Chapter 1

I once thought Frank Tucker was my mate. Convincing my pack to accept our extravagant mating ceremony had been a significant challenge. My parents, prominent members of the Silvermoon Pack, had even planned to launch the True Love Jewelry line on the day of our bonding. But just a week before the ceremony, Frank dropped a bombshell—he needed to mate with Celeste Armstrong first, to fulfill a promise to her late mother, his first love.

"For Celeste’s sake, everything else can be put aside," he said impatiently, his Beta tone sharp and dismissive. "If status is your concern, why don’t you just find someone else to mate with?"

It was then I realized that in his world, both I and my ambitions were always secondary to his romanticized vision of Celeste. Resolute, I turned around and mind-linked my packmate, Sam, a Gamma who had always been supportive. "Keep the ceremony as planned but find me another mate."

On the day I went to try on bonding gowns, I waited outside Autumn Saunders’ boutique for what felt like an eternity. Autumn, an Omega who often acted as a messenger between Celeste and me, finally descended the stairs lazily. As soon as we got into the car, she tossed me a necklace.

"Celeste wanted me to give this to you. She felt awkward at the funeral yesterday because of you. Maybe you should find some time to apologize."

The necklace was clearly a cheap trinket; I had seen it in Frank’s online shopping cart days ago. I replied indifferently, "I don’t want it."

Frank, sitting in the driver’s seat, frowned. His Beta aura flared slightly, a subtle reminder of his rank. "Why are you upset now? You embarrassed her by stating I’m not her mate at the funeral, and she didn’t even hold a grudge. She even thought to send you a gift, and you’re being ungrateful?"

The Frank who once stood by me was gone; now he cherished someone else. Frustrated, he rolled down the car window. After a long silence, seeing no sign of appeasement from me, he finally relented, "Fine, I’m accompanying you to the gown fitting today, so let’s not argue."

It was the first time all year he had conceded anything. At the boutique, the staff greeted us warmly: "Beta Tucker, Miss Hicks, your twenty custom bonding gowns and suits are ready."

But Frank’s mind was elsewhere; his eyes were glued to his phone, urgency evident on his face. Catching my look, he quickly put his phone away and, with a trace of apology, said, "Addison, something’s come up with Celeste. I need to leave right away. Try on the gowns yourself and pick a suit for me as well. I trust your judgment."

With that, he hurriedly hailed a cab, leaving me alone. The staff approached, tentatively asking, "Miss Hicks, would you like to personally choose the suit?"

I pulled my gaze back from the door and nodded. Of course, I needed to choose a suit, but it wasn’t for Frank Tucker. After all, the mate had changed.

"Sam, keep the ceremony as planned but find me another mate."

Sam’s voice in my mind was incredulous. "You’re calling off the bonding?"

"No, he wants to mate with someone else," I replied, my tone bitter. I had navigated so many pack politics to be with Frank, gaining my parents’ approval and tying the launch of our jewelry line to the bonding day. Now, all efforts seemed in vain.

Sam paused for a long moment before responding, "That leaves Josiah Hicks, the Alpha of the Nightshade Pack. His pack has been pressuring him lately, and he’s been seeking a mate."

I frowned. Josiah was my arch-nemesis. On the day of our engagement announcement, he had foretold that my dream ceremony would crumble, and ironically, here we were. With time running short, I could only say, "Then him. See if he’s interested. If not, I’ll figure something else out."

Sam’s reply was immediate. "No need to ask. He’ll definitely agree."

"What?"

Before I could probe further, Sam’s mind-link went silent. After selecting bonding gowns, I got into a car to go home, expecting Frank wouldn’t return all night. But as dinnertime approached, there he was.

He walked briskly up to me, holding a takeout box. His Beta aura was subdued, but his expression was tense. "I went across town to get this for you, late-night snacks from Harry’s."

I looked at the ravioli in front of me. There were three fewer than usual, and one had a bite mark—clearly someone else had eaten it. Half an hour ago, I had seen Celeste post on the pack’s shared mind-link, sharing the same food I now held.

"My mate didn’t forget to grab me a late-night snack. Thanks, love!"

I put down my fork, suddenly losing my appetite. "I don’t want to eat. Just toss it out." Frank’s jaw tightened, but he held his tongue and sat next to me to complain.

"You have no idea how upset Celeste was today. Her parents went over to her house, berating her for having no money and no decent dowry. She was so upset she cried."

"Celeste just returned from abroad and doesn’t have much money. I thought your dowry could help her out."

His presumptive tone made my stomach churn. I looked at him with a sardonic smile, "So it’s my job to provide the dowry for your mate?"

He flinched but didn’t reply, his Beta aura flickering with irritation. I stood, my own aura steady despite the turmoil inside. "If that’s what you think, then maybe you’re right, Frank. I should find someone else who values me—not just as a mate, but as a partner."

He opened his mouth to protest, but I turned and walked away, my wolf stirring in the back of my mind, a quiet reminder that I deserved better.