Chapter 3 Chapter 3

Liora's POV

I tossed the phone onto the bed like it had burned me.

Had it all been a lie?

The five years, the promises, the kisses, the nights spent dreaming about our ceremony. I thought Zade was waiting for the right time. That he was building something for us. For me.

Instead, he was building it with her.

The tears slipped free. I didn't bother wiping them. I just sat there, staring at nothing, my chest hollow and aching. My fingers curled around the bedsheet, gripping it like it could anchor me.

My phone rang, breaking through the ringing in my ears. I reached for it, half-expecting another news alert. But it wasn't that.

'Grandpa, ' the caller ID reflected.

My heart jumped.

I hesitated, clearing my throat before I answered. "Hello?"

"Liora," came the familiar sound of his voice, warm but this time cautious. "I saw the news. Are you alright?"

"Yes, grandpa, I'm fine," I answered, choking back my tears. I wasn't one to show weakness and wouldn't start now, not even at the worst moment of my life.

"Are-" he began, but trailed off, deciding it was better not to probe further. "Come home for dinner tonight, dear," he said gently.

"Sure," I agreed instantly. I'd rather not be alone right now anyway. My grandfather lived at the nearby pack, Moon Park, which shared a boundary with the Nightshade pack. I moved here a few years ago so I could live a normal life, but I still paid him visits regularly.

***

Eight hours later, I stood on the front porch of my grandfather's villa. The door opened seconds after I rang the bell, revealing my grandfather, who had an infectious grin.

"My dear granddaughter, I missed you so much." He said excitedly. He immediately embraced me warmly.

"I missed you, too, Grandpa," I said with as much enthusiasm as I could muster. We proceeded to the grand dining room, and maids began the meals, which, by the way, were more than enough for the two of us. Dinner had only lasted ten minutes before my grandpa finally blurted out the question I knew had been on the tip of his tongue all morning.

"Dear, what about happened with Zade.?" He asked carefully.

Some, hearing Zade's name, no longer affected me like it had hours ago when he had asked.

"He cheated, it's whatever," I mumbled.

"That asshole will definitely regret it. If you want, I'll teach him a lesson. How dare he bully my granddaughter? I'll make him pay!" He sneered, but I quickly shook my head disapprovingly.

"It's okay, Grandpa. I'll handle things between us myself. Don't worry," I said confidently.

Despite my reassurance, my grandfather still looked at me with concern.

"If you had just come forward as my granddaughter, that girl's family wouldn't have had a chance." He sighed, his brows furrowed in annoyance.

My grandfather was the alpha of Moon Park and had raised me since my parents passed. He kept my identity hidden with the intention of announcing me as the heir when I got older, but when I finally got old, I wanted to keep my identity secret because I liked my little private lives. Although my grandfather initially opposed the idea, he eventually gave in.

"This way, I can see a person's true colors. It's just what I needed to see that beast for who he is!" I replied, my fingers tightening around my spoon.

"Then, should we announce tomorrow that you're my granddaughter?" He urged

"No need, Grandpa. I'm a bit tired and want to rest." I said tiredly because my body was still aching.

"Then in a couple of days, there's a banquet. You'll come with me, and I'll announce to everyone that you're my granddaughter. Let that loser regret it!" He demanded. I sighed in defeat, knowing he wasn't going to let this go until I agreed.

***

The news of Zade and Selene's marriage had spread like wildfire, and I was pretty sure the entire pack were aware of it. After all, it does involve pack royalties.

I had spent the most part of my day indoors, sleeping to ignore the ache in my chest. When I woke up, I was suprised to see Zade had spammed my dm with multiple text messages.

"Liora, it's not what you think. I married Selene because my family forced me to. I'll definitely divorce her as soon as possible. Please wait for me, okay?"

"Liora, the person I love is you. This will never change. Please give me another chance."

Forced? I snickered at the silliness of his text. Zade truly was something. He dated my friend for three years and dared say he was forced to marry her? Was he forced to also fuck her? How low was he willing to go? It felt like I hadn't even known him all along. My mate had been a stranger.

Not wanting to put up with his nonsense, I immediately blocked his number from texting and calling me without a second thought.

"Liora, have you seen the trendy news? What's going on? Your mate really married Selene?"

Another text popped up but this time from Raya, my childhood best friend.

"Are you okay? Should I come back to the pack to be with you?" The second text message followed.

"I saw it. It' s nothing. He's just a scumbag. I've already rejected him" I typed immediately and clicked the send button.

"Are you free tomorrow? Let's hangout together tomorrow tonight." Raya replied.

"Aren't you on vacation abroad?" I texted back.

"With something like this happening, of course I have to come back to be with you. I'm already at the airport and about to board the flight. I'll send you the restaurant address later. Don't forget to come!"

Raya truly was something and I was beyond grateful to have her. As promised, Raya sent the restaurant address. It was one of the hottest restaurants in the pack, which also happened to be one I owned major shares in.

The next evening, I arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early. The valet took my car with a small bow, and I stepped out into the cool night air, adjusting the cuffs of my white blouse.

The hostess greeted me with a polite smile and led me toward the private dining section Raya had reserved.

And then I saw them.

Zade and Selene.

Seated in one of the open booths to the right, laughing. Zade had a bandage on his forehead, where I had hit him the other night. As if sensing my heated stare, their gaze both drifted my way at that exact moment.

Shit-