As much as I craved peace, Aiden and his healer assistant, Lauren, remained entwined, making me feel like a mere mistress. The two of them seemed unbothered by the consequences, wearing their relationship like a badge of honor.
With that realization, I returned to Alpha Argon. I proclaimed, "Alpha, I accept your offer and choose to reside in the pack mansion to create some distance from Aiden."
Right then, Alpha Argon fully backed my decision.
However, when the head servant and some elders caught wind of my choice, they advised Alpha Argon against it, arguing that it would entangle him in our personal matters and could lead to potential complications. Yet, Alpha Argon stood firm, ignoring their protests.
That night, I was in high spirits as I packed my belongings and arranged them in my new quarters within the servant's area.
As I made my way out, I overheard a few envious servants whispering about how I had bewitched Alpha Argon.
Determined to put an end to their gossip, I confronted them head-on, stating that I had done nothing but serve him faithfully and that their wild imaginations were unfounded. With that, I turned on my heel and left them to stew in their jealousy.
As I prepared to venture out and toast my newfound freedom with my Omega friend at a nearby restaurant, I unexpectedly ran into Aiden and Lauren; fate intervened, and I unexpectedly encountered Aiden and Lauren strolling casually through the pack.
Though I longed to keep my distance, their presence had already darkened my night. My wolf was teetering on the edge, ready to confront Lauren. When they noticed me, I had no choice but to put on a brave face, pretending their bond didn't hurt.
Lauren, that self-proclaimed healer assistant, interjected, "Elara, there you are! I was just helping your mate after we finished three surgeries today. Didn't you hear? A few young warriors had a duel, and some players suffered minor injuries, so we took a quick break."
"Who goes to the trouble of reserving a table for a 'quick bite'? And for couples, no less. Some folks have such audacity," my Omega friend remarked.
I didn't shy away from sharing my miscarriage with my friend, as Lauren played a significant role in its unfolding.
Instead of confronting the situation, Lauren simply advised Aiden against dining at a couple's table, warning him that it might be misinterpreted—and she wasn't wrong.