Chapter 1 Birthday And Heartbreak

• The days had been slipping away from me but I didn't care because for the first time in years I was looking forward to my birthday which was tomorrow.
• Everything seemed perfect between Jason and me, we had both been together ever since I found out that I was a werewolf living in the human world and he was my mate.
• Jason was so loving and just the perfect boyfriend anyone would ask for.
• I was eager to talk about our future and make plans for something special with him during the day.
• And I was looking forward to the bouquet of lilies he gave me every year during my birthday too.
• But when I got to his house everything fell apart.
• With excitement and a light heart, I took the bus to Jason's place. I had never felt so hopeful in my life.
• I was just looking forward to the day he had chosen me as his Luna and I would have to leave my nasty aunt behind.
• For once I felt like there was a ray of hope in my life even though money had never been on my side and I was just a waitress trying to scrap by and the challenges of everyday life made it difficult to concentrate on anything else.
• I smiled as soon as I got off the bus and for a while I stood staring at the people who were busy getting ready for the weekend on the streets.
• I had saved money for a simple wristwatch which I had purchased as a small birthday present for his birthday next week. Though it wasn't much it was the only thing I could afford.
• I wanted to let him know how much he meant to me and to make him feel special.
• My hand was trembling a little as I rang the bell at his front door. I was excited—almost anxious—to see him but as soon as the door opened my enthusiasm was swiftly replaced by shock.
• As he stood there Jason appeared perfectly normal or so I assumed. He had an unreadable expression and was dressed casually in jeans and a shirt.
• I wasn't interested in that though. No,not with the woman next to him that I was staring at.
• She was a tall blonde younger than me and had a confident carefree look that made my stomach turn.
• Her smile seemed almost staged as though she recognized me right away but I didn't know her.
• "Hey Maddie." Jason said in a flat tone. "This is Kara."
• I went cold.
• "Kara? I was unable to remember where I heard the name but it sounded somewhat familiar.
• I have never met her before but as my brain was racing trying to make the connections.
• Jason continued speaking in a tone that was too informal and for a moment I couldn't understand what he was saying.
• Yes, I guess I remembered now.
• I had seen her picture once on his phone and he had introduced her as his cousin.
• "Hey Kara, this Maddie. "He went on. "My girlfriend." as though I needed to be reminded.
• I tried to hide the confusion and uneasiness that were growing inside of me and forced a smile.
• " Nice to meet you." I said a little too softly but Kara said nothing, She just nodded courteously at me instead then turned back to Jason.
• I noticed something more than familiarity in the way they looked at each other as they exchanged glances. It didn't feel...right
• I took a deep breath trying to get rid of the sensation that was bothering me.
• Despite the increasing tension in my chest I tried to sound casual as I asked.
• " So what's going on?.I had thought that we would discuss my birthday plans today?"
• Jason shifted his weight uneasily and his smile wavered.
• "Yes." he said, scratching the sides of his head.. .
• Kara moved forward and put her arm around Jasons as if she had every right to be there before he could say another word. She said quite sweetly
• " Oh I'll leave you two to talk."
• but the way she looked at me made me shudder. The sound of her heels clicking on the floor as she left the room then something caught my attention as she passed me, she was wearing his shirt.
• My tongue was tied and my mind was jumbled and my heart was pounding.
• After coming here with a lot of excitement and hope I was now completely lost and standing in the doorway. Jason gestured for me to take a seat but I remained motionless.
• He began sounding strained as though he wasn't sure how to break the news to me.
• "Maddie, listen. I've been thinking about us a lot lately."
• I felt the weight of his words immediately. Breathing became difficult for me.
• "What about us and is that your shirt she's wearing?" I asked, my voice shaking.
• Jason was slow to respond. Rather he took a moment to look at the floor as though he was collecting his thoughts.
• "I'm not the only one with that kind of shirt, you know?"
• I swallowed hard and stood there listening to him .
• His face was more aloof and icy than I had ever seen it when he eventually looked up.
• "Maddie," he said bluntly." I think all this mate thing is just a sham. You can't be my mate, come on, you don't even have a wolf ."
• It took a second for the words to sink in. I blinked, wondering if I had heard him right.
• "What… what are you talking about?"I said in my voice , hardly more than a whisper .
• Looking uneasy Jason sighed and combed through his hair. He spoke slowly and deliberately.
• "I think I'm in love with Kara, she seems so perfect for me."
• I experienced a sharp deep pain in my chest. It was as if someone had slapped me. I had trouble breathing as my throat tightened.
• *Perfect for me*
• How could he say that to me? How could he so readily discard everything we had?
• I shook my head.
• "J—Jason, you can't. You said you loved me."
• Jason's voice was emotionless and icy as he continued .
• "I thought I did. But I was mistaken. Maddie, you are just a pitiful omega, I can't bring disgrace to my lineage."
• I was shocked and unable to think as I stood there rooted to the spot.
• "This.. isn't possible. Jason, please just stop things like that." I begged, my voice hoarse
• "But. . . The girl— " I started my voice faltering. " Who's she?"
• Jason was slow to respond. I sensed the tension between us growing as his gaze moved away from mine.
• When he finally spoke his tone had become quieter as if he were trying to defend his actions.
• "You are not deaf, are you Maddie?" He yelled." That's Kara, my mate and Luna to be."
• It was then it dawned on me, She was more than just a cousin or friend. He *had* I chose her. I couldn't stand the betrayal.
• "You lied to me." I said my voice breaking as tears rolled down my cheeks." You said she was your cousin."
• Jason glanced back at me but his eyes were devoid of remorse, void of regret, just a lack of interest.
• "Stop crying, Maddie, and I've moved on, I believe it's time for you to follow suit."
• Tears were welling up in my eyes but I couldn't stop them from falling.
• And that was the moment he chose to break me totally.
• "I, Alpha Jason Rivers, reject Maddie Eve Winters as my mate."
• "Jason, please." I begged, grabbing his arm." Please don't do this to me, I beg you." I cried but Jason remained silent.
• As if utterly disgusted from everything we had been, he simply stood there and watched me with that same icy look.
• The promises, the love, the memories. They were now meaningless to him.
• His lies and explanations didn't matter to me anymore so I turned away. I was unable to continue staring at him.
• There was no use, crying over him, as I made my way to the door I couldn't stop the tears from pouring down.
• I had never expected my life to turn this way all of a sudden.
• Without giving it another thought, I ran into the night, my heart getting tighter.
• The night air was colder and more lonely. I didn't care that I didn't have a car or any other place to go except home to face my aunt.
• I kept running, ignoring the honks as tears blurred my vision.