Choosen Mate Vs Fated Mate

The scent of roasted venison and herbs wafted through the air as Harlan and I sat across from each other at the long table in our dining room. The soft glow of the fire crackling in the hearth cast warm light over the plates between us. Dinner was a rare, quiet ritual for us, one of the few moments when the weight of the pack didn’t press down so heavily on his shoulders.

“How was the meeting?” I asked, slicing a piece of meat and glancing up at him.

Harlan sighed, and his fork paused midair. “The elders are at it again. They think the alliances should take priority over the crowning ceremony. They don’t see why we’re doing this now, not with tensions rising along the northern border.”

I frowned. “You’re their Alphatobe, not their puppet. The crowning isn’t just a tradition, Harlan. It’s about showing strength. A leader without a ceremony looks weak, and they know it.”

He gave me a faint smile and said, “Spoken like someone who’s spent too much time listening to the council herself.”

“Well, I have to,” I shot back, “Since I’m the one overseeing every little detail while you’re off playing mediator.”

“I don’t envy you. The pack decorators are worse than the northern rogues. They’d tear you apart if you so much as suggest the wrong shade of silver for the banners.”

“They already tried,” I joked, “Mallory nearly shifted when I vetoed the gold trim she wanted for the table runners. It’s a wonder I survived.”

The humor lingered for a moment, these were the moments I clung to the brief flashes of normalcy before the weight of duty crashed down again.

Harlan leaned back in his chair, as he watched me. “Thank you for handling all this, Anya. I know it’s more than you signed up for.”

I shrugged, “It’s what I’m here for. Besides, the pack deserves a leader who commands respect, and I want to make sure your ceremony reflects that.”

His hand reached across the table, brushing against mine, and for a fleeting second, I allowed myself to believe in the connection between us. But the illusion shattered with the sudden, sharp buzz of his phone on the table.

Harlan’s entire body stiffened, as he reached for it.

“Who is it?” I asked, despite the unease curling in my gut.

He glanced at the screen, “Lila.”

The name sent a ripple of tension through the air. “She always calls you,” I muttered, unable to keep the bitterness from my voice.

“She’s grieving,” he said, “Shadow’s all she has left.”

Before I could respond, he answered the call,

“Harlan, Shadow’s not breathing properly,” Lila’s frantic voice came through loud enough for me to hear. “I don’t know what to do.”

His chair scraped against the floor as he stood abruptly. “I’ll be right there.”

“Wait,” I said, rising from my seat. “Harlan, she has the pack healers. Why does it always have to be you?”

He grabbed his coat, “She’s pack,” he replied. “And you know how important this alliance is.”

I watched as he disappeared through the door, and the door slammed shut behind him, leaving me alone in the flickering firelight.

My wolf stirred uneasily, pacing within me, its restlessness feeding my frustration. I reached for my glass of water, hoping to quench the heat rising in my chest.

But my hands were trembling.

The glass slipped from my fingers, shattering on the floor with a piercing crash. I stared at the jagged shards scattered across the wooden planks, my breath catching as the pain in my chest sharpened.

Blood bloomed across my palm, a crimson smear against pale skin as I knelt to gather the pieces. The sting barely registered over the ache clawing at my heart.

“Harlan…” I whispered, the sound swallowed by the emptiness around me.

I sat there for a long moment, my wolf silent now, as if mourning alongside me.

I hadn’t slept all night.

The poorly wrapped bandage on my hand itched and stung, a constant reminder of the frustration and pain bubbling just beneath the surface. But that was nothing compared to the ache in my chest.

I had waited for Harlan, my mate, all night. I’d paced the floors, checked the windows, and even debated of calling him, though I knew it wouldn’t matter. He wouldn’t pick up. He didn’t care enough to tell me where he was or why he hadn’t come home.

By the morning, exhaustion tugged at me, but my pride kept me standing. I threw on some clean clothes, tied my hair back and grabbed my coat to go and meet Ava, my closest friend and one of the pack’s Deltas, had suggested meeting by the river. She said I needed fresh air, and I wasn’t about to argue. Anything was better than being trapped in this house, haunted by my own thoughts.

Just as I was pulling on my boots, the door creaked open.

Harlan.

He walked in like nothing had happened, like he hadn’t left me waiting all night.

“The pack is hosting a gathering tonight,” he said,and businesslike as he handed me a folded invitation card, “We’re both expected to attend.”

I stared at him, incredulous. That was it? No apology, no explanation, not even a glance at my hand, which was so poorly bandaged it looked like a child had done it. He didn’t ask if I’d slept or if I was okay. His eyes barely skimmed over me before settling on the wall behind me, as though I were just another task he had to check off his list.

“I’m not going,” I said,

Harlan paused, turning to face me fully. For the first time, his dark eyes locked onto mine, but there was no warmth in them. “You don’t have a choice, Anya. It’s your duty as my mate.”

“Duty?” I spat, “You’re going to talk to me about duty when you can’t even fulfill yours? Do you know how long I waited for you last night? Do you even care?”

He folded his arms across his chest. “This isn’t about us, Anya. It’s about the pack. You need to stop making everything personal.”

I took a step closer, anger boiling in my veins. “Oh, I’m sorry, Harlan. I didn’t realize that being abandoned by my mate was just ‘pack business.’ My mistake.”

“Enough,” he said, “Be ready by sundown. This conversation is over.”

“No, it’s not,” I said, “You don’t get to walk in here, order me around, and pretend like I don’t exist. I’m not a piece of furniture, Harlan. I’m your mate.”

“A mate who knows her place would be helpful.”

The words hit me like a slap, stealing the air from my lungs. I opened my mouth to respond, but no sound came out. Instead, I turned on my heel and stormed out of the house, slamming the door so hard it rattled the frame.

The forest was my only escape, the one place where I could breathe without feeling like the walls were closing in on me. I wandered to the riverbank, the soft rush of water filling the silence that had settled in my chest.

Dropping to my knees by the edge of the river, I let the tears come, hot and angry. My wolf stirred uneasily, in the back of my mind.

“This isn’t what I wanted,” I whispered. “This isn’t what I thought it would be.”

I wiped at my tears with the back of my hand, but the frustration only built. “You’re pathetic,” I muttered to myself. “Crying over a man who doesn’t even care.”

All of a sudden, a sharp scent hit me then, cutting through the damp pine and fresh water. It was rich and wild, like frost and steel and something darker, something that made my wolf lift her head, ears pricked.

Before I could turn, a voice rang out.

“Talking to yourself already?”

I spun around to see him leaning against a tree…Kael.

He was leaning against the trunk of a tree, his broad shoulders relaxed, yet his posture exuded an alertness that spoke volumes. He was always like that calm, calculating, and completely unreadable. Harlan trusted him, despite the fact that no one in the pack really knew him. Kael had shown up months ago, exiled from the Silverlight Pack for reasons no one dared to ask about, and Harlan had given him shelter in the Moonshine Pack.

But trust didn’t mean familiarity. Kael didn’t talk much, and when he did, his words were sharp and purposeful, like arrows aimed with precision. He carried himself like a lone wolf, even in a pack full of strong personalities. Harlan often relied on him for pack security, especially with tensions rising between the enemy pack. And now, here he was, sent me like some kind of protector or spy.

“Did Harlan send you?” I asked, with irritation as I wiped at my tearstreaked face.

Kael smirked, his silver eyes glinting like shards of ice. “You know the answer to that.”

Of course, Harlan had sent him. It was such a Harlan move too busy to deal with me himself but too controlling to let me wander off unchecked. And Kael, as always, had no problem obeying orders without question.

“I don’t need a babysitter,” I snapped, glaring at him.

Kael’s expression didn’t waver. If anything, his smirk deepened slightly, as though my anger amused him. “I’m not your babysitter. I’m your shadow.”

“Whatever you want to call it, I didn’t ask for this,” I shot back.

“No,” he said, “but it seems like you need it.”

My wolf stirred uneasily, and her instincts sharper than mine. It wasn’t fear…no, that would’ve been easy to brush off. This was something else, something deeper and more primal. A pull. It was subtle, like a whisper at the back of my mind, but it was there, tugging at me in a way that made my skin prickle and my heart race.

I clenched my fists, trying to ignore the way my wolf perked up at his presence, her interest clear and annoying. “Why does Harlan trust you so much?” I asked,him.

Kael raised an eyebrow, “You’re assuming he does.”

I blinked, caught off guard by his answer. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

He stepped closer, his movements as fluid and deliberate as a predator stalking prey. “Harlan trusts what I can do for him. That doesn’t mean he trusts me.”

His words sent a chill down my spine, though I couldn’t tell if it was from his tone or the truth behind them. Kael was an mystery loyal to the pack on the surface, yet detached in a way that made me question his motives. Harlan might have given him a place in the Moonshine Pack, but it was clear Kael operated on his own terms.

“And what exactly is it you do for him?” I asked, narrowing my eyes.

Kael’s lips twitched, but he didn’t smile. “What he needs me to do.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“It’s the only one you’re getting,” he said,

My wolf growled softly in the back of my mind, her frustration mirroring my own. She didn’t trust him either, not entirely but she couldn’t ignore him. The pull was stronger now, like an invisible thread tightening between us with every word exchanged.

I took a step back, needing to put some distance between us. “You’re infuriating, you know that?”

Kael shrugged, looking completely unbothered. “So I’ve been told.”

I crossed my arms, glaring at him. “If you’re here to spy on me, just go ahead and report back to Harlan. Tell him I cried, or complained, or whatever it is he wants to hear.”

Kael’s silver eyes darkened, and for the first time, his smirk disappeared completely. He stepped closer, “I don’t work for Harlan like that. I’m not here to tattle on you, Anya.”

“Then why are you here?” I demanded, my frustration bubbling over.

“To make sure you don’t get yourself killed.”

I opened my mouth to argue, to tell him I didn’t need his protection, but the look in his eyes stopped me. There was something there, just for a fleeting moment.

“And what makes you think I can’t take care of myself?” I asked,

Kael tilted his head, “Because you don’t even see the threats around you.”

The words hit harder than I expected, and my wolf stirred again, uneasy and restless. Kael’s gaze lingered on me for a moment longer before he turned away, as he walked toward the riverbank.

I watched him, my mind racing with questions I didn’t dare ask. Kael was a mystery, a puzzle I wasn’t sure I wanted to solve. But my wolf… my wolf wasn’t so cautious. She was drawn to him in a way I couldn’t explain, her instincts pulling her toward him despite the warning bells ringing in my head.

“You don’t have to like me,” Kael said suddenly, his back still turned to me. “But if I were you, I’d start paying attention. There’s more going on in this pack than you realize, Anya. And not all of it has your best interests in mind.”

I stared at him, “What are you trying to say?”

He glanced over his shoulder, his silver eyes glinting in the sunlight. “Figure it out. You’re smarter than they give you credit for.”

And just like that, he was gone, disappearing into the trees like a shadow fading with the dawn.

I stood there by the river, my thoughts a tangled mess. Kael’s words lingered.

Who kael really is? And why did I feel like he saw through me?

By the time the sun began to set, I had convinced myself to attend the pack gathering. I didn’t want to go not after the argument with Harlan but the weight of my responsibilities as his Chosen Mate left me with little choice. My wolf protested in my mind, “ We shouldn’t have to beg for his attention, she growled. Why do we let him treat us like this?”

But I ignored her. This was my reality. Harlan needed me by his side for the sake of the pack, even if it felt like he barely noticed I existed anymore.

I put on a simple green dress, one that Harlan had once complimented before everything between us became so strained. For a fleeting moment, I wondered if he would notice tonight if he would look at me like he used to.

When Harlan came to fetch me, he barely glanced at me. “Ready?” he asked, his eyes already on the road ahead.

I nodded silently, following him out.

The pack gathering was in full swing when we arrived. Wolves of all ranks milled about, talking, laughing, and enjoying the night. The scent of roasted meat and bonfires filled the air, mingling with the earthy smell of pine and the faint undertone of wolves in their shifted forms patrolling the perimeter.

Harlan led me through the crowd with the ease of an Alpha, his commanding presence parting the sea of pack members like it always did. But while I walked beside him, it was clear to everyone including me that I was merely a shadow at his side.

Lila was already there, waiting for us near the central fire. She was dressed in a flowing red dress that clung to her every curve, her hair styled to perfection. As soon as she saw Harlan, her face lit up, and she hurried toward him like he was the only person in the world.

“Harlan,” she purred, “I was wondering when you’d get here.”

He smiled at her, a warm, genuine smile that I hadn’t seen directed at me in longer than I cared to admit.

Lila stayed glued to him the entire evening, her hand casually resting on his arm, her laughter ringing out whenever he said something. And he let her. No, he encouraged her, leaning down to whisper in her ear, brushing a strand of hair from her face, giving her all the attention I craved but never received.

The pack members noticed. Of course, they did. Their eyes flickered between me and Lila, their expressions a mix of pity and judgment. Some whispered to each other, their words too low for me to hear but loud enough to sting. Others avoided my gaze entirely, as if my humiliation was too uncomfortable for them to witness.

I stood there, silent, smiling when it was expected, nodding when someone addressed me. But inside, I was crumbling. My wolf howled in frustration. This isn’t right, she growled. This isn’t how it’s supposed to be.

I stood in a corner near the refreshments table, nursing a cocktail in my hand. It was fruity, sweet, and far too weak to drown out the ache in my chest as I watched Harlan and Lila across the firepit.

I took another sip of my drink, trying to focus on the sharp tang of citrus instead of the sharp pang in my chest. But no amount of sweet cocktails could make this scene any easier to endure. After downing four drinks, finally Harlan acknowledged me.

“Why are you hiding over here?” He asked me, and I turned to see Harlan standing behind me, his arms crossed and his brow furrowed.

“I’m not hiding,” I said quickly, setting my glass down with more force than necessary.

He raised an eyebrow, his gaze sweeping over me like he didn’t believe a word I said. “You’ve been standing here all night, Anya. What’s going on?”

“What’s going on,” I repeated, as I gestured toward Lila, “is that you seem to be having a wonderful evening without me. I’m just enjoying the show.”

He stepped closer to me, “Don’t start this here, Anya. You’re overreacting.”

“Overreacting?” I hissed, “You’ve spent the entire night glued to her side, Harlan. You didn’t even notice I was here until now!”

He exhaled sharply, “She’s family. You know that.”

“Family doesn’t cling to you like a lovesick pup,” I snapped.

For a moment, I thought he was going to argue back, but instead, he straightened and glanced around. “We’re not doing this here,” he said.

“Fine,” I shot back. “Let’s not do it at all.”

I grabbed another cocktail from the table and turned away, pretending not to notice the curious glances of the pack members nearby. But even as I walked away, I could feel his eyes on me, heavy.

The ride home was silent, the tension between us so thick it was suffocating. Harlan drove with his hands gripping the steering wheel tightly, his golden eyes fixed on the road ahead. I stared out the window, the night blurring past as I tried to collect my thoughts.

As soon as we stepped into the house, I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

“Harlan,” I said.

He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Anya, not now…?”

“No,” I cut him off. “We’re talking about this now.”

He turned to face me, but he didn’t interrupt.

“What are we even doing anymore?” I asked, “Do you even see me, Harlan? Because tonight, it felt like I didn’t exist to you. Like I never do when Lila’s around.”

He groaned, rubbing his temples like I was giving him a headache. “Anya, you’re being ridiculous. Lila’s been through a lot…”

“I know that!” I shouted. “I know she’s grieving, and I know you feel responsible for her. But does that mean I have to stand there and watch you treat her like she’s the one who matters most to you? Like she’s your mate?”

“She’s family, Anya. And I’m trying to keep this pack together. You need to stop taking everything so personally.”

“How can I not?” I shot back, “Do you have any idea what it’s like to stand there and watch everyone pity me? To see the way they look at me like I’m nothing but an afterthought to you?”

“You keep saying she’s family,” I continued, “But what about me, Harlan? What am I to you?”

He didn’t answer right away, and the silence felt like a slap in the face. When he finally spoke,

“You’re my mate,” he said, but there was no warmth in his tone, no conviction.

I laughed bitterly, wiping at the tears that had started to fall. “You don’t act like it.”

“You need to stop letting it bother you.”

“What if I can’t?” I asked him.

“Anya,” he began, “Do you ever stop to think about what you caused?

“My brother…Ronan…is dead because of you.”

“Do you even remember that night?” he continued, “You wandered into enemy territory like it was a walk in the woods. You didn’t think…didn’t care…about the consequences. And because of that, Ronan and I had to risk everything to get you back. He died protecting you.”

I flinched at his words, but before I could respond, he took a step closer, his towering frame radiating fury on me.

“In this pack, Anya, you’re the last person who has the right to question me or Lila. If I choose to protect her, to put her first, it’s because I owe it to Ronan. You don’t get to complain. You owe her, too.”

The memory of that night was as vivid as ever, haunting me like a ghost.

I hadn’t meant to cross the border at least, not truly. But I hadn’t been thinking clearly that evening. The weight of Lila’s cutting remarks had pushed me to the edge.

It had started as a stupid challenge.

FLASHBACK

“Prove your worth, Anya,” Lila had sneered earlier that day, her voice dripping with mockery as she stood surrounded by a few pack members. “You’re all talk and no bite. No wonder the pack doesn’t respect you.”

I’d clenched my fists, trying to stay calm, but her next words struck a nerve. “What kind of Luna will you ever be if you can’t even face a little danger? Honestly, I wouldn’t blame Harlan if he regretted choosing you.”

“Lila, stop,” I’d said through gritted teeth.

She smirked, “Tell you what,” she said, “Prove me wrong. Go into Shadowclaw territory tonight. Bring back a branch, a stone or anything. Show us you’re not as weak as everyone thinks you are.”

My wolf bristled at the challenge, but my human side knew better. Crossing into enemy territory wasn’t just reckless; it was a death sentence. Yet the humiliation burning in my chest, the stares of the others as they waited to see if I’d accept or back down, drowned out my common sense.

“You think I won’t?” I snapped.

“I think you can’t,” Lila shot back.

Harlan wasn’t there. He didn’t know. If he had been, he would’ve shut it down immediately. But Lila had planned it that way, waiting until he was busy with pack matters to sink her claws into me. And so, driven by anger, pride, and the desperate need to prove her wrong, I went.

That night, I slipped into the forest to prove her wrong. The air was cold and heavy, the moonlight barely piercing the canopy above. I didn’t think about the danger. I didn’t think about the consequences.

I crossed the border quickly, my heartbeat roaring in my ears. It was just a line in the dirt, a boundary marked by scent and territory claims. It didn’t feel real until I was standing in Shadowclaw land, the oppressive energy of their pack settling over me like a storm.

I bent down, to grab a jagged stone as proof of my supposed bravery. That’s when I heard a growl low and menacing, the sound reverberating through the forest.

The Shadowclaws had found me.

They emerged from the darkness, their glowing eyes and snarling teeth cutting through the night like blades. Their alpha stepped forward, his massive frame radiating power and malice.

“Trespassing, are we?” he snarled, “The Moonshine pack thinks they can send spies into my territory? Foolish.”

I froze, in fear. “II’m not a spy,” I stammered, backing away, but they weren’t interested in explanations.

Their wolves circled me, snapping their jaws, their growls growing louder. My wolf itched to fight, but I knew I stood no chance. My voice broke as I screamed for help, the sound tearing through the mid night.

By the time Harlan and Ronan arrived, it was too late to reason with the Shadowclaws. The moment they saw Moonshine wolves, the situation escalated. Words turned to growls, growls to violence, and the forest erupted into chaos.

I could only watch in horror as Ronan, Harlan’s elder brother and the pack’s secondincommand, fought with unmatched ferocity. His strength was legendary, but even legends had their limits.

One fleeting moment of distraction and the enemy alpha struck, his fangs sinking into Ronan’s neck and dragging him down.

“Harlan!” I screamed, but it was too late. Ronan’s blood pooled beneath him, and his body went still.

Harlan’s anguished roar cut through the night as he tore through the remaining Shadowclaws. By the time it was over, the ground was littered with bodies, and the air was thick with the stench of blood and death.

PRESENT

Harlan’s voice snapped me out of the memory.

“You think I can just forget that?” he demanded, “You think I don’t see his blood on your hands every time I look at you?”

I shook my head, tears streaming down my face. “Harlan, I didn’t mean…”

“Didn’t mean to?” He laughed bitterly. “Intent doesn’t matter, Anya. Ronan is dead because of you. And now, you dare to question why I protect Lila? She lost her mate because of you!”

I opened my mouth to protest, but the words died in my throat. What could I say? That I didn’t mean to cross the border? It was lila who forced me and that I didn’t ask for Ronan to save me? None of it mattered.

To Harlan, I was guilty. And nothing I said would ever change that.

“Anya,” he said, as he stepped closer to me, “you could make this right. If you’d just try. Be understanding. Be... selfless. Help me take care of Lila. Do that, and I promise you’ll always be first in my heart.”

I am doing that but Harlan is blind to not see how much I sacrificed for the action I didn’t even do. Harlan left the house once again leaving me in my misery.

Later that night, my phone buzzed with a message. It was from Lila.

The photo she sent made my stomach turn.

In it, Harlan stood with his back to the camera, cradling Shadow he’d abandoned me for. Beneath the image was a caption that made my blood boil:

“Anya, what do you think? I won again. No matter when I call, Harlan will always come to me. Maybe next time, I’ll let you feel what it’s like to hold him. Or better yet, I’ll show you what you’re missing.”

The phone slipped from my hands as nausea overtook me. I stumbled to the trash can, retching violently.

The phone buzzed again.

“Oh, and about your little crowning ceremony ? Don’t bother. Harlan doesn’t need a Luna. He already has me.”

Something inside me snapped. Tears blurred my vision as I picked up the phone, my fingers trembling with rage.

“You manipulative, conniving bitch!” I screamed, my voice echoing through the empty room.

I tossed my phone onto the table, frustration simmering as I stared at the bandage on my hand. My chest felt tight, but it wasn’t from the sting of the cut. No, it was the weight of three years of insults, provocations, and silent sacrifices…all because of Lila.

For three years, she had played this game, goading me at every opportunity. Every sly comment, every feigned act of kindness, was a dagger she twisted in my side.

And Harlan? He wasn’t blind. He wasn’t stupid. He knew. He knew exactly what Lila was doing. But every single time, he chose to look the other way.

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head as I paced the small room. The cold floorboards creaked beneath my bare feet, and the walls seemed to close in, suffocating me. Maybe I’d been a fool all along. For years, I told myself to endure it. After all, I owed Harlan’s family everything.

The Moonshine alpha and his mate had taken me in when I had no one. My parents had died in a rogue attack when I was barely six. I still remembered the night I was brought to the pack house, clutching the tattered blanket my mother made for me.

It was Harlan’s parents who held me when I cried, who fed me, clothed me, and treated me like one of their own. Harlan and Ronan became my family. They taught me how to fight, how to stand tall, and how to survive.

And now…

I clenched my fists, nails biting into my palms as fresh tears spilled down my cheeks. How could I even think about leaving?

Everything I had, everything I was, I owed to them. Walking away would make me ungrateful, disloyal.

But staying…staying was killing me.

I sank onto the edge of the bed, my shoulders trembling as the tears came harder. I buried my face in my hands, the sobs wracking my body. I cried for the love I had lost, for the bond I thought we shared, for the betrayal that cut deeper than any wound.

I cried for Ronan, who had died trying to save me. For the guilt that suffocated me every time I saw Harlan’s golden eyes filled with blame.

And I cried for myself, for the woman I used to be before this endless cycle of heartbreak turned me into someone I barely recognized.

The storm outside mirrored my anguish, rain pattering against the window like a thousand tiny needles. The wind howled, shaking the house.

I don’t know how long I stayed like that, curled up in a ball on the bed, but eventually, exhaustion pulled me under, my tears soaking the pillow beneath me.

The sound of the front door slamming open jolted me awake. My heart sank.The scent of pine and rain filled the air…Harlan’s scent. But there was something else mixed in…anger.

Before I could fully sit up, the lights flicked on, flooding the room in harsh brightness. Harlan was there in an instant, his golden eyes blazing as he yanked me out of bed.

“Anya,” he growled, “what the hell is wrong with you?”

I blinked, and I was feeling disoriented, “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb.” His grip on my arm tightened, “Why did you call Lila a bitch? Don’t you know what she’s been through? Don’t you know she only has Shadow left to remind her of Ronan?”

Lila appeared in the doorway, cradling the wolf pup in her arms. Shadow’s coat was pure white, with bright amber eyes that mirrored his mother’s. He let out a small, plaintive whimper, trembling as if sensing the tension in the room.

Lila buried her face in the pup’s fur, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. When she looked up, tears clung to her lashes like fragile crystals, her lip trembling as if she’d been utterly devastated by my words.

“Harlan,” she whispered, “please don’t be mad at her. I’m sure she didn’t mean it. I only sent her the photo to reassure her, to let her know there was nothing going on between us.”

She sniffled, clutching Shadow tighter. “Anya, I promise you, I’ll never call Harlan for anything again. Even if I’m dying, I won’t bother him. I swear.”

The sight of her frail, pitiful, made my blood boil. And just like that, Harlan’s rage evaporated.He pulled her into his arms.

“Don’t say that,” he murmured. “I’ll always come when you need me, Lila. Always.”

I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails pierced the skin of my palms, drawing blood. This was the man who used to hold me like that. The man who used to whisper those words in my ear. And now, that was reserved for someone else. When he turned back to me, his golden eyes were cold.

“You’ve disappointed me, Anya,” he said. “I’ve told you time and time again not to pick fights with Lila. But you don’t listen. You can’t stand the fact that I care about her, can you? She’s like a sister to me, and you turn it into something ugly. Why?”

I opened my mouth to speak, to defend myself, but he cut me off.

“This isn’t about Lila,” he continued, “This is about your guilt. You know you’re the reason Ronan is dead, and you can’t handle it. So you lash out. But I won’t let you take it out on her. Do you understand me?”

His words hit like a physical blow, and I staggered back, the air knocked out of me…Guilt… He always came back to that.

No matter how many times I tried to explain, no matter how much I begged him to believe me, he refused. In his eyes, Ronan’s death was my fault.

And nothing I did would ever change that.

Desperation clawed at me as I grabbed my phone to show him the messages Lila had sent. But when I opened the app, her messages were gone. She deleted the messages and all that remained was my reply: a single voice note.

“You bitch.”

Harlan’s jaw tightened as he listened to it.

“That’s all I needed to hear,” he said.

Lila stepped closer, placing a hand on his arm. “Harlan, it’s okay. I don’t want to cause any more trouble. Just... don’t be too hard on her, okay?”

She was showing her fake compassion. My rage bubbled to the surface, and I raised my hand, ready to wipe that smug look off her face, but before I could do it, Harlan moved faster than I thought possible. He stop me by catching my wrist in midair.

“Don’t,” he growled, and his grip was firm but not painful. Even now, he wouldn’t hurt me not physically. But emotionally? He was a master at that.

He turned to Lila. “Go outside. I’ll handle this.”

She nodded, casting me one last triumphant glance before disappearing behind the door. When Harlan released my wrist, his golden eyes bore into mine.

“I don’t know who you’ve become, Anya,” he said, “But this? This isn’t the woman I have chosen as my mate.”

And then, without another word, he walked away, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence, the weight of his judgment pressing down like a stone on my chest.

The silence of the morning was suffocating, a heavy blanket pressing down on my chest. My heart ached, the wound fresh and raw, as I lay there in the cold stillness. It was as if everything had stopped. The world outside the window might as well not exist for all I cared.

I couldn’t bear it any longer, dragging myself out of bed, I moved sluggishly. My limbs feel heavy, every movement an effort. I reached for a simple dress, a muted gray that matched the storm raging in my chest and slipped it on without much thought. My fingers trembled as I tied my hair back into a messy bun, the strands refusing to cooperate.

When I looked into the mirror, I flinched. The reflection staring back at me was almost unrecognizable. My eyes were redrimmed, hollow, devoid of the fire that once burned there. My skin was pale, and my lips pressed into a thin line. I looked like someone who had given too much and received nothing in return.

I stepped out of the room and as I descended into the foyer, something unfamiliar caught my eye…two large suitcases parked neatly by the staircase.

I froze.

“Whose are these?” I asked the maid.

The maid, startled by my sudden appearance, and she hesitated for a moment before answering. “These belong to Miss Lila, ma’am,”

“Lila?” The name hung in the air like a curse.

“Yes, Luna Anya,” she replied. “ Alpha Harlan instructed us to prepare the guest bedroom for her. These are her things.”

I felt the ground shift beneath me. She was here. She was moving in. My breathing grew shallow, my chest tight as I turned on my heel and stormed toward Harlan’s study. The door was slightly ajar, and I pushed it open without bothering to knock.

Harlan sat behind his desk, pen in hand, papers scattered in front of him. His golden eyes flicked up to meet mine.

“Harlan,” I said, my voice trembling with barely contained anger.

“Anya, what’s the matter now?”

“What’s the matter?” I repeated, “I wake up to find Lila’s luggage in the foyer, and I’m being told you’ve arranged a room for her. That’s the matter!”

Harlan sighed, leaning back in his chair as though my outburst were nothing more than a nuisance. “Don’t make this a big deal, Anya.”

“Not a big deal?” I snapped. “You’re moving her into the house…Our house…And you didn’t even think to tell me? Do you realize how humiliating that is?”

“She needed a place to stay,” he said, as if that explained everything. “It’s not like she has anywhere else to go.”

I stared at him, in disbelief. “You can’t be serious,” I whispered. “This is her plan, Harlan. She’s manipulating you, and you’re letting her.”

“Enough, Anya! I won’t stand here and let you insult her. Lila’s been through enough. She’s family, and I’m helping her. That’s the end of it.”

“Family?” I said bitterly, “She’s not your family, Harlan. She’s a parasite, and she’s sinking her claws into you.”

“You’ve changed, Anya,” he said. “You’ve become bitter, jealous, and impossible to reason with. This isn’t the woman I grew up with. This isn’t the woman I chose as my mate.”

I blinked back the tears threatening to spill, my throat tightening with the effort to hold them in.

“You’re right,” I said, “I’ve changed. Because I had to. Because the woman you fell in love with wouldn’t have survived this…survived you.”

“Maybe choosing you was a mistake,” he said, the words like a dagger to my heart.

“If that’s how you feel,” I said, “then maybe you’re right. Maybe this was a mistake.”

Harlan didn’t respond immediately, but when he did, almost resigned. “Maybe it is.”

I stood frozen, my entire world crumbling around me. My heart shattered into pieces as the words hung in the air, and I couldn’t breathe.

I turned, blindly stumbling toward the door, the tears already streaming down my face. But as I stepped into the hall, I stopped cold.

Lila was there. Standing just outside the study, her back pressed against the wall, her expression caught somewhere between amusement and mock concern. Her lips twitched upward, but she tried to hide it, playing the innocent.

She’d been listening.

“You just can’t help yourself, can you?” I said to her and I glared at her.

“Anya,” she said sweetly, “I didn’t mean to overhear. I was just... passing by.”

“Save it,” I snapped, “I know what you’re doing. I know exactly what you are.”

Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second before she regained her composure. “I don’t know what you mean,” she said, “But I’m sorry if I’ve upset you.”

I didn’t respond. I didn’t have the energy. Instead, I turned and walked away, leaving her standing there with that sickly sweet smile plastered on her face.

When I reached my room, I collapsed onto the bed, sobs wracking my body. Lila had won. She had slithered her way into my home, into Harlan’s heart, and no matter how much I fought, he would always choose her over me.I cried until there were no more tears to shed.

A FEW DAYS LATER

The days dragged by like a slowmoving storm. I kept my distance from Harlan, shutting myself away in my room or occupying myself with the endless arrangements for the ceremony. The pain still lingered, but I buried it beneath the tasks that demanded my attention.

Harlan didn’t come looking for me, and I didn’t seek him out. We lived in the same house but moved as strangers, the silence between us colder than any argument could have been. Lila, on the other hand, had settled into the house as if she’d always belonged. She walked the halls like a queen surveying her kingdom, giving orders to the staff and involving herself in every detail of the upcoming ceremony. I didn’t want her to get on my nerves.

That morning, I stepped into the garden, the soft scent of roses and jasmine wafting in the cool breeze. The arrangements were nearly done, but my mind was elsewhere, lost in a tangle of emotions I couldn’t untangle.

“Careful with those lilies,” I called to one of the servants, “They’re for the centerpiece, and I don’t want them bruised.”

“Yes, ma’am,” the servant replied, adjusting his grip on the delicate flowers.

“Move the vases closer to the fountain,” I instructed another, gesturing toward the shimmering water. “They’ll reflect better in the light there.”

The servant hesitated. “But Miss Lila said…”

I cut him off, “I don’t care what Lila said. Follow my instructions.”

He nodded quickly, avoiding my gaze as he carried the vases to the fountain.

I turned to the head gardener, who was supervising the placement of the pergola. “That beam looks uneven,” I pointed out, shading my eyes against the sun. “It needs to be secured properly before the flowers are added. I don’t want it collapsing halfway through the ceremony.”

The gardener nodded,“I’ll have it fixed right away, Luna anya.”

As I gave the last set of instructions, I caught a faint scent that made my breath hitch. Pine and earth. Strong, grounding, and utterly unforgettable.

Kael.

My body stiffened, my chest tightening involuntarily. I didn’t turn around, refusing to acknowledge his presence, but my wolf stirred immediately, her energy rippling through me like a caged storm.

Ignore him, I told myself firmly, gripping the clipboard in my hands so tightly my knuckles turned white.

But my wolf had other ideas. She growled low, pushing against my restraint, I turned back to the gardener, forcing myself to focus. “Make sure the dais is cleaned and polished before the flowers are set. I don’t want a single speck of dirt visible.”

“Yes, Luna Anya,” he replied, before hurrying off.

I handed the clipboard to another servant and stepped back, my eyes scanning the arrangements. Just as I let out a breath, a loud creak broke through the quiet.

I looked up to see the pergola’s wooden beam splintering, the heavy structure groaning as it gave way. My body froze, my heart lurching in terror as the beam plummeted toward me.

“Anya!”

In a split second someone strong arms wrapped around me, and push me on the ground. We hit the ground hard, the breath knocked out of me. My body landed on top of him, the solid warmth of his chest cushioning my fall. His arms were still around me, strong and protective, holding me against him as if letting go wasn’t an option.

For a moment, everything stay stilled. The beam crashed mere inches away, sending a tremor through the ground, but I couldn’t focus on that. All I could hear was his heartbeat fast, and powerful beneath me, a rhythm that matched the wild pounding of my own.

My hands were splayed against his chest, and I could feel the rise and fall of his breathing, shallow and rapid. His scent surrounded me, pine and earth, grounding yet intoxicating. My wolf stirred, restless and yearning, her energy rippling through me like a live wire.

I tilted my head up, and our eyes met. Silver, intense and blazing with something unspoken. For a long moment his gaze held mine captive. My breath hitched, my chest tightening as I felt the pull between us.

“Anya, are you hurt?” He asked me but my body didn’t react the way I expected. I felt my wolf respond immediately, pushing against the surface, urging me to answer. She wanted to be near him, to feel his presence more than anything.

I’m fine, I sent back, trying to push the words past the overwhelming pull inside me. The world around us seemed to fade, leaving only the two of us, caught in the silence that hung thick in the air.

Don’t make me feel like this again, his wolf growled, low and possessive, I couldn’t speak. My throat tightened, my body frozen beneath him, and my wolf surged forward, craving his touch.

Kael, I tried again, but the word was just a whisper lost in the tension between us.

Our wolves fought for dominance, and the connection between us was so raw it burned. His hand gently cupped my face, his touch leaving an imprint on my skin.

You scared me, his wolf murmured through the bond. You shouldn’t freeze like that.

I wanted to say something, anything, but all I could do was stare up at him. The words wouldn't come. Instead, the only thing that filled the space between us was the rising storm of our wolves, pushing and pulling, unable to break free.

“Anya!”

The sharp call of my name shattered the moment.

We both turned to see Harlan striding toward us, and his gaze flickered between us, lingering on how close Kael was to me.

“What happened here?” he demanded,

“The pergola beam broke,” Kael replied, “I pulled her out of the way.”

Harlan’s expression softened when he looked at me. “Anya, are you hurt?”

“I’m fine,” I said quickly, trying to sit up. But the moment I moved, a sharp pain shot through my ankle, and I gasped.

“ You don’t look like,” Harlan said, before I could say anything in one smooth motion, he scooped me into his arms as if I weighed nothing.

“Harlan, I can walk…”

“You’re not walking,” he interrupted, “You’re hurt. Just let me take care of this.”

As he carried me back to the house, I glanced over his shoulder. Kael was still standing in the garden, his gaze fixed on me.

Kael… I whispered inside my mind, but it was more a plea than a question.

Harlan noticed, his arms tightening around me protectively. “Kael,” he called over his shoulder, “thank you for helping her. But I’ll take it from here.”

Kael didn’t respond, his jaw clenched as he nodded once. His eyes never left mine, and as the distance between us grew, I felt an ache in my chest that I couldn’t explain.

Once inside, Harlan carried me straight to my room and laid me gently on the bed.

“Stay here,” he instructed, as he brushed a strand of hair from my face. “I’m calling the healer.”

“Harlan, I don’t need…”

“You do,” he cut me off, leaving no room for argument. His hand lingered on my cheek for a moment, his thumb brushing against my skin. “You scared me out there.”

I looked up at him, startled by the vulnerability in his voice.

“Please,” he added. “Just let me take care of this.”

Before I could respond, he turned and left, his absence leaving a strange void in the room.

The healer arrived not long after, she moved efficiently, examining my ankle with careful hands while murmuring incantations under her breath.

“You’re lucky it’s only a sprain,” she said after a moment, “No breaks, but you’ll need to stay off it for a few days. I’ll apply a salve to reduce the swelling and speed up the healing.”

I nodded silently, biting my lip as she worked. The coolness of the salve eased the throbbing pain in my ankle, Harlan stood nearby, his arms crossed, his eyes never leaving me. As the healer wrapped my ankle in a bandage, he moved closer, kneeling beside the bed.

“She’ll need to rest,” the healer continued, looking at Harlan. “No walking, no stress. Let the ankle heal naturally, and she should be fine in a few days.”

“I’ll make sure of it,” he replied.

The healer gave me a kind smile before gathering her things and leaving the room.

As soon as the door closed behind her, Harlan reached for my hand, “You scared me out there,” he murmured, his thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles.

“I didn’t mean to,” I said,

His gaze lifted to meet mine, and the intensity in his eyes made my breath catch. “I can’t lose you, Anya. Not like that. Don’t ever do that again, please.” He brought my hand to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to my fingers, his touch lingering as if to reassure himself that I was still here.

“I’ll be fine,” I said,

“You don’t have to be fine,” he replied, “Not with me. Just… let me take care of you.”

I didn’t know how to respond. He stayed by my side, but it couldn’t stop my thoughts from straying.

The memory of Kael’s touch, his scent, his eyes filled with something unspoken, refused to fade. My wolf stirred restlessly, her longing for him clashing with the warmth of Harlan’s care.

Harlan kissed my hand again, his lips soft against my skin. “Rest, Anya,” he said, “I’ll stay here. I’m not going anywhere.”

I closed my eyes, exhaustion pulling at me, but sleep didn’t come easily. My heart felt torn, caught between the man beside me and the wild, untamed pull of the one who had saved me.

The healer’s instructions were clear: rest, no walking, and minimal stress. Harlan seemed to take those words to heart, refusing to leave my side.

The first night, he stayed by the bed, sitting in a chair he’d dragged over. Every so often, I would wake to find him still there, his fingers loosely holding mine or brushing the hair from my face. His concern was genuine, but it couldn’t quiet the storm brewing inside me.

By morning, the swelling in my ankle had gone down, but I was still confined to the bed. Harlan brought breakfast himself and insisted on helping me sit up, though I assured him I could manage.

“Let me do this,” he said, and his hands on my shoulders as he adjusted the pillows behind me. “You shouldn’t strain yourself.”

“I’m not completely helpless,” I replied, attempting a smile.

“You were almost crushed by a beam yesterday, Anya,” he said, “Forgive me if I’m a little overprotective.”

I didn’t argue. I couldn’t but no matter how kind or attentive Harlan was, my thoughts kept straying to Kael. The way his arms had felt around me, the way he called my name. My wolf had been restless ever since, her emotions a confusing mix of longing and frustration.

Why him? I questioned her, trying to make sense of it. Why Kael, when Harlan is right here?

But she offered no answers, only a quiet hum of acknowledgment whenever his name crossed my mind.

By the third day, I was restless. Harlan had been a constant presence, ensuring I ate, drank, and rested. He read my favorite lecture in the evenings, and even convinced me to let him carry me to the balcony for fresh air.

“Look at that view,” he said softly, his hand around my waist as he helped me settle into a chair. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

I nodded, my gaze on the distant hills, but my thoughts were elsewhere. My chest tightened with guilt, knowing I should be grateful for his care, and yet, the memory of Kael’s eyes, his voice, his touch, lingered like a shadow I couldn’t escape.

Harlan’s fingers brushed mine, pulling me back to the present. “You seem far away,” he said, “Are you still in pain?”

“No,” I lied, forcing a smile. “I’m just tired.”

He nodded, though his eyes lingered on mine as if searching for something I wasn’t ready to share.

Meanwhile, Lila’s presence in the house had grown more noticeable and more irksome.

She would appear at odd moments, her perfume lingering in the hallways. Whenever Harlan stepped away, she would find an excuse to be near him. But it wasn’t working. Harlan’s attention remained on me, and Lila’s frustration was evident.

“She’s milking this for all it’s worth,” I overheard her mutter to a maid one afternoon. “Harlan hasn’t left her side. It’s pathetic, really. She can’t even walk without him hovering like she’s made of glass.”

I clenched my fists at her words, but I said nothing. My ankle was still tender, and I couldn’t afford to waste energy on her pettiness.

But Lila wasn’t one to give up easily.

That evening, as Harlan helped me back into bed, Lila appeared in the doorway, a tray of tea in her hands.

“I thought you might need this,” she said sweetly, though her smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Chamomile, to help you sleep.”

“Thank you, Lila,” Harlan said, but He didn’t even glance at her as he adjusted the blanket over me.

She lingered in the doorway, her grip tightening on the tray. “You’ve been taking such good care of her, Harlan. It’s admirable, really. But don’t you think she could manage a little more independence by now? The healer said it was just a sprain.”

“She needs rest, Lila. And I’ll decide how best to care for her.”

I avoided looking at either of them, wishing to disappear.“Well,” Lila said after a moment, “if you need anything, you know where to find me.”

She turned and left, and I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

Harlan sat back down beside me, his fingers finding mine once more. “Don’t let her bother you,” he said softly. “She is having a hard time taking care of shadow.”

But that wasn’t true not entirely. Because as much as Lila’s jealousy irritated me, it also highlighted a truth I couldn’t ignore. Harlan’s care, should have been enough. He was my chosen mate, the one I was supposed to build a life with. But my wolf, my heart, couldn’t seem to let go of the pull toward Kael.

As the days passed, that pull only grew stronger, and with it, my confusion.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Kael’s face, felt his arms around me, heard his voice. My wolf would stir, and I couldn’t silence her no matter how hard I tried.

And through it all, Harlan remained by my side, his love and care a constant reminder of the life I was supposed to want.

But deep down, I knew, something had shifted. Something I couldn’t explain, something I couldn’t control. And no matter how much I tried to push it away, it refused to be ignored.

A few days passed, and I was feeling much better. My ankle was still tender, but I could move around the house with little difficulty. Harlan, after making sure I was comfortable and didn’t need anything, finally left to attend a pack meeting that required his presence.

The house felt quieter without him, and I decided to spend some time in the library. The shelves were slightly disorganized, and I thought arranging the books might help distract my restless mind.

I was reaching up to place a leatherbound book back on the shelf when I heard the door creak open behind me. I didn’t need to turn around to know who it was; the faint scent of roses and the sharp click of her heels were unignorable.

“Anya,” Lila’s voice came, sickly sweet but laced with venom.

I glanced over my shoulder. “Lila.”

She stepped inside, her arms crossed as she leaned casually against the nearest bookshelf. “You seem to be recovering well,” she said, “It’s impressive how quickly you’ve managed to bounce back. Harlan must be relieved.”

I turned back to the books, unwilling to engage. “Is there something you need, Lila?”

She chuckled as she walked closer. “Need? No. I was just wondering how it feels to have Harlan’s attention only because you got yourself injured. Must be nice having someone dote on you all the time.”

I froze for a moment but kept my focus on the books. “Harlan is my mate. Of course, he’d care for me.”

She laugh. “Your chosen mate,” she corrected,“But I wonder… how long will that last? Harlan’s a man of duty, Anya. He’s devoted, yes, but for how long can he ignore the… incompatibilities?”

I placed a book down carefully, my patience starting to fray. “What are you trying to say, Lila?”

She smirked, stepping closer. “I’m saying you don’t fit into his world as well as you think you do. You’re clinging to a man who deserves someone who matches him…someone like me.”

“You’re wasting your time, Lila. Harlan chose me. And no amount of scheming or petty comments will change that.”

“Scheming?” she asked,. “Oh no, I don’t need to scheme, Anya. I’m simply stating the obvious. Harlan doesn’t look at you the way he used to. And honestly, I can’t blame him. You’re... distracted, aren’t you? Thinking about someone else, maybe?”

My heart skipped a beat, and I turned to face her fully, my anger rising. “Enough, Lila.”

But she didn’t stop. She stepped closer, “Don’t think I haven’t noticed. You’re restless, uneasy. And why is that, Anya? Is it because of him? Because of the way Kael…”

“Don’t,” I snapped,

“Oh, I hit a nerve, didn’t I? Poor Anya, torn between her chosen mate and the one her wolf truly wants. Does Harlan know? Or are you planning to keep playing the perfect little mate while your thoughts betray him?”

My wolf stirred, her growl rumbling in the back of my mind. I took a step forward, narrowing the distance between us. “You don’t know anything about me, Lila. And if you value your place in this pack, I suggest you stop pushing me.”

She raised an eyebrow, “Or what?”

I leaned closer, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Or you’ll find out exactly what happens when someone crosses me.”

“You think you can scare me?” she said. “You’re nothing, Anya. Just a placeholder. And sooner or later, Harlan will see that when I tell him the truth about kael.”

I straightened, my anger simmering just below the surface. My patience finally snapping as Lila continued to provoke me. Her words felt like daggers, and every part of me wanted to scream at her to leave. But when she mentioned Kael, something inside me broke.

Before I even realized what I was doing, I lunged at her, my hands gripping her shoulders and slamming her into the nearest wall. The force of the impact rattled the shelves, and Lila gasped in shock, her eyes wide with fear. I held her there, my fingers tightening around her neck, lifting her off the ground slightly as my wolf roared within me, demanding control.

“You don’t get to talk about him,” I hissed, “You don’t know anything about me, Lila. And if you ever try to come for what’s mine again, I will make you regret it.”

Her hands scrambled at my wrist, gasping for breath, but I didn’t let go. My gaze was locked on hers, my anger boiling over.

“You… you’re crazy,” she choked out, “You can’t…”