Chapter 3
I still heard what he said.
Lying on the bed, I took deep, heavy breaths, my eyes unknowingly turning red.
I first met Jonah at the annual Mate Gathering, where unmated werewolves from different packs gathered in hopes of finding their destined mate. I was no exception.
Before the ball began, I was chosen as the lead dancer, set to perform the first dance with my
partner.
Before the performance started, I had already noticed him–sitting at the piano, adjusting the keys.
The moment I laid eyes on him, I was captivated.
But when the music began, my dance partner was nowhere to be found. Left standing alone in the center of the ballroom, I felt utterly embarrassed.
Then, Jonah suddenly appeared by my side. He signaled his Beta to start the music and took my hand, leading me into the dance.
I was trembling with nervousness.
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you afraid of? Losing a partner doesn’t mean He pulled me into his arms and whispered losing your ability to dance. Dancing the first song with you is my greatest honor, my mate.”
Because of those words, I fell into the illusion of his warmth and tenderness.
But now I finally understood–being dedicated to music and believing in fate did not equate to loyalty in love.
He would fall in love with the graceful dancer that I am, just as he would be captivated by Alice, dancing in the prime of her youth.
As I drifted into a light sleep, Jonah quietly pushed open the door, carrying a plate of my favorite spaghetti with meat sauce.
“Babe, wake up. You can’t just sleep without eating anything. It’s bad for your health.”
I remained motionless, but instead of getting angry like he usually would, he carefully helped me sit up and spoke in an unusually gentle tone.
“Even if you’re mad at me and don’t want to eat, at least think about the baby. The baby is still so small and needs nutrition.”
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“If you finish this plate of pasta, you can vent your anger at me however you want.”
For once, he was coaxing me–patient, considerate, almost… pleading.
I couldn’t help but glance at him.
His hands held the plate, and in his eyes, I saw a hint of hesitation and flattery.
The last time he was this gentle was when he needed something from me–when he begged me to give up my spot in the Moon Goddess Dance Competition for Alice.
“You’re pregnant now, so you won’t be able to compete anyway. Instead of letting the spot go to waste, why not give it to Alice? She’s been dreaming of this competition for a long time.”
A chill ran through me. So that’s what this was about.
Calmly, I took the plate from his hands, my expression unreadable.
“Go ahead. What do you want from me this time?”
Jonah let out an awkward chuckle.
“Babe, what are you saying? Even if I didn’t need anything, I’d still make you a plate of pasta.”
“If that’s true, then I’ll assume there’s nothing else.”
His expression changed instantly, as if afraid I would refuse before he could speak. He hurriedly
added,
“Alice wants to eat your creamy pasta and herb–roasted fish. I’ve already prepared all the ingredients. Just make it tomorrow, and I’ll take it to her.”
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Even though I had expected this, his words still felt like a dagger, slowly pressing into my heart.
At this point, even if I were oblivious, I would finally understand–no one ever truly valued me.
All my life, I had been nothing more than a servant.
Alice ordered me around as she pleased, while my parents spoiled her endlessly, eager to give her the best of everything.
She had always lived the life I could only dream of.
She learned painting and dance, while I had to beg for weeks just to get my school tuition paid.
The only reason I even got to dance was because of Alice.
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She had originally been signed up for dance classes but later decided she didn’t want to go. Since the tuition was already paid, I volunteered to take her place.
But then, Alice became jealous. She threw a tantrum, demanding to take dance lessons after all.
To motivate her, my parents allowed me to continue dancing, treating me as nothing more than her stepping stone.
Even then, I wasn’t worthy of owning a pair of dance shoes.
I practiced barefoot, my feet blistering and bleeding, and when the dance class ended, I stayed
behind to clean the floors.
Alice often stepped on my feet on purpose, making everyone laugh at my misery.
“Mia, you look so ugly dancing barefoot!” she would sneer.
When Jonah and I acknowledged each other as mates, when he asked me to be his Luna, I thought I had finally escaped that torment.
But now I realize, this kind of life has only returned in a different form.
The one who torments me is now my mate–Jonah.
