When He Realized What He Lost, He Fell Into Depression

Jade blinked several times as she stared at the message on her phone. Her chest tightened.

It was an elegantly designed invitation card.

(Alpha Felix Lincoln and Bella Holland cordially invite you to celebrate their union at their mating ceremony…)

Jade’s mouth went dry. Her ears rang. She read the words again, and again.

No. This had to be fake.

Bella, the Gamma's cousin? The same woman who Felix had always claimed was just a friend.

Jade’s hands trembled as she stared at the sender of the message. It was from Bella.

Bella had always hated her, this was just an attempt to get under her skin, a prank.

But why did it feel real?

Her heart pounded as doubt began to creep in. No. Felix was her mate. He would never do this to her. He wouldn’t. She just needed to hear his voice, to hear him say it was a lie.

She stepped out of the meeting hall and went to the bathroom, dialing his number. Before she could press call, her phone vibrated from an Incoming Call. It was Felix.

Perfect. He was probably calling to explain everything.

She answered immediately, “Fe—” She cut herself off at the sound of laughter that came from the phone.

“…Jade? That pathetic omega?” Felix’s voice came through. “Please. She’s just convenient. There’s no way I would ever make her my Luna.”

Jade froze.

“She still doesn’t know?” another male voice asked laughing.

“She thinks I’m hers,” Felix said, sounding disgusted. “It’s almost cute how desperate she is. She cooks, cleans, and handles a lot of my duties. Let her stay useful for now.”

Jade’s hand clamped over her mouth in shock. Her eyes burned. This couldn’t be real.

“She’s at that stupid conference because you told her to go, right?” someone else asked.

“Yep. Told her to represent me and she looked like she had been given the stars,” Felix said with a cruel chuckle. “She lives for the scraps I throw her.”

More laughter followed.

“Damn, Felix. That’s cold.”

“Nah,” Felix said. “I’ve waited years for Bella. Jade was just a way to pass the time.”

Jade’s legs nearly gave out.

She didn’t even realize she was crying until she tasted the tears on her lips.

“I gave strict orders to keep her in the dark,” he continued. “After the ceremony, I’ll figure out a way to make her continue serving me.”

“And what if she finds out before then?” someone asked.

“She’s too in love with me. She’ll believe any excuse I give her.” Felix spat.

Jade felt like she was sinking. Her heart was shattering with every cruel word, because that was the truth, she really would have believed.

“I still have use for her,” Felix finished. “But as for love? Please. I would never love someone like her.”

Click.

Jade ended the call. Her hands wouldn’t stop shaking.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes were red, and her lips were trembling. She looked pathetic. Just like they said.

She had given up everything for him, she had swallowed every insult, stayed as an omega for him, defended him, and loved him with everything she had.

She had let herself believe they were meant to be, because of his sweet words.

But now… now she saw it clearly. It had never been love. She had just been manipulated and played, like a fool.

A tear slid down her cheek, but she didn’t wipe it away.

She fell to her knees, as the ache in her chest increased.

Her mate was going to mark someone else.

He had been planning a mating ceremony behind her back.

He had laughed when they mocked her. He said she was useful for cleaning. For cooking. For convenience.

She stood up shakily, wiped her cheeks, and took a long breath.

Her fingers tightened around her phone as she scrolled to a saved number.

She stared at it for a second. Then she pressed Call.

“Alpha Rowan,” she said. Her voice didn’t shake. “I’m ready to be your mate.”

There was a pause. Then his voice came, low, calm and comforting.

“Perfect,” he said. “And please, call me Rowan.”