Chapter 3
1197 Words
When I saw the message, my expression darkened slightly.
Alpha Nick wasn’t someone who avoided onions. In fact, he’d always said onions enhanced flavor—especially in soup, where they were essential.
I hesitated for a moment, then sent a simple reply:
“Okay.”
Without a second thought, I opened the food delivery app and randomly ordered a corn chowder. I added a note—"no onions"—and had it delivered straight to his office in the Council Tower.
That evening, I went out to dinner with Alpha Roger.
Just as we arrived at the restaurant, I saw Alpha Nick and Selene walking in, arms linked, laughing sweetly.
The moment Alpha Nick saw us, he instinctively stayed away from her and walked toward us.
“See that? That wasn’t guilt. It was instinct.”
Aris let out a scoffing breath.
Selene smiled brightly. “We’re late, and it looks like there are no empty tables left. Mind if we join you?”
She hadn’t even finished speaking before Alpha Nick had taken the seat right next to me.
Alpha Roger’s eyes went wide. He immediately stood up and yanked him to another spot. “Are you insane? Sitting next to her—does that seem appropriate to you?”
Reluctantly, Alpha Nick moved to the seat across from me. His Alpha gaze held shadows, like he was waiting for me to say something.
I avoided his eyes, handed the menu to Selene. “Go ahead and order whatever you like. My brother and I already chose ours.”
“Leona, your corn soup is amazing—better than anything we can get from restaurants,” she said with a smile.
That one line confirmed what I’d suspected: the soup Alpha Nick asked me to make was meant for her.
“How does it feel, being used?”
Aris said coldly.
“Every spoonful you made for him became her badge of victory.”
I didn’t reply. I just smiled faintly.
Alpha Roger chuckled. “She suddenly wanted to learn how to cook. I thought she’d blow up the kitchen, but she surprised me. Honestly, I keep wondering who the lucky guy will be that gets to eat her food every day.”
Alpha Nick had been smiling, but at that moment, the smile disappeared from his face. He slowly sipped his tea, his voice casual but tight: “Leona, are you thinking about dating lately?”
I blinked, not immediately understanding why he asked.
Remembering what he’d said the other day—"I’ll find you someone better"—I nodded. “I’m twenty-seven. It’s time I started thinking about it. If you know someone suitable, feel free to introduce us.”
“You’ve finally come around!” Alpha Roger was more excited than anyone. “I’ve wanted to find a mate for you for ages, but you always refused. Now that you’re open to it, I’ll get you the best.”
Alpha Nick’s jaw visibly tightened; his sharp gaze locked on me.
Selene, noticing the tension, laughed. “Leona, your brother’s wonderful—I’m jealous. But I think Alpha Nick is amazing too. What if—”
“Don’t say things like that. Leona is my sister,” Alpha Nick cut her off, frowning.
I nodded with a light smile. “Exactly. Alpha Nick is like a big brother to me. Don’t joke like that, Selene.”
I paused, then added, “Honestly, I think you and Alpha Nick are a better match.”
His expression darkened instantly. A cold laugh slipped out: “Is that so? Then how about I set you up with someone? Would you go meet them?”
“Of course,” I said brightly. “Thank you, Alpha Nick.”
As we were leaving the restaurant, Selene suddenly stepped in front of me, smiling sweetly as she handed me a black velvet box.
“Did you leave this on Alpha’s office desk? He said it might be yours.”
I took it with a puzzled expression. When I opened it, inside was the silver double-moon pendant I had custom-made two months ago—the one I had prepared as an anniversary gift for us.
Beneath the pendant lay a handwritten note:
“Nick, I know you’re not into flashy things, but this design is from the day we first met. You drew it in my palm. I remember.”
My face went pale.
That note—I had burned it long ago.
I looked up sharply. “How did you get this?”
Selene feigned innocence. “It was in the second drawer of Alpha Nick’s desk. There was no name on it, so I thought maybe it was mine. The moment I opened it, I thought it was just so pretty—I wanted to try it on. I had no idea you made it.”
She gave a light laugh. “Don’t worry, I didn’t take it out… I just snapped a quick photo and shared it in the group chat.”
My head buzzed.
“She did it on purpose.”
Aris growled through gritted teeth. “She wanted you to see it—wanted you to know that even your most private feelings meant nothing to him.”
I tightened my grip on the box, my gaze calm as the sea. “Thanks. I’ll remember to put my name on it next time.”
I returned alone to the house Alpha Nick and I once shared.
As I pulled into the driveway, I spotted his car immediately—parked crookedly, its windows fogged.
I quickened my pace. The sound of ragged breathing filtered through the glass—Alpha-level rut breathing. Heavy. Primal.
I reached for the door handle, my hand trembling.
The moment the door opened; the world stopped spinning.
Selene’s head was tilted back, her face painted with satisfaction. Alpha Nick sat beside her, expression void of emotion—as if I didn’t exist.
“Now you see it clearly.”
Aris growled low in my mind.
When they stepped out of the car and fixed their clothes, Selene looked straight at me and smirked.
“Sorry, Leona,” she said mockingly. “I’ve always wanted to try it in a car. Alpha Nick was kind enough to help. Still as incredible as ever.”
She tossed a crumpled tissue to the ground at my feet. “You should probably clean that up. We made quite a mess.”
My cheeks burned with humiliation. My fingertips went numb from the cold in my blood.
Alpha Nick’s voice sliced through the silence, detached and cruel. “While you’re at it, go inside and make us dinner. I’m hungry.”
“He’s still giving you orders. You’re not his Omega. You were his mate. But he’ll never admit it.”
Aris rasped, sharp and firm.
I turned without a word, climbed into my car, and drove off.
In the days that followed, I didn’t reach out. He didn’t either.
But Selene showed up.
That day, Alpha Roger and I were both at home.
As the door opened, Alpha Roger stepped forward, said coldly, “Speak. Now.”
- Writer
