My Runaway Mate

Chapter 3 Shadows of the Past

Time had passed, and I found myself living in the confines of Alpha Walter's grand Mansion. Initially, everything seemed perfect between us. The first two years were filled with love, passion, and blissful moments. However, as the seasons changed, so did our relationship.

A darkness crept into Alpha Walter's demeanor, and I witnessed a side of him I never thought existed. His once soothing voice turned into angry shouts that echoed through the walls of our shared chambers. He became distant, and the warmth that once radiated between us faded into the shadows.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months as I questioned my every move. I wondered where I went wrong, constantly searching for answers in the depth of my memories. Our once intimate connection crumbled, and we no longer slept together. It felt as if a gulf had formed between us, one that I couldn't bridge no matter how hard I tried.

Then, one day, Alpha Walter approached me with an announcement. "Rita, get ready. Tomorrow, we are attending an event," he commanded, his voice lacking the tenderness it once held. Knowing that he despised questions, I simply nodded in agreement, swallowing the curiosity that threatened to spill from my lips.

The following day arrived, and we found ourselves seated at a table surrounded by Alpha Walter's friends and acquaintances. The air was filled with lively chatter and the clinking of glasses. As I scanned the room, my eyes fell upon a familiar face. It was Derick. The moment our eyes met; a rush of emotions flooded my senses. I paused for a moment, caught between the past and the present.

Derick, too, seemed taken aback by our unexpected reunion. He rose from his seat and walked towards a nearby corridor. My heart pounded in my chest, begging me to follow him. I leaned in close to Alpha Walter, my voice a mere whisper as I spoke into his ear, "I need to use the restroom." He glanced at me briefly and nodded, gesturing for me to go.

With trembling steps, I left the table and made my way towards the corridor where Derick had disappeared. It had been two years since I last saw him, two years since we had any form of contact since I became entangled with Alpha Walter. My mind flooded with questions, the weight of curiosity pressing down upon me. What has Derick been doing all this time? Has he found his own mate?

As I ventured deeper into the corridor, my heart raced with anticipation and nervousness. I had no idea what awaited me on the other side, but I couldn't resist the pull of the unknown. I turned a corner and there, standing before me, was Derick. His eyes held a mixture of surprise and longing, mirroring the emotions that swirled within me.

"Rita," he whispered, his voice filled with a tinge of nostalgia. "It's been so long."

I tried to find my words, my voice trembling. "Derick... I... I never thought I'd see you again. What are you doing here?"

A faint smile graced his lips as he took a step closer. "I couldn't stay away. I had to see you, Rita. I had to know if you were truly happy."

I hesitated, the weight of my conflicted emotions pressing down upon me. "Derick, I... I don't know anymore. Things have changed. Alpha Walter... he's not the man I thought he was."

Derick held my trembling hands, and in that moment, time seemed to stand still. The years of separation melted away, and I felt a familiar warmth spreading through my veins. His touch was gentle yet firm, grounding me amidst the chaos of my emotions.

Me and Derick talked for a bit we then exchanged number’s, he remarked “you look lovely today by the way” I replied smiling ‘’thank you Good Sir’.

I then said to Derick” I need to return to my table before Alpha Walter starts getting worried” he nodded in affirmation;

Leaving Derick behind, I made my way back to the table where Alpha Walter sat, surrounded by his acquaintances. To my surprise, he didn't even glance in my direction, as if he cared less whether I was present or not. It stung, a subtle reminder of how our once passionate connection had waned into indifference.

As the night wore on and the event drew to a close, I found myself lost in thoughts of Derick. Memories of our shared laughter, secret conversations, and stolen glances flooded my mind. Me and Grace had managed to maintain our friendship, but Derick had grown distant ever since I started courting Alpha Walter. I had dismissed it then, consumed by the whirlwind romance and the sense of duty that came with being an alpha's mate. But now, in the quiet recesses of my mind, I couldn't help but wonder if Derick had been harboring deeper feelings for me all along.

Lost in my contemplation, I was jolted back to reality as Alpha Walter's voice cut through my thoughts like a sharp blade. "Rita, walk faster," he demanded, his tone laced with impatience. "Or I will leave you to find your own way home."

My heart skipped a beat, and a shiver ran down my spine. It was a stark reminder of the power dynamics at play, the control he held over me. I quickened my pace, determined not to test his patience any further. The chilling realization settled in that my happiness had become a fragile illusion, tethered to a volatile bond.

As we made our way back to the car, the silence hung heavy in the air. Alpha Walter's voice shattered the stillness, breaking the tension that had settled between us. "Rita, who was that man you were staring at?" he asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and suspicion.

I was caught off guard by his question, my mind racing to find the right words. I hadn't anticipated that he would notice my lingering gaze, nor did I expect him to inquire about the stranger who had stirred something deep within me. A myriad of thoughts swirled through my mind. Should I tell him the truth? Did he already know about my meeting with Derick?