Beloved Alpha Mated With My Best Friend, I Turned To Mate With His Rival Chapter 04

My throat went dry and scratchy as I forced out my question.

“Mom… do they come back here together often?” Cold dread flooded my chest, and my restless inner wolf trembled beneath my skin.

“Constantly. Last month on your birthday, Bonnie’s mom tumbled down the staircase, and Barnett dropped everything to fly back. He booked the the top-tier healer of pack medical center and camped out at their house for days to nurse her back to health.”

Memories crashed hard. On my birthday that exact month, Barnett had gotten an abrupt phone call, tossed my birthday present at me carelessly, and rushed out the door.

“Rogue wolves attacked Thunderfall Cliffs on the border; I have to lead the defense. I’ll be gone a few days, don’t mope—I’ll bring you a souvenir when I return.”

I’d asked him straight before he left which mattered more: me or pack related issue. He’d fixed me with a stern stare. “You’re a trained warrior, Eileen. Don’t ask childish questions.”

I’d foolishly assumed the choice stood between his pack and me alone, never guessing Bonnie occupied the third spot on his priority list.

Mom watched my vacant expression and sighed deeply.

“Remember this, honey: loyalty and responsibility make a good mate. Vet your future partners carefully so you never get manipulated.”

I nodded numbly in response.

In the weeks leading up to their ceremony, Barnett and Bonnie drowned in wedding preparations—decorating the ritual grounds and assembling gift baskets for every pack member—while I finalized details for my mother’s birthday party. Still, they tracked me down with another absurd favor.

“Eileen, we promised each other we’d be mutual maids of honor as kids,” Bonnie pleaded softly. “I’m begging you to stand beside me on my mating day.”

Barnett’s dominant Alpha aura settled over the room, leaving me zero room to refuse.

“Your custom maid’s gown’s already finished; pack house staff from the Alpha den will deliver it this afternoon. It’s tailored perfectly for you.”

I ignored their ridiculous request, my gaze locking onto matching moonstone band rings wrapped around their ring fingers. The simple plain bands were etched with each other’s initials—a ring design I’d dreamed up myself when I turned twenty. I’d gushed to Bonnie back then about crafting identical wedding bands for my own future mate to wear during our blessing ceremony.

Bonnie seized my hand before I could pull away, excitement sparkling in her eyes.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes! Thank you so much! Every elder, family member and pack member will witness our bonding; I know you want our day to go smoothly.”

Her cheerful smile sharpened with subtle menace. She knew my family’s reputation as high-ranking wolves meant I’d never stage a public scene and drag our entire bloodline into pack-wide mockery.

I peeled my hand free and plastered on a hollow matching grin.

“Of course. I wish you both all the best.”

Barnett paid little mind to our exchange, scanning my living room and noticing our old group photo had vanished, replaced by a portrait of just my immediate family. His eyes flickered with faint disappointment as he headed for the door, pausing to murmur on his way out.

“Don’t take Bonnie’s demanding words to heart. Once we have our real ceremony down the line, she’ll serve as our maid of honor; think of this whole event as a practice run for us.”

I nearly laughed out loud at his arrogance. What gave him the right to assume I’d wait around for him? Why would I ever accept an Alpha already bound in a formal mating to another female?

Days slipped by quickly until the official mating ceremony arrived. Barnett and Bonnie kept darting nervous glances my way all day, on edge I’d ruin their big day by spilling our five-year secret in front of the entire pack. Much to their relief, I maintained flawless, polite smiles the whole time, smoothing over every minor mishap during the reception without incident.

They’d finally relaxed fully when the pack priest gestured for them to step onto the ceremonial altar hand in handThe pack priest raised the blessing staff and smiled.

“Alpha Barnett, do you willingly take Bonnie as your mate and future Luna—”

“I object!”

A voice rang out across the hall.

The entire venue fell silent.

Every head turned toward the entrance.

Barnett froze.

Bonnie’s smile stiffened instantly.

Even the priest looked stunned.

A tall figure stepped forward from the crowd.

“I’m sorry for interrupting the ceremony.”

“But there’s something everyone here deserves to know.”

Barnett’s pupils contracted violently.

Bonnie’s face went pale.

And for the first time since the ceremony began—

Fear appeared in both of their eyes.

The werewolf slowly lifted a recorder.

“Should I play the recording?”

“The one where Alpha Barnett swore that Eileen Sable would be the only Luna he would ever have?”