The Beta's Temptation

Esme's POV

I was about to get into the car when a voice stopped us.

“Cole, you’re back already?”

We both turned. Nolan was stepping out of his car, already smiling like he’d seen a ghost that suddenly made sense. He didn’t even look at me; he went straight to Cole and wrapped him in a tight hug.

“You told me you were coming back today, but I didn’t expect it this early, man,” Nolan said, grinning.

Cole’s lips twitched into something that looked like a half-smile. “Got in late last night. Figured I’d surprise you.”

“Damn, it’s been forever.” Nolan’s tone was all excitement, as if nothing had changed, as if the years between them had been perfect.

I stood there, half-bent, holding my bag. Neither of them looked in my direction.

“Come on, let’s catch up,” Nolan said. “You can drive us. My driver will take my other car back.”

Before I could even blink, Nolan was sliding into the passenger seat beside Cole. Cole gave me a single glance—cold, blank and then the door shut. The SUV pulled away, the sound of tires mixing with my own heartbeat.

I stood in the middle of the road for a few seconds, trying to process what had just happened. My leg ached where the car had hit me earlier and each step sent pain up my side. I limped across the road, raining small curses under my breath. I didn’t even know who I was angrier at—Cole, for pretending I didn’t exist, or Nolan, for making it so easy for him.

By the time I reached the campus gate, my chest was tight and my head pounded. I told myself I’d make it through the day. I just had to. Mom’s memorial was today at noon and if I was late, Dad would make sure I regretted it.

Classes dragged. The lecturer’s voice felt like background noise. My body throbbed in pain from the car hit earlier but I kept my face blank. No one cared. They never did. When the last class ended, I packed my notes quickly, ignoring the curious looks from a few students.

Medicine had always been my dream course, yet I was only a part-timer. Everyone else saw me as a disappointment—the Alpha’s daughter who couldn’t even shift, who shouldn’t have been allowed near hospital wings for clinicals.

Right now, my whole body was pulsing with an intense yet dull pain. I picked up my bag and called a cab and gave the driver the pack house address and I was surprised, it was the same cab man that had drove me earlier.

The ride felt longer than usual, even though the driver barely spoke.

“You look tired,” he had said softly as we drove.

“Just a long day,” I muttered, watching the road blur by.

He didn’t push and I was grateful. I had enough people prying into my life already.

When we pulled up at the pack grounds, the sun was already up. Cars lined the path to the memorial garden. I paid the driver and stepped out, feeling the uneven ground under my sore feet.

The air smelled of flowers and soil. People were gathered around Mom’s grave, dropping lilies, saying their prayers. I recognized faces—pack members, elders, a few from neighboring lands. And there they were: Dad, Nolan, and Cole, standing together near the front.

My stomach tightened.

Dad turned as I approached, his face already hard. “Are you just coming now?”

I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry.”

He said nothing more and faced forward again. I felt the weight of Cole’s gaze for half a second. He looked different now—older, handsome broader but the same cold distance sat on his face.

People took turns placing flowers. No one spoke to me. When it ended, most of them began to drift away. Nolan clapped Cole on the back as they left together. I turned to follow out and leave as well but Dad’s voice stopped me.

“Esme.”

I turned. “Sir?” The word felt heavy on my tongue. It always did.

He walked closer until the space between us was too small to breathe. “Why are you limping?” His tone was sharp. “Trying to make people think I don’t take care of you?”

“I— I was hit by—” The words stumbled out. I didn’t know what to say.

He narrowed his eyes. “You should thank Cole. He said he sent you on an errand. If not, I’d have taught you a lesson today.”

I blinked, confused. “He… what?”

“You think you’d come late for your mother’s memorial—the woman you killed and walk away free? If Cole hadn’t spoken up, you’d be out of my house by now.”

The words hit harder than the car had. I stared at him, unable to breathe. Cole had lied to protect me knowing fully well I would receive punishment but why? He hated me. Or at least, he always shows that he hated me.

“Not like you’ve treated me any better than a disowned daughter,” I said before I could stop myself. My voice broke. “It would be better if you just did it and throw me out of your house.”

His hand came fast at my cheeks SLAP!! The slap cracked through the air and sent my head spinning. Pain stung my cheek, blending with the ache in my ribs.

“What gave you the right to talk back to me?!” he shouted. He raised his hand again to hit me for the second time but his phone rang. He paused, breathing hard, then turned away to answer it.

I stood there shaking.

After a few seconds, he ended the call and looked at me again, his face filled with disgust. “You’re lucky today,” he muttered, then started walking off. He was halfway across the pathw when he stopped.

“When you get home, pack your things. You’re going to the city again. Your mother’s sister will take you in. Maybe she can teach you how to behave.”

He didn’t wait for a reply and walked off

I froze. The world seemed to tilt. Not there. Not again. The memories hit before I could push them back—her voice, cold and cruel, the way she’d made me feel smaller than dirt. I knew her secret, the one that would ruin her if anyone ever found out.

That was why she hated me. Because the real reason why my Mom had died would be something that can destroy even my father.

Tears blurred my vision. I tried to walk but my legs felt like they didn’t belong to me. I stumbled and caught myself on the edge of the stone path.

People were gone. The garden was almost empty. The flowers at Mom’s grave swayed gently in the wind. I wanted to say something to her but my throat was tight.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered. “I keep trying, Mom. I really do.”

My knees shook. Every breath hurt. My father’s voice still echoed in my ears, harsh and final. I didn’t know where the strength came from, but I forced myself to take another step then another.

The pain sharpened. My body screamed for rest. No, I couldn’t fall here. Not now.

But my vision darkened at the edges. My fingers trembled as I reached for the nearest bench, I missed! and hit the ground instead.

The taste of dust filled my mouth. Everything spun in my vision.

Somewhere far away, I thought I heard footsteps fast heavy ones. A voice called my name urgently but I couldn’t tell whose it was.

“Esme…”

Then the sound faded as I fainted.

Everything went quiet as the darkness pulled me under.