Chapter 4 The black Maybach rolled to a stop in front of me . I blinked , confused , and instinctively stepped aside . The car door opened , and a man around forty stepped out - slick suit , calm smile . " Miss Rae ? " he asked , polite but sure . I gave a cautious nod . " Yes ? " " I was sent by Alpha Richard . He asked me to bring you home . " Richard ? I couldn't help the way my lips curved up , just a little . Maybe ... just maybe , this bond wouldn't be such a bad idea . When I stepped into the house , the storm hit . My mom , full force , " You - you bonded behind our backs ?! With who ?! Rae , the whole pack thought you were still chasing Logan ! " She was just heating up when I pulled out the silver certificate Silence . My dad , lounging by the piano , raised a brow and gave me a slow thumbs - up like he'd just watched the underdog win in the final round . I tilted my chin up , smug . Mom snatched the certificate . Her eyes flew across the names - then darted to me , then to Dad , then back again . " Richard ?! That Richard ? " Dad leaned over for a better look . And then his eyes widened too . " Alpha Richard of the Blackridge Pack ? " Yeah That Richard . The heir to the largest , oldest , and most feared pack across the northern territory . The wolf who rarely spoke , but when he did , the room went silent . The one who'd stood quietly in the background for years - always showing up when I least expected , never demanding , never chasing Just ... there . Always there . I sank into the couch like I'd done this a thousand times and asked the housekeeper for lemon water . Mom and Dad sat beside me like I might suddenly explode . Mom's voice dropped to a whisper " Sweetheart . what's going on ? " I looked her straight in the eye . " Mom Dad . I'm not going to marry Logan Not anymore . " No more chasing . No more begging for crumbs . No more bruising my pride for someone who never saw me . They blinked , stunned . 123 Chapter 4 +25 BONUS And then Dad - his face slowly breaking into a smile . " You mean ... you finally came to your senses ? " I nodded , sure . " Yes . I've bonded with Richard . " Dad lit up like a full moon on mating night . " About damn time ! Logan's got nothing but a pretty face and a mess of bad instincts . Richard's the real deal . Stable . Smart . Knows how to lead . I always liked him . " Mom waved the bond certificate in disbelief . " But - what about the ceremony tomorrow ? " I met her gaze . " It's still on . " Because this bond is real . And it deserves to be witnessed . The Rae family has carried weight in the trade councils for a hundred years . I won't let our name fall because of a failed engagement . After graduation , I didn't take a role in the family business . I ran around after Logan instead - bent myself backwards trying to win over someone who only ever looked through me . I gave him my loyalty , my dignity , my love - and all I got back was silence . After dinner , I went through the ceremonial boxes Logan's family had sent . Lavish . Handpicked . Thoughtful . He really did try . But in the end , he still chose Yun Yao . And just when that ache started to creep in again he showed up . Not Logan . Richard . Not with flowers , or lame apologies . 1 With a blade forged under moonlight , a ring carved from moonstone and ironwood , and the Seer of Blackridge standing at his side . He knelt before me , eyes steady , voice low but firm . " Rae , " he said , " I've loved you in silence for many seasons . But now , I want the world to hear it . Stand beside me - not as a second choice , but as my equal . My Alpha mate . Will you ? " This time ? I said yes . At dawn , we stood in the sacred circle . The flames lit The vow sealed in blood His hand in mine as the moon bore witness to our bond . We weren't dating . We weren't engaged . We were mated Bound by spirit . Recognized by the Council Blessed by the moon . Chege & So when my phone buzzed again and I saw Logan's name on the screen- I didn't flinch I let it ring