Two Mates, One Heart

the goodbye that wasn't a choice

The room was quiet, but in Gloria’s mind echoed her father Leon’s words before the ceremony:

“My dear, after the ceremony, I will take you to the airport to catch a flight to a pack of an old friend of mine.

There, far from this pain, you’ll have a chance to find yourself again and maybe find a new mate — a second chance, away from Fred and your past.”

He smiled at her, adding gently,

“You’ll be fine there. My friend, the Alpha, is a good man. He understands your situation and agreed to welcome you into his pack. We’ll come visit you whenever we can... I love you, my little one, and I want you to be happy.”

She remembered those words as she sat at the ceremony under the full moon’s light.

Despite the pain squeezing her heart, a flicker of hope shimmered inside her.

She tried to convince herself the end wasn’t here, and that tomorrow could be better.

Amidst the ceremony’s atmosphere, the barbecue and celebrations, the wolves exchanging scents and acknowledging their soulmates, Gloria stood there, watching, sniffing, trying to feel something new.

Even without a wolf of her own, she knew this night was the start of her path... the beginning of a new life waiting for her.

She stood in the middle of the celebration, watching everything around her, feeling the emptiness filling her chest.

There was Fred, happy with his mate Kara, laughing and exchanging glances that felt like daggers to her heart.

Every laugh, every moment they shared hurt her more than she ever imagined.

But sometimes, he looked at her... that look she would never forget, the smile of betrayal painted on his face.

As if it said, “Here you are, all alone, and I have won.”

She tried to hold back her tears, but the lump in her throat grew heavier.

She knew this chapter was over, and she had to find her own path, even if it was filled with pain and fear.

There was a new spark in his eyes — a spark of victory, strength, and satisfaction.

Every time his gaze met hers, she saw that cold smile, now twisted into a hidden betrayal.

A smile that said, “I have rejected you, and you will never be mine.”

A smile that pierced her heart, choking her tears, yet she refused to let them fall.

In that moment, she realized her love had been a shattered dream, and the road ahead was dark but held a promise — to become stronger.

She pushed herself to be more than just a rejected girl, to become the woman who would prove to everyone — and herself first — that she deserved better than this.

There was a spark of victory and satisfaction in his eyes every time he looked at her, yet those same eyes carried glances that pierced her heart—glances filled with hidden betrayal.

*(Why did he smile at me like that? Was he mocking me? Was it all just a play for him? How can he look so happy while breaking my heart? Am I really this easy?)*

Her tears were on the verge of falling, but she held them back with strong will.

*(No, I won’t cry now. He mustn’t see me weak. I have to be stronger than this pain. I must prove to him—and to myself—that I am more than just a rejected girl.)*

But the heart refuses to surrender easily; every beat reminded her of the betrayal.

*(But what comes next? Will I remain alone? Will I ever find my mate? Or is this my end?)*

With every question, a faint glimmer of hope crept in.

*(Maybe... maybe this is a new beginning, a chance to be stronger, to find myself, and to live a better life far from all this pain.)*

Gloria felt the weight of every moment passing at the celebration, her pain growing heavier...

She couldn’t bear it any longer, so she slowly distanced herself from the gathering and headed to her room.

When she arrived, she quietly closed the door behind her and sat on the bed, calmly gathering her things, tears shimmering in her eyes but refusing to fall.

After a while, her adoptive father, Leon, and her adoptive mother, Raya, entered quietly and sat beside her.

Leon spoke in a warm tone:

“My dear, we are here for you. It’s time for you to begin a new journey—a journey to find yourself and rebuild your life.”

Gloria lifted her head, looking at them with eyes full of gratitude and fear at the same time.

Raya said with a reassuring smile:

“We will be with you every step of the way; you won’t face this path alone.”

A little later, Gloria sat in the back seat of the car between her parents, feeling both fear and longing, but she knew she had a new chance—far from pain, far from Fred.

Leon drove the car toward the airport, and all three carried a faint hope for a better future waiting for Gloria.

The airport was quiet in the early hours, bathed in pale light. Gloria stood beside her suitcase, holding tightly to her boarding pass.

Raya hugged her first — a long, warm embrace full of unsaid words.

“My sweet girl,” she whispered into her hair, “you’re stronger than you think. Never forget that. And wherever you go… we’ll always be your home.”

Gloria held back her tears, her chest tightening. “I’ll miss you, Mom.”

Elion stepped forward next, placing a protective hand on her shoulder. “This isn’t the end, Glori. This is just a new beginning. You’re going to find something better — or someone better. And you’ll find *you* again.”

Her adoptive brother gave her a quiet nod and pulled her into a short but sincere hug. “Text me. Every day.”

She smiled through trembling lips. “Every day.”

The final boarding call echoed through the airport.

Raya gently adjusted her coat. “Go on now. Be brave. And don’t look back — unless it’s to smile.”

Gloria nodded. With one last glance at her family, she turned toward the gate.

Step by step, she walked away — her heart heavy but her soul ready.

The plane waited.

A new life waited.

And Gloria…

Was ready to begin.