The Alpha’s Temporary Mark

I was Alpha Kade's secret mate for four years. The night he marked me, in the throes of passion, he gazed into my eyes for a long, long time. "You know, Anya," he'd said, his voice husky, "what I love most about you are your beautiful eyes." To protect his claim to the Alpha title, I agreed to remain by his side, posing as a Beta warrior. That is, until I watched him publicly wrap his arm around my half-sister's waist, beaming with pride. It was only when the whispers grew louder, when everyone murmured that the beautiful she-wolf the Alpha brought home had my eyes, that the devastating truth finally hit me. It was never me he loved. I confronted Kade, demanding an explanation. His face was a mask of contempt. "An explanation?" "What did you think this was? It was a temporary mark, nothing more. I've only ever seen you as a sister." I didn't cry. I didn't make a scene. I simply opened a mind-link to my childhood friend. "I accept the invitation to become Head Warrior of the Silver Crest Pack." Later, when Kade discovered I had caught the eye of his greatest rival, he went absolutely insane. Chapter 1 After so many years by Alpha Kade's side, I thought the mating ceremony I'd longed for was finally within reach. But when Chloe's mind-link crashed through my mental barriers like a lightning strike, I learned I was nothing more than a stand-in. "Anya, the pack is buzzing! Can you believe my heartless brother actually found his fated mate and didn't tell a soul?" The hand gripping my silver dagger trembled. The problem was, I was the subject of her gossip. Her brother, Alpha Kade of the Black Moon Pack, and I had been secret mates for four years. At first, I never told Chloe about our secret relationship. It was partly because of our friendship, and partly because Kade and I had marked each other in secret right after he came of age and became the Alpha. I just never imagined that as soon as he secured his position, he would publicly claim another she-wolf. The thought forced a bitter smile to my lips. "Did he tell you himself?" "Hell no." Chloe's mental voice crackled with excitement. "His precious mate just came back to the pack from the human world today. He threw this huge welcoming ceremony for her in the Elders' Hall..." I cut her off. "Are you sure you didn't mishear?" "No way. My brother plays the part of the stoic, unfeeling Alpha with everyone, but tonight he personally fought off a challenger from a rival pack for her, then gifted her a priceless moonstone necklace." Chloe kept chattering on through our mind-link, but I couldn't hear a thing anymore. My wolf howled restlessly within me, a wretched sound I couldn't suppress. I even began to wonder if I was losing my mind. I forced myself to calm down, trying my best to steady my trembling thoughts as I asked with feigned indifference, "How long has their mate bond been established?" "That, I don't know. But from what I can see, he's pretty obsessed with her." "You know, I seriously never thought my brother had it in him to be so devoted." "He's been after her since he was a teenager. He was even willing to give up his claim to the Alpha position for her. And guess what happened?" "The little beauty was in love with someone else, a half-breed, and followed him into the human world. Kade's wolf went absolutely feral for a long time after that." "Later, the she-wolf was attacked by hunters in the human world. The moment he heard, he went after her that same night. The whole thing nearly sent the entire North American werewolf community into a panic..." "I only heard all of this from our mother later on. I was always so curious about who this girl was." "To have Kade obsessed with her for so many years... and when I finally saw her for myself today, you'll never guess what I realized." After a beat of silence, I barely managed to force the words out. "What?" "She looks just like you! It's the eyes, especially." Every word was a silver blade stabbing into my soul, making my wolf howl in agony. A terrible suspicion began to take root in my heart. I felt the blood in my veins turn to ice, a chilling cold seeping into my bones. I remembered the day Kade took his place as Alpha. He had gotten blackout drunk at the pack's full moon celebration. Chloe was out patrolling the border and asked me to pick him up. I finally managed to get him back to the Alpha's residence, only to have my lips captured by his the moment we stepped through the door. His body was like a furnace, his movements possessive and rough, leaving me no room to escape. The unique scent of a young Alpha, a mix of cedar and whiskey, completely enveloped me. That dangerous, masculine scent clouded my mind, and my wolf clawed for control. But my fumbling response earned a low, rumbling laugh from him. "First time, little wolf?" I snapped back to my senses and shoved him away. "Kade, sober up. Look at me." Kade didn't seem to care. He closed the distance with a wicked smirk, his heated body pressing against mine. "I'm perfectly sober, little warrior. And your wolf is crying out for me." That was it. Whether as a pack warrior or as his sister's best friend, I had thought my love for him was perfectly hidden, that no one could see it. But Kade's tone was utterly certain. He had seen right through me. I lowered my gaze, ashamed and indignant. "No, she's not..." "Don't be so quick to deny it, little wolf..." Kade casually tipped my chin up. The moment our eyes met, I saw the young Alpha's gaze, as bright as the stars on a moonlit night. "Don't you know? Your pretty eyes never lie." "I'm giving you one last chance. You can push me away..." The smell of alcohol assaulted what little reason I had left. Strangely, my once-frantic heart suddenly grew still. I boldly met the young Alpha's gaze and pressed my own lips to his. Kade held the back of my neck, leaving no room for refusal, and leaned in to kiss me deeply. I gradually lost myself in that possessive kiss, my wolfish instincts surrendering completely. That was the night we marked each other. Kade was a tireless beast, claiming me through a night of wild abandon. At the peak of our passion, he leaned down and kissed my eyes, his voice low. "Good girl, open your eyes and look at me. Your eyes... are so..." I didn't hear the rest. In the haze of the moment, I just assumed he was going to say they were beautiful. Now I understood. That night, he hadn't said "so beautiful." He had said, "so much like hers." He had drunk himself into a stupor because the woman he idealized, the love of his life, had left the pack for a human. Our entire night together was nothing but a drunken impulse. Even his obsessive need to gaze into my eyes while we made love... it was all because he was seeing her. The tears I had been holding back finally broke free. I desperately tried to stifle my sobs and cut the mental link. Chapter 2 Just then, a knock came from the front door. I composed myself and opened it. "Anya, the Alpha is blackout drunk. I brought him back." I thanked him and took Kade's arm, supporting his weight. For once, Kade was docile, burying his face in my neck and murmuring incoherently. "Don't go... Anya... no... Selena... my Luna..." The words hung in the air, and the living room fell silent. "Uh... Anya, don't read too much into it. The Alpha's just drunk. He was probably telling some guest not to leave." "Besides, he was still calling your name..." I managed a bitter smile. "Yes, I know." Seeing my composed expression, Ryan let out a quiet sigh of relief and left in a hurry. I sat on the edge of the bed, my gaze inexplicably drawn to the scattered scrolls on the nightstand. It occurred to me that in four years as his secret mate, I had never once set foot in his study. Now, I just wanted to confirm one thing. Was the Selena he murmured about the person I thought she was? I stared at the unconscious Kade. "Don't go..." he mumbled again, his arm instinctively reaching for me. After a moment's thought, I walked toward the study. This was the Alpha's private sanctuary, a place where even Chloe was not allowed. I stepped through the heavy oak door. The shelves were lined with yellowed tactical manuals and dusty pack law codices. I looked at a stack of ancient scrolls in the corner, hoping to find a clue. I walked over, carefully arranging the tomes that carried the legacy of our werewolf lineage. Suddenly, a photograph slipped from between the pages of a book. I bent down to pick it up, and my blood ran cold. The photo was so worn at the edges from repeated handling that it was clear someone had treasured it for a long time. The young she-wolf in the picture had a pair of eyes almost identical to mine. Of course they were similar. How could they not be? After all, this was my half-sister, Selena. My hand trembled as I held the photo, a sharp pain piercing my chest. Just then, a powerful mind-link pulse hit my mental barriers. It wasn't for me, but the group link for Kade's inner circle. As his marked mate, I could passively receive parts of their conversations when his mental energy was unstable, a failsafe to ensure I wouldn't miss important pack information. I never thought it would be useful at a time like this. "Yo, you guys are not gonna believe this. Last night the Alpha was holding Anya but calling out Selena's name. Nearly gave me a heart attack." "Good thing I thought fast and covered for him. Otherwise, if she found out the Alpha only marked her on a whim, that little Beta would totally lose it." "I thought the Alpha was supposed to be devoted. Wasn't the plan to dump her when he got bored? How come he's getting more serious now?" "I know, right? It's weird. He used to complain that Anya was too old and boring for him. Why hasn't he dumped her yet?" The conversation in the group link grew increasingly vile. My wolf snarled in rage inside me, but my reason was consumed by despair. I wanted to cut off the connection, but then I heard something even more heartbreaking. What came next was even more vile. "Hey, you know what Selena showed me? Anya's not boring at all," one of them said excitedly. "Haha, turns out that quiet Beta is a total freak in the sheets." Hearing this, I wanted the ground to swallow me whole. "No wonder she managed to capture our Alpha's heart." "Too bad for her. A placeholder is still just a placeholder. Now that the real thing is back, her time is up." I desperately wanted them to shut up, but I was powerless. I remembered another time, shortly after we were marked, when I'd accidentally overheard Kade's men discussing me. Back then, Kade had stormed out, the full force of his Alpha's authority laced with killing intent. "Shut your mouths. Is Anya someone you can talk about?" At the time, I thought he could protect me, that I would be willing to be his secret mate, even if it was temporary. But now, he would only get drunk and pass out, again and again, for my sister. I couldn't hear what they said after that. So Kade wasn't just using me as a replacement. He was willing to trample on my dignity for Selena's sake. Those private, intimate memories, secretly recorded without my knowledge, were used to entertain Selena. But why? Selena was the bastard child of our mother's affair. It was my mother who despised my father for the battle scars that covered his body. So why was everyone now siding with Selena and scorning me? A tearing pain ripped through my chest, and tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I quickly wiped them away, my hands shaking as I used my own memory crystal to record all of this as evidence. I traced the connection back, uncovering even more horrifying schemes. The late-night call to pick up a drunk Kade, with stray wolves arranged to "coincidentally" harass me on the way. Deliberately getting Kade drunk on strong liquor while I was recovering from an injury, just to watch me entertain his guests while enduring the pain of my infected wound. Even my father's worsening condition was due to a wolfsbane poison they had secretly administered. Revelation after revelation, each one a silver blade twisting in my heart. Tears blurred my vision. I bit my lip hard, suppressing the sobs that threatened to escape. I was a plaything, the most convenient weapon at his side, but never his love. All I wanted now was to delete those intimate memories that might have already been spread. But when I tried to search for them in his mind, I was blocked by a powerful Alpha's mental wall. I couldn't touch those humiliating "collections" at all. I placed Selena's photo back where I found it, my heart as cold and dead as ice. No wonder he always had excuses whenever I brought up making our relationship public. My supposed mate bond was nothing more than the delusion of a placeholder. As I walked out of the study, a pack messenger respectfully handed me a formal invitation sealed with a silver wolf crest. "A formal invitation from Alpha Jasper of the Silver Crest Pack." The messenger respectfully presented a silver envelope engraved with a moon goddess sigil. "Alpha Jasper of the Silver Crest Pack formally invites the warrior Anya to serve as his Head Warrior. He awaits your reply." Chapter 3 "Tell your Alpha I accept the invitation." I watched a flash of surprise in the messenger's eyes, a strange sense of satisfaction welling up inside me. "When can you begin?" "In one week." After the messenger left, I put the invitation away, my mind already starting to plan for the future. Since Kade only saw me as a stand-in, there was no reason to waste my youth on this sham of a relationship. The Silver Crest Pack was stronger than the Black Moon Pack, and the position of Head Warrior offered a much better future than my current status. I packed a small bag and drove to the veteran's quarters on the edge of the pack's territory. "Anya?" My father opened the door, pleasantly surprised. "What are you doing here at this hour?" His face was even paler than the last time I'd seen him, and the cough rattling from his old battle wounds had clearly worsened. "I have good news," I said, taking his slightly trembling arm. "The Silver Crest Pack has invited me to be their Head Warrior." My father was so excited he broke into a coughing fit. I quickly patted his back. "Good, good! I always knew my daughter was the best warrior!" Once he calmed down, he frowned. "But what about your relationship with the Alpha?" My smile stiffened slightly. "What relationship?" "Don't play dumb with me. You can't fool your old man," he said, his expression serious. "You need to have him hold a mating ceremony for you, and soon. It's the only way to secure your position." "When you have time, bring him to see me. I need to talk to him." A wave of bitterness washed over me, but not wanting to worry my father further, I nodded in agreement. When I returned to the Alpha's residence, Kade had just woken up. The hangover left him looking disheveled, his golden hair falling unkempt over his forehead. "Anya?" He rubbed his temples. "What happened last night?" "You drank too much last night. Ryan brought you home." Kade sat up and suddenly reached out his hand to me. "Come here." It was that commanding tone he always used, the one I used to obey without question. But now, his voice filled me with a strange revulsion. I instinctively took a step back. "I'll go make lunch." "Anya." Kade's voice was laced with annoyance. "I said, come here." I reluctantly walked to the side of the bed, but when his hand touched me, the nausea churning in my stomach intensified. "What's wrong with you?" Kade sensed my discomfort. "You look pale." "It's nothing, maybe..." Before I could finish, I shoved him away and bolted to the bathroom, dry-heaving over the toilet. Kade followed immediately, rubbing my back with a worried frown. "I've been feeling a little off... My stomach has been acting up lately." "You're not... pregnant, are you?" His words made us both freeze. I looked at Kade's reflection in the mirror and caught a fleeting glimmer of joy in his eyes. He might not have even been aware of it himself, but the primal, instinctive pride of an Alpha learning his mate might be pregnant came through our bond, clear as day. "I'll go with you to the clinic for a check-up this afternoon," he said. I nodded, hesitating for a few seconds before carefully choosing my words. "This afternoon, could you... come with me to see my father?" Kade was leaning against the doorframe, looking at his phone. He answered with a distracted "Mmm." I was surprised he agreed so readily, and a complicated mix of emotions stirred within me. Whether it was genuine or just an act, I couldn't afford to have a showdown yet. I needed to put my father's mind at ease. I went downstairs to the kitchen. By the time I emerged with a bowl of seafood porridge, Kade was already dressed and heading for the door. "I have an urgent meeting at the border this afternoon. You'll have to go to the clinic by yourself. Mind-link me if there's any news." "What about my father..." "Send me the address." The sound of the closing door cut off whatever I was about to say. I didn't say anything more. I sat at the table, took a few simple bites of porridge, and lost my appetite. I pushed the porcelain bowl away and walked quickly to the pack's medical center. In the healer's office, I took the test results with a hand that wouldn't stop shaking. Positive. To be pregnant at a time like this was the cruelest joke of all. I could feel Kade's desire for this pup through our mate bond, clear as day. But the existence of this child would make everything infinitely more complicated. I carefully placed the report in my bag. Just as I stepped out of the clinic, I saw Kade's car parked nearby. He was in the driver's seat, seemingly waiting for someone. Selena, wearing a pale blue dress, walked briskly toward Kade's car, a sweet smile on her face. "Kade, thank you for coming with me," she said, her voice soft and cloying. "How did the check-up go?" Kade's voice was gentle in a way that felt alien. "The doctor said everything looks good. The pup is very healthy." My heart stopped. Chapter 4 When I came to my senses, I realized my communication crystal was blinking. My father's voice came through, filled with an excitement he couldn't hide. "Anya, I've already made your favorite beef bone soup, and I've prepared roasted venison." I took a deep breath, said nothing more, and fled. My father and I spent the whole afternoon preparing a lavish warrior's feast, simmering his secret-recipe wild game stew. The hot dishes grew cold on the table. Kade never showed. The few mind-links I sent him went unanswered. Seeing the disappointment dimming my father's eyes, I felt a pang of shame and made excuses, then stepped out onto the balcony to forcibly activate my mate bond with Kade. This time, the link connected quickly. I got straight to the point. "Are you here? My father has been waiting a long time." He sounded as if he'd just remembered. "Sorry, the meeting ran long. I lost track of time..." Suddenly, the sound of loud music and the laughter of a pack of wolves came through the connection. It was the soft, ambient music unique to high-end private clubs. "Kade, try this. I had the chef make it just for you," Selena's saccharine voice cooed through the link. "Some old veteran's cooking? So dated. They probably don't even use the right spices." "Is Selena getting jealous?" someone teased. "Don't you worry. Anya's no competition. Her old man is a washed-up warrior. Didn't even earn any real honors in the war." The mocking laughter of his friends made my blood run cold. I heard Kade's impatient "Mmm," as if he was frequently checking his phone. "Knock it off, you guys," he said, his voice laced with annoyance. I heard the flick of a lighter, followed by his smoke-raspy voice. "Anya, I just took over as Alpha. I can't look bad by leaving an important meeting early. I'll make it up to your father another day, okay?" Did he really think I was a fool, that I'd believe he was holding a meeting with the sounds of a private club in the background? I unconsciously tightened my grip on the communication crystal. Just as I was about to speak, I heard an urgent voice from the other end. "Kade, stop wasting time. Selena's waiting for you." Kade stubbed out his cigarette, his voice laced with false tenderness. "Be good. You're always so understanding. I'll make it up to you tonight when I get back." After ending the transmission, I returned to the dining table, feigning a casual air. "He has an urgent meeting," I said with a forced smile. The table was laden with the food he had prepared. The beef bone soup was still simmering over a low flame, its aroma filling the air. "Let's eat first." "We're not waiting?" my father asked, looking at me. "We're not waiting." We sat quietly at the table. My father ladled a bowl of soup for me. "Anya, do you think the Alpha truly loves you?" he asked suddenly. My spoon froze mid-air. "An Alpha who truly loves you wouldn't let you face an embarrassing situation alone on an important occasion." My father's voice was calm, but every word was a nail driving into my heart. "He might have really had something urgent..." I tried to defend Kade again. "Child, I've seen a thing or two," my father said, shaking his head. "Anya, I want to see you settled as a proper Luna in my lifetime. But if a mate bond isn't built on a foundation of respect, I would rather you walk alone." He paused, looking at me. "And remember, a warrior's honor is more precious than an uncherished love." I put down my spoon and hugged my father. "Dad, I know what to do now." When I returned to our penthouse apartment, Kade had somehow already returned. He was coming out of the kitchen with a glass of blood-red, potent wolf's liquor. When he saw me, his eyes landed on the duffel bag at my side, and his pupils constricted. "What's this? I hear you're going to the Silver Crest Pack?" I didn't deny it. Kade closed the distance in a single, sudden step, pulling me into his arms. "Anya, you're not going anywhere without my permission." He kissed me forcefully, the movement rough, as if staking a claim. I bit down hard on his lip. "Let me go, Kade." He hissed in pain and stopped, but then he bent down, scooped me up with one long arm, and threw me onto his shoulder. I was tossed onto the plush sofa, the impact leaving me breathless and dazed. Before I could recover, Kade was already on top of me. "The Silver Crest Pack. Don't even think about it." "You are my marked mate." His warm breath fanned across my trembling eyelashes. I struggled instinctively. Feeling the resistance from the woman in his arms, Kade's grip on my wrist tightened abruptly. His other hand clamped down on my restless waist, and his knee pinned my tense legs, completely cutting off my escape. He then lowered his head and sealed my lips, his fingertips expertly igniting fires across my skin. It wasn't that he was oblivious to my emotions; he was just used to solving conflicts this way, with brute, primitive force. In four years as his secret mate, whenever friction arose, this proud Alpha would never stoop to console me. And I had always been the one to yield to his Alpha temper. But this time was different. He had been deceiving me from the very beginning. I cleared the possessive fog from my head and shoved him away with all my might. "Kade, let's end this." Chapter 5 Caught off guard, Kade was shoved away. His expression turned cold in an instant, a dangerous light flashing in his golden wolf eyes. "Why? Is this about that Alpha from the Silver Crest Pack? Or is it because I missed dinner with your father?" "You're not a child anymore, Anya. Stop throwing a tantrum." I straightened my shirt and buttoned it, my voice steady. "When have I ever thrown a tantrum with you?" My unyielding attitude exhausted what little patience Kade had. He shot me a cold, annoyed glare, the pressure of his Alpha authority rolling off him in waves. "I'm giving you an out, Anya. I suggest you take it." I looked at him silently, my eyes devoid of emotion. "I said, we're ending our relationship." "Ending our relationship?" Kade repeated my words, his voice a lazy drawl. A careless smile touched his lips. "And what relationship, exactly, did you think we had?" I froze. "What do you mean?" Kade sneered, his eyes playful. "A temporary mate. Nothing more. If you're tired of playing the part, you're free to leave anytime." My whole body went stiff. Even though I was prepared for it, my heart still seized with pain. So to him, we didn't even have a normal mate bond. In his eyes, I was just a temporarily marked Beta. "Little Beta." Kade bent down to my level, a cruel smile on his lips. "I told you back then that you could push me away. Weren't you the one who willingly marked with me in secret?" "You didn't actually think we were official mates, did you?" I felt as if I'd been struck by lightning, a chill spreading through my entire body. "I thought you understood the arrangement. I thought you were okay with it." "I mean, look at the gap in our ranks. Our ages. Not to mention you're my sister's best friend. Did you really think I was ever going to give you a formal mating ceremony?" I dug my nails into my palms, fighting to keep the tears from falling. "Don't worry, I have no intention of clinging to you. Just give me a minute to pack my things, and I'll be out of your hair." With that, I turned away abruptly, and the tears finally broke free. I cursed myself for being so weak. I already knew all of this, so why did it still hurt so much? I didn't want to show my vulnerability, so I just focused on packing. Neither of us spoke, and the living room fell into a strange, oppressive silence. Kade held a cigarette between his fingers, but he didn't take a single puff. His gaze followed my every move. Watching me pack all my belongings into the bag without hesitation filled him with an unfamiliar frustration. He paced the room restlessly. It was only when I zipped the bag shut and turned to leave that Kade's deep voice finally cut through the silence. "If you walk out that door, don't you dare come crawling back." I reached the door, then stopped and walked back. It was the bowl of beef bone soup my father had made for Kade. When he returned, he saw it on the dining table and assumed it was trash. He had tossed it in the trash without a second thought. But seeing how carefully I held it, he finally understood. Just as he was about to offer an explanation, he heard my voice, as still and lifeless as a dead lake. "Kade, does it give you some kind of sick thrill to trample all over someone's heart?" After saying that, I let out a bitter, self-deprecating laugh. He was an Alpha who had been doted on his entire life, who had everything he ever wanted handed to him. Things like genuine feelings and precious sentiments were worthless in his eyes. Why was I even saying this, just to humiliate myself? Kade's golden wolf eyes flickered, his wolf growing agitated on the other end of their mate bond. The words he was about to say were cut off by the sound of the door slamming shut. Kade stared, then let out a humorless, angry laugh. Fine. It was rare for her to defy his Alpha authority like this. This time, he'd see just how long she could last before she came crawling back to him. I moved into the standard warrior barracks and spent the next few days busy with the preparations for my transfer. Chloe tried to drag me out several times, but when I refused, she finally just cornered me at the barracks. She took me to the pack's central celebration plaza. A bonfire burned brightly, and werewolves danced in a circle, celebrating the Moon Goddess's gifts. I used to love attending the pack's full moon festivals. The sense of pack unity always brought my wolf a sense of peace. But Kade didn't like me appearing in public, saying it could expose our private relationship. So after four years together, I had almost forgotten what it felt like to revel under the moonlight. "Here, drink up," Chloe said, handing me a glass of strong liquor. The alcohol burned my throat, but it was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. "Anya, I heard Alpha Jasper from the Silver Crest Pack is very interested in you," Chloe whispered. "At the last Pack Alliance meeting, he specifically asked about you." I paused, then shook my head. "We haven't spoken since our coming-of-age ceremony." Chloe pouted but didn't press the issue. I raised my glass to toast Chloe, but my eyes locked with Kade's as he entered the festival area. His arm was draped casually around Selena's slender waist, an intimate claim. As our eyes met, he even arched an eyebrow in a silent, defiant challenge. Chapter 6 Seeing a familiar face, Chloe waved excitedly. "Well, well. Taking things public, are we? Aren't you going to introduce us?" Kade glanced at Selena, asking for her silent consent before gracefully leading her over. So, for someone he truly cared about, he wasn't just accommodating, but considerate in every way. With me, Kade had never once bowed his head. I was always the one who yielded to his Alpha temper. Even if it was a warrior training I loved, a single displeased glance from him was enough to make me give it up. Chloe joked, "I heard you chased her all the way to the human world. That's some serious devotion." Kade leaned against a stone bench, smiling without a word. It was Selena who answered, a little shyly. "Chloe, stop teasing me." She blinked her wide, innocent eyes. "But I truly never expected Kade, who always acts like such a cold, distant Alpha, could be so thoughtful." "Actually, he took care of me a lot while I was in the human world. He would send me the best soothing herbs every so often." "And so I could have food that tasted like home, he spent six months learning to cook from the pack's best chef." Listening to their sweet history, the heart I thought was numb was torn apart once more. I couldn't help but remember all the nights I was in agony from arrow wounds, while Kade was in the training room, drenched in sweat, oblivious to my pain. Once, I was in so much pain I almost passed out. I told him the arrow was laced with wolfsbane and I needed his Alpha energy to ease the poison. He had just looked at me impatiently. "How bad can a little arrow wound be? Stop being so dramatic." I had always thought his Alpha nature was simply cold. It turns out he wasn't incapable of caring; he was just incapable of caring about me. "Is this really my cold-blooded brother? Anya, do you think he's been possessed by some evil spirit?" My mind had wandered, so I didn't hear Chloe suddenly say my name. Sensing the strange silence around me, I snapped back to reality, my eyes meeting Kade's deep gaze unexpectedly. "Anya," Kade said suddenly, his tone dropping, "do you have a problem with Selena?" "No, why do you ask?" "You're not exactly looking at her with kindness." He gave a lazy curl of his thin lips, his tone casual but threatening. "Anya, I think of you as a sister. You're making this very difficult for me by being so disrespectful." Remembering their filthy words from the group chat and seeing his innocent, hypocritical act, the last shred of sadness in my heart vanished. A primal fire of rage ignited from the depths of my wolf. I put down my glass, suppressing my anger. "Kade, if you want to put on a show, go find your pack of cronies. I don't have time to play these childish games with you." "Don't be upset, sister. The Alpha is just being protective. I'm sure he means no harm." Selena feigned reconciliation, rising to her feet with a fragile and innocent look, deserving of pity. Just then, a Moon Priestess was solemnly passing by, carrying a ritual basin filled with holy oil. Selena took a seemingly innocent step back, one that put her in the perfect position to "accidentally" jostle the priestess's arm. The scalding holy oil spilled with a splash, and flames instantly flared up. Kade instinctively pushed Selena, who was beside him, out of the way. But when he saw the flames leaping towards me, his pupils contracted violently. "Anya!" He lunged forward, but his feet were tangled by the falling Selena. To break Selena's fall, he had no choice but to catch her, watching helplessly as the holy oil flew towards me. I twisted to dodge, but my arm was still spattered. The searing pain made me bite down hard, but I managed not to cry out. "Anya, are you okay?" Chloe rushed over to check my injury. Kade stood a short distance away, holding Selena, his eyes fixed on me. I could clearly feel the sharp pain in his own heart. But he still chose her. When I regained consciousness, I struggled to lift my heavy eyelids. In a daze, I heard a low male voice in the hallway. "Is she awake?" "Not yet. The doctor said she needs to be observed overnight," Chloe's voice sounded tired. "Aren't you going in to see her?" "No. Don't tell her I was here." The voice was familiar, but I couldn't place it. Chloe chuckled softly. "How long are you going to be her silent guardian? Why don't you just tell her..." The urgent blinking of a communication crystal interrupted Chloe. The man answered the call and walked away briskly. "I have to patrol the border for a while. Mind-link me if anything happens." Chloe couldn't help but roll her eyes at his retreating back before she turned and entered the treatment room. Seeing me lying on the bed with my arm wrapped in an herbal bandage, Chloe's eyes reddened with guilt. "I'm sorry, Anya. If I'd known, I wouldn't have dragged you to the festival. Don't worry, after you're discharged, I'll take you to the best healer. We can't let you have a scar." A dry, humorless laugh escaped my lips. "You can still laugh at a time like this? I swear, I think Selena did that on purpose. She could have easily dodged, but she deliberately bumped the priestess. And she didn't even get burned, but she was still playing the victim. I feel like she's got it in for you..." My smile faded. I was silent for a few seconds before saying, "She's my sister." Chloe's eyes widened in shock. "She's your half-sister?" "And your mother is a pack elder?! My god, you kept such a huge piece of news from me. Are we not friends?" I had to give her a brief overview of the situation, omitting my past with Kade. Seeing her look at me with such pity and righteous anger, a warmth spread through my heart. "It's all in the past. I'm doing fine now." I didn't need to rely on anyone. I could live with my head held high. Chapter 7 During my stay in the clinic, I didn't stop preparing for my transfer to the Silver Crest Pack. All I wanted was to finish the handover quickly and leave this place of heartbreak. Kade did visit once during this time. He was dressed in black casual clothes and holding a bouquet of flowers. "What are you doing here?" I looked at him coldly. "To see your injury." He walked to the bedside, his gaze dropping to my bandaged arm. "Seen enough? Then you can leave." "Anya, about last night..." He paused, his gaze dropping to my bandaged arm. "You shouldn't have been at the festival." I froze for a second, then let out a cold laugh. "So it was my fault?" "I didn't mean that," Kade frowned. "But you know Selena isn't used to pack life. You should be more understanding." "Understanding?" I could hardly believe my ears. "I'm the one who got burned, and you want me to be understanding toward the person who did it?" "She didn't do it on purpose!" Kade's voice rose. "Why do you always have to be so difficult?" "Get out." I closed my eyes. "Get out now." Kade stood there for a few seconds before finally slamming the door on his way out. We parted on bad terms, and he never showed up again. As I was leaving the healer's office with my final test results, I ran right into Kade, who was carefully helping Selena out of the fertility healer's office, a service exclusive to Alpha bloodlines. At the sight of me, a flash of panic crossed Kade's golden wolf eyes. He almost instinctively dropped his hand from Selena's waist. Seeing his hesitation, Selena's expression faltered for a moment before she recovered and said, "Our mother's birthday party is in a few days. You should come, sister. Mother has been missing you. She would be so happy to see you there." I didn't say a word and turned to leave, but my wrist was suddenly grabbed. "What were you being tested for?" "Let go." I tried to pull away. "Tell me, what were you being tested for?" His grip was strong, and my arm ached. "Just an old injury," I said coldly. "Why the sudden concern, Alpha? I'm not a pup anymore. My wounds heal slower these days." My retort left Kade speechless. He couldn't understand why he always lost control of his emotions around me. Perhaps he wasn't used to me being so prickly. He even found himself missing the adoration that used to shine in my eyes whenever I looked at him. "How long are you going to play this little game of hard to get? Take it too far, and it stops being cute." I didn't answer and just turned and walked away. I could feel Kade's complicated gaze following me, but I had no intention of looking back. I finished all my transfer preparations ahead of schedule. Just as I was about to go to the pack elder to say my goodbyes, he gave me another last-minute task. "An invitation for your mother's birthday banquet has arrived, and it specifically requests your presence. If you refuse now, you'll be making things difficult for me..." I knew my mother better than anyone. On the surface, she valued so-called "family image" more than anything. I understood that pack diplomacy was part of a warrior's duty. I had no reason to refuse, so I agreed. "After this banquet, I plan to head to the Silver Crest Pack early to get familiar with the territory." "Fine. I originally gave you two weeks for the handover. Since you've finished your tasks early, you can take the remaining days as leave. Go relax." I nodded and went downstairs. On the day of the banquet, I wore the formal warrior's dress uniform and entered the grand hall. I was never good at these situations. Social gatherings packed with the powerful and elite always made me uncomfortable. It wasn't until a servant came to summon me to a side hall that I went as instructed. There, I saw my mother sitting in the main seat. I stood a respectful distance away and offered a formal warrior's salute. My mother ignored my distant attitude. Instead, she tried to pull me into small talk, leveraging our blood ties to dissolve the awkward tension. I mostly remained silent. This so-called mother felt like a complete stranger to me. I didn't need a late performance of maternal love. Especially since this performance was only to assuage her own guilt. It wasn't until she went on stage to give a speech that my mother finally let go of my hand. She hadn't aged a day over the years, looking radiant on stage. I couldn't help but think of my own aging father, who had fought and bled for the pack, only to be left with a body full of scars. As I was lost in thought, a shocked howl erupted from the crowd. I snapped back to reality and saw that every wolf in the room was looking at me with strange eyes. Chapter 8 The massive screen behind the stage was playing a loop of my most intimate moments. My unrestrained cries beneath Kade, images of me pinned to the bed, moaning helplessly. It was so clear that even the marks Kade had left on my collarbone were visible to all. In an instant, the blood in my veins turned to ice. My limbs went numb and cold. I wanted to rush over and smash the crystal, but my legs were as weak as if they were bound by silver, pinning me to the spot. Whispers spread through the hall, and some people started pointing. "I can't believe it... So that was Anya." "How shameless..." Every word was a knife stabbing into my heart. I bit my lip hard, until the taste of blood filled my mouth, just to regain a sliver of my senses. I managed two shaky steps forward before the humiliating sounds were abruptly cut short. I looked up. Through my blurred vision, I saw the memory crystal being crushed into dust by a pair of long, slender hands. Kade emerged from the crowd, his golden wolf eyes burning with rage. The immense pressure of his Alpha authority instantly swept through the hall, suffocating the wolves present until they could barely breathe. "Anyone who dares to look again will have me to answer to. I will gouge your eyes out myself." He looked at me, and for a fleeting moment, I saw a trace of pity in his eyes. It made sense. In werewolf society, for a Beta she-wolf to be humiliated like this was basically a social death sentence. I stood up, trembling, and walked towards the door amidst the scornful gazes of the crowd. "Anya..." Kade started to follow. I didn't look back. I stumbled back to my barracks and burrowed under the covers. It was a grand banquet. The power of the Moon Goddess should have made every wolf feel warm, but I was shivering with cold. My wolf was howling inside me, the pain of humiliation and betrayal nearly tearing it apart. Only when I had cried all my tears did I come to my senses. I took out my communication crystal and activated the emergency channel to the elders. "I wish to file a formal complaint with the council. I accuse the person who leaked these private memories." After sending the message, I shut off the crystal and fell onto the bed, drifting into a heavy, troubled sleep. I didn't realize it was already after moonset until an angry pounding on my door woke me. My head was spinning as I went to open it. The door had barely cracked open when it was violently shoved from the outside. A sharp slap landed across my face. "Are you trying to ruin your sister completely?!" "What do you think you're doing?!" my mother shrieked. "Withdraw the complaint! Withdraw it now!" A stinging pain spread across my right cheek. I covered my face and looked at her, my voice as cold as a frozen river. "She was the one who defamed me and trampled my honor as a warrior first." "You have no shame! Spreading your legs for the Alpha, doing those disgusting things, and now you want to drag your sister down with you?" Hearing this, I suddenly let out a short, harsh laugh. "I see nothing wrong with what happens between two marked mates. What is truly despicable is the theft and public broadcast of those memories with the intent to harm." "Second, I do not have such a vile and shameless sister." "And third, I will not withdraw the complaint." Seeing my defiance, my mother's body trembled with rage. "I once thought of bringing you back to the family to groom you into a fine Luna. Now I see you're just like your lowly Beta father, completely classless!" "I suppose I shouldn't have expected any class to come from such inferior blood..." "Shut up!" My wolf was thoroughly provoked. "I will not allow anyone to insult my father." "He is a veteran who bled for this pack. He is a thousand times nobler than a hypocrite like you could ever hope to be." "Now, please leave. Before this gets any uglier." I slammed the door shut. From outside, I could hear my mother's curses, along with the whispers of other warriors. "I heard Anya got her elite warrior status by sleeping with the Alpha. Is that true?" "Her sex tapes with the Alpha were playing for everyone to see. How could it be fake? Even though it was shut down fast, I heard a lot of wolves in the room saved it to their own memory crystals." "The whole Pack Alliance is talking about it. They're saying Anya's just a slut who seduces Alphas, passed around by all sorts of wolves." "No wonder the Alpha never made their relationship public. Who would want someone like that as their Luna..." I leaned my back against the door, my body sliding to the floor. The communication crystal flashed an insistent red light, but I ignored it. I didn't turn on the lights, letting myself sink into the darkness. My wolf howled in agony. The pain of a mate's betrayal was more lethal than any physical wound. Until a forced message came through the crystal. "Answer the link, or I'm coming up. Your choice." Immediately after, a familiar and dominant Alpha's intent forcibly linked with my mental barriers. It was Kade's channel. Chapter 9 After a few seconds of hesitation, I accepted the forced link. "Are you okay?" Hearing his voice, I almost laughed. "What's this? The Alpha is trying the gentle approach now? I already told you, I'm not withdrawing the complaint." For once, Kade didn't argue. His tone was uncharacteristically sincere. "I'm sorry." His attitude caught me off guard. I had never seen him act this way, almost humble. "If you're really sorry, then clear things up. The rumors spreading through the pack, you're the Alpha, you can't possibly not know about them." There was a few seconds of silence, then his low voice came through. "Anya, the damage is done. A clarification won't change what people saw. It will only drag Selena into this mess as well." "Instead of escalating things, it's better to minimize the damage..." I cut him off. "So, what you're saying is, it doesn't matter that my privacy was violated, that my name is being dragged through the mud, as long as your precious Selena doesn't get hurt." "This is for the good of the pack, isn't it? As a warrior, you should understand the bigger picture..." He wanted me to endure this humiliation for the sake of the pack's peace. "Kade." Tears suddenly streamed from the corners of my eyes. "Dream on." I angrily severed the mental link. Less than a minute later, a stronger Alpha intent once again invaded my mental barriers. "You dare sever my link?" Kade's voice was pure menace. "I don't want to hear your bullshit." "Anya, don't make me use force." His tone turned dangerous. "You know your father's condition. He needs pure Alpha energy to stay alive." My heart sank. "Are you threatening me?" "I'm just stating a fact," Kade said, his voice flat and cold. "If I cut off his supply of energy, how long do you really think he'll last?" I was silent. The entire pack knew my father's old wounds required an Alpha's energy for treatment. And Kade had been helping my father for years. "Withdraw the complaint, and everything goes back to normal." His tone was non-negotiable. "This is your final warning." I closed my eyes, feeling my heart being torn apart. For my father, I had no other choice. "I... I'll withdraw it." "Good." Kade's voice softened, just a fraction. "You'll thank me for this later, Anya." "Selena is your sister, after all. There's no need to be so ruthless." A wave of nausea rose in my throat, and I abruptly cut the link. I collapsed to the floor and finally broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. I couldn't risk my father's life over my own pride. I couldn't take that gamble. After the withdrawal agreement was delivered, Selena appeared at my door, looking smug. "Sister, I heard you withdrew the complaint," she said, her smile sickly sweet. "I knew you would." "Get out," I said coldly. "Don't be mad, sister." She walked into the room, looking around the simple warrior's barracks. "It must be uncomfortable living in a place like this, right?" "None of your business." "I just wanted to show my concern for you, sister," Selena said, sitting in the only chair. "After all, we're family." "We are not family." "Why not?" she asked, blinking her innocent, wide eyes. "We have the same mother." "Even if your useless father couldn't give you a good bloodline." I was about to slap her. But the moment I grabbed her wrist, Selena collapsed to her knees, her voice filled with terror. "Sister, I know I was wrong, please don't hit me. I'm pregnant with Kade's baby..." She covered her stomach with her hands, acting as if I had pushed her. Kade saw Selena kneeling on the ground, and his instinct to protect his pup instantly overrode all reason. "Anya, are you insane?" "I didn't hit her!" I tried to explain. Before I could get a word out, he shoved me hard. My head slammed against the wall with a sickening crack. I reached up and felt a handful of thick, wet blood. Kade's eyes were bloodshot. "I warned you not to hurt her! She's carrying my bloodline!" He carefully lifted Selena into his arms, then turned to me, his voice so cold it sent a shiver down my spine. "Anya, as the Alpha of the Black Moon Pack, I hereby formally reject you as my mate." The moment the words left his mouth, he himself coughed up a mouthful of blood, his body staggering from the excruciating pain of his soul being torn in two. I felt the agony of my heart being ripped in two. Four years of a mate bond, ended just like that. I crumpled to my knees, blood trickling from the corner of my mouth, the agonizing pain of the rejection clawing at the inside of my chest. "I accept." The two words escaped my lips, each syllable like swallowing shards of glass. Kade rushed out of the room with Selena in his arms, not sparing me a single glance. Good. From now on, I would never have to contact him again. On the eve of my departure, I pushed through the searing pain of the broken bond to have one last meal with my father. I didn't tell him about the rejection, only that I was leaving for my post at the Silver Crest Pack. I packed my bag that night and crossed the Black Moon Pack's border before dawn. The moment I stepped across the boundary, I severed my side of the mate bond with Kade for good. The soul-tearing agony nearly made me black out, but when it subsided, it left an unexpected feeling in its wake: liberation. I was free. From now on, I would stay far, far away from him.