ALCOHOL

I was seated at a bar, drowning myself in alcohol, letting the mascara streak down my face.

After I left home, this was the only place I could think of. The only way I could numb the pain. But no matter how much I drank, the ache inside me refused to fade.

“That’s enough alcohol for today, don’t you think?”

I turned around at the voice behind me. An old, rough-faced gentleman sat in one of the pub’s corners behind the counter, his eyes fixed on me.

“Let me guess—you just got your heart broken, and now alcohol is the only solution to forget him, right?”

I gave him a weak smile. I appreciated the distraction. “Thank you, but I have no interest in having this conversation.”

“I know,” he said, “but drinking won’t fix heartbreak. Making money, building yourself up—that’s the best way to move on.”

I fully turned to him. “How do I make money when I have nothing? I’m just a nobody. No degree, no job, no home. Just an ex-housewife, an omega rejected and divorced… and pregnant.”

His eyes widened slightly. “A child?”

“Yes,” I confirmed. “And he knows nothing about it.”

The old man stood and stretched out his hand. “Come with me. That man doesn’t deserve you—not in any way.”

I looked and felt ready to step in front of the cameras.

I had rebuilt myself.

I was no longer that weak, heartbroken woman. Now, I had a name. A brand. A career as a model and a marketing director.

Walking down the runway, every step was measured, every movement precise. But then I saw a face I thought had long been erased from my memory.

Alpha Derek. My ex-mate.

For a few seconds, the world around me stood still.

He looked almost the same—just a little more rugged, like life had been rough on him too.

What the hell was he doing here?

I forced myself to focus. If I reacted, I would ruin everything I had worked so hard to build. I wasn’t that woman anymore—the fool who had fallen for those eyes.

Gritting my teeth, I kept walking, my face blank. To me, he was just another face in the audience tonight.

Backstage, I exhaled sharply, pressing a hand to my chest to steady the shaking.

I still remembered that day—the betrayal, the humiliation. How he left me as if I were nothing.

“Melissa, concentrate,” I muttered to myself. There was no room for weakness. Especially not now. Especially not for him.

But then I heard it.

A deep, familiar voice. A voice that once made butterflies dance inside me.

“Melissa.”

I turned slowly and met his gaze.

I stepped back. “What are you doing here?”

His expression softened, like he had something important to say. Something weighing on him.

“I need to talk to you,” he said. “Just for a moment.”

“There’s nothing left to say,” I replied, turning away.

He reached for my arm, gripping it gently but firmly.

“Please, just… give me a moment. After that, I’ll leave you alone if that’s what you want.”

I hesitated. My brain screamed at me to walk away, but a part of me—maybe out of curiosity—wanted to hear him out.

“Fine,” I said.

He exhaled in relief. “Are you… seeing anyone?”

I faltered for a second before locking eyes with him.

“Yes.”

His jaw tightened. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard, trying to mask the hurt.

“Yes,” he repeated bitterly. “I suppose I asked for that.”

“You did.”

He let out a dry chuckle, shaking his head. “Melissa, you can say what you want, but we’re still tied in one way or another. You can feel it, can’t you? You’re still my mate.”

I clenched my fists. “There is no bond, Derek. Whatever was there is gone. I moved on.”

But he didn’t believe me.

He stepped closer, his face just inches from mine.

“Stop pretending, Melissa. How long have you been in this… relationship?”

“Since the night I left.”

“It doesn’t matter,” he said. “You’re still my mate. I can feel it, and you can’t deny that you do too.”

Before I could respond, he grabbed my waist and pulled me against him.

“What the—”

His lips crashed against mine.

For a brief moment, my mind went blank.

Then, rage filled me.

I shoved him back with all my strength. My palm collided with his face in a sharp slap.

He touched his cheek in shock but didn’t retaliate.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” I spat, breathing hard.

He blinked, stunned. I could see it in his eyes—he never expected me to fight back.

He only knew the woman who had loved him. He had never met the Melissa who no longer did.

“You’re angry,” he said, chuckling lowly. “But that kiss… That was the truth, wasn’t it?”

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms.

“You think you can have whatever you want, don’t you?” I hissed. “Don’t ever do that again.”

His smirk faded. “I had to know if I still stood a chance.”

“You don’t,” I said firmly. “Not anymore.”

I had thought I was done with this. I thought he was happy with Laura.

So why was he here?

I turned to walk away.

“Melissa,” he called again.

I didn’t stop. I didn’t look back.

But then, someone stepped out from the shadows—a familiar face.

“Elijah,” I breathed. Relief washed over me.

He extended his hand. “Melissa, are you okay?”

I remembered when he had asked me the same thing years ago when I thought my life was beyond saving.

He still had the same warm, strong eyes, though time had added gray to his hair and lines to his face.

Derek, standing behind me, tensed. I knew that expression. He was assessing Elijah.

“And this is…?” Derek’s voice was tight with suspicion.

Elijah remained calm, his posture relaxed but firm. “I don’t think that’s any of your business,” he said smoothly. “But I do think you need to keep your distance from her.”

Derek scoffed. “So, this is the guy you’re dating?”

I had told Derek before that I was with someone. Now, he was searching my face for confirmation.

“Yes, we’re in a relationship,” Elijah answered before I could.

I blinked, surprised. That wasn’t the answer I had planned to give, but I didn’t correct him. If it made Derek back off, then so be it.

Elijah tightened his grip on my hand and stepped closer. “We’re together,” he said, “and soon, it will be more than just that.”

Derek’s expression twisted in pain. “More than what?” he asked, barely holding back his anger.

Elijah didn’t hesitate. “I’m going to marry Melissa.”

Derek flinched, his face unreadable.

For a moment, he seemed… lost.

Then, his mask returned. He forced a stiff nod. “Well… congratulations, then.”

Without another word, he turned and walked away.

I exhaled sharply, my body trembling.

“I’m sorry,” I said to Elijah. “I didn’t mean to drag you into this.”

He chuckled softly. “Melissa, you don’t need to apologize. I had a feeling you’d need a little help tonight.”

I smiled at him.

He had done so much for me. And tonight, he had done even more.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

Elijah nodded. “That man wants you back.”

I met his gaze, my voice firm.

“Well, that’s never going to happen.”