Chapter 2 Two

DEREK.

I couldn't concentrate when I got to my office because the paperwork kept piling up and my mind kept drifting back to Aria. The way she had looked at me before I left the house this morning, the hurt in her eyes- It stuck with me like a thorn in my side. It wasn't always like this, and I couldn't stop wondering why it felt different this time, why I was so worried about her. Was I too harsh? I shook my head, trying to push the thought away. Of course, I wasn't harsh. I couldn't afford to be soft with her. If I let her push me around, she might think she could do as she pleased. She might become rebellious, and that was something I couldn't afford, especially not with every other thing I was dealing with. I had to be firm, for her sake and mine.

But still, the thought lingered. What if I was wrong? What if she was right about Lily? I frowned at the thought, not pleased with the way I kept second-guessing myself and the way my hands tightened around the papers I was holding each time. Lily was our daughter. I knew that. But the demands of being Alpha were heavy, and I couldn't always be there for her the way Aria wanted. Whenever I thought I had time, something else would come in the way. If it wasn't some meeting with the elders or an Alpha from a neighbouring Pack, then it would be some paperwork that needed to be signed or heading to the training centre to watch my Pack members train. It was weighing heavily on me but she never understood how it felt and always assumed I couldn't wave a magic wand and make out time.

I sighed and pushed the papers aside. Work could wait, because I wouldn't pay attention to it if I continued this way. I needed to do something about this nagging feeling. Maybe I should check on Lily, make sure she was okay. Aria hadn't even taken her to the doctor today, and I hadn't even asked how the appointment went. I reached for my phone and dialled the number of our family doctor. It rang twice before she picked up.

"Dr. Browne," I said, keeping my voice steady even though I needed an outlet for this mental stress, something to lash out at. "I need you to go to the Packhosue and check on Lily. Aria took her to the doctor earlier, and I want to make sure everything is fine."

"Of course, Alpha," Dr. Browne replied. "I'll head over right away. Is... everything okay?"

"Yeah...everything's fine. Thank you." I said, before ending the call.

I leaned back in my chair and tried to focus on the work in front of me, but it was no use because each time I picked up that pen, my mind went back to Aria. "Ugh!" I groaned, knowing she was responsible for all of this.

The day was already becoming a nightmare because of her and my rotten luck wasn't going to affect me alone. I needed her here, to help with the work and keep things in order. Maybe it would also help to teach her a lesson. And besides, she was more than just my wife; she was my partner, my right hand. I picked up the phone again and called my PA.

"Get Aria on the phone," I instructed.

"Right away, Alpha." She dutifully responded. Then I heard the flipping of papers in the background and her fingers punching the buttons. I waited, tapping my finger on the desk, but when my PA came back on the line, her voice was hesitant. Even though she tried so hard to hide it, I noticed it.

"Alpha..." She started, pausing for a moment before continuing. "She has refused to come to the office." She said cautiously.

I felt the gears turning in my head when she said that. How could she refute my order? Was the sex enough? Or did she want me to smack her face this time?!

A low growl started across my chest, as I snapped, not believing what I was hearing. "She what?"

"She refused, sir. She said she...she wanted to resign."

My jaw tightened when I heard her say that and my temper soon started to rise.

Resign? What the hell was she thinking? I slammed the phone down, before I got up and began pacing the office like a caged beast. I knew she was still home, so what was she doing? This wasn't like her. She always did as I wanted anytime I punished her. She knew her place, knew her responsibilities. How could she just refuse like that? I grabbed the phone again, dialling the PA once more.

"Where is she?" I demanded. "Alpha, she's not there," Sarah replied nervously. "The call went straight to voicemail when I tried again."

Voicemail. My mind continued to race, and at that point a thousand thoughts were going in and out of my head. She wasn't at home, she wasn't answering her phone- where the hell was she?! Maybe it was time I stopped playing around with her. Without another word, I got out of my office and headed for the car. The drive home was a blur and my mind was solely focused on her. What could she possibly be thinking? Did she think I'd let her off the hook if she tried to be stubborn? It was only going to make my punishment worse.

Maybe this time she would learn that. I reached the Packhouse in record time, storming through the door with a force that shook the walls. The house was quiet, eerily so. I headed straight for our bedroom, and the whole time my heart was pounding anxiously and angrily.

And when I opened the door, what I saw stopped me dead in my tracks. She was there, but she wasn't alone. She was standing by the bed, packing a suitcase. Clothes were strewn across the room, and her eyes were red from crying.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I demanded, wishing I could make my voice more harsh.

She didn't look at me, just kept packing with trembling hands. "I'm leaving, Derek, I'm done. You'll get our divorce papers soon."