Chapter 1

I was a human orphan and an outsider among the pack, taken in out of kindness by Draco Pierce's parents.

Growing up, I trailed behind him like a little shadow. His devotion to me became a legend within the pack.

We grew up as inseparable childhood sweethearts. We met at eight years old and fell in love at sixteen. Then came the miracle.

On his 20th birthday, he shoved through the crowd like he had lost control and rushed straight toward me with bloodshot eyes. "It's you, Lea Bradshaw. You're my fated mate."

The look in his eyes that moment was so intense that he could have melted me alive. Just like that, I fell hopelessly in love with him.

From 16 to 22 years old, we loved each other passionately for six whole years. I never imagined hearing such vicious judgment coming from his lips, yet I couldn't find a single argument to defend myself because I was just human.

I couldn't run like a wolf, tear enemies apart for him, and might not even survive bearing him a strong pup.

I drifted back to my room like a ghost. My fingers were trembling as I pulled out a suitcase, only to realize that I had nothing to pack. Draco had given me everything I owned here.

Just then, the door was violently kicked open.

"Lea! What are you doing?" Draco was drenched in sweat, and his face was deathly pale.

His expression twisted into rage at the sight of the suitcase, and he yanked me into his arms.

I shoved him away hard. "I don't want to be your pet, Draco. I'm going back to Molzen."

"You heard me?"

His pupils flickered with panic before he pulled me tight into his arms and declared, "You're not going anywhere in this lifetime. You're my fated mate, so your soul belongs to me!"

"So, am I supposed to just be your pet? Am I supposed to watch you start a family with some she-wolf?"

He reached out and gently wiped my tears away. "I'm not mating anyone else but you."

His embrace used to be the sole comfort for my nightmares, but now, it felt like a trap tightening around me.

He rested his chin on my head and stroked my back in soothing circles. "Stop this, Lea. Those words were just a joke, and you know how I feel about you.

"You're my fated mate. The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes."

Tears welled up in my eyes. I couldn't deny that, aside from those cruel words today, Draco had always treated me well. A human like me earning respect within the wolf pack was only possible because he stood behind me.

In our daily life, he took meticulous care of me by making my breakfast, helping me dress, and even washing my most intimate garments himself. No one believed a top Alpha like him would go to such lengths for a woman, let alone a human woman, yet everything was truly happening to me.

I closed my eyes. Deep down, I knew that the only way to keep this love alive was to trust him. But as it turned out, lies that were once told would never stop at just one.

The next day, I arrived for work at the pack trading company as usual, only to be stopped outside the elevator by Nanette Chase, daughter of the pack's Beta, Liam Chase.

Dressed in a sharp power suit, she crossed her arms and looked me over.

"Well, if this isn't Draco's little pet. Don't you know how to greet me now? Do you think being his fated mate makes you royalty?"

My fingers clenched around my documents until my knuckles paled. "What happens between Draco and me is none of your concern."

Nanette covered her mouth as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world. Then, she leaned in close and whispered in a venomous voice, "It looks like he hasn't told you yet.

"Draco and I are having our marking ceremony in two weeks, and that is what you humans call a wedding."