Abandoned by My Mate, Saved by The Alpha King.

Iris’s POV

“Iris, I don't know if I have said this before, but I really appreciate you. You've really been working a lot for my birthday celebration, so thank you very much.” He thanked me with a soft smile on his face, as though he wasn't the same person who had mocked me yesterday.

He leaned to kiss me, but I turned at the last moment, making him kiss my cheek instead. I noticed a flicker of annoyance cross his face, but he quickly brushed it off. How had I been blind to these little signs for this long?

“Alright, I'll see you later. I have some little preparations to take care of.” He announced, patting my head gently. “I’ll come pick you up by 4.” He promised.

~

After preparing, I waited for Jake, but he didn’t show up. By 5pm, he sent me a message.

~Can’t make it. Party has already started. Come by yourself~

I scoffed in bitterness as I stared at the phone with tears welling up in my eyes. It was just another broken promise—nothing new.

With the help of a pack member, I was finally able to make it to the pack’s grand hall where the party was taking place. As I arrived, I immediately found Jake. He stood chatting and laughing with Phillip and Luke, but he wasn’t alone. A tall blonde stood beside Jake, clinging to his side, while his arm was around her waist, holding tightly. They looked like the perfect couple.

Pain stabbed my chest as I watched how he gazed into her eyes with so much affection and love, like she was the only person in the room.

I approached them reluctantly, bracing myself. Immediately Jake noticed me approaching, his expression hardened, and a flicker of annoyance crossed his face.

“Hey Luna,” Philip and Luke murmured. I could see the mockery clear in their eyes as they excused themselves.

“Hey,” I replied to them, then I turned to Jake, but he completely ignored me, giving his full attention to the blonde.

For a long time, they chatted, and even flirted, while I stood there awkwardly like the unwanted stranger. They didn’t even care that I was right there. It was getting too painful to bear, so I decided to leave them.

However, the moment I turned to leave, the tall blonde turned her attention to me.

“Hey, you’re Iris, right?” She started, causing me to pause.

I nodded, “Yes, I am.”

She gave me a smile. “Hello, Iris. I am Zara.” The tall blonde introduced herself, confirming my suspicions. This was the Zara that they had been talking about the day before.

“Nice to meet you, Zara.” I greeted with a forced smile on my face.

“First, let me apologize for delaying Jake from coming to pick you this evening. My flight was delayed, and he had to wait at the airport to pick me. It was all my fault that he couldn’t come pick you.” Zara apologized with a soft smile on her face.

Zara wasn’t fooling me with the fake smiles. I could see the delight and glee in her eyes as she spoke.

“It’s fi—” I started, but Jake interrupted me.

“What are you apologizing for, silly? It’s not your fault that the flight got delayed.” Jake scolded her lightly, poking her nose affectionately.

Zara giggled, leaning into him. “Come on, Jake. I’m trying to be nice.”

Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched the two of them. I had promised myself that I wouldn’t cry in their presence, but it was just so hard to watch as Jake poured all his attention and affection on her, completely ignoring me.

“Excuse me,” I mumbled, rushing off to the bathroom so that nobody would see me cry.