Chapter 1Right after I mated him, I stumbled on a PackNet thread:
"What's the deal with she-wolves who knowingly break bonded pairs?"
Top reply:
"Pack PSA: If you're the one not loved, you're the real outsider."
"Sure, my mate - a real Alpha wolf's promised to another, but I don't feel like I'm encroaching at all."
"He spends every night in MY den. His betrothed? Moon knows how long it's been since she felt his fangs."
Someone asked how she could be so sure.
The account named Star-Chasing Bunny replied:
"I put a temporary scent-mark on him - a little bunny right on the shaft of his dick. Every time he comes to me, I check. If it's faded, he's been cut off."
"I'm young and tight. His betrothed is some washed-up old she-wolf."
"Yesterday was her 28th moon-cycle. He didn't even show. Just sent a 'Happy Moon Day' text at midnight - while we were mid-claim in MY den!"
My claws dug into my palms.
Yesterday... was my 28th moon-cycle. I did receive that text message at midnight.
My wolf howled inside me.
I knew it right then.
My intend - Alpha Heir Jonathan Kane was cheating.
...
I kept scrolling.
Star-Chasing Bunny had other posts.
The one before that was from three moon-cycles ago:
"I just mentioned I was craving that steakhouse by the border, and Alpha K drove me there for lunch. Three hours round trip just for a meal! I dozed off on the way back, so he let me use his arm as a pillow the whole drive."
"His betrothed called to ask if he'd be home for dinner. He told her he was buried in pack paperwork. After he hung up, he just winked at me and said, 'Right now, you're the only duty I care about.'"
The pic showed a steering wheel.
Outside the window was that familiar street near the pack square.
No wonder that day, when Jonathan claimed he was stuck in an elder meeting.
He came home with signature pastries from that exact steakhouse.
He lied and said a pack runner passed through and grabbed them because he knew I had a sweet tooth.
Knowing Jonathan was thinking of me during his "workday."
That feeling of being the one had me so touched.
Now, my wolf wanted to retch.
I scrolled further back.
The Bunny posted a "fit check" thread:
"Help me pick, girls! What should I wear to the movies with Alpha K tomorrow? He's usually in 'warrior casual,' and I don't want to look overdressed or like a total pup. I'm losing it!"
The photo showed two sundresses laid out on a bed.
I bet she went with the pale yellow floral one.
That night, Jonathan - the wolf who never had a single thing to say about my clothes - walked in.
And out of nowhere, he asked why I didn't wear floral dresses anymore.
Since I was always swamped with pack duties, I usually stuck to whatever was "practical."
Like he was afraid I'd take it the wrong way, Jonathan immediately pulled me close.
"Babe, you look hot in anything, obviously. I was just thinking about taking you on a beach trip soon. You've always wanted to hit the Silver Shores, right?"
"Dresses just look better by the ocean. Something bright, you know? Like a pale yellow. It's got that 'sunny' vibe..."
"Get some curls going, and the photos will be fire!"
He wasn't describing a look.
He was describing a she-wolf.
I took a shaky breath, trying to shove down the dull ache in my chest.
My wolf paced restlessly.
Last moon-cycle, Star-Chasing Bunny posted two movie stubs.
"You've gotta watch the classics with the one you love."
The movie even started right at 5:20 PM.
That day was our five-year anniversary.
He was so intense when he first chased me.
He'd bring me a rain-cover when it stormed, wait outside my pack office until midnight when I was a trainee.
When I was stuck on my pack history thesis, he'd help me outline it over and over, never losing his cool.
My den-mates told me, "Alphas like this don't exist anymore. Don't let him go!"
I didn't let him go.
For five years, Jonathan was incredible to me.
He remembered my heat cycle, my cravings, every single milestone.
He definitely hadn't forgotten.
He just chose to be somewhere else.
Chapter 2
My claws trembled so badly I could barely scroll.
I swiped all the way back.
Six moons ago, "Star-Chasing Bunny" had dropped a whole string of posts.
"Met this insanely classy wolf at the training pit today! I was warming up, and he was on the runner next to me. I looked up after a set, and he was literally staring at me with the hottest smirk."
"I accidentally knocked my hydration flask over while switching machines, and he rushed over to help. He even asked if I was okay. His voice is so deep - total Alpha vibes. I bet he sounds amazing when he's breathless."
"Saw his screen today - it's some she-wolf. He said it's his betrothed, but honestly? She's got nothing on me."
"Ugh, why are the disciplined, sweet ones always taken? Whatever. I'm claiming him!"
Jonathan had been a training junkie for years.
But he never used to go that often.
Then last fall, he suddenly started living at the gym.
My spine ached from hunched pack paperwork, so I thought about joining him.
But Jonathan told me his training ground was way too far from my pack office.
He went ahead and found a "nicer" place near my work and bought me a pass.
I thought he was being "thoughtful," looking out for me.
Now I knew the truth.
The Alpha who claimed he loved me, who wanted to bond for life, who swore "eternal loyalty" -
Turned out, for the last six moons, all that "working late" wasn't about our future.
He wasn't grinding for the pack. He was grinding on another she-wolf.
For a split second, my wolf surged forward.
I wanted to storm into Jonathan's pack office in front of every warrior.
Throw the evidence in his face and scream, "Why the hell would you do this to me?!"
I wanted to humiliate him, tear his reputation to shreds.
But a scene like that is just... messy.
Five cycles together - did it really have to end in a howling match?
I shoved myself up and stumbled into the washroom.
Splashed cold water on my face, trying to quiet my raging wolf.
I picked up my phone and refreshed the feed.
"Star-Chasing Bunny" had just posted something new.
"He said he had 'pack negotiation drinks' tonight, but he really just didn't want to go home to that old hag. Anyway, he's at my den. We ordered river-crawlers and ale. Watching him peel them is so hot - he's more focused on those shells than he is on his own clothes! Teehee!"
The photo showed a man's hands peeling crawfish, veins popping.
Higher up, his collar was slightly open, showing off a sharp collarbone.
The angle, the movement - I knew it all too well.
Once, Jonathan used to sit across from me just like that, cleaning every single piece for me.
I'd tell him he didn't have to, but he'd just grin.
"Babe, taking care of you isn't 'work.'"
"Besides, you're the only she-wolf I'm ever gonna serve for the rest of my life."
My wolf let out a low, pained whine.
My phone buzzed.
A message from Jonathan: "Hey babe, gonna be a little late. Want me to grab you a midnight snack? How about some crawfish?"
I stared at those words for a long time.
Usually, I'd reply with a happy paw-emoji.
I paused, then typed: "Pass. I'm not hungry."
He replied instantly: "Got it. Get some sleep if you're tired."
The sound of the front door unlocking echoed through the den.
I looked at the moon-clock: 10:30 PM.
Jonathan walked in, carrying a cake box.
He looked surprised to see me in the living space, but he quickly flashed that smile and padded over.
"I thought I told you to get some sleep. Why are you still up waiting for me?"
He set the box on the low table and opened it. A strawberry shortcake from my favorite bakery.
"I saw this 'seasonal special' while I was passing by and knew you'd love it. Figured we could do a little moon-day do-over."
"Things have been insane lately. I'm so lucky to have such an 'understanding' she-wolf who gets how hard I'm grinding for the pack."
As he spoke, he reached out to rub my head.
His voice was smooth, his movements practiced.
Just like any other ordinary night for the last five years.
I stared at him.
That familiar face, those "gentle" eyes, that hand on my head.
He didn't smell like a cheater.
But that hand - was it all over another she-wolf an hour ago?
Exploring every inch of her skin?
I caught the faint trace of her perfume on his wrist. My wolf recoiled.
I closed my eyes in disgust and jerked back, dodging his touch.
Jonathan's hand froze in mid-air.
"What's up, babe?"
"You look pale. Did some elder give you a hard time again?"
I kept my voice flat.
"No. I'm just tired."
"Well, let me get you a slice of cake. Have a bite and then we can head to the nest, okay?"
I watched him as he leaned down.
The words from that thread kept screaming in my head.
"Sent it while we were mid-claim." "Washed-up old hag." "The one who isn't loved is the real outsider."
The one who isn't loved is the real outsider.
Maybe to some wolves, love is just a hunt where "first claim" doesn't matter.
As long as the first one isn't the "chosen" anymore, the new one can just waltz in and take her place.
"Jonathan."
He looked up, still holding the cake knife.
"Yeah?"
I looked him dead in the eye, every word laced with my wolf's growl:
"Is there anything else you want to tell me?"
Chapter 3
That was the last chance I was giving Jonathan.
If he'd just manned up and come clean, we could've had a clean break. I would've let him keep a shred of dignity.
It would've been my final "thank you" for the five cycles we'd shared.
"What do you mean?"
"Lucille, what the hell is wrong with you today?"
Jonathan flinched for a second.
Maybe it was guilt. Maybe he was just testing the waters.
For the first time in five years, I couldn't read the wolf standing right in front of me.
"Jonathan, is there something you're not telling me?"
His claws tightened around the cake knife. The metal creaked.
It was gone in a flash, and he went right back to slicing like nothing was wrong.
"Hiding what?"
His voice was smooth as butter as he handed me the first slice. "You mad because I pulled a 'secret' run for strawberry shortcake? Is that it?"
The scent of strawberries hit me.
My absolute favorite.
Before, one whiff would've had my wolf wagging and me leaning in to kiss him.
Now, it made my stomach churn.
"Answer the question."
The smile faded from his face.
He set the cake on the low table and dropped into the chair across from me. Crossed his hands over his knees, acting all "relaxed."
But his eyes locked onto mine. Predator still. Calculating.
"Lucille, did something happen?"
He was scoping me out.
After five years, I knew every single one of his tells.
Right now, the corners of his mouth were tucked down. A faint crease between his brows.
That was his "oh shit" face. Nervous. He didn't know how much I knew.
"Jonathan, I'm the one asking. Answer me."
The silence between us was thick enough to cut with a claw.
Suddenly, his phone started buzzing.
He glanced at the screen, didn't pick up, just killed the call.
"Just pack business. I'll call them back later."
"Just take it," I said, playing it cool. "Might be something important."
"Nothing is more important than you."
Jonathan had said that a million times.
And every single time, I fell for it.
Now, it just felt like a claw to the face.
"Lucille."
He said my name with that intense, focused look.
"I don't know if I've been too busy lately and your head is just spinning with crazy ideas."
"But look me in the eye. I'm not hiding anything."
"It's been five years. You know exactly who I am."
I stayed quiet for a beat before dropping the hammer.
"Where were you at moon-high today?"
His pupils flickered. Just a tiny bit.
Then he got his game face back on.
"At the pack office. We had an elder meeting that ran until past sun-peak."
"Who'd you have lunch with?"
"Just grabbed some takeout at my desk."
"And tonight?"
Jonathan paused. "I told you, babe. I had pack negotiation drinks. Seriously, you can still smell the bourbon on me."
He leaned in, trying to get close. But when he saw my look of pure disgust, he acted like his feelings were hurt.
"Alright, alright. I know you hate the smell. I'm gonna jump in the rinse."
The water started thrumming against the tiles.
I stood by the door. Caught his muffled voice over the spray.
"Didn't I tell you? Don't call me when I'm at the den! What if she finds out? She's already acting all suspicious..."
"No way. My parents already see her as their future Alpha's mate. I can't just dump her. Just be a good girl, okay? I'll give you whatever you want - except the binding claim."
"You little brat. Just wait until next moon. I'm gonna make sure you can't even shift when I'm through with you."
Hearing that with my own ears.
My wolf went still.
I thought I'd fall apart. Howl myself raw.
But instead, I just felt this dull, creeping numbness.
I guess that's what it feels like when your wolf finally stops fighting.
3:00 AM. Jonathan was out cold. Deep in his wolf-sleep.
His phone was on the night-stand, face down.
I picked it up. The passcode was still my birth-moon. At least he's consistent.
I did a sweep. Clean.
Just as I thought he'd scrubbed everything, I remembered his "burner" account for pack runners.
I switched profiles. Only one contact: "Miss Bunny."
The chat log was endless.
Beyond the daily trash, it was packed with disgusting texts.
Before he left this morning, she asked: "U up?"
He replied: "Me and 'little Jonathan' are both up."
Attached was a pic of the tent in his sheets.
At moon-high, he sent: "Can't decide what I'm hungry for."
She sent back a selfie in lace: "How about me?"
My wolf growled low.
I saved every shred of evidence. Put the phone back exactly where I found it.
I turned to look at his sleeping face.
Then something clicked.
