Kathie POV

I saw the signs—how he defended her against the pack’s ridicule and took her under his wing. The once cold Alpha became gentle and patient when she was around.

The breaking point came when I overheard Emma thanking Jason late one night.

“You’ve given me so much,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I’d be lost without you.”

Jason’s response was quiet, but his tone was intimate in a way it never was with me. “You deserve everything, Emma. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

I knew then that I had lost him.

As the moonlight filtered through the treetops that night, I vowed not to let Jason or Emma define my story.

Standing alone in the clearing, I stared at the moon, its light casting a silver glow over my skin.

As Jason's words hung in the air, I felt as though the floor beneath me had crumbled away. My heart screamed in protest, but I couldn’t find the strength to argue anymore. He had made up his mind, and my feelings no longer seemed to matter.

"Fine," I whispered hoarsely, barely able to hold back my tears. "Do whatever you want, Jason."

He looked at me, surprised by my lack of resistance. Perhaps he thought I’d fight harder for him, but why should I? His actions had already spoken.

That night, I locked myself in the bedroom, pacing the small space as memories of Jason and me flooded my mind. I wanted to hate him, but my heart stubbornly clung to the love we once shared. My phone buzzed on the nightstand, jolting me from my thoughts.

The screen lit up with a text from my mother:

"Kathie, come home. I have something important to tell you."

I stared at the message, my gut tightening. My mother rarely reached out unless it was urgent. Despite everything going on, her words felt like a thread pulling me toward something more solid than the chaos around me.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of voices outside the door. Jason and Emma were talking in hushed tones, but I could hear every word.

"You think she’ll leave quietly?" Emma’s voice was soft, but there was a sharp edge to it that I hadn’t noticed before.

"She has to," Jason replied, sounding uneasy. "I’ve done everything I can to make this easier for her."

Easier? The sheer audacity of his words made me clench my fists.

"And if she doesn’t?" Emma’s tone turned icy.

"Then I’ll make her leave," Jason said firmly.

Something inside me snapped.

I swung open the door, startling them both. Their guilty expressions only fueled the fire burning within me.

"Don’t bother," I said coldly, my voice steadier than I expected. "I’ll leave."

Jason’s eyes widened, and for a brief moment, I saw a flicker of regret. But it vanished as quickly as it appeared.

"Kathie, I—"

"Save it," I cut him off, my gaze darting between him and Emma. "I hope you two enjoy your happily ever after."

Without another word, I turned and walked out of the house.

I didn’t stop walking until I reached a quiet café down the street. I needed a moment to collect myself before heading to my mother’s place. But as I sat there, nursing a cup of coffee, a man approached my table.

"Kathie Green?" he asked, his voice deep and calm.

I frowned, confused. "Yes, that’s me."

He slid a large envelope onto the table. "This is for you."

Before I could ask any questions, he walked away, disappearing into the bustling street.

With trembling hands, I opened the envelope. Inside were several documents and a handwritten note:

"Kathie,

I’ve been watching from the shadows, waiting for the right moment. You deserve to know the truth about Jason Taylor and Emma Gray. Meet me tonight at the Old Town Pier. You’ll finally understand everything.

—A Friend"

My breath hitched as I flipped through the documents. They contained financial records, photographs, and correspondence—all pointing to a twisted scheme involving Jason and Emma.

I didn’t know who this “friend” was or why they were helping me, but one thing was certain: the truth was far more sinister than I had imagined.

That evening, I stood at the edge of the pier, the cool breeze biting at my skin. A shadowy figure emerged from the darkness, their face obscured by the hood of their coat.

"You came," the stranger said, their voice familiar yet unplaceable.

"Who are you?" I demanded, clutching the envelope tightly.

They pulled back their hood, revealing a face I never expected to see.

"Hello, Kathie," they said with a wry smile. "It’s been a long time."

My jaw dropped. It was Raymond Stone , Jason’s former beta—the one who had mysteriously vanished after their falling out two years ago.

"Gabriel?" I whispered, shock rendering me speechless.

He stepped closer, his expression grim. "You have no idea what you’ve gotten caught up in."

Before I could respond, a loud splash echoed through the night. We both turned toward the sound, but the water was eerily still.

"Someone’s watching us," Gabriel muttered, his eyes scanning the shadows.

And then, in the dim light of the pier, I saw a figure lurking at the edge of the darkness.

The twist tightened like a noose around my chest. Who was it? And how much danger was I really in?

The answers would have to wait. Because at that moment, the shadowy figure lunged toward us, and everything went black.

Kathie POV

The wedding date was set, the dress chosen, and the invitations sent. Yet it wasn’t my wedding.

That evening, Emma waltzed into the room, carrying a tray with tea and a smug grin plastered on her face.

“Kathie, even if your family is wealthier than mine, what does it matter? Jason still chose me,” she said, her words dripping with malice.

Before I could respond, she “accidentally” tipped the teacup, spilling the scalding liquid onto my leg. I hissed in pain, clutching the burnt skin.

Emma immediately shrieked, clutching her hand. “Ah! Kathie, why did you push me?”

The sound of rushing footsteps heralded Jason’s arrival. He stormed in, taking one look at Emma’s fake tears and my stunned expression before turning to her with concern.

“Emma, what happened?” he asked, his voice gentle.

“She burned me,” Emma whimpered, holding out her hand with a tiny red mark.

Jason didn’t even glance at me. Instead, he took her hand delicately, inspecting the mark like she was a fragile piece of glass.

“Kathie!” His voice was sharp, accusing. “How could you? She came to make peace with you, and you do this?”

I stared at him in disbelief. “She—”

But he wasn’t listening. He swept Emma out of the room, promising to tend to her “injury,” leaving me alone with my throbbing leg and a fresh wound in my heart.

Later that night, as I lay in bed nursing my leg, Emma’s laughter echoed down the hallway. It was accompanied by Jason’s deep chuckle, a sound that used to be reserved for me.

The next morning, Emma cornered me in the kitchen, holding her phone up with a triumphant smile. On the screen was a photo of her in my wedding dress, the one I’d carefully chosen months ago.

“Isn’t it beautiful?” she asked, twisting the phone so the light caught the sparkle of the diamond ring on her finger.

My diamond ring.

“Jason said there’s no point in wasting such a lovely dress,” she said, her tone syrupy sweet. “And this ring? It’s perfect, isn’t it? He picked it out just for me.”

The diamond caught the light, mocking me as it twinkled.

That was the last straw.

I tore off my engagement ring and threw it into the trash without hesitation. The sound of it hitting the metal bin felt like liberation.

Then, I packed my bags and left.

A week passed, and I began settling into my friend’s flat. Jason, of course, noticed my absence too late. He called incessantly, but I ignored him.

When I finally picked up, his voice was sharp with irritation.

“Where are you? Emma found the ring I gave you in the trash. What does that mean?”

“It means we’re over,” I said, my tone calm but firm.

“Don’t be ridiculous, Kathie,” he snapped. “It’s just a ring and a wedding! Once this is over, I’ll—”

I didn’t let him finish. I hung up, blocked his number, and began rebuilding my life.

A week later, my colleagues threw me a farewell dinner. It was supposed to be lighthearted, but as the drinks flowed, a male colleague—known for his inappropriate behavior—decided it was the perfect time to confess his feelings.

“You’re beautiful, Kathie,” he slurred. “Any man would be lucky to have you. Forget about Jason. He’s marrying someone else anyway. I’ll take you.”

I rejected him politely, but his face twisted in humiliation.

“Don’t act so high and mighty,” he sneered. “Everyone knows your rich fiancé dumped you for another woman. You should be grateful that someone like me even looks at you.”

Before I could respond, a fist collided with his face, sending him sprawling to the ground.

I turned, stunned, to see Jason standing there, his jaw clenched and his eyes blazing with fury.

“Do you think you’re worthy of her?” he snarled at the man on the ground.

For a brief moment, my heart wavered. But as soon as we stepped outside, his aura changed.

His hand dropped mine, and his expression hardened.

“Let’s stop this charade,” he muttered.

“What charade?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

He smirked, pulling out a pristine white envelope. “Emma wanted me to personally invite you to our wedding. She says you’re her only good sister and wants your blessing.”

The audacity of his words hit me like a punch to the gut. But instead of crumbling, I forced a smile.

“Of course,” I said evenly. “I wish you both a happy wedding.”

Relief washed over his face, and he patted my shoulder like he’d just done me a favor.

“Good. I knew you’d understand,” he said smugly. “Don’t worry, once her mother’s wish is fulfilled, I’ll give you an even grander wedding.”

I said nothing, my mind already racing with plans.

That afternoon, I boarded a flight back to London.

Two days after landing, I received a call from an unknown number. Against my better judgment, I answered.

“Kathie,” Emma’s panicked voice rang through the line. “Something’s happened to Jason.”

Her words stirred something dark within me, but I kept my tone neutral. “What happened?”

“He’s missing,” she whispered. “The night you left, he started drinking heavily. Last night, he got into a fight at a pub and… Kathie, no one’s seen him since.”

I felt a strange sense of detachment. “What do you want me to do?”

“Help me find him!” she pleaded. “He still loves you—I know it. Please, Kathie, you’re the only one who can bring him back.”

I hung up without answering.

As I sat in my new apartment, staring out at the London skyline, a cold smile crept across my face.

Emma and Jason had destroyed my life, taken everything I held dear, and expected me to save them?

No. This time, I’d be the one pulling the strings.

And they wouldn’t see it coming.

Katie POV

Two days earlier, my mother had called with news that shattered the fragile peace I’d only just begun to rebuild in my life.

"The Alpha of the Ludwig Pack has approached us. They want you to mate with their second son, Griffin Ludwig."

I froze. The Ludwig Pack was legendary—one of the most powerful and ancient werewolf packs in the entire realm. And Griffin Ludwig? His name was whispered like a ghost story among both wolves and humans. A ruthless Alpha-in-training, he ruled his pack with cold efficiency, leaving no room for dissent. His reputation for being indifferent to women was just as infamous as his knack for power plays.

The idea of being bound to someone so distant unsettled me deeply. But after everything that had happened in my life—Jason’s betrayal, the pain I’d endured—it felt like fate was forcing me to take a leap into the unknown.

Without telling my family, I decided to return to the pack early. I wanted to surprise them, to show them I was ready for this, whatever it might mean.

Three hours later, I arrived at London’s main train station. The air smelled of human exhaust and faint traces of lingering wolves who had passed through the city’s crowded streets. As I dragged my suitcase through the terminal, I was caught off guard by a commotion ahead.

A well built man with sharp, predatory eyes snatched my bag and darted toward the exit. Instinct took over. My wolf stirred within me, growling for justice. Without thinking, I bolted after him.

Despite my speed, I couldn’t stop him. Just as he disappeared into an alley, the bag fell from his hands. I grabbed it, relieved—until I looked inside. It was empty. How did he switch my bag with the exact same type? It didn't make any sense.

Still trying to understand what was going on, an old woman was pushed to the floor by another man.

My chest tightened. Something felt off. As I turned back toward my luggage, my wolf snarled a warning in my mind. The old woman was no victim. Another man was dragging my suitcase toward the station doors, and her accomplice—the strange man—was waiting for her on an electric scooter.

"Hey!" I shouted, sprinting toward them.

Before I could reach her, a tall figure emerged from the crowd. With a fluidity that could only belong to a trained warrior, he launched a kick that sent both thieves sprawling. The scooter crashed onto its side, and the crowd gasped.

The man crouched, lifting my suitcase with ease, and handed it back to me without a word.

"Thank you," I stammered, breathless and overwhelmed.

He nodded slightly, his voice low and commanding. "Be more careful next time."

I barely managed to mumble another thank-you before he turned and walked away. He was taller than any wolf I’d seen, his presence radiating raw power. Though his physique was striking, his expression was so cold that it discouraged further conversation.

I watched his broad shoulders disappear into the crowd just as the local enforcers arrived to apprehend the thieves. My wolf stirred, curious, but I brushed the feeling aside.

When I finally arrived home, I was greeted by the familiar scents of my family—the comforting blend of pine and lavender that I’d missed so much during my time away.

Grandma fussed over me as though I were still a pup, her frail hands patting my cheeks. My parents’ warm smiles eased the tension I’d carried for years.

For the past seven years, I had stayed in Edinburgh for Jason, neglecting the family that had always stood by me. Now, surrounded by their care, I felt my walls crumbling.

Tears spilled down my cheeks, unbidden.

My mother mistook my tears for heartbreak.

"If you can’t let go of Jason, we won’t force you," she said gently, stroking my hair.

I shook my head, wiping my face. "I’m willing to mate into the Ludwig Pack."

My parents exchanged worried glances. Even in the world of wolves, arranged matings weren’t uncommon, especially among powerful packs. But the Ludwig Pack was a league of its own.

The next morning, the Ludwigs sent a formal envoy to arrange the mating bond ceremony. My mother explained that Old Alpha Ludwig had spent years searching for the perfect match for his second son. Dozens of prominent she-wolves had been rejected by Griffin himself.

I couldn’t help but wonder why he’d agreed to mate with me.

Although our pack was respected, we were nowhere near the Ludwigs’ level of influence. My family didn’t have the kind of strategic alliances that might explain this union.

My mother seemed just as worried. As she helped me choose a gown for the ceremony, she took my hands in hers, her usual confidence replaced with vulnerability.

"If you don’t like him when you meet, we won’t go through with it," she said softly.

I tried to smile, though my stomach churned with uncertainty. "Honestly, Mom, I’m more worried he won’t like me."

Her laughter filled the room, lightening the moment. "If Griffin Ludwig doesn’t see your worth, then he’s a fool."

The next morning, as I prepared for the ceremony, I couldn’t shake the feeling that my life was about to change forever.

The venue was held deep in the Ludwig Pack’s territory, an ancient forest that buzzed with the energy of hundreds of wolves. The ceremony itself was simple—just the exchange of vows and the marking of the bond.

As I waited in the ceremonial hall, the heavy oak doors creaked open. My wolf stilled, every sense sharpening as Griffin stepped inside.

It was him.

The man who had saved me at the station.

Our eyes met, and for a brief moment, the air seemed to still. His expression remained unreadable, his gaze piercing through me as though he could see every secret I’d ever kept.

He walked toward me, his movements fluid yet restrained, like a trapped man.