Fated is overrated

Elise POV

I had to get out of that room and quickly. But, not because of the reason one might think. My whole life I have been nice to everyone and caring for others, even for those who don't care for me. And just now, in that room, something inside of me snapped. I devoted my life to him, even though he was a total *ss to me. Of course I felt the betrayal pains, they are f*cking excruciating. They say it's even worse for fated mates, and for the life of me, I can't fathom how anyone could survive anything even worse than this. The cheating has been going on for a long time now, too. So, honestly, I am glad we broke it off. The only downside being that I don't know where to go from here. I have no family anymore.

And I for sure don't have any friends here. I chuckle to myself at the thought. How could I have been so stupid to fall for that boy? His actions never matched up to his words. I should have known from the start. A real man will walk the talk. 'Hmmmmhmmm. Like Chris.. my wolf Lila gushes in my mind, and I'm not sure whether to laugh or feel sad about my wolf having a crush on the Alpha. 'Just your wolf, huh?' Lila teases smugly, and I feel a small blush creeping up on my cheeks.

'It doesn't matter, Lila' I sigh deeply.' He doesn't like us that way. And how could he? We are just an omega. He is the freaking Alpha. You heard Ashton, we are beneath them'.

"Elise, wait up!" I hear Alpha Chris yelling, running up to me. Speak of the devil. "Alpha, what can I do for you?" I respond politely.

Alpha Chris has been nothing but good to me, it's not his fault his beta is cheating scum. "Please, call me Chris when it's just us. Are you OK?".

"I am fine Alpha, thank you. How are you?". He chuckles "Chris, please, Elise. I'm good, actually. Even though my fated mate rejected me to be with my beta".

I'm sorry, WHAT? My face must have broken out in complete confusion as he quickly explained, "Sorry, I forgot you weren't there when it happened. Belinda rejected me." For someone who just got rejected, he seems way too chipper. "I'm so sorry, Alp. Chris. Why on earth would she reject you? And for Ashton, of all people?! You are a million times the man he is!" I rush everything out in 1 go.

He smiles broadly, lighting up his entire face in the process. 'Gosh he is so handsome like this!'. Geez, Lila, keep it together.

"I'm glad to hear you think so" he responds, while looking deep into my eyes. Goddess, I could drown in this man's eyes. What is wrong with me? I just rejected my mate, and here I am, gushing over our Alpha.

I cleared my throat before speaking up. "Anyway, if you will excuse me, I have a lot of packing and figuring stuff out to do." To my amazement, he asked, "Can I help you, please?" My mouth must have dropped open, as a fly nearly flew into the gaping hole. "You really don't have to Alph.. Chris. I'm sure you have much more important things to do" I smile nervously. The thought of being alone with him now all of a sudden makes me nervous.

"I really don't. And besides, I really want to help you. We will get you a room in the pack house if you'd like?" he shrugs his shoulders casually, as if it is nothing special for the Alpha to help an omega pack her belongings.

"Erhm, alright, I guess. And I would love that, A.. Chris. It sure beats sleeping out in the cold" I chuckle, while we continue walking towards my home.

Or, well, the house I used to live in. It was never really home to me in hindsight. Chris growls, and I almost jump up startled. "If anyone would be sleeping out in the cold, it would have been him.

I would have made sure of that" he answers with a clenched jaw. The whole situation seems to affect him. I guess he was more hurt by his mate rejecting him than he led on. We walk in comfortable silence, until we reach my house.

I quickly grab some big suitcases, and we start packing my belongings. We both take 1 suitcase each, side to side, loading it up as I point out to Chris which items need to be packed.

As I am pointing at the bathroom, my hand accidentally touches his, and I can't help but blush slightly at the contact. Before I can retract, Chris grabs hold of my hand, earning my attention as I gaze into his eyes.

"Chris..?" I breathe out softly, with my brows slightly furrowed. He remains silent for a few seconds, before he drops a little bombshell. "Elise, I need to say something that has been on my mind for a while now.

I know you have just broken your bond with Ashton and are nowhere near ready for another man in your life, but I want you to know I care for you. I might care a bit more than would be considered appropriate for the woman who was my beta's mate until about an hour ago".

His gaze is pinned to the floor, seemingly almost scared to look at my reaction, while it should be the other way around. I cup his cheek with my hand, softly forcing him to look up at me.

I don't know where this courage is coming from all of a sudden, probably since I have nothing to lose anyway, but I close the distance between us and press my lips against his softly.

I keep them there for a few seconds, before pulling back again. He seems completely taken aback, frozen on the spot. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have..." I say as I start pulling away, before he wraps his arms around my waist and slams his lips against mine. ** 1 year later

**

Chris POV

As I am standing in the doorframe, staring at my beautiful mate, I can't help but smile to myself. I am such a lucky f*ck to have this beautiful woman in my life.

She is so cute when she is huffing and puffing the way she is, trying to tie her shoelaces with her small round belly being in the way already. After Ashton and her broke up, and she moved out of their house, we started dating. Ashton left our pack to be with Belinda. Good riddance, it saved me from having to demote him. He tried to come back when Belinda found out his parents weren't as rich as he had portrayed them to be, but I decided to take a pass on that.

Elise and I took things slow initially, as we both had some trust issues, but we ended up falling madly in love together. She is nothing like Belinda or my mom, for that matter.

I completely trust her, which has been impossible for me to do for so many years. I love her with all my heart, and I know she will be an amazing mom to our pup.