My Alpha's Prank Made Me His Uncle's Mate

On the eve of our bonding ceremony, my mate, Blake Sterling, the future Alpha of the Sterling pack, secretly tampers with the public declaration going out to the North Aforian Werewolf Alliance. He swaps out his own name for his uncle's—Harrison Sterling. A friend from the pack questions in a low voice, "Are you out of your mind? Every pack leader in North Aforia is going to think Stella is marrying Harrison! "What if she decides to go through with it? You've already kept her waiting for seven years. Do you honestly think her wolf is going to put up with this?" Blake lets out a dismissive laugh. The scent of his pine-scented pheromones fills the air, his arrogance evident as he says, "I lost a bet to Sophia and promised her I'd do something crazy. Besides, it's just a declaration letter. It's not like I canceled the ceremony. "Knowing Stella, she'll blow a fuse the second she sees that letter. Then when she comes storming over to make a scene, I'll just pretend to be the bigger person and say, 'Fine. I'll send out a new one.' Easy." His friend looks like he wants to say something, but decides against it. He only shakes his head and looks away. He's probably thinking, "This arrogant idiot has no idea what he's destroying." The completely oblivious Blake casually twirls a pen in his hand, remarking, "Uncle Harrison's wolf died from a silver bullet years ago. He'd never acknowledge the arrangement. "When Stella eventually comes to me in tears, I'll use that chance to make her completely devoted to me." His flippant remark draws a chorus of laughter from the young werewolves around him. As I stand outside the study, listening to their conversation for what feels like forever, my heart grows colder with every passing moment. I then walk away, dumping the hangover cure and the cup of black coffee meant to help him through his rut straight into the sink without a second thought. Later, when the letter arrives, my mom comes rushing over in panic, looking absolutely horrified. I simply smile, take the letter with the name "Harrison Sterling" on it, and stare at it for a long while. I say softly, "It's fine, Mom. Send this declaration out to the entire North Aforian Werewolf Alliance exactly as it is."