes with a coldness I hadn’t realized I possessed. “Nothing,” I replied sharply. “Just a conversation I’m done having.”

Clara’s lips curled into a sneer. “You always were so stubborn, Elyra,” she said, her voice dripping with disdain. “You still think you’re better than everyone, don’t you?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but Beckett cut me off.

“Clara,” he said, his tone now hard, almost warning. “Enough.”

Clara scoffed and turned her attention to a group of guests nearby, leaving Beckett and I standing in a tense silence.

I took a deep breath, trying to push past the years of unresolved feelings. “If you’re done,” I said, “I’d like to get back to my night.”

He didn’t move. “I’m not done.”

I wanted to scream, to shout, to tell him how much he had hurt me, how much his betrayal still echoed in my soul. But instead, I took another step back, pushing all the old emotions deep down.

“You need to leave me alone, Beckett,” I said quietly. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

He leaned in slightly, as if he wasn’t quite done. “I think I do,” he murmured. “I know there’s more to this. There’s more to you. Let me help you.”

I took another step back, my pulse quickening.

I couldn’t breathe.

My chest tightened as I stared at him. I felt it again, that crushing weight of the past. That old pain.

“My wolf died the night I left,” I blurted out before I could stop myself. My voice trembled, and I hated that it did. “And you should leave me alone, Beckett. I don’t want you here.”

He went rigid at my words, his eyes narrowing with confusion, but before he could respond, a voice interrupted us.

“Everything okay here?” A tall man appeared beside me, his hand landing on my waist possessively. His presence was a sudden force, and I looked up to see a familiar face — Marcus, a business partner of mine who had quickly become a friend.

His lips brushed against my ear as he whispered, “My wife.”