Rouge Tracker

I stood in the center of the Pack House courtyard, surrounded by every wolf in Silver Ridge. My heart pounded so hard I could barely hear the music playing in the background.

Tonight was supposed to be perfect.

Tonight, Kael would confirm our fated mate bond in front of everyone. Tonight, I would officially become the future Beta Female of our Pack.

"Aria." Kael's voice cut through my thoughts.

I looked up at him, searching his face for the warmth I used to see there. But his blue eyes were cold. Distant. Like I was a stranger.

"Kael?" My voice came out smaller than I wanted. "What's wrong?"

He stood on the raised platform where the Alpha usually made announcements. His father, Beta Marcus, stood beside him with a hard expression. Behind them, a human woman I'd never seen before watched me with a small smile.

She was beautiful. Blonde hair, designer dress, confidence that radiated power.

"I've made a decision," Kael said. His voice was formal. Official. "One that will benefit our entire Pack."

My wolf stirred inside me, uneasy. Something was very wrong.

"The Montgomery family controls the eastern territories," Kael continued, gesturing to the blonde woman. "Their political connections can give us access to human resources we've never had. Land. Money. Protection from Rogue attacks."

"I don't understand," I whispered.

But I did. Deep down, I already knew.

"This is Rebecca Montgomery," Kael said. "My chosen mate."

The world tilted.

"What?" The word barely made it past my lips.

Kael finally looked directly at me. "Aria, I reject you as my fated mate."

Pain exploded through my chest. The mate bond the invisible thread that had connected us since we turned eighteen snapped like a breaking bone. I gasped and doubled over, clutching my chest.

Around me, wolves gasped. Someone's mother started crying.

"Kael, no!" My best friend Maya pushed through the crowd. "You can't—"

"It's done," Beta Marcus said coldly. "The rejection is witnessed. Kael has chosen what's best for the Pack."

I couldn't breathe. Couldn't think. The pain was everywhere, burning through every nerve.

"Do you accept the rejection?" Kael asked. His tone was flat, like he was reading from a script.

I looked up at him through tears. "How could you?"

"Answer the question, Aria."

Three years. We'd been together three years. He'd told me he loved me. He'd promised we'd lead this Pack together. He'd held me when my mother died two years ago and sworn he'd never leave me.

All lies.

"Aria," Maya gripped my arm. "You have to accept it. The bond won't fully break until you do."

She was right. The pain would only get worse if I didn't complete the rejection. But saying the words felt like death.

"I..." I forced myself to stand straight. To look Kael in the eyes one last time. "I accept your rejection."

The bond shattered completely.

I screamed. Couldn't help it. The pain was too much. My wolf howled inside me, mourning what we'd lost.

When I opened my eyes again, Kael had already turned away. Rebecca wrapped her arm around his waist, claiming him. They walked into the Pack House together without looking back.

Just like that, I meant nothing.

"Come on." Maya helped me toward the exit. "Let's get you home."

"Wait." Alpha Donovan's voice stopped us.

The Alpha rarely spoke at these gatherings. He usually let his Beta handle things. But now he stood at the edge of the platform, his expression unreadable.

"Aria's Gamma candidate status is revoked," he announced. "She is no longer welcome in Pack leadership training."

My stomach dropped. "Alpha, please—"

"You were only there because of your connection to Kael," he continued. "Without that bond, you have no place in our future."

"That's not fair!" Maya shouted. "She's the best tracker we have! Her scores—"

"Are irrelevant." Alpha Donovan's eyes were hard. "This discussion is over."

Maya pulled me away before I could say something stupid. Before I could beg. Before I could show them exactly how much they'd destroyed me.

We made it outside before I collapsed.

"I've got you," Maya whispered, holding me while I sobbed. "I've got you."

But she didn't. Nobody did.

I'd lost everything in one night. My mate. My future. My place in the Pack.

And something told me this was only the beginning.

I didn't go home that night. Couldn't face my father and explain how completely I'd failed.

Instead, Maya took me to her apartment and let me cry on her couch until I couldn't cry anymore.

"He's an idiot," she said for the hundredth time, handing me tea. "A complete idiot."

"He chose power over me." My voice was rough from crying. "That's what I'm worth. Less than a political alliance."

"That's what he thinks you're worth," Maya corrected. "He's wrong."

I wanted to believe her. But the rejection bond still ached in my chest, a constant reminder that my fated mate hadn't wanted me.

My phone buzzed. A text from my father.

Come home. Now. Emergency.

My blood went cold.

"What is it?" Maya leaned over to read the message.

"I don't know." I stood up too fast, my head spinning. "But Dad never texts like this."

"I'm coming with you."

We ran to my father's house the small cabin on the edge of Pack territory where we'd lived since Mom died. All the lights were on. The front door was open.

"Dad?" I called out, stepping inside.

The living room was destroyed. Furniture overturned. Papers everywhere. And in the middle of it all stood three Pack Enforcers.

"Aria Thorne," the lead Enforcer said. "Where is your father?"

"What? I don't know. What's going on?"

He held up a document. An official Pack warrant.

"Your father is under arrest for bribing a Rogue wolf. The fine is five million dollars." He smiled, but it wasn't kind. "And since he's fled, that debt falls to you."

Five million dollars.

I couldn't even comprehend that much money.

"There has to be a mistake," I whispered. "My father would never—"

"He confessed before he ran." The Enforcer stepped closer. "You have seventy-two hours to pay. Otherwise, Pack law allows us to claim everything you own. Including you."

He left, taking his team with him.

I stood in my destroyed home, my

rejected bond still aching, and realized my nightmare was just beginning.