I feel the warming sunlight melt into the fresh breath of the morning breeze. I have to confess that I haven't slept that well for a long time.

I try to remember the night, but it seems crazy. Yet, I can feel my face smiling as I remember how my heart finally feels complete in Alec's arms. My body remembers how soft is Alec's skin and how kind he's been after I stopped us. How discreet he tried to be so I could fall asleep peacefully. How relaxed I am when he is near.

Not like the growing anguish in my guts right now: a tormenting, silent pain right in my stomach.

I open my eyes, and no Alec by my side. I expected to wake up in his arms again, but the reality is a cruel monster. Not a trace of him.

The whole situation seems even far worse than just being alone in his bed. In fact, I'm not even in his room. I smell his odor, but I am in my bed.

My former perfect room comes off with nothing. It just seems so lifeless now that I enjoyed the Prince's embrace.

How could he leave me alone here, after he told me he was my mate? Mates don't do that.

It was just a dream: that's the only option.

Was I so wasted that I imagined the entire party and night? Was it all a dream?

I probably drank too much to get this high and think of the Prince. I hope he could not feel it.

Damn, that felt so real.

Why am I so broken because of a dream? I put my sheets away to go to the bathroom. I need to cool down my burning face.

I take some scrunchies and tie my hair in a ponytail. As I look in the mirror, I see this oversized white shirt on my naked body, definitely not mine, and it smells just like Alec. It was not a dream; it truly happened.

So why am I in my room then? After feeling ashamed of some fantasies, I feel like I am getting angry and hurt.

This douchebag kicked me out of his room. In my packhouse?

Did he realize I could not shift, that I am a fraud werewolf?

Well, he should have done it when I told him. But he just told me I was his mate. He smiled back at me; he told me he was happy I never had sex with anyone, and should never apologize for what I am.

Did he finally find out I was not his mate? Guess what, Prince? I told you it was impossible.

But no, Big Bad Wolf thinks he knows everything, but he knows nothing about humans. Because he probably lives in some Dark Ages castle with lots of female lycans at his feet.

Is it because I know nothing about love and sex? Well, that is no fucking shame.

I mean, lycans live longer than werewolves, who already live longer than humans. And as I have no wolf in me, I'll just have a short but enjoyable life.

He is already like, what? 200? Probably he realized he had no time to waste with me. But I cannot be ashamed of being a virgin... I will not feel sorry for not being a slut, am I?

I just go back to my bed, jump, and hide my face in my soft pillow. My eyes fill with tears of anger. I let a scream which sounds more like a howl, out of my mouth: I wish he could feel the pain I experience. It barely relieves me of all my anger.

That does not sound like me, but I feel like my body is furious at the world.

How can I feel so shattered by a douchebag?

I should be relieved. I won't have to leave my family. I can stay here for as long as I want. But I only feel terrible. If only I could explode this whole place just to show the planet how much I loathe this unfair situation, this awful Prince.

I think I'm losing my mind now.

Liv, are you okay? Is there anything wrong? Is he hurting you?

I hear Eli's voice in my head. So here he is in the end. He still seems so angry. And worried.

I should be mad at him too, by the way. He is the one who did nothing. I am his twin; he should have defended me. He should have done everything he could to prevent me from going with this lycan.

I'm fine, Eli. He does nothing to me. I'm in my room. Alone.

I thought I would sound angry and brave, but I realize I just sound miserable and weak. Broken-hearted. It does not sound like me: I've always taken it upon myself not to show a sign of weakness to protect my family, to protect my pack.

Eli must have noticed this unfamiliar attitude, as I sense he mentally hugs me. A deep and mentally solid hug: the one that would have eased any torment of mine before.

Today, that doesn't help much. Nothing seems enough to fill the void that I feel after what appears to be nothing but a rejection.

I did not know it was possible to feel so empty.

Is it how rejection makes you feel? Still, I feel the need to go near Alec, as my body needs him.

How long is it supposed to last?

I just want to hug and yell simultaneously at this man's face. He just played with me. I was just a one-night thing.

Screw him and his beautiful green eyes and delicious and luscious lips.

Focus, Olivia! You have to hate him.

Just because he is a fucking royal, he thinks he can rule the world as he wants. I'll show him that he has no power over the sweet, tiny human I am.

I look at my alarm. 8:30 am.

I jump out of my bed, and I get dressed, as it is Wednesday. And Wednesdays are for training.

Even if I can't shift, I've always trained along with the guys when they train their human forms—running, fighting, playing some games. It has always made me feel part of the pack, and everybody always made sure I was ready enough to defend myself in case of attack. I could not face an adult wolf but almost every human body - except for higher ranks. And I deeply need this today.

Your Highness doesn't think I'm good enough; he'll see if the Evans family is not worthy enough for his consideration. I'll go and kick his nice ass. Well, at least in my mind.

I go to my walk-in wardrobe: one cross-back run bra, cheeky panties, chaser shorts, liner socks, and trainers. I look in the mirror and find myself damn sexy: I may not be as tall and fit as a she-wolf, yet I'm awesome, anyway.

"Screw you, Alec," I say out loud as I meant to say it inside my head. But it feels so good to say it out loud. I hope his lycan ears are working fine.

I go to the bathroom, brush my teeth as I smell alcohol (like a real lot of alcohol), and put some waterproof mascara on my eyelashes.

I never wear mascara for training. But from now on, and particularly today, I will wear mascara before Prince Alec goes back to his lovely castle.

I will play the girly fighter so he can think about all he is missing once he's back in his court.

I take my sweater, which is on my armchair, and get out of my room.

I slam my door, hoping Alec would open his and I could get mad at him, but nothing. A prince and a coward in the same body... Charming.

I run down the stairs, three steps at a time, to get away from him as fast as possible. I could kill him to turn me into a fool. Lycan or not.

You know when people say you should not make a girl crazy: the Prince should not have missed this lesson.

As I reach the hall, I can notice that Sam looks at me unusually.

"Hello, Miss Olivia. You look blooming today," he says.

Sam is always friendly, but today feels different. I don't know why he is different, but I feel really grateful. It makes me feel a little better and lighter. I kiss him quickly on his cheek.

"Thanks, Sam. You look great too," I answer with my most radiant smile.

I run to the dining room and join my parents, Eli and Julie. They all smile as I arrive. My mum stands and takes me in her arms: a mother's hug is the best medicine to ease a heartbreak.

"Are you okay, darling? Is everything fine?" she asks, her eyes showing some concern.

"Yes, mum. I'm okay. Why wouldn't I?" I reply.

I don't want them to know that Alec is a cad. Blue Lakes Pack has to be loyal to the Royale family, and I know Eli and my father could be mad at me for being sad because of the Prince.

This will be soon entirely over.

"We heard you... scream this morning, so we were wondering if everything was alright." Julie smiles at me as she says that while she holds Eli's hand.

I can see that both my dad and brother seem actually nervous, tense. I smile brightly so everyone can relax. The only one who should feel terrible is not in this room.

"No, nothing's bad. Just some talk and sleep. Purely formal, to be honest: a proper gentleman," I speak calmly, but I'm pretty sure the last word sounded bitter.

"I was in my bed this morning," I say, as I sense Elijah wants to know if Alec touched me. I kiss him on the cheek.

"I'm fine, Alpha wolf, don't worry."

"Don't call me that, Liv," he answers, shaping a smile. At least I succeeded in making my brother smile.

"As you wish, my Alpha." I laugh as I go to fill a mug with some coffee.

I need at least a full cup of my favorite beverage to act like everything's fine, train and kick this Lycan's butt in my mind, and get some energy back if he dares to show up.

I had three pieces of sugar in it and started to eat toast.

"Seriously, Liv. Or I call you 'my Princess.' Seems pretty appropriate by now." Home Run to my broken heart.

Even if it is just a joke, I can not help my heart tighten. Well, today is going to be rougher than expected in the end. Luckily, he will leave soon.

So I just have to stay strong for a few more hours.

"I'm no princess, Eli. I told you: I woke up in my room. Alone. So I'm always just Liv." As I feel my eyes about to cry, I swallow my toast and my cup of coffee and turn to get out.

I need to escape this room.

"See you at the training and hurry, or you'll be late, my Alpha," I yell and run away as fast as possible.

I just have to avoid any look, question, or comforting word that would not be helping, anyway.