Chapter 26

Claire POV

A few days later, I took Oliver’s daughter Beth to the park. It was a beautiful day, and I always enjoyed spending time with the little girl. I was also glad to have a break from the clinic.

My work was as joyful and fulfilling as ever, but it seemed every single patient I saw wanted to know more about me, where I was from, what I’d been doing before my healing abilities emerged.

Amelia and I had worked together to make up a bit of background for “Dr. Green,” something I could fall back on so I didn’t accidentally reveal something about being the Alpha’s mate, or the mother of his son.

But it felt so much like lying. And I hated it.

I just wanted to live my life, without having to worry about all these secrets.

“Miss Claire! Come push me on the swing!”

Beth’s cheerful voice drew me away from my worries, and I walked with her over to the swings gratefully.

I had missed spending time with a child her age. And even though it made me miss Andy, it was nice to feel at least a little bit like a mother again.

“Okay,” I said, “Here we go. Remember to kick your legs like I showed you.”

I settled Beth on the swing, then stepped behind her and pulled her back gently and let her go. Her squeals of delight made me laugh, and I pushed her a little higher.

But my smile died when I noticed two parents nearby looking at me, and whispering. I immediately hunched my shoulders, instantly sucked back into the way I used to feel when I took Andy to the park, or anywhere out in public.

Like I stuck out, and deserved the disgust and mockery sent my way.

Because I was Omega. Because I was wolfless. Because I was worthless.

Then, as I watched out of the corner of my eye, I watched out of the corner of my eye, fighting the urge to just grab Beth and leave, I saw the parents’ expressions change.

Suddenly recognition dawned on their faces. And they smiled.

They smiled, recognizing me as Dr. Green from the clinic.

Not as the Omega who didn’t deserve to be here. But as Dr. Green, an upstanding member of the community, someone people actually liked and respected.

I was shocked at how quickly I had reverted back to that old Omega kind of thinking. The events at the clinic a few days ago - almost being arrested, rejecting Nathan, and then the constant questions from my patients - had been causing me more stress than I realized.

Standing a little straighter, I pushed my shoulders back and reminded myself that I wasn’t who I used to be. I wasn’t some wolfless anyone in the pack could push around. I had a wolf, and I had amazing healing abilities.

And I had a life of my own now.

Beth, finished with the swings, dragged her feet until she slowed down to hop off. Then she made a beeline for the slide, getting in line behind the other children waiting to climb up. She sent me a cheerful wave, and I waved back.

Then froze as I received a mindlink from Nathan, the coldness and sharpness of his thoughts jarring and disconcerting.

Claire, I need information about Andy’s diet and other needs moving forward, since you haven’t been around to see to them. Send me detailed notes by tomorrow morning.

Nathan’s communication style had always been brief and curt, but this was downright rude. Almost angry

Did he really hate me that much now?

I thought about the bag of unopened presents dropped off like so much trash, the harsh brief note attached to them. And I couldn’t help but feel confused.

Yes, I had rejected Nathan, but he said outright that he didn’t believe me. And he was right to - in my heart, I still loved Nathan very much. And I knew he could feel that.

Just days ago he’d been holding me, kissing me, telling me that he wanted me to come home.

Now he’d sent back all the presents I’d given over the years, ones I spent a great deal of time and energy getting. And he was talking to me like he was angry at me, or worse, like he hated me.

And he was talking to me like I was just a nanny, one who had neglected her duties.

My heart hurt, and I couldn’t help but feel confused and sad.

I understand, I said back to him. I’ll tell you everything you need to know.

After a moment, his brief answer came back:

Understood.

No “thank you,” no sign that he still wanted me to come home and be with him, or do anything other than take care of the son he never let me claim as my own.

As Beth made it to the head of the line and climbed the ladder of the slide, laughing as she slid down the other side, I closed my eyes against the sharp piercing pain.

Nathan had never really loved me, had he?

Maybe he had thought he did, and had enjoyed playing at being my fated mate. But where it mattered, he had always failed me.

He’d kept our relationship a secret. He’d kept my pregnancy and the birth of our child a secret. He’d even kept my identity a secret from my own son.

No, he hadn’t want me to come home because missed me or because he loved me. He’d just wanted his nanny to come back and resume her duties of running his household, so he didn’t have to worry about it.

I was an employee, and nothing more.

“Miss Claire! Miss Claire! Did you see how fast I went down the slide? It was soooo fast,” Beth ran up to me, taking my hand in hers and leading us over to the next piece of playground equipment she couldn’t wait to try.

I swallowed my hurt and sadness and smiled at her, encouraging her to play and explore. While inside I decided I was more determined than ever to go through with leaving the pack.

I’d keep building up my savings account, working double shifts at the clinic and taking care of Beth after school a few afternoons a week. And when my paperwork was finally processed, I’d leave.

With Nathan finally showing me how he really felt, what reason did I have to stay?

Nathan POV

I mindlinked with Claire as I came home, knowing I sounded rude but unable to change it. The stress of managing my campaign, on top of my usual Alpha duties, had left me short tempered and tired every single day.

And I was also having to figure out how to run my own household, after only recently realizing just how much work Claire had done to keep everything running smoothly.

I wanted to let her know that I was coming to understand how crucial all her work had been, but I wasn’t sure how.

Things were such a mess between us.

But maybe…

I really did need to know about Andy’s nutrition and other needs, but maybe talking about our son would help us connect to each other again.

I walked upstairs, loosening my tie, eager to change out of my suit.

But as soon as I stepped into the close I knew something was different. Things were out of sorts, like they’d been rifled through.

And then I spotted the empty space up on the shelf. I’d kept Claire’s gifts up on that shelf.

Over the years, Claire had bought me quite a few gifts—tie clips, cufflinks, and toys for Andy. Almost all my clothes were chosen by her. I thought I had enough clothes and accessories to last me, so I didn’t open any more of the gifts she gave me, planning to save them for when the old ones wore out.

Andy was the same; he already had more toys than he could play with.

I’ve always lived simply and with restraint. But those gifts still brought a sense of comfort deep inside me, which is why I kept them close, within arm’s reach.

Never opened, but always kept close. And I’d looked up at the stack of them every day.

Now they were gone.

Claire must have been here when I wasn’t home, and taken them. Taken back every gift and kindness.

Because it was true: She didn’t love me anymore.

And maybe she never really had.

I was exhausted and furious, to the point where I couldn't hide it anymore. I spun around and slammed everything on the desk onto the floor.