(Matthew's POV)
The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon when I returned to the pack house. Golden rays streamed through the windows, stretching shadows across the expansive dining hall.
My muscles ached from hours spent patrolling the border, but it wasn't the physical exhaustion that weighed on me. It was Eliana's absence. Again.
I strode straight to my office, loosening the collar of my shirt. The polished floor reflected the tension etched on my face.
Everything was prepared-every detail meticulously planned to make things right. The diamond necklace, resting in its velvet case on my desk, caught the last glint of sunlight.
A moon-shaped pendant, set with dazzling stones, chosen because it reminded me of her.
The message I'd left with Michael, my Beta, to set dinner at her favorite restaurant. The attempts to call her.
All met with silence.
I sat down heavily, pulling my phone from my pocket with a knot of frustration tightening in my chest. My fingers hovered over her name in my contacts list. Just as I had countless times today.
This time, I pressed it.
The dial tone rang once. Twice. My heartbeat quickened despite my attempt at remaining composed. But instead of her voice, all I was met with was a mechanical monotone.
"The number you have dialed has blocked this caller."
A humorless chuckle escaped me. Blocked? Eliana had actually blocked me? My jaw tightened, and I leaned back in my chair, gripping the phone until my knuckles turned white.
I couldn't believe it.
I called again anyway, this time from my office's secure line, bypassing the block. My confidence in our bond hadn't faltered. Eliana was angry, yes, but she would answer. She had to.
The call connected.
"Who is this?" Her voice was cold. Detached.
Hearing her made something sharp twist inside me, but her tone... was as if she was speaking to a stranger.
"It's me, Eliana," I said, keeping my voice steady, though her clipped words stung.
There was silence on the other end.
"Eliana," I began carefully, "I want to talk. Let's-"
But before I could finish, she interrupted.
"Don't call again."
The line went dead.
I stared at the receiver in disbelief. Her words rang in my head, each syllable sharper than the last. My hand tightened around the phone until the housekeeper Sarah's faint knock at the door broke through my growing irritation.
"Come in," I snapped, the rough edge of my voice making even myself bristle.
Sarah entered cautiously, wiping her hands on her neat apron as always. She paused, sensing the tension hanging in the air, and spoke softly.
"Alpha, if I may..."
I leaned forward, gesturing impatiently for her to continue.