The Alpha Heir's Forbidden Mate

Episode 1: The Boy I Followed

People always say your first day at university is supposed to be unforgettable.

Mine was unforgettable for all the wrong reasons.

I crossed three states with two suitcases, a scholarship, and a heart full of plans.

Every mile had brought me closer to Ethan Brooks.

The boy I'd loved since senior year.

The boy who had gotten into Eclipse University a year before me.

The boy who promised we'd finally stop saying goodbye.

"Just one more year," he'd whispered the night before he left. "Then you'll be here with me. We'll start our real life together."

I believed every word.

That's why I turned down another university with a better scholarship.

That's why I worked two part-time jobs all summer to afford the move.

That's why, as the taxi rolled through Eclipse University's iron gates, I couldn't stop smiling.

The campus was breathtaking.

Old stone buildings wrapped in ivy.

Tree-lined walkways filled with students dragging suitcases behind them.

A towering clock rose above everything else, its bells echoing across the grounds.

It felt like the beginning of the life I'd always imagined.

My phone buzzed.

ETHAN:

Can't wait to see you. Come over after orientation. I have a surprise.

I laughed under my breath.

"A surprise?"

The elderly taxi driver caught my smile in the rearview mirror.

"Boyfriend?"

I nodded.

"We've been doing long-distance for a year."

"Then today is a good day."

"I hope so."

If only someone had warned me that hope could disappear in a single afternoon.

---

"Room 312."

The volunteer at the registration desk handed me a keycard.

"Hawthorne Hall. Welcome to Eclipse University."

"Thank you."

I adjusted my backpack and headed toward the residence hall, trying not to look completely lost.

"Please tell me you're in Room 312."

I turned.

A petite girl with dark hair was dragging an oversized pink suitcase behind her.

She smiled brightly.

"I'm Lily."

I laughed.

"I'm Amara."

"Oh, thank goodness! I was terrified I'd get stuck with someone who labels their food in the fridge."

"I've never labeled food in my life."

"We're going to get along just fine."

Within twenty minutes, we'd unpacked half our belongings, argued over which side of the room had the better window, and agreed to explore campus together after orientation.

Lily talked enough for both of us.

It was impossible not to like her.

"So," she asked while arranging tiny potted succulents on her desk, "any tragic ex-boyfriends I should know about?"

"Not tragic."

I smiled.

"Current boyfriend."

"Ooh."

She leaned forward dramatically.

"Does he go here?"

"He does."

"And?"

"I haven't seen him in almost a year."

She clasped her hands over her heart.

"This reunion better be ridiculously romantic."

I laughed.

"It probably won't live up to your expectations."

"We'll see."

---

Orientation passed in a blur of speeches, campus tours, and more information than Amara could possibly remember.

By late afternoon, my feet hurt, my head ached, and I couldn't wait to see Ethan.

Back in the dorm, I changed into a simple blue dress.

Nothing too fancy.

Just enough to make it obvious I'd made an effort.

Lily looked up from her bed.

"You're glowing."

"I am not."

"You are."

She pointed toward the mirror.

"You've smiled at yourself three times."

"I missed him."

"I know."

She walked over and squeezed my hand.

"I hope he knows how lucky he is."

"So do I."

---

Ethan's apartment was only a ten-minute walk from campus.

The entire way there, I replayed every conversation we'd had over the last year.

The late-night calls.

The future we'd planned.

The apartment we'd joked about sharing after graduation.

I climbed the stairs to the third floor.

Apartment 3B.

I took a deep breath.

Then knocked.

No answer.

I smiled.

Typical Ethan.

Probably wearing headphones again.

I tried the doorknob.

It turned.

"Ethan?"

The apartment was quiet.

Too quiet.

I stepped inside.

A woman's laughter floated down the hallway.

I stopped walking.

No.

It couldn't be.

"Ethan?"

Another laugh.

Then his voice.

Soft.

Intimate.

"I missed you."

Every instinct told me to leave.

Instead, I forced myself forward.

The bedroom door was slightly open.

My hand shook as I pushed it wider.

Time stood still.

Ethan sat on the edge of the bed.

A woman rested comfortably on his lap.

His hand was tangled in her hair.

They broke apart the instant they saw me.

His face turned white.

"Amara..."

The woman looked between us.

"You said she wasn't coming until next week."

Silence.

Heavy.

Crushing.

I stared at Ethan.

"When were you planning to tell me?"

He opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

That was all the answer I needed.

I took a slow step backward.

Then another.

My chest felt hollow.

Like someone had reached inside and stolen every dream I'd carried to this campus.

"Ethan..."

I whispered.

"I chose this university because of you."

Tears blurred my vision.

"But you stopped choosing me a long time ago."

I turned before he could answer.

Behind me, I heard him call my name.

I didn't stop.

I couldn't.

As I stumbled back toward campus, tears streaming down my face, I failed to notice the black luxury car parked beneath the old oak trees.

Or the tall man leaning against it.

He looked up just as I passed.

Our eyes met for the briefest second.

Something unreadable flashed across his face.

Recognition.

Shock.

Pain.

Before I could wonder why a complete stranger looked at me as if he'd just lost something precious...

He turned away.

And walked in the opposite direction.