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Rhea POV

I didn’t fully believe Kenzie’s words at first. She always said a lot of things, and most of them ended up false.

Not until I reached the pack estate — and that was all the maids whispered. From what I gathered, he was returning today, and his fiancée was from a noble pack in the east. A daughter of an Alpha.

“He was so blessed,” they whispered.

Of course he was. Even after all the cruel things he was known for, the world still belonged to him. Even the Moon Goddess seemed to adore him.

That’s just how unfair life here was.

I had just finished scrubbing the floors for over two hours. Since it was Dorian’s return, the entire mansion was being deep-cleaned — which meant more work than usual.

I was tired.

As I headed off to return the cleaning supplies, a hand suddenly clasped over my mouth and wrapped around my waist. I didn’t even have time to react before I was pulled into a corner.

I struggled, quickly turning around — only to sigh in relief when I saw it was just Kale.

He had gotten even more handsome over the years. Tall, strong build, broad shoulders… but somehow still a little childish in a way I found cute.

“Are you crazy?” I whispered, hitting his shoulder. “Do you want to get me in trouble?”

“Ouch…” Kale groaned, clutching his shoulder dramatically. “Is that how you greet your friend?”

“I should be asking you that,” I shot back, now clutching my chest. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”

“I’m sorry,” he muttered, lowering his head. “I just missed you so much I couldn’t help myself when I finally saw you.”

My heart did a flip at his words, but I still managed to keep my composure, swallowing hard. “Well, now you’ve seen me. I should get going,” I said, turning to leave — but he caught my hand and gently pulled me back.

“Wait… I got you something,” Kale said.

I blinked, confused, but didn’t say anything as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. He handed it to me with the softest smile.

“Happy birthday,” he said, and my eyes widened.

“You remembered?” I whispered, staring at the box like it might disappear if I blinked.

“When have I ever forgotten?” he replied.

Which was true. Ever since we became friends, he had never once forgotten my birthday.

I opened the box slowly. Inside was a simple golden necklace with a tiny moon charm hanging from it.

“It’s beautiful…” I murmured, brushing my finger against it. “Where did you even get this?”

“Is that really a question?” he said, and I scoffed, almost rolling my eyes too.

Of course. I hadn’t forgotten he was still the Beta’s son.

“Thank you,” I whispered, closing the box and slipping it into my pocket. Something as precious as that shouldn’t be worn while scrubbing floors.

Without thinking, I stepped forward and hugged him. His body stiffened at first, surprised by the sudden contact… but then he wrapped his arms around me before I pulled away.

“The mate ceremony is in two months,” he said suddenly. “I want you to wear this.”

The mate ceremony was an event held once every year, where wolves aged eighteen and above gathered to find their mates. Kale was twenty, but he still hadn’t found his. I had just turned eighteen, which meant this would be my first ceremony.

And this year, Kale seemed more anxious than before. Even though he never said it out loud, I knew he was hoping I would be his mate.

And the truth was… I was hoping the same.

He would be perfect for me — not because of his rank, but because of who he was as a person.

“I will,” I said with a smile, and he stroked my hair.

⸻

That evening, all the staff were called to stand outside to welcome Dorian back.

I stood at the very end of the line, watching as two black SUVs pulled through the gates. The murmuring around me stopped instantly as Dorian stepped out.

He was taller now, broad shoulders, dressed in all black.

It had been years, but there was no mistaking him — that cold, stoic face. He just looked older.

The other side of the door opened, and a woman stepped out, earning gasps from the crowd.

“Is that his fiancée?” one maid whispered as the woman carefully walked over to Dorian, wrapping her hand around his arm as he led her toward the main entrance.

She wore a sleek white dress, with golden hair, smooth skin, and the brightest smile.

“Look at her,” another maid whispered. “She’s gorgeous.”

“She looks like she walked out of a magazine,” someone else added.

It was the truth. She was perfect. They were both painfully perfect.

————————

Just two weeks after Dorian’s return, he was already made the Alpha, and almost immediately the atmosphere in the estate grew more tense.

Within a month, I was already hearing whispers about the wedding. The date hadn’t been announced yet, but the maids were already betting on how grand it would be.

I didn’t really care though. I had my own matters to deal with. For example — the mate ceremony. The closer it got, the more anxious I felt. And when the day finally came, I could barely breathe.

All wolves were gathered at the eastern field, dressed in their finest attire. I had even worn the necklace Kale gave me.

I stood beside him, while Kenzie had wandered off. My heart was racing as the priest stood at the corner of the circle. “Tonight, the Moon Goddess will reveal the bonds she has chosen.” Her words were followed by spiritual chants.

“Let the Moon Goddess guide us to our destined pairs. May her light reveal the truth of our souls.” She finished, releasing a puff of white smoke into the air.

For a moment, nothing happened. But after a few seconds, the crowd started murmuring, followed by gasps from people finding their mates.

“Do you feel anything?” Kale asked after a few minutes had passed.

I shook my head, and he sighed sadly in defeat. We weren’t mates.

It hurt. I won’t lie. But I tried to mask it with a smile. “You should wander around. Maybe you’ll find your mate this time,” I suggested, since last time he never really made the effort.

I saw him hesitate, so I quickly added, “I want to use the restroom.”

With that, I turned and began walking away before he could stop me.

But instead of heading to the restroom, I just wandered off — trying to console myself, telling myself this was for the best. After all, what future could an omega like me possibly have with someone like Kale?

I just got my hopes up for nothing.

I had wandered off for too long. I didn’t even know what led me to that hallway, but the second I stepped into it, I felt a pull — and my legs started moving on their own.

Because of the ceremony, the hallway was practically empty, so no one was there to stop me from going further.

Then I started hearing strange sounds — like a woman crying.

I stopped in front of a half-open door. I don’t even know what came over me, but I peeked inside… and my eyes widened.

A man sat on a couch, leaning back like a king, his shirt undone and his trousers halfway off. One woman was riding his thigh, grinding against him hard, while another had her legs flung over his shoulder, head thrown back as he buried his face between her thighs. Both completely naked.

I could only see the top of his dark hair moving as both women moaned louder and louder.

He was with not just one, but two women at once. Was that even possible?

My thighs clenched suddenly, and a strange tingling sensation bloomed between them, making me press them tighter.

My fingers curled into the doorway.

Why was I reacting to this?

I had never been with anyone before — not even shared a kiss. I had been saving myself for my mate.

But that didn’t mean I never got curious about stuff like this — especially seeing the amount of men that came home to Mom.

What did it really feel like?

Why was everyone so obsessed? Why were people so willing to give their bodies away like it was nothing?

But now, watching this, I felt dizzy and flushed. I wanted to turn and walk away, but then — like he had known I was there the whole time — he suddenly looked up.

Alpha Dorian.

My breath hitched as his grey eyes locked onto mine, cold and somehow even darker under the dim light. His lips were glistening, yet he didn’t even flinch.

I gasped softly and, just like a whisper in the dark, my wolf whimpered.

Mate.