A Bond of Deceit

Five years had passed since the rogue wolves attacked, leaving me scarred and unable to shift, causing me to lose the extra ability of hearing and smelling a werewolf possess. I had dedicated myself to healing, finally regaining my wolf form just hours ago. My heart ached to share the news with Kaid, my alpha, and mate, the one who’d sworn to stand by me, shifted or not.

But as I approached the pack house, in my wolf form to surprise my mate, a harsh whisper carried on the wind stopped me in my tracks. It was Kaid’s voice, laced with a coldness I’d never heard before.

"I thought after five years, I could move on," Kaid said, shattering all my excitement in a few seconds as he continued, "But it turns out, I just can't stop loving Sophie."

My breath hitched and I froze, my pulse pounding in my ears.

"You know," Kaid continued, "I've been thinking of challenging the alpha of the Nightshade pack, Kalean’s rival, to a duel, to win his pack and give it to Sophie. This way I can prove my worth to Sophie and I can let her know I still love her."

His beta chuckled, “If your mate finds out you married her only because you wanted to clear Sophie’s way into marrying Kalean, for the sake of Sophie’s happiness, she will be devastated.”

Kaid's lips curved into a faint, dismissive smile.

“She is just a cripple, blind in love and affection,” Kaid said, his response sending chills down my spine, “I know how to handle her.”

Kael's tenderness, his whispered promises – all a sham. He’d kept me close, not out of love, but out of convenience, to keep her beloved happy.

The pain was a physical blow, more agonizing than any wound the rogues had inflicted. I had poured my heart and soul into our relationship, clinging to the hope of a future together. Now, that future crumbled to dust. I wouldn't be a burden, a reminder of his weakness. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of discarding me.

Turning away, I vanished into the forest, in my newly regained wolf form a silent promise. I would leave, not just the pack, but his life entirely. He wanted strength? I would show him strength he never imagined.

****

As soon as the pack's healer confirmed that my injuries from the last full moon had fully healed, I could hardly contain my excitement. My heart racing, I imagined running with my mate, Kaid, under the light of the full moon – feeling the rush of the hunt, the thrill of the chase. But as I approached our den, I caught the scent of a stranger, and my excitement turned to unease. I slowed my pace, my senses on high alert.

My hackles rose as I pushed open the main door to our den. Kaid sat on the couch, his eyes locked on his beta, Ronan, who stood opposite him. "I thought after five years, I could move on," Kaid said, shattering all my excitement in a few seconds as he continued, "But it turns out, I just can't stop loving Sophie."

My breath hitched and I froze, my pulse pounding in my ears.

"You know," Kaid continued, "I've been thinking of challenging the alpha of the Nightshade pack, Kalean’s rival, to a duel, to win his pack and give it to Sophie. This way I can prove my worth to Sophie and I can let her know I still love her."

Ronan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees, his face calm but resolute. "Back then, Sophie chose Kalean over you, Kaid, so you couldn't take care of her as her mate. But you can still prove your worth to her by defeating the Nightshade alpha."

“Kaid…” Ronan chuckled, “You are acting so love sick. What about your mate? Aren't you afraid your actions might hurt her?”

Kaid's lips curved into a faint, dismissive smile.

“She is just a cripple, blind in love and affection,” Kaid said, his response sending chills down my spine, “I know how to handle her.”

I felt the words like physical blows, each one slicing through my chest with cruel precision. My legs felt like they might give out beneath me, but I clung to the door frame for support. The weight of betrayal pressed down on me, cold and unrelenting, like the snow accumulating around my feet. Ronan sighed, rubbing his temple. "You've completely lost your mind over Sophie, Kaid. If your mate finds out that you married her only because Kalean, Sophie’s first love, wanted to marry her, she'll be heartbroken."

My fingers gripped the edge of the door so tightly that my knuckles turned white. I had just recovered to be able to shift into my wolf, I couldn't maintain the form for long and soon my wolf gave up, forcing me to shift back to my human form.

Ronan's voice faltered as he glanced toward the doorway and saw me standing there. His eyes widened in alarm and his words came out in a panicked stammer. "S-Sara, you're back?"