Mated By The Quadruple Alpha

   I adjusted the straps of my shimmering silver dress, my heart pounding with excitement.

   Tonight was special.

   I had been waiting for this moment for three years—my anniversary with Jason, the boy I loved. The boy I was finally ready to give everything to.

   Including my virginity.

   Werewolves mated for life, and I wasn’t ready to find my true mate because my heart belonged to Jason. I considered him my mate, whether the Moon Goddess gave me one or not. And this was it for me. Once I gave myself to Jason, our bond would be sealed forever. Our scents would mix, our wolves fully connected.

   We would be one.

   I glanced at the small, neatly wrapped box sitting on my dresser. Inside the box was the expensive watch Jason had wanted for months. I had worked extra shifts, skipped meals, and saved every penny to get it.

   Tonight was about love. About us.

   And nothing could ruin it, and when I say nothing, I mean nothing. because Jason and I are perfect together. We always have been.

   "Ava!" My mother’s voice rang from downstairs. "Don't forget, we’re going wedding dress shopping tomorrow!"

   Right. Her wedding.

   At first, I was against the idea. My dad had died years ago, and the thought of my mom moving on had felt wrong.

   But love was a gift, wasn’t it? Everyone deserved a second chance at happiness.

   Including me.

   Smiling to myself, I grabbed the gift and left for the party.

   *

   *

   *

   Jason’s house was packed.

   Music boomed through the walls, the bass vibrating beneath my feet. The smell of alcohol and sweat clung to the air. Couples were pressed against walls, grinding to the rhythm.

   I pushed through the crowd, scanning for Jason.

   Someone grabbed my wrist.

   "Ava!"

   I turned to see Liam, one of Jason’s friends, smirking at me.

   "Damn, you clean up nice." His eyes shamelessly raked over my body. "Jason’s a lucky guy."

   I forced a smile, tugging my hand free. "Thanks. Have you seen him?"

   Liam chuckled, taking a sip from his red cup. "Upstairs. Been there for a while."

   Something in his tone made my stomach twist.

   "With who?"

   Liam’s smirk widened. "Don't know, no idea."

   I ignored the uneasy feeling creeping into my chest and headed for the stairs.

   Maybe he was setting up a surprise? Candles? Flowers?

   The door to Jason’s bedroom was slightly open.

   I smiled, stepping inside—

   And froze.

   Jason was in bed.

   With Noah. My best friend.

   They weren’t just lying there. They were naked.

   Sweaty.

   Entwined.

   Their lips met in a deep, hungry kiss before Jason pulled away, breathless. "Damn, you’re so much better than her."

   Noah laughed, running a hand through Jason’s hair. "Of course, I am. You were wasting your time with that little virgin."

   My heart stopped.

   A sharp, breathless gasp escaped my lips.

   Noah’s head snapped toward the door. His smirk dropped. "Oh, shit."

   Jason groaned, rolling his eyes. "Great. You just had to be dramatic, didn’t you?"

   I staggered back, my whole body trembling. "W-What..?"

   Jason sighed, completely unbothered. "Don’t look so shocked, Ava. You had to know this was coming."

   My lips parted, but no words came out.

   Noah sat up, smirking again. "You seriously thought he loved you?" He scoffed, shaking his head. "Damn, Ava, you’re more pathetic than I thought."

   My best friend.

   The one who was supposed to have my back.

   Jason stretched lazily, completely unconcerned that I had just caught him. "Look, you were fun. But that’s all you ever were—something to pass the time. I had fun while it lasted. I’m sure you did too. How about you come over and we make this a threesome?" Jason said, licking his lips as he eyed me hungrily.

   Noah laughed out loud. "C'mon, you’re gonna make her cry."

   I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The people I had loved were mocking me.

   My chest ached.

   No.

   This wasn’t real.

   I loved him.

   We were supposed to mate tonight.

   My voice shook. "You… used me?"

   Jason smirked. "Yeah, and? What did you think, Ava? That we were gonna be some fairytale couple?" He snorted. "I mean, come on. You’re cute and all, but I needed a cover."

   Noah leaned back against the headboard, arms behind his head. "And I needed a good laugh. Watching you act all in love was the highlight of my months in school."

   Laughter.

   They were laughing at me.

   Mocking me.

   Humiliating me.

   My hands shook. My vision blurred.

   Three years.

   Three years of love.

   Three years of betrayal.

   Jason sighed, as if bored. "Alright, you saw what you needed to see. Now get out."

   My world shattered.

   I couldn’t breathe.

   I couldn't think.

   Noah tilted his head. "Damn, I told you she was gonna cry."

   Jason chuckled. "Of course, she will. That’s all she’s good at."

   Something inside me snapped.

   I lunged.

   The gift box in my hand flew across the room, hitting Jason in the chest.

   "Screw you!" I screamed.

   Jason barely flinched. He picked up the box, raising a brow. "The hell is this?"

   "The watch you wanted," I spat. "The one I worked my ass off to buy for you!"

   Jason opened it, then burst out laughing.

   Noah peeked inside and snorted. "Damn. You really thought this was gonna make him love you?"

   My blood boiled.

   With a choked sob, I turned and ran.

   *

   *

   The cold night air hit me like a slap, but I didn’t stop.

   My heels clicked against the ground as I stumbled forward.

   Their laughter still echoed in my ears.

   Breathe.

   Don’t cry.

   I wiped my face roughly, but the tears wouldn’t stop.

   I had been nothing to them.

   A joke.

   A plaything.

   My vision blurred. The streetlights stretched into shades of gold.

   Why?

   Why did they do this to me?

   Why did it hurt so much?

   I didn’t see the car speeding toward me. Not until it was too late.

   A horn blared. Bright headlights.

   Too fast.

   Too close.

   I gasped—

   And everything went black.