Krystal's POV
The hand holding my waist relaxed a bit, and I instantly wriggled out of it.
"Pak!"
Without any hesitation, I landed a slap on his face, his head whipping to the side.
"You!" He reached out his hand as if trying to touch me, but his gaze shifted past me to the man behind, and he clenched his fist and retracted his hand.
"Bastard," I spat. Then I turned around, running to my friend.
Wearing the Pack's warrior uniform, he was as dapper as usual, and sweat clung to his pale forehead. He probably just finished his training.
"Darren." I hugged him.
Darren Gotchu.
He was one of the most handsome in my pack. With his short blonde hair casually tousled and bright blue eyes like ocean water, he even caught my sister's attention. But nevertheless, he only had eyes for me.
He was also the Beta's son and had shifted a year ago to become a Beta too.
"I need your help, Darren," I said, clutching his shirt and looking into his eyes, pleading.
I saw his gaze shift to my hand, then back to my face.
"What happened?"
"I—Let's get married."
His brows furrowed, and he took a step back. "What are you saying?" He sounded confused.
I hurriedly explained. "My father is planning to sell me to some Alpha as a breeder. Can you imagine that? The only way I can get out of this is for us to get married, Darren. We're going to marry in the future anyway, so let's just do it now..." I took his hand. "Marry me, Darren."
"What are you talking about, Krystal?"
I looked into his eyes, but something in those calm blue orbs made me freeze.
"You're an Omega, Krystal. Don't you think it's shameless of you to ask me to marry you?" He took another step back. "I thought you'd know your place, but here you are, acting so immature."
My heart stopped.
His words, sharp and cold, cut deeper than any blade ever could. I stared at him — the same Darren who once whispered sweet promises beneath the moonlight, who told me I was his everything — now looking at me like I was dirt beneath his boots.
"I—I don't understand..." My voice cracked. "I thought you loved me."
First, it was my father.
Now, it was my boyfriend.
What have I done wrong?
Why is everything just turning out bad for me today?
Why?
I broke into a sob. "Were all the words you told me, the promises... a lie? You said you'd love me no matter what I turned out to be. Whether an Alpha or not, you'd always be there for me..." I couldn't even continue when he snapped.
"I never said that."
"You did."
"No. I made it clear. I only said that I'd try to be there for you with whatever you become, not that I would marry you. Don't twist my words, Krystal."
"Ahhhh... I feel so laughable." My knees gave out, and I fell to the floor.
My only hope — puff.
Once again, there's no such thing as unconditional love...
As if he hadn't hurt me enough, he continued. "Taking into account our three-year relationship, Autumn and I would wait for you to become our breeder after that Alpha is done with you."
Ha...
Autumn — My sister.
We were never close. She had always been leering at my boyfriend and I dislike that. Both of us are competitive by nature, but I lost the moment she turned out to be an Alpha.
It was clear she would become the next Alpha of our pack, and if she wanted a husband, it would likely be Darren.
Alpha women can't give birth, so they use an Omega as their surrogate.
And now, he's here telling me — so gently, as if it were a good thing — that he'd accept me as their surrogate?
Am I supposed to be thankful?
"How long?" I asked after a moment of silence.
"How long what?"
"How long have you been seeing Autumn?"
"Since you became an Omega and he realized I was his best choice." A calm woman's voice sounded.
And there, I saw her.
Autumn Weuf.
Brunette hair like mine, but shorter. She's always been fierce, and it was always clear she'd become an Alpha.
Somehow, she now had my father's purple eyes — a trait that only belonged to Alphas.
She looked more robust now, and as she towered over me, I felt even more pathetic and useless.
I watched as she naturally leaned into Darren's embrace as if it were the most normal thing in the world.
Ahhh... She had it all now.
Father had never been kinder to her.
And now even my boyfriend cherished her, even if only because she was an Alpha.
I'm truly envious.
"Why am I crying?" I looked at the liquid on my palm after wiping my face.
"Why?" I choked.
It hurts crying in front of these two, but I couldn't hold it in. I wanted to burst into tears.
[Save yourself some face, will you?]
'Are you also disdaining me?'
[Get up and stop crying. Not everyone deserves to see your tears — not these two.]
'But what should I do now? What can I do now? I feel like it's the end of the world. Darren won't marry me, and the man I used to call father will sell me off once he catches me. Am I really going to become a breeder? To be passed around until death comes? What can I do, Echo? What can I do? Wahhh...'
Even with my healing power, if my father decides to let me stay, no doubt my fate here will be worse. He's willing to sell me for a gift — what would he trade me for if he found out I've regained my power? I don't think I can ever trust him again. Moreover, he's already promised me to that Alpha.
[I have a plan.]
'R-Really? What's it about? Will it stop me from becoming a breeder?'
[Yes.]
'Tell me, please!'
[Hurt yourself.]