"You shouldn't be here, you're the Alpha King and Liam's uncle." I managed to say, trying to resist his touch. He chuckled deeply, "You forgot one more thing" he said simply, brushing his thumb over my lower lips. "What is that?" I whispered almost inaudibly. "I'm also your mate." He murmured, leaning towards me. "What do you want from me?" I asked, feeling so confused. "Isn't it obvious?" He asked with a smirk, "I want you." . . Aria is heartbroken, when her fated mate, the Alpha's son, betrays and brutally rejects her. Seeking for temporary comfort, she finds herself in the arms of a mysterious stranger who offers her the comfort she desperately craves that night, under the influence of a sexual stimulant and she flees the next morning. To her shock, she discovers her passionate night was spent with her ex-mate's uncle, the Alpha King, Alpha Knox Blackwood, who is also her second chance mate. Knox however is not willing to let her go. He has had a taste, and wants her for himself. Knox offers her a second chance - an opportunity to leave her past as an omega behind, and she quickly accepts. However, there are so many people not happy about this, and Knox has a dark secret. What happens when their dark pasts rise up to haunt them?
Aria's POV
Liam clinked his glass with a spoon and a handsome smile on his face "Can I have everyone's attention please?".
Everyone paused and gave him their full attention, including me. I was supposed to be serving drinks at the party, but I couldn't resist watching HIM.
Liam Reed, the son of the Alpha of the Grey Moon pack, and my mate.
I knew I had a stupid smile on my face, but I couldn't help it.
Many times, I wondered how I got so lucky, how an omega like me got blessed with an alpha-to-be for a mate, an alpha that loved me so much.
"Aria..." my friend, Claire whispered harshly, trying to grab my attention.
I blinked my eyes as I came out from my daydreaming. I was still holding a tray of drinks in my hands.
"You're supposed to be serving drinks, not drooling over Liam Reed" she teased.
I rolled my eyes jokingly, "I'm not drooling," I replied, but I got distracted again when Liam started speaking.
"Today is a very special day for me and for this pack." Liam stated, and my heart skipped a beat.
"As I turn twenty-two today, I would love to also introduce to you all my mate, the future Luna of this pack." He declared, his eyes were shining with excitement and love.
Excited murmurs and whispers filled the room. My heart skipped again, I couldn't believe it. He was going to do it today.
Excitement surged through my body, he had promised to reveal me as his mate when the time was right, and I was thinking he was going to wait till he would be crowned as alpha.
I didn't know it was closer than I thought. Rhea, my wolf was giddy with excitement inside me. We weren't expecting this right now.
I wished he had given me a clue that it was happening today, on his twenty-second birthday. So that I could have been dressed more impressively, but maybe he just wanted to surprise me.
I grinned as I braced myself to be introduced to the pack.
Liam waited patiently for the whispers to die down before he continued speaking. "Please welcome my fated mate, chosen for me by the moon goddess herself, and the future Luna of the Grey Moon pack,"
Everyone held their breaths, I included.
"...... Veronica Hall!" Liam declared.
Everyone in the party burst into cheers and applause, except me.
My mind went blank. Did I hear that right? Veronica Hall? Not me? Not Aria?
I stood frozen and the tray of drinks shook in my hands. I watched in shock and disbelief as Veronica, the beta's daughter, a tall and beautiful she-wolf with long, black hair, stepped forward confidently as though she was expecting it.
She approached Liam, who was looking at her with love and admiration. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a long kiss.
No. This can't be happening.
The crowd was still cheering and applauding them, but my ears were ringing. It felt like I couldn't breathe and my heart pounded painfully in my chest.
Rhea howled in pain in my head, and I clutched my chest as the pain was too much.
My eyes were burning with tears, but I controlled myself, because I didn't want to cry in front of everyone, even though it was so hard as I remembered what I thought we had together.
What went wrong? Did I do something wrong?
We were fated mates, and Liam had always told me that he loved me. But now he was standing there, kissing another woman publicly, when he had never acknowledged me in public.
I remembered how it always hurt me when he walked past me without any form of recognition in his gaze. But he always came back in private to apologize and kiss me senseless. Promising to reveal us as mates when the time is right.
His mother, Luna Flora Reed, hugged Veronica with a bright smile on her face, while his father, Alpha Maxwell Reed patted his shoulders with approval.
"Aria," Claire called me with concern in her voice "Are you okay?"
I couldn't speak, I could only nod. I never told anyone about my relationship with Liam. Even my foster mother, Felicia, wasn't aware of my relationship with him.
I couldn't turn my eyes from the scene playing out in front of me. I could only watch as my world crumbled around me.
Liam finally broke the kiss and turned to the crowd with a proud smile on his face. He didn't even look my way, even though I knew he knew I was here.
Veronica was smiling too, looking like the future Luna, as if she had always known this moment would come. How long had she known?
"I need to get out of here," I whispered. My voice trembled. It sounded like the voice of a broken person.
I didn't wait for any reply as I dropped the tray of drinks on the table and I rushed to the restroom in the party to compose myself.
As I made my way out, I could still hear Liam's voice. It was full of so much joy and pride. "Thank you, everyone, for your support and love. Veronica and I are truly blessed by the moon goddess."
Each word felt like a dagger that was being pierced into my heart.
Immediately I entered the restroom and I locked the door, I slid down against it, and the tears I had been holding back flowed down my cheeks uncontrollably.
I sobbed loudly as I thought of how much I loved Liam. It felt like my heart was being torn to pieces.
I cried for a long time before the tears stopped flowing. A thought flashed through my head and I paused.
There had to be an explanation. Maybe Liam was forced into this by his parents. He had told me many times of the pressure he was facing from his parents. Maybe he had another plan. Maybe he needed to see me, so that he could explain everything to me. Yes, that must be it.
I stood up, wiped my tears away and took a deep breath. l splashed some cold water on my face, as I tried to compose myself.
I stared at my reflection in the mirror and my sapphire blue eyes stared back at me miserably. My blonde hair was a mess, so I had to rearrange it to its usual ponytail.
I took a deep breath again and prepared myself.
I opened the restroom door and stepped out into the corridor, however I froze at the sight before me. Liam and Veronica were in the hallway. Their bodies were pressed against each other and they were kissing passionately. Veronica's hands were tangled in his hair, and Liam's arms were wrapped tightly around her waist. They were like people that couldn't get enough of each other.
Rejected by her mate, who had been her long-time crush, Jasmine felt utterly humiliated. Seeking solace, she headed to a party to drown her sorrows. But things took a turn for the worse when her friends issued a cruel dare: kiss a stranger or beg her mate for forgiveness. With no other choice, Jasmine approached a stranger and kissed him, thinking that would be the end of it. However, the stranger unexpectedly wrapped his arms around her waist and whispered in her ear, "You're mine!" He growled, his words sending shivers down her spine. And then, he offered her a solution that would change everything...
Belinda thought after divorce, they would part ways for good - he could live his life on his own terms, while she could indulge in the rest of hers. However, fate had other plans in store. "My darling, I was wrong. Would you please come back to me?" The man, whom she once loved deeply, lowered his once proud head humbly. "I beg you to return to me." Belinda coldly pushed away the bouquet of flowers he had offered her and coolly replied, "It's too late. The bridge has been burned, and the ashes have long since scattered to the wind!"
In her previous life, Kimberly endured the betrayal of her husband, the cruel machinations of an evil woman, and the endless tyranny of her in-laws. It culminated in the bankruptcy of her family, and ultimately, her death. After being reborn, she resolved to seek retribution against those who had wronged her, and ensure her family's prosperity. To her shock, the most unattainable man from her past suddenly set his sights on her. "You may have overlooked me before, but I shall capture your heart this time around."
On the day of their wedding anniversary, Joshua's mistress drugged Alicia, and she ended up in a stranger's bed. In one night, Alicia lost her innocence, while Joshua's mistress carried his child in her womb. Heartbroken and humiliated, Alicia demanded a divorce, but Joshua saw it as yet another tantrum. When they finally parted ways, she went on to become a renowned artist, sought out and admired by everyone. Consumed by regret, Joshua darkened her doorstep in hopes of reconciliation, only to find her in the arms of a powerful tycoon. "Say hello to your sister-in-law."
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?
To the public, Arabella was Owen's trusty secretary who catered to all his needs and served as the primary blood donor of his beloved, who was in a coma. Behind closed doors, she was Owen's submissive wife. Arabella was quiet and obedient, and she endured every humiliation without a word of protest. Rumored to be a neat freak, Owen had tossed the last woman who had dared to kiss him into the river. Yet he pinned Arabella against the wall and demanded, "Give me a child, and I’ll let you go!" Arabella pushed him away and flashed him a cold smile. "You are not worthy!"