Gift-Wrapped My Mate for Her

I knew I'd been reborn the second I stood in the front hall and saw my Alpha mate, Caden Fellhart, stroll in—with Lilith Morvain at his side."Brielle, this is Lilith Morvain," he said, all casual. "Childhood friend. Just got back from Fangridge Pack. Her parents are gone, and she's carrying a pup. She's a single mom."She's living with us now. Take care of her."Lilith gave me this careful look. "Hey, Brielle. Hope we can get along..."My eyes dropped to the Moonstone necklace on her neck.Caden dropped a fortune at last week's auction for that Moonstone. Said it was a birthday gift for me. Custom-made.Now it was hanging from her neck.In my last life, seeing that necklace—my necklace—around Lilith's neck kept me up all night. I thought she was here to steal Caden's heart.Next morning, I handed her some cash and told her to leave. Said she should rest somewhere else while carrying her pup.Didn't expect her to get hit by a car the same day. She lost the pup... and the crash

The Fellhart mansion blazed with lights the night of the birthday banquet.Everything I set up for Lilith—from the roses to the imported wine—screamed elegance.Guests kept rolling in, wide-eyed and gushing. Couldn't wrap their heads around me going all out for a stray she-wolf crashing with us, let alone calling her my pack sister.I smiled like I didn't notice the whispers and nudged Caden."Let Lilith lead the first dance. Tonight's hers."When gifts rolled out, Caden dropped a bomb—an entire rose garden.Not just any patch of flowers. The biggest in Moonhowl Pack. The one that made the Fellhart name golden.After that, everyone looked at Lilith like she wasn't some random she-wolf anymore. Caden didn't see her as just a guest—or even just a sister.I didn't say a word. Just handed her the box."Happy birthday."Inside was a thin, high-end bracelet I'd fought for at auction. Pricey, polished—nothing wild, but safe.Or so I thought.The second she popped the lid, a snake

A mate bond severance certificate.Caden's hands shook as he stared at it, heart slamming against denial.The bold red seal from the city hall blazed across the page.The date? Same day he brought Lilith home.Darkness closed in at the edges of his sight.Jaw tight, voice low and dangerous, he growled, "Brielle Brightfall, is this a joke... or payback?"Caden stormed upstairs and threw open the bedroom door—then froze.Brielle was gone.Her vanity? Stripped clean. Half the walk-in closet—empty. Not even a hairpin left in the bathroom.He blinked, hoping he was seeing things. Checked again. And again.Nope.She really ended the mate bond.And walked out of his life.Caden scrambled to remember signing the papers.He hadn't. So how the hell did she get it approved?Panic clawed at his chest.With shaking hands, he grabbed his phone and called.Blocked.No matter how many times he hit redial, it wouldn't go through.Behind him, Lilith watched it all unfold, silent.A s

Lilith froze, hand over her cheek, eyes locked on Caden.What the hell?He'd always been the sweet one—soft-spoken, gentle. Now he was looking at her like she was some rogue.Then it clicked.Her stomach dropped.He knew.Caden whipped out the surveillance footage like it was a damn weapon."You set up Brielle?" Caden's voice was pure rage. "You hid a venomous snake in that gift box, pinned it on her, got her bitten. You're bold, Lilith. Real bold."He snapped. One second calm, the next his hand was around her throat.Lilith clawed at him, face flushing red.He didn't let go until she went limp, skin turning a scary shade of purple. Then he tossed her onto the couch like she was nothing.She crumpled, silent for a beat—then the coughing hit, rough and raw, like her lungs were tearing apart.Eyes wide with panic, she dragged herself to his feet, shaking."Caden, I messed up, okay? I'm sorry! We grew up together—and I'm carrying your pup—please, don't do this!"Caden stared

Ron and I drifted through one stunning place after another. He was a surprisingly solid guide, and with him, everything felt easier—lighter.We were heading to another destination when I spotted someone outside the airport—lone figure, ragged aura.The second he saw me, his eyes flared red."Brielle... I've searched so long for you. I finally found you."His voice was wrecked, dry, heavy with exhaustion.I froze. Took me a sec to place him."Caden? What the hell are you doing here?"Seriously—how'd he even find me? I'd been bouncing from town to town, never staying long enough for a scent trail."Brielle... Brielle!"He kept shouting like a broken record, red-eyed and wrecked, but I kept moving, suitcase dragging behind me.Then—bam—he caught up, yanked my hand, and crushed me into a hug."Brielle, how could you be this cruel? You ghosted me. Vanished. When the mate bond snapped—I lost it. I was wrecked."His voice cracked. Arms locked around me like he thought he could glu