I Left After Alpha’s Lover Broke My Leg

Chapter 3

Maxwell leaned close, his breath warm against my ear.

"I love you, Sophie. Always will."

He drove me to a sprawling estate in the suburbs.

A mystery wolf had bought it for Seven billion, and now its ornate gates declared it Love Sophie Manor.

The architecture was the Gothic style I'd casually mentioned loving.

The gardens overflowed with my favorite orchids, each worth figures.

Nearby, a dreamlike amusement park sparkled—bumper cars, haunted house, swing ride—all my favorites.

There was even a pet sanctuary filled with adorable dogs, just because I'd once pitied a stray.

My chest ached, my eyes stinging.

For Seven years, he'd loved me fiercely, granting every whim, big or small.

That was real. But so was the truth—he'd split his heart in two.

Maxwell brushed a tear from my cheek.

"It's only right for a mate to spoil his she-wolf. Cry any more, and you'll break my heart."

Under a sky full of stars, he dropped to one knee, opening a velvet box.

"From the first sniff of your scent, I was undone. My wolf growls if you're out of sight—don't make me chain myself to your side to stop the ache."

He revealed two rings.

"The she-wolf's ring has a tracker. This way, I'll always know what you're doing. No more worrying."

His eyes burned with possessive, consuming love.

But before he could slide the ring onto my finger, his phone chimed—Madeline's custom tone. He glanced at the screen, his face unreadable, then slipped the ring onto my finger anyway.

"Important matter from the pack," he said smoothly. "I'll be right back."

He was already climbing into the car, leaving me alone.

Clink.

The ring slipped from my finger, hitting the ground.

Maxwell was so wrapped up in Madeline that he didn't even notice he'd given me the wrong one.

He took the she-wolf's ring with the tracker.

"I'm so sorry, my mate," Madeline's voice sobbed through the ring.

"I don't crave despair, but this cage—my claws are splitting my palms from scraping at the bars. The wolf inside's howling to tear free, and I swear it'll take me with it if it can't."​

"Don't talk nonsense,"

Maxwell's deep, commanding growl cut in.

"I'm your wolf. You're sick, and I'm not about to ignore that. Come on, let's get out of here for a bit."

"Really?" Madeline's voice lit up, trembling with hope. "I'm not dreaming? I can actually leave this place?"

"When has your mate ever lied to you? We're going now."

"Madeline, you haven't had a chance to leave the villa before, but I've had your anniversary gift ready for a while. This is your manor. I'm staying here with you today."

Madeline's joyous laughter rang out, and then my phone buzzed with a text from Maxwell.

Sophie, got a big client meeting.