I had been waiting for my mate for four years since I connected to my wolf and shifted for the first time before giving in to loneliness. As an alpha-born, my family didn’t allow me, their beloved baby girl, to mingle recklessly, let alone date someone of lower rank.
That’s why I secretly dated my brother’s friend for seven years. He is the future alpha of the neighboring pack, and we planned to get married.
After not seeing him for two days, I missed him so much that I decided to visit him at his gathering. But as I reached the door of the private building, I overheard their conversation—blame the werewolf’s advanced hearing.
“Yo, Blake. Your mate is back. Now what are you going to do with the stand-in little sister?”
What? Blake had said he never found his mate!
He didn’t reply, making the situation tense. Another friend laughed and said, “It’s impressive how bold Blake is. He dared to pursue Alpha Elliot’s sister. After he used her, Cindy is back—”
Cindy is the daughter of this pack’s delta. Rumor has it that she went to a human college to study medicine. She’s aiming for the pack doctor position.
“She left so decisively back then. She deserved a stand-in to irritate her,” Blake cut him off.
The next day, Blake took me to Cindy’s welcome party, showering me with affection to show everyone how harmonious our relationship was. But when Cindy ran out crying, he pushed me aside and rushed after her in a panic, making me stumble into a pot of hot soup. Part of it spilled onto my hand. Luckily, no one noticed.
With part of my dress drenched in soup and my forearm scalded, I went to Blake’s house to clean up. I often spent time there, and some of my clothes were kept there.
After changing clothes and getting ready to leave, I was tempted to enter his study—the room he had forbidden me from entering. There was nothing special there except a photo of Blake with Cindy on the desk.
My heart ached. I left the room, and before heading home, I mind-linked my brother, "Brother, I’ve made up my mind about the arranged marriage. I agree."
The rogue problem around our pack had become increasingly troubling. They raided without hesitation, injuring many. The small packs here were powerless against the ever-growing, dangerous rogue pack.
Because of this, my parents planned to marry me off to an alpha from a large pack that had lost his human luna to cancer two years ago, in exchange for protection for our pack.
"Why so suddenly? Did someone hurt you?" my brother replied with a worried tone.
I forced a laugh. "Who could hurt me? You all don’t even let me mingle with any man or wolf."
My brother was silent for a moment. Before he could grow suspicious, I continued, "I’m old enough to marry, and I want to marry. Isn’t it better for me to marry someone you chose than someone else? Surely you wouldn’t pair me with a man who looks like a goblin and acts like a troll, right?"
He sighed in relief. "I’m glad you made this decision without any pressure. Where are you now? Don’t you want to meet him, get to know him first before deciding?" His tone softened.
"There’s no need. Besides, the sooner we marry, the sooner the pack’s problems will be resolved, right?" I asked as calmly as possible. "I’m on my way home."
"Alright, if that’s your decision. I’ll talk to Father and Mother so they can inform Alpha Rider and start preparing your wedding, which should happen in three weeks on the full moon."
Alpha Rider is the new Alpha of the Silverbay pack, the pack my mother comes from, located quite far from here. After my brother ascended as the Alpha of Bloodmoon pack, my parents decided to spend their time there, after they were free from alpha and Luna duties.
"By the way, do you still see Blake? I heard his mate has returned. If you meet him, send my regards and tell him about your wedding plans. They can come as the alpha and luna of the White Rock pack."
I was slightly surprised that my brother knew about Cindy. Perhaps that’s why Blake had asked me to keep our relationship a secret from him.
"I’m not close to him," I lied.
Before I could continue, the door opened, and I immediately blocked our mind link. I looked toward the door and was greeted by Blake’s warm smile.
"Hi, love. Why did you come home first?" he asked, walking over to hug me. "Why would you leave your fiancé in a strange place? Aren’t you afraid some girl will snatch me away?"
"Aren’t you afraid of losing me after the beautiful nights we spent together, hmm?" he whispered, too close to my ear.
Normally, my heart would flutter, but this time I felt utterly disgusted. As I tried to break free from his embrace, I noticed a lipstick stain on the collar of his white shirt, adding lemon to the wound in my heart. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I fought hard to keep them from falling.
Unfortunately, a werewolf’s sense of smell couldn’t be deceived. Blake immediately looked at my face and panicked when he saw my tears.
"Ella, are you okay? Are you hurt somewhere?" Blake panicked.
He wiped away the tears from my cheeks, but I brushed his hand aside. Blake quickly noticed the red, scalded skin on my hand due to my ivory complexion.
"Love, what happened to your hand? Why didn’t you tell me?" he asked, frowning with a worried expression.
It seemed he had truly forgotten what happened at Cindy’s house. I was silent, unsure whether to remind him that he had pushed me or to expose his lies to me all this time.
“Are you knock your head while at Cindy’s?”
