Hani Zuhayra had always believed one thing—if something began early, it would end happily.
That was what she kept telling herself since she was fifteen, since the very first day she dared to confess her feelings to Idz Fareeq. The boy who was always by her side, who knew how to make her laugh even when the world felt cruel. Idz, who held her hand every time Hani felt she wasn't strong enough.
Seven years.
Seven years was not a short time. Seven years was not just an empty promise.
At least… that was what Hani thought.
That morning, the campus was quieter than usual. The sun was slow to rise, as if it knew today would hurt. Hani walked briskly toward the Faculty of Health Sciences building, her backpack strapped neatly on her shoulders. Her long black hair was tied low, her bare face free of heavy makeup—Hani's trademark, which Idz always called "naturally beautiful."
Physiotherapy was not an easy major. The schedule was packed, her body constantly exhausted, her mind always pushed to its limits. But Hani loved it. She loved feeling useful when helping others recover, rise again after trauma. Ironically, she didn't realize she herself was in need of healing.
Her phone vibrated in her pocket.
The name that appeared made Hani's heart race.
Idz ❤️
"I'm at the café in front of the gym. Come over for a bit. There's something I need to say."
Hani smiled softly. Her heart bloomed for no rational reason. Maybe Idz wanted to talk about his upcoming international boxing match. Maybe about how they would be turning eighteen soon—an age they always considered their "point of destiny."
She didn't know why she felt so unusually nervous.
The café was moderately sized. The rich scent of coffee mixed with the aroma of pastries made Hani's stomach growl. She spotted Idz from afar—tall posture, broad build from years of training as an international boxer. But something felt… off.
Idz wasn't alone.
Sitting across from him was a woman.
A woman Hani knew all too well.
Alya.
Her own best friend.
Hani's steps faltered. Her breathing tightened, but she forced her legs to move. Don't overthink, Hani. Maybe it's just a casual meeting.
"Hi," Hani's voice was soft when she reached their table.
Alya looked up first. Her smile wasn't a normal one—there was a trace of mockery Hani had never seen before.
"Oh, Hani. Sit down," Alya said, her tone artificially sweet.
Idz only gave a brief nod. No smile. No warmth in his eyes like Hani was used to.
Hani sat down slowly.
"What's going on?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady even though her heart felt like it was about to shatter.
Idz leaned back, arms crossed over his chest. "I think we need to be honest."
Hani swallowed. "About what?"
Alya let out a small laugh. A laugh that made Hani feel like she'd been slapped. "About reality, Hani."
"What reality?" Hani's voice began to tremble.
Idz let out a long sigh, as if what he was about to say was such a heavy burden. "Our relationship… isn't the same anymore."
The sentence was short. But it was enough to bring Hani's world crashing down.
"What do you mean?" Hani looked at Idz, tears pooling in her eyes. "We promised—"
"That promise was childish," Idz cut in harshly. "We change. I changed."
Hani froze. "Changed… with Alya?"
Alya didn't answer. She simply reached for Idz's hand, their fingers interlocking. Deliberate. Clear. Cruel.
"You found your true mate," Alya continued, her tone full of triumph. "And it's not you."
Hani felt as if someone had ripped her heart straight out of her chest.
"True… mate?" Hani repeated, her voice barely a whisper.
Idz nodded. "Yes. What I feel with Alya… it's different. Stronger. More right."
More right.
Which meant—seven years with Hani had been wrong?
Tears fell before Hani could stop them. "You can do this to me? With her?" Hani let out a small laugh mixed with sobs. "Alya is my best friend."
Alya shrugged. "Feelings don't choose who comes first, Hani."
"Bullshit," Hani shot to her feet. The chair screeched loudly. "You stabbed me in the back."
Alya's expression darkened. "Watch your language. You're just—"
"Enough," Idz interrupted. He looked at Hani with a cold expression. "Don't make a scene. I don't want people to misunderstand."
Hani felt her knees weaken. "Misunderstand what? You cheated."
Idz chuckled softly. "Cheated? You've always been naïve. You really thought you were the only one worthy of me?"
Every word felt like a blade.
Hani grabbed her bag, her hands shaking. "I pray you two find happiness," she said quietly. "If destroying me is the price of your happiness."
She turned away without waiting for a response.
Outside the café, the air felt cold even as the sun climbed higher. Hani walked without direction, tears flowing freely. The world blurred. Every memory with Idz replayed in her mind—promises, embraces, dreams of the future.
All lies.
She didn't know how long she walked. All she knew was that the campus was far behind her now. The road grew quieter, buildings more sparse. Her phone in her hand wouldn't stop vibrating—messages from Alya, from Idz. Hani didn't open a single one.
Her steps eventually led her to the edge of a forest.
A place she had never set foot in before.
The wind blew strangely, carrying the scent of damp earth and something… unfamiliar. Hani stopped, her chest rising and falling rapidly. Her instincts screamed at her to turn back.
But her feet moved forward anyway.
"Why am I doing this…" Hani whispered to herself.
Tall trees blocked out the light. The surroundings grew darker. The snap of a breaking branch made Hani flinch. She quickened her pace, panic taking over.
Suddenly—
A low growl echoed.
Hani froze.
From the shadows between the trees, a pair of glowing yellow eyes stared directly at her.
Hani's breath caught.
"W-what… is that…" her voice was barely audible.
A large shadow moved swiftly.
Hani screamed.
Her foot caught on a root, her body crashing to the ground. Pain shot through her, but fear was stronger. The shadow drew closer. Hani squeezed her eyes shut, resigned.
But instead of sharp claws—
She felt a pair of strong arms wrap around her tightly.
Warm. Safe. Dominant.
Hani jolted, eyes flying open.
A man stood before her. Tall, broad-shouldered, his aura… terrifying yet alluring. His eyes glowed gold, piercing straight into Hani's soul.
"Calm down," his voice was low, vibrating. "You've entered my pack's territory."
Hani swallowed hard, her body trembling in the stranger's embrace.
"Who… who are you?"
The man lowered his head slightly, his face close to hers. A thin smile curved on his lips
—a smile of an Alpha who knew his power.
"I'm the Alpha of this territory," he said softly.
"And you, little girl… have just fallen into the arms of an enemy."