Rejecting My Mate Who Took Me As A Stand-In

I'm Hannah Rhodes.

Four years ago, I fell hard for Brandon Hayes, my little brother Tyler's best friend. We kept our bond under wraps.

Today was supposed to be our anniversary, so I blew off a big pack office meeting, picked out the belt Brandon always eyed, and planned to surprise him. But instead of giving him a gift, I got one hell of a shock.

I saw Brandon with his arms wrapped around some she-wolf, strolling into a hotel like it was nothing.

My brother Tyler was right behind him, grabbing his arm. "Brandon, don't you have a mate already? You've kept her hidden all these years, and now you're here, ignoring her feelings to hook up with your ex?"

Brandon glanced at the she-wolf in his arms, his voice rough and low. "Ashley's been drugged. Only bonding with someone can save her, and I'm not about to let some other wolf have her. As for my mate... don't worry about her. I only got with her because she reminded me of Ashley."

I stood frozen in the hallway, my brain screaming static like a busted radio.

Me? A stand-in?

Before I could process it, Tyler's voice cut through, sharp with disbelief. "A stand-in? Seriously? With your looks, you could have any she-wolf you want.

Why are you still hung up on Ashley Mercer? She chased you back in high school, and now you're the one who's in too deep. You're still stuck on her after all these years, playing some twisted game with a lookalike?"

Tyler threw up his hands when Brandon didn't budge. "Whatever, man. I'm done. I've got to find my sister. Don't come crying when you regret this."

He stormed off, leaving Brandon standing there, staring down at Ashley. She was out of it, rubbing against his chest, her fingers fumbling with his shirt collar. He grabbed her wrist, his voice a low growl. "Easy, sweetheart. Hold on, I've got you."

My face went pale, my nails digging into my palms until they stung. The hotel door clicked shut, but not before I saw Brandon lean down and kiss Ashley's lips, gentle like he was worshipping her.

Last night flashed in my mind-Brandon coming to me, all rough and urgent, tearing at my nightgown until buttons popped off. I'd blushed, thinking it was just his young wolf blood running hot. Now I knew better. It wasn't passion. It wasn't youth. It was just... not love.

"Oh, that feels so good..." Ashley's soft voice drifted through the door.

Brandon's reply was thick with emotion, like he was pouring his soul into her. "If it feels good, don't ever leave me."

My chest felt like it'd been split open with an axe, blood and pain spilling out. I couldn't watch anymore. I turned, shaking, and stumbled back to my car. My fingers fumbled with the keys, the engine roared to life, and I floored it

Wind screaming through the open windows, but it couldn't drown out the suffocating ache in my chest.

Tears blurred my vision as my mind dragged me back to the first time I saw Brandon. Four years ago, my car spun out and smashed into a bridge. The frame crumpled, fuel leaking, ready to blow.

Everyone kept their distance, too scared to come near. I was fading out, trapped in the driver's seat, thinking that was it for me. Then the door ripped open, and a young wolf in a blue shirt pulled me free, no hesitation. The explosion roared behind us as he carried me to safety. All I had left was a single button clutched in my hand.

I dreamed of that silhouette for months, my heart pounding every time. Then I saw Brandon wearing that same shirt when I picked up Tyler one day. I was sure he was the one who saved me.

I'm Four years older than him, but I've got looks, money, and confidence to spare.

I've had wolves lining up for me my whole life, but for Brandon, I swallowed my pride and chased him-me, chasing a younger wolf.

I brought him breakfast, cheered at his games, stayed up all night when he was sick. I ditched a billion-dollar project just to celebrate our anniversary.

He finally agreed to be my mate, but insisted we keep it secret. I told myself he just didn't know how to tell Tyler. I thought his cool, distant vibe was just him being shy. I thought... God, I thought wrong.

I was nothing but a stand-in.

Me, Hannah Rhodes, who's navigated the mating game like a pro, tripped up and fell for a pup who used me as a placeholder?

My lips tasted like blood from biting them so hard. The car screeched to a stop in front of my house. I barely got out before Tyler jogged up from the villa's porch, holding a gift box.

"Sis, there you are!" he said, all smiles. "My buddy's heading other packs and asked me to give you this."

I forced my voice steady, though it came out hoarse. "Why's your friend sending me gifts? I don't even know him."

Tyler looked at me like I'd grown a second head. "What? Sis, come on. This is the guy who saved you from that car wreck. Don't tell me you're pulling the ungrateful card now."

I froze, my voice trembling. "What did you just say? It wasn't Brandon?"

Tyler's eyes went wide. "Who told you it was Brandon?"

"I... the wolf who saved me was wearing a shirt, just like Brandon's..."

"Oh, that." Tyler scratched his head. "Yeah, they've got matching ones. But Brandon wasn't even there that day. The one who ran in and pulled you out was Daniel."

My mind went blank.

I got it wrong. The wolf I'd been chasing, the one I thought I was bound to-it was never Brandon.

It was Daniel Brooks.