“This is a library. Stop.” Monica hissed under her breath, shoving Daniel’s hand away when he slipped an arm around her waist and kissed her forehead again.

“You want this too, don’t you?” he murmured near her ear. “Besides, everyone’s gone home.”

“I need to leave. I have a statistics exam tomorrow morning.” Monica quickly gathered the books scattered across the table.

“Monica, come on, baby.” His broad hand reached for her wrist once more.

“We already agreed. Not here. This is a public place. We said we wouldn’t do anything like this in public.” She brushed him off again and strode toward the library exit.

Her skin still burned from every touch Daniel had given her. Desire pulsed through her body, unwelcome and distracting. But the entire campus was covered by CCTV cameras. If she was caught doing anything inappropriate, she could lose her scholarship. In the worst case, she could be expelled.

“I saw you kissing in the library.”

The cold voice made her stop instantly.

“Killian?” Monica turned with a frown.

He rarely acknowledged her existence, much less spoke to her directly.

Killian was her fiercest academic rival. Both of them were fighting for first place in their faculty and for the elite scholarship that came with a generous cash award.

“Yes,” Killian said calmly. “And I took a photo of you with Daniel. If I send it to the Academic Office, then…”

“What do you want?” Monica snapped. “Trying to win like this is pathetic. And Daniel only kissed my forehead. Is that suddenly a crime?”

She still could not understand how someone as intelligent as Killian could stoop so low.

“I need your help,” he said, voice clipped, as if forcing the words out.

“With what? And you delete the photo first.”

“Afterward.” His expression remained unreadable. “Tonight is the full moon. I promised my parents I would bring my mate home and complete the betrothal ceremony.”

Monica stared at him. “You’re a werewolf?”

“Yes.”

The answer came with a short nod.

“Fine. Then what exactly do you need from me?”

“Pretend to be my mate,” Killian said. “And fake an engagement.”

“What?” She nearly laughed from disbelief. “Have you lost your mind? Killian, you’re supposed to be a genius.”

“Being a genius doesn’t magically produce a mate.” His jaw tightened. “Choose. Help me, and I delete the photo. Refuse, and it goes to the Academic Office.”

Amberbridge University accepted werewolf students alongside humans. In the province of Amberbridge, werewolves had lived openly among humans for generations under strict laws forbidding them from harming or disturbing human citizens.

An hour later, Monica stood outside Killian’s family estate.

The mansion blazed with lights. Luxury cars lined the driveway, and elegant guests moved in and out of the entrance. Everything had clearly been prepared long before tonight.

Her phone buzzed.

Don’t panic. It’s only an act.

A second message followed.

Use text only. SMS or WhatsApp. Werewolves can hear whispers.

Monica swallowed hard.

When the master of ceremonies announced the start of the ritual, she and Killian descended the sweeping staircase into the ballroom together.

She tried not to think about the gown she wore. It fit her body perfectly, as if tailored from her measurements.

Before the gathered crowd, Killian stepped forward.

“I, Killian Legiette, swear to protect the Glass Fire Pack and recognize Monica Joana as my mate and fiancée.”

He spoke before his parents, the Alpha and Luna of the pack.

The room erupted in applause. His parents looked openly emotional.

Then the celebration shifted into a traditional hunt.

Monica watched in stunned disbelief as men and women transformed into wolves. Clothes tore apart as bodies reshaped, snarls filling the night air. The hunt continued until dawn.

The following morning, Killian drove her quietly back to campus and dropped her at the dormitory.

They agreed to keep the truth of the fake engagement secret and behave normally at university.

Killian was everything girls dreamed about. Brilliant. Handsome. Polished. Magnetic.

Outside class, female students constantly found excuses to approach him or ask for photos. Monica was not immune either.

But she never let it show.

Especially because she already had Daniel.

“Did you forget to charge your phone again?” Daniel called after Geometry class a few days later.

Then he grinned. “And I bought a new brand of condoms. Don’t worry, I remembered the lubricant too.”

Monica followed him to his apartment.

Unlike Monica, who stayed in the dorms to save money, Daniel rented an expensive private unit. It was there, early in their relationship, that Monica had first stepped into a more passionate adult life.

A week later, Monica returned to Killian’s estate to continue their act.

But the night took a brutal turn.

“I reject you, Monica.”

Killian’s voice rang through the hall.

“From this moment on, you are no longer my mate. The Glass Fire Moon Pack will have no luna candidate beside its future alpha.”

Gasps spread through the room.

“Killian! What are you saying?” Luna Janette cried.

“Enough games,” Alpha Gallagie thundered. “You are my only son and the future alpha of this pack.”

“I have the right to choose my mate,” Killian said coolly. “And I am not convinced Monica is truly mine. She may only be a fake mate.”

Whispers rippled across the crowd.

But Monica barely heard them.

A crushing pain tore through her chest. Her ears rang. Her vision dimmed. Her knees gave out, and she collapsed to the floor.

She could not explain why it hurt so much.

Humiliation.

Betrayal.

Abandonment.

She had never fully believed she was his destined mate, yet his public rejection cut deep. He had asked her to play this role. He had brought her into this mess.

And now he discarded her first.

“Monica, get up.”

Killian crouched beside her and caught her arm.

“You don’t need to keep pretending anymore. Honestly, it was a brilliant last-minute solution. Thanks for helping me last week.”

She had no strength left. Even opening her eyes felt difficult.

No matter what happened, she would not let him know the truth.

Killian could never learn she had started to fall for him.

“Helping you?” she whispered.

“Yes.” He sounded almost impatient. “Last week was the full moon and the thousandth anniversary of my grandfather’s death. If I hadn’t presented a luna candidate before the Moon Goddess that night, disaster would have fallen on the Glass Fire Pack.”

His explanation barely registered through the pain.

“You used me.”

“Used you?” he said. “No. We made a deal. I kept my word and deleted the photo of you and Daniel.”

“Take me back to campus. Now.”

She kicked off her glass heels and flung them aside.

“A future alpha who rejects his luna is under no obligation to escort her home,” Killian replied. “Especially when none of this was real. You may stay here if you like.”

“I don’t care about your cursed werewolf customs.” Monica’s voice shook, but it stayed firm. “I’m human. Take me back to the dorms now.”

“Killian rejected his mate last night. I only found out today that he’s a werewolf.”

“Not just a werewolf. He’s the future alpha. Isn’t that insane?”

“Monica, stop reading for one second. Haven’t you heard? Killian dumped his luna candidate!”

The girls in Monica’s class buzzed with excitement. One of them even snatched the book from Monica’s hands and tossed it onto the desk so she would pay attention.

News of Killian rejecting his supposed mate had spread across all of Amberbridge Province. Humans and werewolves alike were talking about it.

For reasons Monica refused to examine, the gossip made her dizzy. What bothered her even more was watching girls chatter eagerly about Killian as though the vacancy beside him was now open.

“Tonight we’re going to XT-Dance&Drink,” Hellen announced, looping an arm through Monica’s. “Stop looking miserable.”

“A party? For what?”

The girls burst into laughter.

“Our genius girl doesn’t know how to celebrate a holiday,” Hellen called out dramatically. Then she lowered her voice. “Come on. One drink won’t kill you. Daniel’s going too.”

Monica felt warmth creep into her cheeks.

Her closest friends already knew about Daniel. If he would be there, then maybe going wasn’t a bad idea.

That night, wearing a sleeveless dress tailored neatly to her figure, Monica climbed into the car with Hellen and the others.

XT-Dance&Drink was already alive when they arrived.

Colored lights swept across the packed dance floor. Bass thundered through the walls. Laughter, perfume, alcohol, and expensive cologne filled the air.

Daniel was there with a group of men, looking completely at ease in the chaos.

“Let’s dance first and drink later,” Hellen shouted over the music.

Monica nodded. Starting on the dance floor felt safer. She could stay with the crowd and keep her head clear.

She had barely begun moving when two arms circled her waist from behind.

The sharp smell of liquor hit her first.

Then warm breath touched her neck.

“Daniel?” Monica gasped, glancing down at the familiar hands locked around her middle.

“Oh, babe,” he slurred against her ear.

“You’re drunk.” She grabbed his wrist and pulled him away from the dance floor. “Seriously, how much did you drink?”

She made him sit, ordered herself a mocktail, and chose to watch the room instead.

XT-Dance&Drink catered to people who liked spending money carelessly. Some customers paid absurd prices for a single glass.

“Look! Killian’s here!”

Hellen’s shriek sliced through the music.

In seconds, the room shifted.

Girls abandoned their drinks, stools, and dance partners to rush toward the entrance.

“Are they all insane?” Monica muttered.

Daniel gave a lazy shrug, seeming to agree.

“Want to dance?” he asked with a wink.

“I hate this song.”

“That problem can be solved.”

He smirked and headed for the DJ booth.

Two minutes later, the pounding club track faded into a slower, smoother melody.

“I asked for a waltz,” Daniel said when he returned. “They said management would fire them.”

Monica laughed despite herself.

She finished her mocktail in one swallow and let him lead her back onto the floor.

Some guests complained loudly about the music change, but Daniel ignored them. He took her hand and guided her with surprising grace.

“I like this,” Monica said near his ear. “It feels calm.”

“And sexy,” he murmured back.

Daniel moved confidently, reading her steps with ease. For a while, Monica relaxed into the dance.

But her eyes kept drifting elsewhere.

Killian stood across the room, surrounded by women eager to speak to him. Some offered drinks. Others clearly wanted answers about the broken engagement.

Then his gaze found hers.

Even through the crowd, Monica felt it like a touch.

Daniel moved behind her, pulling her back against his chest as they swayed. His hands slid along her sides.

Usually, she liked Daniel’s attention.

Tonight, something felt wrong.

His grip tightened around her ribs.

“Daniel, stop,” she whispered. “We’re in public.”

“This is exactly where people come to have fun,” he said, smiling as one hand returned to stroke her shoulder.

Across the room, Killian was still watching.

Monica suddenly felt exposed, as if the entire club had narrowed to one sharp stare.

Was he jealous?

Or did she only want him to be?

The memory of that night rose like poison.

His rejection.

His cold voice.

The fake ceremony might have been staged, but the humiliation had been real.

Daniel turned her abruptly to face him and crushed his mouth against hers.

Monica recoiled, trying to pull back, but the music swallowed any protest.

As she struggled, she caught sight of Killian again.

His expression had hardened.

“Let’s get a private room upstairs,” Daniel said, tugging her arm.

“Those rooms aren’t private,” Monica argued. “They’re just cramped spaces with beds.”

“I know a better one.” He grinned drunkenly. “The kinky room. Ever tried it?”

He began dragging her toward the staircase.

“Daniel, we came here for a holiday party.”

Unease crawled through her stomach.

And if she was honest, she hated the idea of disappearing upstairs while Killian watched.

“She said no. Don’t force her.”

The voice behind her was cool and unmistakable.

Monica froze.

“Killian?”

He walked toward them with measured steps, calm and composed, yet somehow more intimidating than anyone else in the room.

“Mind your own business, Mr. Salvator,” Daniel snapped.

“I am minding it,” Killian said smoothly. “I’m offering advice. Though I could always ask management how they feel about women being harassed here.”

Daniel’s jaw clenched.

Then Killian looked at Monica.

His eyes were sharp enough to cut.

“Or perhaps I should inform the university board about your questionable involvement with this man. I’m sure they’d be interested.”

Monica stiffened.

Again.

Again he was using her scholarship as leverage.

“You seem strangely invested in my life, Killian,” she said, voice edged with mock sweetness.

Something reckless rose inside her.

“Is it because your mate rejected you? I know what really happened. Funny how the story became you rejecting her instead.”

Nearby conversations stopped.

People turned.

Phones lifted.

Everyone wanted a scene.

“Careful, Monica,” Killian said softly, menace hidden beneath the calm.

Then he raised his voice for the room to hear.

“Relax, everyone. I was only helping her. Daniel was pressuring Monica into something she clearly didn’t want. That’s unacceptable, isn’t it?”

He sighed dramatically.

“And somehow I’m the villain for stepping in.”

Murmurs spread at once.

Judging looks shifted toward Monica.

Once again, Killian had twisted the narrative perfectly.

He stood as the gentleman.

She stood as the fool.

When the crowd finally lost interest and drifted away, Killian leaned close enough for only her to hear.

“Daniel is the wrong man for you, Monica.”

She met his gaze without flinching.

“Take your own advice, Killian.”

“You’ve dragged this pack’s name through the mud, Killian.”

Alpha Gallagie’s roar echoed through the great hall.

“I gave you the right to choose your own luna, yet you rejected her on the very day of your wedding. Do you think this pack exists for your amusement? Look outside these walls. All of Amberbridge is laughing at your stupidity.”

Killian stood in silence before the fury of the Alpha of the Glass Fire Pack.

The scandal surrounding Monica’s rejection had damaged more than gossip. It had weakened the prestige of their entire bloodline.

Even so, Killian held to the vow he had made long ago.

When he finally accepted a luna, it would be a woman he truly wanted beside him, not someone taken out of duty or necessity as Monica had been.

“Monica was never worthy of standing beside me, Father,” Killian said evenly. “I know exactly what kind of woman she is.”

To him, Monica was nothing more than an opportunist with a polished image.

He knew she was involved with Daniel, one of the richest men at the university, despite already receiving a generous scholarship. In Killian’s eyes, it proved greed and weak character.

“Is that what this is about?” Alpha Gallagie shot back. “Because you think she is beneath you?”

He stepped closer, voice sharpened like steel.

“Or did she reject you in private, and you cast her aside first to save your pride?”

Killian’s jaw tightened.

“Rumors say one thing louder than the rest,” the Alpha continued. “You failed to conquer her, Killian.”

With that, he turned and strode away, leaving Killian alone in the heavy silence.

The accusation lingered.

Failed to conquer Monica?

The thought irritated him more than it should have.

Why would he care?

She had only been a convenient choice. A suitable woman selected to satisfy an ancient requirement and prevent calamity on the thousandth anniversary of his grandfather’s death, the former Alpha.

Killian would never admit that no woman had ever truly moved him.

None had met the impossible standards he carried.

On paper, Monica had seemed nearly flawless. Beautiful. Intelligent. Polite. Academically spotless.

Then there was Daniel.

The fact that Monica willingly belonged to a man like him filled Killian with contempt he could not fully explain.

Needing distance from his father’s anger, Killian headed for the outer border of pack territory.

The omega guards were stationed near the river that cut through the forest. It served as both natural defense and territorial line for the Glass Fire Pack.

Beyond the water stretched forbidden land.

A cursed forest.

Anyone who traveled too deeply into it had never returned. No pack had managed to claim it.

“Where is everyone?” Killian asked when he found only Zayn waiting there.

“Shift rotation,” Zayn replied. “I’m first watch this morning. I can summon the others if needed.”

Killian gave a distracted nod. Between university demands and pack obligations, he rarely kept track of changing patrol schedules.

Then both men froze.

Crunch.

Something had stepped on dry branches somewhere inside the trees.

Killian’s senses sharpened instantly. Zayn stiffened beside him.

Then silence.

“What was that?” Killian growled. “We lost it.”

“We need backup.”

Zayn immediately sent a mindlink call through the pack.

Within minutes, omegas and warriors flooded the riverbank.

“What is happening here?”

Alpha Gallagie’s commanding voice silenced them all.

Heads bowed as he approached.

“There’s movement inside the forest,” Killian said.

“Impossible,” the Alpha replied. “If anything valuable lived there, we would have claimed that land generations ago.”

He extended his hand.

“Bring me a pole. I’m crossing.”

Killian frowned. His father meant to inspect the opposite bank, not enter the deepest cursed zone.

“Father, I don’t agree with this risk.”

No one else dared support him.

A narrow boat and long pole were brought forward. Alpha Gallagie crossed first, reaching the far bank without harm.

Several warriors followed.

Then the cracking sound returned, louder this time.

“That pattern is human footsteps,” Zayn said, pointing toward the trees.

“Move!” Alpha Gallagie ordered.

At once, warriors shifted into wolves and charged forward.

“There’s no one here,” Killian said through the mindlink as he ran. “This feels like a trap.”

“No,” Alpha Gallagie answered while racing ahead in wolf form. “Follow the scent. It belongs to one of our own. A rogue.”

The hunters spread wide and caught the trail of a powerful black wolf.

Then Zayn yelped in pain.

“Damn it. Silver needle.”

He shifted back to human form, clutching his paw.

“There will be more,” Killian warned.

He ordered one slower warrior to remain behind and help him.

Ahead, Killian saw his father stumble.

Blood streaked the Alpha’s paws and legs, yet he kept pushing forward.

In that instant, Killian’s old beliefs shattered.

The forest was not cursed by magic.

It was defended.

Someone had planted silver needles across the ground like traps, weakening every werewolf who entered. That was why previous expeditions had vanished.

“Eliminate the rogue,” Alpha Gallagie growled through pain. “Claim this land.”

“Father!”

Killian reached him and stared in shock.

The skin of the Alpha’s feet had been torn raw. Blood soaked his fur and legs.

“I don’t have long,” Gallagie said through clenched teeth. “Go. Take the forest.”

“Get the Alpha back to the pack house now!” Killian barked to the nearest warriors.

Once they obeyed, Killian lunged forward again, chasing the black wolf deeper into the trees.

The rogue was fast.

Stronger than expected.

Smarter than any rogue he had hunted before.

“Where did it go?” one warrior asked through the link.

“We lost the trail.”

Killian swore under his breath.

Then he saw it.

A weathered hut stood alone in the center of the forest.

Could the rogue be hiding there?

Or perhaps some desperate human had been surviving illegally inside forbidden territory.

“Surround the hut,” Killian ordered.

Warriors moved into position.

No clear scent trail led inside.

Killian strode forward and kicked the side door open. Wood splintered inward.

From inside came a faint voice.

Barely audible.

Killian frowned.

Then the scent hit him.

Familiar.

Impossible.

“The rogue belongs here,” he murmured. “And that scent…”

“Should we move in?” a warrior asked.

A strand of hair slipped over the girl’s shoulder.

Killian’s eyes widened.

“Monica?”

A young woman sat at a study desk with her back to him.

A laptop glowed in front of her, displaying next semester’s coursework through a portable internet modem beside it.

She turned.

All color drained from her face.

“Daddy!” she screamed hoarsely. “There’s a wolf in here!”

Her breathing sounded ragged.

“Help! Somebody help me!”