Chapter 1

Leora's POV

My nightmare started six months ago, the day Kyle Vera rescued Ilona Hale from a Rogue gone feral.

Her memory came back scrambled. She was convinced I was the other she-wolf who'd torn her and Kyle apart. So every time she saw me, she'd point in my face and scream at me.

Whenever Ilona decided she was Kyle's real mate, I had to give up the master bedroom so he could stay and settle her down for the night.

That wasn't all. Whenever her episodes hit, my own son turned into her son too. For three straight months, I could only sneak in to see Owen after she'd fallen asleep.

I finally reached my limit and told Kyle to get her into a proper treatment facility. He just came back with the same excuse he always used.

"Leora, sweetheart. My succession ceremony for Alpha of the Silver Vein Pack is coming up soon. Nothing can go wrong right now. If she starts spreading rumors to the rest of the pack, it'll turn into a family scandal and wreck my ceremony."

So I gave in and let Ilona stay in our house until she was better.

And now, my own son had just asked me publicly whether I was the other she-wolf.

I never was.

Kyle and Ilona had known each other since childhood. By the time I ever met him, their families had already arranged a match between them.

I'd had feelings for Kyle for years, but I never once tried to come between him and Ilona. I just kept those feelings quietly to myself and wished them well.

But nobody expected what happened the day of their Marking Ceremony.

Ilona ran off.

She left behind nothing but a letter saying she'd found her fated mate and was leaving to chase real happiness.

The heir to the Silver Vein Pack's Alpha seat, publicly dumped by his own intended right at the ceremony. He became a laughingstock overnight.

Kyle stood on that stage in total silence for a long moment before he finally spoke, his face blank.

"Who's willing to become the next Luna of the Silver Vein Pack?"

The whole crowd broke into murmurs. Plenty of she-wolves looked ready to jump at the chance, but I was the only one who actually stepped forward.

I walked up onto that stage and took the hand Kyle held out to me.

After we bonded, he was always polite and gentle, but he kept me at arm's length.

Three months into our mate bond, we went to the Silver Vein Pack's Full Moon Ceremony together, and a rival pack ambushed us out of nowhere. Their leader charged straight at him.

I threw myself in front of him without a second thought.

I was hurt badly. It took half a month of treatment before I even regained consciousness.

The day I woke up, Kyle stroked my hair and asked me, "Why would you do that?"

I smiled at him. "Because I love you. I have for a long time."

Because I loved him, I'd have given my life to protect him.

Kyle stayed by my bedside that whole night and didn't sleep a wink.

The next morning, he kissed me gently and pulled me close, his voice warm. "Leora, let's build a real family together."

From then on, Kyle actually started treating me like a real mate.

He answered every message I sent him. He got me gifts for every holiday and anniversary, and he spent them with me. He took me to parties and events, and he introduced me to everyone as his mate without a second thought.

Not long after, our son was born. Kyle named him Owen Vera.

Then, six months ago, he got a phone call from Ilona.

"Kyle... I'm dying. Please save me!"

Ilona had sobbed out her whole story to him.

She'd run off with that other wolf all those years ago to live in his pack, only to end up being used as his meal ticket.

Her wolf spirit had been damaged, her mind had unraveled, and in the end he'd cast her out of the pack without a second thought.

While she was wandering, homeless, a Rogue gone feral had zeroed in on her. She'd waited for a moment when he wasn't looking and called Kyle for help.

The second Kyle got that call, he rushed off to bring Ilona back. That day happened to be the sixth anniversary of our bond. He seemed to have forgotten it completely.

Before he left, he took my hand. "Don't worry, Leora. She's just a friend who needs looking after right now."

Back then, I still believed he was just an unusually responsible wolf.

Now, my own son was practically turning into hers.

"You filthy little tramp! You homewrecker!"

A sharp voice cut through my thoughts and yanked me back to the present.

I looked up to find Ilona had already made her way onto the stage. She was wearing a gown that matched Kyle's colors, pointing at me and screaming insults with pure venom.

"You don't deserve to be at Kyle's succession ceremony. Get out!"

Behind her stood my own son, Owen, looking at me with nothing but disgust and contempt.

"You're a bad she-wolf! I don't want a homewrecker as my mom!"

Half-eaten food and cups full of drinks started flying at me from the crowd.

I took a step back and looked at Kyle.

He only flatly said, "Please escort Ms. Thorne off the premises."

As I walked out through a storm of jeers and curses, I saw Kyle wrap his arm around Ilona's shoulders and pull her gently into his chest.

It was as if the two of them were the real couple, and I was just the extra piece.

The homewrecker no one needed.

The doors of the ceremony hall slowly swung shut behind me. I closed my eyes and forced the tears back down.

Six years of a beautiful dream, and it was finally time to wake up.

I lowered my head and sent a message to the assistant who managed my affairs.

"Draft me the papers to sever the mate bond. And make a note. I don't want custody of my son."