Tiara

Verlice POV

Earlier, when I left for the Alpha Conference, I didn’t have anything to look forward to. It was just like any other average, boring conference I had attended in the past.

Yet in just a few hours, my world was rocked like never before.

I found my mate after a long time of searching, only to be rejected for a reason I was yet to know.

Originally, the Starry Pack and my Red Moon Pack were contemplating forming an alliance.

And with such a beautiful thing as being mated to Elsher, we would have taken steps forward. Our union would have been beautiful.

Yet none of what I expected happened.

My hand moved to my aching and tightened chest, rubbing it to alleviate the pain.

It felt like a hot knife coated with wolfsbane had been stabbed into my heart, making it hurt so much I wanted to roar and shatter the whole mansion.

Yet I knew I couldn’t display any sign of weakness.

I was the Alpha. I had to take it and hide my emotions. I fell onto the bed and used my palm to cover my eyes.

I took a deep breath to regain control of my emotions, yet nothing worked. All that replayed in my mind was Elsher’s face.

The coldness in her eyes when she rejected me pierced my heart. It felt like we had been enemies for a long time.

Why? I wanted to ask her why. But she left before I could even blink.

My eyes fell on the photo placed among the set of photos next to my bed; it was a photo of Tiara and me. Tiara had a smile on her face and we stood together. They were good times.

I picked up the photo and hurled it across the room—shards of glass filled the spot where the photo landed.

My eyes narrowed and a deprecating chuckle spilled past my lips.

Tiara was so cruel to end things by cheating me. How could she stay with me just to take advantage of me?

If this news had spilled to the pack, the world would have thought I was a shameless and overbearing Alpha taking advantage of a wolf’s mate using my power, not knowing it was the other way around.

I already had enough of a bad reputation and the name of PACK TAKER.

In this world, when things happened, people were quick to judge and blame the one in power, never finding the fault of the other partner.

My hand balled into a fist and my chest heaved and fell like the rising and crashing of a wave. The piercing ache in my chest exploded into rage.

Tiara had shown a loving and caring side ever since she became my contract girlfriend two years ago.

Our contract was simple: Tiara would take the role of an acting Luna and accompany me to every occasion as my partner while she got rewarded.

“Your Highness, Miss Tiara is seeking entry,” Stephen suddenly announced, snapping me from my reverie.

I shut my eyes tight and took a deep breath to control my building rage.

I never wanted to see her again after what she had done. I thought I made it clear. Why was she here?

I opened my eyes and sat at the edge of the bed. I should clean things up properly. I calmly said, “Let her in.”

Not even three minutes passed before Tiara scurried into the room and hugged me tight. Her tears left a wet patch on my clothes.

Tiara cried out, her voice filled with panic and her body trembling. “Verlice, what… what does Stephen mean by we’ve broken up? We promised to stay with each other. We…”

I separated from Tiara and stared at her, unmoved by her tears. “You cheated, Tiara. You broke the agreement.”

Tiara froze, and her eyes flashed with agitation, fear, and tears. “What? What do you mean?”

It was clear she didn’t expect me to have known all she had been up to. To hide for five months—that took a lot of skill. Truly.

I sneered. Was Tiara trying to deny and act innocent despite knowing what she did?

The feelings I had for her vanished. Having a liar and cheat like Tiara close to you spelled nothing but danger. You couldn’t know when she was real and when she was lying.

I stared deep into her eyes. “You found your mate, and I’ve found mine. Our partnership is over. Leave my mansion.”

“You found your…?” Tiara froze and looked at me unblinkingly, trying to process what I had just said. Suddenly, she shrieked, “What? How? How can you find your mate?”

Tiara glared and pointed at me, her eyes filled with denial. “You’re lying. Nothing changed in the mansion. You are just saying this so you can send me away…”

I narrowed my eyes and scoffed. Did Tiara think she was worthy enough for me to spin a lie just to make her disappear? I didn’t even need to lift a finger—and she knew this.

Realizing the meaning behind my expression, Tiara grabbed my hand tightly and shrieked like a madwoman. “You can’t find a mate. No! I’m the only woman that can be in your life. I am the right fit for you as a Luna, not that slut who came from nowhere. I have been here all this time—she can’t just come from nowhere to snatch my hard work…”

Tiara’s face was devoid of emotions, and all that was left were hatred and killing intent.

The respect I had once had for Tiara dissipated and was replaced with hatred instead.

I massaged my brows, wondering how I hadn’t seen past Tiara’s actions all this while. Or had I subconsciously turned a blind eye to it? Well, regardless. Everything had ended.

I stood up from the bed. Being in the same surroundings with her felt so repulsive now. “Throw her out. From now on, my palace is beyond reach for Miss Tiara.” I turned to leave.

Suddenly, hands wrapped around my waist and Tiara’s head rested on my back. She lowered her voice to a soft one, filled with panic. “Verlice, please. I am… I am very sorry. Don’t break up with me, huh? Don’t.”

She grabbed my hand and stood in front of me, her breath hurried and tears streaming down her eyes. “It’s because I love you. I’m afraid to lose you, Verlice. I can’t bear the thought of losing you to another woman. I can’t bear it.” Tiara bit her lower lip and stared into my eyes with her hazy ones, her face turning red.

Yet her pitiful act and her attempts to seduce me didn’t move me a bit. I couldn’t feel remorse toward someone who had no qualms about hurting me.

Had Tiara been clean with me, even if she stopped attending occasions with me and fulfilling her role as my partner, I would never have restricted her. I would have given Tiara the chance to continue having access to all the opportunities she had when she was my partner.

However, Tiara chose to deceive me for months. What if the media had gotten to know about it before I did?

Since Tiara loved her mate so much, why was she still begging to be with me?

I shrugged off Tiara’s hand that wrapped around me and directed a cold look at the guards who were still standing by. “What are you waiting for?”

“Your Highness.” The guards bowed to me and took hold of Tiara.

“Verlice, you’re making a mistake choosing that slut over me. I don’t care if you have a mate or not. Just know that I’ll never let you go. I’ll haunt your life. I’ll be your nightmare at night, and I’ll make you beg me to become mine.” Tiara’s fierce voice invaded my ears as the guards dragged her away amidst her vain struggles.

I strode into the bathroom, several thoughts running through my mind, none of them related to Tiara nor paying attention to what she had just said.

All that kept floating in my mind was Elsher and how she looked perfect.

I might have a setback, but I believed it was only temporary.

I clenched my fist in agitation and met my dark eyes through the mirror. My mate was mine.

Elsher was mine. Regardless of what, I would never let her go.