Book 1 - Forbidden Mate: Awakening

~LILY'S POV~

Smash!

The glass box slipped from my hand and crashed onto the floor with a sharp sound. I stepped into Tyler's room with my heart racing like a wild stallion. And there, right in front of me, my worst nightmare came true.

The Alpha's son, Tyler-the guy who had been my crush for as long as I could remember, the one who had held my hand and promised me an eternity as his only-was holding Audrey in a romantic embrace, making out with her on his sofa.

It felt like the whole world had frozen. The promises, the dreams we had shared together, all shattered like fragile glass.

Tears blurred my vision as I turned away. The pain was too intense to bear.

"Lily!" Tyler's voice sounded desperate as he called my name, but I couldn't listen. I couldn't face him. I just ran, feeling hurt and angry. How could he betray me like this? After everything he said, everything he promised me…the tears refused to flow but I could barely see where I was running.

I bumped into Jaxon at the entrance. His eyes looked worried and confused as he searched mine, wanting me to explain. My voice failed me as I was totally lost in my feelings. Jaxon held onto my shoulders firmly but gently, wanting me to tell him what had made me look so shattered the way I was.

"Lily, what happened? What's the problem? Why are you-"

I didn't even hear what he was saying. I wanted to say everything, to yell about the betrayal that was tearing me apart, but the words stayed stuck in my throat.

I hurried to my car, and the driver's eyes widened when he saw me on the brink of tears. I didn't say anything, just told him to take me home, to the grove. The car started loudly, drowning my feelings.

Tears ran down my cheeks as he drove, and the road ahead looked blurry. I kept seeing Tyler's face next to Audrey's in my mind. The way he held her waist and their lips entwined into each other's.

"Fuck!" I cussed and removed the bracelet he gave me for my 17th birthday last year from my wrist. I stared at it for a while, wanting badly to wake up and realize this was all a dream. But I wiped my tears and felt the reality bitterly sink in. I threw it at the glass window and brought my palms to my face. In no time, my hands were soaked with tears. I couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Ma'am, I thought you wanted to stay till evening for the young master's party?" The driver asked innocently but I belted out my frustration on him.

"Just shut up and drive, okay?!" I yelled at him and he nodded, focusing back on the road.

I just couldn't…believe it.

The things he promised and the secrets we shared seemed to fall apart just like that. Tyler betrayed me. He betrayed me. I shook my head and kept in that position till we got home.

_____

When I got to the grove, a fresh wave of sadness hit me again. My wound was already new but upon getting home, it seemed it was reopened. The other members of the grove looked at me with pity and understanding as I walked to the mansion. It seemed like they already knew I was heartbroken, like they could feel how much I hurt. Was this going on for a long time, even before I found out? Had this been happening behind my back? So everyone knew and noone told me about it? Wow. I felt even more stupid and foolish with each step I took.