After Severance Alpha Fell in Love With Ex-Luna novel Chapter 2

(Elena's POV)

For a moment, hope flickered in my chest. Was he refusing because he cared about me?

"My grandmother wouldn't agree either," Marcus continued coldly. "Don't even think about it."

The door slammed shut behind him. I stood there, feeling a crushing weight in my heart. My previous thought was laughable.

He wasn't refusing for me. He was refusing because of his grandmother. But I knew something he didn't - Margaret had already agreed to the bond severance.

The next morning, Catherine Hayes arrived as usual. Marcus was already gone.

I ate breakfast alone, trying to appear unaffected by his absence. The silence in the dining room felt heavier than usual.

Catherine moved through the estate, cleaning with her usual efficiency. She paused in the Great Hall, looking around with confusion.

"Luna, why are so many things missing from the estate?"

I forced a smile. "I threw away some old and unimportant things."

Catherine nodded, not pressing further. But her observant eyes lingered on me with concern.

At noon, my phone rang. Director Henry Baker's urgent voice filled the line.

"Elena, we need you immediately. Critical healing session."

"What happened?"

"Construction worker fell from a building site. Steel rebar through the skull. The healer skilled in cranial healing is away. Only you can perform this."

I grabbed my medical bag and rushed to the Northern Territory Central Healing Institute. The healing room was filled with tension and the metallic smell of blood.

Sophia was already there, standing far from the patient's bed.

Unlike the other healers examining the patient, Sophia couldn't bear to get close. She kept gagging, covering her mouth with a handkerchief.

The Healing Assistant approached me. "The patient has a steel rebar penetrating through his head. It's lodged deep."

Sophia looked up, her face pale. "Elena, are you sure you can handle this? The patient might die if you fail."

I met her gaze steadily. "Can you do it if I can't?"

She fell silent, stepping back further from the patient.

"Everyone except Sophia, prepare for emergency healing," I commanded. "We're starting now."

Sophia's face flushed with annoyance. "I need to comfort the family," she said stiffly, leaving the healing room.

I examined the patient carefully, checking for damage to the brainstem and major blood vessels. The steel rebar had missed the critical areas by mere millimeters.

"We can save him," I announced to my team.

The healing session lasted five hours. We carefully removed the steel rebar and performed skull reconstruction using moonlight herbs with healing power.

Sophia had left halfway through, unable to handle the intensity. Her humiliation was obvious to everyone present.

As dusk approached, the patient's vital signs finally stabilized. The healing room erupted in relieved sighs.

"Excellent work, everyone," I said, exhaustion weighing on my shoulders.

News of the successful healing spread quickly through the institute. Another life saved, another testament to our team's skill.

After the healing, the other healers informed the patient's family while I went to Director Baker's office.

"Outstanding work, Elena," he said, genuine admiration in his voice. "This is exactly why we need you here."

He leaned forward, trying once more. "Please reconsider your transfer. The Riverstone Medical Center doesn't deserve talent like yours."

Marcus immediately left, abandoning our conversation. I followed, my heart heavy with familiar disappointment.

The patient's family member was shouting at Sophia outside the ward. I arrived to find Marcus already there, pulling Sophia protectively into his arms.

She looked pitiful against his chest, her delicate frame trembling. The family member was intimidated by Marcus's imposing Alpha presence.

"She showed disgust at my brother's wound during rounds!" the family member accused. "Called it revolting!"

Sophia shook her head weakly. "I was feeling sick. I didn't mean anything by it."

Marcus's voice was gentle as he addressed her. "It's alright, Sophia."

Then he turned to the family, his tone authoritative. "I'll cover all medical expenses. Your brother received the best care possible."

The family member backed down, mollified by the generous offer.

"I'm sorry, Marcus," Sophia whispered. "I've caused you trouble."

"It's good you're okay," Marcus replied, his hand stroking her hair tenderly.

Other staff members watched the scene with knowing looks. Their whispered comments reached my ears.

"They look so well-matched."

"The Alpha really cares for her."

"She will be Luna soon, I bet."

Marcus's eyes met mine across the crowd.

I felt a pang of bitterness, realizing how superfluous I was in this picture. They looked like the perfect couple, while I stood alone in the shadows.

The contrast was stark and painful. This was my reality - watching my mate comfort another woman while I remained invisible.