Maya's POV
We have to pretend we're not mates.
Dominic's words from last night echo in my head as I force myself downstairs at 5:45 AM. My body still aches from the shift, every muscle screaming in protest, but I don't care.
Someone wants me dead. And my mate—the man the moon herself chose for me—is going to help me find out who.
Even if he won't actually claim me.
The training yard is empty when I arrive. Cold morning air bites through my workout clothes. I wrap my arms around myself, shivering, and wait.
Six AM comes and goes.
No Dominic.
By 6:15, anger starts replacing the cold. He said training starts today. He promised we'd work together to find Dad's killer. Was that a lie? Was everything he said last night just—
You're late.
I spin around. Dominic stands at the edge of the yard, arms crossed. He's in training gear—dark pants, fitted shirt that shows every muscle. His face is completely blank.
I'm late? You said six
Six means you're here at 5:45. Warmed up. Ready. His voice is ice. If you can't follow simple instructions, how do you expect to survive the Trials?
The coldness in his tone hits me like a slap. This isn't the Dominic from last night who held me against the wall and promised to protect me. This is Beta Ashford—distant, harsh, untouchable.
Right. We're pretending. In public, he's just my guardian.
I lift my chin. It won't happen again.
See that it doesn't. He moves past me toward the center of the yard. Twenty laps around the perimeter. Go.
Twenty? But I just shifted last night
Twenty-five now. Keep talking and it'll be thirty.
Fury burns through me, but I bite my tongue and start running. My legs feel like lead. My lungs burn. By lap ten, I'm gasping. By lap fifteen, I'm stumbling.
Dominic watches from the center, face expressionless. Evaluating. Judging.
He's protecting you, I remind myself. This is an act. It has to be.
But it doesn't feel like an act when I collapse after lap twenty-two and he doesn't even move to help.
Get up, he says flatly.
I can't—
Get. Up. Something flashes in his eyes. If an enemy attacks, they won't care that you're tired. They won't care that you shifted for the first time last night. They'll rip out your throat while you're gasping on the ground. Now GET UP.
I force myself to my feet and finish the last three laps on pure spite.
When I finally stop, bent over and heaving, Dominic tosses me a water bottle. I catch it clumsily.
Better, he says. But still pathetic.
The word stings more than it should. I know this is an act, but hearing him call me pathetic—
Maya?
I turn. Iris is walking across the yard in pajamas and a robe, carrying two coffee cups. Her eyes narrow when she sees me doubled over.
What the hell, Dominic? She just shifted last night! You can't just—
This isn't your concern, Miss Chen. Dominic's voice could freeze lava. Maya has six months to prepare for Trials that will kill her if she's not ready. I don't have time to coddle her.
Coddle? Iris's voice rises. She can barely stand!
Then she'll learn to stand stronger. He finally looks at me, and there's nothing in his eyes. No warmth. No recognition of what we are to each other. Again. Another twenty-five laps. Go.
Are you insane? Iris steps between us. Maya, you don't have to
It's fine. I straighten up, ignoring the screaming in my muscles. He's right. I need to be stronger.
Iris looks at me like I've grown a second head. Maya
I said it's fine. I meet Dominic's cold stare. Twenty-five laps. No problem.
Something flickers in his expression. Approval? Concern? It's gone too fast to tell.
I start running.
This time, I don't stop. Don't slow down. I push through the pain, through the exhaustion, through everything. Because I refuse to be weak. Refuse to be the broken wolf everyone thinks I am.
When I finish, my vision is spotty and my legs are shaking, but I'm still standing.
Dominic nods once. Acceptable. Tomorrow, 5:45. Don't be late.
Then he walks away, leaving me and Iris alone in the yard.
Iris immediately shoves one of the coffee cups into my hands. Okay, what the actual hell was that? Last night you said he was going to help you investigate. Now he's treating you like—
Like his ward, I interrupt quietly. That's what we agreed to. In public, he's just my guardian. Cold. Professional. Nothing more.
Why?
I glance around, making sure we're alone. Because if people know we're mates, we both become bigger targets. Marcus and Vanessa already want me dead. If they know Dominic and I are bonded...
Understanding dawns in Iris's eyes. They'll kill you both.
Exactly.
So this whole drill sergeant act is
Protection. The word tastes bitter. He's protecting me by pretending he doesn't care.
Iris is quiet for a moment. Then: That's actually kind of smart. And completely miserable for both of you.
Yeah. I take a sip of coffee, trying not to think about how Dominic's eyes had stayed completely empty when he looked at me. How easy it was for him to call me pathetic. But it's necessary.
For how long?
Until we figure out who killed my father and why. I lower my voice. We need to search Dad's office tonight. Look for evidence—financial records, correspondence, anything that might tell us who was embezzling pack funds.
Breaking and entering. Fun. Iris grins. What time?
Two AM. Everyone should be asleep by then.
We're walking back toward the manor when Silas—Dominic's second-in-command—appears on the path. He's a massive man with scars crossing his face, but his eyes are kind when they land on me.
Maya. He nods. Good work this morning. Dominic's training is brutal, but it'll keep you alive.
Thanks, I think.
He's hard on you because he cares, Silas says quietly. Don't forget that.
Something in his tone makes me look at him sharply. Does Silas know about the bond? Can he tell?
But before I can ask, Silas's expression changes. Hardens. You've got company.
I turn.
Uncle Marcus is striding across the lawn toward us, flanked by two pack enforcers. His smile is all teeth and no warmth.
Maya, dear. Just the person I wanted to see. He stops a few feet away, looking me over. I heard you finally shifted last night. Congratulations.
Thank you. I keep my voice neutral.
A silver wolf, they say. Just like your father. His eyes gleam with something I don't like. Quite powerful for a late bloomer.
Is there something you need, Marcus?
Actually, yes. The council has called an emergency meeting. His smile widens. We need to discuss your future. Specifically, the matter of finding you a suitable mate before the Trials.
My blood runs cold. I don't need
The council disagrees. An unmated Alpha female is... vulnerable. Surely you understand that? He gestures to his enforcers. They'll escort you to the council chambers. The meeting starts in one hour.
And if I refuse?
Marcus's smile turns sharp. The council can override your father's will if they deem you unfit to lead. Refusing a direct summons would be... unfortunate. For everyone.
It's a threat. Barely veiled.
Silas steps closer to me. The Beta should be informed
Beta Ashford has already been notified, Marcus interrupts smoothly. He'll meet us there. Now, Maya, shall we?
I don't have a choice. Not without making things worse.
Fine. One hour.
Marcus nods and walks away, his enforcers following.
The moment he's gone, Iris grabs my arm. What just happened?
They're trying to force me to choose a mate. My mind races. Marcus wants to control who I bond with. Someone he can manipulate. Someone who'll keep me weak.
But you already have a mate, Iris hisses. Can't you just tell them
No. Silas cuts in, his voice grim. If she reveals the bond with Dominic now, the council will claim he manipulated her. Used his position as guardian to force the bond. They'll exile him and marry her off anyway.
So what do we do?
I think fast. The council wants me mated to someone they control. Dominic and I need to keep the bond secret. And in one hour, I have to face a room full of wolves who want to see me fail.
I need to talk to Dominic, I say. Now. Where is he?
His office, probably. Silas looks worried. But Maya, be careful. The council is playing for keeps. One wrong move and
I know. I'm already walking toward the manor. Iris, stay here. I'll be back.
I run through the halls, my new wolf senses guiding me straight to Dominic's office. I don't knock—just burst through the door.
Dominic is at his desk, phone pressed to his ear. He looks up sharply when I enter.
I'll call you back, he says into the phone and hangs up. His eyes flash gold. What's wrong?
The council. They want to force me to choose a mate. Marcus just
I know. I got the summons. He stands, moving around the desk toward me. Maya, listen carefully
The door behind me slams shut.
I spin around.
Vanessa stands there, a cruel smile on her perfect face. And in her hand
A syringe filled with clear liquid.
Hello, Maya, she purrs. Sorry to interrupt. But you and I need to have a little chat about Dominic.
She lunges.
Dominic moves fast—shoving me behind him, putting himself between me and Vanessa. But she's ready for that.
The syringe plunges into his shoulder.
He gasps, stumbling back.
Dominic! I catch him as his legs buckle. What did you do to him?
Just a little wolfsbane cocktail. Vanessa circles us like a predator. Not enough to kill him. Just enough to make sure he can't interfere while I handle you.
My wolf surges forward, ready to fight. But Dominic's weight is dragging me down, and Vanessa is between us and the door.
Don't worry, Vanessa continues. The council meeting is real. You will choose a mate today. One Marcus has already selected. One who'll keep you too busy producing heirs to ask dangerous questions about your father's death.
Horror floods through me. You can't
I can. I will. And there's nothing your precious Beta can do to stop it. She looks at Dominic with disgust. He actually felt the mate bond, you know. I could see it in his eyes last night when you shifted. And he still chose duty over you. Pathetic.
Dominic tries to stand, tries to reach for Vanessa, but the poison is working too fast. His eyes are already glazing over.
Don't touch her, he growls, the words slurred. Vanessa... I swear...
You swear what? She laughs. You can't even stand. Some mate you are.
She moves toward me.
I back up, supporting Dominic's weight, my mind racing for options. I can't fight Vanessa and protect Dominic. Can't run with him unconscious. Can't
The window behind Dominic's desk explodes inward.
Glass rains down as a massive gray wolf lands in the office.
Silas.
He shifts mid-leap, landing in human form between me and Vanessa.
Run, he barks at me. Get him out. NOW.
I don't argue. I drag Dominic toward the door as Silas and Vanessa crash together, snarling.
We're almost to the hallway when Dominic's hand closes weakly around my wrist.
Maya... His eyes focus on mine for just a second. The bond... don't let them... break...
Then he passes out completely.
And I realize with horror what the council is really planning.
They're not just going to make me choose a mate.
They're going to try to break my bond with Dominic.
Permanently.