Liora's POV

The hotel room door had barely closed when his lips crashed into mine. He kissed me with so much intensity that I lost my ability to process a coherent thought. He parted slightly to allow me to catch my breath while his lust-filled eyes took me in, staring like a man starved for days, and I was his meal to devour.

"Are you sure about this?" He whispered.

"Just fuck me already," I groaned desperately. A slight smirk formed on his face in approval, and his muscular hands lifted me up like I weighed nothing, then he took quick strides towards the king-sized bedroom at the center.

He dropped me gently onto the bed like I was something delicate. Breakable.

His dark and unreadable eyes pinned me in place. He stood still for a beat too long, like he was deciding whether to walk away or devour me. Then he began removing his jacket and unbuttoning his shirt without breaking eye contact.

The silence between us sizzled.

I sat up and reached for the hem of my dress, pulling it over my head in one motion. I didn't care how messy I looked. I didn't care about dignity. All I wanted was someone to burn hot enough to erase Kade's touch from my memory.

Rowan's gaze dropped, dragging over every inch of exposed skin. My breath caught.

He came toward me then, and the moment his hands touched my thighs, I shivered.

"Fuck- you are stunning," he said under his breath, making heat rush to my cheeks. My earlier confidence had disappeared now that I was half naked before him, and I started to feel nervous.

I clenched my thighs in anticipation when his hands brushed upwards past my thighs till he got to the hem of my lace panties. With two fingers, he brushed my panties aside, revealing my glistening, wet pussy, and a soft moan escaped my lips at the sensation his touch aroused inside me.

"Aahh," I gasped in shock when he bent down to kiss between my legs as his fingers began to rub my clit.

He didn't rush. He took his time, stroking me, allowing his fingers to slip inside me while I moaned helplessly. Begging for him to completely consume me. His mouth found my neck, lips brushing the mark Kade never cared to leave. His touch was heat and pressure, worship and punishment, all at once.

When he finally pressed into me, it wasn't gentle.

It was deep. Consuming.

I let out a yelp at the unfamiliar intrusion and pain as my opening stretched to accommodate his thick length.

"Shit-"Rowan groaned, his eyes widening in shock. "Are you..." He trailed off.

I nodded my head, answering his unasked question. "How? You and Kade never had sex-" I cut him off with a kiss, arching into him, my nails digging into his back.

Yes, I was unmarked and a virgin, but that wasn't important, and there was no need to talk about it. Especially not when I was underneath him with my core pulsing in need for him now that the initial pain had subsided.

He swallowed my moans with his mouth, kissed me like I was something wild he couldn't tame but refused to let go. Needing no more approval, he fucked me. His dick was stroking me passionately.

By the time it was over, I was spent. Raw. Breathing hard in his arms, my body trembling with the aftershock of it all.

He lay beside me, silent, his chest rising and falling in an even rhythm. He brushed a stray curl from my cheek and pulled me closer until I was lying on his chest--our naked bodies against each other.

I should have felt used. I should have felt ashamed.

But instead, I felt... wanted.

For the first time in years, I wasn't wondering if I was enough.

I just was.

***

A frown formed on my face when I woke up the next morning and noticed the unfamiliar room, a lot different from my cozy bedroom. I squinted my eyes as I scanned the room. The clothes scattered on the floor and the used condom were enough to send the memory of last night rushing back.

I had sex with Rowan! Kade's half-brother.

When I tried to roll over, a dull ache pulsed through my thighs. I hissed through my teeth, my legs sore.

"Mmh," a low groan came from beside me, and I turned toward that direction. Rowan's muscular body lay sprawled on the bed, and he shifted slightly, like the sound of my movements had disrupted his sleep.

His long lashes fluttered, clearing his daze until his eyes settled on me.

"Where are you going?" he asked, his morning voice deeper than usual and seductively husky.

"I should leave..." I answered, although deep down I didn't want to leave. I wanted to enjoy the view of this drop-dead gorgeous man a little longer. Even though I had acted impulsively last night, I didn't regret it.

"Why?" He deadpanned, lifting one brow questioningly.

"One-night stands are normal for adults. You don't expect me to ask you to love me, would you?" I replied. I slipped off the bed, ignoring the throbbing sensation between my legs, and reached for my clothes littered around the luxurious marble tiles of the hotel bedroom.

"Why did my brother never mark you?" Rowan asked, ignoring my earlier comment.

"I'm no longer involved with him," I said, my mood dampening at the mention of my ex-mate.

"So you came to climb into my bed?" Rowan drawled.

"Please don't make it sound so bad. This is just mutual benefit. But you do have a great body." I groaned, glancing at him once more. Alpha Rowan truly had a great body, the type you'd see on a fitness magazine cover. Not too muscular but perfectly shaped, he could turn any girl on.

His abs were neatly defined, his waist was narrow yet powerful, and his V-line was incredibly sexy. I quickly averted my gaze when his lips curled in a smirk as he noticed I was checking him out.

"See you next time," I sputtered in embarrassment when I had finished dressing, and waved awkwardly

Before I could take a step further, Rowan suddenly reached out, grabbed my wrist, and pulled me back, causing my ass to land on the bed.

"Why are you in such a hurry?" he murmured before claiming my lips in a heated kiss. My dress was ripped open with a sharp tear, revealing my lace bra.

My eyes widened as I hadn't meant "next time" in that way! I was still sore from earlier, but that didn't stop the arousal from building when I felt Rowan's hard dick against my ass.

...

When I woke up again after one more exhausting round of hot sex, the spot next to me was empty. There was only a note left on the bedside table, written in a bold and cursive handwriting:

"I had business to attend to."

Underneath the note was a check. I didn't bother looking at the amount before ripping it into shreds in annoyance. Who did he think I was? A prostitute??

Fucker!

On the other side of the bedside table was a bag containing new clothes that Rowan must have prepared for me. My face flushed when I noticed he had also gotten me new underwear, which was my correct size!

How did he know- had he checked my previous set?

Deciding not to dwell on that, I made my way towards the en-suite bathroom. The hot water ran down my body as I scrubbed my body in a daze. My mind felt scrambled with thoughts of my breakup, as well as my mind-blowing sex with Rowan.

When I was done washing up and was now dressed in fresh clothes, my phone pinged with an alert from the bathroom sink where I had left it, announcing a new notification. I grabbed my phone and scanned through the multiple notifications, but only one caught my attention,

"Beautiful mating ceremony of the Alpha's stepson and the gorgeous Beta's daughter. A match made in heaven!"

The title caused my heart to drop to the pit of my stomach. Despite the pain, I clicked on the link to read the full article. My gaze started to get blurry, and tears started to gather in my eyes.

"Kade, the new stepson of Alpha Hayes, ties the knot with Selene, the Beta's daughter, after three years of blissful relationship..."

I stopped reading when my eyes settled on the photos released by the media of Kade and Selene looking like the perfect couple. Their smiles were like knives digging through my heart.

They had been in a relationship for three years--what about me?

How could he announce his infidelity to the whole pack like it was normal? Was this how easy it was for him to disregard me completely?

Had it all been a lie?

Liora's POV

I tossed the phone onto the bed like it had burned me.

Had it all been a lie?

The five years, the promises, the kisses, the nights spent dreaming about our ceremony... I thought Kade was waiting for the right time. That he was building something for us. For me.

Instead, he was building it with her.

The tears slipped free. I didn't bother wiping them. I just sat there, staring at nothing, my chest hollow and aching. My fingers curled around the bedsheet, gripping it like it could anchor me.

My phone rang, breaking through the ringing in my ears. I reached for it, half-expecting another news alert. But it wasn't that.

'Grandpa, ' the caller ID reflected.

My heart jumped.

I hesitated, clearing my throat before I answered. "Hello?"

"Liora," came the familiar sound of his voice, warm but this time cautious. "I saw the news. Are you alright?"

"Yes, grandpa, I'm fine," I answered, choking back my tears. I wasn't one to show weakness and wouldn't start now, not even at the worst moment of my life.

"Are-" he began, but trailed off, deciding it was better not to probe further. "Come home for dinner tonight, dear," he said gently.

"Sure," I agreed instantly. I'd rather not be alone right now anyway. My grandfather lived at the nearby pack, Moon Park, which shared a boundary with the Nightshade Pack. I had moved here a few years ago so I could live a normal life, but I still paid him visits regularly.

***

Eight hours later, I stood on the front porch of my grandfather's villa. The door opened seconds after I rang the bell, revealing my grandfather, who had an infectious grin.

"My dear granddaughter, I missed you so much." He said excitedly. He immediately embraced me warmly.

"I missed you, too, Grandpa," I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. We proceeded to the grand dining room, and maids began the meals, which, by the way, were more than enough for the two of us. Dinner had only lasted ten minutes before my grandpa finally blurted out the question I knew had been on the tip of his tongue all morning.

"Dear, what happened with Kade...?" He asked carefully.

Somehow, hearing Kade's name, no longer affected me like it had hours ago when he had asked.

"He cheated, it's whatever," I mumbled.

"That asshole will definitely regret it. If you want, I'll teach him a lesson. How dare he bully my granddaughter? I'll make him pay!" He sneered, but I quickly shook my head disapprovingly.

"It's okay, Grandpa. I'll handle things between us myself. Don't worry," I said confidently.

Despite my reassurance, my grandfather still looked at me with concern.

"If you had just come forward as my granddaughter, that girl's family wouldn't have had a chance." He sighed, his brows furrowed in annoyance.

My grandfather was the Alpha of Moon Park and had raised me since my parents had passed. He kept my identity hidden with the intention of announcing me as the heir when I got older, but when I finally got older, I wanted to keep my identity secret because I liked my little private lives. Although my grandfather initially opposed the idea, he eventually gave in.

"This way, I can see a person's true colors. It's just what I needed to see that beast for who he is!" I replied, my fingers tightening around my spoon.

"Then, should we announce tomorrow that you're my granddaughter?" He urged

"No need, Grandpa. I'm a bit tired and want to rest." I said tiredly because my body was still aching.

"Then in a couple of days, there's a banquet. You'll come with me, and I'll announce to everyone that you're my granddaughter. Let that loser regret it!" He demanded. I sighed in defeat, knowing he wasn't going to let this go until I agreed.

***

The news of Kade and Selene's marriage had spread like wildfire, and I was pretty sure the entire pack was aware of it. After all, it did involve pack royalties.

I had spent the most part of my day indoors, sleeping to ignore the ache in my chest. When I woke up, I was surprised to see Kade had spammed my DM with multiple text messages.

"Liora, it's not what you think. I married Selene because my family forced me to. I'll definitely divorce her as soon as possible. Please wait for me, okay?"

"Liora, the person I love is you. This will never change. Please give me another chance."

Forced? I snickered at the silliness of his text. Kade truly was something. He dated my friend for three years and dared say he was forced to marry her? Was he forced to also fuck her? How low was he willing to go? It felt like I hadn't even known him all along. My mate had been a stranger.

Not wanting to put up with his nonsense, I immediately blocked his number from texting and calling me without a second thought.

"Liora, have you seen the trendy news? What's going on? Your mate really married Selene?"

Another text popped up but this time from Raya, my childhood best friend.

"Are you okay? Should I come back to the pack to be with you?" The second text message followed.

"I saw it. It' s nothing. He's just a scumbag. I've already rejected him" I typed immediately and clicked the send button.

"Are you free tomorrow? Let's hangout together tomorrow tonight." Raya replied.

"Aren't you on vacation abroad?" I texted back.

"With something like this happening, of course I have to come back to be with you. I'm already at the airport and about to board the flight. I'll send you the restaurant address later. Don't forget to come!"

Raya truly was something and I was beyond grateful to have her. As promised, Raya sent the restaurant address. It was one of the hottest restaurants in the pack, which also happened to be one I owned major shares in.

The next evening, I arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early. The valet took my car with a small bow, and I stepped out into the cool night air, adjusting the cuffs of my white blouse.

The hostess greeted me with a polite smile and led me toward the private dining section Raya had reserved.

And then I saw them.

Kade and Selene.

Seated in one of the open booths to the right, laughing. Kade had a bandage on his forehead, where I had hit him the other night. As if sensing my heated stare, their gaze both drifted my way at that exact moment.

Shit-

Liora's POV

I walked into the restaurant and the first thing my eyes laid on was the last person I wanted to see. Kade. He was sitting there, his head wrapped with fresh bandage and Selene sat by his side with an annoyed look. He was saying something that made her frown heavily. What were these two doing here? I frowned and tried not to think too much about it.

I didn't hesitate to walk confidently. My heels clicked steadily against the marble floor loudly, announcing my presence. Then she turned and noticed me.

"Unbelievable," Selene said, loud enough for half the room to hear. Her voice was grating and sharp. "She's actually stalking us now."

I didn't even look her way. Not yet. I knew what she was trying to do, I wasn't going to be a part of her silly little games.

She knew I had heard her and saw that I had ignored it, making her even more upset. Selene stood, practically knocking her chair back in the process. "What, no shame left at all? You're really gonna come in here, dressed like that, still trying to get his attention?" She snapped at me, drawing attention from some people in the restaurant towards us.

I turned to her slowly. She looked me up and down with a curled lip, clearly waiting for a reaction. I gave her none.

"I don't know what fantasy you've built in that overprocessed head of yours," I said calmly, "but trust me, Selene. My presence here has nothing to do with either of you."

"Sure," she scoffed. "You just happen to show up at the exact same restaurant, what, hoping to flash your claws and win him back? You were always pathetic like that-"

"Selene," Kade said quietly, shifting in his seat. My eyes lazily went to him. That was the first time he had talked.

She ignored him, eyes locked on me. "He dumped you, he's done with you and you still can't let it go. Everyone knows you were obsessed with him. Acting like you're some tragic heroine when really, you were just a clingy, jealous little-"

I stepped closer. Her words stung, but not in the way she wanted. Not anymore. She didn't know I'd already bled that wound dry. I didn't care about her or Kade any longer but I wasn't going to let her talk down to me like that.

"You should sit down," I told her flatly.

"Or what?" she laughed. "You'll cry on my heels? What even are you doing here? Someone like you doesn't belong in a place like this. Unless you're moonlighting as a waitress now? Everyone knows your social status you pathetic little thing. You must have slept with someone influential to be able to-"

I cut her off, not with my words but my hand. I didn't reply. I just raised my hand, and before she could flinch away or stop talking, I slapped her. Hard.

The sound cracked like ice under pressure. Conversations stopped. Cutlery paused mid-air. Selene staggered back, one hand frozen against her cheek. She stared at me in shock.

"That," I said evenly, "was light. Compared to what you actually deserve."

Her mouth opened, but nothing came out. She kept gawking and gaping like a fish thrown on land, but I ignored her. I wasn't going to stand here and exchange words with her, she wasn't worth it.

I turned to Kade, who had risen halfway from his seat, eyes wide, lips parted like he'd just remembered how to breathe.

"I'm not here for you," I said. "I don't want you. Not your apologies."

"Liora," he started, voice rough. "You-"

"Don't." I held up a hand. "You had chances. So many chances. And you wasted them. I'm not your mistake to regret now." I said in a cold voice to him.

I continued before he could speak again . "Whatever I felt for you, it's ashes now. Useless. And if either of you think you can speak to me the way she just did again." I looked at Selene, whose face was flushed red, eyes glistening with either humiliation or tears, I didn't care which. ".next time, it won't stop at a slap."

I turned my back on both of them and walked toward the hostess stand again.

"Miss Liora, we're ready for you," the hostess said with a kind but slightly startled expression.

"Thank you," I said, smoothing the edge of my jacket as a waiter approached to lead me toward the private dining room.

I felt my nerves all over the place and I was shaky but I had to calm myself down. I couldn't get riled up because of Selene and Kade. Sure they were infuriating, but like I had said, they were not worth my presence or time. I shouldn't be thinking about them.

Kade's POV

I didn't move. I sat there shocked. Even after she walked away, shoulders squared, head high, like she hadn't just shaken the air out of the room, I just sat here. Stunned. Frozen.

Liora.

Gods. I didn't think Selene and I would run into her at this restaurant. What was she doing here? How could she afford to be here?

She hadn't changed, and somehow she had. She looked sharper than I remembered, same eyes, same posture, but colder now. She had always been confident and sharp, something that drew me to her.

I felt something twist in my chest.

I could still smell her. Even though the spice of Selene's perfume, that scent still did things to me. Even now. Even after everything.

"Seriously?" Selene snapped, voice cutting through my thoughts. "You're still watching her walk away like you've got regrets?"

I blinked. Slowly. "What?" I mumbled, coming back to my senses.

"You didn't even flinch when she slapped me," she hissed. "You just sat there like an idiot. You think that's normal?" She snapped at me in anger.

She was right, I sat there and watched her get slapped by Liora without even uttering a word or moving to defend her. Liora was as bold as ever and she looked even bolder now. Her aura screamed confidence in a way that almost made even me feel intimidated. I couldn't do or say anything, I was starstruck and my eyes couldn't leave her.

"She caught me off guard." I managed to say to Selene who was standing there fuming.

Selene's eyes narrowed. "You're not over her." She accused me out of the blue and my eyes widened.

I turned to her then, jaw tightening. "Don't start." I said to her coldly.

"Oh, I will start, Kade. Because that pathetic display back there?" She pointed after Liora, even though she was long gone now. "She humiliated me, and you let her. And you're still gawking like you're heartbroken."

"I'm not," I said, too quickly.

Selene folded her arms. "Then why do you look like someone just kicked your damn soul out of your chest?" She raised her brows at me

I took a breath. "Because I wasn't expecting her to show up, alright? It caught me off guard. That's all it is." I said to her, it wasn't entirely a lie. She did catch us both off guard.

Selene didn't buy it. She looked at me like she was trying to peel back skin with her eyes. "I don't believe you"

I rubbed the back of my neck, fingers brushing the bandage. "She's not the one I chose, Selene. You are." I almost let out a groan, I didn't want to have this conversation right now.

Selene let out a bitter laugh. "Not the one you chose, but clearly still the one you want."

I didn't respond. Not right away. Because the truth? The real truth?

Liora was beneath me. Or. she had been. No name. No lineage. Just some she-wolf from an unknown northern pack who barely had enough to keep herself fed. She wasn't supposed to be someone I got mated to. I thought I was being generous. I thought she'd be grateful. I thought she would accept being my mistress.

She didn't.

"I don't love her Selene, it's you, you're the one I love, you have nothing to worry about." Those words burned my throat as they were being uttered.