Chapter 1: Shattered Heart

“I’ve met my mate, Lory.”

As if what my father said earlier wasn’t enough, Jacob’s words added fuel to the fire. It was like a bomb to me. With my family forcing me to offer myself to the new alpha, I thought I could find my way out of it through him.

We had been in a relationship for two years now. As someone from a family of omega serving those in the upper class, Jacob’s status hindered us from being out in public. Dad would kill me if he found out I was associating myself with a boy of lower status. So we loved each other secretly, waiting for the right time to tell everyone what was between us.

But now I didn’t think that was possible. Earlier this morning during breakfast, Dad said the alpha asked for five ladies of marriageable age from the most respected families in the pack where he’d be choosing a wife prospect after a thorough screening. Dad informed me he'd be submitting my name in the registry and it wasn’t something negotiable.

After hearing it, my mind went haywire to the extent that I thought of asking Jacob to run away with him to a place we could freely be together. But his words broke my hopeful heart.

At eighteen, he was the only boyfriend I had and I always thought he’d turn out to be my mate. Once werewolves hit a certain age, they would be able to shift and recognize their mates. Omegas, both male and female, usually got their wolves at later age due to their inferior genes, that was why twenty-year-old Jacob Wells just got his wolf recently.

I was waiting for him to tell me he recognized me as his mate. I would at least have something solid to back up my disapproval of Dad's plan.

I stared at the only boy I ever risked my heart for with teary eyes. I couldn’t understand why it didn’t have to be me.

“I-I don’t understand, Jake…” my voice trembled.

“Hush, Lory,” Jacob took my hand. His eyes that once held so much affection for me now only had pity which made my tears pour harder.

“Lory please, I know it hurts but you have to accept it. I’m sure you’ll meet your mate soon too. You’re already eighteen, it’s only a matter of time before you get your wolf.”

I pushed his hand harshly. “You don’t understand! I don't want anyone else! I want you, Jake!” I yelled in between my sobs. “Or maybe you’re just telling this because of Dad? Are you afraid of him and this is your way of breaking up with me?”

“You know me more than anyone does, Lory. I was willing to fight for you. I always believed you were the one…” His eyes held tenderness like how he always did in the past, but now it didn’t give me butterflies. It made my heart ache. “But there are things in life we can’t control. As we were young and naïve, we assumed it was the mate bond we always had. But trust me, whatever you feel for me now, it will pale in comparison to what you’d feel for your mate.”

“Are you telling me you’ve forgotten all those happy moments we shared? That what you had with me is nothing compared to what you have now with her?”

I had read about mate bonds, seen couples who had it, but as of the moment I couldn’t put myself in Jacob’s shoes. My emotions were clouding my mind I couldn’t think straight.

I admired the love between those mated people and wished myself a love like that. I also witnessed how those young love got broken like what happened to Jacob and me. I was well aware of the reality. And perhaps… at the back of my mind, I knew this could happen. But instead of bracing myself for the worst, I stayed in the fairytale world I built.

“Because that is how it is supposed to be, Lory. You know mate bond is the strongest tie our kind has,” Jacob tried to reason with me.

I shook my head, my tears blurring my vision. Accepting my defeat, I ran away without looking back. I skipped my bridal class today even though I knew Dad would give me a handful of preaching for it, if not beating. I just wanted to see Jacob and tell him my dilemma.

I met him in the town’s market at the back of the store where he was working. Running back to the front of the store where I could find a cab to drive me home, I felt my body almost get thrown when I hit something hard in the middle of my careless run.

“Careful, lady.”

I realized it was a man I bumped into. I raised my head and wiped my tears to clear my vision. Although his words indicated concern, his tone said otherwise. It was hard and cold, like his words meant to be a warning.

The man was towering over me. Wearing a black overcoat and a black vintage cap, his dark eyes watched me like a hawk. His features were hard and sharp and the way he held himself with unmistakable confidence, I knew he must be a man of a notable background.

Knowing that I must have looked like a mess, I hurriedly said my apologies and walked past him, embarrassed that a stranger saw me in such a pathetic state.

“Lady,” just after two steps, the man suddenly spoke. I stopped to give him a look.

“Your handkerchief,” he glanced at the piece of cloth lying in the ground near his shoes. He then brought his scrutinizing gaze back to me like he was inspecting a product in the market.

“Thanks,” I uttered as quickly as I picked up my handkerchief.

I glanced at the man for a moment before I turned and walked away, wondering why he was staring at me oddly. Perhaps he recognized me? As a beta, Dad was quite famous among the pack. But I was sure I hadn’t seen the man before.