Chapter 1
Seven years in a secret relationship with my brother’s best friend, Alpha Esmond.
Seven long years of sneaking around like a teenager dodging curfew.
None of My friends knew. Not even my brother, Alpha Kendrick–mostly because Alpha Esmond said my brother never accepted it.
We weren’t mates, but we loved each other anyway. Or so I thought.
The night I decided to surprise him changed everything.I followed his location to a fancy gathering.
As I reached the door, my wolf stirred
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uneasily. “Nancy, we shouldn’t be here. It smells like weed in here. I hate it here.”
“Don’t worry, Alpha Esmond is here,” I replied internally. “What could go wrong?”
Apparently, everything.
From behind the door, I heard a voice- Alpha James, one of Esmond’s closest allies. “Alpha Esmond, your runaway mate is back. What are you going to do about that stand–in girlfriend?”
Stand–in girlfriend? My wolf growled.
There was silence before another voice chimed in, laughter dripping with malice. “It’s bold of him, really. Pursuing Alpha Kendrick’s sister? Used her up and now Carly’s back? Esmond might just win the prize for most audacious alpha.”
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I froze. Carly. Alpha Esmond’s fated mate. The Omega who ditched him years ago.
“She left so decisively back then,” Alpha James snickered. “She deserves to have a stand–in to irritate her!”
Stand–in. The word stabbed my heart like a silver knife.
I felt my wolf pacing angrily, and for a second, I wondered if I’d burst through the door and let her shred them all.
But instead, I stepped back, swallowing the growl in my throat.
The next day, Alpha Esmond took me to Omega Carly’s welcome banquet, showering me with affectionate gestures.
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But when Omega Carly ran out crying, he pushed me aside and rushed after her in panic.
That night, as I limped home covered in burns–both from the soup and my shattered pride–I pushed open the door to his forbidden study.
On the desk, their photo glared at me like a challenge. Carly in his arms, both beaming.
My wolf whimpered. “You’re worth better, Nancy!”
“I know,” I whispered back.
My heart turned to ash and I called my brother Alpha Kendrick.
“Kendrick, let’s do it. The arranged marriage. I agree.”
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“Nancy, have you been wronged?” my brother asked, his voice tense.
“No, I just realized I’m about to turn 30. and still haven’t found my true mate. Might as well go with someone pre–approved by Mom and Dad.” I forced a laugh, even as my wolf curled up in a ball of despair.
“Besides, I trust Mom and Dad’s judgment. Even if it’s an arranged marriage, I’m sure the candidate has been thoroughly vetted by you all.”
Only then did my brother let out a relieved sigh. His tone softened, “I’m glad you’ve figured it out. When are you coming back? Do you want to meet him before making the final decision?”
“No need, the sooner we agree, the sooner
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The Silverback Pack’s crisis can be resolved. You can start preparing for the wedding and let’s set the date for a month from now.”
“Got it! By the way, do you still have contact with Alpha Esmond? I heard his runaway mate is finally back. You should reach out to him, maybe he’ll have time to come celebrate. with you and bring some good luck.”
I was surprised that my brother knew about Omega Carly. No wonder Alpha Esmond had always insisted I keep our relationship a secret from him.
I lowered my gaze to hide the pang in my heart.
“Kendrick, don’t bother him. I’m not close to him.”
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I was still hanging up when Esmond walked in, smiling like nothing had happened.
“Not close to whom?” he asked, tilting his head in mock curiosity.
“You” I said honestly, but Alpha Esmond raised an eyebrow and mischievously pulled me into his embrace.
“Really?” His lips brushed my ear, voice low. “Then tell me how you‘ re not close to me. Are we not close enough, or have we not shared enough nights together, hmm?”
His breath was warm against my ear.
Our once intimate behavior that made my heart race now only made me feel uncomfortable and repelled.
As I struggled, I noticed the lipstick stain on
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his shirt collar.
To keep our relationship a secret, we didn’t even mark each other, and now I can’t even know if he’s slept with Omega Carly.
The burns on my body ached and I didn’t know where the pain came from, but it was so sharp it brought tears to my eyes.
“Nancy, what’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”
Alpha Esmond panicked as soon as he saw my tears.
He rolled up his sleeve and saw the large red marks on my wrist, his voice trembling with
concern.
“How did this happen? When did you get burned? Why did not you tell me?”
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It seemed like he had completely forgotten what had happened at the banquet.
I remained silent, unsure whether I should remind him and shatter his mask of feigned affection.
