The Alpha forbidden cure

dragged a glossy red lipstick across her bottom lip. "The second I step through those doors, I'm locking eyes with a

silently cursing whoever invented

han's leadership ball. He's the pack's new Alpha. You're supposed to stand beside him

ogant, stubborn, and rough around the edges, everyone had been whispering since we were kids that we were desti

God, I thought, smoothing down the skirts of my dress. If only I had a chance to leave. If only I could swap this whole furry pack drama for a white

," Maya said, grabbing her clutch.

e, high-ranking wolves walking around like peacocks... My parents stood right beside me, taking in

ered. "By tomorrow, everyone in th

cufflinks on his suit w

ouncil seat," one of the el

Ethan announces the bond, their family will b

ouldn't hid

d years for

m asked if

ked whether I w

ling rising in my throat a

ew more

onto the dance floor. Around me, wolves whispered exci

he Moon Goddess couldn't ha

e invisible rope already wrapped around my chest. I smiled politely whenever someone con

eps, his eyes locked onto mine. Something in his dar

k beauti

aged, forcing a smile, though a

heavy Alpha cloak, he stood rigid, arrogant, and unreachable as always. He leaned into the

, and I am meant to announce my mate's bond. However... for the future of our pack, the continuation of our bloodlines, and the security of our borde

ours. As Chloe walked up to the stage with a triumphant smirk to join E

spered, clapping my

he for a second. Wait. Did that actually

so just handed me my lifelong dream of freedom on a silver platter. I forced a crushed, heartbroken expression onto my face, making sure

cond, not even looking at my shoulder, and muttered low... F

t look me

st me as if I were al

ly. The pack's future m

evastation, but I was actually struggling not to crack a smile. Ethan walked off thinking he'd made a rut

He didn't hug me, didn't ask if I was okay nothing. He just kept his face turned a

her knuckles turned white and stared at the floor. The precious socia

er pack girls immediately blocked our path. I could practic

aya asked, laying a hand on my shoulder. "What are you going t

can do... I was rejected. Since I clearly don't have a future in the pack anymore, I g

nsolation prize. Under the heavy, pitying stares of Maya and the

ment we stepped through the front door, my father stopped, exhaled sha

in front of the entire pack, and all you care about is your damn status. If being a rejected female brings you so much shame, then fine I won't stay he

g with excitement. Playing the victim was the ultimate cover story i

blic rejection is about the biggest humiliation you can suffer. But what hurt the

cceptance letter to medical school in New York. Ethan might have broken my heart a little, but in doing

abbed my suitcase. My hand was right on the doorknob when my mothe

toward the massive iron gates at the pack border. The border guards took one

it felt like a whisper of a completely new life. I turned

fully realize it myself back then but t

oment it act