[Stella commented on your photo: I wish I could also have my own Dan!]

I rolled my eyes and continued scrolling. I have no idea why she keeps on clinging to a guy like Dan. She can pick from billions of guys in the whole world, and there would definitely be someone who would like her back. She is drop-dead gorgeous and has an oozing charisma, so I really wonder why she sticks with someone who is already in a relationship.

Dan bought her expensive gifts and a house, but she never posted it. Maybe because it might catch the attention of some people, and might cause chaos, given the fact that I am a pretty well-known blogger.

But I keep on thinking about the conversation they had earlier.

“What do they mean when they talk about mate?”

When I accidentally glanced at our calendar, it suddenly hit me.

“Today is my birthday..” I whispered. “How could I forget my birthday?”

I immediately got up and checked out the fridge. I only got some vegetables, meats, and eggs. I plan to cook my favorite dish but any minute, Dan would be here. I don’t want to make the house smell, because he might get mad.

“I’ll just buy some cake then, I guess.”

—

After a few minutes, I finally came back from the cake shop. I was about to open our door, but all of a sudden, I saw a pair of shoes outside and smelled a familiar scent.

I sighed and opened the door wide.

I saw him sitting on a black sofa, looking irritated.

“Why are you out this late?”

I didn’t answer him. Instead, I closed the door with all my force, making him startle.

“Who gave you the permission to close that door that loud? This is my house! If you break any of those, can you pay for it?”

I drop the paper bag I am holding and raise my left eyebrow. I had enough. Maybe it would be alright to talk back now, on my birthday.

“For your information, I am the one who pays the electric bills, as well as the foods you always eat. I manage our family’s business, so If you think I am a freeloader, think again. Oh wait, do you even think?”

He immediately stood up and placed his hand on my neck. He pinned me against the wall, and all I can see is how his face is turning gray. In our seven years of relationship, this is the only time I’ve seen him like that.

“I-mm–I am hurt–”

“Is this from the guy you are seeing?” he asked and picked up the paper bag. He threw it away, and his eyes widened when he saw a cake falling from the paper bag. He slowly released his hand from my neck, and read the words above the cake.

“Happy 27th Birthday, Sasha....I am sorry for everything..”

From: Sasha.

He slowly glanced at me, and his eyes were full of guilt and sadness. Perhaps, he felt bad.

“Stay here, I am going to buy a cake.”

As soon as he left, I found myself falling from my knees and started sobbing.

I can’t endure this anymore. This is not the first time he did this to me, but the fact that he did this to me twice today, on my birthday, scares me to death. I looked in the mirror and saw a bruise on my neck.

When the door opened, I immediately took a step back.

I saw Dan, holding a paper bag. He took out the strawberry cake and placed it above our wooden table.

“Put some makeup on, let’s take a video.”

I slowly nod and wipe my tears.

“Pick some pretty dress, we will be posting it to your blog.”

“I don’t want to..”

He raised his left hand, making me flinch.

“What did I say?!” I feel my heart start pounding quickly. His voice changed as if there was a monster inside him. I opened my eyes and was shocked to see half of his face changed. His eyes became yellow and half of his face turned gray.

“Oh my god…” I whispered inside my mind.

“Cristine, answer please,” I whispered as I paced back and forth our room. “I need you now…”

As soon as the ringing stopped, I felt my heart sink.

“Hello?”

“Cristine, at last! I need your help, please!” I whispered and sat on my bed. “I am sorry for everything, you were right! I want to go to where you are right now..”

“What do you mean?”

“I need to leave this house, I want to break up with Dan.” I sighed. “I am..tired of all of this..I want to go to New Zealand..”

“What?! Are you out of your mind?! He is like the greenest flag! You literally abandoned me for him, and I can really see why. Now, what’s the problem? Oh wait, maybe you are the problem?”

“Cristine, listen. He is not the type of person you know! It is all just a facade!” I screamed and started crying. “I was so wrong..I am sorry… He is the worst….”

Suddenly, she dropped the phone.

I immediately remove the tears flowing down my cheeks, feeling sorry about myself, after everything that happened.

“Now, even my best friend left me…What should I do now?”

I should have known earlier that Dan’s love would gradually change like the weather. But who can blame a young girl like me, who fell from a guy’s sweet words and promises? Besides, our parents swore to death to make us marry for the sake of our business, so there is no going back–so I don’t have any options at all.

Out of nowhere, my phone buzzed. When I looked at my phone, I saw a message coming from my friend, Cristine.

[I booked a flight. Four days from now, in the afternoon. I’ll send you the deets later. For now, inform your parents.]

I screamed out of joy. I immediately replied to my friend, while my tears continued to roll down my cheeks.

—

As I got out of the taxi, I stared at the huge mansion of my family. But then, rain started pouring. Luckily, the gate was open, so I started running with my enormous bags.

I knocked a few times, and for the 4th time, the door finally opened.

“Why are you here?” my mom greeted me with furrowed brows. Ever since, my mom hated me as if I was a killer who got out of jail. ”You should be with your soon-to-be-husband, right?”

“He hasn’t proposed yet, and besides, I need to talk to papa,” I answered and started walking past her. She immediately pushed me away, making me startled.

“Why do you have bags? Did you leave your home?”

“It was never a home, it is just a house.”

“Dan was right, you are really a difficult partner.”

My blood started to boil when I heard those words from my mom.

“A difficult partner? Are you hearing yourself? Are you with us? You are supposed to side with me because I am your daughter, but you act as if I don’t matter at all!”

“He told me how much you gave him a difficult time, and how you portray Stella as if she is stealing Dan. What’s wrong with you? You used to love him before, right?”

“What are you trying to say? Can you see the bruises on my face? In my neck? He did all of these!” I shouted and dropped the bags I was holding. “He used to be so kind and lovable, but everything changed! Honestly, I feel like he is not the same guy I used to like too!”

I held my mother’s arms and sighed.

“Mama, I think he is hiding something!”

My mother removed my hands from her arms and raised her left eyebrow.

“Hiding? What is he hiding? Are you out of your mind?”

“I think he is a monster…” I whispered. “I remembered him saying that I was his mate, and I saw his face turning gray. His eyes turned yellow too!”

“Honey, of course, he is a half-werewolf. What do you expect?” my mom shook her head and sighed. “You might like it or not, but even if you are both from different worlds…”

“You are destined to be together, forever….”

I can feel my jaw dropping at that moment.