My mate—Alpha Jasper—knelt on one knee, proposing to me at my birthday party when Sienna Burrows suddenly appeared. She was his fated mate once. His first love. Dressed in the exact same backless red gown I was wearing, she stood there like a queen, regal and untouchable. She let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Hah. Alpha Jasper, no matter how perfect a copy may be, it will never be me.” Alpha Jasper didn’t even spare her a glance. Instead, he turned to me, gently taking my left hand in his. His voice was deep, filled with emotion. “Cynthia, will you marry me?” But even as he spoke, I could see it clearly—the flicker of something else in his eyes. And the hand holding the ring? It was trembling. I admit it—the moment Alpha Jasper knelt on one knee, my heart skipped a beat. But now, all I feel is confusion. I don’t understand why Sienna Burrows is here, nor why she’s wearing the exact same red gown as me. Sienna Burrows—Alpha Jasper’s ex-girlfriend and his once-destined mate. My wolf stirred uneasily. She never liked Sienna. “Cynthia.” Alpha Jasper’s voice brought me back to reality. I swallowed, forcing myself to focus on him rather than the seething growl bubbling in my chest. “I…” I’d secretly admired Alpha Jasper for two years, dated him for three, and spent five years dreaming of this very moment. Yet, in every version of my fantasies, Sienna was never supposed to be part of the picture. Faced with Alpha Jasper and the intricate ring in his hand, I opened my mouth but found myself speechless, courage nowhere to be found. When I didn’t immediately answer, Jasper raised his eyes to meet mine, a rare flicker of pleading and vulnerability in his usually impassive gaze. “Cynthia, will you marry me?” My wolf whimpered. The mate bond between us wasn’t strong—not like what he’d once shared with Sienna. In that instant, my heart softened. My human side wanted this. Wanted him. “Jasper, I…” I steadied my voice, trying to hide the tremor. “I will.” The moment those words left my lips, cheers erupted from the friends who had gathered for the birthday party. Rose petals rained down on us, the scene unfolding as if plucked straight from a dream. Except for one detail: Sienna stood just a few feet away, arms crossed, a cold smirk playing on her lips. “I will? How ridiculous,” she said, her tone dripping with disdain. With confident strides, Sienna made her way over, her heels clicking against the floor. She carried herself as though she were the one being proposed to, gracefully taking a seat without so much as an invitation. Her red gown was identical to mine. Her mid-length curls, the color of her hair, even her deep red lipstick—everything mirrored me. Yet, under the lights, her bold makeup enhanced her striking blue eyes and radiant beauty, making her appear nothing short of breathtaking. But the look she directed at me? Pure contempt. I pursed my lips. Unlike Sienna, I wasn’t the seductive, attention-grabbing type. My wolf bristled, feeling the weight of the comparison. I had always been more of the steady kind—the quiet presence beside Alpha Jasper, not the storm that shook his world. Her gaze was searing, as if she were looking at a cheap imitation, a clumsy replica that failed to capture the original’s brilliance. In the midst of the awkward atmosphere, Alpha Jasper’s friends stood up first, clapping and cheering loudly to shift the focus. “Jasper, you finally did it! We were starting to think you’d never propose!” one of them exclaimed, raising a glass in celebration. “Finally?” Sienna clapped along, her sly smile as sharp as a blade. She lifted her glass gracefully, exuding elegance. “Jasper, do you really think your proposal was a success?” “This has nothing to do with you,” Alpha Jasper cut her off, his tone laced with irritation. He cast her a cold glance before pulling me to sit down beside him, avoiding her gaze like it burned. Sienna’s seat was strategically placed—perhaps intentionally or maybe just coincidence—directly across from ours. Everything about her—her poised gestures, her effortless charm—drew attention. Even when she leaned over to whisper something to the person beside her, her radiant smile lit up her face, turning her into a masterpiece under the golden lights. Her casual movements, like resting her manicured fingers on the edge of the table, sent dazzling reflections of light from her nails that stung my eyes. And suddenly, I understood why her gaze was so condescending. It was laughable, really. Even dressed like her, with the same hairstyle and color, I lacked her bold confidence and magnetic allure. The phrase “trying too hard” echoed in my mind. My wolf growled softly, unsettled. She didn’t like how this felt. The red gown felt suffocating, the makeup on my face as heavy as a mask. Unable to meet Sienna’s gaze, I turned to Alpha Jasper and whispered, “Why did you give me this dress?” I’d never liked bold styles. This gown was something I wouldn’t have glanced at twice on any other day. Yet, this morning, Alpha Jasper had handed me a beautifully wrapped box, his expression laced with anticipation as he urged me to wear it. “…Because,” Alpha Jasper paused, lowering his eyes for a moment, “I thought it would suit you.” Suit me? Really? My wolf scoffed. It suited Sienna more. I stared at him, speechless, a strange mix of emotions swirling in my chest. My temples throbbed, and my throat felt tight with unspoken words. And then, without warning, my mind wandered back to that Saturday a few weeks ago.
That day, my best friend Eileen stumbled across a recommended hairstyle video on her phone. She insisted she was tired of my long, straight black hair and, dragged me to the salon. The poor stylist barely had time to blink before Eileen was waving the phone in front of her face, declaring that I needed a “refresh.” And just like that, years of my familiar locks were snipped away, dyed a golden shade I never would’ve chosen myself. In the afternoon, I met with Alpha Jasper. The moment he saw me, something flickered across his face—surprise, confusion, something else I couldn’t quite place. His eyes locked onto me, but his gaze felt distant, as if he were looking through me, at something—or someone—else entirely. Frowning, I waved a hand in front of his face. “Earth to Jasper. What’s on your mind? You’re zoning out. Which movie are we watching later?” “I was just thinking,” Alpha Jasper said slowly, refocusing on me. His hand lifted, brushing over the top of my head, the touch lingering just a second too long. “This hairstyle… it suits you.” The warmth in his voice sent a delighted shiver through me. That night, I clung to Eileen, gushing about it for hours. But now, as I sat at my birthday dinner, wrapped in the red dress Alpha Jasper had gifted me, I wasn’t feeling as certain. This morning, when he handed me the box, my heart had fluttered at the sight of the deep red YSL lipstick inside. Next to it was a small note, Alpha Jasper’s usually neat handwriting slightly rushed, two tiny hearts sketched at the bottom. Honestly, the moment I pulled out the dress, my first instinct had been to refuse. I shook my head, already picturing myself in the French-style dress my mom had given me—white, lace embellishments, delicate and soft, much more my style. But then Alpha Jasper had cupped my cheek, his thumb grazing my skin, and his eyes—usually so unreadable—held something almost pleading. “Just this once, okay? Cynthia, just for today—wear it for me?” Alpha Jasper wasn’t the type to beg. Whether at university or the packhouse, he was always distant, unreadable. Girls admired him but never dared to confess. I had been the same, crushing on him for two silent years. Even after we got together, Alpha Jasper remained restrained. A fleeting hug, a chaste kiss—his affections were subtle, controlled. But today, when I stepped out in that red dress, Alpha Jasper had reacted differently. He had shot up from his chair like he’d been struck. His gaze burned as it raked over me, raw and unguarded. Then, in a blur of movement, he had me in his arms, his lips crashing onto mine in a kiss unlike any before—intense, desperate, utterly possessive. My wolf had purred in satisfaction, but I was left reeling. Now, seated at the dinner table, I couldn’t shake the feeling that something had shifted. Alpha Jasper plucked a piece of chicken from the platter, carefully removed the skin—he knew I didn’t like it—then blew on it lightly before placing it onto my plate. My heart swelled at the familiar gesture. He still cares. He still— And then I looked across the table. Sienna. The man who had been laughing and chatting with her earlier was now carefully picking the green peppers out of her dish, the same way Alpha Jasper had done for me. Sienna sat there, completely at ease, batting her thick lashes as she cast a glance in our direction—deliberate, smug.
The birthday party was in full swing, but the atmosphere felt suffocating. The scent of roasted meat and wine hung thick in the air, mingling with the chatter of pack members. Alpha Jasper, usually composed and distant, was acting strangely attentive. He peeled shrimp for me one by one, placing them on my plate with meticulous care. The problem? I didn’t even like shrimp. I forced a smile, but my wolf, stirred uneasily. Why is he acting like this? she muttered in my head. Something’s off. I agreed, but I didn’t want to dwell on it. I knew Alpha Jasper well. After all, I had secretly admired him for two years. I was all too familiar with his romantic history. Back in college, Alpha Jasper was the talk of the campus—a star everyone admired. Everyone knew he had a first love, his “white moonlight,” Sienna. They were the picture-perfect couple, a match made in heaven. During their coming-of-age ceremony at 18, they were blessed by the Moon Goddess, affirming them as fated mates. The entire school believed they were destined to end up together. So did I. Just when I resolved to let go of my hopeless crush, Alpha Jasper and Sienna broke up, right before graduation. They had been together for less than a year. The reason? Alpha Jasper was selected to attend an exchange program at the Blood Moon Pack, but Sienna wasn’t willing to do long-distance. What everyone once thought was an unshakable bond crumbled for such a mundane reason. When I finally had the chance to be with the man of my dreams, it was after graduation. Time should have erased the remnants of his feelings for her. Their brief relationship hardly qualified as a deep, soul-stirring love—or so I thought. Until today. It hit me like a ton of bricks. What I believed may have just been wishful thinking. Perhaps Alpha Jasper never truly let go of Sienna—not even for a moment. Otherwise, why would he keep trying to mold me into her image? Whenever I strayed from what he considered “her essence,” he would gently but firmly nudge me back into place. As I glanced across the table at Sienna, a cold weight settled in my chest. She sat effortlessly poised, her golden-brown curls cascading over one shoulder. A Alpha’s daughter, she exuded confidence and elegance. And Jasper used to be her fate mate. Even now, it felt like a ghost of their mate bond lingered. His fingers twitched when she laughed, his jaw tensed when she spoke. And then there were the little things—the way he had been encouraging me to try a new style, to wear red, to curl my hair. Like he was trying to mold me into her image. I clenched my fork, my appetite vanishing. He still wants her. The thought made my wolf bristle. Let’s walk away before we do something stupid. I took a deep breath and pushed back my chair. “I need to use the restroom.” Alpha Jasper wiped his hands and stood. “I’ll go with you.” Before I could protest, Sienna’s velvety voice cut in. “Can’t bear to be apart, even for a moment? How sweet.” Her smirk was small but cutting. Alpha Jasper stiffened beside me, his grip on my wrist tightening before he let go. His expression remained impassive, but I could feel the tension crackling between them. “Go ahead,” he said softly. “I’ll wait for you.” I left without another word, my heart pounding. Once inside the restroom, I gripped the sink, staring at my reflection. The girl staring back at me had soft curls framing her face. The deep red lipstick on her lips clashed starkly with her otherwise fresh, understated makeup. But it was the lipstick Alpha Jasper had chosen. He had wanted to see me wear it. Suddenly overcome with frustration, I turned on the faucet and furiously scrubbed at my lips, ignoring the way the water smeared my foundation. I didn’t stop even as my lips swelled and my face grew blotchy. I didn’t care. When I stepped out, the party was winding down. Pack members filtered out in groups, their laughter fading into the night. I moved toward the main hall, but a low murmur from the side room caught my ear. The door was slightly ajar. I recognized their voices instantly. “You used to hate these kinds of events,” Sienna mused. “Now you’re throwing her a party? Even planning to propose? Is this all just to get back at me?” Alpha Jasper’s reply was quieter, his voice edged with exhaustion. “Don’t flatter yourself.” Sienna chuckled. “Oh, but I think I’ve hit a nerve. Tell me, Jasper—when you close your eyes at night, who do you see?” Her voice carried a dangerous allure, like a predator playing with its prey. I didn’t think. I pushed the door open. The first thing I saw was Sienna grabbing Alpha Jasper’s arm, rising onto her toes, and pressing a kiss to his lips. The sound of the door startled them both. They turned toward me simultaneously. I’d never felt more out of place. My hair and dress were still damp from the restroom sink, and my bare face—stripped of makeup—stood in stark contrast to Sienna’s polished perfection. Alpha Jasper quickly pulled away from her, his expression darkening. Sienna, however, smiled serenely, entirely unfazed. She leisurely picking up her designer purse. As she walked past me, she leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. “Your mate seems to have someone else in his heart.”
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