"Here's your coffee." Elaine stood behind the counter of the diner, taking orders and making coffee for the customers.

"Hurry up, Elaine! Can't you move faster? You're slow as a turtle!" A coworker shouted at her.

"I'm so sorry, I'm coming right now!" Elaine answered with her head low.

It wasn't easy for an omega like her to make a living outside the pack.

Her coworkers would often give her the worst shifts and the most difficult customers, not to mention the deliberate harassment from some strong wolves, coworkers or customers.

But she can't lose this job.

This is the only way an omega living on her own can make her ends meet and save up some money.

Her mate, you ask?

She does have a chosen mate, Joey. And Joey is exactly the reason why she left the packhouse and moved out - Joey promised her a home, a home of her own.

Ever since she was little, other wolves have seen her as weak and useless. A wolfless omega who can't even shift is only a burden to the pack.

Until Joey appears.

Only Joey gives her attention and concerns. Only Joey has ever shown interest in her.

Although they are not fated mates, it's already good enough for Elaine. Besides, fated mates are just so rare.

She still remembered how flattered she was when Joey asked her to move in and live with him.

Although Joey wasn't a perfect boyfriend, Elaine knew that he didn't love her as much as she loved him, she appreciated him being there with her. She would do all the housework and take care of his life. She would die for him.

But Joey hasn't come home for weeks. He always says he's busy with his work.

The fear of losing Joey makes Elaine anxious. She notices that the last time he came home, he was reading a magazine, and there's an ad for a luxurious cruise ferry on it.

Maybe, maybe a trip on the ferry would make Joey happy?

Besides, Joey's birthday is at the corner!

So Elaine worked more hours at the diner these days. She took extra shifts, picked up overtime, and even took on a second job at a local supermarket.

She put all of her tips and wages into a small jar she kept hidden under the bed.

It wasn't much, but it was enough to buy two tickets for the luxury cruise ferry.

"Hey Omega, I'm leaving early today so clean up the tables for me." A beta girl stepped out of the diner and turned around to say to Elaine.

Without saying anything, Elaine nodded in silence, picked up a rag and started wiping the table.

After today, she would finally be able to buy the tickets!

She started to imagine the two of them dancing together under the stars on that luxury cruise ferry, Joey holding her close and telling her that she was a good girl, she worked really hard, and he loved her.

“Two tickets, please."

Finally, the tickets!

Elaine held the gilded shining tickets as if she was holding some precious jewelry.

She knew where to find Joey. She learnt from a common friend that Joey would be going out with his friend today to celebrate his incoming birthday.

She spotted Joey near the bar, her heart leaped in her chest. She couldn't wait to give him his birthday present. He must be surprised!

Elaine fidgeted nervously with the tickets clutched tightly in her hand.

She had been waiting for this moment for so long - the chance to surprise Joey, a chance to show she also has meaning for others because she offered.

When she approached Joey, Elaine could barely contain her excitement.

"Happy birthday, Joey!" she exclaimed, handing out the tickets.

"Tsk. Why are you here?" Joey didn't expect to see Elaine here.

"I...got us two tickets on the luxury cruise ferry you mentioned last time. I thought you'd like it."

He gave her a suspicious look and took the ticket she held carefully in her hand, and raised an eyebrow. "A real ticket? How did you get it?"

"I worked really hard these days, and I...."Seeing the change in Joey's attitude, Elaine smiled.

"Haha, how could a weak omega afford such an expensive ticket?" Suddenly, one of Joey's friends laughed out loud, "You must be selling your body, huh? At what price?"

Hearing this, they erupted into a fit of laughter.

Elaine felt so embarrassed. She didn't even know how to defend herself.

"Okay, I'll go. Just leave me and my friends alone, will you?" Joey seemed a little irritated, but he finally agreed to come.

A few days later.

Elaine's heart raced as she watched the luxury cruise ferry approach the dock. She clutched the envelope of tickets tightly in her hand, her palms slick with sweat.

This was it. The moment she had been waiting for.

As she stepped onto the ferry, Elaine's breath caught in her throat.

She had never seen anything so beautiful in her life. The deck was alive with color and motion as the passengers laughed and danced to the music.

For once, she was not an outcast.

For once, she was just like everyone else.

In her own cabin, Elaine dressed in her nicest dress, excited to spend the day with Joey and create some happy memories.

She looked in the mirror again and again, making sure she dressed herself properly, and knocked on Joey's cabin with her best smile.

"Let's go to the dance party there, I heard that the dance party on this ferry is very luxurious, and many famous people will come to attend." she asked, feeling a little nervous.

Joey nodded, but when he saw how Elaine was dressed, he frowned.

"You're not wearing that, are you?"

"This is my best dress...I don't have spare money for another one..."

"Tsk. Then just stay away from me, okay?"

Joey walked towards the party deck and made some distance.

Elained could only force a smile and followed him.

Arriving at the party, Elaine is again amazed by how beautiful it is. The deck was adorned with twinkling lights, and the walls were draped in shimmering fabrics. The dance floor was filled with elegant couples, swaying to the romantic tunes of the live band.

"Joey," Elaine mustered her courage, walked towards Joey and looked at him, "Shall we...."

"Tsk, I said stay away from me, are you deaf?"

"But Joey..." Elained reached out to him.

Joey turned his head away, but he didn't shake away her hands this time.

He didn't want to be seen with such a poor omega, but he also secretly enjoyed her humble coquetry.

"Then fetch me some drinks. You know my preference." Joey softened up a little bit. He liked her before, but he was just playing. Every man plays around, it's normal.

But Elaine, that stupid omega, took things too serious. Who takes a man's promises during s*x so seriously?

He's really tired of this clingy omega, but at least she's obedient and good at free-housework.

Maybe it's okay to keep her for a while. Joey thought.

But then, suddenly, a strong scent of jasmine hit him. It was a strong, instinctive feeling he had never felt before: mate!

Joey looked up. There stands a beautiful blondie in a gorgeous sleek dress.

His mate!

Elaine's hands were shook off violently. She didn't know what's going on, yet her boyfriend Joey rushed to the blonde girl, without any words.

And he never turned back and looked at Elaine for once.