Chapter 1

• Mia's point of view.
• "You look gorgeous in this dress, Mia," the saleswoman said, her eyes almost bulging out in excitement. "What do you think?" she asked for my opinion.
• I looked at my reflection in the mirror. The dress was almost flawless; it hugged my body perfectly and highlighted my curves, and any normal lady would be over the moon with this result. "It's beautiful," I replied in a quiet and tired tone, referring to the dress rather than me.
• My wedding is two weeks away, and today’s supposed to be the second most exciting day for any bride. Brides always get excited when it’s their wedding dress fitting day... but here I am, feeling sullen for two reasons: my fiancé is nowhere to be found, and I am going to be separated from my fated mate forever.
• My fiancé, Stone Blackwood, is my fated mate’s younger brother—Alpha King Derulo Blackwood of the Black Wolves Pack. I am an alpha's daughter. Alpha Derrick of the Everest Pack is my father, but my parents are treating me worse than an omega, which made my fated mate and me more than two worlds apart.
• "You don’t look happy," the saleswoman stated after studying my expression. "Are you alright? Is it because you don't like the dress? You can try other dresses on until we get the perfect dress for you," she said further, and I simply flashed her a weak, reassuring smile. Because how do I tell her that I am getting married to my mate’s younger brother while my mate is very much alive and healthy?
• "This dress is perf..."
• Giggles from the next fitting room caught my attention. I turned to look and saw a lady trying on her wedding dress, and her fiancé—whom I’m assuming is her mate—was checking her out with so much love in his eyes. Anyone could easily tell he was falling in love with her all over again. I felt my eyes watering but quickly held back my tears, as I couldn’t help the pang of jealousy within me.
• This could have been me. This is how I wanted my partner to stare at me, but unfortunately, my mate wasn’t proud of me and couldn’t accept me as his mate, so he’s making me marry his younger brother for reasons known to him.
• "So... are you satisfied with this dress, or do you want to try on another one?" the saleswoman interrupted my bitterness.
• "I'll go with this one," I told her. Neither Stone nor I wanted this wedding; I shouldn’t put too much effort into something that’s being forced on us.
• "Alright. You can take it off and I'll package it for you," she said.
• I nodded and flashed her an appreciative smile before making my way inside the fitting room to take it off. Just when I was taking off the headpiece, my phone beeped as a text notification flashed on the screen. I quickly opened the text, and my heart broke even more: Mia, let’s reschedule the dress fitting. Jessica is back, and I’m going to pick her up.
• My brows furrowed as I tried to bite back my anger. Jessica... who on earth is she? I know I am not his fated mate, but has he no respect for me at all? That’s it! I’m leaving, and I will make sure I cancel the wedding.
• Angrily but carefully, I took off the wedding dress and stormed out of the fitting room. The saleswoman frowned upon seeing my expression. She leaned forward and tilted her head slightly as she checked inside the fitting room.
• "Is everything alright, Mia? Am I still packaging the dress?" she asked.
• "No. I don't think I'll be needing it anymore," I answered. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath as my words came out harsher and ruder than I intended. "I'm sorry," I apologized quickly, then rushed towards the exit.
• My phone beeped again immediately I stepped outside. Thinking it was Stone, I angrily pulled it out of my bag, but my anger quelled when I realized it was a text from Danielle, my best friend who works at Central City Hospital.
• *Hey Mia, isn't today you and Stone's dress fitting? I just saw him and Jessica in the obstetrics department. Looks like they’re having a check-up together.*
• What?! Obstetrics department? Isn’t that where pregnant women are checked and taken care of? Why is Stone accompanying Jessica there?! I exclaimed mentally after reading the text.
• I quickly dialed Danielle's number to make sure she didn't send a wrong text to me, even though she clearly mentioned our names. Unfortunately, Danielle didn't pick up.
• I changed my mind from going back home, boarded a cab, and headed straight to the Central City Hospital. This news better not be true, or it's over between us—Stone and I.
• >15 Minutes Later – Central City Hospital
• "Here's your change..." I interrupted the cab driver with a wave, telling him to keep the change as I rushed into the hospital building.
• My feet hastily pounded on the floor as I rushed to the obstetrics department. I kept bumping into a couple of people as my state of mind was unstable.
• "Mia?" A familiar voice called behind me. My brows knotted as confusion washed over my face; did I hear correctly? Isn’t that my adopted sister's voice? What is she doing here?
• I turned around quickly only to come face to face with my adopted sister, who was standing so close beside Stone.
• "Jessica?!" I called in surprise when I realized the scene in front of me. My adopted sister was clinging tightly to Stone, with his right arm wrapped protectively around her waist. A wave of jealousy hit me like a storm—the Jessica he's been talking about is actually my adopted sister?
• I averted my gaze to Stone, waiting and expecting him to give me an explanation of what was going on, but he was avoiding eye contact with me. "Is she the Jessica you've been talking about all these years?" I asked him.
• He finally raised his head and looked at me. "Don't... don't misunderstand us, Mia," he said.
• My brows furrowed. "What's there to misunderstand?"
• "Everything." He reluctantly let go of Jessica, then proceeded to take slow steps towards me. "There’s nothing going on between Jessica and I. She was injured and I'm only helping..."
• "Enough with the lame excuses, Stone, I'm not five years old," I cut him off. "Your fiancée is waiting for you to try on a wedding dress, and you’re here with someone else in the maternity ward?"
• "I was going to come, but Jessica..." He trailed off as he looked back at Jessica. His gaze reminded me of that couple from the wedding dress boutique... His eyes held so much love and tenderness; he was staring at Jessica the way I wanted him to stare at me.
• I wanted to lash out, but no, they’re not worth my anger. Balling my right fist tightly, I gulped heavily and looked directly into Stone's eyes.
• "Stone, our engagement is over!" I told him.
• "What?" His eyes widened. "You can't call off our engagement just like that. What about Derulo? Have you thought of what his reaction would be if he hears of this?"
• Seeing that I had successfully switched on his panic button, I smiled in satisfaction. "I d
• on't care," I said, then stormed off, leaving them speechless and flustered.