Forbidden Bond

Diane's POV .

I clutched the bouquet of roses tightly to my chest, my heart pounding with elation as I approached the porch.

Jaden was the Beta son while my parents were among the pack hunters, so compared to him, we were worlds apart. I still wonder how he asked me to be his girlfriend out of all the other better options of girls in school. It felt like a dream, one I never wanted to wake up from. We had been dating for five months—five months of late-night calls, stolen kisses between classes, and whispered promises about our future. He was the man I saw myself with forever, the one I imagined standing beside me at the altar someday. We weren't fated mates, but we had both vowed to live together as one and reject whoever appeared as our mate.

But one thing was still missing. That was our first sex. I have decided to give it to him tonight though.

I wasn’t nervous; it felt right. Jaden had proven himself over and over again—his patience, his kindness, the way he looked at me, like I was his entire world. I’d never felt this safe, never felt this certain with anyone else.

My phone buzzed in my handbag, and I snatched it up, smiling hard as I saw it was a text from Jaden.

“I am bored and lonely here. I really miss you,” his text read.

A wide grin appeared on my face as I reread the message, excitement bubbling in my chest. I couldn’t help but laugh softly in satisfaction.

He thought I was in London for the summer holiday just as I told him, but I had lied about my vacation plans, just so this visit would be a complete surprise to him.

I reached the porch and punched in the door code which I already knew of by heart, the familiar beep signaling the door unlocked.

Everywhere was silent at first, but as I stepped inside, faint laughter drifted down from upstairs—a woman’s laughter. My breath hitched, and for a split second, I stood paralyzed, staring up and wondering if my ears were deceiving me.

He told me he was alone at home and wished I was here to spend time with him. So who has that female voice?

My legs felt heavy as I climbed the stairs, each step slow and careful.

"Maybe we misheard. Maybe it was just the TV." My wolf, Lana, tried to clear my fear but just then, my gaze landed on a trail of clothes leading down the hallway—a blouse, a bra, panties... and Jaden’s shirt, as if they had started off outside before entering his room.

"No... Jaden can't be cheating on me," I whispered to myself, my voice shaking, and I could feel my wolf curled up in a sullen state. My chest ached, and my breath came in gasps as I drew closer to the door.

I reached the bedroom door and my sweaty hand hovered around the knob, to open the door, but my hand paused as I heard Jaden's voice ring out, playful and full of desire.

“I really miss you....Baby, you don’t know what I’d do to have you with me every second of my life.”

And then, I heard the lady ask.

"What about Diane? The both of you have been dating for months." The voice made me shudder and my jaw dropped. I gasped as I recognized who had that voice.

It was that of Selene, my best friend. My closest since my second year in college. My heart tightened harder as I waited to hear Jaden's reply.

After a few seconds, he blurted. "Don’t tell me you really think I loved Diane. She’s not my type. It was just a dare game. My friends wanted to know how far I could go with her and that's why I had to do all this.” He scoffed, irritation laced in his voice.

Selene heaved a loud sigh. “Okay, I feel relieved to hear this. It all felt so real, and I was becoming so jealous of you both.” I heard her say and the sound of their kisses followed, making my stomach churn.

I couldn’t breathe as I felt like my entire world was crashing down around me. My knees wobbled, and the bouquet slipped from my hands, the roses hitting the floor softly. I wanted to run, but my feet wouldn't move, so I stood there, numbed, the agony in my heart piercing deeper as their conversation and deep kiss continued without any of them aware I was listening to everything. They had no idea I was right outside the door.

"So when are you breaking up with her? I'm tired of pretending," Selene murmured, and my hands pressed over my mouth, stifling a sob that threatened to fall out. This can't be real.

Why is she doing this to me?

“As soon as school starts. I can’t wait to dump her.” Jaden’s voice dripped with disdain, and I felt the last shred of hope inside me shatter to pieces.

Without hesitation, I pushed the door open and barged in furiously.