Chapter 1 - Broken Heart

1 YEAR AGO

AMERIE

"Here." I was a bit taken aback the moment a glass of wine appeared in my sight. To be precise, right in front of my eyes.

My head snapped to the side, and the first thing I saw was a handsome face with a mouth slightly twitched into a smile—only a little because he kept his expression even. But his eyes were smiling, though no one might spot it.

He was my boyfriend. Brandon is the Beta of the Black Knight Pack. My brother's second in command.

I took the glass before smiling at him sweetly. "Thank you. How do you know I'm thirsty?"

Well, I would admit it wasn't wholly true. I wasn't that thirsty and just thinking about that for a brief moment before Brandon came with the glass. And I couldn't notice his presence because...

"Oh... Both of you are so sweet. You brought her that even when she didn't ask for it," someone commented, clearly making her voice sound envious.

"It's nice to have a boyfriend. I wish I got one, too."

"Then, what are you waiting for? Go. Start your hunt."

Yes. I was with my female friends, and you know how forgetful we were about the world as soon as we began gossiping. And I had to remind myself from time to time that we were in the middle of a party to restrict ourselves from going wild. Oh, I must maintain my image for the sake of my brother as well as my boyfriend.

'I can read your mind.' Brandon suddenly connected with my head, answering, and I couldn't help but blush to hear that.

However, before my friends were going really crazy about teasing us, I had to shove him away. Thus, I snaked his arm while flashing a wide smile at them. "Right. If all of you want a boyfriend like him, then start hunting. Look." I paused, looking around as I stressed the next words. "There are a lot of hot single guys here. Try to seduce one and bring them to bed. Then maybe you can steal their heart as well."

Don't worry. I didn't mean that, and my best friends understood it. We actually often joked about that. Also, having a one-night stand wasn't bad either. Hey, we were ladies and had just begun our twenties. We needed to fulfill our needs, too, didn't we?

"Shouldn't you have scolded your girlfriend for telling the truth? She's so honest." Blakely responded, not looking at me but Brandon. She sounded complaining. "We should maintain our image, too."

"Right. What if the guys around us hear you? They'll probably think twice because they now know we're desperate." It was Maurice.

"Then you must take the responsibility and find some guys to be our boyfriends. I hear you have many handsome friends. Or you can introduce your warriors." It was Cathy. "We love muscles."

Wow. After getting their turns to tease us, the three of them acted like a victim. And what? They loved muscles?

Well, they shouldn't voice that loud as well.

"Sshh." I giggled but managed to give a sign to shush them with my finger. "I should take him away before you spill the secret."

To which Blakely agreed right away. "Go. I hate your affection. You hurt our single pride." She even hushed us with her hands.

And the other two were her partner in crimes already because they followed her actions. "Go bring her somewhere, Brandon. But ensure to return her to us soon."

"But if you see us with guys, don't ever think to return her. You can have her as long as possible."

I could only shake my head. We were indeed the same. "Excuse us, then."

I still had giggles when Brandon and I stepped away, following wherever my cold boyfriend brought me. I didn't realize until he suddenly took my glass away and placed it on the nearest table.

"What are you doing?" I protested, trailing his hand with my eyes.

"You can't have it while dancing." He replied after returning his gaze to me.

My eyes squinted. "Are you going to ask me for a dance?"

"We've almost reached the dance floor."

It made me look at my surroundings. Brandon was right. We were at the table closest to the dance floor. "Ask me first. We won't dance before you ask me."

We had known each other since we were babies, making us understand each other's behavior well, including the bad and the worst. Ups. I meant the good and the bad. Brandon doesn't talk much and prefers to show it with his actions.

He stared at me for seconds before finally tugging a smile I always loved and missed. This differed from the one he had earlier. It was wider, and I swore he shone while doing that. It was like the world purposely gave him a stage.

Okay. I was over-describing. No lights on Brandon, and I was grateful for that because I didn't want many eyes aimed at him.

Brandon took my hand and pulled me closer. "You know you're the only one that can make me like this. Still, I follow your words." I couldn't help but giggle when he began his statements. It should be a complaint. However, he sounded to make a confession instead. "Would you dance with me, Amy?" Then he ended it by kissing the back of my hand as his eye kept locking with mine.

Amy is my nickname, and hearing him mention me lovingly warmed my heart.

"Yes," I replied with the same warm smile.

But it didn't last long because a second later, I noticed oddness in his expression. His eyes dilated, and a rumble reverberated from his chest. And there it was. The worst of my worst fears came out of his mouth. "Mate!" It wasn't loud. But it was loud enough to attract people's attention nearby. And my heart shattered right away.

No way! He couldn't possibly meet her here!

Unfortunately, hope wasn't always inclined to reality. As much as I wanted to deny it, a word from behind dragged me to my agony.

"Mate!"

It was the word I wished to hear and say to Brandon. I wished I could be his mate,  the one that would give him what people said: sparks, tingles, and anything. But, no. He was meant to be someone else's mate. And his gaze... the desire flitting on them convinced me that. He was not meant for me. All his life, he was waiting for his mate. And I was merely an obstacle, hindering him from reaching his dream future.

I shouldn't be here. I should have known my place.

Thus, with heavy steps, I walked away. I turned around, and for the first and last time, I saw her. She is exquisite, and I knew right away she would be Brandon's best partner. More than me.

I flashed her a weak smile, and without words, I left them. I didn't even turn back because I was aware no one would chase after me. I was the only shifter without a wolf. No one would want me as a partner. Not without hidden intentions.

I left my love and my future for good.

Forever.