CHAPTER ONE
NADIA'S POV.
"Mine," he whispered not to me but to her, Lana.
My heart stopped. The music in the clubhouse blurred into a dull roar as I stood frozen in the corridor, watching my mate claim my best friend with the same voice he once used to call me his world.
Earlier that evening,
'It was today.' I thought as I hummed happily, excitement bursting through me as my best friend, Lana, helped tie my gown from behind.
"You look so sophisticated." She whispered into my ears and I giggled, grabbing my purse from the dressing mirror, bracing myself for what was going to happen next.
I went outside to meet David Silas, my boyfriend and mate. As soon as I saw him resting on his Porsche, right outside my gate, looking as handsome as ever, my face slowly broke into a huge smile.
I dashed towards him, beaming widely and expecting to be welcomed into an open arm as usual, but was greeted with his face scrunched up into a frown instead.
"Babe, is everything alright?" I inquired, the smile disappearing from my face instantly, as I moved closer, trying to hold him when he suddenly jerked my hand away from his, like I had burned him.
That action of his, sent a sting through my heart, like a stab to it. I tried not to let it show as he looked at me from up to down, a scowl appearing on his face, his brows furrowed in disapproval.
Seriously? That's what you are wearing, are you trying to disgrace me?" He growled, startling me as I shivered and almost jumped out of my skin, at the fierce tone he used toward me.
I looked down at my dressing, I was clad in a fluffy, cute gown with a bow-tie on my head so what was wrong with it?
'I was dressed well, wasn't I?' I pondered as he continued talking.
"I can't believe, as my mate, you are dressed like a peasant, to a party, especially when you are the celebrant?" He commented, with distaste, his jaw clenching.
"You shouldn't be so harsh on her, David. She spent all day dolling up for you, at least appreciate it." Lana spoke up for me and I sighed.
I had even forgotten she was here.
"What's the essence if she is just going to look like this?" He gestured, his words hurting me, my jaw dropping as I felt shocked, unable to say anything.
We have been dating for almost a year now, and he has never complained about my dressing before.
I knew it wasn't so fancy, people often said it and used it to make fun of me, but he never cared until now, and it stung, because only his opinions matter.
I wanted to refute his words, but then my words got stuck in my throat as I saw how piercing his glare was at me.
"Alright, I am sorry. Should I change?" I inquired instead.
"No need, get in. We are already late." He commanded and got into the car, leaving me outside to find my way in, and that was so unlike him.
I just ignored all these and got in too, with Lana, and on our way, David never let me rest. He kept on complaining about the neighborhood pack.
The powerful pack with their unknown leader who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, was known to be brutal and ruthless.
David was hell-bent on helping his pack take them down, and I was honestly worried because, from the rumors I had heard, he was no match for them.
We arrived at the clubhouse where we were to celebrate my birthday and met everyone already partying and drinking.
I felt uncomfortable since David had just left me alone and immediately mingled with his friends, totally ignoring my presence.
"Oh, moon goddess!" I heard a loud shriek and turned to see no one other than Beth, David's childhood friend, who doesn't like me and takes pleasure in looking for anything wrong in whatever I do.
"What is this garbage you are wearing? Are you trying to embarrass David?" She yelled at me, gripping me tightly by my hands, her fingers digging into my flesh.
I winced in pain and flung her hand away, sending her a glare.
"I thought the same, too, and asked her." David supported and his other two close friends, whom I didn't even notice were nearby, burst into laughter immediately.
I suddenly felt like an outcast, like the ground should just open up and swallow me. I took my eyes to the ground, playing with my gown and trying not to appear hurt.
Meanwhile, Lana got acquainted immediately, and the long night went on as they all discussed, bringing up unnecessary talks, which I struggled to comment on once in a while.
It didn't even feel like my birthday anymore but thankfully, Lana was around to cheer me up.
After a moment of boredom, I decided to go to the restroom when I noticed David also moving in the same direction.
'That was odd, did he miss his way or something?' I wondered, getting up and following, about to call out to him, when Lana came out of the restroom, wrapped her hands around his neck, and kissed him.
My heart skipped a beat as I froze, watching him reciprocate the kiss, his hands wrapping around her possessively. He broke the kiss and;
"Mine."He roared, his deep, blue orbs turning icy and as soon as Lana saw this, her eyes shot up like stars, her face breaking into a smile.
All colors drained from my face as my heart began to pound repeatedly when realization hit me. My boyfriend had just claimed Lana.
"D-David." I stammered and Lana reared backwards at seeing me, going pale while I tried to breathe, the air suddenly suffocating.
David was taken back to see me at first, but then recovered and just rolled his eyes like it was nothing, and I was the nuisance bugging them.
"Why?" I tried confronting them when he said all sorts of hurtful words to me, not caring that he was shattering my heart, twisting a knife into my guts.
I couldn't bear it any longer and just ran out of the clubhouse, letting the tears I was trying desperately to hold back run down my cheeks as I realized I just experienced two of the greatest betrayals of my night.
The bonfire flickered around me, casting shadows over the empty school field. I dropped to my knees, shaking, my breath caught between sobs.
This wasn't how tonight was supposed to go.
I was his mate.
I was his.
How could he choose Lana? How could she —
"I should've known," I whispered, hugging my arms around myself. "I should've seen it coming."
Then —
"What are you doing here, little bird?" A voice spoke. A Deep. Rough. Dangerous voice.
I jolted, spinning around to find a tall figure emerging from the shadows. He moved like smoke, fluid and effortless.
Eyes like dying embers glowed faintly in the dark.
His scent hit me — earth, smoke, power.
Not human.
And definitely not from a pack.
Definitely not safe.
I scrambled to my feet. "Who are you?"
He smirked, revealing the glint of fangs. "Someone who just watched you get broken," he said.
"And someone who could teach you how to make them all bleed for it."