Mated to My Brother's Best Friend

"Aria's coming back to the pack? How did I not know about this?"Garrett's eyes went wide, and I could see the joy spreading across his face."She just decided recently. Didn't you give her that moonstone pendant blessed by the Moon Goddess last month?"From their conversation, I learned so many things I'd never known.After bringing me wildflowers, he would send Aria expensive gifts.He reported his daily activities to her religiously.He gave her special presents on every anniversary.During our three years together, Aria had received his attention on every important occasion.For all of my important days, he was completely absent."Sage, I'm sorry," Garrett said. "This is all for our future."Everyone knew he had a mate.But because of Garrett's deliberate secrecy, no one knew it was supposed to be me.Only now did I understand.Garrett had given all his open affection to Aria.I remembered all the times Marcus had complained about Garrett to me.He'd been frustrated that Garrett ke

"Is Garrett planning to hold a mating ceremony with Aria?"My sharp eyes caught the formal wording on one of the photos Marcus was showing me. The elaborate script read "Sacred Bonding Under the Moon Goddess" with their names intertwined.The clear details made me feel even more like a fool.Marcus nodded enthusiastically, completely missing my stricken expression. "Yeah, they've known each other for years. Apparently it's going to be the grandest ceremony our territory has ever seen."He swiped to another photo showing elaborate floral arrangements and ceremonial altars."Look at this setup. Garrett must have spent months planning this."My stomach twisted as I recognized some of the flowers. White moonbells - the same ones Garrett used to bring me, claiming they were "just something pretty I found."Now I knew where he'd gotten the idea.From my brother's enthusiastic stories, I heard about a completely different version of Garrett.Marcus leaned back in his chair, shaking his head i

"You wrote me love letters when you were just a teenage pup."Garrett's voice was cold as he began his methodical destruction of my dignity."Remember that? Little Sage, barely fourteen, slipping handwritten notes under my door."My face burned with humiliation as he continued."When I was heartbroken in my twenties, you came running to comfort me."He stepped closer, his presence looming over me."You brought me soup. You sat with me for hours while I talked about her. You even offered to do my patrol shifts so I could rest."The way he said 'her' made it clear he'd been talking about Aria even then."Every birthday, every important day, you'd scrape together your allowance to buy me gifts."His laugh was bitter and mocking."Those little trinkets you saved up for months to afford. The hand-knitted scarf. The wooden wolf carving you commissioned from the pack artisan."Each memory he threw at me felt like a physical blow.I'd treasured every one of those moments."And now you show up

She paused, letting her gaze linger on my casual outfit."Why don't Garrett and I treat you both? You left so quickly yesterday, we didn't get to properly host you."Her words were polite, but the undercurrents were something only we understood.She was marking her territory.Showing that she was the one with the power to extend invitations.The one with the generous, mated Alpha beside her."No need."Both Garrett and I spoke at the same time.The simple synchronization was like a physical blow to the table's atmosphere.Aria's expression shifted immediately, her smile freezing in place.A flash of something dangerous crossed her features before she masked it.Marcus caught the strange tension and declined as well."That's not necessary. You just had your mating ceremony - we don't want to intrude on your time together."He gestured between Aria and Garrett."Besides, my sister is leaving soon to train with other packs. We might not see each other for years..."Before Marcus could fin

"Marcus, I'm sorry."I looked at my brother's furious face and carefully apologized.He looked at me, then did something rare - he pulled me into his arms."I'm sorry, Sage. I had no idea you suffered so much because of that bastard Garrett. I should have figured it out sooner."My brother's words broke down my last defenses, and I couldn't stop crying."I'm sorry, Marcus. I was the one who pursued him, but I truly didn't know he was with Aria..."Garrett and Aria had hidden their relationship from many people.I wasn't the only one deceived - Marcus was too.That's why he understood just how badly I'd been betrayed."I know. Mom raised you well, Sage. You're not the kind of person who would interfere in someone else's relationship."That night, my relationship with Marcus grew closer than it had been in years.But the bad news started pouring in after yesterday's disaster."Anna, why was my application to study with other packs rejected?"I stared at the returned paperwork, disbelief