Chapter 5 : Apology ... Chapter 5 : Apology .... ( Elena's POV ) " Apology ... " My voice carried deep disappointment as I clutched the mate bond severance documents against my chest . Before talking about David's trouble with Marcus , I had to prepare everything well . It was easy to speak out severance words , but for our relationship , we still had lots of affairs to deal with . I forced myself to maintain composure while speaking into the phone . " Marcus , are you coming back to Moonhaven Estate tonight ? " The question hung in the air . I needed to know if he would be there when I finalized everything My hopes shattered when I heard Sophia's melodic voice in the background through the phone " Marcus , are you ready to go ? " she called sweetly . Marcus's tone shifted immediately , becoming warm and eager , " Elena , I'm picking up Sophia and Oliver from Crescent Ridge Academy . We'll discuss whatever you need later . " The casual dismissal cut through me like silver . His priorities were crystal clear . " I see , " I whispered , my heart breaking as the call ended . He had chosen them over me once again . I got off work very late . When I got home , Marcus was not back yet . I sat alone in the living room , red wine warming my throat as I tried to numb the emotional turmoil . The mate bond severance documents lay spread across the marble coffee table before me . Marcus returned without warning . His keen werewolf senses immediately detecting something wrong . His golden eyes focused on my face with sharp intensity . " What happened to your cheek ? " I touched the swollen area where Richard had slapped me . I hadn't realized it was still visible . " Nothing important , " I replied dismissively . His wolf Logan stirred with protective instincts . " Did your family do this ? " I was genuinely surprised by his sudden concern after hours of cold treatment . " Why do you care ? " I asked sarcastically . " You've made it clear I'm not your priority " Marcus's expression darkened . " Useless , " he muttered . " You shouldn't allow others to harm the Luna of the Shadow Moon Pack , regardless of our personal issues . " Marcus moved closer , studying my injury with unexpected intensity . " Why did you call me so urgently earlier ? " I took a steadying breath . " My brother David is detained at the Territorial Enforcement Station . I need your help securing legal representation through your Alpha connections . " His golden eyes became unreadable as I continued . " I'll agree to any condition you set . Including severing our mate bond permanently " Chapter 5 Apolary Before Marcus could respond , his phone rang . Sophia's name flashed on the screen . " Marcus ? " Her voice was panicked through the speaker . " Oliver is running a fever and asking for you . Can you come immediately ? " Marcus's entire demeanor changed instantly . The concern in his voice was unmistakable . " I'll be right there , " he said without hesitation . I Desperation clawed at my chest as I felt our mate bond's pain intensify . " Marcus , please consider my request about David- He brushed me off dismissively , already heading toward the door . " Alpha Marcus , you can consider my conditions- " I'll discuss it another day ," he said coldly before departing . I watched him leave , feeling utterly insignificant in his life once again . It was the second time he abandoned me and turned to Sophia and her pup , in ONE day . ( Sophia's POV ) After sending me and Oliver home , Marcus refused my invitation for dinner together and left . I thought it must be all Oliver's fault , recalling what happened in the afternoon . It should be a perfect afternoon . Marcus and I arrived at the prestigious Crescent Ridge Academy , its stone walls and manicured grounds reflecting the wealth of its students ' families . Other parents were already gathering near the main entrance . Oliver spotted Marcus immediately and ran toward us with pure joy lighting his face . " Dad ! " he called out loudly , his small arms reaching up . Since Marcus didn't refuse the title last time before Elena , I encouraged Oliver to continue . The word echoed across the courtyard . Several parents turned to look , including Headmaster Thompson who approached with a warm smile . " Congratulations on your son , Alpha Marcus , " Headmaster Thompson said respectfully . " Oliver has been an excellent addition to our academy " I never expected that Marcus's expression darkened immediately . His golden eyes flashed with displeasure as he looked down at the headmaster . " You're mistaken about my relationship with Ms. Rivers , " he said coldly , his Alpha authority radiating displeasure . I didn't know why Oliver was allowed to call Marcus daddy before Elena but banned in front of Thompson . Perhaps there were more werewolves here . I quickly stepped forward , my cheeks burning with humiliation . " Headmaster Thompson , there's been a misunderstanding . Oliver sometimes gets confused about family relationships . " The headmaster looked between us awkwardly , clearly confused by the pack dynamics he'd stumbled into . Oliver shrank back at Marcus's stern expression , his excitement turning to fear . The poor pun didn't understand why his hero suddenly looked so angry . Marcus knelt down to Oliver's eye level , his voice firm but not unkind . " Oliver , I am not your father . You should < Chapter 5 Apology . address me as Alpha Marcus . Do you understand ? " The boy nodded quickly , tears threatening to spill from his eyes . I felt my carefully constructed facade cracking . In his mind , the honor of the family and the pack was above me and Oliver . He made me disgrace in front of the principal . "I apologize for the confusion ," I said to Marcus , forcing my voice to remain gentle despite the rage building Inside me . " If this situation causes trouble for your reputation , I can transfer Oliver to another academy " Marcus stood , his expression unreadable . " That won't be necessary . Just ensure it doesn't happen again . " His dismissive tone cut deep . I had expected understanding , perhaps even protection . Instead , I received a cold warning . When we arrived at my modest home , I turned to Marcus with what I hoped was an appealing smile . " Would you like to stay for dinner ? Oliver would love to spend more time with you . " Marcus shook his head . " I have other obligations tonight . " He left without another word , his mood clearly soured by the academy incident . I watched he disappear , my hands clenching into fists . The humiliation burned in my chest like acid . But I wasn't fin finished yet . I had one more card to play . I must let him stay at my place overnight . I turned to Oliver , who was still subdued from Marcus's rejection . " Come inside , sweetheart . Mommy has an idea . " In the bathroom , I filled a hot water bottle and pressed it against Oliver's forehead and chest . His body temperature rose quickly , his cheeks flushing with artificial fever . " Now you're going to help Mommy one more time , " I whispered , reaching for my phone . After the call , I paced nervously in my living room , Oliver lying on the couch with flushed cheeks from the hot water bottle treatment . The artificial fever had worked perfectly . When Marcus arrived , his concern was immediate and genuine . He knelt beside Oliver , checking the boy's temperature with the back of his hand . " How long has he been like this ? " Marcus asked , his Alpha instincts focused entirely on the sick child . " It started about an hour ago , " I lied smoothly . " He was asking for you specifically . He dosen't want to depart with you . " Oliver , coached beforehand , reached out weakly for Marcus's hand . " Alpha Marcus , will you stay with me ? " I watched Marcus's expression soften as he gently took the boy's small hand in his larger one . " Rest now , Oliver . You'll feel better soon . " As the evening wore on , Oliver's grip on Marcus's hand gradually loosened as he drifted into sleep. The pup's breathing evened out , his fever beginning to break naturally , " You could stay the night , I suggested softly , moving closer to Marcus . " He might wake up and need comfort ." Marcus carefully extracted his hand from Oliver's grasp , ensuring the boy remained asleep . ie stood and faced me with a serious expression . Chapter 5 Apology " I'll arrange for a pack nanny to help with childcare , " he said firmly . " It's inappropriate for me to be here so frequently . " My heart sank . " Inappropriate ? " " You're not my mate , Sophia . This situation could damage both our reputations within the pack hierarchy " The rejection hit me like a physical blow . I forced my expression to remain neutral as he moved toward the door . " I understand ," I whispered , though fury was building inside After Marcus left , I stood over Oliver's sleeping form . The pup had done everything I'd asked , yet I was still being pushed away . I was so frustrated . Oliver's face brought back bad memories . It's because of this extra pup that Marcus and I couldn't go back to the past . I forced myself not to look at Oliver , and turned my attention to my other plans . It was just the beginning . Marcus should be mine eventually . it I just needed to be more strategic about it . Comments Watch videos get points ( 0/10 ) > H Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!