I looked at him with wide eyes. I wanted to run away at that moment. 

– Alex. – He said after a brief moment. 

– ... Hello. – I replied as if to downplay it.

His omega next to him didn't know what to do. As soon as our eyes met, she looked down but bowed in greeting.

It looked like she was a recessive omega. 

– Are you ok? Your face... – The concern in his voice was evident.

– I'm fine. – I said curtly.

The omega took his arm, and he turned to see her. 

– Please wait for me on the car, ok? – He spoke sweetly, the same way he used to talk to me. 

My heart sank.

The girl nodded and slowly walked to the car. Matt turned to me and my heart skipped a beat.

– Can we talk? 

I took a breath to respond, but no words came out.

– I must go back to work, so please come back here at seven tonight, please?

– ... Sure. – I forced myself to answer him.

– Thank you, Alex. – He said. Our gazes remained fixed on each other. I could see doubt in his eyes. After a few more seconds, he swallowed and looked away. – See you then. – He added, started walking to his car, got in, and started it.

I stood where I was, lost in my thoughts as I watched the car drive away.

I lost track of time, until I heard a now familiar voice beside me.

– What? – I asked, coming out of my trance. 

– That you'll freeze here.

He brought his hands up to my face and as soon as he touched me, I felt my face hurt. I stepped back and raised my hand to my cheeks, which were really cold. I had been still for too long.

I started rubbing them to warm myself up.

– Ok, let's get going. I've already reviewed and taken notes. – He said with a smile, putting a coffee cup on my cheek. 

I took it without giving it any importance and put it where he had placed it, to warm myself. I didn't like pure coffee, but at least I could warm myself with it.

When we got back to the cafe, he went straight to talk with his parents, while I returned to my place behind the counter.

I opened the coffee cup and threw the liquid on the sink, then throwing the cup in the trash. 

My shift ended at seven, so on my break I went to talk with the owner. I waited for him to come down from his house and as soon as he did it, I went to catch up with him.

– Excuse me sir, could I please leave a few minutes early today? I'll be staying until seven thirty tomorrow to make up for it. – I said.

– Oh, don't worry boy, you can leave at six if you need to. – He replied with a smile. 

– No, a few minutes earlier is fine, thank you. – I smiled him back.

I spent the whole day anxious and when six forty five in the evening came around, I took off the apron and hurried out to the other coffee shop. I might have arrived a few minutes early, but I didn't care. 

– Wait! – I heard behind me. 

I turned back and it was the owner's son. I waited for him to say something, but he just looked at me with his hand raised. 

– What is it? – He was delaying me, and I wanted to see Matt, so I frowned.  

– ... Be careful. – He said, lowering his hand.

I turned around and started walking, almost running.

I arrived agitated, excited to see him again, but at the same time, that emotion made me feel bad for feeling that way.

Even though I arrived earlier, he was already waiting for me in the usual place outside the local, and for a moment, I felt that nothing had changed. I started approaching him when I saw him laugh. I stopped dead in my tracks and followed his gaze to his omega who remained inside the car, waiting.

All my excitement went to the ground, and I forced my feet to keep walking towards him with all my strength I could muster. 

– Hi. – I greeted.

As if coming out of a trance, he turned to me. 

– ... Hi. – He said with a sweet smile, my heart aching. – Should we go in? – He said, opening the door for me. 

Once we got inside the cafe, the place was not that crowded despite it being rush hour. I made a point of telling that to the owners' son.

– Do you want something? – My alpha suddenly asked me.

– Sure. – I replied. 

When he went to place the order, I went to sit at one of the tables for two near the window, then following with the gaze.

It was like everything was okay, and that only made it hurt more.

– Here, a latte. – Matt said as he walked over to the table with the order. He put down my drink and sat down at the other end, with nothing for himself.

He knew me pretty well. 

My hands started to nervously touch the cup.

– How have you been? – He asked.

– Good.

– Really? 

– Yeah. 

He remained silent, probably knowing I was lying. 

– What about you? – I asked before he could say more. – How are you two doing? – I tried to smile.

He opened his eyes, surprised.

He seemed to hesitate over whether to answer or not, but he did.

– We're... Good. – He hesitated for another moment and continued. – We're... Going to have a baby. 

He lowered his head, frowning.

– I see. Congratulations. – I said, trying not to think about it too much so I wouldn't break down. My heart screamed as it tore with every word.

– Don't... Say that. – He suddenly said, making me raise my face towards him. – You should be hating me, Alex. – He had a sad expression. – I'm truly sorry. I'm so sorry. – He continued, putting his head in his hands. – I really love you; I love you so much, but I can't do this to you. I don't want to hurt you anymore. I lost control that day and ended up forming a bond with her. When we left that alley, I couldn't even look you in the eyes. It's just that... – He said with tears in his eyes. – I can't quite explain what this feeling is, but I can't fight it. I just can't. 

I squeezed the glass tightly, holding myself back from jumping up and hugging him.

'I love you so much too' I replied on my mind with a lump in the throat. 

– I... – He took a deep breath. – After that day I didn't know how to talk to you, I just felt so ashamed of myself... So, I didn't. But I should have. I'm truly... Sorry. – He apologized. 

Each of his words pierced my heart like knives. 

He loved me, and I loved him too, but he already had an omega by his side. 

– I'm really sorry. – He repeated. – We are bonded, and she's pregnant too. I can't leave her, I couldn't.

Of course he couldn't, that's just the way he is after all. Matt had always been the kind of person who took responsibility.

I knew he would blame himself for that forever, and I love him too much to let him suffer like that.

– I get it, and it's fine. – I said, trying to swallow the lump in my throat. – After all, I know you'll be happy. You'll learn to love her. – I gave him a smile, holding back tears.

He looked at me for a second and turned his head to the car. 

– She's a good girl. – He replied holding his gaze on the car. – But I was supposed to be happy by your side, that we would be together. – He replied with a weak smile. 

Why did he have to say things like that? It just hurt me by reminding me that we would never have any more of that.

– You don't have... To feel sorry for me. I'll be fine, for real. – I tried to sound as confident as I could. – You just must make your life with your omega. Your predestined. I was never in the picture from the start anyway. – I blurted out that sentence at the end, without even thinking about what I was saying.

– Don't say that! – He blurted out hastily. – I truly loved you, and I still love you, with all my heart. – He told truthfully, leaning across the table and taking my hands. – Please, believe me.

Memories of both starting to fill my mind. How he pampered me whenever he could. His concern for me and all the love he gave me was real. It always was. All the anger I felt vanished in an instant.

I turned my hands towards his and brought them to my face.

– I know. I believe you. – I confirmed, placing his hand against my cheek, while all the memories filled my mind. 

I could feel him tense up. I squeezed his hand and opened my eyes. I knew I was putting him in a difficult position, and I didn't want that.

It wasn't his fault, nor his now omega's.

It was the fault of damned fate, and of the existence of the predestined.

I placed his hands back on the table. 

– Please be happy. Be happy for both of us. – I said with a weak but sincere smile.

I watched as a tear fell down his cheek, then one after another.

I just looked down at our hands together, as he tightened his grip in a last attempt to not let me go. When he stopped crying, he took a deep breath and let go of my hands.

He stood up and walked to my side.

– I hope with all my heart that one day you can forgive me, and finally find happiness, even though I can no longer give it to you. – He looked at me for a moment and then took off his jacket. He placed it over me and took my face in one of his hands while the other rested on my shoulder.

– I forgave you since you walked through that door, and since you gave me all those beautiful moments by your side. – I paused for a moment. – I know you are a wonderful person, and that omega has earned heaven with you. – I answered, letting out the best words that floated in my head and heart. It was the sincerest thing I had ever said.

I inhaled deeply his pheromones. Those pheromones that had been at my side for so many years. And that I now felt so far away.

I could see him hesitate, but he had no choice. He squeezed his eyes shut, held his hand on my face for a long moment, until he let go, formed a fist, and made the most painful gesture I had ever seen him make in my life.

He left the coffee shop and from the window I could see him walking towards his car. As soon as he reached the passenger window, his omega rolled it down almost immediately while giving him a worried look.

Matt leaned to her and kissed his forehead, just like he used to do with me. He turned around and got into the car. His omega rolled up the window, the car started up, and they drove off.

I felt like deja vú that last moment. Me, being left behind as the two of them drove off toward their future together.