The Roughest Draft

"You need to stop looking at me when we are in public, Connor." "I cannot do that, Megan, because my job is to make everyone in this room believe I am obsessed with you." "You are touching me too much." "I am barely touching you, but if you want me to pull you closer and show them what we do behind closed doors, you only have to ask." I spent my college career hiding behind oversized clothing while keeping a pathetic crush on Caleb Mercer. I thought he cared about me, but I was entirely wrong. I overheard him bragging to his friends about how he planned to secretly record us in his bedroom and use the video to blackmail me. I refused to be a victim anymore. I bought a completely new wardrobe, threw away my glasses, and walked back onto campus ready to confront him. Before Caleb could bully me again, Connor Blake intervened. Connor is the intimidating captain of the ice hockey team and Caleb's biggest rival. He kissed me in front of everyone and claimed I was his girlfriend. Connor needs a fake relationship to silence the rumors threatening his professional draft prospects. I need his protection to stop the relentless harassment. The rules we established were simple, but we are already breaking them. He is supposed to be faking his possessive behavior, but his hands linger far too long on my waist. I am supposed to be using him for safety, but I am developing real feelings for the man protecting me.

Because of an accident during the hunt, I lose the chance to be "awakened". My wolf becomes badly damaged, and I'm forced to take the "inhibitor" injection to stay alive. I lose my strongest backing—my dad, the Alpha of the Argent Flame pack. After my dad's passing, his close friend, Ryder Wright, takes me to the Glace pack. As the Alpha and leader of the pack council, he can protect me. Meanwhile, my most trusted best friend steals the original draft I wrote when I was younger. The story goes viral among humans, and she becomes the most popular "werewolf literature" author. There's a charming Alpha in the story. He's her crush. Now, the three candidates of my marriage of convenience have been following her around, arguing about the real identity of her crush in the story. When I'm being mentioned, they seem irritated, and their tone is full of contempt. "How could she still think of marrying us when her wolf can never be awakened?" "Princess of the Argent Flame pack? Hah! She's nothing but a loser now!" "Why don't we try triggering her again? Maybe she'll go completely crazy if she loses control of her wolf." "Haha! Then none of us needs to marry her." I stand at the door, and the wolf hidden in me for years is awakening. They have no idea that the inhibitor has lost its effects, and my awakening is secretly happening. I've never loved any of them. They are merely pawns for me to pick. My phone rings, and it's a call from Ryder. "Aria, have you decided? Among the three candidates, who are you going to choose?" "Alpha Ryder, do I only have three choices?"