Chapter 2

OSBORNE

I hadn’t gone to the pack square to search for my mate—not because I wasn’t of age, but because I already had someone in mind. The problem? Every time we met, nothing happened. No bond. No pairing. And I hated it.

No one ever seemed to notice her like I did. Maybe that’s why I held on. I’ve waited for her to mature, to come of age and finally be paired with me, but lately, it feels like all hope is slipping away. Sometimes, I think I should just claim her already and be done with it.

So again, I stayed back in my room while others went out. Alex had gone, dragging his girlfriend with him. Strange how he had a girlfriend despite not having met his true mate. What would he do if he finally found her? Or if his girlfriend turned out to be someone else's mate? That kind of heartbreak ruins people.

Anyway, his father had made sure he went this time—wanted him to meet his mate and accept the bond. The beta even tagged along to make sure of it.

It had been a while since he left, and I figured he’d be back soon. This house could feel so empty sometimes. Maybe I should’ve tagged along, just to get a glimpse of her like I usually do. Just the thought of her made me smile.

Her cute frame. Those oversized glasses. Every time I saw her, it was a struggle to control myself. At first, I thought I was just sick in the head, but no—it was her. Every inch of her. The way she bit her lip when she was nervous made me want to crash my mouth into hers. Just thinking about it had me hard.

Suddenly, the door burst open and Alex stormed in, visibly angry. Veins popped along his forehead, and he was practically fuming.

“Can you imagine who I got mated to?” he barked, slamming the door behind him.

I chuckled, amused. “Who? Someone I know?”

He sighed in frustration. “That fat fuck.”

Immediately, my smile dropped. My body stiffened. My voice turned cold as I rose from my chair. “Who?” I asked, already dreading the answer.

He faltered then, noticing the shift in my energy. “You know... Aina,” he mumbled.

I didn’t let him finish.

My fist slammed into the table so hard it cracked. I gritted my teeth, forcing myself not to punch Alex right then and there. Rage swirled inside me like a storm. What the hell did he just say?

“What’s your problem?” he asked, genuinely confused now.

I was breathing heavily, trying to calm myself down when the door creaked again and Miranda walked in.

“Did you tell him already?” she asked Alex, a wicked little laugh escaping her lips. “And make sure you tell him how you rejected her.”

My head snapped in her direction. “He rejected her?” I asked, voice low, dangerous.

Even Miranda froze, eyes darting between Alex and me, sensing something was off.

Alex slowly nodded.

“Why are you so worked up?” he asked, brows furrowed, clearly not understanding what he’d triggered.

I closed my eyes and took a sharp breath in. He was lucky—I was so close to doing something I’d regret.

“Nothing,” I finally muttered. “Just remembered something I need to take care of.”

I grabbed one of my car keys off the hook and walked out, leaving them behind in the silence and confusion of what just happened.

I drove straight to the pack square, my gut telling me she was still there. What would I do when I see her there? Damn, I'll have to hold myself back.

Pulling to a stop, I watched lovers strolling away, hand in hand, giddy with connection. Some of them would be tangled in sheets before midnight, claiming each other in ways I hadn’t yet known. The thought made something bitter curl in my chest.

I walked slowly to the pack square and there she was.

Right where I imagined she’d be. Aina.

She stood on a spot, unmoving, like a statue carved out of heartbreak. Alone—as usual. But her back… it trembled, just slightly. It was enough. I could feel her unraveling, even from this distance.

I’ve never been rejected before—I wouldn’t even pretend to understand that kind of pain she must have been going through, only those rejected truly know how it feels. But watching her hurt for another man? That… that felt like a blade through my chest.

For a guy who doesn't even look her way and calls her a fat fool, a guy who would parade another woman in front of her like she was invisible. For someone too blind to see the gem he let slip through his fingers.

So I stood there, hidden, watching her like I always did. Quietly. Constantly. The way she grieved in silence, holding in tears that burned to be released—it pulled something primal in me.

And when the sun dipped low, leaving nothing but the blue of twilight, I smiled to myself. That’s enough, my sugar plum.

So I said her name.

“Aina.”

She spun around at the sound of my voice. Her eyes locked onto mine, wide, startled—and in that moment, the current running through me surged, damn near knocking the wind out of me.

I smiled at her.

She didn’t know what to do with her expression. A dozen emotions flickered across her face all at once—shock, suspicion, confusion. It was adorable.

I moved toward her slowly, deliberately. Then I stopped, leaning down just enough so her eyes could meet mine properly, even behind her glasses.

“Aina,” I said again, voice low and sure. “It’s good he rejected you.”

I saw the flicker in her eyes. The sting. The way her breath caught, like she didn’t know whether to cry or slap me. Her lips quivered as she bit down on the lower one, trying to steady herself.

God, I wanted to kiss her right then.

But I gave her what I truly meant to accomplish.

“Because I would have killed him myself, if he hadn't.”

Her eyes widened, searching mine like she wasn’t sure she’d heard me right.

But I meant every damn word.