I closed my eyes, letting the tears fall as I thought about the annoyed tags.

Was this meant for me? Had Aiden already told her about our breakup?

Deep down, there was always a part of me that knew Aiden's heart had strayed, even if he wouldn’t admit it. And me, too. I had chosen to ignore the many signals, the excuses, the broken promises, the constant presence of her.

But now, I was done with all that. I no longer wanted to chase a mirage. And I was done competing for his love or attention.

"I am enough. And I will find my way, even if it means I am alone." I told myself as I started packing my belongings. When I left our shared apartment, well Adrian's apartment, he wasn't there again.

I moved to my old house, a small studio apartment that my parents had bought for me when I moved here during college. As soon as I entered it, old memories came flooding back to me.

It was strange being here again. Aiden had practically made me shift in a day because he thought living together would be easier and it would help us build a better relationship. I was filled with excitement, ready to start my life with my mate that day. Now, all that remained were the memories of a future that was lost to life.

When I started unpacking my belongings, my phone buzzed, its screen lighting up with yet another missed call from Aiden. I didn't want to hear his voice, just in case my resolve would falter.

But still, I couldn't help myself from checking his messages when another one popped up.

"Mia, please, we need to talk."

"You don’t understand, Ella is just... I need to help her. I can't abandon her."

"You are blowing this out of proportion. Can we just meet?"

I couldn’t take it anymore. No more excuses. No more justifications. I shut my phone off and threw it onto the couch.

It was time to unpack more than just my boxes.

The next morning, I found myself being the center of attention again. They all knew. Of course, they did. The pack loved nothing more than a scandal. And this time, it involved their beloved future Alpha and the most popular queen bee.

"Did you see the photo of Ella and Aiden? I bet you, they are the end game."

"They look so perfect together. I want more of them. I wish they could officially start dating."

"I mean, who can blame him? Ella is cute."

I clenched my knuckles until they turned white, pretending not to hear them.

And when I was getting used to this, I saw another post from her. It was a video. The two were celebrating something.

The caption read: “My light. #AlwaysThereForMe #TrustTheProcess”

I couldn't even remember us being this close. We were still intimate, but we had lost our emotional connection a long time ago.

The day Ella had returned from her studies, Aiden had dropped everything to pick her up. "She is my friend. I hadn't seen her for years! I have to go." I understood and was happy for him. But that was only the beginning of their betrayal. His betrayal.

Later, Aiden canceled many things because of Ella; canceled dates, trips, and social outings. He even left me alone when I was sick because Ella had to finish her project report for her new business.

And how could I forget that night when we were supposed to celebrate his birthday? She called him over because she had some “personal issue,” and needed someone. She said she was depressed and didn't know what to do. He spent hours on the phone talking with her late that night, trying to lift her mood.

Later, he picked up his keys and left without even feeling the need to change his night clothes. "Mia, Lily is alone and she needs me. We can celebrate my birthday in the morning." Before I could object, he left me and finally went to her.

We didn't even get the chance to cut his cake. But later, Ella posted a photo of them celebrating his birthday.

"It was just a cake. I had to make her feel happy about something. We can cut another!" He said nonchalantly, making me feel small.

I was a fool to believe that she was depressed and Aiden did that to raise her spirits. She clearly tricked him, and I, to separate us. But Aiden allowed her to do that.

He had always defended her, even when she crossed boundaries that should never have been crossed.

I had ignored the red flags for so long, choosing to believe in the mate bond... choosing to trust that he was telling me the truth. But now, I was finally able to see how dumb I was to allow them to break my heart in the worst possible way.

I took a deep breath, shaking off the painful memories. The bond I had shared with Aiden still tugged at me. But I knew it would fade.

I had made my choice.

Even if he wasn't admitting it, I knew he had started loving her a long time ago. He only stayed with me because of our bond.

I would stop chasing after someone who doesn't love me.

And for the first time in a long while, I felt like I could finally start healing.

Oaks and Cinnamon...

Days later, a strong, familiar scent hit me again before I even saw him.

Aiden.

My heart tightened as I scanned the crowd gathered around a plush black Rolls-Royce in front of my apartment. Aiden, leaning over his car, kept signing autographs of his fanatics. He seemed too relaxed, too carefree. Like nothing had changed.

I turned to leave, but before I could slip away, his voice stopped me.

"Mia."

I froze, unwilling to look at him in case I would falter. But I could leave... not when he was using his scent to trigger the pull of our mate bond. Slowly, I turned, my heart raced.

He had a soft smile plastered on his face, his broad frame shielding me from the eyes of his fanatics. He seemed like the breakup had never happened and I didn't suffer the last few weeks. As if he hadn’t chosen someone else over me.

"Mia, can we talk?" Earlier, when he used to call my name, my heart would skip a beat. But now it only makes me feel cold.

"There is nothing to talk about," I replied. I won’t let him drag me back in. Not again.

He stepped closer, his intoxicating essence growing stronger now, clouding my thoughts. "Just one dinner. It's Lucas's birthday."

I stared at him, disbelief washing over me. Did he really think that taking me as his date to his best friend, his beta's, birthday, could fix everything?

"No, Aiden," I said firmly. "Let's not complicate it further." I turned to walk away, but he grabbed my arm gently.

"Mia, please. I miss you." For a brief second, his eyes flickered with something deep.

I pulled my arm away, but before I could say another word, I noticed more and more of his fanatics were gathering. It was getting difficult for his bodyguards to control them. If we don't leave now, I will be all over social media tomorrow. I sighed, feeling trapped.

Against my better judgment, I gave in. "Fine. But this is the last time."

The car ride was suffocating. I hadn’t been inside Aiden’s car since we broke up. I tried to focus on the road ahead, but something caught my attention, the familiar scent of lilies.

Ella.

My stomach twisted. What was she even doing here to leave such a powerful after-effect? I glanced at Aiden. Was he with Ella before coming to me? Of course!

Why had I agreed to this?

When we reached the restaurant, my unease only grew. Aiden opened the door for me, smiling as if everything was normal. But it was only short-lived. At the entrance, Ella and Lucas were waiting for us.

"Oh! My... Ella. You look pretty, as always." She rushed and hugged me as if we were sworn sisters.

"The dress suits you well," Aiden complimented Ella, something he had never done for me.

I realized I was just a replacement for him when Ella was away.

"Your gift. Remember?" she let out this information deliberately to hurt me. And it was working. But I chose to ignore her. moving towards Lucas.

"Happy birthday Lucas! Since this was a last-minute invite, I came empty-handed."

"It's okay! Aiden had already gifted me on your behalf." Lucas smiled forcefully. The surprise in his eyes could tell me he didn't expect me here today with Aiden.

The dinner was a disaster from the start. The private room of the plush hotel felt suffocating when it was just the four of us, everyone's attention somehow fixed on Ella. The three of us looked so comfortable, so perfect, in a way I could never fit in. Seeing Ella and Aiden together brought back troubled memories and feelings that I was so desperate to bury.

I could no longer breathe in that room, feeling claustrophobic. "I need to use the restroom," I stood abruptly, interrupting their conversation. Before they could say something, I almost ran from there.

But I was barely outside and had barely caught my breath, when his strong essence of oaks and cinnamon, enthralled my nostrils again, the mate bond tugging at me.

"Mia, what’s wrong?"

"What’s wrong?" I repeated, shaking my head. "I know you are with Ella. I can smell her in your car, for God’s sake."

Aiden opened his mouth to speak, but I cut him off. "No. Don’t. I don’t care anymore. I can’t keep doing this."

"Mia, it’s not like that—"

"Yes, it is, Aiden. Accept it like a man!." I paused, my throat tightening with emotion. "I deserve more than being a second choice."

Aiden stared at me, speechless, in shock.

"Let's go back! The food Aiden ordered had already arrived." Ella interrupted, smiling, looking perfect.

Aiden didn't say anything and returned to the dinner table.

I exhaled a deep breath. Nonetheless, I followed them.

And that's when I saw the item he had ordered... Prawns!

"Ella, Aiden ordered your favorite." Lucas smiled, signaling the waiter to serve,

I wanted to scoff, to scream, or to leave. But I stood frozen in surprise. Has he already forgotten I was allergic to prawns?

"Why are you standing there like you saw some ghost, Mia? Have some prawns." Lucas smiled at me like nothing happened.