Chapter 1

Staring at the time on my phone, I feel a surge of anxiety fill me as I run inside the building of Wraith Corporation. Riker is going to kill me if I am late to work today even though it is all his fault. Well, it's his fault and the stupid rush-hour traffic in this city.

You would think that after seven years of working for Wraith Corporation that I would know when to avoid morning rush hour to be on time but I was just too exhausted from last night to wake up when my alarm sounded.

For seven years I have been the secretary of Riker Wraith, CEO and owner of Wraith Corporation. Not only that, but I had been his Theta in the Solar Wraith Pack, a liaison that dealt with business deals between the many businesses in the city and Wraith Corporation. As the Alpha, Riker had needed someone who could blend in with the humans of Claridge City and as a half-human-half-werewolf hybrid, I became the top choice seven years ago.

I worked closely with Riker, learning his dislikes and likes and bringing him much-needed files as his assistant. I had followed him to every business deals both with the supernatural world and the humans. So close that in the end, a crush had grown inside me for the man who is not only my Boss, but also my Alpha. Then that accident happened.

Riker and I were visiting another pack, working on making a deal with both the Solar Wraith Pack and Wraith Corporation when Werewolf Hunters barged in, their guns already firing bullets before anyone could react. One had managed to graze Riker’s head just enough to knock him unconscious. The Alpha we were visiting was shot in the heart and died just as his Warriors had appeared and killed the Werewolf Hunters in a rage.

I became Riker’s caretaker while he was in the Moon Howl Pack Hospital recovering while the Moon Howl Pack was grieving the loss of their Alpha. When Riker had woken up after two weeks, he was moved into a secluded cabin for recovery. That is when someone had brought the wrong medication and in his disoriented state, Riker overpowered me and kissed me so passionately that I was left stunned. It wasn’t until my werewolf mark lit up in pleasure that I realized Riker was my fated Mate. I did not see his werewolf mark light up though and chalked it up to the drugs that were coursing through his body. That maybe the next day when Riker no longer was inebriated he would feel the same sparks I did in the morning.

With my werewolf mark urging me to mate with Riker, I allowed him to take me. Every thrust, moan, and kiss left me reeling with happiness. Happiness that soon came crashing down when we woke up the next morning in the same bed.

I knew instantly by Riker’s reaction that he did not feel the Mate bond like I did. Knew when he snarled at me to leave his room that it was a one-sided bond that only I felt.  I left him alone for most of the day, only bringing Riker his proper medication and food. I vowed not to make the mistake of handing him medication without checking it.

When he had recovered enough to go home, Riker admitted to me that that night of passion had been the best he ever had and proposed the idea of continuing it. At first, I was resistant to this idea, asking if Riker had felt any Mate bond with anyone to which he denied, stating he had not found his Mate.

This led me to finally accept his offer thinking Riker needed more time to heal and that when he did, the mate bond would snap into place. That we could be a normal loving couple ruling over Solar Wraith as Alpha and Luna. That was three years ago and I still have yet to bear his mark.

Not much has changed in our relationship since that night three years ago other than the fact I cook Riker healthy meals and make sure that he isn’t focusing solely on the pack and the Corporation. His attitude towards me has warmed slightly from the way he calls for me to join him in bed. How our rough fucking turned into slow love making the more time we spent together. Every time he touches me, I can feel my werewolf mark heat up and confirm to me that Riker is indeed the wolf I am meant to spend my life with even on nights I find myself doubting whether or not we are truly soul mates because Riker wishes to keep our relationship a secret.

Our secret relationship is also why I am running late as Riker had called me to his condo late at night for one of our rendezvous. He had made sweet love to me, his kisses and tantalizing touches causing my wolf mark to multiply the pleasure. Since it was so late at night I thought I would be able to spend the night sleeping in his arms and maybe be able to convince him to mark me and make our relationship official.

Sadly, I was told to leave once Riker was done, stating we had work in the morning and that he needed to rest. As usual, his coldness towards me broke my heart, but as he did not feel the Mate bond between us, I left like an obedient pup with my tail between my legs. Because of this late-night tryst, I arrived home at three in the morning exhausted and sore, and slept in. I skipped my usual morning shower and rushed to dress and look presentable for the day before rushing out of my shabby one-bedroom home to drive toward work.

“Cassandra.” My name is called angrily as the elevator doors open. I wince involuntarily, feeling the wrath of Riker as he stares at me from across the room.

“You’re late.” He states, his eyes narrowing with the glare. I take in his scent and steel myself for his disappointment. I hated feeling his disappointment.

“I’m sorry.” I manage to mutter out, bowing my head submissively. I hate this. Hate the way Riker acts toward me. He is the reason why I am late. The reason why I barely got any sleep last night. If only he could feel the mate bond, then he would never throw me out at night like he usually does.

“Make sure it doesn’t happen again.” He snaps. I mutter a noise of compliance, knowing that if I argue, it will lead to a very angry lover and boss. He scoffs, turning his body away from me and walking towards the hallway. I let out a relieved sigh.

“If you had let me sleep beside you last night, it wouldn’t have happened in the first place.” I mutter under my breath thinking he was out of earshot. His footsteps pause and for a moment I curse my stupidity. Riker is a full-blooded wolf unlike me. His hearing is impeccable compared to mine.

Riker turns on his heels and marches back towards me. Scared, I keep my gaze on the floor until his strong fingers pinch my chin and forces me to look up at him.

“You know I don’t like people sleeping beside me.” He whispers, his voice low and dangerous. I say nothing but relish the sparks that come from his touch. I know Riker doesn’t feel it, feel the way this Mate bond turns me into an obedient little dog before him, but I can’t help myself.

“Next time, don’t skip the shower. I can smell myself all over you still.” With that, Riker releases me and marches away. I sigh out a deep breath, my legs shaking with both fear and ecstasy.

Rushing to my desk, I prepare myself for the work day when the clicking of heels sounds from my right. I know the sounds of those footsteps anywhere and brace myself for what is to come next.

“There is the little gold-digger.” The shrill voice of Serena, Riker’s sister, calls as she leans against my desk.

“Hello, Serena.” I greet respectfully knowing full well that disrespecting Riker’s sister will not end well for me.

“How may I help you?” I ask, giving a polite smile. Serena scoffs at me, turning away to inspect the small plant that sits on my desk. I am nothing but dirt to her so this reaction doesn’t surprise me.

“I just wanted to inform you that our family will be receiving a guest today. You might remember Darcia StClair.” My eyes widened at this news. Darcia StClair is the daughter of Alpha Cross StClair, the leader of the Saints Fur pack. She was a childhood friend of Riker who came to visit Solar Wraith every summer.

“I do.” I confirm, watching a twinkle of mischief appear in Serena’s eyes.

“Well good. I suggest you stop pining after my brother as she will be here to become his Luna.” Serena taunts. My heart breaks at this for a moment, but I remind myself that I have the Mate-bond, as one-sided as it may be. Before I could say anything, the elevator dinged and once the doors were opened, Darcia StClair walked in, her body clad in a form-fitting designer gown.

“Oh look, Riker’s true Mate is already here.” Serena sneers. My heart shatters as she says so with such confidence before the blond-haired blue-eyed sister to the man I love bounces over to Darcia, warmly greeting her.

‘True Mate? But aren’t I his true Mate’ I think That is when I see it.

The moment Riker hugs Darcia, her werewolf mark shimmers a brilliant gold, something we are told as children will only happen if we have found a mate truly and one hundred percent meant for us. I can see the tenderness Riker has for her in his gaze and the truth hits me like a bolt of lightning.

I am not Riker’s true mate.

Darcia is.