Chapter 1My intended mate, Dylan, dropped one line that changed everything.
"My pack will never accept a mate for me who isn't from the Lunaris Law League firm."
So I spent fifteen years. Seven hundred and twenty-one interviews.
Every. Single. One.
And every time - second place.
I thought I was unlucky. Not good enough.
Until this year. I finally ranked first. Got the offer.
Before I could even pop the champagne, they said there'd been a "calculation error."
The real first place? Reese Brooks - Dylan's childhood she-wolf crush.
I went back to Black Spire Legal for answers.
That's when I heard the hiring partner talking to my intended.
"Mr. Lockwood, the new HR coordinator didn't know about Ms. Todd. They posted the real scores by accident. We'll let them go immediately."
"Forget it. Job market's brutal. Just make sure Reese's offer goes through - partner-track compensation. She just graduated, so go easy on her. I've spoiled her, and she's got a temper. If she's unhappy, I'm taking her side."
Something inside me snapped.
My wolf clawed at my ribs, wanting out.
Reese was the one he'd protect.
So what the hell was I?
He cared about some stranger's career - but he could stand there and watch me waste fifteen years.
"What about Ms. Todd? She's been at this for fifteen years. I heard yesterday, when she found out she didn't make it again, she sat outside the building and cried for hours."
Silence.
Then Dylan's voice came back, clipped and cold.
"She'll get over it. Laura's easy - throw her any excuse and she'll buy it. Besides, this is what every wolf lawyer goes through. Builds character."
"Honestly, Mr. Lockwood, we've all seen how good Laura is. If you hadn't kept blocking her - saying you needed to avoid conflicts of interest - she'd have made Lunaris Law League years ago. She'd probably be a senior partner by now. You're not... doing this because you don't actually want to mate her, are you?"
Dead silence.
The partner knew he'd said too much.
I stood there, my fangs pressing against my gums.
Bitter smile. Then I turned and walked out.
That same day, I called my father - the Pack Judge - and told him I'd apply to the Prosecution Office.
Do what he'd always wanted.
...
When Dylan got home, I was packing up fifteen years of bar prep books and practice exams.
He came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist.
His scent - cedar and pine - used to calm me. Now it burned.
"Didn't make it again?"
I didn't answer.
He tried to soothe me, his voice soft.
"Lunaris Law League firms are brutal. Don't pressure yourself. I can wait."
Wait?
He'd only ever been waiting for Reese.
And me? I was just a placeholder - a warm body to shut his parents up until she came back.
I'd been too blind to see it.
"Dylan, you know I'm good at this. Can you just talk to them? We're not getting any younger. I want to build a life with you."
I looked at him, clinging to one last thread.
His jaw tightened. He looked away.
"The firm already decided on Reese. They think she's younger, more upside. Nothing I can do."
"Was it really the firm's decision? Or yours?"
"Laura." His voice went sharp. "I'm a lawyer. I don't pull strings for personal reasons. You've studied pack law long enough - don't you get how important integrity is?"
Integrity. Right.
I laughed - a short, broken sound.
The last light in my chest died.
This was the first time I'd asked him for anything in fifteen years.
Clearly, I didn't matter enough.
I stood up and started throwing those thick binders into the trash, one by one.
Dylan grabbed my wrist. "What are you doing?"
"I can't pass. So I'm done. Maybe I was never meant for your world anyway."
His voice softened, almost tender.
"I get it - you're upset. Just keep trying. Maybe next year. Next year you'll make it, and then we can finally complete the mating bond. Right?"
He sounded so sure. Like he really wanted me.
I opened my mouth - but my phone rang.
Dylan's mother. The Alpha female of the Lockwood pack.
"Come over tonight. We need to talk about you and Dylan."
My stomach dropped.
My wolf whined low in my chest.
His mother had always blamed me for why her son wasn't mated yet - because I couldn't break into a top-tier firm.
She loved reminding me.
She'd tear me apart in front of the whole pack, calling me useless, dead weight holding her son back.
And every time, Dylan would act like he was head-over-paws for me, swearing he'd never take anyone else.
So all the pressure landed on me.
I used to think he really loved me.
Now I knew better.
It was all a stalling tactic - waiting for Reese, while making sure his mother didn't turn on her before she got back.
Fine.
If I was leaving, I'd make things clear with his mother too.
Dylan must've sensed my nerves. He squeezed my hand.
"I'll come with you."
The second he said it, Reese called.
"Dylan, I start tomorrow and I'm freaking out. Can you come over?"
Dylan let go of my hand immediately.
"Laura, Reese's struggling. I need to check on her. Go to my mother's. I'll pick you up later."
Then he left.
Didn't even look back.
I knew it was coming - but it still felt like a claw to the gut.
My wolf howled silently inside me.
That night at the Lockwood estate, I sat alone while his entire pack tore into me - his parents, his aunts, his uncles, all of them.
Then someone mentioned Reese, and I realized Dylan had already introduced her to the family.
Clearly, they all liked her better.
They spent the whole dinner comparing me to her, point by point.
Scent, coat, pedigree, accomplishments.
Normally, I would've fought back - bared my fangs, let my wolf rise.
But tonight, I stayed calm.
After they finished, I said quietly:
"I'm breaking the mating arrangement with Dylan."
Chapter 2
"He and Reese are perfect for each other. I hope they're happy. From now on, I have nothing to do with the Lockwood pack. I'm not coming back here. Enjoy your dinner."
I stood up and walked out while they all stared - ears pinned, jaws slack.
The moment I stepped outside, Dylan's scent hit me. He was there.
Honestly, I was surprised he'd actually shown up.
Fifteen years together, and he'd bailed on me more times than I could count. Eventually, when he said "I'll be there," I just stopped believing him.
He reached for my arm, tried to pull me toward the car.
I yanked back. Hard.
"Dylan. We're done."
He stared, rubbing his temples like I was giving him a headache.
"Laura, can you stop being dramatic? I know you're pissed I left you alone with my mother, but whose fault is that? If you'd just made Lunaris Law League, none of this would be happening."
I looked at him like I'd never seen him before.
When our eyes met, something flickered in his - guilt, maybe. His scent turned sour.
"Okay, fine. Don't be mad. What are you gonna do without me anyway? Who else would want a she-wolf like you? I swear I won't leave you alone next time, alright?"
Then he pulled me into the car without waiting for an answer.
"I'll take you to get food."
We ended up in a private booth at a pack-owned cocktail bar.
I got there first and overheard voices from the next room.
"Dylan's obsessed with Reese. She literally just talked to some guy at the bar and he went to pick up Laura just to make her jealous."
"Right? Everyone knows how wrecked he was when Reese turned him down and went abroad. The guy never lost a case - perfect record - and then he tanked the easiest burglary case ever. That's still his only loss."
"Now that Reese's back, wonder how long before he dumps Laura."
Every word felt like claws in my chest.
What I thought was love was just bait to make Reese jealous.
I turned to leave - and ran straight into Reese coming back.
Dylan was right behind her.
They looked like they'd just been fighting. Their scents were sharp, agitated.
Reese grabbed my wrist, all smiles. Her claws grazed my skin.
Before I could refuse, she dragged me inside.
"What were you guys talking about? You're scaring Laura - she didn't even want to come in!"
Everyone went quiet, staring at the three of us.
Dylan glanced at Reese, then pulled me down next to him.
I'd just told him I was warm. He draped his blazer over my shoulders anyway.
I said my stomach hurt and I didn't want anything cold. He ignored me. Kept handing me fruit and iced cocktails.
I refused everything and picked up a hot latte instead.
I'd barely had two sips when he leaned in, smiling, and kissed the foam off the corner of my mouth.
He looked so tender.
I felt frozen.
Reese saw it and slammed her glass onto the table.
"I don't feel good. I'm leaving."
Dylan panicked instantly. He got up and moved next to her.
"Do you have a fever? You got cold earlier, didn't you? I told you not to wear that dress."
Without another word, he yanked his blazer off me and wrapped it around Reese. Then he scooped her up and bolted for the door.
Didn't even bother explaining.
That's the difference between being a true mate and being a pawn.
But they should never have used me in their game.
Dylan didn't come back to our den that night.
I didn't care.
I started packing in silence.
I used to keep everything - movie tickets, the jack-o'-lantern he carved for me one Halloween, even the box from the custom cake he gave me on my birthday.
But tonight, after scrolling through Reese's social feed, I realized every single moment Dylan spent with me was just him recreating memories he had with her.
Bitter smile. I threw it all away. Only kept the essentials.
Looking at the empty den, memories flooded back - him drying my hair on the couch, us burning our first meal together in the kitchen, sneaking strawberries from the neighbor's garden off the balcony.
I used to imagine this life would go on forever.
But now? Time to let my wolf howl and wake the hell up.
Chapter 3
The next day, I met up with some old pack friends to say goodbye.
And of course, I ran into a few she-wolves from law school who'd always hated me.
"Oh wow, look who it is. Laura Todd, Silver Moon Law Academy's star pup. So which firm are you at now? Oh wait - "
The she-wolf smacked her own mouth in fake regret.
"Right, I almost forgot. Our 'genius' spent fifteen years trying to get into a Lunaris Law League and still couldn't hack it. Still stuck at some nobody firm, huh? Hilarious."
"Bet she slept her way to those grades. Probably screwed half the faculty."
My friends couldn't take it anymore.
"Shut your muzzles. Laura's been with Dylan Lockwood since college. The Alpha Dylan Lockwood. So maybe don't talk about shit you don't understand."
The she-wolves exchanged looks, smirking.
"You mean the Top Alpha lawyer Dylan Lockwood?!"
My friends nodded. "Yes. That one."
They burst out laughing.
"Laura, did all those rejections finally break your brain? Alpha Dylan Lockwood wouldn't hire you to clean his office, let alone mate you. This is pathetic."
Just then, a familiar scent hit the air.
My friends' eyes lit up.
"Look, there he is. Want to go ask him yourselves?"
My friends were so confident the other she-wolves actually hesitated.
But just as we were about to walk over, everyone watched as Dylan suddenly stopped, turned around, and reached back for Reese's hand.
He guided her inside, matching her pace the whole way, and didn't let go until she was seated.
He hovered over her like she might break.
Anyone with a working nose could tell they weren't just friends.
The she-wolves practically exploded with glee.
"Wait, isn't that Reese Brooks? Dylan's first love? When did she get back?"
"Just recently. I heard she got into a Lunaris Law League right after landing. You think they're together now?"
"Duh. Now that's a real power couple. Some she-wolves really need a mirror before trying to claim Dylan Lockwood. Desperate unmated hag much?"
They were laughing so loud Dylan looked over.
He glanced at us, then turned and said something to the restaurant manager - a beta from a subordinate pack.
Seconds later, the manager came walking toward us.
My friends thought this was it - that Dylan would finally acknowledge me.
But the manager said:
"Mr. Lockwood and Ms. Brooks are dining here tonight. Ms. Brooks prefers privacy, so Mr. Lockwood has reserved the entire establishment. I'm very sorry, but I'll need to ask everyone to leave."
My friends went dead silent.
They all looked at me with pity.
The law school she-wolves were dying laughing.
As everyone got ushered out, I kept my head down, trying to avoid Dylan's gaze.
But those she-wolves wouldn't let it go.
One of them shouted across the room, "Mr. Lockwood! This she-wolf, Laura Todd, says she's your mate. Is that true?"
At my name, Dylan turned.
His eyes swept the room and landed on me.
Reese dropped her fork and pouted, her scent sour with anger.
She knew exactly who I was.
And Dylan knew exactly what those she-wolves were doing - humiliating me.
This was Reese's loyalty test.
She wanted him to prove how much she mattered.
And once again, I was just a prop in their game.
Dylan's voice cut through the room, cold and flat.
"Never seen her before."
