Chapter 5

ANDREA’S POV "See, Andrea?" Beck’s voice came over my shoulder. "Even the most powerful Alpha will choose a more favorable union to consolidate his rule." "I just did what those big shots would do the same." “It’s okay, Drea,” he crooned in my ear, and my skin crawled. "Since you still have a hot body, you can have a better job. Be my mistress." Before he could slide his arm around my waist, I spun around in a flash, and the sound of my palm connecting with Beck’s face echoed through the apartment, followed by him crashing into the bookcase he had been emptying. The red handprint on my cheating ex-boyfriend’s face was clear but I had no mood to enjoy it. I left the apartment as a tsunami of emotions—confusion, rage, betrayal—whirled within me. I still couldn't believe Kade just betrayed our bond! Just after the explosive sex we had together! I'd rather he rejected me outright last night, then my heart wouldn't be hurting like being torn apart now. 'Hey easy, maybe things are not that bad,' Emrae tried to cheer me up, I knew how much she liked Kade after last night but I had seen enough through reality. 'Don't forget who he had engaged with. Natasha Vale, the Alpha's daughter of the Ironfang pack. That's the second strongest pack in New York.' 'How would Kade abandon such a sparkling princess for an omega like us?' 'We're different! We're stronger now, remember?' Emrae protested. 'Yeah,' I smirked with bitterness. 'Yet we're still an omega. A powerless omega.' 'Kade will be no different than Beck. Even if he wants me, it's just for sex needs.' ‘I'd die before I'd be anyone's sex toy!’ I wiped away the tears that were about to come to my eyes, walked into a nearby coffee shop, and pulled out my phone, dialing my parents’ number. I called six times, and it kept sending me to voicemail. “Hi, Mom…it's Andrea. I…uh…broke up with Beck, and I don't have any place to stay right now. Can I come to stay with you for a while?” I hadn’t been able to reach my parents in a while, so honestly, I knew reaching out was a long shot. Eventually, the call disconnected. I stared at the blank screen and sighed, cradling my coffee and ignoring the pitying looks from the barista. Zayne’s number was just a tap away, but I hesitated. He had already done so much for me, and I hated to burden him again. ‘You can’t run to him for everything,’ I told myself, biting my lip. My options were limited, but I couldn’t sit there all day. Grabbing my bags, I headed to my part-time job at the boutique. My shift started in half an hour, and it was the closest thing I had to stability. I couldn't lose it. I needed the money. After putting my suitcase in the backroom, I started making plans in my head. I'd be fine. Being single was better than being mated to either of two assholes. I still had a job. My boss, Mrs. Harper, was a kind lady. I think she would agree to give me more shifts. Then I was going to rent a small place with my savings. Things would look up. My hopes shattered the moment Beck walked in. He walked through the door like he owned the place, his arm draped over the petite brunette I'd seen him kissing at the festival. Her laughter was high-pitched and shrill. It hurt my now sensitive ears and grated on my nerves. I busied myself organizing shoes on a display, praying he wouldn’t notice me. Fate wasn’t so kind. "Andrea," he drawled, a smirk playing on his lips. "Didn’t expect to see you here." I gritted my teeth, pretending to focus on the shoes. "Can I help you find something?" His girlfriend giggled, nudging him. "Oh, she’s polite. Is that cute?" "Adorable," Beck replied, his tone dripping with sarcasm. The next hours were pure torture. Beck’s new girlfriend—who I learned was called Tiana—was the toughest customer I'd ever had. I lost count of the number of shoes she tried on. From pointy heels to flats, from classic black to sequins and diamonds, she tried on almost every pair of shoes in the store, but always found some inexplicable fault. “These are too tight, they're squeezing my feet.” She frowned, tossing a pair of limited edition heels casually on the floor, the heels smashing against the floor with a piercing sound. I forced out a small smile and bent down to pick up the shoes. “Then I'll get you another pair in a larger size.” “No, these are too old-fashioned to match my dress.” She waved her hand, her tone full of impatience. I took a deep breath and turned toward the warehouse, the shirt on my back already soaked with sweat, clinging to my skin, wet and sticky. My patience had reached its limit. But the thought of Mrs. Harper's pleading eyes - she was also an omega who didn't have enough power to confront an Alpha family like Tiana's - forced me to hold my temper. “What about these? It's a designer co-branded model.” I handed the spoilt customer a pair of rhinestone-encrusted silver heels. Amazement crossed her eyes and I thought this farce was finally coming to an end. However, she immediately leaned back on the couch, crossed her legs, and demanded condescendingly to me, "I'm tired of trying, so get down on your knees and put my shoes on." Provocation was clearly written on her face and Beck just laughed louder hugging his little bitch closer and kissing her forehead as a prize. My temples jutted, and each of their annoying sound was like a needle in my long exhausted nerves. I couldn’t bear it. Not anymore. "I quit," I said, my voice louder than I intended. The room fell silent and I didn't bother with the stares, rushing back to the backroom to get my bags. If surviving meant groveling to Beck and his bitch, then I'd rather be dead. “Surrendered so quickly?” Beck followed me shamelessly, “Admit it, Andrea, a weak omega like you can only live at the bottom.” Beck’s eyes glinted with something dark as he closed the distance between us. "Since we were friends before, consider my offer again. Be my mistress and I’ll make sure you live a comfortable life." "Go to hell, Beck." Irritation spiked through me, my voice rising and his expression darkened. “You know what?" I took a step forward, "I'd rather sleep with any man than you. If sleeping with some random man gets me away from you, I’ll do it gladly again and again!" “Bitch...” Beck immediately dragged my hand and raised his other hand to hit me. I subconsciously closed my eyes, but the expected pain didn't come. Instead, I smelled that familiar scent. The scent that made me want to cry. I looked up and as expected, to see Kade, my mate, standing there. He caught Beck's hand in the air, yet his sharp gaze was on me. And I could see the storm raging in his dark eyes. Hell, how much had he heard?