The Alpha’s Temporary Mark

After so many years by Alpha Kade's side, I thought the mating ceremony I'd longed for was finally within reach.

But when Chloe's mind-link crashed through my mental barriers like a lightning strike, I learned I was nothing more than a stand-in.

"Anya, the pack is buzzing! Can you believe my heartless brother actually found his fated mate and didn't tell a soul?"

The hand gripping my silver dagger trembled. The problem was, I was the subject of her gossip.

Her brother, Alpha Kade of the Black Moon Pack, and I had been secret mates for four years.

At first, I never told Chloe about our secret relationship.

It was partly because of our friendship, and partly because Kade and I had marked each other in secret right after he came of age and became the Alpha.

I just never imagined that as soon as he secured his position, he would publicly claim another she-wolf.

The thought forced a bitter smile to my lips. "Did he tell you himself?"

"Hell no." Chloe's mental voice crackled with excitement. "His precious mate just came back to the pack from the human world today. He threw this huge welcoming ceremony for her in the Elders' Hall..."

I cut her off. "Are you sure you didn't mishear?"

"No way. My brother plays the part of the stoic, unfeeling Alpha with everyone, but tonight he personally fought off a challenger from a rival pack for her, then gifted her a priceless moonstone necklace."

Chloe kept chattering on through our mind-link, but I couldn't hear a thing anymore.

My wolf howled restlessly within me, a wretched sound I couldn't suppress.

I even began to wonder if I was losing my mind.

I forced myself to calm down, trying my best to steady my trembling thoughts as I asked with feigned indifference, "How long has their mate bond been established?"

"That, I don't know. But from what I can see, he's pretty obsessed with her."

"You know, I seriously never thought my brother had it in him to be so devoted."

"He's been after her since he was a teenager. He was even willing to give up his claim to the Alpha position for her. And guess what happened?"

"The little beauty was in love with someone else, a half-breed, and followed him into the human world. Kade's wolf went absolutely feral for a long time after that."

"Later, the she-wolf was attacked by hunters in the human world. The moment he heard, he went after her that same night. The whole thing nearly sent the entire North American werewolf community into a panic..."

"I only heard all of this from our mother later on. I was always so curious about who this girl was."

"To have Kade obsessed with her for so many years... and when I finally saw her for myself today, you'll never guess what I realized."

After a beat of silence, I barely managed to force the words out. "What?"

"She looks just like you! It's the eyes, especially."

Every word was a silver blade stabbing into my soul, making my wolf howl in agony.

A terrible suspicion began to take root in my heart.

I felt the blood in my veins turn to ice, a chilling cold seeping into my bones.

I remembered the day Kade took his place as Alpha. He had gotten blackout drunk at the pack's full moon celebration.

Chloe was out patrolling the border and asked me to pick him up.

I finally managed to get him back to the Alpha's residence, only to have my lips captured by his the moment we stepped through the door.

His body was like a furnace, his movements possessive and rough, leaving me no room to escape.

The unique scent of a young Alpha, a mix of cedar and whiskey, completely enveloped me.

That dangerous, masculine scent clouded my mind, and my wolf clawed for control.

But my fumbling response earned a low, rumbling laugh from him. "First time, little wolf?"

I snapped back to my senses and shoved him away. "Kade, sober up. Look at me."

Kade didn't seem to care. He closed the distance with a wicked smirk, his heated body pressing against mine. "I'm perfectly sober, little warrior. And your wolf is crying out for me."

That was it.

Whether as a pack warrior or as his sister's best friend, I had thought my love for him was perfectly hidden, that no one could see it.

But Kade's tone was utterly certain.

He had seen right through me. I lowered my gaze, ashamed and indignant. "No, she's not..."

"Don't be so quick to deny it, little wolf..."

Kade casually tipped my chin up. The moment our eyes met, I saw the young Alpha's gaze, as bright as the stars on a moonlit night.

"Don't you know? Your pretty eyes never lie."

"I'm giving you one last chance. You can push me away..."

The smell of alcohol assaulted what little reason I had left.

Strangely, my once-frantic heart suddenly grew still.

I boldly met the young Alpha's gaze and pressed my own lips to his.

Kade held the back of my neck, leaving no room for refusal, and leaned in to kiss me deeply.

I gradually lost myself in that possessive kiss, my wolfish instincts surrendering completely.

That was the night we marked each other.

Kade was a tireless beast, claiming me through a night of wild abandon.

At the peak of our passion, he leaned down and kissed my eyes, his voice low. "Good girl, open your eyes and look at me. Your eyes... are so..."

I didn't hear the rest. In the haze of the moment, I just assumed he was going to say they were beautiful.

Now I understood.

That night, he hadn't said "so beautiful." He had said, "so much like hers."

He had drunk himself into a stupor because the woman he idealized, the love of his life, had left the pack for a human.

Our entire night together was nothing but a drunken impulse.

Even his obsessive need to gaze into my eyes while we made love... it was all because he was seeing her.

The tears I had been holding back finally broke free.

I desperately tried to stifle my sobs and cut the mental link.