Unbound by Fate

I was kidnapped by the rival tribe of my Alpha when it happened.

My Alpha was watching the sunrise with his destined mate.

When he got the call, he spoke to the kidnappers in a detached tone. "Keep her tied up. Let her learn her lesson and stop pestering me."

In that life-or-death moment, I had no options left.

I clung to the rival tribe's Alpha, my voice shaking. "Please... don't kill me. I'll do anything you say."

By the time my Alpha finally remembered me, the rival tribe's Alpha looked down at my sleeping face in his arms and chuckled. "Too late. She doesn't have the strength to leave with you now."

...

On the tenth year with Alpha Locke Fowler, he finally agreed to swear an oath with me before the Moon Goddess.

I was thrilled and prepared a gift for him.

When I found him in the hotel suite, he was chatting casually with his men.

"Are you really swearing an oath with Julie tomorrow?" someone asked.

"No way," Locke replied. "A woman who can't bear children? She's got no right to be my mate."

Another voice laughed. "Aren't you afraid she'll leave you when she finds out?"

Locke smirked dismissively. "She'd have to be able to leave me first. Even if she storms off, she'll be begging to come back in three days. Bet on it?"

Laughter erupted. "Yeah, she's got no backbone," someone added.

I turned and left, my body ice-cold amid their mocking laughter.

At the oath ceremony the next day, Locke stood in the center in a tailored suit, basking in everyone's admiration.

I approached in my plainest dress.

His face darkened when he saw me. "On a day this important, you're trying to embarrass me?"

I looked at him steadily. "Let's get started."

His gaze was icy and sharp.

He suddenly turned and pulled Debbie Tucker from the crowd.

As he did, her cloak fell, revealing a dazzling wedding gown that stung my eyes.

"Honored Moon Goddess, I, Locke Fowler, declare Debbie Tucker as my destined mate. Bear witness to our bond!"

Everyone stared at the three of us.

Surprisingly, my face showed no collapse.

The oath platform gave no response either.

Locke opened his mouth to speak again, but I cut him off. "If I'm not needed, can I leave?"

He sneered. "I'll wait for you to come crawling back in three days."

I turned and walked out. As I passed through the gates, tears finally fell.

He truly didn't care about me.

I thought his words last night were a joke, but he actually chose Debbie in front of everyone.

What were these ten years to him?

A discarded toy?

I barely took two steps before someone blocked my path.

Debbie stood in front of me, one hand on her hip. "Julie, don't hold a grudge against Locke. It's your own fault for being useless. He needs an heir, and you're not fit for that."

Her smug face was too much. I pushed her aside. "Move."

In an instant, Locke shoved me to the ground. "You dare hurt her? Are you out of your mind?"

He ordered his men to seize me and carry out punishment.

That night, covered in wounds, I was driven out of the tribe.

There was no moonlight. Darkness surrounded me. I dragged my battered body forward.

At a fork in the road, I lost consciousness.

When I woke, I was tied to a tree, a bottomless abyss below me.

"Awake?" A magnetic voice sounded nearby.

I turned and saw Ron Moss's face. He was an Alpha too, the leader of Locke's rival tribe.

Seeing me stir, Ron dialed Locke's number. "Locke, I've got your woman. Got what I asked for?"

Locke laughed after a brief pause. "Keep her tied up. Teach her a lesson so she stops clinging to me. Oh, and tell her to try a new trick next time. This one's old."

The call ended, and with it, my last shred of hope.