Chapter 2: Someone Like You

"He's your what?" Amira shouted, eyes wide with disbelief.

Callie flinched and grabbed her arm. "Keep your voice down!" she hissed, glancing around to make sure no one heard. The surrounding was mostly empty, but her heart still pounded like a drum in her chest. 

Amira blinked at her, mouth falling open. "How? How do you know it's him?"

Callie swallowed hard, her throat dry. “I don’t know,” she whispered, "but he told me to meet him tonight. At eight. At Angel’s Den.”

Amira’s face shifted from shock to full-blown panic. “Wait… you think he knows? What about Lily? Everyone says she's his Luna. What if this is some kind of trap? What if… what if he’s messing with you?”

Callie’s stomach twisted. She stepped back, her chest tightening as her eyes welled up. “Stop, Amira,” she said, her voice trembling. “You’re freaking me out.”

Her breath came in shallow pulls, and she blinked fast, but it didn’t stop the tears. “This was supposed to be the best day of my life…”

Her voice broke.

“He kissed her in front of me.” She laughed bitterly. “I don’t even want the Alpha. I just wanted my mate. Like you and Alex. Like my mum and dad. Someone who doesn't care and just loves me.”

She sniffled, quickly wiping her face with the back of her hand, trying to hold herself together. But the ache in her chest was growing heavier with each passing minute. The kind of ache no words could fix.

Without a word, Amira stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her in a tight and steady manner.

“Callie, don't be worried… You don't have to want the Alpha,” Amira whispered into her hair. “But he needs his mate. Maybe he doesn’t know it’s you yet. Maybe he’s just confused. That’s probably why he asked to meet you.”

Callie nodded slowly against her shoulder, gripping the sides of Amira’s jacket like it was the only thing keeping her upright.

Amira pulled back and gently cupped her friend’s face. “Hey. It’s getting late. We need to be ready on time, so we don't keep the young alpha waiting.”

“But…”

“No ‘buts’. I’d come with you, okay? 

I’ll wait outside. If anything happens, I’m right there. You’re not doing this alone.”

Callie’s heart stuttered. She didn’t know what was waiting for her at Angel’s Den, but Amira’s presence steadied her.

“Okay,” she whispered.

********** 

Amira pulled the car to a stop just outside the iron gates of Angel’s Den. Her fingers were white-knuckled around the steering wheel as she turned to Callie. “I’ll be right here,” she said firmly. “If anything feels wrong, anything at all… you run straight back. Got it?”

Callie nodded, heart pounding as she opened the door. “Got it.”

The cool night air rushed against her skin the moment she stepped out. The gates creaked slightly as she pushed them open and stepped into the garden.

Angel’s Den looked completely opposite at night.

By day, it was a peaceful garden filled with neat gravel paths, lush benches, and hundreds of carved angel statues in soft, contemplative poses. It was a place for serenity, for clearing your head.

But under the cover of night, it should be called the Devil's Den.

Most of the park’s natural lighting was blocked out by the thick overhanging trees. The few scattered lamps that still worked cast long, eerie shadows across the statues. The once-beautiful angels now looked sharp, grim, like they’d claw you open the moment you turned your back.

Callie took in a slow, unsteady breath. She pulled out her torch and switched it on, the small beam slicing through the darkness just enough to keep her moving.

Then she caught a scent that directly hit her senses.

Her steps faltered. The familiar raw and heavy pull, curled into her lungs. Her pulse quickened. The scent was stronger than before… sweat, pine, musk. And thick with dominance.

She followed it, deeper into the garden, her flashlight trembling in her grip.

And there he was.

Alpha Owen.

He was shirtless. His torso glistened with sweat, muscles sharp in the low light as he paced slowly between the statues. His shirt was tossed carelessly on the ground nearby, and his fists were loosely clenched, like he’d just finished working out.

His scent was everywhere, strong enough to choke on. Callie’s breath hitched, her legs suddenly unsure beneath her.

He turned toward her, his eyes gleaming in the dark.

“You’re late,” Owen said, in a low and thick voice.

Callie opened her mouth, her throat dry. “I… I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

Before she could finish, he stepped forward and in one blink, she was pinned.

Her back slammed against the cold stone wall behind her. Her torch dropped from her hand, hitting the ground with a dull thud. 

His body towered over hers, his arm braced against the wall beside her head. His other hand gripped her hip, firm and unyielding.

“So,” he murmured, eyes searching hers. “You’re my mate.”

It wasn’t a question. It was more like a confirmation. 

Callie’s breath caught in her throat. Her chest rose and fell rapidly under the heat of his closeness. Her hands trembled by her sides, her entire body was alive with sensation… and fear.

She couldn’t speak or move, but was drowning in his scent.

His skin was hot where it pressed into hers, and the spark that bloomed from the contact was electric and alive. It seared straight through her composure, straight through her chest, and down to the very core of her being. 

Whatever the mate bond did to her, she wanted more of it.

She didn’t even register the moment Owen’s mouth closed over hers.

Her eyes widened, and her heart skipped a beat. But Alpha Owen kissed her like he was claiming what was rightfully his. His tongue moved against hers, slow and dominating. 

It was her first kiss, and it felt like something divine was unfolding inside her.

His hand gripped her ass roughly, dragging her against him. She gasped into his mouth, her legs almost giving out as her chest molded to his. 

Every inch of her was on fire. Every second he touched her made her ache even more. His lips trailed down her neck, in a commanding way, until they hovered at the neckline of her shirt.

Then lower.

Her breath hitched as his hand moved up, his fingers brushing her breast, then trailing over her hardened nipples with a steady control that made her tremble.

For a moment, she forgot everything else… her anxiety, the confusion, the questions. She felt powerful and desired. Like she and the Alpha were one, fused by something bigger than either of them. She had never wanted anything more in her life.

And then… he stopped.

Abruptly.

Alpha Owen pulled back from her like the moment had burned him. Callie stood there breathless, her now swollen lips still parted, and her chest heaving. Her heart thundered in her ears, but it was his eyes that stunned her.

For some reason they looked cold, distant and angry.

He gripped her chin, tilting her face up with rough fingers. “This is so fucking stupid,” he said, venom lacing every word.

Her stomach dropped. “W…what’s wrong?”

“Someone like you,” he sneered, “can’t be my mate.”

Callie’s lips parted, but no sound came out.

“I haven’t even touched you properly,” he said, “and I can already smell how fucking horny you are for me.” His voice was low and cruel. “Pathetic.”

Her throat tightened, her hands curling into fists as shame crawled up her spine. Was this some sort of test? Or he just wanted to hurt her?

“I hate weak people like you,” he said slowly, as if delivering a final judgment. “My Luna can’t be weak.”

Then, like a perfectly timed nightmare, a soft voice called from the path behind him. “Owen?”

Callie’s breath stopped. She hadn’t even sensed her presence, not with the Alpha’s overbearing scent clouding everything else… but now, the light floral perfume hit her.

Lily.

The Luna everyone believed was his true mate.

She walked toward them, beautiful and poised, her face held a smirk.

Callie dropped her eyes to the ground, every nerve in her body screaming as humiliation tore through her like claws. Did Lily see what just happened? Did she watch him kiss her, touch her?

The ache in Callie’s chest became unbearable.

But Alpha Owen wasn’t done.

He turned back to Callie, and with his authoritative and dominating alpha voice, he spoke.

“Miss Callie Rain,” he said coldly. “I reject you as my mate.”