Chapter 1

*BRIANNE’S POV*

I got to room 206, the hotel room I was supposed to meet him. Marcus, my mate, and one true love.

I rang  the doorbell, smiling widely as every nerve in my body pinged in raw anticipation.

The door opened, but what I saw wasn’t what I was expecting.

“Can I help you?” The sweet feminine voice spoke. Her black hair cascaded over her shoulders, contrasting the white robe she had on.

I stood there, staring at her in confusion… ‘Did I miss rooms?’ ‘This is probably the wrong room’.

“Sorry uhm…I think I got the wrong room..” these words had barely left my lips when I heard a familiar voice from inside the room.

“Baby, what’s going on? Is that room service?”  A deep voice echoed from inside the hotel room.

“Marcus?” I subconsciously stuttered.

“Brianne..”

My gut twisted at the sight before me. He stood there staring at me, I looked back at the lady, wondering what on earth she was doing here.

“Marcus, what’s going on? Who’s this?” I asked, refusing to believe what my mind was telling me.

“What do you mean by that? I’m his girlfriend. The question should be, who ARE you?” The lady said even before Marcus  could speak.

‘Girlfriend? Did she say girlfriend?’. I burst into laughter, my head was in absolute chaos but I was laughing.

“No Marcus, what is going on? Who is she and what is she doing here?” I asked him for the second time, hoping to get a reply that suits my expectation.

I stared straight at his eyes, trying to find answers. I watched his eyes as they darkened, his brows furrowed in a twist of what seemed like anger.

“This is Tianna, she’s my girlfriend,” he finally spoke, without an ounce of hesitation or guilt.

I felt an undiluted pinch in my heart. “What does that mean?” I scoffed. “Marcus our mating ceremony is in two fucking days, what do you mean by she’s your girlfriend?” I forced a smile and tried to reason with him.

“Enough Brianne, enough!!” His voice thundered. That came as a shock, Marcus  has never raised his voice at me before.

“Just because I pity you doesn’t mean I love you, I only saved you from those people who bullied you. You didn’t actually think I was going to mate with you right?” He asked me,  his eyes wide like a maniac. I could clearly see the betrayal in his eyes.

Before I could give an answer, his laugh broke the silence. “Bri, it’s over between us,” He said with a stern gaze, his voice was cold and void of any emotion.

“What’s the meaning of this?” The question came out shakily, my world was crumbling before my eyes, I didn’t want to believe anything he just said.

“What he meant was, he can’t be mated to a filthy omega like you” the lady spoke.

‘A filthy omega like me…’ the statement echoed in my head like stingrays. A bitter taste coated my tongue. Betrayal, and cold fury pricked at my heart..

My breath was uneven, my chest was heavy, I felt light headed.

 ‘A filthy omega like me…’.

These words kept ringing like a bell. Everything suddenly became blurry as my world began to spin. I kept drifting away into an oblivion, trying so hard to reach for Marcus’ hands.

Suddenly I jolted up, the bright light that came from the window flashed through my eyes.

I winced and quickly covered my eyes. I slowly opened my eyes and looked around. It was my room… only then did I realize I had been dreaming.

I fell back on my bed and covered my face with the blanket.

“What a nightmare”

Being an omega wasn’t easy, but being an omega who couldn’t shift?!!!

I have a lot going on with me. Not only was I cheated on two days to my mating ceremony, I was also rejected by Marcus.

I had told my father that I didn’t want to push through with the mating process because of what Marcus  did.

“You have no say in that, for an omega who can’t shift, you have no right to reject a beta”

Those were his exact words. I found it hilarious, but it was even more hilarious when I heard these words

“I, Marcus Mateo  reject you, Brianne, as my mate,”

As if that wasn’t what I wanted? Just because I’m weak doesn’t mean I can’t dictate what goes on in my life.

“Brianne!!!”

My mom’s yell pulled me out of my thoughts.

“Don’t just stay up there and sleep all day, come help me with breakfast,”  Her voice echoed again.

I rolled my eyes and got out of bed. Everyone is extremely loud as hell in this house; you can’t get a single morning of peace.

“Morning Mom,” I greeted as I climbed down the stairs.

“Oh, the Wizard of Oz is awake,” my brother teased mockingly.

I shot him a deadly stare. “ don’t be an asshole, idiot” I snapped at him.

“Word,” my mom interrupted the brewing banter that was about to take place in her kitchen.

My brother rolled his eyes at me. “ well it’s past 9am,” he muttered.

“Why don’t you look for something meaningful to do with yourself this morning,” my mom turned to him and gave him a stern warning.

“So what are we having for breakfast” I asked with a smile.

“French toast” my mom replied indifferently.

My smile dropped. How could I not have known? It’s always French toast these days. I’m  sick and tired of it.

“Bri,” my mother called out my name unexpectedly.

I looked up, sensing something unusual in her tone. I stared at her, urging her to continue.

“Your father wants you to accompany him to the party tonight,” she said gently.

“What?” I exclaimed. There was a party happening today and it was a party for the nobles, how could I possibly be there?

“Is Father trying to humiliate me or what?” I demanded

“He knows very well I hate such gatherings” I said, my voice tight with emotion.

“No dear, your father isn’t trying to shame you,” My mother replied in a soothing voice.. “He just wants you to mingle more,” she tried to convince me.

I blinked in disbelief  “In a party full of nobles?” I retorted.

“And so?” My mother tried to reason with me.

I let out a sigh of frustration and threw the napkin on the sink as I dashed out of the kitchen.

***

Forced to be at a party I didn’t want to attend? So typical of my father.

I sat in a corner, watching the elegant crowd and trying my best to stay unnoticed.

“Hey beautiful” a soft masculine voice suddenly spoke behind me.

I turned around only to be met with a pair of captivating, enigmatic eyes. His broad figure loomed above me, making his presence impossible to ignore. He grinned at me, flashing a set of dazzlingly  white teeth…