Loser Mate Is GOBSMACKED That I Left Him!

Amelia's POV

I was attending a Ball special for werewolves to celebrate the New Moon with my Alpha mate Jared Marrok. But all of a sudden, I saw black and fainted disgracefully to the ground.

Curious crowd gathered at the center of the courtroom, puzzled as to how to help me. I was so scared and felt so helpless. Never did I ever feel so alone even with all these people around me. All of them were werewolves and I was the only human around.

"She's just acting up again." Saying, my mate of five years threw a set of keys at me. He always does this, as if that will make my seizure go away.

Miraculously, I got over it and the drive back home was filled with deafening silence. I pursed my lips and looked around the car to ease myself. My heart felt uneasy. Jared was driving erratically across empty roads.

"I had to miss the Ball because of your stupid seizures. Again." He growled at me. Why was he so angry?

"I didn't summon it on purpose," I said, my voice slow and soft. "I don't care. You got your attention and now you're making me drive you back to your tacky studio apartment. Which I'm paying for."

"Thank you for the rent then. You insisted to stay in a shitty apartment close to your workplace for access." I said calmly. He looked at me with raging eyes. He wasn't like this before. He was sweet and calm. I don't know what demon possessed him. My wandering gaze fell on a small velvet box and a rose in his car compartment. As I was to touch it, he swatted my hand away.

"Don't Touch things which aren't yours. Basic manners, Amelia." Saying, he stopped in the middle of nowhere and turned to me.

"Since you look healthy enough to argue with me, why don't you find your way back home? I'm sure you can walk." I was confused by his sudden outburst. Why is he punishing me? What did I even do?

"My phone's dead." I reasoned.

"I don't care." Saying he hurled me onto the sidewalk at 1 am on a December night and sped away back to the alphas' Ball.

He found me six years ago and I've been loyal to him ever since. He was loyal too, until seven months ago.

The next day, I found myself sleeping on a bus stand seat. Other travelers looked at me weirdly, and that was my cue to walk back home, 10 miles away.

At my 'tacky studio apartment' my mate aka fiance was waiting on the porch impatiently.

"It's freaking three in the afternoon. Where the hell were you? Why didn't you lift my calls?" He asked without even noticing how dehydrated I was. He just pulled me inside after finding the keys under the doormat. I freshened myself up and sat at the table quietly.

"Where is the vase I gifted you?" He asked coldly.

"Like many other gifts it didn't last long and cracked so I threw it," I said, remembering how it was decorating the garbage can instead. Worthy there.

"Whatever." I looked down and saw he made a sandwich. He was distracted so I took the sandwich and took a bite. He looked at me incredulously.

"What the hell? That was mine." He claimed.

"I have been serving you for six years. Can't I have one sandwich because I didn't eat anything since yesterday?" As I countered, he strode to my side and grabbed the ceramic plate, hurling it mercilessly to the wall.

It shattered with the food all over, just like my heart.

"Don't fucking talk back to me." Growling, he pulled me up by my arm and shoved me into the car.

At the signal, his eyes caught something lingering in the backseat and he reached for it.

"What the hell is this? I swear I'm going to shred all your clothes to pieces if you continue behaving like this."Jared was always particular about not leaving any of my belongings in his car. He hated it. He held it up and it looked like underwear.

"It's not mine." I was quick to say and he was quick to be embarrassed. He expected me to question and yell at him. But he was scornful and frustrated when I didn't even pay heed to him. He figured out he shouldn't press on that topic and continued driving silently.

We reached Baroness County to collect our wedding suit and dress. Our wedding was to be burgundythemed.

"Ah, Alpha Jared and Miss Amelia! Your suit and dress are ready to pick up. Perfect timing." The sweet, joyful man said.

"We want to do an outfit check first." Jared insisted. He had a comical smirk on his face. As I tried the dress on and showed it to him, he came over and shamelessly picked at the deep vline.

"What is this? Trying to steal attention from all the men there, huh?"

"But you selected it—"

"Take it off. We will take another one."

"But we already bought it—" He cut me off again,

"I'm paying. You should just listen to me." The shop employee just looked at us with an uncomfortable smile.

As we were heading out, he gave the bags to me and took a call like it was the most urgent one.

"Oh yes, that! Haha, why did you leave it in my car? You're such a silly little girl....yeah, don't worry about that...3rd avenue at your photoshoot? I'm coming."

Jared didn't even look back and got into his car, speeding off somewhere. Meanwhile, I looked at the bags in my hand and abandoned them close to a public trash can. Because that's where they truly belong.

I stared at the new company group chat update. A picture flaunting Aurora with an intimate, suggestive smile for a photoshoot with Jared as the male model. I was quick to put a thumbs up and unpinned Jared's chat from my list of contacts.

The next morning at ten, I entered my work building when the lift doors opened. Jared and Aurora White were chuckling but their happiness was shortlived when I entered.

"Ah! Stop doing that, sir! It's annoying! Ms. Amelia! Alpha Jared is being too playful and irritable! Handle him for me!" I heard Aurora's squeaky voice command.

"No. You're on your own." I replied frugally.

"Keep lying about me to everyone and one day, it'll all come back to bite you." Jared said in a tone I hadn't heard in a while. He sounded so soft and vulnerable with her while he always yelled and growled at me.

"The shepherd and tiger story, huh? Well, it won't work for me. Everyone in this building 'loves' me. Im their top supermodel for photoshoots!" Aurora squeaked like a rat.

"Am I right, Amelia? Oh, but you work with clothes. You wouldn't know how a supermodel looks like, right? I can't live a boring life like yours with the beauty I have, haha!" I rolled my eyes. Jared noticed and when we got out of the lift, he grabbed my arm with force and pulled me aside,

"Were you giving attitude just now? Go apologize to Aurora." Said Jared.

"I didn't do anything wrong." I looked over and saw Aurora pouting and refusing to face me. How childish.

"Go apologize. Now." He seethed. The anger dripped out of his teeth.

"She insulted my job. I put the clothes on her skinny body. Remember that." Jared suddenly realized I was in control of the situation and let me go. I walked past them, meeting up with my PA. However, Jared is the chairman of this fashion company and we all work under him. Even Aurora.

"Miss. You've got delivery." My PA knocked and said,

"I didn't order anything." I didn't look up.

"It's from boss." I then lifted my head and saw a small cake box. It sat on my desk for a while until curiosity got the best of me. As I opened it, disappointment flooded me.

'Boss forgot about his fiancée but I like sharing, haha!' There was a note attached inside. The cake was half eaten and I felt myself crumbling.

I decided to throw the cake away and went into the lift. To my dismay, Aurora was there too. Suddenly, the lift started shaking and Aurora clung to me tightly, bringing me down with her! Her fearstricken actions were shaking the lift even more!

Two minutes of this, and I see a man with rolled up sleeves and a worried face rip the lift doors open. It was Jared,

"Jared, I'm hurt—" I was about to say, but Jared's attention was fully towards Aurora. I watched her being wheeled away as she kept crying. I was left there to fend for myself when my arm was cut up brutally by Aurora's claws.

I was on the verge of getting another seizure, but who was his priority? Not his fiancee.

In the evening, I was to go back home with Jared, but he never picked up my calls. I got a notification on my social media. The posts were about Aurora in the hospital and everyone who visited her.

'Best employer EVER!'

She captioned. And of course, there was a separate video of Jared holding her hand and caressing it. He was even smiling shamelessly.

Later that night, I was making late dinner when there was a knock at my door.

"Can I ask for a favour?" Jared invited himself in and sat on the couch.

"Make me muffins and pastries. Now." Saying, he switched the TV on and started watching WWE.

"But I'm making my dinner. The counter is occupied." I said rationally.

"Then take my card, go get the necessary groceries and get yourself something too. Don't be stupid." He said and threw his wallet on the TV table. I sighed and did as he barked. Later into midnight, I was damn near exhausted when I stumbled and handed him the muffins and pastries with trembling hands.

"Thanks." He said, but he shot his gaze up and saw my arm covered in bandaids soaked in blood. His gaze softened when he met my eyes.

"You...made them while you were injured? You didn't go to the hospital?"

"I needed a guardian to come with me but no one was there. Everyone went to console Aurora. Is there anything she wants? Ramen, fried dumplings, chocolates? Or my soul?" I said nonchalantly and took over the TV remote.

"That's not nice. I was trying to be empathetic with you." I rolled my eyes.

"I need to sleep. Go deliver them to her."

"How are you so sure they're for her?" He asked. I looked him dead in the eyes and replied,

"In our six years together, I never saw you even touch sweet stuff. You even made my palate shift to sour and spicy even though i suffer from epilepsy." That shut him up real quick and he left.

I was scrolling mindlessly on WhatsApp and tumbled across _MyLove_ chat. I almost forgot that it was Jared's. Even his profile picture boasted Aurora in her new model photoshoot. I quickly changed the contact name to _Loser_ and shut the phone.

[TWO DAYS LATER...]

There was a knock on my cabin which disrupted me.Looking up,I sighed at Jared.He held a box with food in his left hand.

"I visited mom.She made crackers for you because you like them."Jared said.

"Hmm.I'm busy."I said plainly.

"But I texted you.I need your time.We need to discuss about our wedding."Jared was too stupid to take hints.Slamming my pencil to the table,I replied.

"That won't be necessary,"I said coldly.

"Why?"He was confused,which was expected.

"Because the guest list is incomplete.We were too busy for that."I sarcastically said.

"That's fine.We will discuss it over lunch then.Come."Taking my wrist,he dragged me out to an expensive restaurant.

"Give us five oysters,chicken soup with chilli oil and some vanilla ice cream for the lady and an 8oz steak for me.That's it."I sipped on expensive wine as I raised my eyebrow.

"Just steak?For that alpha appetite?"

"I had lunch."He replied,and that shushed me efficiently because I knew who kept him company.

I was scrolling on the phone mindlessly."Who are you talking to?"Jared asked.

"My mom,"I replied monotonously."Okay.Well,I'm going to the bathroom."

"You're not a toddler to inform me."I retorted.He just sighed and went away to do his business.Fifteen minutes turned into half an hour and that turned into an hour.Jared didn't come back.

After paying the bill for our halfeaten food,I got a text from Jared saying,

<Jared:Meet me at the Greenhouse Amusement Park.Right now.Bring tomatoflavoured chips on your way too.>

Jared texted in a commanding tone but I let it go.He must've booked for the evening,forgetting that I had tons of work to do as the chief designer.

"There's your order."I wasn't surprised to see Aurora clinging onto his arm ever so tightly as I got there.Aurora snatched the bag of chips from me and squealed,"Thank you so much!I was out here with my workhusband and thought I'd let you in on the fun too!You've been working your ass off and it pains me to see you—"

"I just came to give the chips.I'm going back to work."Cutting her off abruptly,I turned around to leave.

"If you leave,I'll cut the amount from your paycheck,Amelia."The warning from Jared made me stop in my tracks and I turned around.I knew I was wheeled into a boatload of their drama now.

"Do whatever you want."Giving up never felt so easy.

Jared said he would come back to'teach me a lesson'at my studio apartment.But he will be in for a surprise.Leaving the note and the set of keys on the table,I left the apartment with whatever I could call mine.My luggage fit half of the car trunk and I sped off.

I hope Jared would love his birthday gift the next day.

Hours of drive later,I saw my mom on the porch and ran to her.She embraced me,saying things like,"Oh you've grown so old!I can see you lost weight,my baby!"And so on.She asked me about Jared and I neatly brushed his topic off.

Around late in the night,I was bombarded with texts from the one I'd been expecting.

<Jared:Where the hell are you?Where are all your items?>

<Jared:Don't be a pipsqueak.So what if I gave priority to Aurora,huh?Stop being petty just because she's prettier than you.>

<Jared:Fine.Do whatever you want.But if you're not coming back within two hours I'll track you down.You know me.>

I rolled my eyes.His warning was long in the past.I deleted his contact,switched my phone off and let the slumber take over me.At last,I would sleep peacefully with my tummy full of my mother's homemade food.

The next day was tightly packed in my schedule as I had to look for an apartment and hail a job.My mom sat me down at breakfast and explained,

"Baby,you're my everything.If you need that 47,000$for a down payment,you're taking it from me."

"But that's a lot of money..."I said with tears twirling in my eyes.

"You're my priceless child.My one and old who gave me hope and home after your father left us."She reasoned and I hugged her tightly.

"I'll be the best fashion designer in the country,ma.I love you."I promised her mindfully.

In the evening,I was drained out of life after five interviews and looking at six estates around my neighbourhood.But the smell of cinnamon buns greeted me like a warm hug to the soul.

"Hello,baby!"My mother gently took the bags off of me and hugged me tightly."You're such a big girl now.I'm so proud of...you..."

Her words were fading when she noticed the tears rolling down my cheeks.How long has it been since I've been appreciated?Just told that I'm someone to be proud of...?

Just then,an unexpected message popped up on my screen.

Was it him or her? It was neither of the two I expected.Instead,the stream of messages was from different social media platforms.I clicked on one to get startled at the idiotic collage pictures of Jared and me.

"Ridiculous..."I said under my breath.I excused myself to walk into my bedroom.

I rolled my eyes.It's more like a nightmare than a fantasy in my case.

All the messages were about them extending greetings.I knew who was doing this.This man has stooped so low and messaged everyone personally,inviting them to'our wedding'.However,I kept my cool and quickly went to all these social media platforms.

My status was rather a blow than a gentle breeze to everyone.

Putting the words as my status on all of them,I switched my phone off and made sure Mom didn't view her phone for a day either.

Monday rolled into the calendar sooner than expected.I was called in for three jobs,and I picked the one at my convenience.It was great,they told me to start from the next day and to meanwhile make acquaintances.

My hands were shivering when I opened the door to our CEO's cabin.The manager who stood behind me recalled himself and disappeared.

"GGood afternoon,sir.I'm the new employee."I introduced myself.I've never seen a man more handsome and wellmaintained as Mr.Nicholas Frost.He chuckled my way,"I don't bite,Ms.Amelia.Come and have a seat.Keep me company until your manager remembers about you and comes to pick you up."

His silky voice blew my mind,but I toughened myself up.No more men or dating after what happened with the twisted alpha who was my mate.

Evening came by and the office was closing.Mr Frost was insisting on giving me a ride back home.I politely refused and took the bus home.

As I was entering the apartment,my phone rang and shook me out of my dream world.It was an unknown number.I didn't want to pick it up,but it could be another company trying to offer me a higher stake.

"Hello?"

"Why did you announce to everyone you're single?Bullshit.Take that down.Now."I rolled my eyes.The voice was way too familiar to even contemplate.And no one else dared talk to me like that.

"We're not having the wedding,and I'm saving people's pockets.Get out of my face before I put a restraining order on you.I have enough evidence against you,too."I said,feeling the imaginary sting in my arm.Although it wasn't Jared who did it.

"I don't care,Amelia!You're my mate!You're mine...mine..."he was growling towards the end.I was scared shitless.

"No,Jared.I'm not your mate anymore.I need some time to...to..."The words weren't coming out of my mouth.I was lost in thoughts...

Three years ago,Jared and I were under the stars,just lying on the rooftop.He cupped my fist in the air with his large palm and promised,'You'll always and forever be my mate,Amelia.Any man would be lucky to have you.But I am the luckiest of them all.I can't wait to marry you,traditionally.'

He fed me all those lies,for years.

"Say something,dammit.Hello!?I said we can't break up,you hear me!?I'm coming to track you down and I'll rip the door to shreds"

"I'm sorry,Jared.

...You hurt me enough.If you love me,please leave me alone."I said and cut the call abruptly.

I took a diversion and ran into an alleyway,wedging myself in the dirty space between two buildings.I've been so strong for my relationship and for myself,but I broke down crying anyway.I felt vulnerable,like a little child without her mother.

That night,I hugged my mother and slept peacefully.

At midnight,the unknown number started bugging me again as the texts read:

Minutes after that text was sent,a picture of Aurora and Jared holding their boarding passes was sent for a onetime view.Aurora was almost sitting on his lap in that pose and she looked so happy.

"So perfect for each other.Losers."

Uttering under my breath,I switched my phone off and turned to cuddle with my mother.

The next morning, I was all prepared to go to my new workplace. Out of nowhere, I see a silhouette following me to the bus stop. I thought I was imagining things, so I left it there.

As I returned from the office and was on a work call, the silhouette appeared again. It wasn't human, that was for sure. My heart started pounding in my chest. It was known that Jared had way too many enemies ready to hurt me. Now that I'm not in his territory anymore, they're free to do whatever they like with me.

"SStay away!" I couldn't cut the call, held my phone out and warned the creature. Its glowing red eyes were taunting me to skip to the next life. I squeaked as I stumbled back.

The wolf then came out of the shadows and transformed into a human. The heartless man started laughing. Then I realized it was just Jared.

"This prank never gets old with you!" He jokes insensitively.

"Do you derive fun out of me when you clearly knew my aunt was attacked viciously by your kind?" My lips wobbled as I spoke.

"...what do you mean 'my kind'?" He asked, ignoring my words completely. I got back up, dusted myself off and walked the other way. The area was eerie and for the first time ever, I was scared of Jared. I shouldn't have been, but the way he was getting under my skin would eventually give me enough room for him to suffocate me to death.

"I'm going home. You can't come there. It's protected." I said without looking.

"Why are you treating me like a criminal now!?"

"Because you almost threatened my life, Jared! I have a condition! Don't you understand!?" I trembled at the thought of having a deadly seizure and him throwing keys at me, again. But that time, would I have survived if he pulled such a stunt again? He already calls me a 'nature's freak' for my condition. He might as well let me become 'one with nature' by ignoring my seizures.

"Amelia!" Growling hungrily, he watched me flinch when he abruptly turned me around.

"I'm...not a monster. Why are you treating me so indifferently? Is it still because I called you less pretty than Aurora? I'm sorry. I only love you." I looked at him dead in the eyes.

"No, Jared. You only want me to bear you 'pups'. Or whatever the children are called. We both know Aurora can't have children because she was born unfertile. She was a disgrace and was sent to the human city to fend for herself instead of turning her into a rogue—"

His low, warning growl echoed in the quietness of the eerie street. Leaves struck with a breeze began shedding the weak ones. I found myself being one among them.

"Don't...speak about Aurora like that. Understood?" Saying, he grabbed my arm. I didn't dare ask where he was taking me. A restaurant? An abandoned factory? I wouldn't know.

Turns out, he brought us to our old ice cream shop, where we met. A sudden rush of memories and emotions took over me.

I was seventeen when I was building a snowman with other kids in the forest so close behind that stall. I was told to go home, but I never had such fun in my life. My mother used to work three jobs just to keep a roof on our heads and stale food on the table. Out of nowhere, a bear revealed itself from the bushes and locked its eyes with me.

I was barely able to move. No one was around to help me either. My life should've ended then. But a big brown wolf jumped onto the bear, shredded its neck and fell to the ground. It had a deep gash on its stomach, a tattoo for its bravery. One month later, the same wolf showed up in my small hut and transformed into a man. Jared revealed himself as my mate and claimed me, then and there.

I always questioned if he only ever saw me as a babymaker and a nurturer to his babies. As time passed by, my fears turned into nightmares and he was expecting just that.

"Vanilla for you. I know you like it." Saying in a much softer voice, Jared handed me the cone. I stared at it hard.

"I know it's your fave. Why aren't you eating it?" He said and took a deep lick of his raspberry creme. Never have I ever told I liked vanilla or ice creams.

His hot and cold attitude was driving me to the edge. I felt trapped like a bird in a cage. I needed my freedom. And it started when I let go of the cone and it fell to the ground, cream side down.

His controlling behaviour took a toll on my hunger. I stared at the plate of schezwan chicken and noodles sitting in the middle of the table. He brought me yet to another restaurant. To 'spend more time with me'. Meanwhile, my mother had been blowing away at my phone with texts and missed calls.

If only Jared would let me go...

"Look. Whatever it is between us, we will fix it. We have always been adults about this." Jared said without lifting his gaze.

"Adults? You're just forcing me to comply with you. You're the child, and I'm the adult." I retorted.

"Fine, if you want it that way. I know what I want, and I NEED you, Amelia. I've dreamt so many dreams with you. Having children, watching them having fun..." I raised an eyebrow and he seemed to get my warning.

"That's not the point. My only point is that I love you and I can't afford to lose you. Come to the pack right now. Let's get wedded under the moonlight. You're just thinking about getting my pack's artefact and my grandmother's ruby set, right?" I tilted my head to the side.

"I didn't even know your grandma had a ruby set to pass down. Did you mistake me for Aurora again?" I asked, now pissed as ever. He gulped his words and tried to swerve away from the topic.

"Aurora would never ask for the pack's artefact..." his voice faded.

"Whatever it is, I'm going home now. My mother has been calling." I said and left the table. I was feeling uneasy the entire ride back home. This feeling...I couldn't shake it off.

My lovely mother would have embraced me again when I came home. That was what I expected of her. But...the hug never came.

"Ma...? Mom, where are you?" I called for my mother.

"Mommy...please answer me. Where are you?" I grew uneasy and dialled her number. Her phone was on the kitchen table. I walked towards it, worried if she forgot her phone before going out.

However, I stopped in my footsteps when I saw a foot peeking out behind the island kitchen ledge.

"Mom?" Tears were starting to dance in my eyes and I rushed to the darker side, behind the counter.

"Mom!"

There was foam around her mouth. Her eyes looked devoid! She had a pulse, thankfully. I called 911 and they put her in the ambulance. I prayed nothing happened to my lovely Mom...or I'd be orphaned forever.

Three hours later, the doctor walks out of the theatre.

"Doctor... I'm her daughter."

"Mrs. Dover is alright. She is out of danger. She had a stroke and was brought in at the right time, dear. Mrs. Dover needs to take care of herself after being discharged she's been under stress which initiated a heart attack." The doctor explained in simple terms to me. I was thankful for his help and walked into the room after I was given the green flag.

"Mom... I'm so sorry." I begged her for forgiveness. If it wasn't for Jared, who kept insisting on wasting my time, I would have helped my mom even better. The distress was too much for me, and I broke down crying.

"Baby...? Something tells me that you're crying not because of me. What is going on, Amelia...?" My eyes widened.

"NNothing else, mom. I was just scared to lose you..." I said, her smile returned.

"I have such a wonderful daughter." She praised, and I gently held her hand in mine for god knows how long.

The next day, I discovered I had fallen into a debt of medical expenses. I didn't want to tell Mom about it; the doctor told me not to give her any surprising news.

I went back to our house, searched for the cheque envelope she gave me for the house down payment and held it in my hands. I know what I must do.

The medical expenses crossed 56,000$. I have just a little over 41,000$ at the moment. What should I do?

I was sitting in the cafeteria of the hospital, contemplating what to do about the money. Out of nowhere, Jared sat beside me and I flinched.

"Jesus— what are you doing here? Are you following me?" Jared raised an eyebrow.

"What do you take me as? Also, I heard about your mom. I'm sorry."  He said in a rather soft voice.

"I don't have the bandwidth to accommodate your bullshit, Jared. Please leave me alone, will you?" I say and try to get up. But the next words that came out of his mouth surprised me.

"If you agree to marry me, I will provide you with everything and cover your and your mother's expenses forever."

I stared at him. Hard.

"Who do you think you are, Jared? Someone I can trust? You've lost the trust I had in you a long time ago." I said, rubbing the truth in his face. In my moments of anguish and doubt, I didn't need Jared out of all people to help me out with financial aid.

"Mind your words, Amelia." He warned, still seated. I remained unfazed and gave him an ultimatum.

"If you plan on helping me out in your own sick ways, forget it. I'm never marrying a man like you. You should get over me and start a new life. I am sparing you the heartache of rejection because I know it hurts you physically. Now get off my back, or I will have to call the police. You know how police are towards werewolves, right?" I warned him.

And that was the last I ever heard from him.

I dedicated my time and energy to taking care of my mother. The tranquillity and serenity I once lost were restored. Even if it was for less than a month, it helped me heal and stay in the present.

Three weeks passed by in a jiffy. Thankfully, my boss, who had become my friend, helped me pay the medical bills for my mother's surgery. She will be alright, the doctor said. They put a pacemaker in her heart and gave her a second chance at life.

At work, Mr James requested me to work on a personal project and said it would mean a lot to him. I didn't know many details about it, but it was for a male customer. A custom design that kind of suits...him.

I didn't say anything about it and have been working on the project for a week.

Nina, who became a close friend of mine at my new workplace invited me to a small house party. It was for her baby's gender reveal. I clad myself in a warm sundress and attended the party in the afternoon at her apartment.

"Whoa, you are killing that look, Amelia. You look good." Nina complimented me as I gave her a hug.

"Thank you. And congratulations on having a baby boy." Nina smiled wholeheartedly. It made me wonder...does motherhood make me feel that happy too? Maybe. But not with Jared.

"Whoa, look at that." Nina suddenly held my hand and pointed to a man,

"He doesn't come by even if we invite him. Look at him playing with all the children. If I wasn't married to my husband, I would definitely hit on boss." I widened my eyes and hushed Nina before anyone could hear us!

Everyone had their partners or children to take care of, but I was single and so was Mr James. Eventually, we bumped into each other even if I prayed we didn't and spent the whole evening together at the party, together.

"So, do you finally remember me from high school?" Mr James asked casually. We were riding the lift to exit the apartment after winding everything up at the gender reveal party. I shrugged my shoulders,

"I thought you looked familiar, but now I think I have an idea," I said and heard him chuckle.

"We both know you're pretending to forget about me. I was your best tennis match, after all." I gave in and chuckled as well.

"I love tennis, I still do. But things got in the way and I ended up having to give up on sports. But I'd love to get back to tennis. Someday." I said, my tone reminiscing.

"And we will." Mr James nodded assertively and I found myself being drawn closer to him.

"Let me give you a ride back home, Amelia. You look pretty tired." Mr James offered. Even though we were friends by then, I still saw him as a boss.

"Mr James wants to be my chauffeur?" I asked jokingly.

"Why not? If I have the means, you just have to say yes to my offer." Mr James insisted politely. The smile was dancing on his lips all so softly.

"Then 'yes' it is." I finally gave in. It wouldn't hurt to let my boss drive me back to my house, right?

"Jared...what are you doing here?"

Ignoring my question completely, Jared barged into the lift and pulled me out forcefully. His rage and aura filled the air with darkness. It sent a cold shiver down my spine. He let go of my wrist when he pulled me to stand in front.

"Okay, I admit that you won! Enough with these tactics and stop giving me the cold shoulder! You made me suffer enough. I'll give you whatever you want. Just get married to me." The madman entered back into my life.

"No, Jared. Don't you understand the words that came out of my mouth? I don't love you anymore. I don't want anything to do with you! Stop being such an illiterate and go back to your pack."

"Fine. You leave me no choice..." He muttered under his breath but I heard him. I shuddered, flinching at his grasp on my wrist yet again. His car was parked not too far away in the shadows.

"Leave me!" I protested, but it fell on deaf ears. Suddenly, there was a tug on my other hand.

"She doesn't want to go with you, buddy. She's not someone you can just steal and put in your car." Mr James stepped in and held my other wrist firmly. Not as harsh as Jared, but firmly.

Mr James's voice was cold and commanding. I was stuck between the two men glaring at each other.