Chapter 1

Nat's POV

"Ivan. Thalie is coming back. Have you thought of what to do with your little Omega?"

"What to do with her?"

"Yeah. With how you keep mentioning Thalie, once she comes back, you'll let go of that Omega, won't you?"

"He probably will." It isn’t Ivan that responds, but his friend. My hand tightens against the knob while I hold my breath, fearing that inhaling too deeply will cause me to miss the answer to the question that has kept me up all night.

Ivan's answer doesn’t come immediately. Instead, it’s another voice. "She's quite a pretty face, isn't she? She looks indifferent, makes me want to crack that coldness and see what's behind it. Why don't you give her to me? Uh?"

Ivan's smooth voice drifts to my ears. “My girl? Don’t even think about it.”

I exhale, a flicker of warmth spreading through me. Yes, he will always want me—

Until he adds, "I've taken interest in her the moment I set my eyes on her. She has the same eyes as Thalie, and even the way their lips curls up when they smiles resembles. Don't ya think?"

"Now that you mention it, they do share some resemblance. Could it be... you have been treating her as Thalie's substitute?"

My heart thumps loudly against my ribcage.

Ivan scoffs, the sound itself the definition of ridicule. "Don't compare them. Thalie... she's like the sun high in the sky, bright yet comforting. Do you think you can compare that little Omega to her?" He sounds annoyed, as if the mere thought of me and Thalie is a blasphemy.

It feels as if a bucket of cold water is poured on me, drenching away the warmth in my heart. Coldness seeps through my bones, forming a heavy weight that presses tightly on my chest, so solid I almost can't breathe.

"Since Thalie herself is coming back, Nat will naturally be of no use to me. Or do you all seriously think I will make Nat our Luna?"

My vision swims, growing hot with tears threatening to fall. I blink them back hard.

[I told you.] Noelle, my wolf's voice sounded in my head, and I could almost hear her grinding her teeth. [He doesn't love you! See now?!]

My knuckles tightened around the knob, but it was too late to feel regretful.

His friend cheers. "I know it. Your heart will only belong to that woman. It's understandable. Your first love will always have a special place in your heart. Anyway, when are you going to break up with Nat? Let your brother taste some of that delicacy. Will you?"

I have a feeling the answer that follows won’t be anything I want to hear. My eyes cast back to the food container in my hand, meant to be given to him, but now it has long since turned cold, just like my emotions.

I just want to get out of this place.

My steps quicken as I turn. I take out my phone, my fingers tapping rapidly on the screen.

I stare at the contact, my fingers hovering on it. I bite my lips.

[Why are you hesitating? We don't belong here!] Noelle snarled.

Ivan's words sound again at the back of my mind. Cruel, without any ounce of hesitation as he declares me unworthy of being beside him.

My finger taps the contact, the screen changing. Each beep sends tingles down my spine. But it only rings thrice before the deep and familiar voice of my father comes through.

"Nat?"

The tears I have been trying to hold slip out immediately, my eyes burning hot as I try to wipe them away.

"Nat, are you okay?"

Even when I leave the luxury that comes with being the heiress to the Beta position in the Lycan King's pack without turning back —, just to be with Ivan in this nameless pack, Father never says any bad words to me.

And the person I gave up everything for?

I choke out, my voice trembling. "I want to come home."

There is an unexpected silence that lingers until I can hear his calm breath.

He finally asks, "Had enough of the world? Hit some bumps? Not like what you expected?"

I sniffle. "Yeah..."

"Alright. I'll make the arrangement."

The phone slips from my ear. For a long moment, I just stand there, listening to the birds chirping in the sky. The world suddenly feels brighter, and the sounds was also louder. It feels like waking up from a long, foolish dream.

When I get home that night, Ivan has already gotten back, and he is in the middle of taking off his shirt, clearly heading to the bathroom.

[His presence disgust me!] Noelle screamed again. [You pretended to be an Omega for this cheater!]

Ivan turns back to me, staring at me with those shimmering blue eyes that always make me entranced.

[Snap out of it already!]

"You're back."

I avert my gaze, taking off my heels. "Mmmm."

There is the sound of the bathroom creaking open. Raising my head, I undo my ponytail and walk to the bedside table, placing down my phone beside his.

Right at this moment, his phone lights up.

I look instinctively and am ready to take back my gaze. However, the sender name… Thalie.

I take the phone, staring at the several messages on the screen with emptiness in my eyes.

[Ivan... I'm coming back.]

[My flight to the Pack is at 10 PM tonight.]

[Can you pick me up at the airport?]

[Never mind, I know you already have a mate.] 7:29 pm

Ivan's reply:

[Thalie, I just want to ask… do you still love me?] 7:29 pm

Thalie's reply: [Yes, I do.]

Ivan's reply is right there, like a mockery to all the affection he has professed to me countless times in the past.

[I love you too.]

[Wait for me to pick you up.]

The sound of rushing water stops. I put his phone down exactly as it was and turn away, my back to him, fiddling with my shirt's button.

From the corner of my eyes, I watch him slip on his most expensive tie, adjusting it before the mirror, then wearing his limited edition wristwatch.

The scene feels like a joke, and I turn my gaze away, swallowing the lump in my throat.

"I have an impromptu meeting to attend," he says, not quite meeting my eyes in the reflection but instead styling his hair with utmost seriousness. "I might not come back tonight."

[Liar!]

Liar.

The word screams in my head the same time Noelle yelled it. I didn't say a thing but just give a hum of acknowledgement.

The door clicks shut, and he is gone.