1. What am I to him?

~Jess~

I have waited so long for this day.

Today, my mate, Alpha Dominic, will fulfill the promise he made to me.

We’ve been together for three years, three years of love, trust, and loyalty.

So, I took my time to bake us an anniversary cake to celebrate not just our milestone, but the fact that Alpha Dominic will be announcing me as his Luna, today.

Balancing the ganache cake tray on my right hand carefully, I walk toward his home office.

I’m almost at the entrance when I overhear voices coming from inside the home office.

“Rosie Aster is coming back, Alpha. And in my book, she is the only one befitting the title of your girlfriend and our future Luna. Not that little Omega doctor called Jess.” A voice I recognize as that of Nathan, one of Dominic’s friends, says.

The statement hit me like a gut punch. If I didn't just overhear Nathan’s statement, I would have sworn that a few of Dominic’s friends who know me liked me a lot.

"Why not?" Dominic asks Nathan, cutting through my thoughts.

"Well, it's true that you've been with the Omega for years. But Rosie has always been your number one, and she's the Beta’s daughter." Nathan concludes.

"He'll definitely break up with that social climber." Another Dominic’s friend says. "She’s not worthy of him, and I even find it disgusting that she follows him around like a fly that has no job. She still works at the dingy Pack hospital, yes?”

"She does,” another friend replies.

"Still, we can’t deny the fact that the Omega is a pretty girl." Someone else starts speaking. "So, Alpha, if you don’t want her..." He giggles like an idiot. "I could go after her. Who doesn't want a taste of wine you've kept to yourself all these years?”

“Nox!" Alpha Dominic's voice sounds like he's mad. "You want to go after my girl? Don’t even think of it.” He warns.

I finally release a breath I never knew I was holding. Dominic cares about me after all.

A small flicker of warmth envelops me.

"But there is no way in the world that you will end up with her, Alpha," Nox insists. "You want to have a low-ranked Omega as Luna? The pack would riot.”

My heartbeat thunders painfully in my chest as I steady my frame with my free hand on the wall closest to me.

Alpha Dominic’s voice comes next. I'm expecting him to caution his friends and tell them not to ever make fun of me.

Instead, every word from his mouth carves me open.

“I know, man," Alpha Dominic tells them. "But it's not like that. I do like Jess. In fact, I don't think I want to let her go, yet. She's quiet, doesn't give me issues, a very sensible girl, and will make a good side piece that can help keep me calm on days I need a little escape from reality..."

Goddess!

He can't possibly mean the words he just said.

"Also, she reminds me of Rosie," Alpha Dominic adds, and a brief silence envelops the open space, followed by a succession of chuckles. “Listen, when Rosie left, I couldn’t breathe. But then I saw Jess. She looked just like Rosie. Same eyes, same smile... I thought maybe I could love her the same way. But, she's not Rosie. However, she's proven to be useful in one way or the other. At least she cooks and cleans for me. She had to learn hundreds of recipes just to be able to serve me good, healthy food. She's very useful.”

"Still, I don't think it's right that you’re leading her on. If you don’t plan on being with her, then let her go." A different voice replies.

“Oh, please,” someone else dismisses the previous statement. “He is the Alpha,” the person turns to Alpha Dominic and continues. “So, Alpha, I suggest you keep her as a mistress. Most Alphas do that. She is a piece-of-thrash Omega. So, she should be grateful to get a scrap off your table. Get her nice stuff once in a while. Omegas hardly get anyone to spoil them. I bet you, she'll remain loyal and glued to your skin."

I hold my breath, waiting to hear what Dominic will say. I’m hoping to hear him shut them down as he used to protect his “little Omega”.

Even though I am not an Omega.

And I planned to reveal that I’m actually the only daughter of Lycan’s Beta on our third anniversary and believed that he deserved my devotion.

To my surprise, he replies with “Perfect idea.”

The reality of their words washes over me. I've never felt so little, useless, and discarded.

“I can't wait to see how the little Omega reacts once she finds out she's nothing but a perfect replacement for the real queen.” Someone says, and laughter follows.

Hurt and hate swell inside me, and instead of listening to them tear me down some more, I take a step back, my hand on my chest.

Three Years of my life… all gone.

My wolf is furious, but since she’s been mad at me for years on end, ever since I chose to leave everyone behind to follow Alpha Dominic, she soothes me just a little before she resumes with her style of silent treatment.

All this time.

All these years.

I’ve been nothing to Alpha Dominic but a simple replacement for his ex-girlfriend?

My throat tightens as I stumble backward, hitting a nearby flower vase, which makes a loud clinking sound.

But no one noticed. They are too busy laughing about me.

I turn and walk away.

My lungs burn as I manage to make it to the front lawn, my eyes already welling up with tears.

Stopping briefly close to the public incinerator on the street. I dump the anniversary cake in the bin and walk through the familiar streets of Coastal Garden until I reach ‘Fountain Creek’, the quiet stream behind the popular Westwood Fountain Park.

The Creek is my secret place. A place I come to, on days I want to be by myself, undisturbed.

I finally let the tears fall, and they come fast, hot, and relentless.

All these years of me playing small, trying to please Alpha Dominic ...

How stupid I’ve been.

I made Alpha Dominic the center of my whole world for years on end. He told me I was special to him and that he loves me.

I believed him.

I believed every word that fell from his beautiful mouth, even when some of his actions didn’t match his words.

And maybe that was the worst part. I saw little signs here and there. But I chose to stay anyway.

However, I've now heard the truth.

He never saw me at all.

He only saw his ex-girlfriend.

I was just her stand-in.

A bitter laugh escapes me. My reflection stared back from the water: messy brown hair, swollen eyes, tear-streaked cheeks.

Falling in love with Alpha Dominic was almost instant for me. I'd met him during a medical outreach at another Pack in the central region.

At the time, my father had just been made the Lycan king’s Hamit-Beta, a rank that takes away my right to choose my own life partner.

Being the daughter of the Lycan King’s Hamit-Beta means I can only be married off to royalty. And he must be of my father or the Lycan king’s choosing.

And when my father made the first statement that there is a possibility that I might be getting married to my childhood friend, Allister Blackwaters, I ran…

After leaving Silver-Valley Pack, my father was so upset. Back then, he threatened fire and brimstone, yet I refused to return.

But right now, there's nothing left for me here in Westwood Pack. Not after what I overheard.

I can't stay here anymore.

I unblock my father’s number and place a call to him. To my surprise, it connects immediately.

A familiar voice answered calmly, “Hello?” Hearing my father's deep, yet soft voice, forces tears from my eyes.

“Papa,” I call, and the shocked groan that escapes him had me smiling through the tears.

“Jess?" He asks, barely audibly, as if he is doubting that it's actually me.

"Yes, Papa. It’s... It’s me.”

A long, heavy silence follows. “I’m so sorry,” I whimper. “I-I shouldn't have left. I didn't think it through; I was overwhelmed. I messed up. I want to come home now.”