Then I hung up and went directly upstairs to pack my things.

‘Where are you going?’ Serena asked in my mind, but I did not answer her.

Serena said again, ‘Olivia, I know it disappoint you so much, me either. But please think about it again. If you really need to clear your mind, let’s go home, to your parents’ house. It is lovely to spend a birthday with them even if it is one day late, right?’

Right, my birthday was yesterday, while the next day was Georgia’s birthday. However, it still counted as my birthday, didn’t it?

So, after thinking about it, I set aside the luggage and just took my backpack to bring an important thing, as well as Thomas’ gift that was unopened yet.

As I was about to take the car key, my wolf said in my mind again, ‘How about sprinting there? It will decrease our sadness even a little bit.’

I smiled and just answered, “Why not?”

As a result, I ran back to my family home, a place I hadn't visited in a long time.

My parents' house was located not far from the city center of the High Moon Pack, though it sat on the border. Despite being on the border, the area was known for having strong warriors, one of whom was Thomas.

Thomas and I went to the city center together to study at Promise High, a special school for shifters in the High Moon Pack. After graduation, we both chose to stay in the city. I preferred its bustling atmosphere, and more importantly, it was where I met my mate, Jared.

On his 18th birthday, which also marked Jared's confirmation as the new Alpha, I received my wolf at the age of 16. That was the day our fates intertwined, marking us as destined mates.

But at the time, Jared was already dating Georgia, a Beta’s daughter. Her father was also a subordinate of the previous Alpha, Jared’s father. So, their relationship had been intertwined since a young age.

However, a month after Jared’s birthday, their relationship soon became strained, and that was when Jared decided to pursue me, his true mate.

As a result, we dated and after graduation, Jared asked me to move in with him. At that time, Thomas also registered as a Beta, which made me quite happy since I had a close friend who stayed in the city.

However, at the place where I thought will bring me happiness, slowly destroyed me instead, making me struggling between Jared’s relationship with Georgia. As a result, here I was, ran in daze until I was not aware if I had arrived at my parents' house.

I suddenly realized that the distance between the city center and the border was like the emotional distance between Jared and me. We appeared close, but our hearts felt oceans apart.

When I came in, I simply told my parents that I wanted to celebrate my birthday there. As a result, they didn’t ask for more details. I tidied up my room, washed up, and went to bed, seeking solace in the familiar surroundings.

The next morning, I found only a few messages on my phone. I had ignored Jared's mind-link and instructed my wolf to do the same all night long after all.

[Jared: What's the matter with you now?]

[Jared: Come back when you've calmed down. Don't be too willful.]

It seemed he came home last night and realized I was gone. But I didn’t care and just focused on my own business.

The atmosphere at the border was different from the ever-busy city. Everything there was calm and peaceful, so I hoped the tranquility would clear my mind

That was why in the afternoon, I helped my mother in the greenhouse; she loved growing vegetables as a hobby.

Actually, it was not the first time I became Jared’s second attention. Since Georgia always seemed to need Jared whenever something went wrong. She would even ask him to stay with her if she woke up in the middle of the night because of a thunderstorm.

I had questioned him about that many times, leading to countless arguments.

I understood that they were once in a relationship and had been friends for a long time, but I was his mate. I respected Jared’s desire to protect his childhood friend, but when it happened repeatedly, I felt like I was the best option that would never be prioritized.

So, even if I had endured it for the past two years, I could not do it anymore.

To my surprise, as I stepped out of the greenhouse, I saw Jared standing outside, dressed in a suit, looking every bit the Alpha he was. Passersby could not help but show him respect when sensing him.

However, some of them also praised him for his handsome face, not to mention his tall, strong, and perfect proportions which made him look like a model on the runway.

If it had been any other day, I would have rushed to him, urging him inside to keep others from staring. But that day, I just wanted to pretend I did not see him.

I walked toward the small shed near the greenhouse to put away my gardening tools, hoping he wouldn’t follow. But Jared quickly caught up with me.

He didn’t mention what had happened the night before. Instead, he spoke calmly, “It’s George and Georgia’s birthday today. They’ve invited us to dinner. Will you come with me?”

So, he came just to invite me to Georgia’s birthday celebration?

I couldn’t believe it. After barely acknowledging my birthday yesterday, he was ready to celebrate Georgia’s twice, once at midnight at the bar and then for dinner tonight at a restaurant. Did I deserve all the pain?

“Please, I can’t go alone,” he added when I didn’t respond, his voice almost pleading.

I stopped and looked at him. I knew if Jared always took me with him to their gatherings, so I sighed and just replied, “Sure,” though my heart wasn’t in it.

Suddenly, my mother called out from the house, “Olivia, it’s time for lunch. Please invite Alpha Jared to join us!”

“Yes, Mom,” I replied, turning back to Jared. “You heard her.”

“Sure, I love your mother’s cooking.”

When we walked to my house side to side, the wind blew gently, carrying with it a faint scent of jasmine. I couldn’t help but ask, “Do you like the smell of jasmine?”

Jared’s eyes flickered slightly before he replied, “Not really.”

I wondered to myself, ‘Then why have I always smelled this scent on you?’

I knew it was Georgia’s scent, but I had always assumed he liked it too. It seemed the more I understood, the more my heart broke. So, I chose to stay silent and did not continue the talk, neither did he.

At the dining table, Jared played the role of the perfect fiancé in front of my parents. Little did they know how much he hurt me every time.

My father broke the silence by saying, “We were surprised to see Olivia come home alone last night. But I suppose you were still busy. It’s understandable. Besides, you’ve come to pick her up now, right?”

Jared smiled politely and replied, “It’s been busy lately, Mr. Hatfield. But I never neglect my mate; she always comes first.”

What a lie. Since when was I ever your priority, Alpha?

“I’m so happy for you two,” my mother added cheerfully.

Jared directly held my hand, showing his affection to me, which made me forced to reply for the sake of my parents' happiness.

In the evening, I said goodbye to my parents and got into Jared's car. He drove us to the restaurant where Georgia’s birthday celebration was taking place.

As we entered together, I saw Georgia’s surprised expression. The same look mirrored on the faces of Jared’s other friends who were already gathered there.

George was the first to greet us, "Good evening, Jared, Olivia. We've been waiting for you."

I smiled indifferently and glanced at George before saying, "I'm sorry I came in a hurry and didn’t bring a gift."

"I’ve already given a gift on your behalf," Jared added quickly.

I sneered inwardly, 'Of course you did. Your gift went viral on X after all.'

Jared led me to the table where two empty seats remained, opposite each other. I wondered if that had been arranged on purpose or not. But I took it lightly and just let go of his hand, walking to the seat across from him.

Jared’s expression shifted slightly, but he didn’t say anything and took the seat next to Georgia.

The atmosphere at dinner was tense, and I could sense what his friends were thinking. They had never approved of Jared and me being together and were always cold towards me.

In the past, I had tried to fit in, bringing them carefully selected gifts for every occasion. But I never saw anyone use what I gave them. It was clear they never wanted to accept me after all.

To them, I was just an unwelcome intrusion. How naive I had been not to see it sooner.

I said nothing and ate quietly. Jared, meanwhile, chatted with ease, peeling shrimp one after another.

I remembered his mother once mentioning that Jared never ate seafood unless someone peeled it for him; he found it too tedious. Yet there he was, peeling an entire plate of shrimp for Georgia, then wiping his hands carefully with a wet wipe.

Watching it, I felt a sharp pang of sadness. I wanted to be loved like that, but it seemed I would never receive that kind of affection from him.

George noticed Jared’s actions and, glancing at me, nudged Jared playfully. "Don’t play favorites. Peel some shrimp for your mate too," he said.

The others joined in, their voices teasing.

"Yeah, don’t make your mate jealous, Alpha."

"Alpha, how could you ignore her?"

Jared smiled awkwardly, looking at the empty plate in front of him and said, "I’ll order another plate."

I took a sip of my drink and replied calmly, "No, I don’t like shrimp."

One of his friends handed Jared another dish and said, "How about some fish, then?"

Before Jared could take it, I said, "Don’t bother. I don’t eat that either."

Jared’s eyes flickered to the table, a slight frown forming on his brow. "What about chicken?" he asked, still trying to appear considerate.

"I don’t like it either way," I said flatly.

He looked genuinely surprised, clearly not expecting my blunt refusal. Meeting his gaze, I calmly picked up a napkin, wiped my mouth, and added, "I don’t like anything prepared here."

Georgia chimed in cautiously, "Why don’t you have some of this shrimp? Please, don’t be upset with Jared."

As soon as Georgia spoke, the expressions on Jared’s friends' faces turned cynical, their disdain thinly veiled.

Georgia's timid expression made me look like the bad guy.

"How could I be angry?" I stabbed my tomatoes.

"That's great. Lend me your Alpha. The fireworks were fantastic last night. I want to experience more with him. Would you like to?"

Georgia smiled like she had won a battle.

Everyone turned to me, awaiting my answer.