Chapter 1

I had been the true mate of Alpha George for three years when his adopted son came to propose to me.

"Susan, Rachel saved my life. Now that she has a respectable status, I’m here to claim you as my true mate."

I couldn't even be bothered to look at him, but Chris had absolutely no shame.

"You proposed to me ninety-nine times in the past. I know in your heart, I’m the only one worthy of being your mate."

"Don't worry. In seven days, I'll take you to our mate ceremony. From then on, the three of us will be a family."

I slammed the door right in his face.

How pathetic.

He had no idea I had just given birth to his father's true heir.

Chris blocked the door, a smug smirk on his face.

"Still as feisty as ever. No one can get the best of you."

Then, his tone softened, turning sickeningly sweet.

"Rachel is different from you. She's fragile and can't handle the rumors. To the public, she has to be my mate."

"Even though I can't give her the same ceremony I'm giving you, in my heart, you are both the most important people to me."

"I, Chris, will either stay single, or I will marry both you and Rachel."

Maybe it was because I had survived the harsh Northern Wastes for too long, but I actually had the patience to listen to his ridiculous speech.

"Chris, you weren't the only one pursuing me back then. What makes you think I haven't married someone else?"

Chris sneered arrogantly.

"You proposed to me ninety-nine times. The entire Pack knows your devotion to me."

"Besides, we grew up together. Who in our circle would dare touch Chris's woman?"

Chris raised his voice, his tone dripping with condescension.

"Susan, I know your pride makes it hard to accept sharing me with Rachel. But your mother's illness is getting worse."

"I know you're broke after the decline of the Miller Pack. If you marry me, I'll get the top Healer from the Ironclaw Pack to save your mother."

I clenched my fists.

Did he still think I was the helpless orphan girl he could bully?

Three years ago, on the day of my mate ceremony with Chris.

Rachel had spread rumors at the gathering, claiming she saw me holding hands with a rogue on Pack territory.

Hearing this, Chris went mad and tried to run away from the ceremony.

I desperately tried to stop him.

"Chris, my mom's condition is worsening. The only Healer who can save her only treats relatives of the Ironclaw Pack. Please, just finish the ceremony before you leave."

But my begging only met Chris's cold, patronizing gaze.

"Rachel saved my life. I can't let her ruin her own happiness."

"Your mother treats me like her own son. She won't mind."

"Just wait for me to marry Rachel. In a few years, I'll find a way to claim you too. It’ll be the same."

The night Chris abandoned me at our ceremony, I stood in front of Alpha George's car, begging him for a chance.

Since then, I focused entirely on saving my mother. I didn't fight for a title and quietly stayed in Alpha George's shadow. But somewhere along the way, I walked straight into his heart.

"I found out you've been returning to the old house we lived in for the past three years. You don't have to say it—I know you still miss me."

Chris smiled, completely confident that he was in control.

I was so angry that I actually laughed.

That old house was a wedding home my mother had designed for me. After she passed away, I often stayed there simply because I missed her.

I never expected Chris to mistake my grief for obsession with him.

I couldn't take it anymore. I slammed the door hard against his face.

"Get lost!"

Through the door, Chris’s arrogant chuckle echoed.

"I know you still love me. In seven days, I'll see you at the Pack territory to seal our mate bond!"

I immediately called the patrolling Pack guards.

"Expel this stalker from our territory. Never let him in again."

After calming down, I went to the Pack territory as usual.

Passing by the assembly hall, I saw Chris passionately kissing Rachel.

When Chris saw me, his face tightened with arrogant impatience.

"You're already struggling financially. Why waste money hiring someone to track me? I told you I'd mate with you, and I keep my word."

"In public, Rachel is my partner. Now get out. Don't make things difficult for me."

"Look closely. This is my Pack ID."

I pointed to my chest.

Chris didn't react to the Pack ID, but when he saw the Luna ring on my finger, his face completely changed.

His voice trembled.

"You... you couldn't have bought that. That's the ancestral Luna ring of the Ironclaw Pack!"

"Susan, do you have another man?!"