Chapter 3

“What did you just say?” Liam asked, but I ignored him and stood from the bed. He grabbed my hand, pulling me back. “You promised you were never going to leave me, Clara,” he muttered.

“You promised that too, but you already left me. You don’t even care about me anymore,” I said, tears rolling down my cheeks. His face softened, and he wrapped his arms around me. “I love you, Clara. Things are complicated, but I… I promise I’ll make it up to you. But you’re not leaving me; I won’t allow it,” he murmured. I sighed. “You don’t even sleep in this room anymore, so why should I be here?” I asked softly. He sighed. “I’m sorry, I…”

Just then, Veronica screamed. I noticed Liam tense. Sighing, I pulled away. “You can go be with her,” I murmured, offering a tight smile. He kissed my cheek before running off. I stood there for a while, sighing. It was obvious I was getting in the way of their happiness, and as much as I wanted to remain in Liam’s life, I didn’t think it was possible.

Liam didn’t return that night or the next. If I hadn’t stumbled upon him in the hallway on my way to the function, I might not have seen him at all that day. He and Veronica were wearing green, making them look like a perfect couple. Veronica looked good beside him—must be why the moon goddess made them mates.

“You didn’t tell her I was coming with you?” Veronica asked, looking up at Liam. I was wearing a very sparkly red dress with a high slit, and my cleavage was exposed. Usually, I wouldn’t wear something so revealing, but seeing Liam’s wide-open mouth, I’d say Aunt Amelia was right to get me this dress.

“Where do you think you’re wearing that to?” Liam asked, separating from Veronica and approaching me.

“The function?” I replied. He groaned. “Do you know how many unmated wolves will be there? You can’t go dressed like this. Change into something less revealing,” he murmured. I frowned.

“She’ll wear whatever she wants,” Amelia said, grabbing my hand and pulling me away before Liam could object. “I gave her that dress, and she’s my date, so I don’t see the problem. Let’s go, Clara.”

“You look extremely beautiful tonight, Clara. Now Liam knows what he’s missing,” she said, and I smiled. It felt good to see Liam possessive, but at the end of the day, he was no longer mine, and it was time to accept that.

A few minutes later, our car pulled into a parking lot filled with luxury cars—many I’d never seen before. Reporters were trying to push their way in, but guards held them back. Aunt Amelia exited first, and I followed. I smiled at the guard who helped me out and then joined Aunt Amelia.

“Shall we go in?” she asked. I nodded.

We entered the building, immediately overwhelmed by the powerful auras emanating from various people. I recognized some Alphas from before, but many were new faces. I felt self-conscious as eyes turned to us as we moved through the crowd of male wolves. There were Lunas and females present, but far fewer than the males.

“You are too beautiful; they can’t keep their eyes off you,” Amelia whispered, though I was sure almost everyone heard.

Suddenly, someone grabbed my hand from behind. I spun around to see an angry Liam. “You’re literally fresh meat to them. Why did you wear this?” he asked, staring down at me as if in crisis.

“Alpha Liam, you need to hear this,” another Alpha called. He sighed. “Wait here. I’ll ask James to bring you a jacket and maybe a new gown,” he muttered before walking away. I stood speechless. Was it really that revealing? Even if it was, he had no right to behave like that.

“I’ll go find my friends. Put her in her place,” Amelia said, gesturing towards Veronica, who was still nearby. I had no intention of talking to her, but she spoke first: “Clara, he loves you.”

“You must feel like you’ve won, right? Because Liam is being possessive? That doesn’t mean he loves you. I’m going to be his Luna, and once he rejects you, I’ll finally be accepted as his true mate—not a chosen mate like you,” she sneered.

“It’s Veronica,” she muttered through clenched teeth. I smirked. “I don’t care if Liam chooses you. You’re his fated mate, and I don’t intend to interfere, for the sake of Liam and the pack. Excuse me.”

As I turned to leave, Veronica screamed, falling to the ground and crying. I stared, wide-eyed.

“What the hell is going on?” Liam asked, rushing to help Veronica.

“I was trying to tell her you still loved her, but she got angry, said I was stealing you, and pushed me. I just wanted to console her,” Veronica sobbed into Liam’s chest.

Liam turned to me, frowning. I stared back, wide-eyed. “I didn’t do that; she’s lying…”

“She’s on the ground and she’s lying? She pushed herself, is that it?!” Liam yelled. Everyone had gathered. He’d never yelled at me before. “You’ve been acting weird, and I understand our situation isn’t ideal, but she’s my mate, and you need to know your place. I don’t tolerate this. Maybe I should just end this confusion by rejecting you as my chosen mate once and for all!”

I felt bile rising in my chest. I hated being the center of attention; it brought back painful childhood memories. Before Liam could speak further, I ran, hand over my mouth, tears stinging my eyes, struggling to breathe. I bumped into something hard, hearing a deep growl. The scent of vanilla and cocoa hit me, and my eyes widened. It couldn’t be… my mate? Here? I looked up at the man before me. He stared back with a stoic expression, but there was no mistaking it. He was my mate. And just like that, I vomited on my mate’s undoubtedly expensive suit.