As was tradition, alphas from packs far and wide had come to witness your father pass down leadership to your brother. The sacred ceremony was only allowed to be seen by alphas but now everyone mingled drinking and celebrating.

Except you. You had been pulled aside a few seconds after your mating bond had snapped into place with one of the foreign alphas, Fennec. He shoved a finger into your chest after rounding a wall and said vehemently “Let me be clear. I don’t want a mate. I was perfectly happy without one. You’ll just be a burden and a liability to me. And I sure as hell won’t ever love you. Keep this to yourself until I figure out what to do with you, got it?”