Broken

JULIETTE

I push open the back door to the kitchen, balancing two heavy grocery bags in my arms.

My shoulder aches from the weight, but I don’t dare ask for help.

Nobody in this house ever helps me.

That’s just how it is.

I sidestep a servant carrying a tray of tea, nodding politely as I pass.

Yes, we have servants. You’d think that would mean I’d never have to lift a finger, but that’s not how things work here.

My stepmother, Marianne, makes sure of that.

This life wasn’t what I expected when my father brought me here.

I used to think it would be better than living alone after my mother died, but sometimes I wonder if being an orphan would’ve been easier.

My father is the enforcer of Alpha Blackwell’s pack, but that doesn’t mean much to me.

He’s hardly ever around, and when he is, he’s distant, like I’m a reminder of a mistake he made.

I wasn’t even sure I’d ever meet him once upon a time.

Growing up, he was just a name, a shadow in the stories my mother told.

He didn’t visit, not even when my mom was sick. Till she passed away that is.

After her death, he showed up out of nowhere and brought me here—to his family.

To Marianne, the wife he chose, and Jane, the daughter he actually wanted.

They’ve made it clear I don’t belong.

I’m the illegitimate daughter of a man who cheated on his wife, and they treat me like I’m the stain on their perfect lives.

Marianne gives me all the chores she thinks are too good for the servants.

Cleaning, running errands.

Making meals I’m not allowed to eat at the table with them.

I sigh, shoving a carton of milk into the fridge, and think about how ridiculous it all is. Some days, I don’t know how I manage to survive in this pack.

But then… I think of Prince Evan, and a small smile creeps onto my face.

Evan is the only bright spot in my life.

For almost two years now, he’s been my secret, my escape.

My boyfriend.

My mate.

He may have been the heir to the alpha throne, but I know our bond is real, and I know what it means to me.

To us.

One day, he’ll propose, and we’ll leave this place behind.

I’ll be his queen, far away from Marianne, Jane, and everyone who’s ever caused me pain.

As I put the last of the groceries away, I hear Marianne’s sharp voice outside, barking orders at one of the drivers.

My stomach tightens. I know that tone too well. If she sees me, she’ll find something for me to do. I can’t handle her right now.

Grabbing my coat, I slip out the back door before she can spot me.

The air outside is crisp, and I pull the coat tighter around me as I walk down the street.

I need to see Evan.

Our relationship is a secret. I’ve kept it from my father, Marianne, and especially Jane.

They ruin everything good in my life, and I can’t let them touch this.

Evan is mine.

He’ll always be just mine.

It doesn’t take long to reach his penthouse in the city. It’s a place where we can be alone, away from prying eyes.

As I step into the building, I smile at Ben, the bald man at the front desk. He’s always here, always polite. But today, something’s off.

He looks up at me, then quickly glances away like he doesn’t want to meet my eyes.

“Going up to Evan’s,” I say, my voice light.

Ben nods, but there’s a hesitation in his movements. I frown, wondering what’s wrong, but decide not to press him as i walk to the penthouses’ private lift. Maybe he’s just having a bad day.

As the elevator rises, butterflies flutter in my stomach.

No matter how many times I see Evan, I always feel like this—nervous and excited all at once. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and I can’t wait to see him again.

The doors slide open, and I step into the penthouse.

But something immediately feels wrong.

The first thing I notice is the lamp lying on its side, its shade crooked.

Then there’s the rug, bunched up like someone tripped over it. The decorative pillows from the couch scattered across the floor.

My heart skips a beat as I take it all in. This isn’t normal.

Evan is meticulous, always keeping things tidy.

Did something happen?

“Evan?” I call out, my voice shaky.

There’s no answer.

I step further inside, my eyes scanning the room.

That’s when I see them—his gray slacks, crumpled on the floor in front of his bedroom door.

Next to them is a pink, frilly dress.

My chest tightens, and I feel like I can’t breathe.

I try to tell myself it’s not what it looks like.

There has to be an explanation.

Maybe he spilled something on his clothes and changed.

Maybe the dress belongs to a friend.

But then I hear it.

Muffled noises coming from behind the closed bedroom door.

My stomach churns as I take a shaky step forward. My hands tremble as I reach for the doorknob.

I don’t want to open it.

I don’t want to see.

I twist the knob and push the door open.

Time seems to freeze.

There he is.

Evan.

In bed.

With someone else. But it’s not just anyone.

As they pull apart and turn to look at me, I recognize her immediately.

The blonde hair, the sharp features, the smug expression that never quite leaves her face.

Jane.

My stepsister.

For a moment, I can’t move.

I can’t think.

All I can do is stare at them, my worst nightmare unfolding right in front of me.

Evan’s eyes widen, and he scrambles to say something, but I don’t hear him. My ears are ringing, and my chest feels like it’s about to cave in.

Jane smirks, pulling the sheets up around her. “Oh, hi, Juliette. Didn’t expect to see you here.”

Her voice is like a dagger, sharp and cruel.

“Juliette, wait—” he starts, but I shake my head.

“No,” I whisper, my voice barely audible. Then, louder, “No.”

“Evan.” Jane suddenly says, her voice taking on a serious note.

I watch as Evan glances at her, the plea on his tongue dying like it was never there.

When he looks back at me, his expression has morphed into something else.

Gone is the remorse.

Gone is the sad, caught in the act look in his eye.

All it’s replaced by is a coldness as he watches me break apart inside.

“I’m sorry you had to find out like this, Juliette.”

Hearing my name coming from his lips feels like i’ve been batterred by his fists.

“But it is what it is.” He speaks again, “I’ve been thinking, and maybe you and I can’t work out.”

My chest splits in half.

Right down the middle.

Right through the bond we shared.

I whispered out words that sounded foreign to my own ears, “W-we’re mates…”

He sighs deeply. Then glances at Jane again.

It’s one look, but something about it makes me feel like my fate has been sealed.

I don’t know how I know, but when Evan turns to look at me again, I hear the words before he’s even truly spoken them.

“You and I can’t be together anymore.” His says, his eyes turning hard with his resolve. “I can’t be your mate, because I’ve chosen someone else to be by my side.”

I shake my head slowly, brokenly. Taking a step back.

“I’ve chosen Jane.”

Crack.

“She’s the one i want.”

Crack.

“I’ll marry her, and she’ll become my Luna one day.”

My heart splinters into nothing, till i’m wondering how i’m still able to stand.

“Evan…” I breathe.

“And to make things clear, Juliette.” He begins again, “So you don’t get the wrong idea. So you don’t think this is some mistake in my part. Because i’ve thought this through, and i realized shes the one i’ve always wanted, Juliette. Not you. It was never you.”

Two years… and it was never me?

“It’s over between us.” He says, “And for extra effect… i’ll tell you this. I Evan Blackwell, Prince of the Blackwell wolves, reject you, illegitimate daughter of Noxian Thorne, as my fated mate.”