Chapter 1 The Betrayal

BLAIR'S POV

They say parties are meant for fun, a place to lose yourself and escape your worries. In my case, I lost my mate and everyone I thought I trusted.

I spotted a couple kissing the moment I stepped into the loud frat house filled with people dancing and drinking. I watched them for a second and shook my head as they groped each other.

As I weaved my way through the dark crowd, the house vibrated with deafening music and the air was thick with the scent of alcohol and sweat.

Wow, I thought, seeing how people were pressed against each other, grinding to the beat and lost in the thrill of the party.

Once again, Jaxon had thrown the wildest and best birthday party of the year.

I tightened my grip on the wrapped gift in my hands, making sure it didn't slip. I had spent weeks thinking about what to get him this year and finally decided to get him a jersey with my name printed on it.

It was different from the usual cologne, sneakers, or watches I'd given him over the years. This was more personal. More meaningful. And I hoped he liked it.

Jaxon and I had been together for four years already. We started dating in high school, and two years later, when I turned eighteen, I discovered he was my mate.

When I found out, I felt like fate had rewarded me. I loved him already, but realizing we were meant to be? It was like everything in my life had fallen into place.

After that, we decided to apply to the same college, Northvale, so we wouldn't have to do long-distance. I wanted us to experience everything together and love each other even more.

Jaxon was everything a girl could want. Handsome, confident, and popular. He was a star player on the basketball team. And most importantly, he took care of me. Even if we were a little different, it didn't matter. Nothing mattered because I loved him.

And that should have been enough. Right?

"Hey, Blair."

I turned to see Max, one of Jaxon's friends, standing by the counter, a red solo cup in his hand. He was already tipsy and wore a lazy grin.

"Hey," I replied, my eyes scanning the kitchen. But Jaxon wasn't there.

"You looking for Jax?" Max asked, reading my expression.

"Yeah, have you seen him?"

He nodded. "Saw him go upstairs a while ago."

I exhaled, relieved. That was even better. If he was in his room, we could talk privately. I could give him his gift, maybe even steal a few quiet moments away from the chaos of the party. And then go back to study for my test.

"Thanks, Max," I said before heading toward the stairs.

The music faded slightly as I moved up the stairs, my fingers still gripping the neatly wrapped jersey.

I hoped he liked it.

When I reached his room, I lifted my hand to knock but then I heard something.

Pushing my dark brown hair behind my ear, I listened closely, almost pressing my ear against the door, and that's when I heard it again.

A moan, followed by a consistent thud.

I froze and a sense of dread washed over me.

My brows furrowed as I glanced at the door to be sure. This was Jaxon's room. No mistake about it.

Another moan came and this time, I recognized the voice.

"You feel so good," Jaxon groaned.

My stomach dropped. No. No, this wasn't real.

I could feel my heart pounding and my fingers shaking as I reached for the door.

I gripped the doorknob, hesitation twisting in my gut. I didn't want to see whatever was happening on the other side. But my body moved on its own, my hand turning the knob, pushing the door open before my brain could catch up.

And what I saw made my world crumble.

My mouth fell open when I saw Jaxon, my mate, pants down. He was fucking a girl pinned against the wall, her legs wrapped around his waist and her head thrown back as he thrust into her.

"Harper...." I choked out, but my voice came out as a whisper.

I couldn't breathe as I stood there. The sight took the air from my lungs and made my heart drop to my stomach. It felt like a thousand needles were piercing through my chest, and I bit down on my lips to swallow the cry threatening to escape.

I felt my knees go weak, my fingers going numb and the gift I was holding slipped from my hand and landed with a dull thud on the floor.

Harper's eyes snapped open when she heard the sound and she looked directly at me.

She froze.

The room was suddenly silent, except for the deafening sound of my own heartbeat.

Jaxon turned his head, his eyes widening as the realization hit him. But it was too late.

"Shit!" He cursed under his breath as he sprang away from Harper.

Air. I needed air.

My chest tightened and it seemed as if my lungs were refusing to work as I stood there, frozen, watching the two people I trusted the most scramble for words... and their clothes.

After covering himself, Jaxon stepped forward. His pants was still unbuttoned and his hands reached out like he could fix this somehow.

"Sta...stay back," I choked out, moving back. My voice was shaking as hot tears streamed down my face.

"Blair, just calm down," Jaxon said. "Let's talk, okay?"

"Calm down?" Tears poured down my face. "You want me to calm down so we can talk? Talk about what? How you were fucking my best friend?"

"Blair..." Harper finally spoke, her voice small.

I snapped my head toward her, anger taking over. "How could you?" I yelled, glaring at her. "How could you do this to me?"

She flinched, glancing at Jaxon like he was supposed to save her.

"Both of you! I trusted both of you!" I cried.

Jaxon ran a hand through his hair, looking frustrated. But the next second, he snapped.

"Will you calm down?" His voice rose, annoyed. "Stop playing the victim card!"

I blinked in shock, surprised by his tone and audacity. "Victim card?"

He scoffed, rolling his eyes like I was the one being ridiculous. "You act like this is all on me, but maybe if you weren't so fucking uptight, I wouldn't have had to cheat on you."

I stared at him, feeling numb. "What?"

He folded his arms, looking at me like I should have seen this coming. "We've been together for four years, Blair. Four fucking years, and all we do is make out like a couple of high school kids." He let out a sharp laugh. "Hell, even high school kids have fucked!"

My stomach turned. "You told me you were okay with waiting," I whispered.

"Well, I'm not anymore," he snapped. "All my teammates talk about the girls they hook up with, and I just sit there like a fucking loser because my girlfriend is a damn prude." He threw his hands up. "Who the fuck is still a virgin in college, huh?"

My heart shattered all over again.

Not just because he cheated.

But because he was blaming me for it.

I scoffed, wiping the tears that blurred my vision. I turned to Harper. "And you? Why did you do it?"

She crossed her arms, her expression suddenly cold. "I don't owe you an explanation, Blair," she replied. "Jaxon and I have been fucking for eight months, so if you really cared about your mate, you would've noticed earlier."

Eight months.

My best friend and mate have been betraying me for almost a year. I clutched my chest, trying to stop the anguish I felt.

"This is my birthday party," Jaxon spat. "You should have been here with me but you had a stupid test to study for. You're so boring!!"

I opened my mouth to speak, to defend myself, but all that came out was a shaky breath.

"Reject him," my wolf cried, feeling my pain. "He has hurt us."

Even though I tried to hold back my tears, it streamed down again. "You know what? Go ahead. Keep fucking." I wiped my face. "I'm done. I'm out of both your lives."

"Blair, don't do this," Jaxon said, stepping toward me. "You'll regret it. I'm an Alpha's son. If we get married, you'll be a Luna. We can talk about this."

I lifted my eyes to him in disbelief. "Regret it?" I laughed but deep inside, I was angry, I was so hurt. "What exactly do I have to regret?"

Harper rolled her eyes. "Drop the pride, Blair. You need Jaxon. Just accept it."

I glanced between both of them and realized they must have had this conversation. How I would not be able to leave Jaxon even if I caught them because I needed him.

Sucking in a deep breath, I felt my whole body shake with fury. Then I straightened up, holding my ground.

"I, Blair Thorn, reject you, Jaxon Steele, as my mate." I pronounced with all the strength in me, feeling the pain of my wolf.

Jaxon's face went pale, and his mouth fell open slightly like he didn't actually believe I would say the words. But I had. I'd said them.

Instantly, I turned to leave.

"Blair! Come back! Blair!"

I didn't look back as I ran down the stairs in tears, ignoring Jaxon's who was yelling out my name.