Escaping My Mate

Francis's voice on the phone sounded both shocked and delighted. He exclaimed, "Flora, you've finally come to your senses! When you first ran off to Nick's pack to be with him, we thought it was a mistake, but knowing you truly loved him, we respected your choice."

He continued, "But you've waited ten years, and he still hasn't proposed. Mom always said he never really loved you, and he was just keeping you as a backup. How could someone who truly loves you not officially make you his?"

If it had not been for that terabyte of intimate videos and witnessing Nick propose to Sherry at the hospital, I would have immediately defended him in front of Francis. I would have called him a liar and said Nick was my true mate, the one the Moon Goddess had destined for me.

Instead, I replied, "I was wrong. My choices were a joke. Francis, I miss Mom."

"Then come home," he said.

For years, I had always feared that Nick would fall for someone else while we were apart. So, when he finally betrayed me, I was not even surprised. What truly shocked me was the woman he chose—Sherry.

When I saw him proposing to Sherry at the hospital—the woman who had nearly killed me years ago—I finally understood that she was the one he truly loved. He was even willing to abandon his mission to reclaim the southern territory for her.

Not only that, but he even agreed to humiliate me by making me her bridesmaid at their wedding just to please her.

A sudden screech of tires yanked me back to reality. A loud crash followed, and my body lurched forward as my cab got rear-ended.

Just then, Nick's call came through. He asked, "Flora, the doctor said you were at the hospital. Are you feeling unwell?"

There was urgency in his voice. "Flora, what's happening over there? Were you in an accident?"

His concern sounded so real and so genuine. It was as if he had not just been kissing Sherry moments ago.

My belly throbbed with pain, and I mumbled, "I got into a car accident, Nick."

"Don't worry. Where are you? I'm coming right now."

There was a time when hearing his concern would have made my heart swell with warmth. I used to believe it was proof of his love. Now, I understood that he would help even a stranger in danger on the street because that was just what Alphas would do.

By the time the police arrived and handled the accident, Nick finally showed up—with Sherry. Since I had no visible broken limbs or bleeding wounds, Nick visibly relaxed.

"Flora, are you okay? Are you hurt?" Sherry asked nervously from inside Nick's car, not even bothering to step out.

"Why are you two together?" I asked directly.

I could not understand what Nick was thinking. He knew Sherry had been exiled to the desert for two years after intentionally harming me. And yet, here he was, letting her lounge comfortably in his car.

I wondered if he was just not bothered to try hiding his affair anymore.

Guilt flashed across Nick's face as he explained, "Flora, I went to the hospital to pick you up and happened to run into Sherry. When she heard about your accident, she was worried you might be injured and insisted on coming to see if you needed help."

"Flora, are you okay? Do you need any help?" Sherry asked.

I scoffed. "You're not 'worried' about me. You were hoping I got hurt, weren't you?"

Sherry shrank back in fear, while Nick's face darkened. He snapped, "Flora, you're slandering Sherry! Apologize to her right now!"

I stared at Nick in disbelief. "I just survived a car accident, and I'm the one who needs to apologize?"

"Your accident wasn't her fault," he replied coldly.

"Flora, Alpha, please stop fighting. Flora, I apologize—it's my fault. During those two years in exile, I regretted everything. Because of me, you can't do ballet anymore, and I'm so sorry for that. Please forgive me, okay?" Sherry approached me with a pitiful expression.

Nick gazed at me, silently urging me to be kind to Sherry. I stared at him and asked, "Do you think I should forgive her?"

Three years ago, a prestigious dance company had invited me to join their world tour, but I could only refuse through tears while lying in a hospital bed with a cast. Day after day, I endured excruciating pain during rehabilitation just to be able to walk again.

I caught a glimpse of pity and guilt on Nick's face, but it lasted only for a second. Inside, I was screaming.

I could accept him betraying me with any woman, but not with Sherry.

Eventually, Nick spoke up. "Sherry was young back then. She didn't know any better. She already paid the price for what she did. And she's felt guilty about it for years. Today, she even apologized to you in person."

He added, "Flora, it's time to let it go. We need to move forward."

I chuckled. Sherry ruined my lifelong dream and was dismissed as youthful ignorance. She had been punished, so I should move on and not hold a grudge, or else I would be the unreasonable one.

Back then, Nick had rushed me to the emergency room, holding my hand and promising to stay by my side. He had said he hated Sherry and could not understand how she could be so cruel.

Yet now, he was kissing her and asking me to forgive her. And all because the person he loved now was her—not me.

If Nick had not stopped Sherry that day, I would not have just injured my legs—I would have died.

Seeing my silence, Nick took Sherry's hand and brought it toward mine, trying to force a reconciliation embrace.