The Alpha Took Me As A Stand-in, he regretted

ally nailed that internship spot at my mate Ian Ho

ng to rub it

he lobby, bam-there he was, tangled up in some ra

like a pine in a storm, that fruit knife

d edges, "Sixteen years, and you're stil

dn't f

than anything, wrapped an arm around her waist

ose eye

w ache and fire spilling out? It hi

-pitched buzz that dr

? Total b

down, he'd sworn up and down I was

urn his head. He only had eye

h my chest. I surged forward on pure fury, rea

less, brainless little vine-clinger just to twist the knife in me? Us? Childhood packmates, tearing into each other for y

g with this deep, accusing hurt. S

every damn inch. The antacids in my drawer? You stocked 'em yourself. Every late night I pulled, you were right there in

ver, losing it completely, sobbi

back, but she swung wild, clockin

nicking his skin, a thin red line blooming. "

e-wolf in our circles, scared of nothing and no one. Ga

there, until Ian fin

with that indulgent rumble

ah.

rough. Whispers erupted around

heads, too proud to bond. Instead, they pull this endless chase. And Ian? Goes

hing he fessed up, or that

r prime project right out from under her nose. Figured they'd go to their g

ght in my throat. My fight drained

till they bit deep, body sha

r. My mate's heart belon

e knife aside and

glass, fragile and fierce, an

glance hammered my heart

welling in my fists, bu

worn like a badge? Jus

one lit up.

ht. Won't be home. Crash w

cold pixels, then

eted, straigh

hell, I punch

rned hot

teen, twenty times.

on the floor, ugly-cryin

ia

one hell

ving in like it'd been skewere

via Town at eighteen,

smates, him, six years older, already a

like a storm front, wild and relentless.

ured cash into labs, set up sch

ed our bon

s and that gown like som

e damn fortune and 9,999 handwritten love l

wled, voice thi

th me? I swear it'll be you and me, forever-n

s f

rched m

, all-co

e into the surf to drag me out-fearless, ha

Howar

binding with a nobo

, starving him

tral house three days s

the b

was

ing me close, spoiling me rotten, like he'd

ell hadn't

urned for me...

rner Clara, f

red, till I teetered on black

ced over, s

lf home, a ghos

ss nights. Everywhere but his study. That door stayed

mb. Minutes ticked. T

r history, sho

crane, a smashed car model, a contract shredded and taped bac

hours every day. Now?

p splitting the sky. Lightning flashed, b

I snatched a photo, rearing back

hrough, smooth as eve

bound one? Party's a z

ed you here." I choked it out, fi

ed me. Always bolted ba

him spin his tale.

st a heartbeat, t

here tonight; can't bail early. I'

on,mascara streaks, eyes puffy-and hauled in a breath

rr, low and teasing. His breath hitched, rag

s exploding. Then his whole damn study-books flyi

ing my sweat. Shards everywhere, slicing my heart

clingy bits-the what-ifs

for her shadow in his chest. A mate wi

he first word. "Dad... no more easing up on

oared, fury lighting him up. "No wolf me

path. Some hu

eded to unbound us. And Ian? He'