Chapter 0002

When we reached the hotel, everyone was smiling and interacting. They were in their best outfits and jewelry. They all noticed us and bowed.

Ellis gave a short speech about how long more was to come and thanked me for always being by his side.

" Hey,"

" Interact, I'll find Lila," I told him. He nodded and kissed my lips before going to his guests. Lila, short for Lilac, was my best friend and roommate at the university campus. Lila and I weren't close when I met her. She despised me because she thought her boyfriend, the pack beta, Jace, was secretly in love with me, but she was wrong. Jace only cared for me in a sisterly way because we originated from the same pack, The Golden Stone Pack. It is one of the largest and strongest packs in the world, and my father is alpha. We sat her down and told her our history, and now we are best friends. Like me, she left her pack to be with Jace.

" Love!" I heard the excited voice of my best friend. I turned around with a smile on my lips and hugged her.

" Baby girl, you look amazing!" she exclaimed.

" You too," I smiled.

" By the way, David Kofflin is looking for you," I sighed at that name; David Kofflin was one of the wealthiest, handsome bachelors in the city. Every year, top companies hand-pick five students in a field to do interns at their companies, and this year, David's company, K- Corp, picked me because I'm the best data analyst at my university.

" I don't want to see him. He only wants to use me to piss off Ellis," I said. David and Ellis were alphas to large and wealthy packs. However, they were rivals.

"Yeah, but you can't deny this is a great opportunity," she says. It was an excellent opportunity indeed, though I didn't want to agitate Ellis by accepting the K-Corp offer.

"I'll work at the company Ellis recommended for now," I told her.

We discussed more about work, and she told me she had an exhibit and I had to attend. Lilac was a great painter, and her work has been valued at the university since she switched her major to the arts.

" Hello, ladies," We turned around and smiled at Charlotte.

Charlotte was a timid redhead omega wolf who attended our university. Students didn't like her because she was a lone wolf. A wolf with no pack was considered wild and treated no better than rogues. We recently took the lone wolf under our wing; she has gained some favor.

" I didn't know you were coming here," I told her and kissed her cheek. We invited her to social gatherings, but she never attended because she felt out of place.

" Lila invited me. I didn't want to, but I was bored on campus," she said, and I nodded.

" Oh! Charlotte, you look pretty, and that cleavage, damn girl," Lilac teased, and she blushed—such a little cutie.

" I didn't have anything else to wear. This is the dress you gifted me last month, Love," she told me shyly.

" You look stunning in the dress," I complimented her.

" So where is the host? We should pay our respects, right?" Charlotte asked, her eyes wandering in search.

" The host is my boyfriend, Ellis Carter. I think you've met once, no,"

I think they had, but they didn't interact as Charlotte hurried to leave, and Ellis ignored her.

" Um, I- I s-saw him in a business magazine and on TV, but never in person,"

" Oh. I'll introduce you-" I didn't finish my sentence when I saw Ellis and Jace approach us,

" There he is!"

I smiled at him. My boyfriend stopped in his tracks.

" Ellis," I called gently, about to go to him, but Lila held my wrist. She was worried. I followed Ellis' gaze. He was staring at the woman behind me.

" Mate,"

My knees weakened as Ellis whispered the words. I took a step back.

" Ellis, baby,"

I regained composure and went to him in an attempt to get his attention from her. I kissed his lips in desperation, wanting him to pay me attention.

"I'm glad to see you," I stammered, trying to keep my tears from falling.

" Mate," he whispered again, ignoring me and looking at Charlotte. I could barely breathe, and all I did was step aside. Ellis took steps forward to her and slowly cupped Charlotte's crying face with trembling hands.

" Hello, mate,"

No, no, no. I silently begged the moon goddess to wake me from this nightmare, but Lila's touch told me it wasn't a dream.

The two mates were lost in each other's gazes, and I couldn't watch any longer as I turned to leave. I was walking through the empty streets, not caring it was drizzling.

" Love, Love, wait!" I had no strength or zeal to turn around and talk to Lila. I sat on the street bench and buried my head in my hands, crying.

" Oh, my sweetheart," Lila hugged me, and I bawled louder.

Ellis succumbed to the bond. When I turned eighteen four years ago and discovered he wasn't my fated mate, I was heartbroken, but he assured me it would be well. We don't need the bond to stay together, and even if we met our mates, we would reject them to be together forever. I was content with the forever promise he made me.