Chapter 2

I went back to my apartment.

Looking at the glass display cabinet stuffed with years of thoughtless, repetitive gifts, my eyes burned.

From age eighteen to twenty-eight, my feelings for Michael had never wavered.

I had cherished every single thing he gave me.

Even if they were things I hated.

But now I finally realized the truth.

To Michael, I was just like these useless gifts—something not worth his time or effort.

I took a deep breath, refusing to hesitate any longer.

I dragged a giant trash bag over, cleared out the cabinet, and threw every single gift into the bin.

Just as I finished, my phone buzzed with a Snapchat notification.

It was Michael.

"There's a pack bonfire tonight. Come over."

I changed my clothes and walked over to the pack grounds.

The moment I pushed the door open, I saw Michael sitting on the couch in the corner.

Nina was curled up right next to him.

Lately, at every pack event, Michael always sat by Nina. He would pour her drinks, hand her food, and lean in close when they spoke. I used to think he was just doing his duty as the Alpha heir, looking after a newly integrated pack member.

But now, a cold dread settled in my stomach.

I walked over and sat on the vacant side of Michael.

He glanced at me, muttered a quick "You're here," and immediately turned back to whisper something in Nina's ear.

Nina pouted, complaining she was thirsty.

Michael let out a fond, helpless laugh.

"Alright, princess, I get it. I'll go buy you one."

"Mango smoothie, right?"

"You get the same thing every single time. Aren't you sick of it yet?"

Though his words sounded like complaining, he remembered her exact preferences perfectly.

When he returned, he handed me a cup.

"Here. I got you a mango juice."

I didn't take it.

Instead, I looked him dead in the eye.

"I'm allergic to mangoes, Michael."

Michael froze, looking slightly embarrassed.

"Oh. Sorry, Emily. I forgot."

"Just take a bottle of water then. I'll give this to Nina."

He handed the mango juice to Nina.

Nina took it and flashed me a sweet, victorious smile.

"Thanks, Michael. You always remember what I love."

They shared a look, smiling at each other as if I were nothing but a ghost sitting beside them.

I silently sipped my water, listening to them talk the entire night.

They talked about the games they played together and the trips they took.

I couldn't get a single word in.

As the party wound down, Nina got drunk.

Her cheeks were flushed as she leaned heavily against Michael’s shoulder, muttering that she didn't want to go home.

Michael looked down at her, his voice incredibly soft.

"Want to go rest in my room for a bit?"

Nina nodded.

Michael helped her up and turned to me.

"Go home first, Emily. I'll take care of Nina."

Then, he walked away without looking back.

I watched their retreating figures, my heart turning to ice.

I didn't go home.

I followed them. I watched Michael carry Nina into his room.

When he finally stepped back out into the living area, he saw me. He blinked in surprise, then smirked.

"Why did you follow me?"

Before I could answer, a few of Michael's friends walked out from the hallway.

One of them saw me, grinned, and started cheering.

"Oh, look! Emily’s here! Perfect timing. Come here!"

Without warning, someone pulled me into the center of the living room and threw a white lace veil over my head.

My mind went blank.

Michael was planning a proposal.

But before the joy could even register, Michael stepped forward and snatched the veil off my head.

He laughed, looking at the friend who had draped it over me.

"Wrong girl, man."

"She’s not the star of the night."

The friend blinked, confused. "Wait... isn't Emily your girlfriend?"

"Yeah, she is," Michael said casually.

"Emily is my girlfriend, but the one I'm proposing to tonight is Nina."

With that, he walked over to Nina, who had just stepped out of the bedroom, and gently placed the veil on her head.

Then he turned to me with a smirk.

"Don't look at me like that, Emily. You only have your bad luck to blame. You lost the Mate Lottery yesterday."

"Since Nina drew 'Mate,' she is the one I have to propose to tonight."

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