No Longer His Werewolf Bride

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The night before the marking ceremony, I found another woman's underwear in my home.

To find out who this woman was, I went to check the security footage at home.

But I accidentally overheard my fianc Isaac say:

I have no intention of marking her. I'm just doing this to piss Floyd off.

On the day of the ceremony, I'll announce that the game is over.

Floyd was the fated mate who rejected me, and also Alpha Isaac's sworn enemy.

I immediately bought a plane ticket out of the country.

Four years later, Isaac found me and begged me to go back with him.

I just laughed and replied: "I stopped loving you a long time ago."

He didn't know that I was now a werewolf's mate.

Caroline POV

Ten minutes ago, I found women's underwear on my living room couch.

Isaac's scent completely masked that woman's scent though.

To find out who this woman was, I went to check the estate's security footage.

I quickly found the video.

It was Bethany, that woman Isaac said was his sister!

I angrily wanted to rush out and rip that woman's throat apart, but suddenly heard a mocking laugh coming from the video.

"Isaac, you and I are having sex in your home. If Caroline finds out, won't she be angry?"

My hand on the mouse froze.

I thought I would hear Isaac defend me.

"Angry?"

Isaac's voice was cold, accompanied by the hoarseness after passion. "Right now her head is full of how to be the most beautiful bride. She doesn't have time to be angry."

My smile froze on my face.

The conversation in the car continued, each word cutting like a knife.

"To piss Floyd off, spending so much on this ceremonyis it worth it? What if Caroline actually clings to you? Are you really going to become mates with her? But you haven't marked her in four years, so you probably don't plan to, right?"

On the screen, Isaac exhaled a smoke ring, blurring his handsome profile.

But it didn't blur the coldness in his eyes.

"This small price to see Alpha Floyd's shitty expression of displeasure? That's a good deal."

He chuckled lightly, as if discussing some worthless object. "On the day of the ceremony, I'll announce in front of everyone that the game is over. Alpha Floyd's face will definitely be spectacular. After all, no matter what, she's still his fated mate. And he hasn't found a second one yet."

Bethany laughed wickedly, then turned over to straddle Isaac.

"What about Caroline after that? She was abandoned by her fated mate, and then publicly rejected by you. Won't she go insane and die?"

Isaac flicked his ash, casual and indifferent:

"Adult games. She's the stupid one. Who else can she blame?"

The video stopped abruptly.

The study fell deathly silent.

I sat frozen in my chair, my blood turning to ice.

So these four years of devotion were just an elaborate, calculated lie.

All because his sworn enemy, Alpha Floyd, was my fated mate.

Though he rejected me, until he marked someone else or I was marked by someone else, we would be bound together by this cursed fate.

I could feel his pain. Likewise, if I suffered, Floyd would suffer unbearably too.

But Isaac knew full well that publicly rejecting me at the marking ceremony would turn the moonlight that symbolized blessings into a curse.

It would cause my wolf to go insane, and I might even die on the spot.

My stomach churned violently.

I rushed to the bathroom and dry heaved over the toilet, but nothing came up.

Tears splashed onto the floor. I wiped them away viciously.

Caroline, don't cry.

This scum isn't worth it.

My wolf, already quite weak since Floyd's rejection, reminded me calmly.

I splashed cold water on my face, looking at my pale reflection in the mirror.

Since you want to play games, I'll give you what you want.

I returned to the computer, hands still shaking, but my eyes had gone cold.

I clipped the segment of Isaac and his lover Bethany having sex and backed it up to the cloud.

Just then, my phone lit up. A message from Isaac popped up:

"Date tonight? Remember to wear that black lingerie. It looks beautiful on you."

I looked at that familiar profile picture, at his familiar flirtatious words. My fingertips went white from the pressure.

Finally, I replied:

"Okay."

I put down my phone and walked into the closet.

I found that set of black lace lingerie. He'd had it custom-made last week by a private designer in Paris, then flown back on a private jet.

He said only my curves could carry such pure yet dangerous black.

He said he enjoyed the feeling of having sex with me, yet he always held back from marking me.

The memory flashed back instantly to that rainy night four years ago.

Floyd suddenly rejected me, which broke my heart, but I loved him, so I wanted to win his heart back.

But when I went to give him his birthday gift, I happened to see him kissing a woman I didn't know.

I wanted to confront him, but he threw my birthday gift into the trash and mocked me in front of everyone: "Caroline, can't you understand what I'm saying? Just looking at you makes me sick."

The whole room laughed. I was as humiliated as a clown.

It was Isaac who stepped out from the corner, draped his coat over me, and shielded me from those humiliating stares.

He also soothed the pain that my wolf and I endured.

"Come with me," he said. "I'll take you home."

That night, I thought he was my salvation.

Now I know it was all fake.

Caroline POV

At seven in the evening, Isaac came to pick me up right on time.

He wore a black suit with a white shirt underneath. On the collar was a red lipstick mark.

The lipstick color was exactly the same as the one I'd found in the car.

If this were before, I would have angrily confronted him.

But now, I pretended not to see it and didn't ask a single question.

As soon as I got in the car, he leaned over and planted a kiss on my forehead.

"Good evening, darling. You don't look well."

He held my hand, his brow furrowed slightly, his eyes full of concern. "What happened?"

If I hadn't heard that recording.

I would definitely think I was the happiest woman in the world right now.

I withdrew my hand, pretending to smooth my dress: "Maybe just a bit tired."

Isaac didn't suspect anything. He smiled and started the car: "Then let's go. I'll take you somewhere to relax tonight."

The location was the observation deck bar at the highest point in the city.

You could overlook the entire city's night view.

The waiter arranged a quiet corner for us.

When the appetizers were served, I spoke as if casually: "Isaac."

"Hmm?" He naturally pushed a specially made non-alcoholic cocktail in front of me, the movement smooth and practiced.

"I ran into Bethany today."

I stared into his eyes, not missing a single flicker of expression on his face. "She asked me if I was nervous. She said you prepared a gift for me at the ceremony venue."

Isaac's hand reaching for his glass paused.

Just for a second, too fast to catch.

Then he looked up, his smile flawless: "I wanted to surprise you. Didn't expect you'd find out early."

"By the way..." I gripped the cold glass, my fingertips pressing hard. "Floyd came back to the country recently. Will you..."

"Caroline."

Isaac put down his glass and placed his hand over mine.

His palm was warm, but his tone carried an indisputable firmness.

"Why bring him up? I've told you, I love you. He abandoned youthat's his fault, not yours."

He looked at me, his gaze so affectionate it could drown someone: "I would never do something like that."

"Okay, let's drop it."

I lowered my head and took a sip of the sweet and sour liquid in my glass.

It was clearly a carefully crafted flavor, but sliding down my throat, it left only bitterness.

"Oh, right."

Isaac seemed to remember something. He took out an exquisite velvet box and pushed it in front of me.

"Almost forgot. This is a gift for you."

I opened it.

It was a string of lustrous white pearls, each one gleaming with warm light, worth a fortune.

"Do you like it?" He looked at me expectantly.

I looked at that serene pearl luster and suddenly remembered an Instagram story Bethany posted last month.

In the photo, she was holding an antique jewelry catalog, her fingertip pointing at an illustration of a pearl necklace.

The caption read: [I love this kind of classic, understated luster. Too bad Isaac says pearls are too dignified and don't suit my style.]

I suddenly felt it was ironic.

He doted on Bethany so much, yet said she wasn't suited for such dignified jewelry.

Instead, he gave this necklace to me?

"I love it."

I closed the lid and curved my lips at him. "It must have been expensive?"

"Spending money on you is worth any price."

Isaac ruffled my hair, his eyes full of affection.

I excused myself to the restroom to touch up my makeup.

Standing at the sink, I looked at the woman with perfect makeup in the mirror and pulled a smile uglier than crying.

Since you want to play the devoted lover.

Then I'll help you along.

I took out my phone and called my father's beta, Harlan.

He picked up quickly.

"Ms. Caroline, have you reconsidered the Alpha's proposal?"

I looked at myself in the mirror, my voice terrifyingly calm:

"I won't become alpha. I've said this beforemy brother is more suited for that role. But I need you to do something for me."

Over the years, I'd rarely leveraged my alpha father's power.

After all, my brother was deeply insecure about his position as heir.

He always felt that I, his sister who'd been more battle-hungry than him since childhood, would take his place.

Too bad I never had such intentions.

But to avoid unnecessary conflicts, I tried not to do things that could be misunderstood.

Another factor was that neither Floyd's Frostveil Pack nor Isaac's Ironridge Pack were ones we could afford to provoke.

Even if I asked for help, my father wouldn't be able to rescue me.

Only now, I wasn't asking them to rescue me.

"What do you need me to do?"

"Tell my family they don't need to come for my marking ceremony. Also, book me a plane ticket for the day of the ceremony. I'll go back and explain to them in person."

If I bought the ticket myself, it would be discovered quickly.

So I had to ask Harlan for this favor.

After hanging up, I reapplied my lipstick, looking at that crimson color. My heart hardened bit by bit.

Isaac.

I'll remember this last date well.

When I returned to my seat, Isaac was replying to a message.

Seeing me, he quickly turned off his screen and stood up with a smile: "Let's go home."

I took his arm, feeling his muscles stiffen for a moment.

"Okay, home."

Caroline POV

Five days before the marking ceremony, Bethany came again.

Under the pretense of helping with preparations, she brazenly moved into the room next to Gerald's.

She was the daughter of the previous beta. Though she only inherited her mother's Omega bloodline, she'd grown up with Isaac.

She was also widely recognized in the pack as Isaac's true love.

If Isaac's elders hadn't strongly opposed him bonding with an Omega, the Luna position would have been hers long ago.

"Caroline, this evening gown is so beautiful."

Bethany stood in front of the fitting mirror, wearing my burgundy evening gown.

The waist had been altered extremely tight, outlining her graceful figure.

It also exposed the kiss marks on her neck.

She spun in a circle and sat in Isaac's lap: "Isaac, don't I look better in this dress than Caroline?"

Isaac pushed her away somewhat awkwardly: "Stop it. Take it off. That's for Caroline."

His tone was reproachful, but there was no trace of anger in it.

Bethany pouted and reluctantly went to the dressing room: "Stingy. I'm just trying it on."

I sat to the side, holding my tea, watching quietly.

Before, I would get angry and argue with Isaac.

Then Isaac would helplessly coax me, saying I was petty, saying Bethany was just like a sister to him.

Looking back now, I really was quite the joke back then.

"Caroline, don't take it personally. I've spoiled Bethany."

Isaac put down his magazine and reached for my hand. "If you don't like it, I'll ask her to move out."

"It's fine."

I avoided his hand and poured him a cup of tea. "More people make it livelier. We have plenty of rooms anyway."

Isaac froze.

He clearly didn't expect me to be so generous.

Before, whenever Bethany appeared, all my defenses would go up.

"You're not angry?" He looked at me tentatively.

"Why would I be angry?"

I smiled back. "She's a friend and will be a regular guest. Besides, it's just clothes. If she likes wearing them, let her."

After all, I wasn't planning to wear that dress anyway.

A flash of surprise crossed Isaac's eyes, which then turned to relief.

"Caroline, you've really changed. You've become more mature."

Mature?

You people forced me to mature.

Just then, a crisp sound came from the dressing room.

Followed by Bethany's cry: "Oh no!"

Isaac's expression changed. He threw down his magazine and rushed over at hunting speed.

At the dressing room entrance, Bethany sat on the floor with shattered glass from a picture frame scattered at her feet.

It was a custom crystal frame holding our anniversary photo from last year.

Isaac had personally selected that photo and spent a fortune to have a master craftsman make the frame by hand, saying he wanted to "put it in the most prominent place in the house, symbolizing our diamond-like eternal love."

And now, that photo was being trampled under Isaac's feet.

"Isaac, I didn't mean to..."

Bethany's eyes reddened, looking pitiful. "I tripped just now and tried to grab the frame, but..."

Isaac didn't even glance at those shattered pieces that carried "eternal love."

He squatted down directly and grabbed Bethany's hand to check: "Did you cut your hand? How could you be so careless?"

"It hurts..." Bethany whimpered sweetly.

I stood a few meters away, watching this painfully obvious scene.

That frame, which Isaac had once treasured, saying it symbolized diamond-like eternal love.

Now the photo was torn, the frame shattered on the floor, and he didn't even lift an eyelid.

"Caroline!"

Isaac turned his head, his tone urgent. "Get the first aid kit. Bethany cut her hand."

I looked at him without moving.

"What's wrong?" He frowned, seeming dissatisfied with my slow reaction.

"Nothing."

I turned toward the cabinet, my voice calm. "If it's broken, it's broken. The frame was old anyway, and the photo was outdated."

Isaac's body stiffened.

He seemed to hear something in my words, yet seemed to hear nothing at all.

He just focused entirely on Bethany's wound that hadn't even drawn blood.

As if he'd forgotten that although Bethany was just a delicate Omega, she wasn't that fragile.

I brought back the first aid kit and set it on the table.

"You two take your time. I'm tired. I'll go upstairs to rest."

As I turned to go upstairs, I heard Bethany whisper: "Isaac, is Caroline angry?"

Isaac's voice sounded irritated: "Don't worry about her. I've never seen her be so hard-hearted before."

My steps didn't pause.

When I reached the second-floor landing, I took out my phone and sent Harlan a message:

[Add one pet transport ticket. I'm taking my dog Buddy with me.]

Caroline POV

Three days before the marking ceremony, the jewelry company delivered the rings.

I was about to go to the study to show Isaac.

Just as I reached the door, I heard voices insideBethany's distinctive tone with a touch of coquettishness.

"...Really for me?" Her voice came through the crack in the door, painfully clear.

My steps halted. I stopped in the shadows outside the door.

I was still holding the velvet box with the ring I'd just signed for.

"What else?" Isaac's voice responded with that familiar, carelessly lazy laugh. "I already told you it was made for you all along."

"But..." Bethany's voice lowered, but couldn't hide her excitement. "What about Caroline... Isn't she supposed to use this tomorrow..."

"Her?" Isaac chuckled lightly, the laugh dripping with undisguised contempt. "Does it matter what she uses tomorrow? She's just a prop. This ring's size and style were designed for your preferences from the beginning."

A brief silence. I could imagine Bethany trying on the ring.

"Look," her voice came again, full of smugness. "It fits perfectly. Isaac, you even remember my ring size..."

"What about you don't I remember clearly?" His voice softened with a warmth he'd never given me. "Alright, take it off. Tomorrow... there'll be an even better show to watch."

"You're so bad..."

The rest became muffled, perhaps a kiss, perhaps something else.

But I didn't need to hear anymore.

I stood outside the door, the exquisite box in my hand suddenly so heavy my arm ached.

Made for you all along.

Just seven words, sharper and more complete than any elaborate conspiracy.

I didn't push open that door. I quietly walked back to the bedroom.

I went to my vanity and placed that unopened ring box squarely in the center of the surface.

Then I sat down and looked at myself in the mirror.

My face was a bit pale, but my eyes were dry, calm as a frozen lake.

So when your heart dies completely, even anger and sorrow freeze along with it.

That's fine. It saves energy.

I took out my phone and sent Harlan a brief message:

[Final confirmation on the flight and pet transport.]

Almost immediately, he replied:

[Everything ready. You can leave anytime.]

I put down my phone. My gaze fell on the calendar on the nightstand. Under today's date was a small circle drawn in red pen. Next to it were three smaller circles, one overlapping another, like a countdown.

Three more days.

Caroline POV

Next, I began sorting through my belongings.

The house was filled with gifts Isaac had given me over these four years.

Herms bags, Cartier sets, limited edition heels.

Once, these were all proof of his love.

I divided them into two piles.

One pile consisted of brand-new luxury items with price tags still attached, showing no signs of use.

I contacted a reseller.

The other pile held cheap accessories he'd casually said "suit you," souvenirs from trips, and custom items printed with ridiculous love phrases.

I packed them into a cardboard box and carried them to the back patio.

Then I lit a fire.

Flames leapt up, devouring those crude materials and false vows, making soft crackling sounds, illuminating my expressionless face.

The heat waves distorted the air, as if burning a cheap and ridiculous past.

When Isaac came home, he happened to run into workers carrying boxes of items for resale.

The house was half empty, appearing somewhat cold.

"What's going on?" He frowned, looking at the nearly empty closet.

"I want to redecorate." I walked over and helped him loosen his tie. "Clear out the past and replace everything new after the wedding. I want every corner of our home to be a fresh start."

Isaac froze.

Then amusement appeared in his eyes.

He probably thought I was desperately in love with him, wanting to completely leave the past behind and wholeheartedly become his mate.

"Good." He gripped my hand, his teeth nipping my fingertip. "Whatever you want. As long as you're happy."

"Oh, right." I pointed to the dog bed in the corner. "I sent Buddy to a pet hotel for boarding. The house is too chaotic these days. I was worried about disturbing him."

"Whatever you think is best." He didn't suspect a thing, even seemed moved. "Caroline, you're so thoughtful about this home."

After he went into the bathroom to shower, my phone vibrated with a bank notification.

The amount was substantialthe price of those brand-new luxury items.

I deleted the message and looked out at the deep night. From the direction of the back patio came only the faint smell of cold ashes.

Isaac might have smelled it, but he didn't care.

I copied the video from my cloud storage.

Then I considered whether to buy some disinfectant to remove all traces of my scent.

Just then, the sound of running water stopped.

Isaac came out wrapped in a towel, gently embracing my waist from behind. His arms tensed slightly, then turned me around to face him.

He kissed me, his voice a bit hoarse: "The marking ceremony is the day after tomorrow. Are you nervous?"

His palm cradled the back of my neck, a gesture full of possessiveness.

I closed my eyes, didn't resist, even obediently tilted my head backjust like countless times over the past four years.

"Not nervous." I said. "I'm looking forward to it."

I was looking forward to seeing how shocked you'd be when you saw the gift I prepared for you.