---- I could smell the anxiety coming off him. "You can be busy, but you have to take care of yourself. Luckily, I was nearby and got you to the break room in time." "Thanks." Icut him off coolly, my voice weak and hoarse. He acted as if he couldn't hear the rejection in my tone and continued. "Lyra, come home with me. Let me take care of you. I won't let you work so hard again, I-" "How are you feeling?" Aclear, capable female voice cut him off decisively. Iris walked in carrying a thermos and a stack of files, pushing Eric to the side. She came straight to me, placing the thermos on the coffee table. "Your wolf needs to recover her energy. This is freshly ---- brewed moon-herb bone broth. It'll help awaken your wolf's healing abilities. Also, these urgent files need your review, but there's no rush. You can look at them. when you feel better." Eric watched as Iris expertly opened the thermos, then naturally began to press specific points on the back of my neck to help my wolf recover faster. Her movements were fluid and intimate, as if she had done it a thousand times before. He just stood there, completely at a loss. He watched as I gave Iris a tired but relaxed smile. We ignored him as if he were thin air. Iris finally seemed to notice his presence and gave him a polite but distant nod. "Alpha Eric, Lyra needs to rest. I'll take care of her. Please feel free to go." No matter how unwilling he was, Eric couldn't stay any longer. He gave me one last, deep look. ---- His eyes were a storm of complex emotions- confusion, loss, and finally, just defeat. In the end, he left without another word, his back disappearing through the doorway. Iris gently closed the door, shutting out the outside world. The room was filled only with the clean, herbal scent of the moon-herb broth and the soft rustle of paper. I was once trapped by my longing for Eric, unable to find myself, losing all my dignity. Now that I no longer needed his love, he was acting so devoted. It was strange to see him so humbled, when for years, that had been my role. My wolf let out a quiet sigh. Maybe she'd be moved by Eric. Maybe not. ---- Who knows anymore?