Lia’s POV

After seven years… seven long and unhappy years of being marked by Alpha Jayden as his goddess given mate. I thought i knew him. I thought i understood him, his moods, his likes and dislike, his rare moments of affection.

But i was wrong because he did something i was not expecting… something he had never done.

He sent a beautifully decorated package, i opened the huge box excitedly to see daises arranged in a heart shape. I could not help but grin from ear to ear, i noticed a smaller box and it contained red velvet cake, I had always hated cake– to think that we had been together for seven good years he still doesn't know my likes and dislikes.

“Achoo” A sneeze escaped and my eyes began to water– yes, not only did i hate cake i was also allergic to daises.

“Achoo” Another sneeze came out louder than the last, yet i was still happy to had gotten a gift.

I hurriedly posted a picture in the pack’s group. I even tagged Jayden and waited for comments.

I refreshed the page to see a comment, my heart sank as i read the words; ‘Some people are meant to pick up the trash i don't want’

It was from Holly, ‘the perfect woman’ as Jayden always described her, I had always suspected something was going on between them but i was too chicken to confront them.

Thats when i realised the truth, Jayden had bought a house for her, right below the house we had shared for years.

And those daises? The cake? They were not for me. They were for her!

For seven years i had just been stupidly blinded and delusional, i had always convinced myself that i was paranoid… now it all made sense– Holly had always been the one he loves and i was just a stand-in.

I wanted to scream or yell or even cry but instead i stood up from the couch and walked over the the gift box and grabbed it and walked downstairs– i would not let this slide again… I had to confront her.

As i got to Holly’s apartment, i didn't even bother to knock, i pushed the door open and to my utmost surprise, Jayden sat across Holly with his hands on her thighs— laughing and giggling like a fool. It was a sickening reminder of how stupid i had been. My wolf growled in irritation.

I threw the bouquet of daises at them in anger, then slipped the engagement ring off my finger and tossed it at Jayden.

Jayden didn't even flinch– he looked down at the ring and back at me with a facial expression like i was disgusting. “What is the meaning of this? Can you stop being paranoid?”. He asked.

“Holly and i are just discussing business… now go home and think about your mannerless display”. He added .

I felt my blood boil in anger and i stomped out.

As i returned to our apartment, i immediately sent a message to the pack group chat, ‘I am calling off the engagement with Jayden, he is a liar and a cheat’

Jayden who had never responded to any of my messages immediately sent a picture of himself and Holly with their computer and a couple of documents. ‘

‘Just handling some business deal with a female client’ He claimed

I was about to give him a reply when my phone buzzed.

It was a call from my mother but i immediately ended it.

Another message from Jayden came in. ‘You don't have to throw a tantrum just because i told you not go out with your male friends’

“What the hell?” I muttered to myself.

My mother’s call came in again and i picked the call.

“Hi mom” I greeted.

“what is wrong with you?” She yelled.

“ What did kind of message did you send to the group? She asked again “ You are not worthy of him Lia, he is a good man for putting up with you and the least you can do is to be a well behaved mate” She smacked her lips.

There was no need to give her a response, my mother had always worshipped Alpha Jayden ever since he marked me and announced i was going to be Luna.

I had always known my mother was power hungry but it became worse when she found out she was going to be the Luna’s mother and of course she would do anything to keep that title even if it was at the expense of my happiness.

“You are so ungrateful… Apologize to him immediately, You will never find anyone better than him. If you mess this up i will die of shame” She added and hung up.

I sigh and i left the group chat quietly, i was done with the lies the manipulation and the cruelty.

***

Later that night as i sat in the living room reading a novel, the sound of the door slamming against the wall startled me— Jayden stood at the doorway, he was holding the box of daises, the sight of the daises made my chest tighten and not from any emotional reaction but because of my allergy,

I had told Jayden a million times that i was allergic to daises, yet he was standing there – after seven years i just realized he wasn't the gentleman he appeared to be, his courtesy and respect were for strangers and Holly.

With me he was always cruel and mean… I followed his eyes as he glanced at the empty dinner table.

“You didn't cook? Are you still pissed?” he asked but i ignored him and picked up the book i was reading.

“Hey!” He shouted. “You have always asked for flowers and i got you some but your entitled soul can never be grateful huh?”

“You are lucky you are my goddess given mate, i would have discarded you a long time ago”

My wolf scowled, as i stood up. “I’m worth more than second hand gifts and i also worth more than second hand men”

Lia’s POV

I stood there, staring at the doorway that Jayden had just stormed out of, my phone buzzed again and i glanced at the screen but it was a text– it was a text from one of the pack members , i didn't even bother to open it.

I already knew what it would say– something about my behaviour being out of line. I have seen it all… i have heard it all.

I picked up the phone again and put in on DND, i sat on the couch and let out a heavy breathe… more like a sigh of relief.

Tears gathered in my eyes threatening to fall and i allowed it, hot streams rolling down my face.

I wasn't crying for him.

No… i was crying for myself. For the girl who had given up everything, her self-worth, her happiness, her peace of mind… just to hold on to a lie— a delusion.

“What now?” I questioned myself

What was i supposed to do?

My life had been wrapped around Jayden, his plans for me and the idea of me becoming Luna. But that world no longer felt like my own.

My stomach began to growl and i realized i hadn't eaten… i was on a strict diet because Jayden had instructed it… “I don't want my Luna to be a sack of potatoes so watch what you eat” I heard his voice echo in my head.

I stood up and wiped my eyes with the back of my hands, i walked to the kitchen, i didn't feel like cooking. I pulled out a bag of chips i had hidden and ripped it open.

I began munching when the doorbell rang… my heart skipped a beat and i froze, i quickly hid the bag of chips back to where it was and i walked towards the door.

Could it be my mother coming to scold me for breaking her precious engagement? A small bitter laugh escaped my lips.. They could both go to hell.

When i opened the door i was shocked.

It was Holly

She was standing there, with a smile… a smirk rather on her face– I hadn't expected her to show up.

There she was, her blonde hair, her full lips, her curves, she wore a tight black dress.. Jayden’s perfect little image.

For a moment, neither of us said anything, she looked at me from head to toe, i could feel her eyes judging me.

“Well, i thought i could come by and clear the air– you seem to have gotten things mixed up”

My jaw tightened as she cat walked inside and she looked around. “To be honest i was not expecting you to still be here” she said faking sympathy.

“You really shouldn't be so upset, Lia… After all my Jayden had always been generous with you, he has been tolerating you but at the end you were not enough… he needs someone who can give him what he wants”

The sting of her words hit me like a slap in the face , but i decided not to let it show, “You know” I said slowly . “I used to think there was something wrong with me, that maybe i was not enough… but i have finally realised he is the problem— not me”

Holly burst out laughing “Wait, you actually think this is supposed to make me feel sorry for you?” She said stepping closer to me and I had to fight the urge to move back. “The truth is that you are never going to be enough for my Jayden, you will only be my replacement… my clone— just because you are his goddess given mate”

Her words stung so hard as much as it hurts to hear her say it. I knew she was right, Jayden had never loved me, I had just been his perfect puppet.

Holly was his choice and i was nothing more than a replacement, a distraction, someone to please him until he could be with her.

I looked at Holly. “You think you have won huh?”

“You don't get it do you? I was never competing— Jayden had always been mine” She said with a giggle and turned to leave.

I heard the sound of Jayden’s car, then something unexpected happened— Holly tore her dress open, she kicked off her heels, ruffled her hair and used her hands to smear her mascara down her cheeks then she burst into tears.

Everything happened in a blink of an eye, Jayden burst inside and ran towards Holly who was now on the floor. “What the hell is going on here?” He asked as he held her.

“Lia attacked me! She was out of control— she is crazy” she screamed.

“What the hell did you do to her” he demanded as he looked at me wit disgust.

“I didn't do..” I tried to defend myself.

“She tried to hurt me Jayden” Holly cut me off as tears mixed with mascara rolled down her cheeks . “She… she just snapped and i dint know want to do”.

I felt blood drain from my face as Jayden looked at Holly then back at me, with out a word he took a step forward and gave me a resounding slap across my face.

‘Get out of my sight” he growled “I never want to see you again” he added.

The sting on my cheek was nothing compared to the one i felt in my chest, I stood there in disbelief.

Jaydedn had never cared about me.

And Holly? She had just won.

“I said get out” he yelled but i didn't budge.

He grabbed my hands, pulled me towards the door and pushed me outside.

“Come back when you learn how to behave” he said as he slammed the door in my face.

Lia’s POV

My cheeks still hurt from the hot slap i received from Jayden, this was the first time he hit me and it was all because of Holly.

I walked for miles until i found myself in front of my mother’s house, the place that had once been my refuge.

I didn't know why i came here… maybe it was desperation or the need to be comforted.

With trembling hands i rang the doorbell, moments later my mom opened the door and she looked surprised… irritated rather.

“What are you doing here at this hour?” she asked bluntly, “And what happened to you face? Why are you crying”.

I didn't answer right away, i couldn't find the words to explain, “I… i needed to talk to you, i said weakly”

She led me to the living room and motioned for me to sit on the couch, she sat opposite me with her arms folded. “What happened Lia?” she asked again, her voice suddenly colder. “You look like you’ve been through hell?” She added.

I opened my mouth to speak but the words stuck in my throat, i didn't want to say it. I didn't want to tell her Alpha Jayden had slapped me and thrown me out because of another woman.

But my mother wasn't the kind of person that would let silence linger on for long, “Spit it ou Lia… You didn't come here just to sulk on the couch, did you?”

I took a deep breath and forced the words out, “Jayden… he— he’s with Holly. He slapped me. He doesn't care about me, Mom. I never think he really did, he asked me to leave and come back when…”

My mothers eyes widened in anger as she cut me off, “So you left your home for another woman? How stupid can you be?” She asked with her voice carrying a hint of frustration.

I recoiled at her words, a rise of bitterness washed through me, i wanted to scream at her, to tell her how selfish she was. But i didn't, i simply nodded an looked down at my hands feeling her words sting so bad.

“You were never good enough for him, Lia” My mother continued, “But that doesn't mean you should just give up. No. You are going to go back and beg him. Your ared going to fix this or you will lose everything”.

I looked at my mother in shock, “Beg him? — After everything he has done? He slapped me mom!” My voice quivered as fresh tears welled up in my eyes.

“You are being dramatic” She snapped. “You need to swallow your pride and go back. If you really want to be wit him then you have to show him you are sorry. Apologize. Make it right!”

My head spun in disbelief. How could be this cold?

“Mom, no” I shook my head. “I cant go back to him, I wont beg him. I have my dignity”

She leaned i closer to me, her eyes darkened in a way i knew too well. ‘You will go back Lia , and you will beg, you will stand in the rain if you have to. You are going to be Luna and nothing is going to change that.”

She stood up and pulled me up. “Now leave my house and go fix hings”

Her words hit me like a punch in my guts, Everything — that she cared about was th title, the power and reputation. To her, Jayden was the prize.

I stood up, i didn't wait for her to say anything again, i turned and walked out. The air outside was cold, as i stepped down the pavement— i felt droplets of rain fall on my skin but i didn't care.

I wasn't going to beg. Not for him. Not for anyone.

But as i stood there the rain soaking me to the bone, i couldn't help but wonder what would happen next. Would Jayden even care? Would he take me back if i did everything my mother said?

Her words rang in my head, “You will lose everything”

But what was everything? A man who didn't love me? A mother who saw me as nothing but a pawn in her games?

I couldn't live like this anymore, i needed to be free. I needed to breathe.

Without a second thought, i let my wolf, Eira, take over. The transformation was instant, my clothes ripped as my fur replaced my skin.

“Lets run” Eira urged.

I didn't argue. I ran as fast as i could, the wind brushing through my fur, the ground beneath my paws were wet. For the first time in days, i felt alive— free.

I didn't know how long i ran all i wanted was to escape, to leave the hurt and pain behind.

Then it happened.

The sharp screeching of tires and blinding headlights.

I tried to stop but it was too late. The car hit me to a stop that sent me tumbling, I felt pain all over my body, before i knew it i was shifting back into my human form.

I heard the slamming of the car door. “Are you okay?” i heard a voice ask.

I forced my eyes open and squinted it because of the pain and the bight light from the headlights. A tall man rushed towards me, his dark hair was wet because of the rain, his blue eyes locked into mine… something made my wolf stir weakly inside me.

“Mate” Eira whispered in my mind.

The man reached me, his movements careful and slow, “Don't move” he said with a commanding, yet gentle voice. He removed his jacket and covered my naked body, his touch sent an electrifying warmth through me.

Our eyes met and the word escaped from both our lips at the same time.

“Mate!”

The connection was stronger than anything i had ever felt, he smelled of vanilla and whiskey. My vision began to blur.

“Stay with me” he said as he lifted me without any stress.

But i couldn't . The pull was very stong as i slipped into unconsciousness, the last thing i felt was his heartbeat.