Chapter 7 Chapter 6

I felt like I was going crazy, holding in the secret about what I found in Damien's room. So, I called Daphne, and soon enough, we were in her room. As I poured out the details of what had happened, her eyes widened in shock.

"Did you tell Damien about this?" she asked, gripping my hands tightly.

"Not yet. He bolted out of the room because he was angry at me."

"Jerk! You told him to stop, and he got angry? And now you found a negative pregnancy test on his desk? There's definitely something going on. You should confront him about it, Katrina."

I nodded, wiping away my tears. "I will."

"Hush, don't cry now. It'll make you ugly." We both burst into laughter, the tension easing just a bit.

To cheer me up, Daphne invited me to a party. She didn't want me moping in her room all night over a boy. When we arrived, I spotted Damien and Caleb, holding their red cups, drinking and laughing at some joke their friend had just told. My heart clenched, but I straightened up, ready to face him.

---

He didn't see me yet because the room was jam-packed with people, and the music was blaring.

"Now's the time," Daphne whispered, nodding toward where Damien was heading – the boys' restroom.

She nudged my elbow and mouthed that if anything went wrong, I should call her.

I gave her a small smile and followed Damien. I waited until he came out. He looked shocked to see me but heaved a deep sigh as he recovered.

He still seemed angry.

"You look like you want to kill me," Damien chuckled, ruffling his hair. "What's your problem?" he asked, reeking of alcohol. Was it really the right time to question him about the pregnancy test?

"Last night... I saw something on your table," I began. His brows furrowed, but I didn't let him speak. "I saw a... pregnancy test. It was used. Negative. Are you cheating on me?" I asked directly.

A long silence stretched out... and then he let out a laugh. A laugh that made him almost cry.

What's funny in our conversation?

"Of course not, Katrina! Why would I cheat on my future Luna?" He gripped both of my shoulders, too tightly, not realizing how much it hurt because he was drunk.

"It's for our future! I got the pregnancy test because once your wolf comes out, we’ll mate... and then you'll get symptoms of pregnancy... and then we’ll have one big, happy family!" he said, laughing and daydreaming about his perfect family.

"I know how to think ahead," he said, tapping his forehead.

"You think this is a joke, Damien? I'm not a fool! That pregnancy test was used! Someone used it in your room! And that girl must have wanted me to know you were cheating because she left it on your desk!"

"Katrina," he whispered, grabbing my face, but I pushed him away. "Don't touch me! We're over!"

I left the restroom, tears streaming down my face.

“Hey, you okay? What did he say?” Daphne asked.

"He cheated on me, Daph."

"Oh gosh, Kat, I'm so sorry." Daphne comforted me the rest of the night. We moved to a different table with the girls. I didn't care where Damien went; I just wanted to get drunk and forget everything.

I took another shot and downed the whole bottle. The girls were whispering beside me, and Daphne was trying to stop me, but I didn't let her.

"Gosh, Katrina! That's enough! I need to find my brother... oh wait, Caleb!" I heard Daphne calling out her little brother and asking him about Damien.

My vision was blurry, but I recognized Damien's physique. "Hmm, that's Damien..." I pointed at him sneaking out with a girl. They took a cab.

"Daphne, let's follow that motherfucker!" I shouted, grabbing my bag. It was like I sobered up instantly. We hailed a cab and told the driver to follow the one Damien and the girl were in.

My heart ached as I watched the cab. It felt like I’d been stabbed in the back multiple times because my long-term boyfriend, my future Alpha, was sneaking out with another girl.

I was burning with anger as I entered the hotel. The clerk lady recognized me, so she didn't hesitate to give me the duplicate key and room number where Damien and his girl were headed.

Daphne followed closely behind as I pushed the duplicate key into the hotel room lock. My hand was shaking so much that I couldn't insert it properly.

"Kat, let me do it," Daphne whispered, taking the key and opening the door.

"What the fuck!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

Damien's eyes widened in panic when he saw me, stumbling off the bed and hastily pulling up his pants.

"Kat... it's not what it looks like," he stuttered.

The girl in the room casually got up, adjusting her dress and fixing her hair without a care in the world. She walked past me with a smug smile, brushing my shoulder as she exited. I stood frozen, staring at Damien in a mix of shock and disbelief.

Damien stammered, trying to explain himself. "I swear, I didn't know I was here! That girl drugged me to come here!"

"Damien," I interrupted, my voice trembling with rage. "You really think I'm a fool?"

His eyes started tearing up. "Please, Katrina, don't do this..."

"I. Am. Done. I'm canceling our marriage!"

Without another word, I spun around and stormed out, Daphne's voice calling after me.

"Katrina, where are you going?" Daphne held my hand, but I pushed her away and didn't bother to look back at Damien.

I hurried through the hotel lobby and out into the cool night air, my emotions swallowing me up.

It hurts so good.

I felt betrayed my entire life. I trusted Damien. He was my best friend and my partner for a long time. Just because I couldn't give him what he wanted, he was already looking for someone to have sex with?

After what felt like hours, I found myself at a bar far from our usual haunts. Omegas moved in and out, their faces blurred by my anger. Some of them even recognized me and tried to make a talk, but I refused them.

The bartender gave me a knowing look as he poured me a gin. I sipped it miserably, hoping the alcohol would numb the betrayal, but the pain clung stubbornly, refusing to fade.

I paid and tipped the bartender as I tried to get off the counter, feeling like I might throw up.

"Archer! Finally, you're here! She's been drinking for three hours nonstop," the bartender called out behind me.

"Thanks for looking out, man. Did anyone try harassing her?" They kept talking. It seemed like they were friends. Wait, who was this man holding me again? The bartender called him Archer!

Immediately, I stood up and pointed a finger at the man in front of me. "Hey... are you the Archer that I know?" I slurred drunkenly.

He sighed, looking amused. "Yes."

"Are you here to ask me for sex again? You men... are all trash! All you want is sex!" I screamed. I didn't care if anyone heard me or if there were eyes on us.

"No," he replied shortly.

"If not, then why are you here?" I asked, tilting my head, wondering why he was still here.

He shoved his hands into his pockets. "I'm taking you home. It's dangerous for you to be here..." he said, glancing around the room. Then he grabbed my arm. "Let's go."

I pushed his chest and grabbed his collar. He looked taken aback. "Why would I follow you?" I chuckled because it was just too funny.

I got cheated on, and the first man who showed up in front of me was my fated mate... whom I had rejected.

It felt like I was slapped in the face.

"You know... my boyfriend cheated on me. I guess you were right. He doesn't care about me," I told Archer. I knew I would regret saying this to him in the morning, but I just needed to let it all out.

"Happy now?" I chuckled bitterly. "You must be dancing with joy because I feel so pathetic!" I hissed, managing not to cry in front of him. He looked at me with a blank stare. I couldn't decipher what he was thinking. His mind-link didn't work, or he probably shut it off so I couldn't hear his thoughts.

"Sorry to interrupt, Miss Brown, but the bar is closing down. Archer, sorry man," the bartender said.

I nodded and grabbed my bag from the high stool. I didn't let Archer speak as I headed out of the bar, but he suddenly grabbed my wrist and turned me around.

"Let me take you home. It's dangerous."

I chuckled. "Do you treat all your girls like this?"

Archer smirked and played with my hair. "Yes and no."

I furrowed my brows at him. "I know you're a player. You may be an omega, but you can attract rich girls at my school and make them marry you. What are you doing right now?"

"Damn it. I like your directness. You're so attractive right now," he murmured, but I heard him.

He continued, "You can come to me if you'd like some comfort from your dick of a cheating boyfriend."

I let out a sarcastic laugh and crossed my arms. "Why would I?!"

Suddenly, a bike roared up on the side of the road. I saw his friend handing him a helmet. Archer grabbed it and put it on. "It's your decision, but my apartment is open for you tonight. You know where it is, right?" he said before hopping on the bike and driving off.