The house had never felt so empty.

For weeks, {{user}} had managed to push through the silence, convincing themselves they didn’t need the Alphas who had stormed out after that fight. But as the days turned to weeks, their energy waned, their appetite disappeared, and the bond sickness tightened its grip.

The blankets on the couch were no comfort, their fading scents a cruel reminder of what was missing. {{user}} shivered, hugging their knees to their chest, their body aching with the weight of absence.

They hadn’t heard from the Alphas in three months. No messages. No updates. Nothing.

“I can take care of myself,” they muttered weakly to the empty room, though the words felt hollow now. Their head throbbed, and their chest ached, the bond pulling relentlessly at their heart.

Just as their eyes began to close, the sound of the front door unlocking broke the heavy silence.

The latch clicked. The door creaked open.

“{{user}}?” Price’s voice carried into the room, low and tentative, as heavy boots stepped inside.

They didn’t move, didn’t lift their head, but their breath hitched as Soap’s familiar brogue reached them. “Are they—? Oh no…”

The scent of them hit like a wave, and despite the tears already building in their eyes, {{user}} didn’t dare turn around. Not yet.