I want to turn away and run, but I remain frozen on the spot.

The sound of laughter coming from the entrance of the building gets their attention. Nick breaks the kiss, and his gaze soon shifts to where I stand.

I feel so sick that I double-over and throw up on the side-walk. He started to approach with Meg, but I hold out my hand to stop them.

"I'm alright. I think I ate something bad. I'm okay," I called out in a shaky voice.

I could feel them watching me. Meg would guess what this situation was doing to me if I don't get it together. She can't know about Nick and I or my feelings for him.

I straighten before turning away from the two.

"Sara," My best friend called out. "Where are you going?"

I can't face her yet. Looking at her now is unbearable, so I keep walking.

"Sara?"

"I need to get something for my stomach," I call back without turning around.

He was kissing her in public? The same Nick that has a morbid fear of merely talking to me in front of people? I'm his mate. Also isn't that against the rules in his stupid contract?

But then she's not an omega. Meg is far better than me. There wouldn't be much outrage if people saw them together. Whereas, I'm the daughter of the cook that works in Nick household. My father is on his family's payroll just as I am on his.

I still can't stomach the fact that while I was waiting for him so we could talk, he was getting cozy with my bestfriend. I guess this means we truly are over. I wonder what would happen if I went against his non-disclosure agreement now.

I hear footsteps behind me but didn't stop. It feels like my heart is leaving a blood trail with every step.

As I reach the next block, a strong hand grabs my arm and spin me around. Nick glowers at me beneath thick lashes.

I yank free with all the force I could muster and keep walking. Anger and hurt gave me the strength to ignore him as he groans my name.

"Sara!" He grabs my wrist this time.

“I’m talking to you, Sara! Stop!” His voice is hard with a sharp edge. Like he has a right to be angry?

Without thinking, I wrest my wrist from his hand and land a hard slap across his face. Shock brightens his eyes, but he recovers quickly. Catching my wrist again, this time, in a tight grip, he pins me against the large car parked by the road.

“You violated the terms first!” he said through clench teeth.

“By accidentally spouting those three little words?” I push him off me and he releases me quickly, like being too close to me is disgusting.

"It was a mistake, Nick. I wanted to explain that's why I've been trying to reach you. I waited for two hours to see you."

“How could you possibly think we'd still meet today? This thing between us? I was going to end it. Tonight! There's no need to see each other till the full moon. I'll reject you, and we can go our separate ways.”

My heart slumps painfully into my stomach. My first response is a nod. “You should’ve ended it before kissing my roommate in front of the whole campus.”

“Yes, I should have, but I didn’t. Wanna know why? Because you’re not the only one who gets to break the rules!” he leers.

“Well, good for you. You got even. Why don't you return to your... to her before someone sees you talking with the help's daughter." I start to walk away.

"Thanks for your concern. At least, you got the message, Sara," he fired back.

I stop in my tracks.

"I will never love you, mate bond be damned. What we had was just sex, nothing more, you hear me?"

I feel him turned away to leave but stops and adds, "Oh, and don't forget you signed an NDA. If you go about telling pack members about us, I can't be responsible for what happens to your dad."

I couldn't help but look over my shoulder at his face. Maybe I want to confirm if he meant that. But he's already turning and walking away.

******

I want so much to return home to my dad. But home is one of the little cottages behind Reign’s mansion. I return to the dorm after walking aimlessly for Goddess-knows how long.

Meg is not back yet. My relief of not having to face her is mixed with immense nausea. She's still with Nick, no doubt.

Quickly, I go into my room to lock myself inside. But as the night wears on, it becomes clear how unnecessary that is. I lay awake with my eyes wide open until dawn. Meg never returned.

She should be back early the next morning and I'm still eager to avoid her, so I try to rush out for class.

My simple morning routine turns into a chore. I become very sick. My stomach rolls like I truly ate something bad. I spend a better part of the morning with my head buried in the toilet plate. As I sit on the cool floor, dry-heaving, the image of Nick and Meg replays in a loop in my head.

Sometime later, the nausea has lessened, but I've given up on class for that day. I sit on my bed, staring into space when a bang comes on my door. Without waiting for a reply, Meg opens the door and stands between the jamb.

"Wait, are you truly ill?" she asked with a frown.

"I'll be alright," I replied.

"I doubt it." Her tone is weirdly hateful. There's no hint of a joke in her voice as usual.

"After daring to seduce the alpha-heir?" She takes a step into my room. "I doubt you'll be alright, Sara."

My heart lurches. Did Nick go as far as telling her after warning me about his silly NDA?

She scoffs at the look on my face. "I'm not an idiot, Sara James. I've known for some time now! It's only a matter of time before the pack finds out."

At first, I'm confused about what she meant. Does she know the whole story?

"Did you think you'd just keep coming to school, sneaking around while leeching on the Reigns after this treachery?" She crosses her arms on her chest.

“What are you talking about?" My anger stirs, but it is mixed with fear. They wouldn't revoke my scholarship over this. The alpha and luna doesn’t know about us.

"Are you gonna play dumb?"

I sighed, deciding there's no point for all of this. "How long have you known?” I asked.

“Known what? That you've been lying about running errands for your dad and sneaking off to whore yourself to Reign?”

“Yes, Meg. How long have you known?” My voice is sharp with annoyance. Maybe a carryover from last night when I saw her kissing my mate. My former mate.

“Do you even know he's engaged?” she asked instead of answering my question.

I feel a sharp pang at the revelation. She caught the hurt in my eyes and smiles.

“YOU knew he was engaged yet you went after him?" I said this in an attempt to turn her words back to her. "Now I'm guessing you went after him solely because he was involved with me."

“Involved? He paid to fuck you, Sara. You were never involved with Nick Reign! You’re a nobody. A cheap prostitute. What, you think I wouldn’t find out? How someone like you could afford to share this suite with me was a dead give away.”

My fist clenches. My father paid every penny for this apartment. The scholarship meant I could afford other things that I would originally not be able to pay for. But I didn't say these things to her. It doesn't matter.

She shakes her head before continuing. “But at least you're back to reality now. Nick is through with you and the luna knows."

My mind goes numb from that last statement.

"Who told you that? The luna doesn't know."

"I wanna throw up when I imagine you with him." She grimaced. The hatred in her eyes is unbelievable as she ignores my question.

"My mother always said people like you didn't know how to stay in their lanes. I see what she means now."

"Did you tell the luna about us? You said you've know for a while now." I stared at her in horror.

"What, you trust Nick not to tell his mommy? If he doesn't tell her, who's going to clean this up as quickly as possible to keep the pack from finding out?" Her eyes was full of evil satisfaction as she spoke. It's hard to believe this was my bestfriend of seven years.

I'm totally disheartened to say anything else. Fear is starting to take over. How would the luna clean this up to keep it from getting out? I wish to leave the room but my legs wouldn't move.

“By the way, you said I went after him. You're wrong. He’s a playboy, Sara, and this is all the time he's got before he becomes alpha and settles down with his already-chosen luna. Did you expect him to be faithful in a sex situationship?” She gives a bitter laugh. “to someone like you for that matter.”

“I don’t expect anything from him, Megan. But I also didn't expect this shit from you. I thought we were friends-”

“Maybe we were. All of that ended when you set your claws on the heir to Reign’s empire! Forest Moon's future leader!”

I’ve never seen her look so hateful, but I should've suspected this a long time ago.

Suddenly, memories of the last few weeks starts to flash before me. How my bestfriend was always quick to remind me of my social status. Or of the fact that I'm a welfare student. I always brush it off as a joke. But now I realize she'd known about me and Nick for over a month now, at least.

“I’m so glad that I don’t have to pretend anymore with you. You’ll get kicked out and vanish from my eyes, and everything will go back to the way it should be!” She starts to turn away then stops.

“He can never belong to someone like you, Sara. The fact that you thought he could is just... sickening to say the least.”

I have no answer to that remark. My phone starts ringing before I can digest the hate-filled words.

I snatch it and slide the answer button without looking at the screen.

"Hi, is this Sara James?"

"Yes, who's this?" I hold the phone away for a quick glance. The number is unfamiliar.

"I'm calling from Forest Moon Medical house. You need to come quickly. Your father collapsed and was brought here a moment ago."

Sebastian James is a workaholic. The best thing in his life after his daughter is his job. He's the assistant head cook in the household of Forest Moon's first family.

It's hard to believe that my father had a heart attack from working the job he loves so much. He's of sound health and has been very happy about life since I got into college. The male is as healthy as a horse. Many often called him strong and agile for an omega. How can he suddenly be lying in an emergency room, fighting for his life?

These intrusive thoughts doesn't prevent me from silently praying to the Goddess.

I remain in front of the ER for nearly two hours waiting. As an omega, he was brought to the general room with other patients. I'm not allowed to go in yet because he's in intensive care.

Another hour passed before the doctor called for me.

"He's out of danger now," she said in a gentle voice. "But we'll have to watch him for another night before letting him leave."

I nod. "Thanks, doctor, but I'm so confused. My dad's the healthiest person I know. What happened?"

"Even the strongest in the pack is not immune to life's unexpected twists," she replied.

These words are a reference to alpha Zion Reign, Nick's father. The formidable, proud male hasn't been the same after the helicopter accident five months ago.

"They said he suddenly collapsed after seeing the luna," the doctor added.

My heart slammed in my chest. Meg's words about Nick telling his mother echoes in my head.

"Whatever she told him must've been tough on his healthy heart," said the doctor. "But he's gonna be okay. You can see him now. He's asking of you."

There's only one thing the luna could've said to my dad. I swallow the bile rising in my throat.

I open the door quietly and go into the room. My father laid awake on the bed with wires connecting his heart to a small monitor that beeps softly. His features are sad as he regards me.

"Dad," I murmur, scanning the room half full of sick people.

Only a thin curtain separates each patient from their neighbour. A nurse sits in a small desk at the far corner of the large room.

My dad points at his jacket on a thin hanger near the bed.

"The doctor says you can't leave yet. You had a heart attack," I protest.

"Get my phone and turn it on," he orders in a hoarse voice.

"Why? You wanna call someone?" I asked, reaching for the slim, wide-screen cellphone in his jacket pocket.

It's easy to guess what he's about to show me, so I take the initiative and launch his email before he said the words.

"Open my email."

There are no unread messages. But the first two indicated the reason my dad's heart nearly gave out. The second message title read "Dissolution of Employment Contract." But it's the first one that holds my interest more, so I click on it.

It's a non-disclosure agreement. Another document that prevents my father from seeking help, either from humans or our kind. It's similar to what I signed before spreading my legs for the alpha's son. I feel disgusted with myself.

All of this is because of me. When I checked the first email, I see that my father was being let go with nothing. We're also being kicked out of the pack like Meg predicted.

Alpha Zion hardly bother about these things. This is the handiwork of his luna, Nick's mother. But how did she know? I've never whispered a word about us to anyone. Meg implied that Nick would tell her. Did he really do it?

I stare at the text with glassy eyes, mortified and unable to say anything. The email came with attachments. I open them to find photos of Nick and I kissing in the living room of our secret meeting place. It's a very recent photograph from the day I made that blunder. How is it possible?

"Guess the photos means it's true," my father interrupts my thoughts. "So there's no need to ask. Or would you deny it?"

"Dad, I-"

"You're sorry, I know you are. What's done is done." He exhaled deeply. "I don't want any trouble with the luna and the pack, Sara. We must leave ASAP and quietly. You need to go home and start packing."

He's right. I've ruined our lives here. It's not farfetched to think that the luna would pull some strings to revoke my scholarship, too. Like Meg predicted. The Reigns are a powerful name, not just among werewolves.

As my dad shuts his eyes, I know he's done talking. I can't decide which pain is worse. This immense disappointment that my dad feels right now or the pain of seeing my mate in another woman's arms. I don't know which one is breaking my heart this moment.

I want to sit beside him but I'm too ashamed to be around him. I simply put the phone back and leave the room quietly to wait outside. Packing has to come later. I don't want to be anywhere near Reign mansion right now.

******

After our little chat, I'll occasionally poke my head inside to look in on my dad, but I didn't go near him. It's sunset when I set out to do what he instructed.

Our cottage is fifteen minutes from the hospital. As soon as the castle comes into view, the first thing I see is a medium sized truck beside the luna's hummer SUV.

The only reason I noticed is because I've never seen such a vehicle around the premises before. It looks so out of place among the fancy ones parked beside it. It's trunk is open, and someone is loading some stuff into it. I wonder if anyone else is moving out. One of the luggage looks similar to my dad's. It even had the same color.

I walk awkward and hesitantly around the building towards the blocks of cottages where we live. Someone have their eyes on me. From the prickling on my neck, I know it's not a maid or a guard. I didn't dare lift my head to check who's watching me.

Punching the lock code to get into the house, the lock refuses to give. I lower my gaze to take a close look only to discover that my guess is right. They've changed the locks.

Already?

Footsteps approach from behind. I spin around to find a female guard and another omega coming towards me. The luna stands a few steps away. She doesn't say a word but her eyes are full of malice.

"You and your father don't live here anymore," the guard said.

"What do you mean we don't-"

"Are you hard of hearing? This isn't your house anymore. We've moved your things on the luna's orders. You'll find them in the white van outside."

"What?" The question was a gasp.

"Luna Reign, please don't do this." I start to go to her with my hands clasped when the guard blocks me.

I saw her jaw tighten as she glares at me. It feels like she's silently telling me not to dare address her boss. The guard voices out that thoughts before I can properly form them.

"Don't you dare address the luna, omega!"

I attempt to move closer to her once more as I plead.

"Please. We need time to find a new place. I beg you. My father was in the ER, he'll need a few days to recover once he's discharged."

"Did you say you need time?" The guard asked with disgust. "The only reason she helped with the van is to keep this as quiet as possible. You think she'll allow you stay longer than... no need to waste my breath. You need to leave!"

She stood between me and Nick's mother as the luna shoots daggers at me with her eyes. I truly wish she'd speak out. But apparently, I'm not even worth one word from her.

I try to get past the gamma female and she pushes me off. I was on the ground on all fours looking up at the luna with pleading eyes. She gives me one last evil look before turning away.

"This is the last time you're allowed anywhere near the pack's mansion. We find you or your father near here again, you'll be arrested and diagraced," the guard said. "Here's the key to the truck. Denise will go with you to retrieve it once you get your things out. You have the whole evening to return the vehicle to her. She must bring back that van back before midnight!"

The guard dropped the key on the floor in front of me and turned away to follow behind her luna.

I couldn't believe what I've gotten us into. My father and I are practically homeless now.

******

As much as I hate to do it, I had to call my dad. I didn't know what else to do. The Denise girl is as confused as me. She's too scared to even ask what we did wrong.

Everyone is terrified of the luna. I wouldn't be surprised if the girl has been warned not to speak to me. Luna Reign wouldn't want word of her precious son sleeping with an omega to get out.

After listening to my dad's instructions on where to take our things, I set out for a fourty-five minutes drive into the city. Within four hours, at nightfall, I've handed the truck back to the omega and returned to the hospital.

I made the nurse tell my dad that I'm back. Going in to see him is hard for now. I've cost him his precious job and our lives.

I sit on the hospital bench for hours thinking till I dozed off.

At dawn, nausea rouses me from a deep sleep with bad dreams. The feeling is much like yesterday morning's, making me occupy the nearest restroom for some time.

Is it really possible to suffer food poisoning when I've eaten so little this whole week?

Thank the Goddess, I'm at a hospital. I stroll into the pharmacy to buy some drugs, but they insist on a signed prescription.

However, after describing my illness to the kind doctor, her next question sends a terrible cold into my blood.

"When's the last time you had your period?"

I couldn't respond immediately. My voice returns when she arched her brow.

"What's that got to do with... nausea?" But I knew it was the stupidest question even as I asked it. Why didn't it cross my mind?

'Be cool, Sara. You are NOT pregnant.'

I didn't hear the doctor's reply to my dumb question.

"I'll prescribe something mild just in case, but you'll also get a test kit," she said while scribbling on a piece of paper. "Pee on the stick before taking the meds, Miss James."

Twenty minutes later, I'm standing in the bathroom, staring in horror at the two red lines on the pregnancy stick before me.

"This can't be right. He was careful- We. We were extremely careful."

A knock comes on the bathroom door, startling me.

"You okay in there? You've been there for a while now." It must be the janitor.

"Yeah..." I couldn't recognize my voice. "I'll be out soon."

I wonder how hard it would be to kill myself and end it all right now.

My thoughts are interrupted by a beep on my phone. It must be my dad. I quickly pulled it out of my purse and my heart dropped further into my stomach. Nick's name blinks on my message icon. My finger shake as I open the text.

It reads: "Where are you? We need to talk!"

I continued to stare at my phone's screen when another text from Nick dropped.

"Meet me at Remus cafe in an hour," it said.

The fact that he was asking me to meet him at a public place was confusing. But then, our secret apartment was now compromised. Also, that cafe was far from campus and his family mansion.

If he'd sent this text a week ago, I would've been over the moon. Meeting and talking to me in public would've meant he wasn't ashamed of me. However, all I felt now was dread mingled with trepidation and sadness.

I looked at the pregnancy test again and decided it was better to deal with everything head-on and at once. At least, I know the full moon wasn't for another week. Besides, it was daytime. He wasn't calling to reject me.

I already knew what he'd say when he found out that I'm pregnant. Not that I am. These kits weren't 100% accurate.

Glancing at my watch, I decided to see the doctor to request an actual test. I had to confirm what was on the stick before I let myself go into panic mode.

Twenty minutes later, the nurse had taken my blood and asked me to come back in forty-eight hours for the results. I immediately left for Remus cafe after checking briefly on my dad.

Across the street from the cafe, Nick's intense grey eyes locked on mine from near the door. Jake was with him and out of habit, I looked away and proceeded to enter the cafe.

As I expected, he didn't make any move to rise from his seat. But he also didn't take his eyes off me. Jake nodded in silent greeting. That was his best friend and future beta who knew all about our secret relationship. I couldn't never tell how he felt about the future alpha sleeping with a lowlife like me.

Distracted, I bumped into someone at the door. It was Richard, Nick's other friend.

"What're you doing here? Shouldn't you be in class," he asked in a friendly tone.

This one had always been somewhat close to nice, but he had no idea about me and Nick, I was dead sure.

"I'm here to grab a bite," I replied.

"Aww, you're exactly two minutes late. I would've let you joined me," he joked.

"Oh, how kind. Thanks, Rich. It's the thought that counts," I returned.

I should've fallen for this gamma instead. I wondered what he would've done if I was fated to him and not Nick.

Though Nick still isn't leaving his seat outside the cafe, I could feel his eyes on me. I stole a glance his way, hoping to guess what he's thinking. His face is without expression as his eyes stay fixed on me.

"See you around, Sara."

Rich held the door, stepping aside for me to go in. To avoid suspicion, I went straight to the counter to order a glass of apple juice. Hopefully, I'll be able to drink it without throwing up soon after. I found the most reserved seat by the corner and walked casually to go wait for Nick.

As I started to sit down, I catch sight of him walking through the cafe's glass door. His eyes swept the place and within a few seconds, they settled on me.

He walked straight to my table and took the seat facing me.

"Should I say it first or will you?" he asked.

"I think you said everything last night. Aren't you worried that your wolves will see us together?" I avoid his eyes as I spoke. My heart was physically breaking.

"Don't act like that's not what you want, Sara. Isn't that what your little confession was about?" His eyes were hard with anger as he said this.

I'm the one in deep shit right now. I'm the one whose heart was falling to pieces. What right did he have to be angry?

"Why did you want to see me?" I asked.

"My family may know about us now but that non-disclosure still stands," he replied. "I just wanted you to know. So if you have any more of those photos, you might wanna burn them. Or keep them as souvenirs if you like, I don't care. As long as no one else sees them."

I was momentarily confused by his words. Then it occured to me.

"You think I told your mother about us?"

"Don't insult my intelligence!" He snapped.

His tone had grown scary. I held back from telling him that he had zero intelligence if he thought I was the snitch.

"You're in trouble if you've mentioned us to anyone other than family. I won't be able to save you," he adds.

Did Megan sign one of those stupid things, too? Or maybe he doesn't know that she knows about us. Instead of mentioning my roommate, I simply said,

"It wasn't me, Nick. My father lost-"

"Don't say I didn't warn you," he cut me off and started to rise.

Summoning a moment of courage, I quickly blurted,

"I might be pregnant."

His face transformed into a look that I would never forget. He lowered himself back to the chair before gasping,

"What?"

I kept my eyes on the drink in front of me.

"Are you trying to be funny?" His voice grew hard and low.

"Do you see me laughing?" I fired back.

He gave a short sigh and spoke through clenched teeth, "I'd be able to tell, Sara!"

"Not if it's less than eight weeks. Also I said 'might.' I wouldn't know for sure till another forty-eight hours," I replied.

"Are you this desperate... and horrible?" He spat. His eyes were filled with so much revulsion that I couldn't help but lower my gaze. It was difficult to have him look at me this way.

It seemed like he was waiting for my answer to his rhetorical question and when none was forthcoming, he spoke again.

"We used protection every damn time. You always took the pill when we didn't!"

My gaze dropped lower and I heard his angry intake of breath before he repeated, "You always took the pill when we didn't, RIGHT?"

When I stole a quick look at his face, the anger I saw sent a chill through me and I quickly replied, "I do."

He waited, knowing that I had more to add.

I went on, "Except for one that time when-"

"Goddess! Fuck! Sara!" He cut me off, rising from the chair.

My heart lurched. I half-expected him to lift the table and hurl it to the glass wall. His eyes burned with terror as he regarded me.

Wow! Me bearing his child was such a horrible thing, huh? Goddess, how could I have been such an idiot.

"You did this on purpose." He pointed accusingly at me.

I got defensive. "It was just ONCE. You got a call and left for home earlier than you used to. I forgot."

"So you're saying it's my fault?" He barked under his breath.

"I'm saying it was a mistake," I replied. We were starting to get an audience.

"I can't believe I trusted you," he said. "That was THE mistake and a very bad one!" Running his hand through his hair, he sat back down.

This reaction was expected. Yet why was it so painful? I chewed my lower lips and forcefully swallowed the tears that were gathering in my eyes.

"It was a mistake, but it's reversible," he said.

My heart sank into my stomach as the meaning of those words dawned on me.

"I don't need to explain why undoing this 'mistake," he used air quotes. "is your only option, do I? I mean you've got school. Your scholarship. I'm sure you're not thinking of letting that go for..." he trailed off as an odd look crept into his features.

I told myself to be relieved over the fact that he didn't expect his mother to cancel my scholarship. As he stared at me, his eyes were full of disgust and disappointment.

"Meg warned me. Of course, bearing a potential heir to Reign Corporations is far better than a measly scholarship in an Ivy league." It sounded like he was thinking out loud as he said this.

He nodded like he'd only just realized an important truth.

"This was the plan all along. Isn't that right, Sara?"