Wrong Mark, Right Wolf

The day Alistair Sterling marked me, even the sting of his teeth piercing my skin hurt far less than what he did to me afterward.

I once thought registering our mate bond at the Pack Affairs Department would be the final step of our seven-year love story. But then, without any warning, he loosened his grip on my hand and signaled to the guards beside him.

“Throw her out.”

Three words, as cold as iron.

I didn’t even get to ask “why” before brute force lifted me off the ground. The world spun, and my back slammed onto the icy marble floor. The air was forced from my lungs as I curled in on myself, staring as Alistair wrapped an arm around his childhood sweetheart, Chloe Vance, and walked straight into the door I was supposed to enter with him.

Through my blurred vision, I heard his indifferent voice drift through the closing gap in the doorway—shattering all my dreams:

“Chloe’s child needs Argentum Pack citizenship. The fastest way is for me to register with her. Once it’s done and the child is officially listed, I’ll come back for you. One month at most. Just behave and wait.”

Look at that. He didn’t even bother to explain it to me. As if the seven years I spent loving him, supporting him, hoping for him were nothing more than dust on the road to his “responsibility.”

People around us stared—pitying, mocking. They probably thought the Evelyn Gray who had loved Alistair so blindly she’d lost herself would, even after public humiliation, lick her wounds and continue waiting for him.

After all, I had waited like a stone by the shore for seven long years.

But they were wrong.

That night, under a pale moon, I wiped my tears and dialed the number I had rejected countless times. My voice was steady—so steady it felt foreign.

“I accept the political marriage. The ceremony can be held anytime.”

One month? I didn’t want to waste even a minute more on humiliation and waiting.

Three days later, I left the Argentum Pack quietly and became the mate of Kieran Thorne, Alpha of the Lunaria Pack. No farewells. No looking back.

Three years later.

The cabin door opened, and a wave of familiar yet distant air greeted me. I walked down the steps with the crowd, fingers brushing the small, gentle swell of my abdomen. Inside was the second child Kieran and I were expecting.

My visit home to Argentum to see my parents was a last-minute decision. Kieran had been firmly against it until an emergency Council meeting forced him to stay behind. He made arrangements and insisted someone would pick me up.

I pushed my luggage cart into the arrival hall, eyes scanning the crowd for a sign that said “Mrs. Thorne.” And then I saw him.

Alistair Sterling.

Three years had sharpened his features even more. His new Beta status added an arrogant gleam of confidence. One hand was shoved in his pocket; the other rested casually on Chloe’s shoulder, like a declaration of ownership. Behind them stood a cluster of familiar, sycophantic faces.

He was the one holding the sign.

A sudden stab of cold pierced straight through my chest, spreading like frost through every limb. No calls. No messages. Not a single apology or explanation. After three years of silence, this was how he forced himself back into my world.

“Well, well, look who we have here?” a sharp female voice cut through the air. One of Chloe’s old cronies pointed at me. “Isn’t that… what’s her name? Evelyn? Right. Evelyn Gray! What is she doing here?”

Their gazes shot toward me—judgmental, mocking, unkind.

Alistair’s eyes skimmed over my clean face and comfortable cotton maxi dress before stopping at my neck—the diamond necklace Kieran gave me on our first mate anniversary. The light scattered across each facet, glimmering against my collarbone.

A flicker of surprise flashed in his eyes, quickly swallowed by thick scorn.

“I told you,” he said clearly, letting everyone hear, “Evelyn Gray would crawl back someday.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd.

“Evelyn, how did you end up looking like this?” Chloe feigned concern, twirling her hair, the diamond bracelet on her wrist flashing aggressively. “That dress… which charity handed it out? Leaving Alistair, and you can’t even afford decent clothes?”

She stepped closer, her gaze scraping across me like a poisoned needle.

“Well, you have no background and no skills. Just being alive is lucky enough. Alistair is kind—he’s willing to give you a job.” She looked at him sweetly, then back at me. “My son is about school age. He needs someone reliable to pick him up and look after him. This job is a blessing for you.”

I stood still, fingertips gently circling my small belly. The baby inside seemed to feel my emotions, giving a light nudge. Strangely, the icy numbness melted into warmth.

They weren’t even worth my anger.

Alistair mistook my silence for embarrassment and jealousy. He chuckled, the sound grating like gravel.

“Still pretending to have pride?” He raised a brow, eyeing me like cheap merchandise. “I’m offering you work and a place to live—because of our past. Know your place, Evelyn. Don’t be shameless.”

“Exactly!” someone chimed in. “Serving Sister Chloe and the young master is a privilege! Hurry and thank Alistair!”

Chloe toyed with her expensive earrings, smiling sweetly. “Don’t worry, Evelyn. If my son misbehaves, I’ll discipline him so you won’t suffer. Do well, and maybe Alistair will spare you a glance.”

I lifted my eyes. Calm. Unrushed. First at Chloe’s fake sweetness, then at Alistair’s confident arrogance. He tilted his chin, waiting for me to crumble like before—cry, beg, or break down.

But I simply touched the necklace on my neck. The cool diamonds grounded me.

He would never know that what he saw as a “cheap imitation” was one of the least extravagant gifts Kieran ever gave me.

And he would never imagine that the “Mrs. Thorne” they all hoped to please was standing right in front of them—listening as they dissected her “tragic past” with their sharpest malice.

“Are you done?” I said quietly. No tremor. Just mild exhaustion. “If you’re done, lead the way. I’m not here to listen to nonsense.”

Silence fell instantly.

Alistair’s smug expression froze. Chloe blinked, stunned by my reaction.

I walked toward Alistair, my gaze landing on the sign that read Mrs. Thorne. I smiled.

“Aren’t you here to pick me up? Then stop wasting time.”