Chapter 1

Zeke and I always said we'd be best friends forever since we were pups. Everyone always assumed we'd end up as mates but we laughed it off. So when we both turned 18 and the string of destiny snapped into place tying us together, I was over the moon. But Zeke telling me he'd never mate with a mutt like me.

Now my worst enemy Chris and I have a plan.

"What if…we fake dated?"

"What?"

"Nothing would really piss Zeke off more than not only you saying no to being his breeder than also making him think we're getting each other's rocks off."

"You in?"

I stuck my hand out. "You got it, boyfriend."

Chapter 1

Vivian’s POV

“I can’t believe you turn 18 tomorrow. What if you mate with Chris, and I never see you again?”

I spun away from my vanity, seeing that Zeke had a severe look on his face, and he wasn’t joking. “There’s no way the Moon Goddess would be that cruel as to mate me with that tool. And if she did, I’d reject him.”

I walked over to him, kneeling before him, gripping his hands. I stared into the icy blue eyes I’d come to call home the 14 years I’ve known them. “Best friends forever, Zeke. I won’t mate with someone you hate so much and be swept away from you. Plus, you’ll be alpha soon, and you can banish him.”

Zeke rolled his eyes. “It’s not that easy, and you know it. Chris and his family are too integral to the pack. I’m stuck with him.”

I sighed, standing up. “I know. I wish he weren’t such a dick.”

“He’s only a dick to you because he knows how much you mean to me. And if he claims you, he’ll keep you away from me to hurt me more.”

I brushed a stray lock of dark blonde hair behind his ear, the only person who dared to touch him. “It’ll be okay, Z. I won’t let him keep me from you. No one could.”

“Promise?”

“I promise.”

*****

Every female werewolf found their mate at age 18, like clockwork. And tomorrow, I’d find mine. I should be excited to see my forever home since my parents were crappy at best. Someone to love and to hold sounded good on paper, but something about being happy ever after also didn’t sound realistic.

They said you fell in love when your mate bond snapped into place. It was more than lust, and you instantly felt a connection with them that was impossible to explain. But that didn’t mean you were compatible. It didn’t mean you were friends. I wouldn’t get my hopes up to find true love with the mate bond.

Not when I found true love in my best friend, Zeke.

Zeke had been like a brother to me since we were pups. He’d found me crying on the playground when my bully, Chris, had ripped my favorite teddy bear to shreds. But over time, those feelings had changed. For me, at least. Zeke still ruffled my hair and wrestled with me when we started shifting at age 14, all like brother and sister. We were best friends.

Everyone made comments that we were indeed meant to be mates. Part of me secretly hoped that to be true. As each new she-wolf turned 18 and they didn’t mate with Zeke, I was hopeful. I watched their birthdays on the pack’s calendar, as each she-wolf had a moonlit celebration at midnight every birthday.

I counted down the days to my birthday. I picked out my prettiest dress. It took a month to save up for by mowing lawns and cleaning gutters. It wasn’t the most feminine work, but paid better than serving drinks. It also worked better for me and the school.

And now it was time to wear. I looked at the midnight blue dress that would bring out the bright blue of my eyes and the golden hues of my dirty blonde hair. I slipped into it, feeling nothing short of a princess.

I had already done my makeup in shades of gold and black and placed a golden foliage tiara atop my head, letting my natural wavy hair cascade down my back. I slipped into strappy sandals and looked at myself in the mirror. I wasn’t confident, but tonight, I felt beautiful. Tonight, I was confident I’d find my true home in Zeke.

*****

The celebration was well underway by the time I got there. When I arrived, a cheer went out of the crowd. I blushed, not used to the positive attention. I was usually ignored or shoved aside.

I quickly looked around for Zeke. He stood at the top of the stage I’d stand at as the clock struck midnight. He was in conversation with his parents, the current Alpha and Luna. His eyes caught mine. I smiled and waved. I expected a smile and a wave back but received nothing.

A small knot in my stomach formed. That was strange. But he must be preoccupied with his parents. Then I noticed the petite redhead beside him, her arm looping in his. She leaned in to whisper something in his ear. He smiled and whispered something back. The knot tightened. Who was she? She wasn’t part of the pack. I’d never seen her before. And why was she touching Zeke?

“Jealous?”

I spun around to see Chris, a smirk across his face. “Who is that?”

“Samantha. She’s a rogue looking to join the pack. She got in last night. Zeke’s taken a liking to her immediately.”

“How old is she?”

“Eighteen.”

If she joins the pack, she could have a chance to mate with Zeke…rogues can’t mate until they enter a pack. Why is this happening? Why is Zeke acting so strange? What is happening?

“Earth to Viv.”

Chris was waving his hand in front of my eyes. “What?”

“I was trying to mock you, but you’re making it less fun by staring off into space.”

“Just go away, Chris. Not today.”

Chris shrugged. “Whatever. You’re no fun.”

I turned back to the stage, staring at Zeke and Samantha, still giggling and whispering to each other. Alpha Zade came on the speaker and asked, “Will Vivian Locke make her way to the stage now? It’s 3 minutes until midnight.”

I swallowed the bile rising in my throat. This was not the night I’d imagined so far. I went through the crowd, my face burning with confusion and embarrassment that my friend wasn’t here next to me as we’d planned. I was supposed to be escorted up the stage.

I stumbled up the steps to the stage, almost face-planting in front of Zeke. Zeke stepped back, not offering a hand to help me. He just looked at me, nearly disgusted.

Alpha Zade reached a handout, a small smile on his lips, “Are you okay, Vivian?”

I nodded, standing straight, turning my back to Zeke, and looking at the crowd. Just then, the clock struck midnight. The crowd went silent. Inside, I felt my wolf begin to howl in joy.

Another howl joined the howling—my mate’s wolf. Our wolves were howling together. No one else could hear but us. I felt a tug at my heart, pulling me backward. And the smell of honey and cinnamon overpowered me. I turned, and Zeke stared at me. Mate.

My best friend. My first love. My true love. My mate. I grinned and stretched out my arms.

A look of horror crossed his face, and he stumbled backward, gripping Samantha’s arm. “I, Zeke Worthword of the Greywood Wolf Pack, reject you, Vivian Locke, as my mate.”

Chapter 2

Vivian’s POV

“Zeke?”

“Why would I ever mate with a mutt like you?”

I felt a sharp twist in my chest, like something trying to snap. Let him go! Ivy, my wolf, snapped at me. Reject him! He is not worthy!

“But Zeke…”

Zeke stepped forward, out of Samatha’s arms, “I said I reject you, Vivian.”

I fell to the ground, the twisting intensifying. Ivy howled in pain. Moments ago, she was howling in happiness but turned on him the second Zeke rejected me. She was always protective of me. “Zeke, what happened to you…”

“I finally saw you for the filth that you are.”

I fell to the ground. The snapping became unbearable. With the last ounce of my strength, I raised my head. “I, Vivian Locke, of the Greywood Wolf Pack, accept your rejection.”

Our wolves howled in unison once more, and a blinding light flashed before my eyes. A pulsing pain shot through my head before everything went black.

*****

It’d been two days since my 18th birthday. And one day since I woke up in the hospital. No one had been to see me. Not even my parents. I had never felt more alone.

Female shifters moved out of their family homes at 18 because they found their mates and wanted to start their families right away. It’s why we made sure to graduate early. Now without a mate, without school, I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.

My entire life, I’d be focused on this moment. It’d be hammered into me since birth. And now I had to make my own way in the pack. Or maybe as a rogue. I shook my head. That was silly. I’d never make it as a rogue. I wasn’t strong enough.

A cough interrupted me from my thoughts. Zeke stood in the doorframe, holding a box. Tears filled my eyes. He came back. He realized he made a mistake and came back.

Rolling his eyes, he flung the box down at the foot of my bed. “I found a bunch of stuff at my house that apparently belongs to you and I thought I’d return it to you. I heard you’re getting out today so I thought I’d bring it by.”

I gasped. “What?”

“What part of that didn’t make sense?”

“I don’t understand what’s happening, Zeke. I thought we were friends.”

“Were friends. Key word. Were.”

“But why? What happened?”

Zeke shrugged. “I don’t really have to go into semantics with you, now do I? Let’s just say reality crept in and I see you for who you really are now. And I’m not interested in keeping such a vile piece of garbage in my presence.”

The tears threatening to fall streaked down my cheeks. The one person I had in my life who had made my life feel worth living was abandoning me. I had no one now. My home was gone.

“The waterworks won’t work on me. I have things to do. We’re done here.”

With that, he turned and left. A nurse came in after him, pretending not to notice the tears streaking my face. “Let’s get you ready. Your friend is here to walk you home.”

“My friend?”

“Oh yes. The nice young gentleman who brought you here.”

I furrowed my brows. I never bothered to ask who had brought me here, just assuming it had been a medic. I hurried and got dressed in clothes that my friend apparently grabbed from my house for me, trying to piece together who could possibly be picking me up when I hadn’t had a single visitor the whole time I’d be here.

When I finally made my way to lobby, escorted by the same nurse, I froze when I saw Chris Salvant. “Chris?”

He turned, looking me up and down. “Good. You would have looked a little silly walking home in your birthday dress. Come on. Let’s get going. I got training in an hour.”

I looked at the nurse, who patted my arm and nudged me towards him. What was going on? My best friend thought I was filth and my bully was walking me home from the hospital. Something wasn’t adding up.

Chapter 3

Vivian’s POV

The walk home was silent. I initially tried to ask Chris questions, but he grunted. He gave me nothing. I asked him why he was the one to bring me to the hospital, grunt. I asked him why he was there now, grunt. I asked him where my parents were, grunt. So, the rest of the walk was spent in silence.

When we finally reached my home, I paused, wondering if I should invite him for a snack or beverage. I’m sure my parents weren’t home; if they were, they wouldn’t care. They never cared about anything I did, not even if it was healing in a hospital from a mate bond rejection.

Chris decided for me. “I have training. You should start trying to make yourself useful now and come to training when you’re feeling better.”

I glared. “I was thinking about working outside. I’m not sure I’m much of a fighter.”

“Do both. You’re weak. It’s probably why Zeke rejected you.”

I gasped, the sting of his words hitting me full force. I wanted to slap him, but he’d overpower me instantly, and I knew better. “Why are you so cruel to me?”

“To get you to fight. You let everyone walk all over you. You always have. Especially Zeke. It’s time you started standing up for yourself, Vivid.”

“Vivid?”

“Your aura is so vivid but you let it become so dull around Zeke. I have to go. Training. Tomorrow. 5am. I’ll be here to get you at 4:30.”

With that, he took off running. I stared at him. This was the most we had spoken without hurling insults at each other since…ever. And I’m not even sure if what he said was an insult or not. Vivid? Aura? Zeke walking all over me?

I turned and walked towards my house, latching the gate behind me. When I entered, I could hear the tv in my parents’ room. “I’m home!”

“Dinner is in the microwave, honey. Hope you’re feeling better.” My mom called out.

So they did know I was in the hospital. Spot on for their level of care. I opened the microwave to seeing a slab of unidentifiable meat, probably meatloaf, gooey mashed potatoes, and some corn. Looks like it was a tv dinner kind of night tonight. I’d go grocery shopping tomorrow.

I made my way back to my room where I placed my Zeke box on my desk and started rummaging through it, picking out each memory and trying to recall the words Chris had said to me. Especially Zeke.

The first item that I removed was a stuffed goldfish I had won Zeke at a carnival that had come through town. I had spent near $50 to win it for Zeke. He had the memory of a goldfish so it had been important I had specifically won that goldfish. When I had finally won it and shown him my prize, he’d be disappointed I hadn’t gotten the spotted goldfish. When I went to exchange it, the carny was an ass and refused. Zeke acted like it didn’t bother him though. It was fine. He just liked the spotted one.

The next item I pulled out was a friendship bracelet I had braided for Zeke. That he never wore. The next item was a shirt I bought Zeke. That he never wore. A hat, he never wore. A cologne, he never wore.

As I withdrew each item, I started to note every unused item, every memory of Zeke being annoyed at me. Small memories of annoyance. Did I just not know Zeke? Did I annoy him? Did I never get him anything he liked?

Chris was getting in my head. I was questioning 14 years of friendship now. The mate rejection was messing with my head already and now Chris. Something was going on and I was going to get to the bottom of it.

Chapter 4

Vivian’s POV

“Ouch!”

“I told you that you were weak.”

I glared up at Chris from my position on the ground. He had just swept my feet out from under me, landing me flat on my back. He hadn’t been kidding about 4:30am, and he hadn’t been kidding about me being weak.

I was surprised when he reached a hand out to me to help me up. I wasn’t surprised when he quickly took that hand away, and I fell backward. “Gotta keep you guessing, Vivid.”

“Stop calling me that.”

“Nope.”

A howl signaled the end of training. Chris left me there, glaring at his retreating back. I still hated him, but at this point, he was all that I had. I scrambled to my feet and ran to catch up with him. “Where are we going now?”

He arched an eyebrow at me. “We?”

“Well, what does the pack do after training?”

“Breakfast, then patrol. You’re just training, though. So you can play in some dirt or something. You can’t go on patrol yet if it’s something you can earn the right to do.”

“Oh.”

“What?”

“I’m just…nothing. I’ll figure it out. Thanks again.”

He nodded and jogged away to join his friends, leaving me alone. Again. I needed to get used to this. Without Zeke, this was going to be my new norm, especially with the pack now treating me like I had a contagious disease since my birthday. Nothing but looks of pity and whispers being spoken around me.

I still couldn’t understand what happened. Just then, I saw my ex-best friend exiting the mess hall, laughing loudly, his arms around the new girl. Samantha. They both looked at each other like they couldn’t get enough of one another. I froze, wanting to disappear into the ground beneath me. Maybe they didn’t see me, and I could slip away and skip breakfast. I started to turn, but Zeke caught me at the last second. “Vivian!”

I froze. Why was he calling my name? I spun around. “Yes?”

“Come here.”

I narrowed my eyes, moving closer to where he and Samantha stood. “Yes, Zeke?”

“I heard you’ve started training with the warriors this morning.”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“I want to make myself useful to the pack.”

He nodded. “I think you’d be better suited as a maid. My maid, to be exact.”

I jerked my head up. “What? No.”

“Excuse me? You should be honored I allow you in my presence, mutt,” Zeke sneered.

Gasping, I looked over at Samantha, who I’d never spoken to but hoped she’d see some reason for how he was treating me. But a smirk played across her lips. She didn’t even know me, but it was plain that she hated me. “You shouldn’t be so disrespectful towards your future Alpha.”

“You’ll report to my chambers every morning to serve me breakfast at 7am and will work until 7pm every day. That’s how you will be useful to the pack.”

“I still have time to train then. They start at 5am.”

Zeke rolled his eyes. “Fine. Do what you want in your free time. Just don’t burden the warriors with your bumbling around. Since I’ve already had breakfast this morning, run to laundry and get started.”

“Can I go eat breakfast first?”

Rolling his eyes again. “Fine. Just go.”

I nodded again and ran, not wanting to further annoy him. This was not the same person I grew up with. When I looked back, Samantha was whispering in his ear again. What secrets did they already share?

*****

My first day as Zeke’s maid had been exhausting. It was full of laundry. He had me on wash the entire pack house’s laundry today, along with the curtains and the linen. It didn’t need done but he had insisted. He wanted to start our professional relationship fresh, he said. Whatever that meant.

By the time I was slinking my way back home, I forgot I had needed to go grocery shopping. Our small pack town was meant to be all walking distance but it was still a distance to go everywhere. And the grocery store was the opposite direction of home. I sighed, turning around and making my way back the way I came.

Foot steps behind me had me swirling around to catch a glimpse of movement before I was on my back. “I can’t believe you let me catch you off guard like that. Where are your wolf instincts?”

Chris stood over me, glaring. Ivy was silent on me since the rejection. I hadn’t heard her at all. Not even during training. She was upset and confused. But at the question of her instincts, I felt her bristle inside. She was still with me.

“I’ve had a busy day today, Chris. Can’t you just leave me alone?”

“Nope. Where you headed?”

“I need to get groceries.”

“I’ll come with you. You need a lesson in the proper diet of a warrior so you aren’t so weak.”

I stood up, ignoring the fake offer of his helping hand. “Thanks but no thanks. I can handle groceries by myself.”

“It wasn’t a request, Vivid.”

“Shut up.”

“Whatever you say, Vivid. Now let’s get going. We have an early day tomorrow. You can prattle on about your day while we walk and why it was such a long day. Figure out a way to be less of a waste of space?”

We started our way towards Nelly’s Grocery, as I started detailing my day, him grunting in return. “And why did he want you to be his maid?”

“To humiliate me more, I guess?”

Chris grunted in response. I grunted back. He grunted. I grunted. He paused and looked at me. “Why are you grunting?”

“I’m just doing what you’re doing. All you do is grunt. It’s so weird.”

“I do not.”

I grunted. He made the noise back, and I continued the cadence. We burst out laughing. I continued laughing, doubling over and holding my side, tears filling my eyes. Was I really here in the middle of the street laughing at grunts with my bully?

When we finally stopped, I stood up straight, and Chris was staring at me. “I got to go.”

“Okay.”

Without a word, he shifted and took off into the darkness. I smiled softly, maybe I could have half a friend.

Chapter 5

Vivian's POV

The following day, Chris was there at 4:30am sharp. I almost wanted to grunt at him in greeting, to rekindle our inside joke, but I didn't want to run it into the ground and look desperate. I was already getting too attached, and it'd only been a couple of days. And this was Chris. I hated Chris, and Chris hated me.

"What did you get for groceries?"

"Chicken, rice, and broccoli."

"Good for you!"

"Just kidding. I thought that's what you wanted to hear. I got a lot of junk food."

Chris glared at me. "Seriously?"

"Kidding! I got the boring stuff! I'm taking this seriously."

He rolled his eyes and started walking down the street. "Come on, you're gonna make us late. I don't have time for your games."

His strides were long, but I was light on my feet, so it was easy to keep up with him. For the first time, Ivy finally spoke up.

'He's fun.'

I almost stumbled at her comment. 'No, he's not. We don't like him. He's a jerk. Remember who tore Mr. Buttons to shreds when we were four?'

'Then remember who saved us from him? Look how that turned out. Things aren't always as they seem.'

Before I could argue, she went silent again, and I was left with a scowl. Chris interrupted my thoughts. "What are you scowling so hard about?"

"Don't worry about it, asshole."

"Who pissed in your cornflakes today?"

"Everyone. Just damn near everyone."

He shrugged and kept walking. Chris wasn't my friend. He wasn't half a friend. He felt sorry for me after Zeke's humiliation and probably didn't want me thrown out of the pack. He might hold some honor due to his status as a top warrior in his family. Or maybe he'd miss his favorite verbal punching bag. He loved harassing me. He'd help me gain footing, and things would return to normal.

*****

After training, I didn't bother to say goodbye to Chris. I ran straight to breakfast, grabbed a muffin, scarfed down, and then went to Zeke's room. I knocked lightly. I heard a female giggling. Did Zeke have a girl in there? Zeke said he was saving himself for his mate. He had been saving himself for me…

But he rejected me. So, of course, that meant he could now be with whoever he wanted. The reality brought tears to my eyes. They quickly evaporated when the door swung open, and Samatha's bright red curls greeted me. "Hello, Vivian. Do you mind giving Zekey a couple more minutes? He's indisposed at the moment."

She winked at me like we were two gal pals and weren't discussing my mate. Ivy growled. She accepted the rejection, but the audacity of this female still enraged her. "Yeah, sure. I'll be out here."

Samantha slammed the door in my face. I braced my back against the wall and slid down to the floor. This was my life now—training with my enemy in the morning and then serving my ex-best friend and his mistress.

I have yet to figure out my compensation package with Zeke, but hopefully, it will be enough to get a decent one-bedroom apartment somewhere. There were few since most of the pack coupled up. The ones who didn't were of high status and could afford more than one bedroom. But I couldn't continue living with my parents. Not that it mattered much. They barely existed to me and vice versa.

It took half an hour for Zeke to finally summon me inside his bedroom and Samantha to leave, her winking at me like we held a secret. He was lounging in bed, shirtless. I'd seen him shirtless plenty of times, but the way the sheets laid across his hips made him look more mature than I'd ever seen him. My breath caught in my throat. For a moment, Ivy came back again. 'Mate?'

'No. Not mate.'

"You always did have a thing for me, didn't you?"

I stuttered. “W-w-what?”

He threw back the sheets and swung his legs over the bed. He wore nothing but boxers. His legs were perfectly toned. He walked towards me slowly, his eyes taking me in. Ivy started quivering. 'He rejected us. Why is he coming near us?'

He stopped a breath away, towering over me. "You always liked me more than a friend, didn't you?"

"No, Zeke. You were like a brother to me."

His nostrils flared. "Stop lying to me."

"I…I had a small crush, maybe. But I would never have let it ruin our friendship. It meant more to me than anything."

He tipped my chin up, looking at my lips. "It's too bad."

"What?"

"That I was mated to someone as worthless as you. You'd make a lovely breeder, though…"

I slapped his hand away, appalled at what he said. "What the fuck, Zeke! Breeders are outlawed! And how can you say that to me? I was your best friend!"

"Breeders can still volunteer. I can make your life so miserable that you'll beg to be my breeder. You wouldn't be a pack breeder."

I gagged. "Why would you want me to breed with you?"

"They say mate pups are the strongest pups. And if I'm to be Alpha, I need the strongest. Without you as my Luna, I can still have those pups if you're my breeder."

"You're disgusting."

"I'm looking out for the pack's best interest, V."

"Do not call me that. Do not ever call me that again."

I spun around and ran out of the room, ignoring his shouts to come back. Even his Alpha aura couldn't keep me and Ivy in that room.