LOSER TO WINNER: His regret

The host’s voice echoed across the hall. "And the winner of this year’s Miss Goddess Beauty is… Aurora!"

The room erupted into cheers and clapping as I stepped forward, a proud smile on my face. I glanced at Liliana, the Alpha’s daughter from the Silver Crown Pack, who stood beside me as the first runner-up. She clapped too, but her stiff smile showed how much she hated losing.

For a moment, pride surged through me. I had won, it's more like a dream come through.

I glanced around the crowd. There was no family to cheer for me, what did I expect my foster parents are late and they told me I was found in a wood,just few of the my pack members celebrate with me. The only person who mattered to me now was Raymond, a best friend that turned out to be a mate, my mate for the past month. His acceptance of me had been my greatest blessing from the Moon Goddess.

Suddenly, the air in the room shifted. A strong scent of cinnamon and fresh rain hit my nose. My heart skipped a beat. I know it him"My mate, My man - Raymond."

All heads turned toward the entrance, and there he was.

Raymond walked in, dressed in a sleek black suit. His dark hair was perfectly styled, and a white rose was pinned to his chest. He carried another flower in his hand. His commanding aura filled the room, making everyone pause to watch him. As the billionaire Alpha of our pack, he always had a way of making everything stop when he entered a room.

I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face. **He’s here. He came for me.**

I knew Raymond wasn’t happy about me entering this contest. He said it was pointless and didn’t suit the The soon to be Luna of a pack. But now, seeing him walk toward the stage, his scent enveloping me, I couldn’t stop the joy swelling in my chest.

He must be proud of me.

I glanced at the trophy in my hand, then rested my hand lightly on my stomach. I’ll tell him about the pup after the contest, I have planned to break the new of my pregnancy to him after the contest, the moment I finds out this morning. He’ll be thrilled, I know he will be happy.

Raymond climbed the stage stairs slowly, his eyes focused straight ahead. My heart raced as I waited for him to congratulate me.

But he didn’t stop.

He walked right past me, his scent lingering in the air but his eyes never meeting mine.

I froze, my smile slipping. My chest tightened as I turned to see where he was going.

Raymond stopped in front of Liliana and handed her the flower.

Liliana’s face lit up as she took the flower from him, grinning like she had just been crowned the winner.

"Raymond," she said softly, her voice dripping with delight.

"You deserve this, my Love" Raymond said, his tone warm, completely ignoring me.

The whispers in the room grew louder. I gripped the trophy tightly, my claws threatening to extend as confusion and shock coursed through me.

I took a step forward, my voice barely above a whisper. "Raymond?"

But he didn’t look at me. It was like I wasn’t even there.

Liliana leaned closer to him, whispering something I couldn’t hear, her smirk making my stomach churn. Raymond nodded at her, his expression calm, as if this was normal.

Finally, he turned to the crowd, placing his arm around Liliana. "This is her moment. Liliana has always been a star, celebrate her for me."

My lips parted, but no words came out. My wolf stirred uneasily within me, her growl low and filled with pain. I stood there, frozen, unable to move or breathe. My mate had just chosen another, but why?, Did i offended him?.

---

The host stepped forward again, clearing his throat. The crowd quieted as he spoke.

"Ladies and gentlemen, a quick clarification before we proceed. As per the rules of the Miss Goddess Beauty contest, all participants must have a mate. Our winner, Aurora has listed a mate in her entry form, but we need confirmation. Aurora, can you please introduce your mate to the audience?, will should meet the Crown of our Queen. 

The hall fell into an expectant silence.

My chest tightened as I gripped the trophy in my hands, feeling the weight of everyone’s eyes on me. My gaze darted toward Raymond, who stood beside Liliana, his arm casually draped around her waist.

In front of the pack, Raymond and I were just best friends. He made sure of that. No one knew what happened behind closed doors—the kisses, the nights we spent together, or the way he whispered promises that I foolishly believed.

He always said the same thing: "Aurora, I prefer a simple life. I don’t want anyone to use you against me,he only promise to introduce me to his family after the contest, and he was happy we are each others mate."

I believed him. I trusted him. And now, standing here, I was nothing more than a fool.

The host’s voice interrupted my spiraling thoughts. **"Aurora?"**

I opened my mouth, but no words came out. What could I say? My mate—the one I had proudly listed—was standing there with another woman, holding her like she was his world.

The whispers started in the crowd.

"Why isn’t she saying anything?"** someone murmured.

"Is her mate not here?"** another voice questioned.

The host cleared his throat again, clearly uncomfortable. "Aurora, if you cannot present your mate, I’m afraid…"** He glanced down at his notes, then continued. **"…you will be disqualified."**

The murmurs turned to gasps, followed by a wave of awkward laughter.

Liliana stepped forward, her smile gleaming. "Oh, don’t worry. I think the rules are fair." Her voice was sugary sweet, but her words stung like a slap.

Raymond chuckled softly beside her, his arm tightening around her waist as if he didn’t even see me standing there.

The host straightened, his expression apologetic but firm. "In that case, the title of Miss Goddess Beauty goes to Liliana, the first runner-up. Congratulations!"

The hall erupted into cheers and applause. Liliana beamed, stepping forward to accept the crown and sash. Raymond immediately scooped her up into his arms like a baby, spinning her around like she was the love of his life, well she is.

I stood there, frozen, my grip on the trophy loosening as humiliation washed over me.

"Well, I guess Aurora doesn’t need a crown if she doesn’t even have a mate,"** someone joked loudly from the crowd.

Laughter erupted again, spreading like wildfire through the room.

Another voice chimed in. **"Maybe I should step in as her mate. What do you think, Aurora?"**

The laughter grew louder, the mocking tones cutting deep into my chest. My wolf whimpered inside me, feeling the same humiliation I did.

I couldn’t take it anymore. My legs moved before I could think, and I ran out of the hall, the sound of laughter and cheers echoing in my ears.

Tears blurred my vision as I pushed through the heavy doors and into the cool night air. My heart felt like it was shattering with every step I took. I had believed Raymond when he said he was protecting me. I had believed he cared.

But tonight, he showed me the truth: I meant nothing to him.