EPISODE TWO

There’s nothing lonelier than being surrounded by people and still feeling like the one no one chose."

Zevara's POV

The next morning.

“Good morning, ma,” I say to the woman at the dining table as I take a seat across from her.

Earlier, Nina had asked the maid to inform me that breakfast was ready. I was just waking up then, so I quickly had a shower, threw on baggy jeans and a polo, and made my way downstairs.

And the room Nina had claimed was mine yesterday left me dumbstruck. It was just as grand as the living room. Everything screamed luxury. Girly. Like it was sorely decorated—just for me.

Well-painted pink walls. Huge chandeliers and gods, the sight outside the glass-to-ceiling window was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen in my entire life. The scent of beautiful and colorful flowers at the garden below filled my nostrils.

Silence.

Maybe she didn't hear me.

“Good morning, ma,” I said—louder this time.

Lady Selena—Nina's mom—had totally ignored me and just kept tearing the garnished lamb in her plate with a fork.

“Mom,” Nina says. Her gaze shifted to me and then back to her. “Zev is greeting you.“

Finally, she dropped her fork—which clattered loudly on the glass plate—and glanced up at me, her eyes dark. “Of course, I can hear her loud and clear,” she says coldly.

My mouth hung open.

Of course, I don't need a soothsayer to tell me she didn't want me here.

When we were at the Lunarstrike Pack together, she didn't like me because of my mother, of course. But I never knew she was staying here too. Is she by any chance the Luna?

She continued. “You smell so awful, Zevara.“

Her disdain-filled voice pierced through my heart. My scent. Again. Sometimes I wonder if the scent is a curse. The men like it and go wild for it, while the women hate it for reasons I don't know.

“Mom—”

“Shut up,” she snapped at Nina before she could say a word more. She stood up. “Can you please just stay off my path? I don't want to see you anytime I'm around.“

I nodded slowly, head lowered as I wrapped a hand around myself.

“Good.“ She walks away, her heels hitting the floor sharply.

Gods, her words hurt so much. But am I surprised? No. I'm used to this—the hatred from everyone.

Nina's hands reached across the table, squeezing mine. “Don't mind Mom,” she says, her voice low and filled with sadness. “I will speak to her.“

I forced a smile. “It's fine.“

Nina's eyes darted up to the fancy wall clock on the wall. “Shoot,” she snapped. “We are almost late for class. Hurry up with your meal.“

I stood up and grabbed my backpack. “Let's go. I'm not hungry,” I lied.

Of course, I'm hungry, but I have suddenly lost my appetite.

Her eyes narrowed, scanning me. “Are you wearing this to the campus?“

I glanced down at myself. The jean was almost faded, but it was clean. And the white Polo was still neat. Besides, it's the best I own. “Sure.“

She stood up, and I couldn't help but admire her body-con dress and ankle-length boots—which I was sure would cost a fortune. The dress cleave to her body like a second skin with her breasts threatening to spill out from the plunging neckline.

“After class, we're going to hit the mall. You really need a change of style to keep up with college life. Otherwise the other students will look down on you,” she says, walking out, and I trailed behind her.

I frowned. “It's fine, Nina. You've done so much for me already.“

She raised her hand. “No excuse,” her voice was final, brooking no argument.

And just like that, I stopped talking.

Outside, we slid into her red sports car, and she pulled out of the palace, heading straight to the campus.

_______

At the Eclipse College, I walked beside Nina, my head lowered and my hands gripping the straps of my backpack like a lifeline.

I feel so small. So invincible beside her.

The students waved at Nina, chanting greetings and appreciating her outfit, while I was being ignored.

Just the guys staring at me lustfully as usual, while the ladies eyed me down like I was dirt.

I even overheard one telling her friend that I was the scholarship girl, and her friend replied her saying I was a charity case, and they both burst into laughter.

“Bye, I will see you later,” Nina says, before turning in the opposite direction—where her department is.

Nina and I aren't studying the same course. Nina had wanted to study Herbalife and Healing too, but she is not so smart, so she opted for Lunar Herbology Basics.

“Bye.“ I waved at her, watching as she walked away.

I sighed. I guess I'm all alone now.

I turned towards my departmental hall, ignoring the whispers, murmurs, and lustful gaze. Until a familiar masculine voice echoed behind me.

“Zevara,” he called.

I sighed, masking my expression into that cold glare, before turning with my arms crossed.

Of course, it was no other person than Ashen. My ex-mate. The prince, heir of the Lunarstrike Pack.

Six months ago on my eighteenth birthday, I discovered that Ashen was my mate. I felt angry. This was another mistake from the Moon Goddess.

All my life, Ashen had bullied me the most. He was an asshole who enjoyed tormenting me. He rejected me immediately and offered that I become his concubine after he marries Lyra, the Beta's daughter.

That day I spat on his smug face and slapped him. To punish me, he had me jailed for three days. No food. No water. Just I alone sprawled weakly on the dungeon's cold floor.

And my mother never visited. Instead, when I got released, she blamed me for being too arrogant. She says I should have been grateful to be chosen as a mistress to an Alpha.

Ashen stepped closer to me, smirking devilishly. “I knew it. I could smell that cursed scent anywhere.“

“What the hell are you doing here?“ I snapped through gritted teeth.

He laughed—the sound, sharp and mocking, echoed through. “Really? Such audacity. The whore's daughter asking the Alpha heir questions.“

Heads turned in our direction.

Whore's daughter! My fingers dug into my palm as humiliation and hunger washed down on me, but I didn't let him know.

No.

I have to act tough at all times. It's my survival mechanism.

I didn't say a word.

“Well…” he purred. “I go to school here, of course. And unlike you, I can afford the fees. I'm not some charity case.“

My heart pounded. If he really goes to school here, then that is big trouble. He would keep picking on me. I had hoped to start afresh here, without anyone knowing about my past, but I guess that's not happening.

“Get lost,” I spat.

“Sure, I will.“ Then he leaned forward. “The offer is still up, though. Become my whore, and maybe I will let you go to school here quietly,” he whispered and then moaned. “Fuck... Zev... Your scent just made me hard now.“

My chest heaved, and I pushed against his chest. “Go to hell.“

I turned and quickly walked away.

His laughter rang out behind me. “Think it through, huh? I will come back for my answer later.“

Ashen!!!

I raged.

I swear I want to kill him.

_______

“This is all the course outline for the semester,” a professor—who introduced himself as Silas—says. His voice was deep and commanding.

I blinked, momentarily distracted by the sheer presence of the man. He stood tall, broad-shouldered, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to strip me naked. He had to be in his mid-thirties, but damn, he was hot.

In fact, all the men at the Eclipse were hot.

A few whispers rippled among the girls.

His soft eyes met mine briefly, and surprisingly there was nothing like lust in them. Just acknowledgement.

This was strange. No one has ever looked at me so softly like this before.

He looks away. "Today, we won't have a full class," Silas continued. "Tomorrow, we begin properly." With that he closed the file in his hand and walked away.

The moment he stepped out, I quickly tossed my books inside my bag, hoping to escape the heavily suffocating room.

“Hey,” a voice said as I stood.

I looked up at the guy in front of me. He is handsome, has a tattoo on his collarbone, and has tinted his hair in gold. A couple of guys stood behind him.

From their auras, I could already tell that they are the school bullies.

“Why did you smell like that?“ He asked mockingly, and they all burst into laughter. “Don't you think you missed your way here? You're supposed to be at the bar, serving and pleasing men.“

“Excuse me?“ I fired, my eyes blazing.

“Am I wrong?“ He purred, leaning forward.

“No, you are not,” I say. “I guess you're supposed to be at the psychiatric hospital too, since it seems you've lost your senses.“

The smirk washed off his face, and his eyes crumpled in disbelief. I guess he didn't expect that I would be that feisty.

The rest of the students burst into laughter.

He glanced around furiously.

And I took the opportunity to run out of the class.

“Come back here, bitch,” he called after me.

My heart pounded as I increased my pace, and in that moment, my forehead slammed against a hard chest covered in sleek, padded fabric, and I stumbled back a step. I looked up, already muttering an apology when my breath caught.

He was dressed in a full ice hockey uniform—jersey clinging to broad shoulders, gloves in one hand, skates strapped and resting lazily at his sides. The helmet was off, revealing an infuriatingly handsome face.

Cold green eyes. A fine jawline that belonged on the front cover of a magazine.

The world froze.

His scent—leather, power, and cinnamon—wrapped around me. Captivating. Addictive. Overwhelming. I bite down on my lower lip to suffice the moan threatening to spill past my lips.

My wolf didn’t whisper anything.

But my body did. Loudly. Sexually. Lustfully.

He mouthed, “You?“

Yes, me.

Is he also attracted to me?

Or he is just like the other men who are captivated by my scent?