Chapter 3

Liam is my best friend Emma's brother.

After Finn started keeping that low-ranked omega on the side, I frequently rounded up my closest girlfriends and hit the bars in the neutral zone. A way to escape that hollow, empty estate.

Liam's university happened to be in town. Emma invited him along sometimes. One thing led to another. We got to know each other.

Our relationship shifted the day Finn first asked me for the rejection ceremony.

By then, Finn was already fixated on Chloe. Every night, he'd pick her up from the restaurant where she worked.

That night, some other wolf got handsy with her at the restaurant. Finn yanked her into his arms, a terrifying protective instinct erupting out of him. He kissed her lips right there, in front of everyone. Staking his claim.

I was sitting at the next table. I saw everything.

Blind with fury, I leaned into Liam, who was right beside me. I clapped. Slow. Sardonic.

I wanted the scent of another male to ignite Finn's anger. To make him realize I wasn't some soft persimmon he could squeeze at will.

Finn just glanced at me. Calm. Then he took Chloe―her face flushed with embarrassment―and left.

That night, he returned to the estate and proposed the rejection for the first time. I didn't agree. I moved into Emma's place.

Liam sent a message.

[Sis, did your Alpha get mad? We probably didn't act realistic enough tonight. Want me to pretend to be your new mate again? Test him a little more?]

I didn't reply.

For days, I drowned myself at the bar.

Liam found me when I could barely stand. He took me home. Stopped along the way to buy hangover medicine.

"Sis, tomorrow morning, you should ask your mate to mix you a cup of honey water. It'll settle your stomach."

In those bright golden eyes of his, only my reflection stared back.