俺を貧乏だと貶してくるＤＱＮ男は学校一の美女に惚れているらしい。ただその美女からは冷気を感じるほどの視線を向けられている

CHAPTER 1: YOU CAN BE MY MISTRESS 

CATHERINE:

A lot of werewolves had gathered in the field to train and I was one of them. The sound of paws hitting the dirt field could be heard from a distance as everyone sprinted across the open field, sparring and training. I was sweating on both sides of my face but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t afford to. 

Watching the Golden Claw pack members train so vigorously gave me more stamina.

I wasn’t a full member of the pack, at least not yet, but I trained here every morning, trying to impress my fiance. I got engaged to Denzel, the Alpha of the pack almost a year ago. And in a few weeks, he was going to mark me and make me Luna.

My wolf hadn’t manifested yet, but I didn’t want to be weak when that day came. I wanted to be the kind of Luna people respected—not just the Alpha’s pretty decoration. So I pushed myself harder than everyone else, even when my lungs burned or my arms ached.

“Catherine, you’re killing it today!” Lili,  one of the she-wolves shouted.

I smiled faintly and nodded, then ducked under a swinging punch from my sparring partner, landing a light jab to her ribs. “Sorry!” I said breathlessly.

She laughed. “You don’t need to be sorry, future Luna! You've got the fire and I like it.”

I smiled proudly when the female wolf called me future Luna. Everyone here knew me. And that was because Denzel had engaged me as his future Luna in the presence of the whole pack.

I looked around for the tenth time this morning, trying to see if I could sight Denzel training somewhere in the pack. But there was just no sight of him. 

He always came to watch me train every morning. Always. Even if he had an early meeting, he would show up, standing on the edge of the field in that expensive suit, giving me that charming smile that made me feel encouraged and made every other girl jealous.

But today, he hasn't shown up.

And Giselle, my best friend, who usually came with me? She didn’t show up either. 

I told myself Denzel was probably busy. And Giselle can be very lazy at times. Still, the empty space on the sidelines felt very disappointing. Nevertheless, I channeled my energy into training harder. Punch, dodge, kick—again and again until my muscles screamed.

By the time the sun rose high enough to sting my skin, I was drenched in sweat. I finally stopped, breathing heavily, and wiped my face with a towel. The other wolves were already leaving, laughing and talking in groups. I smiled and waved goodbye before heading to the changing area to grab my phone.

I had expected Denzel to send a message and explain why he couldn't come. But there was no text from him. And I didn't even miss his calls.

I frowned and dialled his number. It rang twice, then went to voicemail. “Hey, it’s Catherine,” I said after the beep. “Just checking on you. You didn’t show up at the field today. Hope everything’s okay. Call me back.”

I hung up, feeling a weird knot in my chest. He was probably just in a meeting. No big deal.

But the uneasy feeling wouldn’t go away.

I looked at the time—it was almost nine. Denzel would definitely be in his office now. His company wasn’t far from the training field. Maybe I’d just drop by and surprise him.

So, I threw on jeans and a loose white top, grabbed my backpack, and caught a cab downtown.

When I got to the building, I waved at the security guard and took the elevator up to Denzel’s floor. The moment I stepped out, Nicole, his secretary, spotted me.

“C-Catherine! Hey…” she stammered, standing up from her desk. Her smile was nervous, forced.

I blinked. “Hey, Nicole. Is Denzel in?”

“Uh—yeah, he’s in, but maybe you should wait a bit,” she said quickly, blocking my way a little.

“Wait? Why?”

“He’s… in a meeting.”

“Really?” I frowned. “The meeting should be taking place in the boardroom, right?”

Nicole’s face turned pale. “I just—uh, he said no one should disturb—”

I didn’t wait for her to finish. Something felt off. 

I stepped past her, ignoring her protests, and turned the doorknob to his office. It wasn’t even locked.

And that’s when my world stopped.

There was Denzel, my fiancé, my soon-to-be Alpha, half-dressed, kissing Giselle and drilling her like his life depended on it. Her arms were wrapped around him, and his hands were all over her.

My heart slammed against my ribs so hard it hurt.

“Wow,” I said, my voice tight as I stepped inside. “What the hell is going on here?”

They both froze. Denzel jerked away like a hot coal just touched his skin. Giselle turned slowly, that smug smile spreading across her face.

“Well,” she said with a little laugh, “what does it look like we’re doing, Catherine?”

I stared at her. My so-called friend. My stomach churned. “Giselle… you’re kidding, right?”

“Nope,” she said sweetly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “Denzel finally realised he doesn’t need to pretend anymore.”

“Pretend?” I asked, my voice shaking.

Giselle’s eyes gleamed. “He was only dating you out of pity. But now he knows he deserves more than a pretty face and a slim waist.”

I turned to Denzel, praying this was all some sick joke. “Denzel… what is she talking about?”.”

He couldn’t even meet my eyes. “Giselle’s my mate, Catherine.”

My jaw dropped. “What?”

“She’s my fated mate,” he said quietly, like that made everything okay.

“But… you’re engaged to me!” I shouted. “Our marking ceremony is in two weeks! You told me you didn’t believe in that mate bond crap!”

He sighed, rubbing his temples. “I must’ve been drunk when I said that. Catherine, every Alpha must honor the mate bond. It’s sacred. It’s the Moon Goddess’s will.”

“The Moon Goddess?” I snapped. “Oh, now you suddenly care about her will? You didn’t care about it when you proposed to me in front of your pack! You promised that you would never betray me. You said you believed that every Wolf should be allowed to choose who he wants to spend the rest of his life with. You told me you loved..”

“Catherine,” he cut me off, his tone firm now, “look at your parents. Your father was an Alpha's son yet he was disowned because he rejected his mate. And he ended up dying like nobody. You want that to happen to me too?”

“Don’t you dare bring my parents into this,” I hissed. My hands were trembling. “You made me believe you loved me, Denzel. You made me believe I was enough.”

He looked away. “I do care about you.”

“Then why are you doing this? Why are you cheating on me with my friend?”

He hesitated, then said the words that shattered me completely.

“I still want to keep you, Catherine. But not as my Luna.”

For a second, I didn’t understand. “What do you mean ‘keep me’?”

He looked me dead in the eyes. “You can be my mistress. I'll take care of you and you can even live in my pack.”