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.

Liora's POV

The private room was warm, golden-lit, and thankfully more silent compared to the chaos I'd left behind. Just as I was settling into the quiet room, the door swung open.

"Liora!" Raya burst in, half-laughing, half-breathless. Her cheeks were flushed from the cold or the sprint, probably both, and her sleek ponytail had lost its perfect symmetry.

"You're late, Raya," I teased her playfully with a smirk, rising to hug her.

"I know, gods, don't remind me. Traffic was hell, and I forgot how bad the bridge gets after six. I swear I left an hour ago." She hugged me tightly, then pulled back and gave me a suspicious once-over. "You okay? You look... smug."

"I might've slapped someone." I said rolling my eyes when I remembered Selene.

"Oh, don't just say that" Raya said, chuckling.

"And to make it up to you for being late, I brought... you know it, gifts!." She squealed excitedly and dropped into the chair beside me and immediately started pulling items from her oversized tote like a magician performing a reveal. "From Seoul. First, this." She handed over a structured, midnight-blue handbag. "You said you didn't have anything with gold hardware, and this screamed you."

I ran my hand along the leather. "Raya, this is... ridiculous." I said with a bright smile. She really didn't have to.

"And this." She plopped a small velvet box in front of me next. "Rare shade from Hera. I fought two women in duty-free for it."

I opened it. The lipstick was a dusky rose, exactly my tone. "You're a menace." I teased her

"Oh, I'm not done." A small beautiful black hairpin followed. "Figured you could use something like this" She said to me with a wink.

"Raya-"

"One more. Necklace. Vintage. Couldn't pass it up." I let out a gasp at her words. She still wasn't done with these expensive and delicate gifts. The chain was delicate, with a tiny moonstone pendant that looked so beautiful.

"This is too much," I said softly, overwhelmed in spite of myself.

"No, it's exactly enough." She gave me a mock stern look. "Because you deserve luxury" She said and I smiled.

"Thank you so much Raya, I have no idea where I'm going to wear all these to" I said, truthfully grateful and confused.

"You'll have lots of dates to wear them on" she said, already picking up a menu, "right after I set you up with someone hot. Hotter than Kade. Maybe a model. Or a stuntman."

"A stuntman?" I repeated raising my brows.

"I heard they're flexible." she said with a mischievous wink and We both laughed. Raya didn't waste time in placing orders and I joined her in on it. Soon the table was filled with different delicacies and we both started eating. Halfway through the second course, I excused myself. I needed to use the washroom.

"I'll be right back," I said, sliding my chair out.

Raya nodded without looking up. "If you're not back in five minutes, I'm coming in after you." she said with a playful stern look.

"Please don't." I chuckled and walked away. The hallway to the restrooms was dim, quieter than the main dining area. I walked into the women's room and it was more quiet. I walked towards the faucet, turning it on and letting cold water run over my hands. The air smelled faintly of sweet vanilla, a flavor I liked.

I let out a gasp when I caught someone in the mirror. My eyes had locked onto him before he even spoke. What was he doing here

"Kade." I called out in surprise.

He reeked of alcohol. His shirt was wrinkled, half-untucked. The bandage on his forehead was still in place, but his eyes. bloodshot, unfocused.

"Liora," he slurred, stepping closer. "Why haven't you answered me?"

I took a slow breath. "What are you doing in the women's washroom? Get out, now." I glared at him.

"You blocked me," he said, staggering forward. "Why would you block me?" He asked, completely ignoring what I had just said.

"Because I didn't want to hear from you." I said to him point blank.

"I've messaged you, called you, I thought something happened." He continued to ramble.

"You know exactly what happened." I stepped away from him, drying my hands calmly. "You made a choice. Now live with it."

He reached out suddenly, gripping my wrist. His skin was hot, clammy. "Don't do this," he said. "I know you still love me."

I yanked my arm back. "Let go." I gritted my teeth, his grip on me was quite strong but I managed to free myself.

"You do," he insisted. "You always did. You wouldn't have reacted like that earlier if you didn't still care."

"You don't know what you're talking about Kade" I shot at him.

"You're lying." His breath was sour with whiskey. "I told you. My position in the Hayes Pack isn't secure yet. But once it is, once I inherit the title, I'll divorce Selene. I'll marry you. Properly. Like I should've from the start." He continued to speak. I stared at him, genuinely stunned by the audacity. How dare he?

"You want me to wait around while you finish climbing your ladder, while you keep parading that woman around, and then what? Crawl back to you when you're finally bored?" I scoffed at his words. "You're delusional"

He flinched. "Liora-please."

"No." My voice was sharp, final. "There's no 'us.' Not in this life. Not in the next. I don't care about your title. I don't care what promises you think you can throw at me. I don't want you."

"I know you don't mean that," he snapped, voice rising, desperate now. "I know how you looked at me. You were mine. You still are." And then, he grabbed me again. This time tighter, his fingers bruising around my arm as he dragged me backward.

"Kade!" I shoved at him, stumbling in my heels.

"Just talk to me!" he said, pulling me toward the men's room door. "No one will hear, I just need to explain-"

"Let go of me!" I screamed at him. I began to panic. The hallway was too quiet and there was no one around. I twisted in his grip, digging my nails into his wrist. "You're hurting me, Kade." I said to him again.

"Stop fighting me, dammit-!"

"Kade!"

The next second, I was shoved, my back slammed against the cold wall with a force that rattled through my spine. I hissed, pain flaring through my ribs. He loomed over me, stinking of alcohol. His hand braced beside my head, the other grabbing my jaw roughly.

"Kade, don't you dare. Get away from me" I yelled at him in panic as he leaned in, trying to kiss me. I turned my face away sharply. His lips scraped against my cheek instead. I felt bile rise in my throat. I wanted to throw up. I felt so disgusted by his actions in that moment.

"Stop it! Get off-"

He stilled, breathing heavily, then went quiet. His eyes locked on the faint mark on my neck, barely visible in the low light. Just a shadow, but one he knew too well.

"What. is that?" he asked, voice suddenly sharp and cold but I didn't answer. His gaze darkened, jaw tightening. "Liora. Who the hell put a mark on you?"

"You lost the right to ask me that." I snapped back at him.

His hand dropped from my jaw, but the fury didn't. "Answer me." His voice was filled with anger but I couldn't care less.

"I don't owe you anything." I shot at him.

His nostrils flared. "You let some other mutt touch you?" He raised his brows furiously.

"More than touch me." I stated coldly.

His face twisted in anger at my words. "How could you" He growled, dragging my shoulder. I struggled, but he was stronger than usual, crazed by anger and whatever he'd drunk. He yanked at my coat, tearing one sleeve halfway off. Then his hand went for my collar, fingers tugging at the neckline of my dress.

"I should've known. You- you're filthy." His voice was low, shaking with rage. "I'll see for myself. You think you can lie to me-?"

"Kade get your hands off me!" I tried to shove him back, panicking even harder.

He gripped tighter. "I gave you everything, you were supposed to be mine!" He yelled.

And then, he was suddenly gone. Ripped away from me so violently that the air shifted. Kade's body hit the opposite wall with a loud crack. The thud echoed down the hallway like thunder. I blinked, my heart beating so loud. And Then I saw him.

Rowan.

He was standing where Kade had just been standing and had a furious expression on his face. Rowan, he had saved me! Kade groaned from the floor, pushing up with one arm. Rowan walked toward him, calm. Controlled. But the air around him. it pulsed with something dangerous.

"You put your hands on her again," Rowan said, voice quiet, "and I'll tear them off." That was no empty threat and Kade knew it.

Kade stumbled to his feet, furious. "You bastard-"

He lunged at him but Rowan didn't even flinch. He sidestepped, caught Kade's momentum, and slammed his elbow into Kade's back. Then, with one sharp motion, he twisted and threw him to the ground again, harder this time. I heard something crunch. Kade coughed, sputtering.

"You think this is your territory?" Rowan asked, tone still maddeningly even. "That you can treat her like property and walk away?"

"She was mine!" Kade shouted, blood now trailing from his mouth.

"No. She was never yours." Rowan knelt beside him, one knee pinning Kade's shoulder. "You were just too blind to see it."

Kade struggled. "You've ruined everything!" Kade cursed, breath heaving.

Rowan looked over his shoulder at me. "Liora." I took a breath. The torn strap of my dress hung from one shoulder. My hair had come loose. My chest was tight, but I wasn't trembling anymore. I wasn't scared anymore. Rowan was here, he was going to protect me.

"You want to say anything to him?" Rowan asked.

My heels clicked against the tile as I stepped forward. Kade's eyes locked on mine, bloodshot, bruised, frantic. I didn't hesitate, my foot came down hard on his face. The sound was dull. His head jerked slightly. Blood poured from his nose. He groaned. I stared at him, my expression blank.

"One more violation," I said, my voice low and measured, "and I will run you over myself. And I won't stop at the first hit."

Kade gave a faint, miserable nod, still under my foot. How pitiful. I stepped back. Wiped my hands on a napkin from the hallway dispenser.

"Get lost."