I noticed waffles placed before the chairs at the table's ends and decided to take a seat at one extremity.
Aaron positioned himself at the opposite end.
"What's the reason for altering your iPad's passcode?" He inquired, his gaze fixed on me.
The iPad was a present he'd given me for my 25th birthday, and he had initially set up the password. I modified it after discovering he'd gone jogging with Hannah.
He hadn't realized until this moment.
"No particular reason," I replied while munching on my waffle.
His eyebrows furrowed as he spoke coldly, "The Pack alliance gathering is this evening. You've always expressed interest in being my companion at such events. Would you like to attend with me?"
Hannah has typically been his plus-one for pack-related functions since becoming Beta, while I usually go with my friends, so why the sudden change?
If I refused, he might grow suspicious, and I wasn't ready for him to know about my departure plans yet.
Without looking at him, I stood up and said, "Alright."
At the pack alliance event, I found myself seated at a table inside the city hall venue, Aaron beside me.
"Are you enjoying yourself?" Aaron asked, noticing my disinterested expression.
I nodded without looking at him.
Being his date wasn't as thrilling as I'd imagined. I was unfamiliar with the other Lunas or their Alphas, and Aaron had been ignoring me until now.
"Are you-" He began, but was interrupted by Hannah's voice.
"Aaron!"
We turned to see her rushing towards us.
She embraced him tightly.
"You look stunning!" He exclaimed, admiring her figure.
Hannah grasped his hand, intertwining their fingers, "Thank you!"
She glanced at me, her eyes widening in surprise as she released his hand, "Oh dear! Luna Zoe, I apologize. We're just very close."
"There's no need for apologies, Hannah," Aaron responded before I could.
Alpha Aiden approached at that moment and engaged Aaron in conversation.
"Rogues!" Someone shouted, causing panic and commotion.
"Let's go, Hannah," Aaron said, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the rear exit.
He made no effort to protect me, focusing instead on Hannah's safety.
"Everyone, please remain calm. There are no rogues! A child mistook bush shadows for a rogue," Alpha Aiden announced, halting the chaos.
I observed Aaron re-entering the hall with Hannah, and checked the time on my phone.
My flight was scheduled for early morning, so I needed to retire soon. I exited the hall and took a taxi back to the pack house.
The following morning, as I sat in the plane, I heard Aaron's frantic voice in my mind, "Zoe! Why am I experiencing pain from the mate bond breaking? Why are you leaving? Where are you headed?"