The Alpha Heir's Forbidden Mate

Episode 1: The Boy I Followed

The first thing I saw when I stepped onto the campus of Eclipse University was the clock tower.

It stood proudly above the ivy-covered buildings, its bells echoing across the courtyard as hundreds of students hurried between orientation booths with suitcases, coffee cups, and nervous smiles.

This was it.

My fresh start.

My second chance.

I tightened my grip on the strap of my backpack and smiled despite the butterflies in my stomach.

Six months.

I'd spent six months counting down to this day.

Not because of the university.

Because of Ethan.

He'd gotten into Eclipse on an academic scholarship a year before me, calling every night to tell me about the campus, the professors, and all the plans we'd make once I joined him.

"We'll finally be together," he'd promised.

I believed him.

I chose this university because of him.

Now I was here.

"Lily Chen?"

A cheerful volunteer waved a clipboard.

"That's me."

"Room 312, Hawthorne Hall."

A petite girl with shoulder-length black hair raised her hand.

"Please tell me you're my roommate."

I laughed.

"I hope so."

"I'm Lily."

"Amara."

Within minutes, we were dragging our luggage across campus, already complaining about the heat and laughing at how impossible it was to find our dorm.

By the time we reached our room, I'd almost forgotten the anxious knot in my chest.

Almost.

"You keep checking your phone," Lily observed as she unpacked.

"Long-distance boyfriend?"

I smiled.

"Not for much longer."

She grinned.

"Well, he better be worth moving across the country for."

"He is."

At least...

I thought he was.

---

By evening, orientation was finally over.

I changed into my favorite blue dress, touched up my lip gloss, and looked at myself in the mirror.

Nothing fancy.

Just enough.

Ethan had texted me an address with one message.

Come over. Can't wait to see you.

My heart raced all the way there.

I imagined him opening the door.

Pulling me into a hug.

Laughing because we didn't have to say goodbye anymore.

Apartment 5B.

I knocked once.

No answer.

I smiled.

Typical Ethan.

Probably wearing headphones.

I tried the handle.

It wasn't locked.

"Ethan?"

I stepped inside.

The apartment smelled like expensive perfume.

Strange.

He hated strong fragrances.

I closed the door behind me.

"Ethan?"

Soft laughter drifted from the bedroom.

A woman's laugh.

I frowned.

Maybe his cousin was visiting?

Then I heard his voice.

Low.

Warm.

Intimate.

"I've missed you."

My stomach tightened.

No.

There had to be an explanation.

I walked toward the half-open bedroom door.

Each step felt heavier than the last.

My hand trembled as I pushed it open.

Time stopped.

Ethan was sitting on the edge of the bed.

A blonde woman sat on his lap.

His hands rested comfortably on her waist.

Their lips were inches apart.

He looked happier than I'd seen him in months.

The woman noticed me first.

Her smile disappeared.

"Ethan..."

He turned.

The color drained from his face.

"Amara."

The way he said my name told me everything.

He wasn't surprised I'd found out.

He was surprised I'd found out today.

The room was silent.

I couldn't breathe.

Couldn't think.

Couldn't even cry.

Finally, I managed one question.

"How long?"

His eyes fell to the floor.

"Amara..."

"How long?"

"...Three months."

Three months.

Three months of phone calls.

Three months of "I love you."

Three months of planning our future.

Every promise.

Every late-night conversation.

Every lie.

The woman stood quickly.

"I should go."

Neither of us stopped her.

She slipped past me and left the apartment.

The door clicked shut.

Ethan reached for me.

"It isn't what you think."

I laughed.

The sound didn't even sound like mine.

"I literally caught you with another woman."

"I was going to tell you."

"When?"

He didn't answer.

I nodded slowly.

"Right."

"I never meant to hurt you."

"But you did."

His shoulders slumped.

"It just... happened."

"No."

I took a step back.

"You made a choice."

Silence.

"I gave up another university to come here."

"I know."

"I planned my future around us."

"I know."

"And you couldn't even tell me the truth."

Tears finally blurred my vision.

"I waited for you."

"So did I."

The words hit me like a slap.

"You call this waiting?"

His expression twisted with guilt.

"I didn't know how to end it."

I stared at him.

Then something inside me quietly broke.

I reached into my bag.

Pulled out the small silver keychain he'd given me on our first anniversary.

The words Forever Starts Here were engraved on the back.

I placed it on the table between us.

"It ends here."

I turned and walked out before he could stop me.

Outside, the evening air felt painfully cold.

I didn't know where I was going.

I only knew I couldn't stay there.

As I crossed the quiet campus, tears stung my eyes.

I never noticed the black luxury car parked beneath the old oak trees.

Or the silver-eyed man who stepped out the moment I passed.

He froze.

His heartbeat slammed against his ribs.

"No..."

The scent.

It couldn't be.

After all these years...

His mate had finally arrived.

And she was already walking away.