Chapter 4
The black Maybach rolled to a stop in front of me. I blinked, confused, and instinctively stepped aside.
The car door opened, and a man around forty stepped out–slick suit, calm smile.
“Miss Rae?” he asked, polite but sure.
I gave a cautious nod. “Yes?”
“I was sent by Alpha Richard. He asked me to bring you home.”
Richard?
I couldn’t help the way my lips curved up, just a little.
Maybe… just maybe, this bond wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
When I stepped into the house, the storm hit.
My mom, full force,
“You–you bonded behind our backs?! With who?! Rae, the whole pack thought you were still chasing Logan!”
She was just heating up when I pulled out the silver certificate
Silence.
My dad, lounging by the piano, raised a brow and gave me a slow thumbs–up like he’d just watched the underdog win in the final round.
I tilted my chin up, smug.
Mom snatched the certificate. Her eyes flew across the names–then darted to me, then to Dad, then back again.
“Richard?! That Richard?”
Dad leaned over for a better look. And then his eyes widened too.
“Alpha Richard of the Blackridge Pack?”
Yeah That Richard.
The heir to the largest, oldest, and most feared pack across the northern territory.
The wolf who rarely spoke, but when he did, the room went silent.
The one who’d stood quietly in the background for years–always showing up when I least expected, never demanding, never chasing
Just… there. Always there.
I sank into the couch like I’d done this a thousand times and asked the housekeeper for lemon water.
Mom and Dad sat beside me like I might suddenly explode.
Mom’s voice dropped to a whisper “Sweetheart. what’s going on?”
I looked her straight in the eye. “Mom Dad. I’m not going to marry Logan Not anymore.”
No more chasing. No more begging for crumbs. No more bruising my pride for someone who never saw me. They blinked, stunned.
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Chapter 4
+25 BONUS
And then Dad–his face slowly breaking into a smile. “You mean… you finally came to your senses?”
I nodded, sure. “Yes. I’ve bonded with Richard.”
Dad lit up like a full moon on mating night.
“About damn time! Logan’s got nothing but a pretty face and a mess of bad instincts. Richard’s the real deal. Stable. Smart.
Knows how to lead. I always liked him.”
Mom waved the bond certificate in disbelief. “But–what about the ceremony tomorrow?”
I met her gaze. “It’s still on.”
Because this bond is real. And it deserves to be witnessed.
The Rae family has carried weight in the trade councils for a hundred years. I won’t let our name fall because of a failed
engagement.
After graduation, I didn’t take a role in the family business. I ran around after Logan instead–bent myself backwards trying to win over someone who only ever looked through me.
I gave him my loyalty, my dignity, my love–and all I got back was silence.
After dinner, I went through the ceremonial boxes Logan’s family had sent. Lavish. Handpicked. Thoughtful.
He really did try.
But in the end, he still chose Yun Yao.
And just when that ache started to creep in again he showed up.
Not Logan.
Richard.
Not with flowers, or lame apologies.
1
With a blade forged under moonlight, a ring carved from moonstone and ironwood, and the Seer of Blackridge standing at his
side.
He knelt before me, eyes steady, voice low but firm.
“Rae,” he said, “I’ve loved you in silence for many seasons. But now, I want the world to hear it. Stand beside me–not as a
second choice, but as my equal. My Alpha mate. Will you?”
This time?
I said yes.
At dawn, we stood in the sacred circle.
The flames lit
The vow sealed in blood
His hand in mine as the moon bore witness to our bond.
We weren’t dating.
We weren’t engaged.
We were mated
Bound by spirit. Recognized by the Council Blessed by the moon.
Chege &
So when my phone buzzed again and I saw Logan’s name on the screen-
I didn’t flinch
I let it ring
