The Alpha I Resent, The Bond I Cannot Break

I had a joyless dinner with Scotty’s family this night again.

Twenty-five years ago, my parents and Scotty’s parents forged a business alliance. And my whole life, I’ve been stuck in moments exactly like this.

Scotty, the most dazzling Alpha in our school, was adored by everyone at school except me.

Just like that night years ago.

Every thirteen-year-old child succeeded in shifting into their wolf except me.

I was mocked and teased at that time so I turned to him, begging for help with my eyes.

Yet not a single word of defense crossed his lips.

Our parents told us from childhood that we were supposed to be best friends.Was he really worthy of being called a friend?

That was the night the divide between us became a canyon.

They said he was a future of the Montgomery but I Swore I would hate him forever.

"Well, that was a lovely evening," my mother shut the car door and looked to be in high spirits.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "Why do I have to sit next to him? Every single time."

"Because you two are the future of the partnership," my father stated, loosening his tie.

"He's an arrogant jerk. "

"You need to get along with him," my father said, his voice dropping an octave. "It's not just about dinners anymore."

I uncrossed my arms. The leather seat suddenly felt too small. "What does that mean?"

My parents exchanged a look. The kind of look that always preceded a disaster.

"Scotty's father and I agreed," he said flatly. "You and Scotty are getting married."

I stared at him, waiting for the punchline. "Excuse me?"

"The announcement goes out on Monday. You'll move into his penthouse by the end of the week."

"Move in with him? Are you out of your minds?"

"Keep your voice down," my father warned, glancing at the privacy partition separating us from the driver. "It's a strategic alliance."

"I am not a corporate asset! I'm your daughter."

"Which is exactly why you will do this for the family," my mother added softly. "It's just a piece of paper, Camille. Play the part."

"I won't do it."

"You will," my father said, his tone leaving no room for debate. "Or I'll cut funding to every single one of your charity foundations tomorrow morning."

The threat hung in the stale air of the car. I looked out the window, watching the streetlights blur into streaks of yellow. My foundations were everything to me. He knew exactly where to strike.

"You're selling me to the Montgomerys," I whispered.

"We are securing your future," my father replied.

I scrambled out after him, the chilly night air biting at my bare arms. "You can't force me into a mate bond! "

"It's a marriage of convenience," my mother corrected, stepping out beside me. "A corporate merger. The pack traditions are symbolic now."

"Symbolic?" I barked a laugh, following them up the front steps.

My father snapped, unlocking the front door. "You will pack your things this weekend. Scotty expects you by Sunday evening."

"He expects me?" I shoved past him into the foyer. "Did he even know about this?"

"Of course he knew. It was his father's idea."

My stomach plummeted. Scotty knew. He sat next to me all night, trading insults, fully aware that in a matter of days, he would own my life.

I burned with rage.

I didn't know why he trampled on my dignity again and again.

This night I walked over to my closet and pulled out a suitcase, throwing it onto the bed.

I opened it, staring at the empty silk lining.

I had spent the last ten years proving I didn't need a wolf to be strong. I built my charities. I made a name for myself outside the pack's archaic rules.

And now, my father was handing me over to the very boy who had watched me fail.

My phone buzzed on the nightstand. I picked it up.

An unknown number.

*Pack lightly. I don't have room for your junk.*

I glared at the screen. Scotty.

I typed back furiously. *I'll bring whatever I want. And I'm taking the master bedroom.*

*Keep dreaming, Camille. You get the guest room down the hall. Try not to get lost.*

*I'd rather sleep in the hallway than share a room with you.*

*Good. We agree on something. See you Sunday, future wife.*

I threw the phone across the room. It bounced off the rug and hit the wall with a satisfying thud.

Sunday. Two days.

I walked to the window and looked out at the dark street. The Montgomery estate was miles away, but I could feel the weight of it pressing down on me.

I wasn't just marrying a man I hated.

And he was going to make my life a living hell.

A knock on my door startled me.

"Camille?" my mother's voice was soft, hesitant.

I didn't answer.

The door creaked open. She stood in the doorway, holding a small velvet box.

"What is that?" I asked, my voice flat.

"A gift. From Scotty's mother." She walked over and set it on the dresser. "She wanted you to have it before the announcement."

I stared at the box. "I don't want it."

"Open it, Camille."

I crossed the room and popped the lid. Inside sat a heavy, silver necklace. A wolf pendant, its eyes made of small rubies.

"It's the Luna's crest," my mother whispered.

I slammed the box shut. "I'm not a Luna. I'm not even a wolf."

"You are his mate now. That's all that matters to them."

"It matters to me!" I shouted, the anger finally boiling over. "I have to wear this? I have to parade around pretending to be his perfect little mate when we both know I'm nothing to this pack?"

"You are a Gallagher," she said firmly. "You will wear it, and you will hold your head high."

She turned and left the room, shutting the door quietly behind her.

I looked at the velvet box. The Luna's crest. A symbol of power I could never truly possess.

I picked up the box and threw it into the trash can.

I didn't need it.

I walked back to the bed and started throwing clothes into the suitcase. Sweaters, jeans, dresses. I didn't care what I packed. None of it mattered.

My phone buzzed again from the floor.

I ignored it, grabbing a handful of shoes from the closet.

It buzzed again. And again.

I dropped the shoes and stomped over to the phone, snatching it up.

It wasn't Scotty.

*Camille, did you see the news? Check the pack forum. Now.*

I opened the forum app. The top post was pinned, glowing in bright red letters.

*Alpha Heir Scotty Montgomery Announces Engagement.*

I clicked on it.

There was a picture of Scotty, looking sharp in his suit from dinner. But the caption underneath made my blood run cold.

*Scotty Montgomery to wed Camille Gallagher. A union of power. But sources say the Alpha heir has already chosen a second mate to bear his pups.*

I stared at the screen, the words blurring together.

A second mate.

Before we were even married, he was already replacing me.