Chanel’s POV

She wasn't supposed to feel safe in his arms.

Not after everything she’d endured. Not when his reputation whispered of bloodshed and cruelty.

And yet, here she was—curled against Alpha Kios’s chest, listening to the steady beat of a heart everyone said he didn’t have.

“I’m not him, Chanel,” Alpha Kios murmured as he was about to mark her. “I won’t hurt you... even if it kills me to let you go.”

But before she could respond, the scent of pine and regret hit her like a storm.

Daniel.

The mate who once chose another. The mate who now burned with the need to claim her back.

Only this time, Chanel wasn’t the same girl who’d begged to be chosen.

This time, she had power.

This time, they’d have to fight for her.

——

Even though I could see Daniel from where I stood hidden, I decided to mind-link him, testing if he'd sense my presence first.

“Hi, babe. Where are you?” I asked, giggling.

He tensed. But before he could respond, a blonde woman rushed toward him, throwing herself into his arms. He caught her effortlessly, and then she pressed her lips to his.

I froze. My fingers curled at my sides, but there was no anger coming, only a strange, hollow blankness, as if my mind was refusing to process what my eyes had just witnessed.

It wasn’t until he pulled back that I recognized the woman. It was Miranda, the alpha's daughter from a new allied pack.

"I'm at Gary’s event," he replied through the link. ‘You should sleep, Chanel. This is a business event. It’s for our pack.’

A sharp, bitter laugh almost escaped me. He had no idea I was here, watching him betray me in real time.

The past five years flashed in my mind like cruel reminders. Five years of stolen moments. Five years of secrets, of whispered promises under the moonlight.

"Can we be together?" I had asked him weeks ago as I lay in his arms, my fingers tracing over his chest. " I don’t want to keep waiting."

He had kissed my forehead, saying. "We have to wait a little longer, Chanel. I promise I’ll never leave you. No one will ever replace you."

The sound of Alpha Gary's voice snapped me out of my reverie. He tapped Daniel’s shoulder and said, "I see you’re getting comfortable with your mate."

Mate?

Daniel chuckled, gazing at his woman, and winked at her. “Miranda and I have a lot to look forward to. She’s the perfect Luna for me.”

Alpha Gary arched a brow and took a sip from his glass. “And what about Chanel?”

Daniel let out a low laugh, shaking his head. “Chanel? She was just a practice partner. A way to pass time until my real mate comes along.”

My body trembled with rage as I pressed a hand to my mouth, swallowing the scream burning in my throat. Wait, was this even real? How dare he use me!

Miranda turned to Daniel, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing a kiss to his lips. “That girl deserves the hurt. She thought she could ever be more than what she is.”

Alpha Gary frowned slightly, his gaze shifting between the two of them. “You both seem to hold a lot of contempt for her. Why go through all the effort just to make her a fool?”

Miranda rolled her eyes before fixing Daniel with an expectant look. “Because she was the reason I didn’t get the top one in college. She outperformed me, embarrassed me, and stole what should have been mine. But Daniel promised to avenge me.” She leaned closer, running a possessive hand down his arm. “Because I’m his mate. I should be his priority.”

Daniel nodded without hesitation. “You are, Miranda. Always.”

I turned and fled, shoving past dancing couples, desperate to escape before my emotions consumed me. Then, I slammed into something solid, and large hands gripped my arms before I could fall. I lifted my gaze and met a pair of piercing silver eyes of a familiar man.

'Alpha Kios?' I thought, and even my wolf whimpered at his aura.

He was the Alpha of the Deathfang Pack—a man as feared as he was powerful. He was the last person I should be near.

“Sorry,” I breathed, trying to step back, but his grip tightened slightly.

"You look like you just cried. Are you hurt?"

I swallowed hard. Of course I was.

"Who did this to you?"

I hesitated. What would it change if I told him?

His thumb brushed my wrist, warmth jolting through me. "You're shaking. Tell me why."

"It doesn’t matter. I was just stupid to trust a man," I whispered, avoiding his gaze.

"No. He was a fool. And fools deserve to suffer."

His words caught my attention. Did he have any idea who I was talking about? "How do you know?" I asked, finally meeting his eyes.

"I can make him regret it. I can give you something better."

I sucked in a breath. "What are you saying?"

His fingers trailed up my arm, settling on my shoulder. "Do you want a mating bond with me?"

"A mating bond?" My pulse skittered. Did I hear him right? My mind reeled, struggling to catch up. "You want me as your mate?"

Kios let out a low, amused chuckle. "You're thinking too hard, little wolf. Do you want him to win?"

My mind scrambled to dissect his words. Was this an impulsive offer, or had he truly considered what he was proposing? But then Daniel's words calling me a practice kept repeating in my mind, and I realized that maybe this mating bond was a chance for me to take back control of my own life.

"What do you say? This is a one-time offer." Kios said impatiently.

"Yes," I finally said. "But we keep it a secret until the right time."

Chanel’s POV

Kios leaned against his sleek black car, arms crossed, watching me with amusement. He opened the passenger door and tipped his chin, motioning for me to get in.

"We need to talk privately," he said in a low voice.

The logical part of me screamed that this was reckless. Kios wasn’t just any Alpha. He was powerful, dangerous, and notorious. Getting involved with him was playing with fire. More like dancing in the flames of a volcano.

Kios chuckled. "You’re scared. I get it," he mused. "But if you don’t take risks, those who mock you will keep doing it. You’ll keep being their fool."

I suddenly recalled Daniel’s betrayal, Miranda’s smug laughter, and Alpha Gary’s mocking smirk. I wasn’t going to let them walk all over me forever.

Without another word, I slid into the car.

Kios smirked and shut the door before rounding to the driver’s side. He settled in and reached into the compartment and pulled out two small bottles of liquor. He handed me one.

"A toast to our new partnership."

I wavered again, eyeing the bottle. "Why do I have to drink with you?"

Kios smirked. "Because partners celebrate, and trust starts somewhere."

I sighed but accepted it.

"Relax, Chanel. If we’re going to be partners, we should be comfortable with each other," Kios said, tilting his bottle before taking a slow sip.

I took a tentative sip, the burn spreading down my throat. "Do you really treat a sacred mating bond as a business partnership?" I asked, glancing at him.

Kios laughed. "Even a human marriage is a business transaction, Chanel. What’s the difference?"

I frowned. "Then why do you want a mating bond with me?"

For the first time, Kios didn’t answer immediately. His fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel, his gaze focused on the windshield as if deep in thought.

I studied him and took a steady breath. "If I’m your business partner through this mating bond, then you should be open with me too."

His gaze snapped to mine, amusement flickering in his silver eyes. Then, he smirked. "I’m already liking you."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I looked away, cursing my reaction.

Kios leaned back in his seat, a slow smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Daniel and his pack were always my target."

My stomach twisted at his words. "Are you saying you're going to destroy my entire pack?"

He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "No, Chanel. My target is Daniel and his bloodline. I’ll cut out the rot and replace it with something stronger, which is my rule. And since you’re the most potent weapon against him, it only makes sense for us to work together."

I tightened my grip around the bottle, my nails pressing into the glass. "And what do I get out of this? Because from where I’m sitting, it sounds like you're just using me, just like Daniel did."

"Oh, I am using you, Chanel,” he admitted. “Let’s not play pretend. But unlike Daniel, I don’t make empty promises. When I win, you win. And believe me, victory will taste far sweeter than revenge alone."

Kios was blunt, unapologetic, and dangerously persuasive. And yet, despite his sharp words, I didn’t feel uneasy. If anything, I felt at ease. His honesty was oddly comforting.

And besides, the thought of Daniel and Miranda on their knees was so intoxicating that I could barely contain my excitement.

I met his gaze and nodded. "We’ll continue discussing the plan in the next few days."

Kios smiled, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Good. Now, let me take you home."

I shifted in my seat. "I can get home on my own."

Kios arched his brow. "I insist. You and I are partners now, Chanel. That means I take care of what’s mine."

I swallowed, unsure if it was the possessiveness in his tone or the quiet command in his words that sent a shiver down my spine. "I’m not yours, Kios. This is an arrangement."

He chuckled. "Of course. Now, be a good partner and let me drive you home."

My protest died in my throat as he started the engine.

Chanel’s POV

The next morning, I found myself standing outside the packhouse with my parents. I hadn’t wanted to come, not after what I had learned about Daniel and Miranda, but they insisted.

"We must always be present so the pack remains united," my mother had said. The irony of her words stung as I knew that the unity she spoke of was long broken.

As we entered the dining hall, Luna smiled warmly at my mother and kissed her cheek. "Your daughter is truly beautiful," she praised, her gaze briefly flickering toward me.

At the long wooden table, Daniel and Miranda were already seated. The Alpha greeted us with a nod, but Daniel barely acknowledged me, only nodding at my father before looking away.

Miranda, on the other hand, was lost in her own little world with Daniel, touching his arm, giggling, pressing close as if to stake her claim in front of everyone.

The Luna, oblivious to the tension, asked, "Chanel, have you found your mate yet?"

I stiffened. Daniel’s jaw clenched. I could feel his tension even as he kept his gaze firmly on his plate.

I forced a smile. "Not yet, but I trust the Moon Goddess is busy pairing me with the kindest man for me."

My parents nodded in approval, and I saw Daniel’s fingers tighten around his fork.

After breakfast, our parents gathered on the patio, laughing and talking about pack matters. Their carefree expressions made my stomach twist. Did they not see what was happening? Did they not see how cruel their future Alpha was?

Needing space, I slipped out to the garden, but as I turned a corner, I froze. Daniel and Miranda were talking in hushed voices.

Miranda’s irritated tone cut through the air. "Why do you seem affected that your mother asked about Chanel’s future mate?"

Daniel chuckled. "I was just worried she’d expose our secret relationship."

Miranda narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure that’s all? Maybe you already have feelings for her?"

Daniel scoffed. "No. She was just a practice partner, remember? What do you want me to do to prove you’re my only love?"

Miranda smirked, handing him her phone. "Show these at our wedding."

Thanks to my heightened werewolf sight, I caught a glimpse of the phone screen even from a distance. My breath hitched, seeing myself exposed in ways I had never posed for.

How? I had never taken such photos, let alone shared them. My wolf was seething as I fought the urge to storm out and demand answers. But I stayed rooted in place. What else had they planned for me?

"Is this really Chanel? Would she post something like this?" Daniel’s voice wavered slightly.

"They’re photoshopped," Miranda said smoothly. "On our wedding day, we’ll insert them into the slideshow. Everyone will think she ruined our celebration."

Daniel hesitated. "This will be a huge scandal. Her family will get embarrassed."

"They’ll never know it was us. Wait, do you actually care about her?"

"Care about her?” Daniel chuckled drily, shaking his head. “Does she deserve my care? She's just my bed toy. When I marry you, I will ruin her reputation. She once competed for your glory, now it's time for her to pay the price!"

“Then what’s the plan?” Miranda asked, crossing her arms. She gasped when Daniel suddenly caged her inside his arms.

“The plan?” Daniel whispered seductively in her mouth. "In ten days, I will propose to Chanel, and on that same day, I will play the slideshow to permanently damage her reputation. How’s that sound?”

“Will you really do that for me?” Miranda raised a brow.

“Anything for you.” Daniel, on the other hand, grinned devilishly. “So be patient, love. Please wait until the engagement party, and I’m all yours.”

I covered my mouth, muffling the sob that threatened to escape. My wolf was restless, growling in anger and urging me to lash out and demand justice. But what good would that do?

No, I needed to be smart.

Those photos had to be erased before Miranda had the chance to use them. I would find out where they came from, track down the source, and make sure they never surfaced.

---

That night, the rain was relentless, soaking through my cloak as I stumbled through the woods near the pack border. I was not sure why I had ventured out there. Perhaps I needed to drown out the ache in my chest and to feel something apart from betrayal.

By the time I collapsed outside the packhouse, my body burned with fever. My limbs felt heavy, and my head pounded with exhaustion. As a she-wolf, I should not have been this weak. Werewolves had enhanced healing and endurance, yet my body had given in.

Before darkness enveloped my mind, strong arms lifted me, and the scent of earth and smoke filled my senses.

When my eyes fluttered open, I was in the pack healer’s den, and Daniel was sitting at my side.

“You scared the hell out of me,” he muttered, his voice hoarse, as if he had been holding back his emotions for too long.

I was too weak to respond immediately, but I forced myself to speak. "W-why?"

His grip on my hand tightened as he exhaled sharply. "Because I care about you, damn it!" he shouted, his frustration spilling over as his fist slammed against the bedside table. "You think I wanted to see you like this? Do you have any idea what it felt like to find you collapsed, burning up with fever?”

My heart clenched painfully at the rawness in his voice. For a moment, it felt real. It seemed as though he genuinely cared about me, like I was more than just an afterthought. But had I not spent years believing the same lies? Had I not convinced myself before that he loved me, only to find out I was nothing but a placeholder?

A lump formed in my throat, but I pushed past it. "Then why, Daniel? Why do you have to—" I bit my lower lip to stop myself from exposing those words. He shouldn’t know that I was aware of his twisted plans.

His breath hitched, and his gaze softened with regret. "Chanel, I—"

But before he could say anything more, his body tensed. His fingers twitched around mine, his gaze going unfocused. I knew that look. Someone was mindlinking him.

I barely had time to process it before his lips parted, his voice so quiet I almost wished I hadn’t heard it.

"Miranda."

The moment he spoke it, everything else ceased to exist for him, including me. And just like that, he was gone.

Daniel's lips barely formed the name before I heard it.

'Daniel, come help me with these bags. They’re too heavy, and I can’t carry them all by myself.'

Miranda’s voice echoed in my mind, as if she had meant for me to hear. My body stiffened, and my wolf bristled at the blatant intrusion. She was taunting me. There was no other explanation for that!

Daniel’s grip on my hand loosened, and he inhaled sharply before responding. "I’m coming, baby. Just wait for me."

Even as weak as I was, the words sent a cold blade through my chest. I knew what he would do. He wouldn’t think twice. He had just told me he cared, yet the moment Miranda called, he was already hers again.

He turned back to me, forcing a smile. "I’ll be back soon, Chanel. I’ll help you with the discharge process. Just get some rest."

I let out a breathless laugh. Of course he wouldn’t come back. He would go to Miranda, cater to her every whim, and forget I ever existed.

As he left the healer’s cottage, I let my head fall back against the pillow, my body trembling, not from fever but from anger.

A soft chime interrupted the silence. My phone buzzed on the nightstand. With sluggish fingers, I reached for it, my heart pounding as I read the message flashing across the screen.

Did you enjoy our little conversation? It must hurt, knowing you’ll always be second to me. Don’t get too comfortable in that bed. He won’t be back for you.

My vision blurred with rage. My wolf growled, clawing at the edges of my control, demanding I do something to put Miranda in her place.