My Betraying Alpha Begged for a Second Chance

Mia's POV

On the eve of our fifth anniversary, I had hoped to be together with my mate, Alpha Aiden, celebrating our shared memories, silent promises, ups and downs, and our bond of mateship.

But here, I was, alone at the candlelit table in our packhouse, my eyes puffy and the mascara spilled over from excessive crying. He forgot again, or maybe he doesn't care at all.

My phone buzzed every few seconds with a new notification. I couldn't bring myself to look again, though I knew I needed to.

That's when my phone rang. I was about to check it, hoping it to be from Aiden. But it was a spam call. But then my eyes fell on the latest notification

A photo. Ella and Aiden.

They were at a fancy rooftop bar, smiling under dim lights. Ella’s head rested on Aiden’s shoulder, and his arm was wrapped around her waist; casual, intimate, comfortable as if it belonged there. As if they belonged together. Not me!

And that smile on his face. I couldn't even remember when he had smiled like that at me or when his eyes beamed with warmth when he was with me.

The caption stung worse than any wound:

“Celebrating tonight with the best Alpha ever!!! #Grateful #Blessed”

Below them were hundreds of comments pouring in, wishing them to be together. After all, I was certain by now this must have been circulated all over the pack. Ella was the new queen bee and Aiden was our future Alpha. To them, they were worthy, not someone like me with no background to support me.

Are you official? Please say yes!

They look so good, like a match made in heaven!!

Finally, the moon goddess listened to my prayers. Did he dump that average looking girl and get together with you? Please... please... please!!

"Why is she praying for them to the moon goddess and not herself!" I scoffed, chucking down the expensive wine bottle.

I felt my world crack, just like that. Ella was an omega just like me. But she was the heiress of one of the top elites of the Braveclaw pack. Her and Adrian's families have been close since the beginning. Ever since she returned from abroad, Aiden had been "helping" her for the past year. The kind of "help" I never received despite being his mate.

As I tried to sleep, my mind drifted back to the image, and the comments below them. Instead of me, she was the one who was always around him, laughing at his jokes, standing just a little too close. Even though it bothered me, I had brushed it off every time. Every. Single. Time.

Not anymore.

The next morning, I walked into the hospital, and it was no different. Their eyes flicked to their phones and then back to me, smirking, gossiping. Everyone looked at me like I had trespassed into their private property, the usual whispers replaced by sharper, louder taunts.

"Hey, Mia, isn’t that your Alpha mate?"

"Maybe not! Ouch!" Another sneered.

When I tried to meet their eyes, they flashed the photo on my face.

But before I could respond, someone else chimed in.

"Oh, please, everyone knows Aiden’s been spending more time with Ella than you. I mean, look at them. You gotta wonder who the real mate is."

Laughter.

I could barely breathe, feeling a twist in my stomach. I could no longer tolerate the bullying, the mocks, and even the silent eyes that followed me like hawks and returned home early. But Aiden still hadn't returned. And he didn't even bother to tell me his whereabouts or ask mine.

That night, I paced along the living room as I waited for Aiden to come home, my eyes glued to the door. The photo still burned in my mind. The comments below almost choked me. How could he do this to me... especially on our anniversary? A single tear rolled down my cheek, wanting the world to collapse now or for me to disappear.

But as soon as I heard the door creak open, I wiped it away, waiting for whatever storm was to arrive with him. And there he was, calm, unbothered. As if nothing had happened.

"Mia, what’s wrong?" he asked, glancing at me as he hung his jacket.

I held my phone up, shaking with anger. "This! This is what’s wrong, Aiden. Yesterday was our fifth anniversary, Aiden. But instead, you were out with Ella!"

His eyes flicked to the phone, then back to me. No guilt. Just annoyance. "It’s just a photo, Mia. We were catching up. It was a last minute plan after a business proposal. You are overreacting."

I froze. My heart shattered into a thousand pieces. Overreacting?

"You ditched me for her. On our anniversary!" My voice broke, tears welling in my eyes. "Do you even care anymore?"

He shrugged, running his hand through his hair. "Mia, now you are being dramatic. Ella needed someone, and you know I have been helping her to establish herself. It’s not a big deal."

"It is to me!" I screamed, finally letting the frustration that had built over the year, crushing me down. "Ever since she returned, you always put her first. I was too stupid to ignore it even if I saw it. But now… I am done, Aiden. I can’t keep doing this."

He blinked, genuinely surprised. "Done? What are you talking about?"

"I am breaking up with you," I said, my voice firm, though my heart was breaking all over again. "I don't think I can stay in her shadows anymore."

For the first time, he looked taken aback, but not enough to change my decision. He had lost that power over me.

The next morning, I stood in front of the mirror, my eyes swollen from crying. I looked worn out from everything.

I checked her account again. She had posted a cute photo from her workout session. And then I saw Aiden had liked it. Of course!

The caption:

“A new chapter begins… #Happy #MovingForward!”