“I spent seven years in a frozen outpost as punishment for saving my fated mate's life. My family called my sacrifice dark magic, a crime that shamed our name. When I finally came home, I found my adoptive sister, Briar, wearing my life like a stolen dress. She had my parents' love and my mate's devotion, all built on the lie that she was the one who had saved him. They forced me to sleep in the attic and serve champagne at the party celebrating her. My own mother called me a disgrace. My mate, Alpha Ryker, planned to formally reject me and bond with her in front of the entire pack. He demanded I stand by and bless their union. He looked at her feigned weakness and called it a noble sacrifice. He looked at my broken spirit and called it a stain on his honor. Then my brother found the old medical files proving I was the one who nearly died for him. The truth came out at the altar, right as Ryker was about to bond with my sister. But by then, I was already gone, a rogue wolf with nothing left to lose.”