Chapter 2

We had to leave for the Pack House before dawn for the Family Acknowledgment Ceremony. In the Blackridge Pack, this is where the new generation is officially presented to the Alpha and Luna. The Luna places a silver Hale family crest around the neck of each new mate, officially grafting them into the bloodline.

I had just sat down in the car when the other door swung open. Caleb slid in, his hair a mess of unstyled waves.

"So, what’s the 'show'?"

"You’re punctual," I noted. "I like that."

Caleb’s lips twitched as if fighting a smile, but he quickly turned to stare out the window. "Don't get used to it. I’m still not into you."

He made a point of sitting as far from me as possible. I stayed silent, letting the tension simmer until he couldn't take it anymore.

"Fine... you actually wanted Damon, didn't you?" he muttered, his jaw tight. "He’s the golden boy, the next Alpha in line. Even Sophia tells me I should kiss his ass more."

"Don't compare yourself to him," I said smoothly. "You’re ten times the man he is."

Caleb looked at me, stunned. "You serious?"

I just smiled and didn't answer. When we arrived, I took the tribute gifts from the driver—customary offerings for the reigning Alpha couple. Caleb’s attitude shifted instantly; he stepped closer, helping me carry the boxes.

Inside the Pack House, the air was thick with static.

Lacey was putting on a bigger performance than in our last life. She had even called our parents, Mr. and Mrs. Vance, to the scene. I felt a cold wave of satisfaction. In the last timeline, Caleb merely neglected her and she lost it. Now that she’s married to a monster like Damon, there was no way her temper would hold.

As we walked in, Lacey was pointing a shaking finger at Damon, looking half-crazed.

"He wants my territory shares! When I refused, he locked me in a Rogue Holding Cell all night! He’s not an Alpha, he’s a sociopath!"

Tradition dictated that the Hales give each new mate a 3% stake in the pack’s holdings as a bonding gift. In return, the Vance family provided an equal share to the brothers. Damon wanted it all.

Caleb leaned in, whispering, "Is she for real?"

I nodded slightly. Oh, it was real. In my last life, Damon tried to sweet-talk me into handing over my shares the second we were alone. When I refused, he threw me in that same cell. I only got out by threatening to sign my shares back over to my father.

Lacey, however, didn't have my restraint. She just screamed until she was blue in the face.

Compared to her hysterics, Damon looked the picture of the wronged, patient husband.

"Dad, Mom... I didn't want to say anything," Damon sighed, looking at our parents. "But Lacey has been trying to seize the Hale family assets since last night. When I told her it wasn't the time, she threatened to humiliate me. I thought it was just the stress talking, but this..."

Mr. Vance turned on Lacey, his face purple. "Lacey, have you lost your mind? I’m not dead yet!"

"I didn't! He’s lying!"

Lacey was greedy, but she was also stupid. Now, with no one believing her, she looked like she was unraveling. I knew she had thought about taking the shares, but she lacked the finesse. Damon was the real threat. He was the current Luna’s son from a previous marriage—an outsider in the Hale house who hid a deep, dark resentment behind his designer glasses. He felt he was owed everything.

"I want to break the bond!" Lacey shrieked.

Mr. Vance slapped her. "Shut your mouth! You know the rules!"

In our world, you get everything—except a choice. There is no divorce, only widowhood.

Lacey knew the rules, but her desperation was showing. This life was already turning out to be worse than the last one. Suddenly, her eyes locked onto Caleb and me.

"Swap us! I want Caleb! Let Tessa have Damon!"

The room went dead silent.

"They didn't even complete the mating last night!" Lacey screamed, pointing at Caleb. "According to the Old Laws, if the bond isn't consummated, the union is void! Caleb wasn't even in his room last night!"

The elders looked at Caleb, eyebrows raised. Caleb squared his shoulders, his voice steady.

"I was in my suite with my mate all night."

"Liar! Tessa, tell them the truth!"

I gave a small, pitying smile. "Caleb stayed with me the entire night. He never left my side. You can check the staff logs, the scent monitors, or the security cameras outside our suite."

Lacey looked like she’d been struck. "How... why are you even here with her? You weren't supposed to show up for the Acknowledgment!"

Caleb took my hand, lacing his fingers through mine. "That's a strange thing to say. Tessa is my chosen mate. Being here with her is my duty."

"Duty? Since when do you care about duty?" Lacey laughed manically, her eyes burning with hate. "Tessa, you bitch. You really played me."

I reached into my bag and pulled out a document. "Lacey, you’re the one who made us sign this agreement before the ceremony. We agreed: no regrets, no swaps. Now, please, just go home with Damon."

Mr. Vance barked, "Lacey, apologize to Damon and get in the car. Now!"

Damon took Lacey’s hand, the light glinting off his glasses. "Mate. Let's go home."

Lacey’s pupils dilated in terror. "No! I want Caleb! I won't go back with him!"

"Not a chance," Caleb muttered, pulling me away before she could grab him. Once we were safely in the car, he let out a breath. "Your sister is insane. Who suggests a mate-swap in front of the Council? I wouldn't take her if she were the last wolf on earth."

He glanced at me curiously. "How did you know there would be a 'show' today?"

"Lacey was spoiled," I said simply. "She used to shift and pin me down whenever she didn't get her way. A man like Damon was never going to put up with that."

Caleb’s expression softened into something like pity. "I didn't realize it was that bad for you."

I looked down at our joined hands and slowly pulled mine away.

Caleb rolled his eyes. "Don't get the wrong idea. I was just acting back there. I still don't have feelings for you."

"I know," I said quickly. "I just didn't want Sophia to be upset if she heard about it."

Caleb’s face darkened. "What is that supposed to mean? Sophia is kind and innocent. She doesn't have spies in the Pack House."

As if on cue, his phone buzzed. It was Sophia.

"Caleb! Was her hand nice to hold? Are you the 'Model Alpha' now, putting on a show at the Pack House?"

Caleb paled. "How did you know about that?"

"It doesn't matter! Did you hold her hand or not? You're a two-faced bastard! I'm done with you!"

She slammed the phone down. Caleb looked mortified. "I... I’m sorry I snapped at you. I didn't think..."

"It’s okay," I said softly.

The guilt on his face deepened. "I’ll find out who told her."

I dropped a subtle hint. "You might want to check who Sophia has been talking to lately."

Caleb went quiet, thinking. "I think I know who it is."

Within the hour, the Omega maid who had been feeding Sophia information was packed and gone.