The sound of the lock turning woke me up.

Morning sunlight beamed through the blinds into the living room as Liam dragged himself in, looking exhausted, with a blue jewelry box from a famous brand in his hands.

He tossed the box onto the coffee table and said, "It's for you. Don't say I don't care about you."

I did not touch it. I only sipped my coffee quietly.

"Are you not going to open it? It's a limited edition piece, you know," he said while frowning.

I set my cup down and opened the box. It was a platinum necklace inside, the pendant shaped like an oversized snowflake, covered with tiny diamonds.

It was flashy and showy, which was not my style at all.

"Seraphina said this is a classic design. She also reminded me that you might be upset, and told me to buy you something to make it up to you," he said and sat on the sofa.

"So, she even decides what my gifts are now?" I asked.

"Can you not start this again, Lyrik? I didn't sleep all night, trying to figure out how to explain things to you. Seraphina is just a friend," he said while rubbing his temples.

"Let's break up," I interrupted.

He shook his head and said, "There you go again. Lyrik, I know you're jealous, but…"

He was interrupted because his phone rang. His expression changed instantly when he saw the caller ID.

He picked up, and his tone softened right away. He asked, "Seraphina? Why are you calling me this early? What is it? What? Your car broke down?"

He stood up instantly like he forgot I was there.

"Don't worry. I'll come pick you up right now. Yeah, I know you have an important meeting today. I won't let you be late," he said while searching for his car keys.

He hung up and headed straight for the door.

"Liam," I called after him.

"What is it? Make it quick, Seraphina is waiting for me," he said.

"I mean it. We're done," I said.

He stopped and turned back to look at me. He laughed after a few seconds.

"Let's talk about this when I get back, okay? I promise I'll have dinner with you tonight," he said.

His voice sounded like he was coaxing a child.

The door slammed shut. Soon after, the sound of his car faded down the street.

I sat on the sofa, staring at that gaudy necklace on the table. Suddenly, I had an idea.

An hour later, I walked into the most exclusive private club in the city, the Laurel Manor.

The Laurel Manor was only open to Alphas, and the membership fee was so expensive that the ordinary public could not afford it.

I passed the identity check at the entrance with ease with my hidden Alpha bloodline.

The interior was extravagantly decorated, the crystal chandeliers casting a warm glow.

I ordered whiskey and chose a seat by the window.

Then, I saw them.

Liam sat in the center of the lounge, across from Seraphina, who was dressed to impress.

He pulled out a chair for her with exaggerated courtesy, then called over a waiter.

"Bring this lady your best vintage champagne," he said, deliberately with a raised voice, making sure everyone could hear.

The young waiter glanced at him, then at Seraphina, and said politely, "Sir, that champagne is reserved only for Alpha members. May I ask what your membership tier is?"

His face instantly turned red.

"I'm a VIP member!" stuttered Liam.

"Yes, sir, but we need to verify an Alpha membership for that champagne. I can recommend other excellent bottles instead," said the waiter as he kept his professional smile.

Seraphina did not look happy. She glared at Liam and asked, "Didn't you say you had special privileges here?"

Liam stammered excuses, his voice growing quieter.

I raised my glass and tilted it towards them in a mocking toast.

Seraphina, who was annoyed, suddenly looked up at me. Her eyes widened in shock, as if she had seen a ghost.

"Is that Lyrik?" Seraphina asked in a surprised tone as she tugged on Liam's sleeve and pointed in my direction.

He looked panicked when he saw me, before it turned into shameful anger.

I calmly raised my glass to them and took a graceful sip of whiskey.

"This tramp actually followed us!" muttered Seraphina under her breath.

Liam jumped to his feet and stormed towards my table. He looked full of rage.

"Lyrik, what the hell are you doing? How dare you follow us?" he asked, his voice shook with anger.

"Following you?"

I let out a chuckle and continued, "Aren't you mistaken, Liam?"

Seraphina walked over in heels, sat across from me, and smiled smugly.

"I'm curious, Lyrik. How did you get in here? Laurel Manor isn't a place where anyone can enter. Did you use Liam's membership and pretended to be his mate?" she asked, drawing out her words on purpose.

Liam turned red with fury. He asked, "What? Why would I ever bring her here?"

In his eyes, even after seven years together, bringing me to a place like Laurel Manor would have been an insult to his status.

"That's strange. Lyrik shouldn't have the right to get in here alone," she said while looking at me thoughtfully.

Realization dawned on Liam. His gaze turned scornful and he asked, "What tricks did you use to sneak in, Lyrik?"

"I think I know. For girls like you to enter high society, you always need a certain… special method," she said, her voice dripping with malice.

Guests at nearby tables started whispering.

"I understand. Not everyone has the right bloodline or family, but relationships like that never last long," she went on sweetly.

Liam looked at me. He asked in a cutting tone, "When did you become like this, Lyrik? Chasing vanity and willing to stoop this low. I can't believe you're my mate who I wasted seven years with. No wonder you wanted to break up with me last night. You must have found a richer man."

"Are you two done?" I finally replied. My voice was terrifyingly calm.

"We're not judging you, Lyrik. We just think you should face reality," said Seraphina with mock concern.

I stood and asked, "Are you done? If you're finished, then leave. I'll say this for the last time. Liam and I are over. If you want trash like him, you can have him, Seraphina!"

"What did you say? I can bring you here another time if you really want to be here. You don't need to sneak in, and don't you dare disrespect Seraphina.

"Besides, your bloodline could never compare to hers. She's a Highborn, and you're nothing more than an ordinary Omega!" Liam exclaimed as he furiously grabbed my arm and pointed at Seraphina.

Seraphina giggled and said, "Don't be so defensive, Lyrik. Liam and I are just friends. Oh, I forgot to tell you. I pulled some strings and got Liam a marketing director position at the Apex Group."

She turned to me and gave me a provoking look.

The Apex Group was the most powerful business empire in North America.

"He starts tomorrow," said Seraphina.

She paused deliberately and continued, "A company of that level demands real competence and power. I can help Liam. What can you do?"

"Liam's future has nothing to do with me. Bragging about it is meaningless," I fought back calmly.

Liam seemed convinced I was only mad at him. He kept yapping and said, "Don't say things like that while I still have feelings for you. We're more than qualified to work at the Apex Group because of the capabilities of our bloodline."

His tone was full of arrogance.

I could not help but laugh. I said, "Let's see how long you two can last. People with no morals don't stay at the top for long."

"Are you comparing yourself to us, you Omega? Lyrik, you're not thinking about getting into Apex Group too, are you? A place like that doesn't let prostitutes in," said Seraphina with a spiteful gaze.

I sneered and mocked, "Funny, that sounds like projection. Maybe you're the one trading yourself for resources. Why else would you spread rumors so easily?"

Seraphina flushed with rage and pointed at me, stuttering, "You… You…"

I ignored her and walked straight to the elevator.

I finally saw Liam for who he was. He was not worth another ounce of my love.

I only blamed myself for not realizing sooner that he was only a shallow man.

The elevator doors closed, shutting out their voices.

I pulled out my phone and checked out the official website of the Apex Group.

There was a posting on the careers page, the executive assistant to the CEO. I applied without hesitation and uploaded my resume.

It was not to prove anything to anyone, but to begin a new life on my own terms. Not by any connections, nor shameful shortcuts, but with my capabilities.

The notification tone chimed when I sent my application successfully. It sounded clear and determined.

The next morning, I woke to the buzz of my phone.

The caller ID showed that it was from the Apex Group.

"The CEO is waiting for you, Miss Lyrik," said the receptionist at the Apex Group.

Her voice broke my tension.

I followed her into the private elevator to the top floor. I stepped into a huge office when the doors opened.

Behind a massive desk sat a man who took my breath away. It was Adrian, the Alpha of the Apex Group.

His natural Alpha presence intimidated me. He had eyes that seemed to see through everything.

"Sit," he said in a low voice.

He had an authority that allowed no refusal.

I saw across from him and tried to stay calm, but my bloodline started to stir.

He spoke slowly, "Lyrik, do you know why you're here?"

"Because I sent my resume?" I replied.

He laughed. His smile made my heart race for no reason.

He stood and walked around the desk to come closer to me. "No, because twenty-three years ago, our families made an arrangement for us."

My eyes widened. I asked, "What arrangement?"

"The Moonborn Bond. A destiny pact based on an ancient bloodline. Our families chose each other for us before we were born," Adrian replied as he stood in front of me.

My head buzzed. I said, "This isn't possible. I've never heard about this."

"Impossible? Lyrik, you carry the purest Alpha bloodline because you are a Moonborn. It's only because you kept suppressing it," he said as a trace of pain flashed in his eyes.

Adrian's words struck like lightning. The power inside me that was long suppressed began to stir.

Adrian continued to say in a regretful tone, "For seven years, you took medication to suppress yourself for a Beta."

"How did you know?" I asked.

"I know everything about you, including your relationship with that Beta named Liam," he replied with a darkened gaze.

Shame and anger rose inside me. "That was my choice," I said.

"Maybe it was the wrong choice. I hope you can consider our pact," he said. He sounded hurt.

I stood and felt dizzy. The power inside me burned like flames.

"This is all too sudden, I need some time to think," I said.

"I'm not forcing you," he said.

Adrian backed away and continued, "I only want you to know the pact existed. The choice is yours. Maybe you can consider if I have the chance to stand beside you?"

He was sincere, but I was too shocked to answer.

I said I needed time, then rushed out of his office and caught my breath in the elevator.

I had stopped taking suppressants since breaking up with Liam. The power of my Alpha bloodline was burning within me at that moment.

I stepped out of the Apex Tower and saw someone familiar.

"Lyrik!" he called out.

Liam got out of a taxi wearing a new suit and a flattering smile.

"I knew you'd come to find me. Can we talk? What I said yesterday crossed the line. How can we actually break up?" he asked.

I looked at him like he was a stranger. "We broke up, Liam. Please stop harassing me."

"Stop joking. I know you're mad, but we can fix this," he said while trying to reach for me.

"I said, we broke up," I interrupted with a cold tone and backed away.

Liam grew furious and tried to control me. "Don't make me hold you down, Lyrik," he threatened.

The power within me burst out.

A wave of Alpha pressure crashed like a tide. Liam staggered back, and he instantly turned pale.

"This isn't possible… How can you have this power?" he muttered, looking fearful.

I was also shocked, but I tried to stay calm.

"Please don't come near me again, Liam. I'll cut our Mate Bond," I said.

My tone was final.

His shock shifted to anger, then he glared at me.

One of the assistants who worked for Adrian stepped in front of me before I could react.

Liam sneered at that and said spitefully, "Okay, fine. I didn't believe Seraphina when she told me, but it looks like you really did find someone else. No wonder you came to the Apex Group!"

"You have no right to speak to Miss Lyrik like that. I'll call security if you threaten her safety," warned the assistant.

Liam sneered and said with spite, "Okay, fine. Let's break up, but don't think you can find someone better than me. Don't come begging for me to come back when you get dumped."

I thanked the assistant before leaving, and I did not look back.

Adrian contacted me several times after that, hoping that I would join the company. I also wanted to see how Liam and Seraphina would react, so I agreed.

A week later, my phone rang again.

I got a text from Liam. He heard that I got accepted into the Apex Group, and he texted that joining Apex Group would not cause him to notice me.

I stared at the text and thought about what Adrian said about our pact arranged by our families.

I replied that I was about to take part in a Bonding Ceremony soon.