My True Mate Was Never One of Them

The morning after the gathering, I took the invitation and headed to the Blackwood Pack's territory.

Kael was the Alpha heir of Blackwood. His mother had watched me grow up, and for years, she'd been waiting for the day Kael and I would finally complete the bond.

The moment she saw me, she grabbed my hand with a bright smile and urged me to lock things down with Kael.

"Aurora, you and Kael really need to get your bonding ceremony on the calendar."

Just then, Kael came down the stairs.

He strode over and shoved our clasped hands apart, his voice dripping with impatience.

"Mom, who said I'm bonding with Aurora?"

He whipped around to glare at me, eyes full of disbelief. "Aurora, what the hell has gotten into you? Trying to use my mother to pressure me into it?"

I set the invitation on the coffee table. "You've got it wrong, Kael. I came to deliver an invitation to my bonding ceremony."

Kael didn't even glance at it. He was still convinced I was trying to corner him. His face twisted with disgust.

"Don't bring my mom into this. You've never been the kind of woman who chases after a man—don't make me lose respect for you, Aurora. I'm telling you right now—drop this bonding idea and go home."

He stormed out, slamming the door behind him. His mother stood there, frozen in awkward silence.

"Aurora, Kael's been so strange lately. Please don't be upset with him."

She reached for my wrist with a sigh. "He used to adore you so much. Every good thing he had, he'd bring to you first. You were the most important person in his world."

I smiled and gently pulled my hand back. "People change, Luna."

I pointed at the invitation on the table. "The eighth of next month. I hope you and Kael can both make it to my ceremony."

Her face went blank, like it hadn't even crossed her mind that my choice might not be Kael.

I didn't bother explaining further. I turned and walked out of Blackwood territory.

I'd seen the way Kael had been changing lately. But it wasn't just him—Orion Whitethorn and Zephyr Stormrider had changed too. All three of them.

Once, I was the most important person in their lives. Now that spot belonged to Lilith Sterling.

Lilith was a fragile Omega, and three Alphas had a duty to protect her. I understood that. What I didn't understand was why the three of them—and Lilith—kept throwing these little jabs my way, like I'd done something wrong.

We'd grown up together. No one knew each other better than the four of us.

But since I couldn't figure out the reason, I wasn't going to waste time digging. Time would tell.

After delivering the news to Kael, I headed to Whitethorn Pack to find its Alpha heir, Orion.

Kael had clearly already called him. The look Orion gave me was pure mockery.

"Kael just phoned me. Said you begged him to bond with you and he threw you out."

He leaned back, smirking. "So now you're here looking for me to take the fall? Aurora, when are you going to get it through your head? We don't want you anymore. None of us do. And none of us are bonding with you—not me, not Kael, not Zephyr."