THE ALPHA’S FORBIDDEN MATE

CHAPTER 11: "30 DAYS"

I didn’t go home.

I went to RavenWrites.

To the desk. To the laptop. To the $5998 in my bank that suddenly felt dirty.

`Current Words: 5120`

`Contract: UNLOCKED`

I should have been celebrating.

Instead I was googling "how to break a mate bond."

Nothing.

Because you can’t.

Drake’s words from last night: `I’m sorry, Raven.`

My phone buzzed.

`Drake: Are you safe?`

`Drake: Please answer me.`

I didn’t.

What was I supposed to say? `Congrats on the engagement?`

Another buzz.

`North Pack Announcement - Group Chat`

`Beta Cole: Effective immediately, Alpha Drake is engaged to Lila Westwood. Wedding in 30 days. All pack members expected to attend.`

30 days.

That’s all I had before he was legally, publicly, hers.

The mark on my neck pulsed. Like it was laughing at me.

`Ping.`

Drake again.

`Meet me. Tonight. 11pm. The bridge by the river. Alone.`

I stared at it for 10 minutes.

Then deleted it.

I wasn’t going to be his secret. Not for 30 days. Not for 30 seconds.

I opened a new document.

`Chapter 11: Thirty Days`

The words came out angry.

_He chose duty.

She got the ring.

And I got a mark I can’t show anyone._

Three hours later my door knocked.

Soft. Three times.

I knew it wasn’t him. Drake would text first.

I checked the peephole.

Beta Cole.

And two other wolves.

“Ms. K.,” Beta Cole said when I opened the door. “Elder’s orders. You’re to report to the packhouse. Daily. For observation.”

“Observation for what?”

“To ensure the bond doesn’t... spread,” he said carefully. “And to monitor Alpha Drake’s... stability.”

Translation: They were watching me to make sure I didn’t ruin their perfect engagement.

“And if I say no?”

“Then we’ll assume you’re a threat,” he said. “And threats are handled.”

I grabbed my bag.

“Fine. Let’s go.”

The packhouse was worse in daylight.

Lila was there. Of course she was.

In Drake’s jacket. Drinking from his mug. Sitting in his chair.

She saw me and smiled. “Raven! You made it.”

“Don’t call me that.”

“Right. Ravendon.” She drew out my name. “The human.”

Drake wasn’t in the room.

“Where is he?” I asked.

“Busy,” Lila said. “Wedding planning. You know how it is.”

She walked up to me. Leaned in.

And whispered: “30 days, human. Then he’s mine. Try not to cry at the wedding.”

The mark on my neck burned so hot I thought it would scar.

In my head, faint:

`Raven. Don’t. I’m coming.`

But he didn’t.

Because he was busy.

With her.

I sat in the corner for 3 hours while wolves stared.

While Lila touched Drake’s things.

While the elders watched me like I was a bomb.

When I left, I had one thought:

30 days.

I either break the bond.

Or I break myself.