Hired to Test My Own Mate

Ever since I moved into this basement, my eczema had never gotten better.My fur had fallen out completely because of the rashes.I had become a laughingstock in the pack.To save money, I couldn't even bring myself to see a doctor.All I could do was buy some cheap ointment and make do.I suddenly remembered all those nights when the itching kept me awake.Alexander, lying right next to me, would click his tongue in irritation."Can't you just deal with it? I have work tomorrow. How am I supposed to sleep with you scratching like that?"But the thing was, I never used to have eczema.My old place had been clean and warm.I sold it to help pay off his debts and moved into this dark, damp basement.He had promised he would buy me a bigger, nicer house someday.But I was the only one who remembered those promises.I had never realized that eczema could hurt this much when it flared up.It hurt so badly that I finally broke down in tears....I didn't touch a single pack of the instant ra

Three years ago, I was kidnapped by one of Alexander's admirers.By the time he found me, his own head bloodied and bruised, I had been mauled until there wasn't an inch of unbroken skin left on me.He held me close, sobbing so hard it sounded like his heart was being ripped apart.He went after my attackers to avenge me and ended up locked away for two years.Before they took him, he gripped my hand and said,"Vicky, wait for me. When I get out, I'll be right by your side!"Those words kept me alive, even in the darkest moments when I hated myself, when I pressed a blade to my wrist more times than I could count.Every time, I would slap myself across the face to snap out of it.In my heart, Alexander had been the bravest warrior in the pack.But now I knew the truth.Every ounce of suffering I had endured was orchestrated by Alexander.While I was struggling to survive, he had been traveling the world with Savannah.I felt as though I had forgotten what heartbreak was supposed to fee

I woke to the sound of my phone ringing.My friend Rachel was frantic. "Vicky, someone is livestreaming and calling you a homewrecker!"On the stream, Savannah sat with red-rimmed eyes and a haggard face."I only wanted to test my mate's loyalty, but when she saw how rich and successful he was, she crawled into his bed!"Comments flooded the screen."Ugh! Disgusting!""She's a disgrace to the pack! Why haven't they banished her?!"I was shaking, trying to find the words to explain, when Alexander barged in and snatched the phone from my hand."Savannah's upset because I was taking care of you yesterday. She just needs to vent.""Don't take it personally."I stared at him in disbelief."Alexander, Savannah is the one who's the homewrecker!"I had been with Alexander for five years. He had only been with Savannah for four.But Alexander just sighed."Savannah is fragile and sensitive, like a child. She can't handle being called the other woman.""You're tough. You've been through worse.

Savannah had never seen Alexander like this.She stammered, "N-no. I didn't do anything."Alexander grabbed her phone, intending to call me.But when he typed in my number, a contact name popped up."Disgrace of the Pack."Alexander stared at her in shock."Savannah, what is this?"Savannah shrank back."W-well, she kept clinging to you.""I only changed her name because I was angry."Alexander hurled the phone to the ground."You're the one who's been clinging to me!""You're the other woman. What gives you the right to label her like that?!"He shouted as he dialed my number on his own phone.Straight to voicemail. Blocked.He snatched Savannah's phone back up off the floor and opened her messages. She lunged forward, trying to grab it back.He dodged her easily.Alexander stared at the message history on the screen."Savannah, who gave you permission to send her those things?"His voice was frigid.Savannah trembled harder.Her lips moved but no words came out."This is all your fau

Alexander waited outside my coffee shop every day.No matter how many times my staff tried to send him away, he wouldn't budge.I didn't bother with him.Until the day a downpour hit and he finally collapsed outside.When he woke up in the hospital and saw me by his bed, his eyes lit up.He sat up and reached for my hand."Vicky, I knew you still cared..."I pulled away."I covered your hospital bill."I pulled up my Venmo QR code and held out my phone."One thousand dollars."He froze.Then, fumbling, he scanned it and sent the money.The moment the transfer went through, I left without a backward glance.I ignored his hoarse calls behind me.Alexander checked out the next day.He was gaunt, noticeably thinner."Vicky, I finally understand how it felt when I abandoned you at the hospital."How did it feel?Numb, probably.But none of that mattered now.Alexander pulled a cashier's check from his pocket."Vicky, this is five hundred thousand dollars. Consider it a small compensation."