Chapter 1
Thorne, my Alpha mate, announced at the mate gathering that he had chosen the omega in our pack named Liora, to be his Luna.
ཏྱཾ ྃ ཇ ཏྲཾ
All the pack members erupted in cheers over the swoon–worthy move.
Liora even recorded the moment and posted it on Moons, the werewolf social platform, proclaiming: “I’ve finally found you, my Alpha. Thank the Moon Goddess I didn’t give up on our love. So glad to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Many people commented on her post: “Such a perfect match, No one’s love shines brighter than our Omega and Alpha!”
I had originally planned to surprise Thorne at the mate gathering, but now I stood coldly watching them.
I didn’t cry, didn’t make a scene. Instead, I quietly closed the page and went to find Thorne, demanding for an explanation.
But instead, I overheard his conversation with a friend.
“I have no choice. If I don’t let Liora be my Luna, her family will force her to marry her idiot mate. If it were you, would you want that?”
“What about Ophelia? She’s your fated mate. Aren’t you worried she’ll be upset?”
“So what? Ophelia’s been with me for seven years—she can’t live without me.”
Hearing this, I sat in the dimly lit living room, voice soft, hollow and numb.
Mom, I’ve agreed to the arranged marriage.”
My mom was shocked when she heard my request.
“Wait, were you against this before? What changed? Ophelia, sealing the mate bond is no joke. Whether you get married or not, I just want you happy. Think this through. Don’t rush into it.”
Hearing my mom’s words, my eyes stung.
“Mom, I’ve thought it through. You can start preparing for the mating ceremony.”
Mom could tell I was hurting. She paused for a heartbeat, she comforted me.
“You’ve been with Thorne all this time, and he still hasn’t claimed you as his Luna or brought you to meet his parents, the former Alpha and Luna,” she said. “Your dad and I always knew it wouldn’t last.”
Her words felt like a thorn piercing my heart.
Outsiders saw the truth so clearly, while I’d been too blind to sense the fracture in our bond.
“The person you’re supposed to marry was chosen long ago by your dad and me. We carefully picked him out for you. Don’t worry, his character and family background must be top–notch. My daughter deserves the best.”
I took a deep breath. “Thank you, Mom. I trust you and Dad’s judgment.”
She continued, “So, should we arrange for you two to meet first?”
“No need. You can just start preparing for the mating ceremony.”
As I hung up the phone, Thorne had appeared behind me, holding a cake in his hand. He looked at me, confused.
“What mating ceremony? Who’s sealing the mate bond?”
It was me. I was the one who was going to seal the mate bond.
I silently answered him in my mind, but when the words almost came out, I couldn’t bring myself to
say
them.
I shook my head calmly. “It’s nothing. Just a friend.”
As soon as I spoke, I noticed the tension leave his face.
But my heart also felt tight for his fleeting tension.
Was he so nervous because he thought I was forcing him into marriage, or because he’s marrying Liora and assumed I found out?
“I brought you that cake from your favorite bakery. Want to try it now?”
In the past, whenever Thorne finished pack duties and came back, he’d always bring me some treats.
Chapter 1
Even if some of them wasn’t my taste, deep down, I still felt like I was dipped in honey.
It wasn’t about the food, but was about being remembered and cared for by someone you love–that sweetness outshines any flavor on earth.
But now, looking at the cake, I found it more than ironic.
Just a moment ago, I saw Liora post her original private post as public, and after reading just a few comments, I couldn’t stomach it anymore.
That’s when I realized how foolish I had been.
This cake wasn’t for me–it was Liora’s favorite.
And not just the cake. All the snacks, the nuts, every treat Thorne had brought me were all things Liora liked.
What was even more tragic was that I realized this habit of his, bringing me food when he came back from pack business, had started after Liora joined the pack and began working closely with him.
So, Thorne, when you binging me these gifts, who did you see in your heart? Me? Or Liora?
I swallowed the bitterness and said softly, “I don’t like sweets. They’re too cloying. Don’t bring them anymore.”
Thorne didn’t expect this reaction from me. His eyes were filled with surprise. “How come? You’ve never refused it before.”
After all these years together, if he truly cared about me, how could he not know my preferences?
When something was repeated too many times, it would just wear thin, until all that’s left is hollow compromise.
I didn’t argue further. I casually added, “My tastes have changed lately.”
