The Wilderness Deception
While on a trip, I caught my Alpha fiancé cheating on me with my adoptive sister, Selena.
Once they realized I saw them, they ruthlessly abandoned me in that forbidden forest and let Selena return to take my place.
For ten days, I was missing. No search party came, and my communication crystal remained silent.
Then, while trying to escape a savage bear, I fell down a rocky slope and was left broken, bleeding, and alone.
Just as I was on the brink of death and unable to heal, Ryker appeared and saved me.
He was wild and imposing, yet lethally gentle. During our days and nights together in the wilderness, it took only a few hoarse whispers to tear down my defenses.
I grew absurdly attached to him, believing he was my only salvation in this desolate place.
Until one night, I found him contacting the outside world on a high-grade crystal.
On the other end was Selena. "Why haven't you finished her off yet? As long as she never comes back, Alaric will be all mine."
And my devoted savior replied in that same doting tone, "As long as it makes you happy, I'd spend a lifetime keeping up this charade with her in the wilderness."
It was then I understood.
What I believed to be a gift from the Goddess was nothing more than another death trap, meticulously woven to ensure Selena got her way.
When my heat arrived, on the night of our supposed marking, I threw myself into the roaring river of death that marked the border.
I would rather be torn to shreds by the current than look at that despicable "mate" for another second.