Claimed by Lies, Freed by Proof

Juniper’s mate, Riley, a Gamma of the Allen Pack, had forgotten to log out of his Facebook Messenger on her computer. As she glanced at the messages, she saw he was chatting in his family group chat.

Esmeralda, his mother and a Healer of the pack, had written: *[Son, are you really planning to give Juniper $30,000 as a dowry tomorrow?]*

Riley’s response was swift: *[Absolutely, even if we have to borrow $90,000, we'll give it to her.]*

For a moment, Juniper’s heart swelled with warmth. He truly loved her, she thought.

But then, her smile froze.

Riley’s next message appeared: *[Anyway, once we're engaged, I'll report them to the authorities to get it back. In the end, we'll have a housekeeper for free who's also having my child.]*

His father, a Gamma like Riley, replied: *[Are you sure? If they return it, she might not want to marry you. Isn't this risky?]*

Riley’s response was chilling: *[If she refuses, I'll use AI to create compromising photos of her, ruin her reputation, and claim she lived with me and had an abortion. She'd have no choice but to marry me then.]*

His father praised him: *[That's brilliant, son! What a clever plan!]*

Esmeralda added: *[I always knew my son was smart. Marrying without spending a dime!]*

Raelyn, Riley’s sister and an Omega in the pack, chimed in: *[I'll help spread those photos, hehe.]*

Juniper’s hands trembled as she read the messages. The betrayal was so deep it felt like a physical blow. She had always known the Allen Pack was ambitious, but she hadn’t expected Riley—her mate—to be so calculating and cruel.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. It was Riley.

“Juniper, I left my car keys at your place. Can you let me in?” His voice, usually warm and reassuring, now felt like a dagger.

Juniper sat frozen for a moment, her mind racing. She quickly grabbed her phone and recorded the conversation from her computer. Tonight, Riley was coming over for dinner to discuss their engagement. He had logged into his Messenger on her computer to send a file, probably distracted by her call for dinner, and forgotten to log out.

When she returned to the room, she saw the full extent of their scheming. At first, when she read Riley’s willingness to spend any amount on her dowry, she had felt lucky to have such a devoted mate. But now, she realized it was all a facade.

Riley’s plan was clear: any dowry amount was just a number, and he intended to reclaim it later. The higher the dowry, the more reason he had to report it to the authorities. But the real malice lay in what followed. If she refused to marry him, he would use AI to generate compromising images, destroy her reputation, and force her into submission.

His entire family was in on it, waiting to drag her into their pack as an unpaid housekeeper. Juniper’s parents, a Gamma and Healer in their own pack, valued their reputation above all else. This scheme could drive them to despair.

The more Juniper thought about it, the calmer she became. Riley and his pack had underestimated her. She wasn’t just a Delta; she was cunning, resourceful, and fiercely protective of her family. If they wanted to play games, she would ensure they faced the consequences of their actions.

With that resolve, she slowly made her way to the door to let him in. Her wolf, sensing her inner turmoil, growled softly in the back of her mind, urging her to stay strong. Juniper took a deep breath, steeled herself, and opened the door to face Riley.