Chapter 1
The bachelor party should have been a celebration of the bond about to be established, but instead, it became a trial of humiliation.
Truth or dare?
“Truth!”
Amaris pressed her lips together, met my gaze, and smiled faintly I’m pregnant. It’s Kael’s.”
The air froze instantly. The young wolves in the pack burst into laughter and whistles.
Only Kael wasn’t laughing. His expression was rigid, something indescribable flickering in his eyes.
After the party ended, he stood by the bonfire, his eyes clouded with suppressed melancholy.He looked exhausted.
‘Alina,what she said is true.” He avoided my gaze.”Don’t overthink it. Between us… we’re just friends.That night… she went into heat. I was drunk-completely blacked out. It was just… a mistake.”
She doesn’t have a mate and doesn’t plan to bond with anyone. She just wants to keep the pup for company.”
She’ll raise it herself.”
nodded silently. “So what now?”
He let out a low sigh, like he was announcing an unchangeable law.
But I’m the Alpha. I need to take responsibility. Weekdays I’ll stay at her place to help, weekends I’ll come back to you.”
We’ll postpone the mating ceremony. Once she safely delivers the pup, we’ll get back on track. I’ll make it up to you.”
looked up with a smile, my voice calm”Gosh! You’ve thought it through.”
ike a weight had been lifted, he turned and left, carrying his duffel bag without looking back.
wiped the tears from my eyes and began packing my own bags.
Jone of it was enough to withstand one night of lust.
ust then, my phone buzzed abruptly.
he moment I answered, a voice thick with alcohol and barely contained curses came through,It’s Jace Riven.
Alina Vale… fuck, I love you so much. Don’t bond with him.Be my Luna… please?”
paused, my heart feeling like it was being gripped by claws.
Alright.”
packed my bags in one go, gently placing the engagement ring on my dresser.
Looking at the room filled with cheerful wedding decorations, an indescribable bitterness churned in my chest. What was meant to be a bond ceremony now felt ike a cruel farewell.
Three years of secret longing, five years together, and just three days before we were supposed to enter the mating bond, I was blindsided by his betrayal.
As I was dragging my luggage toward the door, a message popped up from Kael.
Chapter 1
Forgot to bring my towel. Can you drop it off?”
Amaris’s place. You know the address, right?”
tugged at the corner of my mouth. Of course I knew.
very month, he and his friends would gather at Amaris’s place for dinner, supposedly to maintain their friendship.
le’d brought me along a few times.
ach time, I’d see the guys sprawled on the couch gaming and drinking while Amaris wandered among them in tank tops and shorts.
‘d gotten jealous once and begged Kael to stop going.
Ie’d looked at me with disdain.
Alpha needs his own social life too. I can’t be tied to you 24/7 just because we’re dating. We don’t have common interests it’s boring being together all the ime.”
Relax, Amaris is like a friend to me. Even if she stood topless in front of me, I wouldn’t blink.”
Now I realized it was all just lies!
When I didn’t reply, Kael dropped me an address.
meant to text back “Not going,” but somehow found myself typing “Got it.”
litterness spread through my chest, but I still wanted to see for myself.
How would someone pampered since childhood, who couldn’t even peel an egg, take care of a pregnant wolf?
Outside Amaris’s door, I clutched the bag with the towel.
he door opened quickly.
Amaris wearing her usual tight tank top and shorts, pulling me inside with a bright smile.
Before I could react, she’d already taken the bag.
Hey,Alina,take yourself. Kael’s in the shower – I’ll take this to him.”
The sound of water stopped abruptly.
Amaris,bring me the towel.” Kael’s voice carried that familiar lazy tone.
A few minutes later, Kael emerged wrapped in the towel, head down as he shook his damp hair, calling out naturally: “Amaris, help me blow-dry my hair.”
Amaris stood on her toes, ruffling his hair with a light scoff.
‘Oh dear, who’s taking care of who here? Don’t get it backwards – I’m the pregnant one!”
Kael chuckled and reached for her waist in mock protest.
He casually handed the blow dryer in my direction.
“Never mind, Amaris. Don’t want your clumsy hands messing up my hair. My Luna’s much better at taking care of me!”
Luna?
From anyone’s perspective, Amaris was the one who looked like his Luna here.
1 avoided him, standing up smoothly”Something busy. I’m leaving.”
Chapter 1
He grabbed my wrist, his expression somewhat displeased”Don’t embarrass me, yeah?”
“Embarrass?” I laughed bitterly. “Kael, she’s carrying your pup, you’ve moved into her den, and now you want me to show you respect? When you three were playing at being a perfect little pack, did you give a damn about my feelings?”
Amaris chuckled as she pulled Kael back, shooting me a knowing look.
“Please Alina, honey, Kael’s practically friend to me. That’s just who I am – I don’t do boundaries well. Don’t read into it.”
“He’s only here for the pup. We’re friends, nothing more – hell, we could sleep in the same bed and nothing would happen. It’s all about loyalty, understand?”
As she spoke, she casually intertwined her fingers with Kael’s, their hands swaying together.
‘Kael,maybe you should go back with her. I’m ok- this pregnancy won’t break me.”
‘Honestly, I don’t need much. When the time comes and this little one arrives, you just need to claim your role as father.”
The moment she finished speaking, she doubled over, retching violently.
Kael was at her side instantly, one hand supporting her while the other rubbed soothing circles on her back, his eyes blazing as he turned on me.
‘Luna Alina, what the hell is your problem? We settled this back at your house!”
recoiled, and I spun toward the door, my chest burning with betrayal.
‘d barely made it to the elevator when strong fingers clamped around my wrist.
Kael’s grip was ironclad.
–
I’ve already explained this Amaris is my friend! She just wants to birth the pup safely.”
Think about our law – traditionally, I’d be bound to claim her as my mate. You should be thanking the Moon Goddess that Amaris has no interest in a mating
Jond!”
She’s nothing but Grimveil’s bastard daughter, and even she understands duty. You’re Vale’s heir apparent, future leader of one of the most powerful packs – ind this is how you handle adversity?”
met his gaze, my voice fracturing.
Kael, stop living in the old ways anymore. You can’t just invoke ancient pack customs when it suits you! This isn’t about duty or strength!”
Tears burned my eyes as I fought to keep my voice steady.
You’re talented – graduated summa cum laude, with the sharpest financial minds. I’m not enough for you…”
My shoulders sagged in defeat”Let’s break our bond.”
♡ (4)
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