Hired to Test My Own Mate

I stumbled home in a daze.

The whole way back, I kept scrolling through Alexander's social media.

I couldn't find the post from that resort trip.

The only thing on his feed was the old announcement of us becoming mates.

He had blocked me from seeing the rest.

And that mating announcement was nowhere to be found on Savannah's phone either.

He had deliberately hidden his posts from me, walling me off from his world.

When I opened the door, Alexander was packing a suitcase.

He faltered for a second when he saw me, then walked over and pulled me into a gentle hug.

"Vicky, I have to go on a business trip for a few days. Take care of yourself while I'm gone. You're not much of a cook, so I stocked up on your favorite instant ramen..."

I didn't actually like instant ramen.

They were just cheaper.

And I knew he wasn't going on any business trip.

Tomorrow, he was going to propose to Savannah, and he needed to set up the venue.

But tomorrow was my birthday.

I watched him as he carefully listed off things for me to remember, and I couldn't stop myself.

"Alexander, tomorrow's my birthday. Take me on a trip, will you?"

He frowned at me like he was looking at a child who didn't know any better.

"Vicky, didn't we agree? Our priority is saving up five hundred thousand dollars so we can have our mating ceremony."

"Traveling is too expensive. We'll go some other time."

He picked up a travel magazine from the table.

"Vicky, looking at the magazine is just as good."

My heart clenched like a fist was squeezing it.

He had taken Savannah on dates to the hottest spots in pack territory, even buying express passes so she wouldn't have to wait in line.

For me, all I got was a travel magazine.

I stared at him, my voice turning pleading.

"What if I insist?"

The tenderness on Alexander's face crumbled.

"Vicky, can you stop being so selfish?"

"I'm working myself to the bone so we can hold our mating ceremony sooner. Weren't you the one who said you wanted to be my mate?!"

The hope inside me shattered.

My claws nearly burst through, threatening to shift.

Alexander, have you forgotten?

On our fourth anniversary, you were the one who handed me that card.

Back then, he told me,

"Vicky, I swear on the honor of our pack."

"Once I save five hundred thousand dollars, I'll make you my mate!"

Now, I was the only one who remembered any of it.

He let go of my hand and said coldly,

"Vicky, if you still want to be my mate, then grow up. I'm doing this for our future!"

With that, he turned and walked out, slamming the door behind him.

I was left alone in the dark, damp basement.

The eczema on my skin started itching again.