"I have someone I love." The words drifted out from the private room and sliced through Yuki’s half-drunken haze.

Yuki stood frozen just outside the slightly ajar door. Through the narrow crack, that familiar deep voice wrapped around her chest and squeezed. It was Keiran, the star researcher she had secretly loved for so long. The one whose voice alone could make her pulse stumble. Her fingers tightened around the small gift bag until the handle dug into her palm.

Today was supposed to be special. It was her eighteenth birthday and his farewell party all at once. After tonight he would return to his pack and she would never see him again. This might be her last chance to confess.

She lingered awkwardly at the door, unsure whether to step inside or flee. Her heart hammered so hard she felt each beat in her throat. He loved someone. Who was it?

Another voice floated out, a senior girl from the graduate program who had worked with him. "So who is she?" she asked, curiosity thick in her tone. From the gap, Yuki could just make out the group inside. The music thumped loudly, yet their words still reached her clearly.

"You didn’t date anyone during the whole program. I’m sure plenty of girls confessed. Is she from this school?" the girl teased, clearly enjoying herself.

Keiran remained silent. His blue eyes stayed fixed on the glass in front of him, those long elegant fingers curled around it. From where Yuki stood, she could only see half of him. Shadows cut across his face, highlighting the dark sweep of his hair, the sharp line of his jaw, and those eyes that gleamed even in the low light. He looked breathtaking in a way that made her chest ache, wrapped in that untouchable, dangerous aura.

Her stomach twisted sharply. She leaned closer, ears straining as Keiran’s lips parted to speak.

Before he could say anything, Maverick leaned back in his seat, swirling his tequila. "She is his childhood sweetheart back at the pack. Everyone’s certain she’s his mate. We’re all just waiting for the ceremony. No way he’d look at anyone else."

Keiran did not deny it. A small smile curved his lips at the mention of the girl.

The words hit Yuki like stones dropped into still water. The hallway seemed to tilt around her. That tiny smile on his face cracked something deep inside her chest.

Then the senior girl’s eyes sparkled with mischief. "What about Yuki?"

Yuki’s entire body went rigid.

Keiran’s brows drew together. "What happened to Yuki?"

A slow smile spread across the senior’s face. Her gaze drifted toward the door and locked directly onto Yuki’s.

Yuki’s breath caught in her throat. The senior had noticed her.

"Yuki is a junior from the medical program. I thought you had a soft spot for her."

The moment the words left the girl’s mouth, cold spread through Yuki’s veins. Keiran stayed quiet for a long second before he finally spoke, voice calm and detached. "She is just a junior. It was just helping."

The statement pierced straight through her. She was nothing more than a junior he had pitied. An orphan who had foolishly reached for an alpha from a powerful bloodline. Someone like her could never stand beside him as a mate. Not in this lifetime.

After tonight he would leave the university and she would never see him again. This stupid one-sided feeling would finally have to die. She had even bought him a black wolf plushie because she heard he had one.

Her eyes stung but she refused to let the tears fall. The senior was still staring at her. Yuki swallowed hard against the bitter taste rising in her throat and turned to leave.

She had downed six shots just to build the courage to come here, yet fate always found new ways to be cruel. The second she spun around, she came face to face with Bianca.

Yuki’s eyes widened in warning, but it was too late. Bianca grabbed her hand with a bright smile. "Why are you hiding out here? The party is inside! Don’t tell me you’re too drunk to find the door," she exclaimed, dragging Yuki into the private room before she could resist.

Earlier the loud music and thick haze of alcohol and smoke must have hidden her presence. But Bianca’s loud voice made every head in the room snap toward them.

"Yuki? What are you doing here? Have you been standing there?" Keiran asked. His gaze pinned her in place. Something flickered in his eyes, but he did not look concerned that she might have overheard them.

Heat rushed up her neck and flooded her face. "Senior... I... I..." The words tangled on her tongue. The alcohol and the fresh wound made it impossible to speak clearly.

Maverick spotted the gift bag and smirked. "Wait, don’t tell me you’re here to confess to Keiran? That’s why you were hovering outside." He laughed and elbowed his friend. "You really charmed the whole department, man."

Keiran’s brows drew together, his expression turning serious. "Yuki, I can’t..."

"I’m not here to confess to Senior Keiran," she cut in, her voice louder than she meant. She stepped forward and shoved the bag into Maverick’s hands instead. "I’m here to confess to you, Senior Maverick."

The table fell silent.

Maverick’s teasing smile faded as he accepted the bag, caught completely off guard. "Thanks, Yuki, but... I’m leaving now that the research is done." His tone was gentle, the polite way of turning her down.

"It’s fine. I understand." Yuki forced the words out, her cheeks burning. "Please excuse me."

She turned and ran out the door before anyone could say another word, Bianca calling after her in stunned surprise. Her mind spun wildly as she pushed through the crowd and burst out of the club. Embarrassment clawed at her with every step.

The moment she reached the exit, the cool night air slapped against her flushed skin and the tears she had been holding back finally spilled over.

She had known better. People like Keiran lived in a different world. Still, the image of that small smile on his face when they mentioned his promised mate refused to leave her alone.

Yuki hurried down the narrow back alley behind the club, desperate for a moment to breathe. Her mind was so tangled that she didn’t see the tall man until she walked straight into him. The impact sent her stumbling backwards, and she landed hard on the ground.

"Ouch," she winced, trying to push herself up. "I’m sorry. I didn’t see you."

A strong hand grabbed her wrist and yanked her to her feet. "You should watch where you’re heading," a hoarse voice grumbled.

Yuki twisted her arm, trying to pull away. "I already apologised," she hissed. She glanced up, taking in the man properly. He was enormous. Her heart started racing in fear.

His grip only tightened until she felt her bones grind together. He slammed her back against the rough wall, crowding her in. "A feisty one, aren’t you? Didn’t your parents teach you manners? A small omega like you thinks she can talk back to me," he snickered.

"I’m a healer from Xyrus University, not an omega," she snapped, glaring up at him. "You’ll regret this."

The man chuckled, clearly amused. "Wow, I’m so scared." His eyes raked over her and his hand brushed across his lips. "You are a pretty thing, though."

Yuki’s heart hammered wildly. She kicked at him, but he pinned her waist against the wall with ease. "Tell me," he whispered, fingers inching up her skirt, "how tight are you?"

She squeezed her eyes shut, a tear slipping down her cheek. This could not be happening. This was not how she had imagined her eighteenth birthday. His hand slid under her skirt. Each touch sent disgust rolling through her stomach as his fingers moved closer and closer to her panties.

Please no, please. She cried inside, completely helpless. Just when she thought it was over, a deep voice cut through the alley carrying a dangerous edge. "Back away from her."