After My Mate Threw Me to Snakes, I Chose His Rival

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the two of them. “A good healer either comes from a family of healers or works tirelessly to master their craft. With Norah’s barely-there education and a quick ‘study abroad’ stint, she wouldn’t even qualify as a nurse in any pack’s medical center, let alone earn respect as a healer.”

“You!” Hugo snapped, his eyes blazing with anger as he glared at me. “Gwendolyn, don’t act like you’re so far above everyone else. Just because our parents arranged a betrothal doesn’t mean I’ll ever love you. My heart belongs to someone like Norah—gentle, kind, and not obsessed with status like you.”

I sighed deeply, feeling the last remnants of the girl who had once admired him wither away. He wasn’t the boy I’d fallen for all those years ago. “Love whoever you want, Hugo. It’s not my concern anymore.” I just wished I’d never healed him in the first place.

Hugo let out a cold laugh, a smug look spreading across his face. “Stop pretending, Gwendolyn. You’ve been chasing me since the day we met, bending over backward to please me. You even fought your pack’s traditions to change the marking ceremony so I could mark you instead of you finding your mate through the usual process. Don’t tell me you don’t love me.”

So, he *did* know how much I’d loved him. I’d loved him enough to defy the elders, to change the South Pack’s traditions just so he could mark me as his Luna. But instead of gratitude, he’d used my love against me.

“Norah, don’t be afraid of her,” Hugo said, pulling her closer. “No matter what happens, I’ll never give up on you. You’ll always be the woman I love most.”

Norah nestled into his chest, her eyes welling up with tears as she spoke in a soft, trembling voice. “Hugo, it’s okay if I suffer a little. I just don’t want you and Gwendolyn to fight because of me…”

I finally couldn’t hold back another eye roll. As more pack members began filing down the narrow path, returning from a medical conference to report to the healer’s office, I decided I’d had enough of their melodrama and turned to leave.

But Hugo wasn’t finished. He grabbed my wrist, yanking me back toward him. “Gwendolyn, if you’re still determined to mark me, you’ll have to accept Norah as my second mate. Why should the Luna be the only one allowed multiple mates? If you want me to honor our betrothal, you’ll share me with Norah!”

His words hung in the air, arrogant and absurd. I pulled my wrist free, my voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. “Hugo, you’re delusional if you think I’d ever agree to that. Our betrothal is over. You’ve made your choice, and so have I.”

Without waiting for a response, I walked away, leaving him and Norah to their twisted little fantasy.