All Chapters of Traded Once, Gone Forever: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

"I fold. Faith's yours tonight."In the back private room of Moonhowl Tavern, Aaron Willis set his glass down with a soft clink, a careless smile playing on his lips.Kevin Willis didn't answer right away.He leaned back on the couch, a silver lighter turning slowly between his fingers, his black shirt sleeves pushed up to his forearms.He was the eldest son, called back in a hurry by the pack's Alpha. The only reason he had returned was to marry the eldest daughter of the Silvermoon Pack and secure Redwood Pack's border alliance."You sure?" Kevin's voice was low and rough, like gravel grinding over frozen ground.Aaron gave a loose, reckless grin. "She's just a fiancée I haven't even bonded with yet. What's there to hesitate about? Besides, you've been watching her all night, haven't you?"The room burst into laughter.Someone leaned forward, smirking. "You serious, Aaron? You pursued Faith for three months before she finally gave in. Didn't you camp outside the herb garden f

Chapter 2

That night, I never opened my eyes.Even then, I knew the man holding me wasn't Aaron.Aaron would never have hands that were so restrained. He would never pause when I frowned, never ask if I was hurting. He only knew how to take and take, to treat my compliance like something he was owed.Kevin was different.He knew I had mistaken him, and he still let the whole thing happen.That made me hate him just as much.The next morning, I woke in bright sunlight.The room was empty, with nothing left but the creased sheets and that lingering scent of cold pine in the air.I stood by the floor-to-ceiling window and spotted Aaron in the courtyard below at a glance.He leaned against his car, smoking, his expression tight with irritation.I took a quick shower, then changed into Kevin's white shirt. It barely covered my thighs.I didn't bother hiding the bruises along my neck, collarbone, and waist. I left them exposed, stark against my skin.When Aaron pushed the door open, he saw

Chapter 3

I had the staff put together a full breakfast. I was halfway through eating when the roar of an engine rolled in from the courtyard.I set my fork down and walked to the door just as Kevin stepped out of the SUV.It wasn't actually that hard to tell the brothers apart.Kevin's shoulders were broader, his presence heavier.From behind, though, it was easy enough to make a mistake.I ran toward him, my steps deliberately unsteady, and threw myself straight into his arms."Aaron, what took you so long? Did you take care of my leave?"Kevin looked down at me. Something flickered through those ice-cold eyes.He didn't push me away. He didn't correct me, either.I wrapped my arms around his waist, my hands slipping into his pockets like I was searching for something. "Did you take my cufflink? You gave it to me. I really liked it. Why did you take it back?"The moment my hand brushed the pocket of his slacks, his large hand came down hard, pinning mine in place."What cufflink?"

Chapter 4

I almost gagged.Last night, Aaron had been kissing another she-wolf in the hallway. And now, he stood here, acting as if he cared.Still, I knew better than to push things too far. It wasn't the time yet.I followed Aaron back to the room.The door had barely shut before the warmth drained from his face."Take it off."I looked up at him, my eyes already glossing over."Why are you being so harsh?""Didn't you say you were hurt?" He crouched in front of me, fingers resting lightly on my knee, his tone turning almost gentle. "Let me see how bad it is."Every muscle in my body tightened.For the past year, everyone in the pack envied me for becoming Aaron's fiancée.Only I knew why I had agreed.He needed someone presentable and obedient. Someone without a powerful family backing her up.And I fit perfectly.I taught herbal studies at the pack school. My parents were nothing more than ordinary workers tending the herb fields. I had no influence, which meant no trouble.In

Chapter 5

From that day on, Kevin and I settled into a strangely uneasy kind of partnership.He would have people quietly drop off academy materials at my office. Sometimes, right as I got off work, he would just happen to be waiting outside the school to drive me back to the main house.It didn't take long for rumors to spread through the pack.Some said Kevin had his eye on his brother's fiancée. Others claimed the Alpha, Lance Willis, had always intended for Kevin to take over, and this was just his way of taking the most suitable Luna candidate from Aaron first.By the time those rumors reached Aaron, he was already buried in trouble.There had been a smuggling issue at the border involving silver dust. That territory was under his watch, and if anything went wrong, the council would question his capability.He was swamped, barely keeping up, but he still messaged me three times a day; asking where I was, what I was doing, and whether there were any other males around me.I played my

Chapter 6

The alliance banquet was set for the night of the full moon.That evening, people from Silvermoon Pack, the elders of Redwood Pack, and the leaders of every patrol unit would all be there.This was the final step in Kevin's and my plan.If we could force Lance to give in at the banquet, I would get my official clearance papers and leave for Northland Academy.Right before I headed out that evening, Aaron came back.He carried the chill of the outside air with him, eyes bloodshot from running all night.When he saw me standing by the mirror in my dress, he paused for a second, then walked over and wrapped an arm around my waist from behind."Faith, you've been good lately. Have you been waiting for me to come back?"I met his gaze in the mirror and smiled faintly. "Of course, I've been waiting. Waiting to see if tonight, you'll still treat me like your fiancée."His grip tightened instantly. "What's that supposed to mean?""Nothing."I pried his hand off and turned to face hi

Chapter 7

No one expected Kevin to be the first to speak."I agree to her terms."He stood beside me, his voice calm to the point of being cold."The engagement is over. I'll handle the transfer paperwork. From today on, no one is to claim they're Faith's fiancé or her protector."Aaron snapped his head toward him, eyes already red."Kevin, have you lost your mind? You think sending her away will make her grateful?"Kevin didn't respond. He only looked at Lance."Father, what you care about is the pack's reputation, isn't it? Handle this tonight, and people will say Redwood Pack knows how to correct its mistakes. If this blows up, no one will be able to contain it."Lance's expression stayed dark. It took him a long moment before he finally spoke."Fine. I agree. But remember this, Faith. The moment you step out of Redwood Pack, you have nothing to do with us anymore."I nodded. "That's exactly what I want."Aaron looked as if he had been pushed to the edge. He rushed forward and grab

Chapter 8

The day I left Redwood Pack, the sky was clear.I didn't ask anyone to see me off.But when the car pulled up to the border checkpoint, it still came to a stop.I looked up and saw Aaron and Kevin standing by the road. They looked like two different versions of the life I had been trapped in.The driver asked quietly if I wanted to turn around.I said no.Then I pushed the door open and stepped out.Aaron spoke first, his voice rough."I sorted all your research notes from school. And those snowleaf plants you liked, I had them transplanted with the soil into planters. They're in the trunk."He spoke faster, as if he were afraid I would cut him off."I'm not trying to keep you. I just…didn't want you to have a hard time adjusting up north."I looked at him, but didn't take anything.Kevin held out a black card and a set of authorization papers."I set up a research fund for medicinal plants in your name. The first deposit's already been made. It's not compensation nor a tr

Chapter 9

In my fourth year in Northland, I attended a medicinal plant forum hosted by the United Werewolf Herbalist Society.When I stepped out after the event, snow had just started to fall.I paused on the steps for a moment, about to flag down a cab, when someone called my name behind me."Faith."The voice was low and familiar.I turned and saw Kevin.He looked steadier than before. Colder, too. Fine snow dusted his black coat, but his shoulders seemed more relaxed than I remembered.He looked like a wolf that had finally learned to keep its claws sheathed."Something you need?" I asked.He didn't come closer, just stood where he was."I was passing through Northland. Thought I'd stop by your forum. By the way, congratulations on winning the annual research award."I gave a small nod. "Thanks."After a brief silence, he took a file from his briefcase."Redwood Pack wants to partner with Northland Academy to build a medicinal plant station. This is the proposal. I'm not here to

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