No Take Backs, My Dear Alpha

Chapter 4: Discarded

In the cold, dimly lit room in the Alpha’s cabin, Calypso stared helplessly into the eyes of the man she once loved dearly, searching for even the slightest bit of warmth, but she found none. The only emotion that Alpha Hadeon had for her was disgust, and he made it painfully obvious.

“How can you ask me such a question, as if it were so difficult to answer? Of course, I can let you go, and in a heartbeat.”

“Hadeon... you’re hurting me... Tears stung Calypso’s eyes as she begged to be let go, but he ignored her request and instead tightened his grip.

“You asked a question, did you not? So I’m going to answer it.”

Left to the mercy of Alpha Hadeon’s heartlessness, Calypso trembled as the memories of their last encounter rushed into her head.

“The decision wasn’t a tough one to make, but I have to say I was surprised when they requested you.”

Fighting back the tears and the immense pain she felt, Calypso asked, “They?”

“The North, I thought you said you were briefed.”

“But I still don’t understand what’s going on. Why did the North ask for me? Was it a specific request or...?”

“Don’t ask me, I can’t for the life of me understand why they’d want you of all people, but the less I know, the better.”

The hatred that Alpha Hadeon displayed hurt Calypso more than any physical harm he could inflict. He wasn’t the man she once loved; that was obvious, but the degree to which he had changed was unsettling.

“Hadeon, please, I know you hate me, but...”

“The word ‘hate’ isn’t strong enough to express my feelings for you.” I loathe you, Calypso, with every fibre of my being, and the sooner you get out of my life, the happier I will be.”

Alpha Hadeon’s words were like darts being thrown at her heart, each one more painful than the last. Despite this, Calypso still pressed on, determined to find any other feeling but hatred. If that would be her last time seeing him, the least she could get out of it was closure.

“But you loved me once, you may loathe me now, but you loved me once”, she fought as she defiantly moved her face closer to his, despite his grip

“Don’t remind me, and don’t try to use it against either. Yes, I did love you, but that was before I found out you were a witch.”

“I am not a witch! How many times do I have to tell you for you to believe- ah?”

Calypso’s response was immediately cut off as she was pushed to the ground. Alpha Hadeon then stood over her and glared.

“You can deny it all you want, but the evidence is against you, and I’m not having the same discussion with you twice.”

Calypso lay on the floor in pain; it felt like the wind was knocked out of her. In that position, she had a strong feeling of déjà vu.

“The beta of the North pack will be here any moment to pick you up, get yourself together, and leave, and you better behave.”

Tears welled up in Calypso’s eyes, and she let them fall. She could no longer hold back the pain she was experiencing; it was too much for her to keep in.

“I still... love you...” she said between sobs, “please...”

Unmoved by her sorrow, Alpha Hadeon gave Calypso one last haughty look, then exited the room. After he left, she completely broke down and sobbed uncontrollably, for she had just lost the love of her life for a second time.

~*~

The beta of the North pack arrived to collect Calypso, just as Alpha Hadeon had said. It was the same mysterious man who ‘saved’ her from the cold by ordering a blanket for her.

Calypso sat silently on the floor as the beta of the North and Alpha Hadeon had a discussion. In the demeaning position she was in, all she could do was listen to what the men were saying and hope for her fate.

“Well, here she is, as promised,” Alpha Hadeon said.

“I can see that... but why is she on the floor?” the beta questioned. It was the second time he had shown concern for how she was being treated, leaving Calypso confused.

“Were you expecting to find her on a pedestal? I’m sorry, Beta Nylon, but unlike the North, we don’t glorify the cursed”

Alpha Hadeon’s comment piqued Calypso’s curiosity. It made her wonder what could be happening in the North for him to say something like that.

Rather than taking offence, Beta Nylon laughed instead; it was a surprisingly pleasant sound.

“Yes, yes, and unfortunately for you, you’ll never get to experience what true power really is,” he slyly remarked.

A brief silence passed after. Calypso raised her head slightly to look at the two men and saw Alpha Hadeon’s irritated expression, which was expected after such a comment.

“We’ve held up our end of the bargain,” Alpha Hadeon said with a harsh tone, “Now you have to hold up yours.”

“Of course we will, but first...” Beta Nylon unexpectedly looked at Calypso, “I need some confirmation that she really is what we’re looking for.”

Alpha Hadeon sighed, “My word isn’t enough for you?”

“You know, technically you are still our enemy, so, no, your word isn’t enough.”

The twitch in his eye meant Alpha Hadeon had truly lost all of his patience. Acting purely based on his disgruntled state, he got to his feet and dragged Calypso with him. With one harsh movement, he collected her disheveled hair with one hand and exposed the back of her head.

Calypso stood helplessly as she felt an intense gaze on her back. Try as she did, she could not get out of Alpha Hadeon’s grasp.

“Interesting”, Beta Nylon commented in a tone that was hard to read

“Satisfied?”

“Yes, quite so”

“Good!”

Having received confirmation, Alpha Hadeon shoved Calypso to the side, nearly sending her to the ground if she hadn’t caught her balance in time. With one hand, she reached for the back of her head and massaged her scalp; she could have sworn a patch of her hair was ripped out because of how harshly it was pulled.

“I can see I’ve completely worn out your patience”, Beta Nylon commented while getting to his feet

“How perceptive”, Alpha Hadeon sarcastically praised

“Mmm, it’s a gift.”

Calypso anxiously awaited what would happen next. Despite knowing what her fate was, she was still frightened of it happening; she wished for nothing more than to be back in the basement.

A deal was in progress right in front of her, and she was part of it. Beta Nylon took a piece of cloth from his pocket and presented it to Alpha Hadeon. The object’s size shocked Calypso; was that what she was being exchanged for?

Taking the parcel, Alpha Hadeon unwrapped it and revealed a green rock, which, upon closer inspection, turned out to be jadeite. Calypso was stunned by its shape, and from the way it shone, it was obviously of high quality.

A smile finally appeared on Alpha Hadeon’s lips; it was the first Calypso had seen in years.

“Would you look at that, you guys actually had it”, he commented, with eyes still glued to the precious gemstone

“Of course we did, what do you take us for?” Beta Nylon retorted blankly.

Still mesmerized by the gem in his hands, Alpha Hadeon did not spare Beta Nylon another look. He continued to speak to him with zero eye contact.

“Are you sure you want to exchange this gem for her? Isn’t there anything else of actual value you want from us, because we do have some?”

Calypso pursed her lips at the comment. She was no precious gemstone, but she did have value, at least, she liked to believe she did.

“We got what we came here for, and that’s all we need, thanks,” Beta Nylon sternly turned him down.

“Alright, if you say so...” Finally taking his eyes off the gem, he looked at the man standing before him with his hand stretched out. Extending his own, the two shook on it and sealed their deal.

“Thank you for your time, Alpha Hadeon.”

“No, thank you, I don’t think you know what you just did.”

“Oh, I’m sure I do.”

With that, Alpha Hadeon’s gaze returned to his newly acquired gemstone while Calypso was gently urged towards the door by Beta Nylon. With one last look at her former beloved, who barely even spared her a last glance, she turned and walked toward her new fate.