Chapter 1

Kate’s P.O.V.

“He’s here! Alpha Jace is back!”

The cry spread through the crowd like wildfire, cheers rising into the crisp afternoon air. Warriors returning from battle always drew attention, but today was different.

Today, Jace, my fiancé, was coming back to me!

A month ago, he promised to marry me after this battle. I still remembered the way his voice had softened that night, the rare warmth in his eyes as he chose me as his Luna.

I had held onto that promise through sleepless nights and whispered prayers, repeating his words like something sacred.

Finally… he was here.

The gates opened.

Warriors poured in, dust-covered and victorious, greeted by families rushing forward with laughter and relief.

My eyes searched through them, heart pounding, until I found Jace, standing tall and unshakeable.

Relief hit me so suddenly it made me lightheaded.

My feet moved before I could think, my heart aching with the urge to reach him, to bury myself in his arms, and forget the world.

But… Jace wasn’t looking at me.

His attention was fixed on the woman in his arms. She clung to his chest as he held her carefully, like she was a delicate flower.

The world tilted on its axis.

My heart stuttered, refusing to understand what my eyes were clearly seeing. A thousand excuses rushed through my mind—injury, rescue, responsibility—defending my love.

Clinging to that fragile hope, I called out.

“Jace!”

Even among the noise, he heard me.

His gaze lifted, meeting mine across the crowd.

For a brief moment, warmth flickered in his eyes, only to be replaced by distant coldness.

He turned away, greeting the pack elders as if I were nothing more than another face in the crowd.

I stood still as a stone, watching the scene like an outsider as the people followed the victorious army inside the pack, the celebrations lighting up the entire pack.

By the time the crowd dispersed, I found myself in Alpha's office, not remembering how I reached there.

That woman sat on the couch, wrapped in one of Jace’s cloaks, her pale fingers clutching the fabric tightly. Jace closed the door as he stepped inside.

“Kate, meet Jennifer.”

He pointed at her and began, his voice calculated and controlled like the same tone he used for ordinary pack members.

Never me!

“I know this isn’t how you expected things to go, but this is reality.”

His jaw tightened slightly as he continued.

“I found Jennifer in the rogue camp. She was held hostage, abused and starved.

And if we hadn’t arrived in time…”

He exhaled sharply.

“She wouldn’t have survived.”

My gaze shifted to Jennifer. She fit the story perfectly as she was injured, weak, and delicate. The one easy to protect.

I crossed my arms to stop them from trembling.

“It’s fine. We’ll help her recover and send her back to her pack.”

“No!”

Jason didn’t even hesitate.

“Jennifer won’t leave!”

I nodded slowly as that answer only strengthened my suspicion.

“But why?” A heavy weight settled in my chest. “Is she your…”

Jace finished my sentence.

“Mate!”

That single word landed like a blow.

Fate had perfect timing, arriving just when I had finally believed I was enough.

My fingers curled into my palms, nails biting into my skin, grounding me from shattering right in front of him.

Jace spoke sternly.

“Jennifer will stay here.”

He passed an order like the last two years of love were nothing more than a temporary adjustment.

I let out a small gasp, suddenly feeling hollow.

“How convenient!”

Jennifer shifted on the couch, whimpering as she wrapped the cloak more firmly. Jace’s attention snapped to her immediately.

“Are you alright, Jenny? I’ll take you to your room.”

That concern in his soft voice twisted a knife in my chest. He lifted her gently and left without another word.

And just like that, I was left alone, standing in the same room where everything had just ended.

Perhaps I was a fool, assuming that love could compete with fate!

Minutes later, Jace returned, his face etched with worry.

“An Alpha is strong with his fated Luna.”

He spoke seriously. “And Jennifer is my mate. Our bond strengthens the pack.”

Of course.

This wasn’t about us anymore.

It was about power.

“Jennifer is Alpha Graham’s daughter,” he reasoned, “he is a powerful Alpha. An alliance with his Star Wolf Pack will secure our borders.”

I stared at him, wondering how there wasn’t a speck of guilt on his face.

My voice came out steady despite the way my pulse hammered in my ears.

“So, you are afraid of angering an Alpha you never met, but not afraid of hurting your fiancé, who is standing right in front of you?”

A faint, bitter smile touched my lips.

“That’s efficient!”

His expressions hardened.

“Watch your tone, Kate!”

My eyes burned with tears, but I held his gaze.

“You proposed to me, Jace. We dated for two years, and still…”

“What we had was real,” he interrupted. “But this is reality. Mates are chosen by fate. You have always known that.”

I had!

I just thought, foolishly, that I might be an exception.

“If it helps,” he added, his tone lowering, “nothing has to change between us.”

That made me pause.

“I’m sorry?”

“You can still be mine, Kate.”

The room went very still.

“I trust you,” he continued, “I care about you. That doesn’t disappear just because I found my mate.”

I gawked at him, hoping absurdly that I had misunderstood him.

“You will stay by my side,” he clarified. “Just not… publicly.”

For a second, I thought I had misheard it.

“Let me make sure I understand it correctly.”

I said slowly. “You want me to step down from ‘wife’ to what exactly? A well- hidden convenience? A mistress?”

Jace snapped.

“It’s still an important position.”

Two years of love, and I was now promoted to a mistress?

Impressive career growth!

Jace’s gaze softened, but there wasn’t a hint of affection in it.

“You should feel honored, Kate. Most women can kill for the attention I am offering you.”

Then he stepped closer.

“Kate, I know you love me,” he said softly. “We can still be together. Even if you aren’t Luna, you will be the one I come to for comfort. The one I trust…”

Jace went on and on, but I couldn’t hear him anymore.

Something inside me went very still.

Not broken.

Just… done!

Jace reached out, his hand settling on my shoulder.

“You can still be mine, Kate. My secret woman!”

“Don’t!”

I stepped back immediately, nausea rising at his touch.

“Don’t touch me!”

His eyes darkened.

“You dare to reject me?”

“Don’t be surprised.” I spoke firmly. “You made your choice, Jace!”

“You belong to me, Kate,” he growled, stepping closer. “No one else in this pack would dare to take you. You are a wolf-less omega. Without me…”

“I am not yours, Jace.”

I gazed at him, at the man, who promised to spend his entire life with me.

“We are done here!”

Then I turned before he could respond, forcing my legs to move.

“You won’t get this offer again!”

He called after me.

“No one will give you what I can!”

Tears flooded my eyes. I almost smiled.

“Good!”

And for the very first time in two years… I walked away from him.