Chapter 1

"Are you really sure you want to remove your gland just for a one percent chance of becoming a Commander?"

Professor Sterling looked at my application form with eyes full of worry.

"A top-tier Omega like you is a rarity in this world. If you remove your gland, not only will you and Silas Haden be over for good, but it might even threaten your life!"

That name made my heart ache.

I once loved Silas more than my own life, and everyone believed I was his fated mate.

That was until last week, when his assistant made a casual comment out of curiosity. In response, Silas threw me into a bar while I was in the middle of my heat.

He watched me lose my dignity and make a fool of myself. Then, he coldly said, "Chloe is doing this for national research. As an Omega, you should feel honored."

As he wished, I will dedicate the rest of my life to my country.

But now, Silas has lost his mind.

1

"Autumn, you have great potential, but removing a gland is no small matter. Once the surgery is done, there is no turning back!"

"I will give you one week to think it over. Contact me once you are certain."

I thanked him softly and sat on the sofa alone, staring into space.

The door was pushed open, and Silas stood there. Seeing that I had no intention of greeting him, his cold face clouded with impatience.

"Autumn Moore, can you not even perform your duties as an Omega anymore?"

That simple reprimand felt like a sharp slap across my face.

The duties of an Omega?

Such a casual phrase made my throat tighten. All my grievances were trapped in my chest. Even my right to question him had been twisted into being unreasonable.

"Professor Haden, please don't be angry."

Before I could speak, a cold female voice came from behind Silas.

It was Chloe Lane.

She was Silas's new assistant, and her face bore the typical pride and detachment of an Alpha.

"Autumn, I didn't consider your dignity last time. I am truly sorry."

She emphasized the word "dignity" so heavily it felt like a cruel joke.

I didn't respond. I just silently felt the scent of Silas's pheromones clinging to her body.

My heart, which was already hanging by a thread, shattered completely.

Silas was a famous professor known for his extreme germaphobia.

In our three years of marriage, he avoided physical contact at all costs. He would rather inject himself with suppressants during his rut than touch me.

I had tried to seduce him and cried to him, but he only ever gave me one response. He said that mating controlled by hormones was filthy.

Yet, this man who was proud to his very core threw me into a bar during my heat just because of a girl's "curiosity." He watched me lose all my dignity to the hormones.

"Autumn, the fact that Chloe is apologizing to you as an Alpha is a huge gesture. Stop acting out!"

Seeing my silence, Silas, who rarely showed emotion, let a hint of anger slip into his voice.

The wall I had built around my heart finally collapsed.

I no longer cared about being a submissive, perfect Omega. I screamed at them like a madwoman.

"She's the reason I was humiliated! Why should I ever forgive her?"

Chloe looked as if she had been insulted. she tilted her head back proudly, her eyes turning red. She fought to keep her tears from falling.

"Professor Haden, I only came to apologize for your sake. Everything I did was for the sake of national research."

"I used to think you were the most sensible professor, but now you are letting an Omega humiliate me. I think resigning is the only way to keep my dignity."

With that, Chloe turned and walked away without looking back.

The usually calm Silas completely panicked. He stepped toward me, his powerful Alpha aura making my legs weak. I collapsed to the floor.

"Autumn Moore, you better pray that I can get Chloe back."

He didn't look at me again. He chased after her like a madman.

The door slammed shut. My chest felt so tight I could barely breathe. I gasped for air, and my mouth was filled with the saltiness of my own tears.

I always thought that if I gave him my whole heart, the day would come when he would love me back.

I was such a fool.