Before my boyfriend, August Cadwell, marked me, we went to register our mate bond at the Pack Affairs Department.

Unexpectedly, he had me removed from the office suddenly. Then he walked in with his childhood sweetheart. He didn't even flinch when he saw me sitting there in shock.

"Hailey's pup needs to be part of the Aurelis pack. The best and quickest method is for her to register a mate bond with a werewolf from the Aurelis pack. As soon as we sever the mate bond, I'll form a mate bond with you."

Everyone assumed the lovesick version of me would wait just one more month for him. After all, I'd already waited seven long years.

But that night, I did something unexpected. I accepted my parents' arranged mate bond and quietly left for the Lymerian pack, disappearing from his life entirely.

Three years later, I returned to my original pack to visit my family. My mate, Ryder Weyland, was now the lycan chairman. Because of an urgent council meeting, he arranged for someone to collect me from the airport.

What I didn't expect was to see August after all this time. The moment he spotted me, his eyes immediately landed on the sparkling bracelet on my wrist.

"Isn't this a knockoff of the bracelet Ryder Weyland, the lycan chairman, spent two million dollars on for his mate? Didn't expect you to turn this vain after just a few years.

"You've caused enough chaos, haven't you? It's time to return. Hailey's pup is now of school age. You can take on the responsibility of pick-ups and drop-offs."

I gently ran my fingers over the bracelet on my wrist. Little did he know that this was the cheapest one Ryder had ever given me.

As I walked into the arrivals hall, I noticed someone holding a sign that read "Mrs. Weyland". I approached and froze.

It was August Cadwell, my ex-boyfriend—the one I hadn't seen in three years.

Three years of silence. No calls. No messages. No apology or explanation.

Now here he stood, one arm draped casually around Hailey Reed. Behind them clustered a group of preening sycophants, gathered like flies at the arrival gate.

One of them spotted me and smirked. "Well, well, August... Isn't that your shadow? What was her name again? Sophia something?"

August's eyes widened, startled—but the mask slipped back into place quickly. His mouth curled into a slow, mocking smile. "Told you. She'd come crawling back eventually."

The group tittered. "Sophia Miller vanished without a word back then. Now that August is a Beta of the Aurelis Pack, she must've realized she made the wrong call. She probably cried into her pillow every night."

Another voice chimed in. "But Sophia, if you're going to fake a casual run-in, at least dress the part, yeah? What are you wearing? Even my grandma wouldn't be caught dead in that."

"Don't tell me you couldn't even afford a decent outfit after leaving August. That's rough. Looks like you've really hit rock bottom."

What none of them knew was that my clothes had been custom-designed, chosen by someone my mate, Ryder Weyland, hired, with my pregnancy in mind—every thread tailored for comfort.

During my pregnancy, I had grown used to going without makeup. Yet to them, I was still the she-wolf in thick lipstick, trying to catch August's eye.

Three years ago, I walked away from August.

I had bonded with a werewolf who saw me for who I was and loved me, not as a trophy, but as a mate. That werewolf was Ryder Weyland, also known as the lycan chairman. Clearly, the "Mrs. Weyland" they'd all been waiting for was me. But not one of them had realized it yet.

Seeing that I hadn't spoken, someone who once knew me fairly well tried to ease the tension. "Sophia, it's good you're back. Actually, August has been looking for you all these years. He's asked around, like, everywhere."

Instantly, August's smile stiffened.

Trying to cover up the awkward moment, he gave a dismissive shrug and said, "Hailey's pup is starting school soon. You'll take care of the drop-offs and pick-ups."

He was still as arrogant and self-important as ever. But I was no longer the woman who used to bend over backwards to accommodate him. Looking at him now, I felt nothing but a bone-deep disgust.

I was seconds away from telling them exactly who I was when Hailey cut in.

"Sophia, don't be mad at August. He's only doing this for your own good. You've been gone for three years. Who knows what kind of low-level job you've been doing out there?

"And now, look at you, showing up in that shabby look… Even if he wants you as his personal assistant, you'd reflect poorly on him. But don't worry. Just take care of my son, and no one will look down on you."

Three years had passed, and Hailey was still as smug and self-absorbed as ever.

I simply raised a brow, my hands settling over my belly. I didn't speak. I wanted to see how deep their delusions ran.

However, August misread my silence. He thought I was heartbroken, jealous, or perhaps even angry.

His low, mocking laugh confirmed it.

"Come on. She clearly failed out there and came slinking back with her tail between her legs. She should be grateful I'm even offering her a job.

"Just take care of the pup and stop stirring trouble. Know your place.

"Don't worry, I'll let you stay close like you want. There's a spare room for the caretaker. You can live there."

As soon as he finished, the crowd erupted in mean-spirited laughter.

"Sophia, look how kind August is to you. He's worried you've been suffering out there, so he's taking care of your meals and housing.

"All he's asking is that you help Hailey look after the pup. Compared to whatever miserable life you've been living, isn't this a huge step up? You should be thanking him."

Hailey brushed her hand over her diamond earrings and added sweetly in feigned kindness, "Don't worry, Sophia. If my son misbehaves or causes you trouble, I'll discipline him on your behalf. I won't let you be treated unfairly."

August glanced sideways at me with a sneer. "She's got nothing to complain about. She ran off over some minor issue, and now that she's come crawling back, it's only fair she eats a little dirt."

I frowned. I still couldn't believe he saw forming a mate bond with Hailey as a minor issue.

So the August who once loved me… was truly gone.

Gone was the werewolf who, wounded and bleeding, carried my injured body across half the pack lands. The werewolf who had nothing, yet still swore he'd give me the world.

Now, all I saw was a hollow werewolf with a puffed-up title and nothing real to show for it.

But that was just as well. That chapter had ended long ago. There was no need to open it again.

After all, I was about to have my second pup.

I set aside my thoughts. Arguing with them was pointless and a waste of time.

I turned to August and said calmly, "Aren't you here to pick me up? Let's go, then."

The air was tense, and silence filled the hall. They exchanged glances before bursting into laughter.

Hailey let out a sharp scoff and said coldly, "Pick you up? In your dreams."

She pointed at the sign. "Take a good look. We're here for a VIP guest from the Lymerian pack. Do you have any idea who that is?"

My mate was Ryder, the lycan chairman. Of course, I knew exactly who they were waiting for.

"We're waiting for the lycan chairman's mate, Mrs. Weyland. Mr. Weyland's known for being ruthless and decisive, but when it comes to love, he's a romantic at heart. Word is, he stayed single all these years just to wait for his current Luna to bond with him."

"Everyone knows the fastest way through Ryder Weyland is through his Luna. She's the one he treasures most."

As I listened to their chatter, a gentle, satisfied smile graced the corners of my lips.

In the three years of our mate bond, Ryder had led his territory to strength and stability, and he had done so while never once wavering his devotion as a devoted Alpha to his mate.

Hailey was always desperate to one-up me. Hence, she never missed a chance to show off. "I heard Mr. Weyland once bought a bracelet at auction just to impress his mate.

"It was a symbol of eternal love and sincerity. And it's worth two million dollars. That gift made his mate the envy of every she-wolf in the pack."

She paused mid-sentence. Then her voice suddenly shot up in pitch as she pointed at my wrist. "Hold on. That's the one!"

Everyone fell silent. They held their breaths, staring at the bracelet on my wrist.

August suddenly grabbed my hand and gave it a once-over. He sneered. "Not a bad imitation. Who gave it to you? Some broke loser trying way too hard?"

I pulled my hand away and smiled a bit as I ran my fingers over the bracelet. Ryder gifted it to me for our first mate bond anniversary; although it was one of the cheaper pieces in the collection he had given, it was still a thoughtful gift.

But what mattered wasn't the price; it was the meaning behind it. To me, it meant love.

Yet, to them, it was inconceivable that I could own such a bracelet.

Seeing that I wasn't flustered or embarrassed in the slightest, August's pupils narrowed. Without warning, he yanked my wrist and tore the bracelet off with force.

I didn't expect him to go that far, but he succeeded.

Hailey stepped forward, eyeing the bracelet before casually taking it from August's hand and turning it over in her fingers. "It's definitely more refined than the replica I bought online.

"But I have self-respect. I wouldn't dare wear a knockoff in public and let people laugh at me.

"Or… Sophia, are you saying you're the VIP from the Lymerian pack? The one who's supposedly the mate of the legendary lycan chairman?"

Instantly, the others burst into laughter. To them, it was ridiculous.

Ryder was a legendary Alpha, renowned throughout all the packs for his keen instincts and formidable clarity. He was a cold, ruthless leader who acted decisively when necessary.

On the contrary, I was the pathetic ex-girlfriend August had discarded three years ago—the foolish she-wolf who once begged for scraps of affection.

To them, there was no universe in which I could belong beside Ryder.

Hailey twirled the bracelet around her finger and said with a smug smile, "Sophia, I actually like this. Sell it to me. Whatever you paid for it, I'll give you double."

I hurried forward, concerned she might damage it. "Give it back. That bracelet was a gift from Ryder..."

Before I could finish, August slapped me hard across the face, snapping my head to the side. I tasted blood at the corner of my mouth.

"Shut up!" He glared at me. "Sophia, who do you think you are? How dare you mention Mr. Weyland's name? Are you trying to get me killed by spreading lies about having ties to him?"

His pack of sycophants echoed his outrage, their eyes burning with hostility.

"Do you have any idea what you're doing, Sophia?

"This is our one shot at making a good impression on Mrs. Weyland. Mr. Weyland is in the middle of alliance talks with our pack. Do you want to ruin it?

"August finally earned a spot among our Alpha's trusted circle. You're just a broke, cast-off ex. Do you believe you can just waltz in and act like you're Ryder's mate?"

I wiped the blood from the corner of my mouth and slowly turned my head, locking eyes with August.

Probably something in my calm, cold gaze seemed to make him uneasy, causing his brow to furrow and a flicker of worry to cross his eyes.

Hailey noticed it too. Her voice turned shrill with resentment. "Sophia, you ungrateful traitor! August was willing to take you in, and this is how you repay him? Don't push your luck! Even if you still resent August, this isn't the way to get back at him."

Her words made me feel as if I were back in the past, three years ago. No matter what I did, Hailey would always twist my intentions to make me look bad in front of August.

Initially, August would reprimand her for her remarks. However, over time, he began to mimic her words and use them against me.

Just like before, August gave me a look of disappointment and muttered, "You're just a bitter, jealous woman."

But this time, he didn't keep scolding me like he used to. After a pause, August pulled out a check of 200,000 dollars and held it up in front of my eyes.

"For old times' sake, I'll let it slide this once. Use the money to buy yourself some decent clothes. If you're not into babysitting, I'll find you a more respectable job in a few days.

"Don't worry. Now that I've earned our Alpha's favor, this kind of money means nothing to me."

I looked at the check. Then I looked at him.

That smug expression. The arrogance in his voice. The rot behind his words.

In the stunned silence of the crowd, I slowly pushed away the hand holding the check and calmly took my bracelet back from Hailey.

I replied indifferently, "Keep your money. I don't accept charity from strangers."

I ignored August, whose face had turned beet red, and turned to leave.

But I hadn't gotten far when he grabbed me. Then, he questioned me coldly, "Sophia, you don't want my money? What's that supposed to mean? Are you trying to cut all ties with me?"

I looked him straight in the eye. "Since we've already broken up, it's better not to have any further entanglements to avoid misunderstandings."

My thoughts drifted to Ryder, who was always jealous.

He wasn't prone to unreasonable jealousy, but he had a fierce sense of territory. If he caught another werewolf attempting to touch me in public, that poor werewolf would certainly be in for a serious reckoning.

But August glanced at Hailey, clearly thinking he'd figured everything out.

"Our Alpha is throwing a welcome party for the Lymerian pack's Alpha in three days. I'm planning to take you to experience the high life. But first, you'll need to change out of that ugly outfit. I don't want you embarrassing me—"

Before he could finish, I cut him off firmly."No thanks."

Hearing me turn him down again, August's expression darkened. The hand holding the check froze mid-air, and his jaw clenched so hard I could hear his teeth grinding.

"Sophia, I see your temper has certainly grown, but you still can't seem to shed that somewhat cheap demeanor. If you don't want to go, fine. I'll take Hailey instead."

Hailey's eyes lit up when she heard August was taking her to the party. She quickly chimed in, "August, I'll make sure to behave. I won't embarrass you, I promise."

I had no interest in getting dragged into their drama any further. I turned and walked away briskly, leaving them with one parting line. "Let's hope you're both still this confident three days from now."

I rushed out of the arrival hall, and only after taking a breath of fresh air did my nausea ease a bit.

Three years ago, my parents arranged a mate bond for me in another pack. Under pressure from my parents, I begged my boyfriend of seven years, August, to become my mate. I was hoping to go through with it first and explain later.

August agreed. Yet, outside the Pack Affairs Department, I was surprised to see not only August but also his first love, Hailey.

"Hailey's pup needs to be registered with the Aurelis pack. I need to officially become her mate first. I'll form a mate bond with you as soon as her pup gets legal status, which is expected in about a month. It's just for the pup, so don't overthink it."

Watching August walk into the office hand in hand with Hailey, I gave up on him completely. That very night, I agreed to the mate bond my parents had arranged.

A month later, I went through with the ceremony and formed a mate bond with Ryder. A year later, we welcomed our first pup.

I recently found out I was pregnant with our second pup. If it weren't for wanting to visit my parents, I wouldn't have come back to the Aurelis pack at all, and I definitely wouldn't have run into August.

…

Three days later, I showed up at the party alone, wearing light makeup and a casual outfit.

The moment August saw me, his eyes lit up, and a smug smile tugged at his lips. "You said you weren't coming, but your body's telling a different story.

"But if you're trying to win me back, you'll need to at least please me. At an event like this, you should be dressed properly, something worthy of my status."

I ignored his sudden bout of narcissism and tried to walk past him to my seat.

But I barely took two steps before August grabbed my arm in irritation. "Sophia, I'm talking to you. Didn't you hear me? Our seats are over here. Where do you think you're going?"

I shook off his hand and replied calmly, "That's your seat. Mine is over there."

Following my gaze, August looked toward the seats reserved for the most esteemed guests. His expression turned sour in an instant.

Hailey shot me a venomous glare, then pointed at my bracelet and shouted, "Sophia, how did you sneak in here? You're here to cause trouble, aren't you? And how dare you show up wearing that fake bracelet?"

Her voice was so loud that it immediately drew everyone's attention.