Fake Mate Certificate

Clutching the fake mate certificate tightly, I returned home, feeling a hollow space in my chest.

A mate certificate is something every werewolf couple must possess, issued by the Werewolf Pack Council, a symbol of legitimacy and eternity.

But what I held in my hands was nothing but a false document.

The real mate certificate bore the names of Alpha Del and Emily—not mine.

Just before I pushed the door open, I heard low voices inside.

“Alpha, it’s been five years. Aren’t you going to leave your mark on Rose?” The voice of a Beta carried a subtle note of warning, impossible to ignore.

My chest tightened, and I froze.

After a long silence, Del’s voice finally sounded, heavy and resolute:

“Not yet. Emily is alone in White Moon Pack, and I must protect her. Only when she stands firm can I feel at ease.”

A chill shot through my veins.

The Beta pressed further: “But Rose doesn’t even have a legitimate mate certificate. If she ever discovers the truth, she could leave at any moment.”

The air hung still. After a pause, Del replied softly:

“Emily gave me a daughter—I owe her that. As for Rose… she loves me too much to leave. She once broke ties with Black Moon Pack just to be with me, and now she has nowhere else to go. She can only stay by my side.”

His words cut through my last shred of hope like a blade.

My father had once tried to prevent my relationship with Del. He said a man who hadn’t ascended to Alpha was unworthy of an Alpha’s daughter. But I had stubbornly chosen love, even severing ties with my father and giving up my own future and honor.

And now, my sacrifice had become, in his eyes, “the reason I cannot leave him.”

My thoughts swirled, my legs gave out, and I collapsed to the ground.

A gust of wind, and Del was already in front of me. He lifted me gently, placing me on the sofa, his touch almost painfully tender.

I closed my eyes, feeling my chest hollowed out. After a long silence, I slowly nodded, as if conceding.

“Alright.”

A flicker of unease crossed Del’s eyes. He was about to speak when his phone rang abruptly.

The name on the screen stung my eyes—Emily.

He immediately released me and answered frantically, his voice more urgent than I had ever heard:

“Emily, don’t be afraid, I’m coming right away!”

Almost at the same time, my own phone vibrated. It was the Pack orphanage.

“Rose, your mate mentioned wanting to adopt Joey, but now another couple is interested. Can you come take a look?”

I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to collect my emotions and wear a mask of calm, then drove to the orphanage.

From a distance, I saw Del standing at the orphanage entrance.

A figure suddenly leapt into his arms, tearful and desperate:

“Del, you’re finally here! Please save Joey! I don’t want her adopted by someone else, I don’t want her calling anyone else mommy and daddy!”

Her voice was full of pleading, unbearably vulnerable.

And Del’s response was gentle, his eyes soft as water.

I stared, frozen—the woman in his arms.

It was Emily.