One night, my contracted partner, Alpha Marcus, claimed me for what felt like an eternity.
When he finally stilled, his hand clamped on my waist, his voice hoarse with satisfaction. "Raven," he rasped, "I want you to play the innocent, seductive little thing and go get Knox."
My whole body went rigid. I finally understood. Marcus's childhood sweetheart—and my friend—Vivian, had been dumped by Knox and was heartbroken.
He wanted me to be his weapon—to make Knox suffer the same pain of abandonment.
After my family's fall from grace and the waning of our bloodline's power, I became the contracted partner of Marcus, the Alpha of the Silverton Pack. I had naively believed that after three years by his side, I was special.
But he just sneered. "The only reason I keep you around is that the scent of your bloodline is almost identical to Vivian's. She's hurting, so it's time you made yourself useful."
Heartbroken, I agreed, swallowing all the fantasies I never should have harbored.
Soon enough, I had captured the heart of the famously cold and austere Knox.
And for the first time, Marcus lost control. He begged me through his tears, "Raven, I regret everything. Please... just come back to me."
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Marcus's hand gripped my waist, his voice thick with lust. "Raven, I want you to play the innocent, seductive little thing and go get Knox, the heir of the Ravencrest Pack."
I froze completely.
My gaze drifted up to him, my eyes red-rimmed and damp.
The sight only made his breathing hitch, triggering another, more ferocious wave of possession. After his frenzied assault, he finally stilled.
Sated, he held me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder, his hot breath fanning across my neck.
"Raven, you heard me, didn't you? Vivian is hurting. It's time for you to step up."
My body went stiff.
Vivian Cross was his childhood sweetheart. There was nothing Marcus wouldn't give her for the asking.
Just last night, while he was still inside me, Vivian had contacted him through the mind-link.
On the other end of the link, she was crying her eyes out, claiming Knox had dumped her.
Vivian was the kind of spoiled, vengeful she-wolf who always got even. She was determined to make Knox suffer the same sting of rejection and had sweetly asked Marcus for his help.
Of course, he didn't refuse.
Even as I was pinned beneath him, enduring his rough thrusts, he had softened his voice, soothing her with gentle promises.
So that was it. He wanted me to seduce Knox, only to dump him later, all to avenge Vivian.
I was merely his contracted partner. I had no right to refuse.
After the decline of my family, the Blackthorne Clan, my father had exiled himself, unable to bear the loss of his power.
On her way to find me, the ancient curse in my mother's body suddenly flared up. The curse plunged her into a deep sleep, her life sustained only by expensive suppressants.
With nowhere else to turn, I climbed into Marcus's bed.
That night, he was gentle, nothing like the cold, ruthless Alpha he was rumored to be.
Afterward, he tipped my chin up with his fingers and asked my name.
"Raven Blackthorne," I said, my voice trembling like any girl who had just gone through her first time.
He gave a faint smile. "Stay."
He gave me a black card with no credit limit and promised to cover all of my mother's medical expenses. He wiped away my tears, his thumb lingering on the beauty mark at the corner of my eye, and said softly, "Raven, you have me now."
From that moment on, I became his.
In our world, Marcus was notorious for his flings—he changed partners faster than the phases of the moon. But after me, he seemed to have settled down.
For three whole years, I was the only one by his side. I had truly started to believe I was different.
"Why?" my voice cracked with heartache.
He let out a low chuckle, his fingers tracing my lips as gently as they always did after we were intimate, but the words that followed were unspeakably cruel.
"Sweetheart, if the scent of your bloodline wasn't almost identical to Vivian's, you never would have made it into my bed. The only woman I'll ever claim as my mate is Vivian."
My throat closed up. A bitter taste filled my mouth. I had been so ridiculously naive.
I thought time could change anything. I thought three years was enough to replace the one he truly loved.
But all along, I was just her pathetic stand-in.
It felt as if an icy fist was squeezing my heart, tightening its grip until I could barely breathe.
When he saw the tears welling in my eyes, he frowned. "I don't like it when women get weepy."
My heart sank.
Marcus hated tears. He saw them as a weakling's ploy for sympathy.
His tone grew impatient. "Enough," he snapped. "It's just seducing a man. Who is this pathetic little show for?"
I bit my lip hard, tasting blood, and forced the tears back. My voice was dry and hoarse. "Okay."
I packed away all my foolish hopes, and I took back the heart I never should have given him.
