“Oh Mia…” He whispered the name of another woman while we were having sex. He had always whispered her name, for the past 4 years.

The alpha and I have been having sex secretly for the past four years and I forced down a sob as I watched him roll off me and head into the bathroom.

“Don’t forget to take the pills.” He muttered as he grabbed a cigarette and I nodded, tears spilling down my eyes in the darkness as I bowed my head.

“Alpha…” I whispered as I got up, trying to hug his waist but he grabbed my hand immediately.

“Do you want money?” He demanded coldly and I shook my head.

“Don’t get any funny ideas, Freya. I told you my heart belongs to my mate.” He replied and I nodded, my shoulders slumping with disappointment.

“It’s been four years…” I whispered to myself as I dashed into the bathroom.

I walked out twenty minutes later, wiping my hair. His phone buzzed and he answered immediately, I swallowed back my jealousy when I saw the name across the screen.

It was Mia, he had saved her name as my heart. I watched as his face brightened with delight and it broke my heart the more.

“Mia… You’re at the pack airport? I’m coming to get you know! Welcome home, baby.” He announced as he ended the call and grabbed his pants hastily.

“Wh… What’s happening…” I stuttered and he glanced at me with a smile.

“She’s back for good! Mia is back!” He announced excitedly as he dashed out and I slumped to the ground as tears rolled down my cheeks.

I couldn’t continue pretending anymore. I was in love with him right from the first day I had seen him. For four years I watched him in silence, feeling too ashamed to stand before him and when Mia rejected him as her mate, it felt like a miracle and my chance to have him but after offering myself as a toy to get off with and a form of therapy, he never loved me.

I was his assistant by day and lover at night, hoping one day he’d finally take notice of me but today my heart was in a wreck.

“I warned you.” My wolf, Bree whispered and I just sobbed quietly.

“But I love him… Bree it’s been eight years, why can’t he love me back? Why do I have to struggle for love?” I demanded, unable to hold back the questions.

Bree was never in support of me having sex with him, she had warned me repeatedly but seeing that I was happy to be around him, she let me proceed.

“He has a mate… You can’t just change his heart that way.” She whispered softly and more years rolled down my cheeks.

Why did love have to be this cruel? Why couldn't I be his second mate? Why did he have to love her after all these years? I was willing to go through any length just to get a quarter of the love he had for Mia.

My heart was in a wreck and for a long time I stared into space, unable to tell if it was being unloved or her return that hurt the most.

Throughout the night, I couldn’t stop thinking about Alpha Jasper and my heart ached the more. Images of him holding and kissing Mia flashed in my heart, making my heart tighten as it became more difficult to breathe.

I ended up sobbing myself to sleep after a long time.

Morning

I freshened up for work, using light powder to cover my puffy eyes. Arriving at the office, I plastered a tske smile on my face.

“Freya, did you see the news? The alpha was spotted outside with Mia, it seems like they’re back together.” A staff whispered and my smile disappeared.

“I have a it to do.” I muttered as I walked into the office. I was still arranging my files when Alpha Jasper walked inside with Mia beside him.

His hands were pressed to her face and for the first time in years, he was smiling genuinely. My heart pounded heavily and I bowed my head immediately, trying to hide my pain.

“Oh Jasper… I shouldn’t be here, what kind of image are you trying to portray? You’re setting a bad example.” She whispered as she wrapped her hand around his neck and he chuckled before claiming her lips right before everyone.

“They can think whatever they want, I don’t care. I want you beside me always and there’s nothing that’s going to stop you from being by my side… I love you so much, Mia.” I was stunned.

Alpha Jasper was a man of few words, even during negotiations, he barely said more than two lines but watching him blabber because of Mia made my eyes water.

My heart plunged into deeper sadness and I swallowed the lump in my throat.

“Freya, get coffee ready for two, mine as usual and Mia’s, no sugar and with ice cubes.” He ordered and I nodded, unable to trust myself not to break down if I let out a word.

“Oh you remember…”

“You’re very important to me, Mia… I will never forget anything about you, no matter how many years that passes between us.” He whispered and I had to excuse myself, exhaling deeply as I dashed towards the coffee room.

Alpha Jasper was never one to say romantic words and seeing him today, it felt like he was a different person. His eyes were glowing with delight and the way he stared at her like she was the most fragile and important object in the world brought me nothing but disappointment.

I carried the tray in my hand and knocked on the door. “Come in.” Mia announced and I pushed the door open.

The tray fell out of my hand as I saw Mia sitting on Alpha Jasper’s lap and to my shock, disappointment and distress, they were kissing hungrily like their lives depended on it.