Chapter 1
“Jade? That pathetic omega?” Felix scoffed. “She’s just convenient. There’s no way I would ever make her my Luna.”
Jade froze.
“She still doesn’t know?” a male voice laughed.
“She thinks I’m hers,” Felix sneered. “It’s almost cute how desperate she is. She cooks, cleans, does most of my duties… Let her stay useful.”
Jade’s hand flew to her mouth. Her eyes burned.
“She lives for the scraps I throw her.”
More laughter.
“Damn, that’s cold.”
“I’ve waited years for Bella,” Felix continued. “Jade was just a way to pass the time.”
Her knees buckled. Her heart broke with every word.
“I still have use for her,” he added. “But love? Please. I would never love someone like her.”
Jade didn’t wipe the tear that slid down her cheek.
Her mate was planning a mating ceremony with someone else.
Her hands shook as she scrolled to a saved number and hit Call.
“Alpha Rowan,” she said steadily. “I’m ready to be your mate.Please pick me up in fifteen days.”
Since Felix wanted to humiliate her at the wedding, she prepared this surprise for him.
There was a pause. Alpha Rowan's voice came, low, calm and comforting.
“Perfect,” he said. “And please, call me Rowan.”
Jade hung up the phone silently. In fifteen days, she would leave Felix completely.
——
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…)
The invitation letter is dated fifteen days later.
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 steadily. “I’m ready to be your mate.Please come and pick me up in fifteen days.”
Since Felix wanted to humiliate her at the wedding, she prepared this surprise for him.
There was a pause. Alpha Rowan's voice came, low, calm and comforting.
“Perfect,” he said. “And please, call me Rowan.”
"I will come and pick you up in fifteen days."
Jade hung up the phone silently. In fifteen days, she would leave Felix completely.
Chapter 2
Jade left the conference without delay, claiming that she wasn’t feeling well. Her red eyes were enough to convince them.
When she got home, Felix wasn’t there yet. That was good. She needed to prepare herself mentally for his presence after everything she had just heard.
A few minutes later, Felix walked in with a smile on his face. Jade didn't move from where she sat chatting with Rowan about their plans for the mating ceremony.
There was a moment of silence as Felix stared at Jade in surprise. That was strange. Whenever he came back, she always rushed to the door to greet him, and welcome him warmly. But now, she hadn't even said a simple hello to him.
“Jade?”
She raised her head slowly, “Yeah?” She replied, lifting an eyebrow coolly.
He was even more confused. There was no warmth in her eyes, just an unfamiliar cold look in her gaze.
“Jade?” He called her name again, with confusion in his voice. “What’s going on? You look... off.”
Jade shrugged, turning her attention back to her phone.
“I’m fine,” she said, her voice was flat. “I'm just tired from the conference.” She forced herself to smile.
Felix sighed in relief. For a moment, he thought she had heard about his mating ceremony with Bella, but that wasn't possible because he had ordered the people that were aware to make sure she never heard of it.
“Oh, by the way, I have something to talk to you about.” Jade said casually.
Felix furrowed his eyebrows. “Talk to me? About what?”
Jade shrugged nonchalantly, as if what she was about to say wasn't a big deal. “Oh, nothing too important. Just that I've been thinking about my responsibilities here. I’ve been doing a lot of the Alpha duties, but I realized I should be focusing more on my own tasks in the pack clinic from now on."
She said it so casually, like it wasn't anything important.
Felix’s eyes narrowed slightly. ‘What do you mean, ‘your own tasks’? Are you planning on stepping back from our duties to this pack? From me? You know how important your help is to me”
Jade almost scoffed at that.
“I don’t see why it should be a big deal," Jade replied, still typing on her phone. “I’m sure you can handle things on your own. Maybe Bella can help out.”
Felix froze at the mention of Bella, and his expression darkened slightly.
“Bella?” He stepped forward, clenching his jaw. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Oh, nothing,” Jade said, giving him a sweet smile. “I just heard that she's been a great help to you since I left for the conference.”
A strange expression crossed his face at her words.
“Come on, Jade. Don't tell me that you're jealous or something. You know that there's nothing between us. She was just—”
“Look, I’m not paying that any mind.” Jade glanced at her watch nonchalantly. “Anyway, I’m going to freshen up. You should rest too. It looks like you’ve had a long day.”
Felix watched her, slightly surprised by the way she was acting. But before he could respond, Jade had already turned her attention back to her phone to her chat with Alpha Rowan as if Felix wasn’t even there.
Felix almost rolled his eyes. She was just jealous. She must have heard that Bella had been close to him when she was gone, that was why she was acting this way. He sighed, preparing to comfort her as he normally did.
“Jade, I—”
But Jade wasn’t listening anymore. She was already walking away.
“Not now, Felix. We’ll talk later, maybe when I’m feeling better.” She said with an indifferent tone, leaving him in the living room, still holding his bag.
He frowned in annoyance. Why was she being petty because of jealousy?
He groaned. This meant that he would need to buy her something to calm her down. Whatever the issue was, he was sure that when he bought her a gift, she would calm down and start acting normal again.
Chapter 3
Jade kept her eyes closed when she heard Felix enter the room, pretending to be asleep.
“Jade?” Felix called. She didn’t move. She did not want to talk to him.
“Jade, are you awake?” He called again. No response.
Felix scoffed. “She’s asleep.”
Jade realized that he was on the phone with someone.
“Can you get me a necklace from that cheap store? I need something to appease Jade. I think she’s feeling jealous about Bella.” He murmured so that she wouldn’t wake.
The person on the other line said something.
“No, she doesn’t know anything about the ceremony. She just heard that I and Bella were close during her time at the conference.” he replied.
Then he scoffed. “Don’t go to the other store. The necklaces there are expensive and have more quality. Bella loves that store, but I’m not wasting that kind of money on Jade,” Felix said with a short laugh. “Just get something shiny enough to distract her. She’ll fall in love with it like always.”
Jade clenched her jaw under the blankets. The urge to scream was overwhelming, but she held it back.
Felix chuckled again. “Honestly, I don’t even know why I kept her around this long. She’s convenient, loyal and a good healer, that’s great. But she’s just so damn boring.”
There was a pause.
“Yeah, Bella’s the one. She has a strong bloodline, and she makes me look like the powerful Alpha I’m supposed to be. Jade’s just… comfortable.”
Comfortable. That word burned like acid through Jade’s chest.
“She doesn’t even fight back,” Felix continued. “That’s what makes her perfect for now. No drama, no tantrums. She worships the ground I walk on.”
Tears filled Jade’s eyes, and she struggled to keep herself from crying.
Felix yawned. “Alright, get the necklace for me, and write up one of those heartfelt messages you normally help me write, so I’ll drop the necklace on her nightstand. She’ll probably wake up tomorrow thinking I’m the sweetest mate ever. I need her in her best mood so that she can represent me at the conference coming up next week.”
She sneered. It explained why he was trying to make an effort to ‘placate’ her. Previously, he never made much effort to placate her, but because he needed her for something, that was why he was trying to make an effort.
The other person said something that made Felix laugh.
“Well, that’s how it is done. Every once in a while, I make little heartfelt gestures to make her melt and forget about the past.” He released a mocking laugh.
Jade unconsciously took a deep breath. Felix went silent.
“Hold on.” His voice dropped, she almost didn’t hear him. “I think she moved.”
She froze, keeping her breaths slow and calm. She calmed her heart, and she kept her face blank to mimic sleep.
Felix ended the call, and approached her slowly. She could perceive his scent. It had once been a comforting scent, now it was sour in her nose.
She stayed still, even though she wanted to scream, to see his face when she revealed to his smug face that she knew every ugly truth. But she stayed still.
Felix chuckled in relief after a moment of silence. “Still asleep,” he muttered under his breath. “Perfect.”
He got into bed beside her, and soon after, he fell asleep.
Jade started breathing when she was sure that he was fast asleep.
Tears fell down her face, and on her pillow as she replayed his words over and over.
She made so many sacrifices for him, but he only saw her as a tool. The Healer's Sanctum had seen her potential and offered her a high position in the Sanctum, but because she wanted to be by her mate's side, and help him grow his pack, she had declined.
After the death of his father, Felix had been depressed, and the pack was falling apart. But Jade had pulled everything together, staying beside him through everything. He had promised to mark her as his Luna, but it was all a lie. He paid her back for everything by planning his mating ceremony with Bella behind her back, like she was nothing.
Her phone pinged, it was a message from Rowan. A small smile crossed her lips, and for a moment she forgot about her heartache.
Chapter 4
“Hey, Jade!” A familiar voice called from behind her.
Jade took a deep breath, and cleared her face of emotion as she turned to face Bella.
“Yes? How can I help you?” She asked coolly.
Bella smirked at her, “Oh come on, Jade. Why so cold? I thought we could be friends, or sister-in-laws? Besides, Felix always said that you were like a sister to him.”
Jade barely felt anything at Bella’s words. It might have hurt her before, but now, she was over it. She gave Bella a small smile.
“How is the mating ceremony preparation?” She asked calmly.
Bella paused, that wasn’t the reaction she was expecting at all. “It’s going very well. I can’t believe that in a few days I’ll become the Luna of this pack.”
Jade shrugged, “Good for you,” she said with a flat voice, then she began walking away.
Bella followed her, “Look, see the gorgeous band that Felix got for me. It's pure gold, with diamonds.”
Jade kept walking, completely ignoring her.
But Bella kept talking, “I told him I wanted diamonds this time. I didn't really like the rubies he got me for my birthday last year.”
Jade paused, turning to Bella with surprise on her face. “I'm sorry, what?”
Bella smirked, finally glad that her words got to Jade. “I said that he got me rubies for my last year birthday, but I told him I didn't really like it, so he got me di—”
Jade's hands shook as she ran a hand through her hair. “He got you rubies? For your birthday?” She asked again.
Bella nodded with a smirk. “Yes, why? What did he get you? Some cheap metal necklace?” She taunted.
Jade's heart ached. That was exactly what Felix had gotten for her.
But that wasn't what caused her heart to ache.
Jade remembered Bella’s birthday so well. Her mother had been on her deathbed, but Felix wasn't by her side. Instead, he was out celebrating Bella's birthday.
Her mother had needed a medicine that could save her, but it was rare and expensive. Jade had called Felix desperately in tears.
He didn't pick at first, but when he finally picked, he brushed her off.
“There’s no money right now, Jade,” he had said, “The pack needs money right now. You understand, don’t you?”
She had understood. Or rather, she had forced herself to because of her blind love for him.
She had sold her personal belongings, her late father’s things, some of her mother’s things, just to gather the funds. She had stayed up for nights brewing herbs to sell and get the money.
And now, Bella stood before her, smiling smugly as she boasted about rubies he had bought during that exact week.
Jade took a deep breath to calm herself. There was no use losing control.
“I heard your mother was dying at that time, but you didn't have money to buy her medicine.” Bella added.
Jade clenched her jaw. “Shut up,”
Bella cackled. “He told me you cried like a child, begging for help. That you were so pathetic, he couldn’t even stand to look at you. And all for what? A pathetic dying old woman.”
Jade snapped, and her hand moved so fast, slapping Bella hard.
Bella stumbled backward, gasping as her cheek turned red.
Jade braced herself for Bella's retaliation, but to her surprise, she just smirked, then suddenly, she began to wail and cry at the top of her voice.
“FELIX!” she screamed like she was being murdered. “FELIX, HELP! SHE ATTACKED ME! SHE WANTS TO KILL ME”
Jade gaped in shock at her words. “Wha—”
A few seconds later, Felix burst into the hall, with worry written all over his face.
“What the hell is going on?!” He boomed.
Bella ran to him with tears pouring from her eyes. “She hit me, Felix! I was just trying to be friendly, but she got jealous and began to hit me!”
Felix turned to Jade, eyes blazing. “Is that true?!”
Jade looked him straight in the eye, with a cold look on her face.
“She deserved worse.”
Before she could blink, Felix's fist connected with her face.
Chapter 5
Jade’s head snapped to the side from the force of the punch, and she stumbled but she didn’t fall.
Jade slowly turned her head back to face Felix with cold dead eyes.
For the first time, Felix hesitated.
“You hit me,” she whispered, her voice was calm, too calm.
He scowled. “You hurt Bella! Now apologize!”
“Bella is a gamma werewolf, I'm just an omega. How can I hurt her?” Jade snapped.
Felix scowled at her. “Apologize! Now!”
Jade sneered. “Over my dead body.” She spat venomously.
A look of confusion crossed Felix's face. Jade never spoke like that to him. What was going on with her?
“If you don't apologize to her, then you can say goodbye to being head healer in this pack.” He threatened.
Jade smiled bitterly. “Fine,” she said, and Felix relaxed, thinking she was going to apologize.
“I don't want to be the head healer, anyway.” she added with a shrug.
Felix's mouth dropped open as he watched Jade walk away. No, something was wrong.
Before he could call her back, Bella clutched his arm tightly.
“Ow, my head hurts.” She cried, “I think she hit me very badly.”
Felix instantly became worried for her, completely forgetting that she was a werewolf, from a gamma bloodline. An omega like Jade couldn't possibly hurt her.
“Come on, Bella. Let's go to the pack's clinic.” He said softly.
Immediately Jade got back home, she called the head of the Healer's Sanctum.
“Jade! It's so good to hear from you,” Jim greeted. “Please tell me that you have reconsidered our offer. It'll really be a—”
“Yes,” Jade replied, “I have thought about it, and yes, I'll take the position at the Healer's Sanctum. Give me a week so that I can put everything in order.”
Jim was ecstatic that Jade had finally accepted to come work for the Sanctum. “Of course, take as much time as you need my dear.”
When she finished speaking with Jim, she started packing her things.
She picked up those fake meaningless gifts from Felix and threw them into the trash.
When Felix finally came back home, he stared around in surprise. The place looked slightly empty.
Concern flashed through him. Was Jade packing? Why?
Then he snorted internally. It wasn't possible. Jade couldn't do without him.
“What’s going on? What are you doing?” Felix asked, looking around in confusion.
Jade faked a smile. “I’m just throwing away some of my old things. I don’t need them anymore.”
Felix frowned, stepping closer. “Really? All these things? That's a lot”
“It’s just stuff,” she replied, shrugging causally.
He nodded, brushing it out of his mind.
“Bella told me that she forgives you. She said she doesn’t want things to stay this way between you two, she really wants you two to be friends.”
Jade snorted, “She forgives me? I don't need her forgiveness. Bella is just a pretentious bitch.” She spat.
Felix raised his hand again, as if he wanted to hit her again, then he paused.
“Don't talk about Bella like that,” he hissed.
Jade smiled bitterly, “Of course,” she mumbled, turning back her attention to what she was doing.
Felix sighed. “I'm sorry. I wasn't going to hit you. I swear.”
Jade hummed, but didn't say anything in reply.
He sighed again, “You know what, what if I take you to that restaurant that you love so much that serves spicy noodle sauce?”
Jade faked a smile, pretending to be happy at his words. She needed something from him, so she needed him to think she was okay.
“Okay, what time?” She asked softly.
Internally, Felix smirked. He knew he could easily get Jade to soften up. He knew it would work.
“Seven?” Felix suggested, keeping his voice soft.
Jade nodded, still pretending to play along. “Seven is perfect.”
Felix leaned over and kissed her, and she froze in disgust. She has no hesitation in avoiding the man's actions.
“Don't worry, by next week, I'll make you the pack's head healer.” He promised.
Next week, at the same time he was having his mating ceremony with Bella.
Jade watched Felix leave with a sneer on her face. He had been making that promise to her for ages.
But now, it meant nothing to her, because by next week, she'll be gone.
Chapter 6
When it was seven, Felix was nowhere to be found. Jade sat on the couch, fully dressed and prepared, as she waited for him to show up.
Jade had done this several times. She knew how it always ended—in tears and disappointment—but she had really thought that tonight was going to be different, that maybe he would keep his promise this time.
She had even put on the red dress he once said made her look “dangerous in the best way.” She had curled her hair, and had even applied a touch of makeup. But she had just been fooling herself. She was, and had never been, Felix's.
Jade lost track of how long she sat there, lost in thought, until she dozed off. Her phone buzzed, causing her to jolt awake from her sleep. It was a message from Felix.
“Can't make it. Something urgent came up in the back. We'll do it another time. Promise.”
Jade glanced at the time. It was already 9pm, and he was just sending a message now. He had probably forgotten about it, and had just remembered to send a message to ease his guilt.
She read the message again, and snorted, shaking her head in amusement. Another time. If only he knew that there wasn't going to be a next time.
Her phone buzzed again. This time, it was from Bella.
“Missing your date?” the message read.
Below the message were three photos. In the first, Felix sat beside Bella on the bed, holding a cold towel to her forehead. In the second, he was feeding her soup with a spoon, his face was full of so much concern. And in the third photo, he held her hand, looking at her like she was the only person in the world.
Bella sent another message under.
“He’s just the best, isn’t he? I told him I had a little headache, and he dropped everything for me. He said, ‘Bella, you’re more important than anything else right now.’ Isn’t that just the sweetest? I’m sure your spicy noodles can wait… forever.”
Jade stared at her screen with a blank look in her eyes. Her fingers didn’t shake. Her heart didn’t race. Not anymore. She felt nothing, no rage, or jealousy, just relief.
She deleted the pictures and the messages with any hesitation. Bella thought she was hurting her, but she didn't know that she was doing her a huge favour.
Jade stood up and made her way back to the bedroom to change her clothes. The only thing that caused her annoyance about Felix’s actions was the inconvenience of changing. The red dress hadn’t been easy to zip up.
As she wiped the makeup off her face, she stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her eyes didn’t look as broken as they had looked that day—they just looked calm.
Her phone buzzed again, and she released a sigh of exasperation. But immediately she realized that it was Rowan, all signs of annoyance melted away, and a smile spread across her lips.
Rowan had sent two pictures of dresses.
“Which one do you prefer?” He asked under the photos.
Jade stared at both for a moment before replying.
“The first one,” she replied.
“Okay, I'll send it to you immediately,” he said.
Jade furrowed her eyebrows.
“How will you know my size?” she typed with an amused smile on her lips.
Rowan’s reply came immediately.
“Trust me, I know.”
He added a smirk emoji right after.
Jade blinked at the screen, blushing as she giggled at his reply.
She was blushing over a text. From Rowan.
How long had it been since someone made her feel wanted, and seen, like she mattered?
Alpha Rowan was her true mate, chosen by the moon goddess herself. They had met at one of the conferences that Jade had gone to represent Felix. She had been so proud that day as she spoke on behalf of a mate she believed loved her.
Jade had told him that she already had a mate waiting for her at home. Someone she loved with her whole heart, and who, she believed, loved her too. She had said it with so much confidence, and was about to reject Rowan. Rowan had pleaded with her to think about it first and give him a response a week later.
Before the week was up, luckily, Jade discovered Felix’s lies before it became too late. She gave Rowan her reply. And now, she was incredibly glad that she never made the mistake of rejecting him immediately, because with just a few messages and a smirk emoji, Rowan had warmed her heart far more than Felix ever had.
Chapter 7
Felix didn’t return home that night.
He came in early the next morning with Bella’s scent clinging to him like a stench. Jade noticed that he hesitated at the door when he saw her already awake and seated at the dining table, eating breakfast calmly.
She watched him as he prepared what to say to apologize to her.
“Jade, baby, I’m so sorry,” he said softly, “Something came up, and I didn’t mean to stay long—I just... it wasn’t supposed to be like that, I swear.”
She said nothing, chewing her food quietly.
Felix sat beside her chair, grabbing her free hand. “Please don’t be mad. I didn’t mean to miss our dinner. I am going to make it up to you. I promise. You know that you mean everything to me.”
Still, she said nothing.
“I brought you something,” he added quickly, reaching into his pocket. “Look. I saw this and thought of you. I know how much you love jewelry.”
He pulled out a box and opened it, revealing a delicate gold necklace with a crystal pendant. Jade blinked at it, and for a moment, she almost laughed.
She knew this necklace.
It wasn’t new. He didn’t pick it with her in mind, she knew it was one of Bella’s old ones. Jade remembered seeing it in a post that Bella made weeks ago, saying she was clearing out her jewelry drawer and giving away pieces she didn’t wear anymore.
And now Felix was giving it to her. Jade stared at it for a moment longer, then raised her eyes to Felix.
“Thank you,” she said simply, keeping her voice calm. “It’s nice.”
Felix blinked. “That’s it?” he asked, confused. “You like it, right?”
“Yes,” she replied, placing her spoon down. “It’s beautiful.”
Felix was surprised. Normally, Jade would’ve been overjoyed. She would’ve hugged him, kissed him, thanked him over and over. But now, she looked as if he had just handed her a worthless piece of trash, instead of a gift. Yes, he knew it was trash, but Jade didn’t know that.
“Wait... are you mad at me?”
She smiled faintly. “No. I’m not mad.”
Jade was mad, but she wasn’t mad at Felix. She was mad at herself for not seeing things clearly before, for allowing herself to be easily manipulated.
“You’re not mad?” His voice raised in disbelief.
“No,” she said again, this time standing up. “You said something came up. I understand.”
“But—”
“It’s okay,” she cut him off. “You don’t have to explain anything.”
He searched her face, probably hoping to find some sort of emotion, but there was none. It was getting him confused, and he hated it.
“Can you stop being so damn dramatic?!” He snapped, annoyance filled his voice.
Jade furrowed her eyebrows calmly, “Excuse me?”
He released a sigh of annoyance, and stormed off.
She watched him leave, shaking her head in amusement. Her phone buzzed with a message from Rowan, and she smiled, typing back a response.
Felix returned to the dining room after calming himself down. But the moment he saw her smiling at her phone, his eyes narrowed slightly.
She hadn’t even noticed when he entered.
Felix stared at her for a moment, then slowly walked to the table, expecting to see his plate already set like always. But there was nothing there, apart from her empty plate and cup.
He cleared his throat, trying to get her attention.
Jade didn’t look up.
He cleared it again, louder this time. “Uh... where’s mine?”
She glanced up briefly, looking surprised to see him still there. “What?”
“My breakfast,” he said, pointing at the empty table. “You didn’t keep any?”
She shrugged, “I didn’t see you, so I made breakfast for myself.”
Felix blinked. “What about me?”
Jade tilted her head. “Kitchen’s right there. Eggs are in the fridge, bread’s on the counter. There’s butter and jam in the drawer.” She said it so casually, like it wasn’t anything new.
Felix stood frozen, gaping at her in disbelief. He had never once made his own breakfast in this house. Jade had always done it cheerfully without being asked.
Now she was directing him to ingredients.
He clenched his jaw. “You didn’t think I would be hungry?”
“I didn’t see you,” she replied simply, turning her attention back to her phone. Her smile returned instantly at Rowan’s next message.
Felix clenched his jaw. She was pretending, trying to get his attention, but he did not give a damn about her games.
“What kind of game are you playing now?” he snapped, stepping closer to her. “Seriously, Jade. I’m not in the mood. I’m hungry.”
Without looking up from her phone, she said calmly, “You should’ve eaten from where you’re coming from.”
Chapter 8
Felix’s mouth opened in disbelief. “Wow. I knew it,” he scoffed, “You’re pissed and insecure, but instead of just saying it, you’re pretending to be fine. I told you that something came up at the pack, I wasn’t anywhere else.”
Jade hummed, sounding uninterested. “Okay.”
“And that’s all you have to say?” He asked.
She lifted an eyebrow at him with an unreadable expression on her face. “I said okay. You’re the one who keeps talking.”
Felix’s eyes darkened. “I’m going out,” he muttered, storming and heading back to the room.
Jade didn’t even glance up.
A minute passed before he came back. “Where the hell are all my clean clothes?”
She shrugged. “In the laundry basket. Where you left them.”
“I don’t have anything clean to wear!” he barked.
She finally looked at him with a cold voice “Then you should probably wash something to wear.”
He scowled. “Are you serious right now?”
She stared at him looking dead serious.
Felix stood there for a moment, before he snapped. “Then what use are you?” he spat. “My clothes are dirty, you didn’t cook breakfast for me! You’re getting lazy and useless in this house! What happened to you, huh? You used to be so damn eager to take care of everything, and now you can’t even do the simplest things?”
Jade didn’t flinch, she just sat there, staring at him with cold eyes. She didn’t react the way he expected. She didn’t cry, plead or even respond. It surprised him. He couldn’t even read what was going on in her mind.
Jade replied calmly, “I’ve done everything for you. For years, without complaint, and now because I didn’t do it now, you’re calling me lazy and useless?”
He opened his mouth to shout, but a thought crossed his mind. He couldn’t afford to lose her. Not yet. The conference was coming up, and she was very important to the pack clinic.
Felix froze, then he inhaled deeply, trying to calm himself, as he took a step back.
“You’re right,” he muttered, voice strained. “I’m sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean it. I overreacted.”
Felix took another deep breath. “I’m sorry,” he said again, softening his voice, “I didn’t mean to blow up at you. You’re right, I’ve been selfish. Things have been so hectic for me, you know,” he said.
He needed to pacify her, so he leaned closer to her. “Look, I was thinking. Why don’t we start preparing for our mating ceremony?”
Jade didn’t blink. She just stared at him with that same unreadable expression.
Felix waited for her to react with excitement, and joy like before when they talked about the ceremony. But instead, she shrugged indifferently.
“Take your time,” she said coolly, like they were discussing about the weather, “I’m not going anywhere.”
Her response was like a slap in the face, and Felix felt his annoyance rise again. This wasn’t the reaction he was expecting. But he quickly swallowed down his annoyance, smiling at her. “You’re right. We shouldn’t rush it, you know? Let’s make sure we’re well prepared.”
Jade didn’t answer, and Felix clenched his jaw in irritation. He knew she was still in love with him, she was just being overdramatic. She just needed time to get over whatever was bothering her. Felix knew that there was nothing he could do that Jade wouldn’ forgive him, so he wasn’t so worried. After his mating ceremony with Bella, he would shower love and affection on Jade, and everything would be fine.
Finally, he sighed and stood up, “I’ll go grab my clothes from the laundry, and give it to one of the omegas. Let’s not fight over something so stupid.”
He turned to leave, but before he did, he pressed a soft kiss on her forehead. “We’ll talk about the ceremony later, okay? When you’re ready. Don’t forget to prepare for the conference coming up.”
Chapter 9
At his words, Jade’s eyes brightened, and she forced a smile. “Hey Felix, I just remembered that there are some documents that you need to sign for the conference.”
Felix smiled in response. Finally, He thought to himself. Everything was falling back into place.
He thought he had pacified Jade. His smile widened.
“Okay then, bring them, let me sign.” He replied eagerly.
Jade grinned in excitement as she rushed upstairs and gathered the files. Felix was happy when he saw how excited she was. Things were perfect, he knew he had nothing to worry about.
Just as he was about to read through the papers, his phone buzzed in his hand. It was Bella. He smiled. He needed to finish quickly, and get back to her.
Felix absentmindedly grabbed a pen, and without thinking, he began signing the papers she had handed him quickly so he could reply to Bella.
Jade stood there silently, watching him sign the documents, with a hidden smile on her face. It was almost too easy. She had everything she needed now.
Felix signed the last document, then tossed the pen down.
“Done,” he said, his eyes were still on the phone. “I’ll take care of anything else later. Something came up, I’ll be back later.” He muttered.
“Thank you, Felix,” Jade said softly, giving him a warm smile.
Felix looked up at her, furrowing his eyebrows for a moment as he finally noticed the strange look in her eyes. But he brushed it off. Everything was fine now.
He hurried off, slamming the door too loud behind him.
Jade stared at the door with a smirk on her face. She silently thanked Bella for distracting Felix, because now, the last part of her plan was done. Everything was set.
~
On the morning of Felix’s mating ceremony to Bella, Jade watched as Felix dressed up with an energetic grin on his face. He adjusted his tie in the mirror, with a smug expression on his face.
Felix felt like everything was falling into place just as he had planned. The conference was for a week, so Jade would be out of the picture for a week. By that time he would have thought about what to say to pacify her. It would be easy, he was sure of that.
“Hey,” Felix told her, “The conference starts today, and will last for a week. So you need to leave early. Don’t delay, okay?”
Jade nodded slowly.
Felix grinned. He didn't notice the coldness in her eyes. “Good. I have something urgent to do, but I'll call you later, alright?”
Jade didn’t respond, only watching him silently as he dressed.
When he was about to leave, he paused and glanced back at her with a soft expression on his face.
“Look, Jade… I know things have been a little shaky. But you’ve been by my side for so many years, and I appreciate you, and love you, I really do,” he said, his voice was gentle.
Jade forced a small smile as she nodded. “Good luck, Felix. Have a good time,” she said, instead of telling him ‘I love you too.’
Felix smiled back. He hadn't even noticed. Without another word, he walked out of the door, leaving her alone in the house.
Jade sat there for a moment, watching the door and listening to his footsteps as he walked away.
She took a deep breath, and stood up. She had already packed her bags, just a few things were left, but Felix hadn't noticed.
She glanced around the house one last time, then she smiled.
Outside, a car was waiting, Rowan had sent the driver to drop her at the same place Felix was having his mating ceremony, Rowan was going to meet her there. Felix had invited other alphas to be present for his mating ceremony.
It would be rude of Alpha Rowan and his Luna to not honour the invitation. Right?
Jade laughed to herself.
Chapter 10
Jade’s heart raced in her chest as the car drove towards the venue of the mating ceremony.
As the driver dropped her at the hall, he rushed to open the door for her. Jade was dressed beautifully in the dress that Rowan had bought for her, and true to his word, it was her exact size.
Everyone outside turned to stare at her in surprise. She looked very different from the Jade that everyone else knew. She looked like royalty.
They began to whisper amongst themselves in surprise.
“Wait… is that Jade?”
“She looks like a Luna…”
“Wasn’t she supposed to be with Alpha Felix?”
“I heard he chose Bella…”
“No, it can’t be. Jade has been by the Alpha’s side all these while, he can’t do that….”
Jade stood tall, keeping her chin lifted. Their whispers did not hurt her anymore. They only proved how blind she had been.
Jade ignored the whispers as she looked around. She realized that Rowan hadn’t yet arrived. She glanced at the time, she was a few minutes earlier than they had planned. She shrugged, she would just wait outside for him to come, so that they could walk in together.
Some of the pack members approached her with warm smiles, to congratulate her, assuming that she was having her mating ceremony with Felix, because they all knew how close she had been with Felix.
“Congratulations, Jade! So it’s finally happening?”
She chuckled lightly, shaking her head. “Actually, I’m just waiting for my—”
A screech cut through the crowd like a dagger.
“What the hell is she doing here?!” It was Bella’s voice, and she sounded pissed.
The crowd parted as Bella stormed forward, her hands clenched and her face twisted in disbelief.
Jade turned slowly with an unreadable expression on her face. “Bella,” she said with a slight smile. “You look... unhappy to see me.”
Bella’s eyes bulged. “This is my day. Did Felix call you? Are you here to beg again?”
Jade laughed softly. “Oh, sweetie... I’m not here for Felix.”
The crowd’s whispers increased.
Bella scoffed, looking her up and down. “Then why are you dressed like that? Who even invited you?”
Jade’s tone was calm and steady. “Felix sent the invitation himself. It would’ve been rude not to come.”
“You’re lying!” Bella snapped. “You’re still just a desperate omega throwing yourself at someone who doesn’t want you!”
Jade opened her mouth to reply, but Bella didn’t stop.
“Let me guess—you heard about the ceremony and dressed like this to ruin it. It’s pathetic.”
“Is this true?”
“Did Alpha Felix really reject Jade?”
“What is she then doing here?”
“…Oh, poor Jade. She was dumped”
Jade could hear the mocking laughter among the crowd. Someone even muttered, “Maybe she really did come to beg.”
“Maybe she’s trying to crash the ceremony...”
Bella smirked, happy at what she could hear the people around saying. “Look at them. No one believes you. You’re making a fool of yourself.”
“What’s going on here?!”
The crowd fell silent as Felix approached them, dressed for the ceremony, with annoyance written all over his face. His eyes darkened when he saw Jade.
“Jade? Why are you here? Weren’t you supposed to be at the conference?”
She met his gaze without blinking. “I was invited.”
Felix frowned. “Invited? By who?”
She didn’t answer.
He stepped forward, voice low. “Get whatever you need and go. You shouldn’t be here.”
He reached for her arm.
Jade pulled back sharply. “Don’t touch me. I know today’s your mating ceremony with Bella.”
Felix’s face paled, and panic flickered through his face.
“Jade, just go. We’ll talk later. I can explain—”
“I don’t want your lies,” she snapped. “Not anymore.”
“Stop humiliating yourself,” he muttered. “Just go home.”
Jade tilted her head stubbornly. “I told you. I was invited.”
Felix raised his voice. “No one believes you! Just leave with the little dignity you have left.”
More laughter. Bella grinned, she was enjoying the show.
Jade released a breath, her eyes were filled with disappointment.
“How could you do this to me, Felix?” She asked.
“All these years,” she said quietly. “All these years I stood beside you. You were nothing when I met you. You were bitter and depressed trying to rebuild a pack that was falling apart.”
Her voice rose. “I helped you. I supported you. I sacrificed everything for you. And this is what I get?”
Felix’s face hardened. “You’re just a pathetic omega, Jade. Know your place. There could never be anything between us. I was doing you a favour to even associate myself with you.”
Jade clenched her jaw, but her voice didn’t shake. “Even when I took care of you through your nightmares. When you locked yourself away for days, who kept the pack from crumbling?”
He didn’t answer.
She stepped forward, voice low. “Did you ever love me?”
Silence.
Then, flatly he said, “No.”
The world spun for a moment. But then... she smiled a soft, bitter smile.
“Good,” she whispered. “Thank you... for finally saying it.”
Jade finally felt free, like a huge weight had been taken off her shoulders.
Felix scowled. “I’m done with this. Guards! Get her out.”
Everyone gasped as two guards moved forward.
Jade struggled as they grabbed her. “Let go of me!” She yelled.
“Throw her out!” Felix snapped.
But suddenly, several sleek black cars pulled up to the venue. Everyone turned.
Jade stopped fighting, and a wicked little smile tugged at her lips.
Because finally… he was here. Alpha Rowan.
“What the hell is going on here?!” Rowan’s voice rang out with authority and power as he stepped out of the car.
