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.