When My Mate Chose Her Over Me

After I got home and showered, drying my wet hair, Dean finally returned, soaked through. The bottoms of his pants were drenched from the rain, and as soon as he saw me, he slammed his umbrella down, glaring at me with the kind of authority that only a Beta could wield. His aura, usually calm and composed, was now sharp and impatient, pressing against me like a weight.

“Jessica, are you messing with me? Do you have any idea how long I’ve been searching for you? It was pouring rain, and I kept looking for you everywhere! I even thought you…”

I calmly set my towel aside and picked up his umbrella, putting it away. “It’s just a bit of rain; why are you making such a fuss? Don’t forget, two weeks ago, you left me standing in the rain for two whole hours.”

Dean stood there, his broad shoulders stiffening as he clenched his fists. His dark eyes, usually so commanding, now flickered with frustration. The sweet aroma wafted from the kitchen—the spiced honey tea was almost ready. Without further comment to him, I went into the kitchen, poured some into a mug, and sat at the dining table, sipping slowly. Spiced honey tea is good for the stomach; I should drink more.

Dean frowned, his jaw tightening. “I’ve told you, I can’t stand ginger.”

“But I do.” I looked up and smiled, though my wolf stirred uneasily in the back of my mind, sensing the tension.

Dean doesn’t like ginger, cilantro, or scallions—my all-time favorites. To me, these are essential for bringing flavor to any dish, and without them, something always seems lacking. Changing someone’s habits isn’t easy, especially when it means going against their innate preferences. Yet since we started dating, I stopped adding these to any meal, always deferring to his tastes as a Beta should.

After I spoke up, Dean was visibly unhappy. He sat irritably on the sofa, his large frame taking up most of the space, and repeatedly flicked his lighter open and shut. When he’s worked up, he unconsciously fiddles with it, and the clicking sound filled the room, sharp and unnerving.

“Jessica, what’s going on with you? You’ve been acting strange since the hot pot dinner. Is it just because I didn’t consider you and chose a spicy one?”

Is it because of the spicy hot pot? Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t. I’ve been compromising for so long, constantly giving up, and suddenly, I’m just tired. I’ve unexpectedly felt the urge to end this relationship, though my wolf whimpered softly, tugging at the bond that still lingered between us.

“Gamma Lucia is moving abroad for good. This is her last visit back and she won't be staying long. She poses no threat to our relationship. She’s an old friend, and I was just helping her out, asking you to make allowances for her. What’s the big deal? Why do you have to make everyone unhappy?”

Am I the one causing unhappiness with my unreasonable behavior? But when I’m silent, when I’m compromising, who cares about my sadness? Why must it always be me who sacrifices for the happiness of others? I felt my wolf growl faintly, a rare moment of defiance, but I pushed it down, unwilling to let it surface.

Dean’s tone softened slightly, though his aura remained heavy. “You know how it is, Jessica. As a Beta, I have responsibilities. Gamma Lucia is important to the pack, and I can’t just ignore her. But you’re my mate. You should understand that.”

I looked at him, my heart aching as the bond between us pulsed faintly, a reminder of what we once had. But I couldn’t ignore the truth anymore. “I do understand, Dean. I’ve always understood. But understanding doesn’t mean I have to keep sacrificing myself.”

He stared at me, his expression unreadable, and for a moment, I thought he might argue. But then he sighed, running a hand through his damp hair, and looked away. The silence between us was heavy, filled with unspoken words and unresolved pain.