Semua Bab Mated to a Heart I Can’t Claim: Bab 1 - Bab 10

Here I was, years after graduation, at an alumni party, listening to everyone gossip about my mate and his old flame.The party was winding down. The air still buzzed with forced laughter and the scent of champagne.I hid in the shadows of the balcony, listening to their whispers."Did you see Alpha Caspen's face when Victoria made that toast? The look in his eyes…""They were the perfect couple back then. A pureblood princess and the most powerful Alpha of their generation. A match made in heaven.""Alpha Caspen hasn't gotten close to any she-wolf for years, except for pack business. I knew it. He was waiting for her!"And me?What was I? A consolation prize from the Fates?I slipped away unnoticed and went back to the apartment we shared.Late that night, Caspen came home, smelling of the cold and whiskey. He went straight to the shower.Just then, the doorbell rang.I opened it to a messenger in the Sterling family livery.He shot me a condescending glance, handed over an exquisite

The comments were still flooding in, but I couldn't breathe. The air around me felt like it had been sucked out.Suddenly, a voice cut through my thoughts."Alora. It's 8:30."It was Caspen's voice. In my head."Your appointment with Elder Lyra. You're going to be late," he reminded me, his tone all business.I shot up from my chair.I was never late.The one exception was during a wilderness endurance trial at Crestwood.I had pushed myself to the limit, crossing the finish line covered in wounds and mud.Only to see Caspen, who had arrived long before, waiting just a step away from the finish.He could have easily taken first place, but he sat casually on a rock, bandaging a non-existent injury.He waited until Victoria stumbled out of the woods, panting.Then he tossed the bandage aside, took her hand with a laugh, and crossed the finish line with her.In Caspen's world, time, rules, and honor meant nothing when Victoria was involved.I quickly changed and went to the entryway.Casp

That night, for the first time in ages, Caspen came home early.I pushed open the bedroom door and was hit with the strong scent of cigars.He was standing on the balcony, a glowing ember between his fingers, the night wind whipping around him.Ever since he became Alpha, he had quit smoking to maintain his absolute composure.There was only one name that could rattle the Alpha of Alphas.Victoria.I quietly backed out of the room.Half an hour later, Caspen came to bed, smelling of soap and steam.He wrapped his arms around me from behind, encasing me in his broad chest.This wasn't his usual, possessive claim.For the first time in two years, he was approaching me with this quiet, gentle initiative."Do you want to talk?" His deep voice rumbled above my head.My whole body went rigid.Talk about what?The missing mate bracelet? Or the romantic steak dinner?I clenched the corner of the blanket and said nothing.Caspen changed the subject. "Why did you open the Mind Link today and the

The Crestwood Academy Centennial Hunt was only three days away.Even though I had refused to participate, my name was still on the Silvermoon Pack's official attendance list.The Beta in charge of the event posted the final list of participants to the academy's group on Pack Net.I was just scrolling through it out of habit.But in less than a minute, a glaring comment shot to the top of the feed."Alora? What is she doing there? Isn't that the Omega who cheated on her Advancement Trials?"A flood of replies followed."Yes! That's her! The orphan who was desperate to climb the ladder!""So disgusting. Stealing other people's things to boost her own power. How is someone with a black mark like that on her record even allowed at the Centennial Hunt?""The Silvermoon Pack probably felt sorry for her and brought her along to do chores. It's not like Alpha Caspen would ever look twice at someone like her."I stared at the screen, the cold, vicious words stabbing at my oldest, most painful w

The fake sympathy on Victoria's face froze.Her eyes widened slightly, as if she couldn't believe a low-tier Omega would dare to interrupt her.I picked up the cup of cold coffee in front of me, drained the last bitter drop, and stood up."You've said so much," I interrupted, standing. "You've tried to break me with stories from the past, painting me as a rebound, a tool for your revenge…"I stared directly into her eyes, which were now starting to burn with anger."All it proves is that you aren't confident you can win him back. In fact, you have no confidence at all.""That's not true!"Victoria shot to her feet.The sudden movement sent her silver spoon clattering against her porcelain saucer with a shrill noise.A few purebloods in the high-end cafe glanced over.She struggled to lower her voice, the cracks in her perfect mask beginning to show as she hastily defended herself."Caspen isn't mad at me anymore! When we were at the steakhouse, he—""That's your business."I didn't let