I stopped just outside the private lounge of Le Méridien Packhouse, my feet refusing to move. The silver key fob bit into my shaking fingers—the custom Ferrari I’d spent five long years saving for, the surprise I’d planned for Nathaniel tonight. I’d imagined his smile, the way his eyes would soften, the way he’d pull me into his arms and tell me I was his future.
Seven years.
Seven years of believing in him.
Seven years, shattering in a single breath.
“Seriously, Nathaniel,” a man’s voice drifted through the heavy door, low and amused. “How long are you planning to keep Mara tied to you?”
My name hit me like claws to the chest.
The scent of whiskey and cigar smoke leaked through the crack beneath the door. My wolf stirred uneasily, hackles rising.
“Now that Valeria’s back from Paris,” another voice added, glass clinking against glass, “she’s been asking about you nonstop.”
Someone laughed. “Honestly, I’m impressed. Dating the Alpha’s sister this whole time? That takes guts.”
My heart stuttered.
Alpha.
Alaric.
My brother’s name burned through me like fire. Alaric—the brother Nathaniel had always described as some distant acquaintance from a neighboring pack. A coincidence. A harmless connection.
“Does Alaric even know,” the man continued, laughter thick with cruelty, “that his so-called best friend’s been bedding his runaway little sister all these years?”
My knees went weak.
“I’d pay to see Alaric’s face when he finds out,” another chimed in.
“He won’t,” Nathaniel finally said, his voice unmistakable. Calm. Confident. Familiar in the worst way. “Mara was never meant to be permanent. She was just… convenient.”
Convenient.
“Seven years is a hell of a placeholder,” someone whistled.
“She practically offered herself,” Nathaniel replied, a lazy edge to his tone that made my stomach twist. “Abandoned by her family, desperate to belong somewhere. All I had to do was act like I cared.”
The words sliced clean and deep.
“All that nonsense about waiting to tell Alaric until after marriage,” he continued with a chuckle. “She swallowed it whole. Poor thing wanted a mate bond so badly she ignored every red flag.”
The key fob slipped from my numb fingers.
It hit the marble floor with a sharp, echoing clatter.
Silence crashed down inside the room.
“Did you hear that?” someone muttered.
I didn’t wait.
I turned and ran.
I left behind the Ferrari keys—the gift I’d bled for.
I left behind seven years of devotion.
And I left behind the illusion of a second family that had never truly wanted me.
---
I don’t remember how I got home.
I only remember collapsing onto the bed, my dress still on, mascara streaking my pillow as sobs tore out of me in ugly, broken sounds. The room was dark, hollow—too quiet for a place that was supposed to be ours.
Every memory turned on me.
Every kiss.
Every promise.
Every whispered claim that I was his chosen mate.
The front door opened.
I scrambled to wipe my face, dragging my sleeve under my eyes as I forced my breathing to steady. Footsteps approached—familiar, confident.
“Mara?” Nathaniel called softly, warmth perfectly rehearsed. The bedroom light flicked on. “You wouldn’t believe the night I’ve had.”
I rolled onto my side, forcing my lips to curve upward. “Oh?”
“Dinner was great. Old friends, old stories.” He loosened his collar, watching me with casual affection. “Funny thing, though—security found Ferrari keys outside our private room. Crazy, right? Someone must’ve dropped them.”
My chest locked.
“That is… strange,” I said carefully.
He nodded, unconcerned. “Oh—and tomorrow night, we’ve got plans.”
I held my breath.
“Valeria’s back in the city,” he continued smoothly. “She’s hosting something at her penthouse. Thought it’d be nice for you to finally meet her.”
Valeria.
The name tasted like ash.
“The friend you’ve mentioned?” I asked.
“Yeah. Just an old classmate,” he said with a dismissive shrug. “You’ll come with me, won’t you?”
I searched his face. For guilt. For shame. For anything human.
There was nothing.
Just that same charming smile that had fooled me for seven years.
“Of course,” I said quietly. “I’d love to.”
He leaned down, pressed a kiss to my forehead. “That’s my girl. Get some rest.”
Minutes later, his breathing evened out beside me.
I stared at the ceiling, tears slipping silently into my hair, my wolf curled inside my chest, wounded and shaking.
---
The next evening, Nathaniel’s hand rested possessively at my lower back as we stepped into Valeria’s penthouse, overlooking the city like a throne above the packlands. His touch burned—not with comfort, but with mockery.
“Champagne, Mara,” he said brightly, handing me a crystal flute, kissing my temple for all to see.
Across the room, Valeria stood in scarlet.
The color clung to her like blood.
Her eyes followed Nathaniel everywhere—hungry, knowing, triumphant.
---
I escaped the crowd as soon as I could, my head spinning. The hallway toward the restroom felt endless.
“Well, look who finally crawled out of hiding.”
I froze.
Valeria leaned against the wall behind me, champagne dangling from her fingers. Her red dress fit her like it had been sewn directly onto her skin. Compared to her, my black gown suddenly felt too plain. Too safe.
“The runaway sister,” she said sweetly. “Must be nice—building a cozy little life while your Alpha brother carried the burden alone.”
My heart slammed.
“How does it feel,” she continued, stepping closer, “to abandon your pack and still play the victim?”
My throat closed.
She knew.
Everything.
Because Nathaniel had told her.
All my confessions.
All my guilt.
All my wounds.
“Cat got your tongue?” she mocked. “You should know—Nathaniel and I go way back. The kind of bond distance doesn’t erase.”
She smiled, slow and cruel. “Tonight, I’m taking back what’s mine.”
My back hit the wall.
“You were never his mate, Mara,” she whispered. “Just someone warming the bed while I was away.”
She leaned in.
“Want to hear something interesting?”
My stomach dropped.
“Tuesday. While you were at that little photography workshop…”
I felt sick.
“He came to my place first,” she murmured. “Then decided your bed would be more exciting.”
The room tilted.
“Those silk sheets you love?” Her breath brushed my ear. “Ruined them.”
My knees nearly gave out.
“The way he touched me,” she went on softly, fingers tracing my arm. “The way he never touches you. He says you’re too gentle. Too boring.”
She laughed under her breath.
“I bring out the wolf in him.”
Images flooded my mind—Tuesday night. Nathaniel kissing my forehead. Those sheets.
“He cleaned everything afterward,” she finished, gripping my wrist. “Didn’t want his precious Mara discovering what kind of Alpha he really is.”
Her nails dug in.
“But honestly?” she said, smiling. “The risk made it irresistible.”
