Bound to the Savage Alpha

Chanel’s POV

She wasn't supposed to feel safe in his arms.

Not after everything she’d endured. Not when his reputation whispered of bloodshed and cruelty.

And yet, here she was—curled against Alpha Kios’s chest, listening to the steady beat of a heart everyone said he didn’t have.

“I’m not him, Chanel,” Alpha Kios murmured as he was about to mark her. “I won’t hurt you... even if it kills me to let you go.”

But before she could respond, the scent of pine and regret hit her like a storm.

Daniel.

The mate who once chose another. The mate who now burned with the need to claim her back.

Only this time, Chanel wasn’t the same girl who’d begged to be chosen.

This time, she had power.

This time, they’d have to fight for her.

——

Even though I could see Daniel from where I stood hidden, I decided to mindlink him, testing if he'd sense my presence first.

“Hi, babe. Where are you?” I asked, giggling.

He tensed. But before he could respond, a blonde woman rushed toward him, throwing herself into his arms. He caught her effortlessly, and then she pressed her lips to his.

I froze. My fingers curled at my sides, but there was no anger coming, only a strange, hollow blankness, as if my mind was refusing to process what my eyes had just witnessed.

It wasn’t until he pulled back that I recognized the woman. It was Miranda, the alpha's daughter from a new allied pack.

"I'm at Gary’s event," he replied through the link. ‘You should sleep, Chanel. This is a business event. It’s for our pack.’

A sharp, bitter laugh almost escaped me. He had no idea I was here, watching him betray me in real time.

The past five years flashed in my mind like cruel reminders. Five years of stolen moments. Five years of secrets, of whispered promises under the moonlight.

"Can we be together?" I had asked him weeks ago as I lay in his arms, my fingers tracing over his chest. " I don’t want to keep waiting."

He had kissed my forehead, saying. "We have to wait a little longer, Chanel. I promise I’ll never leave you. No one will ever replace you."

The sound of Alpha Gary's voice snapped me out of my reverie. He tapped Daniel’s shoulder and said, "I see you’re getting comfortable with your mate."

Mate?

Daniel chuckled, gazing at his woman, and winked at her. “Miranda and I have a lot to look forward to. She’s the perfect Luna for me.”

Alpha Gary arched a brow and took a sip from his glass. “And what about Chanel?”

Daniel let out a low laugh, shaking his head. “Chanel? She was just a practice partner. A way to pass time until my real mate comes along.”

My body trembled with rage as I pressed a hand to my mouth, swallowing the scream burning in my throat. Wait, was this even real? How dare he use me!

Miranda turned to Daniel, wrapping her arms around his neck and pressing a kiss to his lips. “That girl deserves the hurt. She thought she could ever be more than what she is.”

Alpha Gary frowned slightly, his gaze shifting between the two of them. “You both seem to hold a lot of contempt for her. Why go through all the effort just to make her a fool?”

Miranda rolled her eyes before fixing Daniel with an expectant look. “Because she was the reason I didn’t get the top one in college. She outperformed me, embarrassed me, and stole what should have been mine. But Daniel promised to avenge me.” She leaned closer, running a possessive hand down his arm. “Because I’m his mate. I should be his priority.”

Daniel nodded without hesitation. “You are, Miranda. Always.”

I turned and fled, shoving past dancing couples, desperate to escape before my emotions consumed me. Then, I slammed into something solid, and large hands gripped my arms before I could fall. I lifted my gaze and met a pair of piercing silver eyes of a familiar man.

'Alpha Kios?' I thought, and even my wolf whimpered at his aura.

He was the Alpha of the Deathfang Pack—a man as feared as he was powerful. He was the last person I should be near.

“Sorry,” I breathed, trying to step back, but his grip tightened slightly.

"You look like you just cried. Are you hurt?"

I swallowed hard. Of course I was.

"Who did this to you?"

I hesitated. What would it change if I told him?

His thumb brushed my wrist, warmth jolting through me. "You're shaking. Tell me why."

"It doesn’t matter. I was just stupid to trust a man," I whispered, avoiding his gaze.

"No. He was a fool. And fools deserve to suffer."

His words caught my attention. Did he have any idea who I was talking about? "How do you know?" I asked, finally meeting his eyes.

"I can make him regret it. I can give you something better."

I sucked in a breath. "What are you saying?"

His fingers trailed up my arm, settling on my shoulder. "Do you want a mating bond with me?"

"A mating bond?" My pulse skittered. Did I hear him right? My mind reeled, struggling to catch up. "You want me as your mate?"

Kios let out a low, amused chuckle. "You're thinking too hard, little wolf. Do you want him to win?"

My mind scrambled to dissect his words. Was this an impulsive offer, or had he truly considered what he was proposing? But then Daniel's words calling me a practice kept repeating in my mind, and I realized that maybe this mating bond was a chance for me to take back control of my own life.

"What do you say? This is a onetime offer." Kios said impatiently.

"Yes," I finally said. "But we keep it a secret until the right time."

Chanel’s POV

Kios leaned against his sleek black car, arms crossed, watching me with amusement. He opened the passenger door and tipped his chin, motioning for me to get in.

"We need to talk privately," he said in a low voice.

The logical part of me screamed that this was reckless. Kios wasn’t just any Alpha. He was powerful, dangerous, and notorious. Getting involved with him was playing with fire. More like dancing in the flames of a volcano.

Kios chuckled. "You’re scared. I get it," he mused. "But if you don’t take risks, those who mock you will keep doing it. You’ll keep being their fool."

I suddenly recalled Daniel’s betrayal, Miranda’s smug laughter, and Alpha Gary’s mocking smirk. I wasn’t going to let them walk all over me forever.

Without another word, I slid into the car.

Kios smirked and shut the door before rounding to the driver’s side. He settled in and reached into the compartment and pulled out two small bottles of liquor. He handed me one.

"A toast to our new partnership."

I wavered again, eyeing the bottle. "Why do I have to drink with you?"

Kios smirked. "Because partners celebrate, and trust starts somewhere."

I sighed but accepted it.

"Relax, Chanel. If we’re going to be partners, we should be comfortable with each other," Kios said, tilting his bottle before taking a slow sip.

I took a tentative sip, the burn spreading down my throat. "Do you really treat a sacred mating bond as a business partnership?" I asked, glancing at him.

Kios laughed. "Even a human marriage is a business transaction, Chanel. What’s the difference?"

I frowned. "Then why do you want a mating bond with me?"

For the first time, Kios didn’t answer immediately. His fingers tapped lightly against the steering wheel, his gaze focused on the windshield as if deep in thought.

I studied him and took a steady breath. "If I’m your business partner through this mating bond, then you should be open with me too."

His gaze snapped to mine, amusement flickering in his silver eyes. Then, he smirked. "I’m already liking you."

Heat rushed to my cheeks, and I looked away, cursing my reaction.

Kios leaned back in his seat, a slow smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "Daniel and his pack were always my target."

My stomach twisted at his words. "Are you saying you're going to destroy my entire pack?"

He let out a low chuckle, shaking his head. "No, Chanel. My target is Daniel and his bloodline. I’ll cut out the rot and replace it with something stronger, which is my rule. And since you’re the most potent weapon against him, it only makes sense for us to work together."

I tightened my grip around the bottle, my nails pressing into the glass. "And what do I get out of this? Because from where I’m sitting, it sounds like you're just using me, just like Daniel did."

"Oh, I am using you, Chanel,” he admitted. “Let’s not play pretend. But unlike Daniel, I don’t make empty promises. When I win, you win. And believe me, victory will taste far sweeter than revenge alone."

Kios was blunt, unapologetic, and dangerously persuasive. And yet, despite his sharp words, I didn’t feel uneasy. If anything, I felt at ease. His honesty was oddly comforting.

And besides, the thought of Daniel and Miranda on their knees was so intoxicating that I could barely contain my excitement.

I met his gaze and nodded. "We’ll continue discussing the plan in the next few days."

Kios smiled, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. "Good. Now, let me take you home."

I shifted in my seat. "I can get home on my own."

Kios arched his brow. "I insist. You and I are partners now, Chanel. That means I take care of what’s mine."

I swallowed, unsure if it was the possessiveness in his tone or the quiet command in his words that sent a shiver down my spine. "I’m not yours, Kios. This is an arrangement."

He chuckled. "Of course. Now, be a good partner and let me drive you home."

My protest died in my throat as he started the engine.

Chanel’s POV

The next morning, I found myself standing outside the packhouse with my parents. I hadn’t wanted to come, not after what I had learned about Daniel and Miranda, but they insisted.

"We must always be present so the pack remains united," my mother had said. The irony of her words stung as I knew that the unity she spoke of was long broken.

As we entered the dining hall, Luna smiled warmly at my mother and kissed her cheek. "Your daughter is truly beautiful," she praised, her gaze briefly flickering toward me.

At the long wooden table, Daniel and Miranda were already seated. The Alpha greeted us with a nod, but Daniel barely acknowledged me, only nodding at my father before looking away.

Miranda, on the other hand, was lost in her own little world with Daniel, touching his arm, giggling, pressing close as if to stake her claim in front of everyone.

The Luna, oblivious to the tension, asked, "Chanel, have you found your mate yet?"

I stiffened. Daniel’s jaw clenched. I could feel his tension even as he kept his gaze firmly on his plate.

I forced a smile. "Not yet, but I trust the Moon Goddess is busy pairing me with the kindest man for me."

My parents nodded in approval, and I saw Daniel’s fingers tighten around his fork.

After breakfast, our parents gathered on the patio, laughing and talking about pack matters. Their carefree expressions made my stomach twist. Did they not see what was happening? Did they not see how cruel their future Alpha was?

Needing space, I slipped out to the garden, but as I turned a corner, I froze. Daniel and Miranda were talking in hushed voices.

Miranda’s irritated tone cut through the air. "Why do you seem affected that your mother asked about Chanel’s future mate?"

Daniel chuckled. "I was just worried she’d expose our secret relationship."

Miranda narrowed her eyes. "Are you sure that’s all? Maybe you already have feelings for her?"

Daniel scoffed. "No. She was just a practice partner, remember? What do you want me to do to prove you’re my only love?"

Miranda smirked, handing him her phone. "Show these at our wedding."

Thanks to my heightened werewolf sight, I caught a glimpse of the phone screen even from a distance. My breath hitched, seeing myself exposed in ways I had never posed for.

How? I had never taken such photos, let alone shared them. My wolf was seething as I fought the urge to storm out and demand answers. But I stayed rooted in place. What else had they planned for me?

"Is this really Chanel? Would she post something like this?" Daniel’s voice wavered slightly.

"They’re photoshopped," Miranda said smoothly. "On our wedding day, we’ll insert them into the slideshow. Everyone will think she ruined our celebration."

Daniel hesitated. "This will be a huge scandal. Her family will get embarrassed."

"They’ll never know it was us. Wait, do you actually care about her?"

"Care about her?” Daniel chuckled drily, shaking his head. “Does she deserve my care? She's just my bed toy. When I marry you, I will ruin her reputation. She once competed for your glory, now it's time for her to pay the price!"

“Then what’s the plan?” Miranda asked, crossing her arms. She gasped when Daniel suddenly caged her inside his arms.

“The plan?” Daniel whispered seductively in her mouth. "In ten days, I will propose to Chanel, and on that same day, I will play the slideshow to permanently damage her reputation. How’s that sound?”

“Will you really do that for me?” Miranda raised a brow.

“Anything for you.” Daniel, on the other hand, grinned devilishly. “So be patient, love. Please wait until the engagement party, and I’m all yours.”

I covered my mouth, muffling the sob that threatened to escape. My wolf was restless, growling in anger and urging me to lash out and demand justice. But what good would that do?

No, I needed to be smart.

Those photos had to be erased before Miranda had the chance to use them. I would find out where they came from, track down the source, and make sure they never surfaced.

That night, the rain was relentless, soaking through my cloak as I stumbled through the woods near the pack border. I was not sure why I had ventured out there. Perhaps I needed to drown out the ache in my chest and to feel something apart from betrayal.

By the time I collapsed outside the packhouse, my body burned with fever. My limbs felt heavy, and my head pounded with exhaustion. As a shewolf, I should not have been this weak. Werewolves had enhanced healing and endurance, yet my body had given in.

Before darkness enveloped my mind, strong arms lifted me, and the scent of earth and smoke filled my senses.

When my eyes fluttered open, I was in the pack healer’s den, and Daniel was sitting at my side.

“You scared the hell out of me,” he muttered, his voice hoarse, as if he had been holding back his emotions for too long.

I was too weak to respond immediately, but I forced myself to speak. "Wwhy?"

His grip on my hand tightened as he exhaled sharply. "Because I care about you, damn it!" he shouted, his frustration spilling over as his fist slammed against the bedside table. "You think I wanted to see you like this? Do you have any idea what it felt like to find you collapsed, burning up with fever?”

My heart clenched painfully at the rawness in his voice. For a moment, it felt real. It seemed as though he genuinely cared about me, like I was more than just an afterthought. But had I not spent years believing the same lies? Had I not convinced myself before that he loved me, only to find out I was nothing but a placeholder?

A lump formed in my throat, but I pushed past it. "Then why, Daniel? Why do you have to—" I bit my lower lip to stop myself from exposing those words. He shouldn’t know that I was aware of his twisted plans.

His breath hitched, and his gaze softened with regret. "Chanel, I—"

But before he could say anything more, his body tensed. His fingers twitched around mine, his gaze going unfocused. I knew that look. Someone was mindlinking him.

I barely had time to process it before his lips parted, his voice so quiet I almost wished I hadn’t heard it.

"Miranda."

The moment he spoke it, everything else ceased to exist for him, including me. And just like that, he was gone.

Daniel's lips barely formed the name before I heard it.

'Daniel, come help me with these bags. They’re too heavy, and I can’t carry them all by myself.'

Miranda’s voice echoed in my mind, as if she had meant for me to hear. My body stiffened, and my wolf bristled at the blatant intrusion. She was taunting me. There was no other explanation for that!

Daniel’s grip on my hand loosened, and he inhaled sharply before responding. "I’m coming, baby. Just wait for me."

Even as weak as I was, the words sent a cold blade through my chest. I knew what he would do. He wouldn’t think twice. He had just told me he cared, yet the moment Miranda called, he was already hers again.

He turned back to me, forcing a smile. "I’ll be back soon, Chanel. I’ll help you with the discharge process. Just get some rest."

I let out a breathless laugh. Of course he wouldn’t come back. He would go to Miranda, cater to her every whim, and forget I ever existed.

As he left the healer’s cottage, I let my head fall back against the pillow, my body trembling, not from fever but from anger.

A soft chime interrupted the silence. My phone buzzed on the nightstand. With sluggish fingers, I reached for it, my heart pounding as I read the message flashing across the screen.

Did you enjoy our little conversation? It must hurt, knowing you’ll always be second to me. Don’t get too comfortable in that bed. He won’t be back for you.

My vision blurred with rage. My wolf growled, clawing at the edges of my control, demanding I do something to put Miranda in her place.

Chanel’s POV

Two nights later, Miranda’s welcome party arrived. Every influential wolf from our allied packs was present, all eager to witness the official introduction of Daniel’s chosen mate. While she was the woman everyone believed had always been meant for him, no one knew about me, and I was only the one he kept in the shadows.

I had no business being here, but Daniel had insisted.

“You understand why you need to be here,” he had said earlier. “The pack must see stability. They can’t suspect anything.”

And like a fool, I had agreed, because our families were friends, and they would smell something fishy if I was a noshow.

I stood alongside my family, wearing the mask of a Beta’s daughter, a neutral guest, while he basked in the admiration of the pack, his hand resting possessively on Miranda’s waist. The woman smiled at him with the confidence of someone who had never doubted her place. She didn’t need to fight for him. He had been hers from the start.

However, the night turned darker when the doors to the grand hall slammed open, and a rival Alpha from the Redfang pack barged in. His gaze swept the room before landing on Miranda, and a slow, cruel smile spread across his face.

“Well, well,” he drawled with mockery. “If she isn’t the one destined to rule alongside the great Alpha heir, I must say, it's amusing seeing you here, all dressed up like a queen when not too long ago, you were nothing but my little whore."

A shocked gasp rippled through the hall. Eyes widened, lips parted in scandalized murmurs, and the air turned thick with tension. Miranda’s face drained of color as whispers spread like wildfire.

The Redfang Alpha chuckled darkly. "What? You thought no one would remember?” He leaned closer. "Tell me, does your future Alpha know how well you used to beg in bed?"

Daniel’s roar cut through the air, shaking the very foundation of the hall. In a blur of movement, he lunged at the Redfang Alpha, grabbing him by the collar and slamming him against a pillar with bonecracking force. "You will shut your filthy mouth!" Daniel’s eyes burned with fury, his wolf barely restrained. "You dare insult my mate in my own territory?"

The Redfang Alpha coughed, smirking despite the chokehold. "Oh, I dare because it’s the truth, isn’t it? She was mine first."

Daniel’s fist connected with his face, and the sickening crunch of bone echoed through the silent hall. It was followed by blood splattering against the marble floor. "Take him!" Daniel barked.

His warriors surged forward, restraining the Redfang Alpha as he laughed, spitting blood onto the floor. "I wonder if she misses me. Or maybe she imagines you as me.”

“You son of a bitch!” Daniel’s hands trembled with rage, but Miranda grabbed his arm, pressing her body against his as if she were the wounded party.

"Please, don't let him ruin this night."

Daniel inhaled sharply before turning to his warriors. "Lock him up. I’ll deal with him later."

The warriors dragged the laughing Alpha away. The guests, on the other hand, stood frozen, eyes bouncing between Daniel, Miranda, and the bloodstained floor. The scandal had already taken root. No matter how much damage control they attempted, the rumors would spread.

“Are you alright?” Daniel murmured, intimate in a way that made my stomach churn.

She nodded, pressing closer to him. The delicate damsel was protected by her powerful mate.

I watched, invisible as ever. He had defended her with unrelenting rage. He had shed blood for her. When I had been insulted, mocked, and dismissed, he had let me stand alone. But for her, he would kill.

By midnight, the party had shifted into something more intimate.

Trying to avoid people, I retreated to the terrace, letting the cool air calm my nerves. But then a smooth, saccharine voice penetrated the air. I turned, finding Miranda standing behind me, a flute of champagne in hand, her lips curled into a smirk.

"Enjoying the view, Chanel?"

I rolled my eyes. "What do you want, Miranda?"

She laughed, waltzing closer. "Oh, don’t act so cold. We were practically sisters once, weren’t we? Though, I have to admit, seeing you sulking here alone is satisfying."

I clenched my fists. "Sisters don’t steal each other’s mates."

Her smirk deepened. "Steal? Sweetheart, you were never meant to have him. Daniel was always mine. He just got distracted and played around with the lesser girl before coming back to where he belongs."

Anger coiled inside me, but I refused to let her see how deeply her words cut. "If he was always yours, why do you sound so threatened?"

Her eyes darkened, the mask slipping for just a moment before she scoffed. "Threatened? Please. Unlike you, I don't need to beg for scraps of affection. I don’t need to be pitied."

I tilted my head, meeting her gaze. "No, you just need to ruin lives to feel secure."

Her grip on her champagne glass tightened. "You're already on thin ice, bitch. If I were you, I'd leave this pack before you embarrass yourself any further."

I laughed bitterly. "Embarrass myself? You mean before you and Daniel finish whatever scheme you're planning against me? Before you try to erase every trace of me from his past?"

Her expression twisted into something ugly. "You were never more than a mistake to him. That’s why he let you go so easily."

A sharp pain lanced through my chest, but I held my ground. "Funny, because he sure seemed torn up about it when he was still in my bed while calling you his mate."

Her nostrils flared, and in the next instant, her palm struck my cheek with a stinging slap. And then a familiar scent filled the space, and I realized too late that Daniel had arrived, standing just beyond the terrace doors.

"Miranda!" His voice was calm, but his gaze flickered between us.

My cheek burned, but I lifted my chin, waiting for him to acknowledge what had just happened.

But he didn’t. Instead, he sighed and placed a hand on Miranda’s back. "Come on, let’s go."

He didn’t spare me a glance. He didn’t even ask if I was okay before walking away with her.

Chanel’s POV

The morning after the party, I woke up to a soft knock on my door. I knew who it was before I even opened it.

Daniel stood there. He looked tired, running a hand through his disheveled hair. "I’m sorry about last night. Miranda was only drunk."

"Which part? The part where I was just a distraction? Or the part where you were waiting for Miranda, like I was nothing more than a way to pass the time?"

He exhaled, his jaw tightening. "You know it’s complicated."

I let out a cold laugh, shaking my head. "No, Daniel. It’s not complicated. It never was. You always knew exactly where you stood. You had Miranda—your perfect, untouchable mate. And you had me, hidden in the dark, convenient whenever you needed someone to hold onto."

His silence told me everything I needed to know.

I stepped closer, my arms uncrossing as I tilted my chin up, refusing to look away. My nails dug into my palms, the sharp sting grounding me, fueling the fire inside me. "Tell me, Daniel. Did you ever even feel guilty? Did it ever cross your mind what it felt like to be nothing more than a secret? Or was it just easy? Easy to have me when you were lonely and push me away when she came back?"

His hands clenched at his sides, but he didn’t answer. He didn’t fight for me. He never had.

I swallowed the ache in my throat and took a step back. "Save your apologies, Daniel. They mean nothing to me now."

That afternoon, I traveled to the Deathfang Pack alone to meet with Alpha Kios. As I walked through the territory, I noticed the warriors nodding at me in acknowledgment.

When I reached the packhouse, Kios was waiting for me outside, his arms crossed over his broad chest. His silver eyes, sharp and calculating, met mine. "So, you came. I thought you might change your mind."

I lifted my chin. "Of course not. I have my word of honor."

He studied me for a long moment before speaking. "You understand what this means? Once the bond is sealed, there is no turning back. You will be my mate. My Luna. No halfmeasures."

I frowned. "I never agreed to be your Luna. I don’t want that title."

Kios arched a brow, a slow smirk curving his lips. "That’s not how the world works. I’m an Alpha. You’re going to be my mate. That makes you Luna by default."

I stiffened. "And what if I refuse?"

His silver eyes gleamed with amusement, but there was an unmistakable edge of challenge beneath them. "Refuse? That’s cute, Chanel. But let’s be clear. I don’t ask."

A chill ran through me, but I lifted my chin, refusing to back down. "So that’s it? No choice? Just forced into it?"

His smirk widened. "I’m giving you the choice to walk away. But let’s be honest—you won’t. Because you know what happens if you do. Daniel wins. Again. You remain his second choice, his afterthought. You keep watching him put her first. You keep living in the shadow of their perfect love story."

My stomach twisted. He knew exactly what buttons to push, and damn it, he was pressing them hard.

"This isn’t about love," Kios continued, his voice a low murmur. "This is about power. About never being discarded again. You understand?"

I clenched my fists. "I understand."

His smirk widened as he closed the space between us with unhurried steps. "Do you? Because I don’t entertain doubts, Chanel. I don’t tolerate weakness."

His voice dropped to a near whisper, yet it carried an undeniable weight. "You want my protection? My strength behind you? Then you don’t get to hesitate. You don’t get to waver."

I swallowed hard, my heart hammering against my ribs. "I don’t need your protection. I need an alliance."

Kios chuckled darkly. "Is that what you tell yourself? That this is just a strategic move? That it’s not about making him suffer? That it’s not about proving to Daniel, to Miranda, to every damn person who ever doubted you, that you are not someone to be cast aside?"

My breath caught. The way he peeled back my motivations, exposing them raw and unfiltered, sent a slow, insidious chill curling through my veins. He wasn’t wrong. And that terrified me.

He lifted a hand, brushing a loose strand of hair from my face, his fingers barely grazing my skin, making my pulse stutter. "Say the words, Chanel. Say that you are mine."

I stared at him as my throat went dry.

"Say it," he pressed, his thumb tracing the edge of my jaw before settling at my chin, tilting my face up to meet him. "Because once you do, there’s no going back. No regrets. No second chances."

Power radiated off him, daring me to recoil. But I didn’t. I met his gaze, saying, "Alright, Alpha. I'm all yours."

"Make no mistake. You are mine now. And I do not share."

Before I could react, Kios sealed the agreement with a swift, deliberate kiss on my lips. Brief, almost impersonal—yet to me, it felt anything but. My breath hitched as he pulled away, leaving me stunned.

That night, the scent of blood filled the air when I returned to our pack.

I had just stepped into the main hall when snarls erupted, followed by the heavy thud of a body hitting the ground. The doors crashed open, and rogues poured in like a tidal wave. Warriors met them headon, but they were outnumbered.

"Everybody, get ready!"

I turned, spotting Daniel. He was standing protectively in front of Miranda, shielding her as if she were the only one in danger.

A rogue lunged at me, and I dodged, my body moving on instinct. Claws raked the air where my throat had been seconds before. I retaliated, my nails elongating into sharp points as I slashed across his chest, sending him stumbling back with a pained howl.

Another came at me from the side. I twisted, landing a kick to his ribs before driving my fist into his jaw. The fight blurred into movement—strikes, dodges, the sharp scent of iron coating my tongue.

Daniel was still with Miranda. Even as warriors fell around them, he never left her side. He parried every attack that came too close, his focus unshakable.

Meanwhile, a rogue caught my moment of hesitation, tackling me to the ground. My head slammed against the cold marble, stars bursting behind my eyes. His claws dug into my shoulders, pinning me beneath his weight. I struggled, but he was stronger, his breath hot and rancid against my face.

Panic clawed at my chest. I needed help.

“Daniel!”

I screamed his name with desperation. For a split second, I hoped he’d turn, that instinct would pull him toward me. But he didn’t. Not even a glance.

Miranda screamed, and that was all it took. Daniel surged forward, cutting down the rogue near her with a single, brutal swipe.

Rage and grief surged through me. Snarling, I shifted partially, my claws raking across the rogue’s chest as I drove my knee into his gut. He recoiled, but I didn’t give him a chance to recover. With a swift, predatory lunge, I sank my fangs into his throat, tearing through flesh and muscle. He gurgled, choking on his own blood, before collapsing in a lifeless heap at my feet.

The battle ended as quickly as it had begun. The rogues that remained were either killed or forced to retreat.

I was shaking. Not from exhaustion, but from the cold realization searing through me. Daniel had rushed to Miranda, who bore no wounds. His hands hovered over her as if she were fragile porcelain.

Then, just as his eyes briefly met mine, Miranda smirked at me.

Chanel’s POV

Even though the battle was over, the scent of blood still hung thick in the air. The packhouse halls bore the scars of the fight—injured warriors groaning, bodies being carried away.

Daniel was alive. Miranda was unharmed. And I had fought for my life alone.

I had no business saving him after that and had no reason to care whether he lived or died. But I refused to let the pack suffer because he was only prioritizing his precious mate.

So I called Kios.

The moment his voice echoed through the mindlink, my body relaxed, as if my wolf had already recognized where true strength belonged.

“Chanel, what happened?”

I swallowed the lingering anger in my throat. “Rogues attacked. There were too many. Daniel is injured, the pack is weakened, and I—” I paused, my fingers curling against my palm. “I need your warriors.”

There was a beat of silence. When he spoke again, his voice was calm, almost lazy. “Are you asking me to protect your former lover?”

My chest tightened. “I’m asking you to protect the pack. They are vulnerable, and if another attack comes, they won’t survive it.”

Kios hummed, as if weighing the situation, and then I heard the smirk in his voice. “You impress me, Chanel. You ask for my help, not for love, but for duty.”

“Are you sending them or not?”

A low chuckle rumbled through the link. “My warriors are already on their way.”

Even as dawn broke, the scent of blood lingered. Deathfang warriors arrived, moving like shadows through our lands. Our warriors tensed, uncertain if they were allies or a new threat. But Kios’s men carried themselves with absolute control, their sharp eyes sweeping every corner, hunting for danger.

Daniel, despite his injuries, pushed himself to his feet as he watched them spread through the territory. His face was pale, blood dried along his temple, but his expression darkened as he mindlinked me. “You called them here?”

I met his gaze from afar without flinching. “Yes.”

His jaw tensed, his eyes narrowing. “You let Kios’s pack walk onto our lands?”

“They’re here to keep you alive, Daniel. You should be thanking me.”

His nostrils flared as he stalked closer, his frame towering over me. "Why him, Chanel? Why Kios?"

I held my ground, lifting my chin. “Because he was the only one willing to help.”

His fingers curled into fists. “Do you trust him?”

“More than I trust you.”

His jaw clenched. "How do you even know him?"

I arched a brow, refusing to give him the satisfaction of an explanation. “Does it matter?”

His silence told me it did.

His expression darkened, but he said nothing. Without a word, he turned and retreated to his packhouse office.

—

Days passed, and Daniel healed quickly, but something had shifted between us.

He watched me more often now, his eyes following me when he thought I wasn’t looking. When we crossed paths, his shoulders tensed, and his mouth parted as if he wanted to speak, but he never did.

I didn’t give him a chance to reach for it. I had spent years waiting for Daniel to fight for me, and he never had. I would not waste another second hoping for what would never come.

I made sure he felt the distance between us. I stopped looking for him in a crowded room. I stopped acknowledging his presence when he entered. I no longer spoke his name with the softness I once did. I was polite, distant, indifferent.

When Kios arrived at the Luna’s party, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations faded, heads turned, and a silent acknowledgment rippled through the room. Clad in a dark suit tailored to perfection, he exuded effortless dominance. His silver eyes locked onto mine, making my breath hitch before he strode over. Without hesitation, he wrapped an arm around my waist, pulling me to his side.

"Among the women here, you look the most stunning tonight," he murmured. "You stand out even among royalty. I wonder if you even realize how much attention you command."

"Thank you," I whispered, faking a smile so the crowd could see.

Daniel saw it all. His gaze burned into me every time Kios leaned in, every time his fingers grazed my skin. He stood stiffly across the room, watching, seething, his hands clenched at his sides. For years, I had been his secret, his convenience. Now, I was standing beside a man who did not need to hide me. And Daniel hated it.

And it drove him insane.

That night, he cornered me in the empty corridor outside the ballroom.

"Is there something between you and Kios?" he demanded, his voice laced with something close to desperation.

I crossed my arms, tilting my head. "Are you jealous, Daniel?"

His jaw tightened, but he said nothing. His silence was louder than any answer he could have given.

I scoffed. "You don’t get to ask me that. Not after everything."

"I just need to know."

I met his gaze, unflinching. "Then you don't have the right to know anything about me."

Before I could turn away, Daniel grabbed me, his arms wrapping around me tightly. "I don’t want to lose you," he whispered, his breath warm against my skin.

I laughed, shoving at his chest, but he was strong. Too strong. I thrashed in his hold. "Let me go, Daniel. Are you not content with one woman? You are so greedy."

But he wasn’t listening. His grip tightened, his gaze intense as he searched my face. "Let’s get engaged at the full moon."

My heart twisted painfully in my chest.

I knew this was a trap. I knew Daniel too well—his sweet words, his smile, his desperation were all part of his game. He wanted to pull me back into his grasp, to crush me just to satisfy Miranda’s ego.

Tears burned my eyes, but I forced them back. I wanted to slap him, to tear him apart for thinking he could manipulate me again.

But if Daniel wanted to play a game, then I would play it better!

“But what about Miranda? Everyone knows that you two are the real mates. You have introduced her to the public, remember?”

Daniel shook his head, his grip tightened around me. “I don’t care, Chanel. I don't care about the world anymore. But I can’t let you go. God, I can’t even look at you with someone else. You are mine, always mine, understood?”

He was a big fat liar! My wolf growled, and I agreed.

I lifted my chin, my lips curling into a small, unreadable smile. "Then I want to be engaged to you."

Daniel seemed surprised at how quickly I accepted, but after a brief pause, he smiled, satisfied. "I can’t wait."

Daniel's arms were still wrapped around me when his body tensed. His hold on me loosened just slightly. A flicker of distraction crossed his face, as if he were suddenly somewhere else.

I knew that look. Someone was mindlinking him, and I already knew who it was.

"What is it?" I asked, tilting my head slightly, pretending I couldn't see right through him.

Daniel's jaw tightened, his fingers releasing me completely as he stepped back. "My Beta just informed me that some of the patrol teams need assistance. I should go check on them."

Liar. I knew it was Miranda. "Go, then. Your pack needs you." I nodded.

Daniel hesitated as if expecting me to push for the truth, but when I didn’t, he let out a quiet breath and turned away.

That night, when I returned home, I wasted no time.

I walked straight to my closet and pulled out everything Daniel had ever given me. Dresses, jewelry, little trinkets that once held meaning. Every gift he had used to keep me tied to him, to make me believe I was something special to him, now felt like nothing more than shackles.

I stuffed them all into a large bag and handed it to my omega, instructing her to deliver it to the local shelter. I wanted nothing to do with any of it.

As she left, my phone vibrated. I reached for it absentmindedly, expecting another meaningless message, but when I saw the notification, my breath caught in my throat.

It was a screenshot of a group chat.

Daniel’s name was there, along with a few of his closest friends. My vision blurred as I read the messages, and I had to control my hand to stop it from trembling.

"Just release it already, man."

"She deserves to be humiliated after what she did to Miranda then."

"She won’t be so confident once everyone sees what she’s been hiding."

And then Daniel’s reply, sitting there like a dagger waiting to be plunged into my back.

"Relax. I’ll send the slideshow soon."

I forced myself to inhale, steadying the fire in my chest. If Daniel thought he could destroy me, if he thought he could rip me apart and watch me crumble at his feet, he was about to learn just how wrong he was.

Chanel’s POV

Hours earlier, Daniel had been flooding my phone with texts:

"Where are you?"

"I can’t wait to introduce you to the world."

I replied just enough to keep him from getting suspicious, playing along while secretly preparing for the storm I was about to unleash.

Now, sitting inside my family’s house, I smoothed my hands over the white gown I wore. My hair and makeup had been flawlessly done by an omega from the Deathfang Pack, making me look every bit the bridetobe I was pretending to be.

My parents were already at the event, under the impression that Daniel was getting engaged to Miranda—which was true. But they had no idea of Daniel’s deeper scheme. He wasn’t just betraying me. He was setting my entire family up to fall.

What kind of Alpha did that?

I closed my eyes, steadying my breath.

And just like that, a memory from a few hours ago surfaced—warm and golden in contrast to the cold strategy of tonight.

Earlier that afternoon.

The Deathfang Pack’s great hall had been filled with thunderous howls and claps of joy. Warriors thumped their fists against their chests, omegas beamed with giddy smiles, and children danced barefoot across the polished floors.

Alpha Kios stood at the center of it all, his expression unreadable at first—until his eyes found mine.

Then he smiled. Not the usual smirk or the confident grin he wore like armor. This one was quieter, more reverent.

“My pack,” his voice echoed through the room, low and clear. “I have found my mate.”

The hall exploded in sound. Cheers shook the walls, and someone popped a bottle of sparkling wine in the corner.

“And soon,” Kios continued, his gaze never leaving mine, “you will have your Luna.”

My breath caught as his hand reached for mine across the space, ignoring protocol and stares. When I stepped forward, sliding my fingers into his, the world seemed to pause.

He brought my hand to his lips, pressing a slow kiss to the back of it.

“She’s fierce,” he said softly, speaking now only to me. “And smart. And I would tear the world apart before letting it hurt her again.”

The pack roared their approval, but it all faded into background noise.

For a few seconds, it was just him and me. His thumb brushed over my knuckles. His silver eyes flicked over my face—not devouring, but admiring. Committing every detail to memory.

I didn’t speak. I couldn’t. Something about that moment felt sacred. Like it wasn’t meant to be broken by words.

The warmth in my chest battled the walls I’d carefully built. I wasn’t supposed to feel anything. Not yet. Not when everything I cared about could still fall apart.

But Kios… he didn’t feel temporary.

And that terrified me.

Now…

A sudden commotion outside snapped me out of my thoughts. Snarls and growls filled the night air. The pack was under attack.

Before I could react, the door swung open, revealing Alpha Kios. My breath hitched. He looked devastatingly handsome in his tailored suit, exuding an effortless dominance that made the air feel heavier. His sharp silver eyes raked over me, and a smirk formed on his lips.

“How beautiful my bride is,” he murmured.

Heat crawled up my neck, but I shoved it down. There was no time for distractions. Revenge came first.

“Is everything ready?” I asked, keeping my voice steady.

Kios smirked, his confidence almost infuriating. “Just as we planned. Come on. Time is of great essence."

Without another word, we moved swiftly through the packhouse. Kios had ensured that Daniel was too busy fighting off the rogues to notice our intrusion. When we reached Daniel’s office, he stood guard by the door while I slipped inside. 

The office was dark, and the scent of Daniel still lingered in the air. My heart pounded in my ears as I scanned the room, searching for his phone. Papers were scattered across his desk, and drawers were slightly open, as if he had been in a rush before leaving.

I moved quickly, shoving aside files and knocking over a halfempty glass of whiskey. My fingers skimmed the edge of the desk until they found the phone from beneath a stack of documents.

The screen lit up as I turned it on. No password. Typical. Daniel was arrogant enough to think no one would ever touch his things. My stomach churned as I navigated to his gallery and saw the images filling the screen. Then, without hesitation, I pressed delete. The phone prompted me with a confirmation message. I tapped ‘delete all’ and watched as they vanished. Then I went to the recently deleted folder and did it again.

There. Now he had nothing.

Behind me, Kios chuckled. “You are taking your time, little wolf. We need to go.”

I turned, gripping the phone tighter. “Wait a moment.”

Kios sighed but leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching me with amusement and curiosity.

Flipping the camera on, I stared into the lens and hit record. My voice came out steady, sharp, and cold.

“Well, Daniel, everything’s over between us. This is the end of me being your freaking practice mate. I’m dumping you now. Good luck to you and to Miranda. You two deserve each other.”

I stopped the recording and sent it straight to his messages. A final goodbye. A nail in the coffin.

With that, I tossed the phone onto his desk, turned on my heel, and strode toward Kios. He raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.

“Finished?” he asked.

I pulled out my own phone, opened my contacts, and blocked Daniel. “Now I am.”

Kios let out a full, rich laugh. “I must say, Chanel, you are truly something else.”

I didn’t respond. I was already stepping past him, heading toward the exit with a sense of finality settling deep in my chest.

As we slipped back out, Kios placed a protective hand on my lower back, guiding me toward his car. His touch was steady, grounding. The moment we reached the vehicle, he mindlinked the rogues.

“Retreat, all of you!”

Suddenly, the snarls and growls vanished into the distance. The distraction had served its purpose.

“Did they hurt anyone?” I asked, worried.

“I’m not going to hurt my future pack.” Kios shook his head. “Now, time for the final act.”

Daniel’s POV

I sat back in my chair, swirling the whiskey in my glass, anticipation coiling in my gut. Any minute now, Chanel would walk into the engagement ceremony, oblivious to what was waiting for her. The moment I had been waiting for—the perfect humiliation.

The rogues had attacked earlier, but strangely, no one had been hurt. My warriors had reported nothing stolen, nothing destroyed. It didn’t make sense. Why attack if they weren’t going to do any real damage? My friends—bastards that they were—told me to ignore it.

“They just wanted to stir up some trouble,” one of them said lazily, taking a sip of his beer. “Don’t let it ruin the real show.”

“The real show,” I muttered under my breath, casting a glance at the large screen waiting behind the main stage. The slideshow of Chanel’s nude photos was already prepared. She had no idea what was coming.

“She actually thought you were going to announce her as your mate,” one of my friends scoffed, shaking his head. “What an idiot.”

“She’s a fool,” another added, laughing. “Her perfect little fantasy is about to come crashing down.”

“I say we release the slideshow now,” a third chimed in, tapping his fingers impatiently against his beer bottle. “Come on, Daniel. We’re all waiting. Let’s see her face when the whole pack watches her little secret.”

“Yeah,” another sneered. “It’s going to be the best entertainment of the night.”

“Daniel?” One of them clapped a hand on my shoulder, bringing me back. “Come on, let’s start it already. Release the slideshow.”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I swallowed hard, pushing down the unease. Instead, I forced out a chuckle. “Not yet,” I said. “I want more footage to make her humiliation last longer.”

Before they could protest, the lights in the venue flickered and went out. Confused murmurs spread across the room. Then the screen lit up.

I frowned. This wasn’t part of the plan.

Then the screen displayed Chanel in her engagement gown—pristine white fabric hugging her form, making her look every bit the bride she was meant to be. She was breathtaking, but her expression was anything but soft. Her face was set in cold fury, her eyes burning with anger, and the backdrop behind her was in my office. Realization slammed into me. She had recorded this using my own damn phone.

“Well, Daniel, everything’s over between us. This is the end of me being your freaking practice mate. I’m dumping you now. Good luck to you and to Miranda. You two deserve each other.”

The room fell into stunned silence. My heart pounded violently against my ribs. What the hell?

I barely registered my friends’ reactions. Their jaws hung open, their faces draining of color. The pack members erupted into whispers.

“Did she just say ‘practice mate’?”

“She and Alpha Daniel were together?”

“How could we not know about this?”

I clenched my fists as my gaze darted toward Chanel’s parents. Their faces twisted in shock and confusion. I could practically hear their unspoken accusations. How could I have used their daughter like this? The humiliation I had planned for Chanel was suddenly my own.

Then, I turned to Miranda.

She stood frozen, her hands curled into fists, her entire body trembling with rage. Her face was an ugly shade of red, not with embarrassment but with fury. She glared daggers at me, demanding an explanation without uttering a single word. A sharp pulse pressed against my mind as she was trying to mindlink me. But I ignored it.

Instead, I grabbed my phone, fingers flying as I dialed Chanel’s number, but it didn't ring. It was like I was listening to a vacuum.

I tried again, and now it was thrown straight to voicemail.

No. No, no, no!

I pulled up our previous messages and pressed her contact name. My blood turned to ice when I saw the notification.

Blocked.

“What the hell?” I hissed under my breath. “Pick up the damn phone, Chanel.”

She was out of reach. She was gone!

Then, as if the universe wanted to drive the knife deeper, a notification popped up on my phone. The chime echoed through the room, followed by a collective gasp from the pack members. More notifications flooded in—everyone was receiving the same message.

Breaking News: Deathfang Alpha, Rios Cleverland, and Chanel Prim are about to get married now.

The words blurred before my eyes. My chest constricted, and something inside me snapped.

Chanel was marrying Alpha Kios?

The whiskey glass in my grip shattered, the shards embedding into my palm, but I barely felt the pain. A red haze clouded my vision as the room seemed to spin. My friends flinched back when I slammed my fist onto the table.

"This is a fcking joke, right?" I snarled, glaring at everyone. "Tell me this is some sick prank!!"

"Daniel, calm down—" one of them started, but I was already moving.

"Back the hell off!" I kicked my chair back. My pulse roared in my ears as I lunged for the large screen, ready to rip it from the wall, as if destroying it would erase the words glaring back at me.

Strong arms grabbed me, trying to hold me back. "Daniel, stop! It's not worth it!"

I twisted violently, throwing them off me. "Not worth it? She was supposed to suffer! She was supposed to regret leaving me!"

My breath came hard and fast. My fingers twitched with the need to destroy something. How dare she?

And then, beneath my fury, guilt crept in. Had I pushed her straight into Kios’s arms?

No. This wasn’t supposed to happen. Chanel belonged to me!