Chapter 1 : Just a Substitute Chapter 1 : Just a Substitute ( Olivia's POV ) When I arrived at the dinner party to pick up my future mate Ethan Grey , I heard voices inside and paused in my steps . The door was slightly ajar , allowing snippets of conversation to drift out . Ethan was the Alpha heir of the Grey pack , one of the most powerful pack in Harbor City . When I came to Harbor City three years ago , our wolves recognized each other as the the destined mate . We have been in love for three years . " Ethan , Cassandra is back in town . What about Olivia ? " someone asked . Ethan's voice was indifferent . " What about her ? " I froze , my hand hovering over the doorknob . Something in his tone made my heart stutter . Behind the half - open door , I could see a haze of cigarette smoke enveloping Ethan's expression as he quietly admitted , " I don't know . I don't want to hurt Olivia , but I can't let go of Cassandra . " His friends sighed collectively . One of them leaned forward , his face partially visible through the gap . " I don't understand you , man . You've been with Olivia for three years . Three years ! And you're still hesitating ? " Another voice chimed in , blunt and cutting . " It's because she's nothing but a substitute . You found her because she looks like Cassandra . " My breath caught in my throat . The words hit me like a physical blow . Ethan took a long drag of his cigarette , not denying it . " I was drawn to the faint resemblance , yes . All these years , I've been searching for Cassandra's shadow in her . " " So she's just a stand - in ," someone sighed . " When will you break up with her ? " another asked . Ethan flicked his ash , looking reluctant . " Not yet . Olivia is obedient and sensible . I'm actually 1/5 < Chapter 1 : Just a Substitute reluctant to lose her . " His friend clapped his shoulder . " You can't have your cake and eat it too , think carefully . " +25 Puntos " Hey , what's the big deal ? Just keep dating each other . " Another friend said nonchalantly , " If you feel sorry for Olivia , just buy her more gifts to coax her . She - wolves are easy to coax . " But Ethan scoffed , " I'm not that promiscuous . " Outside the door , my lips curved with bitter self - mockery . Three years of love , reduced to " obedient and sensible . " Three years of devotion , and I was nothing but a placeholder . Without a word , I turned and left , swallowed by the night . Stepping out from the restaurant , the chilly river wind tangled my hair while tears slipped silently down my cheeks . The realization was devastating for three years , I believed in a love that was mutual and genuine . Only now did I realize I was merely a shadow of his first love , a substitute to fill Cassandra's absence . Standing by the riverside , with the bustling city on one side and the endless dark river on the other , I finally made a decision . My wolf , Cora , whimpered inside me , sensing my distress but agreeing with what needed to be done . I took out my phone and called my father . The phone rang three times before he answered . " Olivia ? " His voice was gruff but held a note of surprise . We hadn't spoken in months . " Hello , Dad . I agree to come home and accept the arranged marriage . " There was a pause on the other end . " What happened ? " Under the dim glow of the streetlamp , I said quietly , " Nothing happened . I'm just tired of playing around . I want to settle down and get married . " My voice was calm , but my heart trembled as I admitted , " I was wrong back then , childish and rebellious . I shouldn't have argued and run away from home . I've thought it through . " " Olivia … " My father's voice softened slightly . " I'll return to Riverdale once I tie up things in Harbor City , " I promised . Actually , I am the daughter of the Alpha of Winters pack , one of the oldest werewolf bloodlines in Riverdale . Three years ago , my father asked me to accept the arranged mating with Connor Rivers , my 215 < Chapter 1 Just a Substitute childhood friend and the most powerful Alpha . Because I didn't want to accept the marriage , I secretly escaped from Winters pack and settled in Grey pack under a hidden identity . That's when my wolf found out that Ethan Grey was my mate . +25 Puntos > After hanging up , I wandered alone in the night until late . The streets of Harbor City blurred around me as I walked aimlessly , my mind replaying those cruel words over and over . When I returned to Moonlight Manor past ten o'clock , Martha Jenkins greeted me warmly . The beta werewolf had been with the Grey household for years and always had a soft spot for me . " Miss Winters , you're back , " she said , handing me a bowl . " This is the healing broth you made for Mr. Grey . I reheated it since it had gone cold . I was about to bring it up . Would you like to take it instead ? " Silently , I took the Healing Broth , carrying it upstairs to Ethan's room . The bedroom was empty save for a glowing computer screen , the sound of running water coming from the bathroom . I realized he was showering early tonight , likely to leave soon . I set down the broth and noticed incessant message alerts on his computer . Curiosity and dread drove me to move the mouse . On the messaging app , Cassandra's messages flashed before my eyes . " Ethan , I'm back . My flight lands at 11:30 tonight at Harbor City Regional Airport . Will you come pick me up? " " During these years apart , I never stopped thinking about you . I regret leaving for my career . " " We were both too proud , unable to bow our heads . But I know you still have me in your heart , right ? " " I dated other men , but none lasted long . I always felt something missing . It was you . I realized I never stopped loving you . " " I was afraid to return , afraid you'd hate me , afraid to see you with someone else , afraid you no longer loved me . " " I was wrong , Ethan . Can you forgive me ? " Before I could close it , Ethan's reply appeared , typed during his shower : " Cassandra , I just want to know - do you still love me ? " My heart tightened painfully . He's so busy he often ignores my messages , yet for Cassandra , he replies even while bathing . The difference in affection was painfully clear . 3.15 < Chapter 1 : Just a Substitute Cassandra's reply was instant : " Yes , I only love you . " His final answer : " Good . I'll come pick you up . " +25 Puntos > At that moment , I felt our three years together crumble into a cruel joke . I quietly restored the screen , hiding my heartbreak , and left the room . Downstairs , I served myself a bowl of the broth I made with such care . I had learned the recipe just for Ethan's sensitive digestion , simmering it for hours with healing herbs , barley , red beans , millet , and wild yam . Two years of devotion , all because he once said he liked it . Now , I ate it spoonful by spoonful , alone . When Ethan descended freshly showered , hair dried , dressed sharply , he asked casually , " Where did you go ? I didn't see you earlier . " I answered softly , " Just went for a walk . " He started putting on his shoes , declaring , " I need to go out for something urgent . Don't wait up . " I lowered my gaze , voice mild , " Will you come back tonight ? " He paused , then said , " Probably not . I have work at the pack house and if it's too late , I won't return . " " Okay . " I remained gentle and undemanding , as always . Without further words , Ethan left , never glancing back . Upstairs , I saw the broth I brought still untouched beside his computer . My phone lit up with a message from Connor Rivers : " Liv , when will you come back to Riverdale ? " To me , this fiancé candidate had always been a gentle elder brother , never quite a lover . We'd known each other since childhood , and he'd always been protective of me . " After I finish things here , " I replied . "Alright . If you need help , just say it . " " Thank you , Con . " " Rest early . Good night . " That night , Ethan did not return . I lay awake , staring at the ceiling , Cora restless within me . My < Chapter 1 Just a Substitute +25 Puntos > wolf had never liked how Ethan treated me , always pushing me to assert myself more . Now she seemed almost satisfied that we were finally leaving . At dawn , I was awakened by a phone call . " Hello ? " " Liv , my birthday is the day after tomorrow . Don't forget to come to my party ! " It was Sophie Parker , a friend from Ethan's social circle whom I got along with . Sophie was one of the elite wolves in the Grey pack , always hosting exclusive parties and gatherings . Despite her privileged background , she'd always been friendly to me . " Sure , send me the address ," I replied , my voice still husky from sleep . After hanging up , I dressed and headed to the mall , carefully selecting a latest - model platinum wolf pendant from a prestigious jewelry house - a gift that suited Sophie's style perfectly . The saleswoman assured me it was authentic , providing a certificate of authenticity . It cost nearly a month of my salary , but Sophie had been kind to me when others in Ethan's circle had not . On Sophie's birthday , I arrived early at the elegant venue she'd chosen . The room was already filling with members of the Grey pack's elite social circle , all dressed impeccably . " Happy birthday , Soph ," I said warmly , handing over the gift . As we exchanged pleasantries , the room suddenly quieted . I turned to see what had caught everyone's attention . Ethan had arrived late , his arm intimately around an unfamiliar woman . No , not unfamiliar - I recognized her from photos . Cassandra Evans , his first love , had returned . She was beautiful , with a subtle resemblance to me that was now painfully obvious . Her green - gold eyes sparkled as she laughed at something Ethan whispered in her ear . Our eyes met across the room , and Ethan froze , stunned . The color drained from his face as he realized I was there , witnessing his betrayal firsthand . " Liv , why are you here ? " he asked , his voice strained . Comentarios