Kenneth Thomas’s childhood friend, Sydney Palmer, and I were set to be mated on the same day.

On the day of our ceremony, Kenneth left without a word, all to ensure Sydney wouldn’t be bound to the cold and ruthless Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack.

That very day, in front of everyone, Kenneth and Sydney completed their mark ceremony, leaving me humiliated and abandoned.

The entire pack was waiting to see how I, Margot Butler, and the Silver Fang Pack would handle this scandal.

But the next morning, Logan Moore, the so-called “cold-hearted Alpha,” arrived at my family’s estate, his expression unreadable yet resolute.

“Kenneth stole my mate,” he said, his voice steady but with an undercurrent of anger. “His debt, you’ll repay. We’ll be mated in ten days. Do you agree?”

I lowered my gaze, watching the koi fish swim lazily in the pond.

“I agree.”

---

“I accept your proposal.”

Perhaps surprised by my immediate agreement, Logan’s stoic expression faltered for a moment, a faint crease forming between his brows.

He raised his hand.

“A verbal agreement isn’t enough. Let’s seal it with a handshake.”

I couldn’t help but find it amusing—a handshake, as if we were striking a business deal. I raised my hand and shook his, his palm warm and firm against mine.

Afterward, Logan turned to leave, his movements brisk, but not before I noticed the faint flush creeping up his ears. He even left behind his scent pouch, something I picked up with a soft laugh. Who would’ve thought the fearsome Alpha of the Silver Fang Pack could be so endearingly awkward?

Kenneth had been the Gamma of the Blue Moon Pack, and my father had arranged our mate bond, believing it would strengthen our family’s position.

As the only daughter of the Butler family, I had no say in the matter.

I never expected Kenneth’s love—only his loyalty and respect.

Before the ceremony, I’d even asked him directly if there was anyone else in his heart.

He’d sworn there wasn’t, assuring me he was fully committed to our bond.

But on the day of our ceremony, he abandoned me for Sydney, leaving me to face the whispers and judgment of the entire pack.

I tossed another handful of fish food into the pond, watching the koi dart eagerly toward it.

So be it.

But I hadn’t expected Kenneth to have the audacity to show up at my family’s estate afterward.

I frowned, my expression darkening as I turned to face him.

“Kenneth Thomas, you’re freshly mated and basking in your new status. What brings you here?”

He paused, forcing a smile and offering me a shallow bow.

“Margot, I’ve come to apologize. I do care for you, truly.”

“But Sydney… she’s an Omega, fragile and alone. Our families have been close for years. I couldn’t let her suffer.”

So instead, he let me suffer, turning my family into the laughingstock of the pack.

The Butlers had served the Blue Moon Pack for generations. Did he think we were so easy to dismiss?

My anger simmered, and my voice was sharp.

“Kenneth, leave. Our bond is broken. From now on, we’re strangers.”

He frowned, stepping closer as if to reach for my hand.

“Margot, don’t be unreasonable. We had a formal agreement. It’s different with Sydney.”

“And she’s kind-hearted. You’ve always been alone; once you join our pack, you two could be like sisters.”

“But since I’ve already completed the mark ceremony with her, I’ll have to ask you to… accept a secondary role for now. In a few years, I’ll elevate you to my equal.”

I stared at him, my eyes widening in disbelief.

How could he even suggest such a thing? The Butlers were a respected lineage, and I was the only daughter of our house.

Even if I had to remate, I’d never lower myself to such a position.

I felt a cold wave of disgust wash over me, my hands trembling as I clenched the handkerchief in my grip.

I took a deep breath, stepping back and meeting his gaze with unwavering determination.

“A Butler will never be a second choice.”

My words were final, but Kenneth’s expression darkened, his patience wearing thin.

“It’s just a title,” he snapped, his voice rising. “Do you really think I’d let anyone disrespect you? Margot, stop being childish.”

Childish?

The audacity of him to call me childish, when he was the one who’d broken his word, humiliated me in front of the entire pack, and now had the nerve to demand I accept less than I deserved.

I stared at him, my gaze steady and unflinching.

“Kenneth Thomas, a Butler will never share her mate, and she will never be second to anyone.”

His face twisted with anger, any semblance of composure gone. He pointed a finger at me, his voice harsh.

“Margot Butler, you’re nothing but a rejected mate now. The whole pack knows you’ve been tainted by this scandal. Who would even want you?”

With that, he turned on his heel and stormed out.

I stood there, clutching the handkerchief so tightly my knuckles turned white.

The cold reality of his words sank in, but I refused to let them break me.

I should’ve let go of Kenneth long before the ceremony.

The next day, the Moores arrived to propose the mate bond.

The gift list was endless, their offerings filling my yard to the brim. My mother watched the bustling pack members with worry, her brows knitted tightly. She took my hand and asked if I was sure about this.

I patted her hand gently.

It was decided.

In this city, we couldn’t afford another broken promise.

Besides, the Moores were a reputable pack, and Logan, though stoic, was the eldest son and future Alpha. If not for the Palmer family’s past favor, this mate bond would never have fallen to Sydney.

I held the gift list, meticulously checking each item in the yard.

Just then, Kenneth arrived with Sydney in tow.

The yard was filled with crimson chests adorned with the crest of the Moores. Kenneth raised his chin at the sight, his gaze fixed on me.

Sydney’s eyes, however, were locked on the chests, as if she had already imagined how to enjoy their contents.

“Margot, your family truly adores you, preparing such lavish gifts,” Sydney said, reaching out to open the nearest chest.

I quickly slapped her hand with the gift list.

Sydney let out a delicate cry, retreating into Kenneth’s arms, her voice dripping with委屈.

“I only wanted to help you sort through the offerings. Why would you hit me?”

“I thought the Butlers were well-bred, but it seems I was wrong.”

I narrowed my eyes, too tired to argue.

“You’re not worthy of touching these things.”

These were Logan’s gifts, and I didn’t want him to know Sydney had laid a hand on them.

But it was clear they didn’t understand the significance.

Kenneth’s face darkened, his words sharp.

“I always thought you were reasonable, Margot, above petty distinctions. Yet you treat Sydney like this.”

“And she only wanted to help. You’re just looking down on her status.”

With that, he pulled a silver pendant from his pocket and threw it at my feet.

I frowned.

“What’s this?”

Kenneth’s expression was stormy, as if this trinket held great value.

“A token for the mate bond. This is my gift to you.”

I glanced at the pendant on the ground. Its craftsmanship was crude, the silver tarnished and the stone at its tip dull.

Even my maid wouldn’t have found it appealing.

I took a deep breath, forcing down my anger.

“Take it back. I don’t want it.”

Kenneth’s face turned even uglier, clearly not expecting me to reject him so bluntly.

Sydney stepped forward, cutting him off.

“Don’t be upset, Margot. Kenneth’s just worried. I’ve prepared something special for you too.”

“This dress I sewed for your mark ceremony, and this glassware I carefully selected.”

She placed the box in front of me, revealing a pale blue gown and a set of glassware.

Blue was the color for chosen mates, and the glassware symbolized her intention to serve me as the lesser mate.

My chest burned with anger. I gave Sydney a light push, just wanting her to step back.

But she fell to the ground with a dramatic cry, tears welling in her eyes as she looked up at Kenneth.

Kenneth immediately scooped her into his arms, glaring at me.

“Do you know how many nights Sydney stayed up to make this dress? And this is how you treat her kindness?”

“Thank the Moon Goddess you’re not my mate.”

“You’ll end up alone!”

With that, Kenneth stormed off, carrying Sydney in his arms.

I watched them leave, my strength draining from me.

I let out a long sigh.