An Alpha's Unwolfed Heart

For seven years, I’d been the secret mate of my brother's best friend, Alpha Caspian Valerius of the Crimson Fang pack.

But there was a catch: our bond could never be revealed.

One day, reeking of liquor, Caspian came to me. "Rowan," he slurred, "Dahlia is pregnant. If she remains mateless, the elders will banish her. I have to enter a temporary bonding ceremony with her."

My voice was steady, betraying nothing. "Alright."

In my previous life, I hadn't agreed. I’d insisted he hold our own bonding ceremony instead.

Meanwhile, Dahlia Monroe's pregnancy became more obvious by the day until she could no longer hide it. The enraged elders banished her from the pack.

After Dahlia left, Caspian never came home. He never spoke to me again.

He blamed me for all of it. Soon after, I died of a broken heart.

Just as I closed my eyes for the last time, I saw Caspian burst into my room, his face a mask of panic. And right behind him, holding a pup, was Dahlia—the she-wolf who was supposed to have been exiled.

Only then did I finally understand. Caspian was Dahlia's savior. He was never meant to be mine.

So now that I was reborn, I wouldn't refuse his request. I would sever all ties with him and let him and Dahlia have their happily ever after.

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1

I nodded, and that single gesture stunned Caspian Valerius. He clearly hadn't expected me to acquiesce so easily.

In the dim firelight, his face was flushed, but his golden wolf eyes were unnervingly clear. Not a hint of intoxication. As always, I sat beside him, a quiet, docile presence.

Caspian leaned closer, his expression grim. "Rowan, do you understand the implications?"

I gave another slow nod. "I do."

In my past life, I had vehemently objected, screaming that he could never mention such a thing again. I loved him too much to let him form even a temporary bond with another.

But in this life, my heart was a still, frozen lake. It was like discussing a matter that had nothing to do with me.

Caspian frowned, obviously dissatisfied with my compliance. He was about to say more when my brother, Griffin Thorne, burst in. "Guess who I just saw—Dahlia Monroe, your childhood sweetheart! That guard, Jax, was trying to harass her—"

Before Griffin could finish, Caspian shot to his feet, his Alpha power flaring. "He has a death wish. Dahlia is carrying a pup—how dare he?"

With that, he stormed out of the room.

Griffin stared after him, stunned. "I thought he hadn't spoken to her in seven years. How would he know she's pregnant? Wait... could he be the father?"

I nodded, playing along. "Probably. Looks like Caspian will have his Luna soon."

A shout erupted outside, followed by the sharp crack of shattering glass. I remained seated, calmly shuffling the genetic charts on the table as if oblivious to the commotion.

Griffin seemed even more surprised, a teasing glint in his eye. "Rowan, your precious Caspian is in a fight. Aren't you going to help?"

In the past, I had been Caspian's shadow, trailing him everywhere he went. It was a fact that had made Griffin more than a little jealous.