“Oh Moon Goddess,” my bestfriend uttered as soon as his footsteps receded and his figure disappeared at the infirmary’s door. “He’s a total idiot. He should have thought twice, or maybe three times, before cheating on you. None of this wouldn’t happen if he only kept his lips to himself.”

“He insisted he was only comforting her.” We both snorted at what I said. “He doesn't accept that there was any sort of cheating happened.”

Catrin laughed loudly. “Typical Beta Homer attitude.”

I eyed her, furrowing my brows at her comment. “What? It’s true.”

I shrugged and waved an idle hand. “I know...it’s just that I miss those days that I—we—are so in love with each other. Because it felt like...the man I loved years ago and the man I just talked to doesn't sound to be the same person. Sometimes I thought he had an identical twin, which I’m pretty sure he doesn't.”

She sighed, resting a hand on my lap. “You know, Rhiannon. Some people are really like that. They make us doubt ourselves, question our emotions. In the end, we blame ourselves—for not seeing their true colors early on after a long time being with them.”

“Are you saying that...that Homer never meant any of the things that happened to us?” I swallowed.

“I don’t know. I mean, you’re the Alpha’s daughter! Only a fool would say no if you ask them to be your boyfriend. I mean, if you ever asked me to be your girlfriend, I wouldn’t think twice to say no. Aside from your Alpha father, people will really take advantage of you.”

“Because I’m naive?”

“Because you easily trust people and yes, you’re also naive.” Catrin’s mouth curled to the side. “Also perhaps because you’re pretty.”

I rolled my eyes to hide my blush. My bestfriend definitely knows how to beat around the bush.

Just then, my Healer arrived with a tray of breakfast. We both watched as she set the thing down on the dining table. There were egg benedicts, pancakes and waffles with bacon in between, and even a breakfast steak.

She also placed a plate of vegetable salad and a cup of piping hot tea.

“Enjoy your breakfast, Princess Rhiannon. Miss Catrin.”

Catrin and I looked at each other excitedly. When the Healer closed the door, my bestfriend and I dug into our breakfast immediately.

***

After breakfast, the Healer who overlooked my well-being advised me to take a morning walk to exercise my bones.

Ten minutes later, just as I picked a fat, juicy apple and admired the packhouse’s elaborate and sprawling garden, a familiar voice called behind me.

“Still loving anything fat and juicy, princess?” Beta Homer’s voice darkened in a seductive manner, dripping with sweet venom.

“Only on apples,” I said. “It doesn’t apply to the cocks of cheaters like you.”

Homer winced, but then he grinned mischievously. “Ouch, you hurt my feelings already.”

“I can hurt you far more than what comes out of my lips. You should be thankful I didn’t.”

“Oh really?” he challenged. “Those same lips that I kissed last night while you were sleeping before Catrin appeared to watch over you?”

I blinked in shock, curving my fingers into a ball of fist. “You’re a fucking bastard.”

He shrugged. “What can I say, Rhiannon? I’m just a Beta madly in love with you and wants you back.”

“Then you should have thought twice before cheating on me with Lazel!” I growled.

“How many times have I told you nothing happened?!” He ran a hand through his hair, expelling a harsh breath. “It’s just a kiss on the lips.”

I lifted my chin and straightened my spine, summoning all that authority that an Alpha’s daughter imposes. “I’m now engaged to Alpha Azriel. I will be wed to him soon.”

“And do you think I care about that?” his voice slightly rose, attracting a few Omegas’ attention nearby.

I walked past him, quickening my steps. But with Beta Homer’s muscled built, he quickly catched up. “You know, you’re just being dramatic. I once courted you relentlessly a few years ago before you said yes as my girlfriend.” The Beta licked his lower lips. “I can do the same today.”

“You wish!” I hissed, slapping him with my right hand. “Get out of my sight.”

Before he could answer, two of the Alpha’s Guards came behind us. “What’s going on here?”

I pinned my gaze to Homer. “Him.”

“Beta Homer?” one of the Guards curiously asked.

“I’m not finished with you, Rhiannon,” he whispered. “Your defiance...” his lips slowly bloomed into a smirk full of malice. “Your defiance only motivates me more.”

As he let go of my wrist, I was still gaping and gathering the breath knocked out from my lungs.

“Are you okay, Princess?” asked the other Guard.

Inhaling the scent flitting towards me from the pink roses nearby, I smiled weakly at the two of them. “I’m fine. Please escort me back to the infirmary.”

***

Three days later, I was finally released from the infirmary. When I arrived at the packhouse, my father summoned me to his study.

Alpha Dorian stood tall as I settled myself on an oak chair, his presence commanding as always.

“I heard you have something to tell me, father.” Just as I spoke, the door creaked open and Rowan, my brother and the Alpha’s heir, strode in.

“I’m sorry I’m late,” he said.

My father ignored him and watched me solemnly as I placed my hands atop the ornate table. “I’m now okay, father. Don’t worry.”

“We didn’t find any Rogues in the forest,” Rowan chimed in, his voice solid and firm.

I sent a silent thank you to the Moon Goddess.

“We only found a piece of your clothing from those thorny bushes you said you fell into,” my father spoke. “Anyway, I have come to inform you—both of you—that we’ll be visiting Alpha Azriel's pack tomorrow,” he announced. “We’ll be staying there for quite a few days, my child, so prepare yourself. We need to finalize the terms of the alliance and discuss further about this marriage.”

“My marriage,” I said softly. My stomach clenched, but I kept my expression tight and neutral. “I see. And I understand.”

My father's sharp gaze softened slightly upon my trembling lips. “You’ve always been a dutiful daughter, Rhiannon. This alliance will strengthen the future of our pack. We know you’re still processing your heartbreak from Beta Homer,” he said my ex-boyfriend’s name rather roughly as if he secretly despised him. “Yet you still did what you could.”

“Not to mention she fought a Rogue and avoided the death blow that should’ve meant for you, father,” Rowan mumbled across me. And for once, I thought my brother would never stand up against the Alpha. I was wrong.

“I know what your sister did, Rowan. I also know exactly what that Rogue wants and the danger he brings in our land. That’s why we need the help of your sister’s future husband.”

Rowan was apt to argue more but I already nodded my head, preventing a rather ugly fight between my father and brother. “I'll do what’s necessary. For you, for us, for this pack.”

And also for me. I want to slap right in front of Beta Homer that the ex-girlfriend he cheated on is now married to the richest and most powerful Alpha.

I’ll let him see how much of the years we spent together that he wasted and threw away just for kissing Lazel. Homer used me and betrayed me. Maybe he’d been fucking her too for a long time behind my back, I realized—

And I see no reason for it to be impossible at all.