Promised to the Alfa's Son, Fated to Another

Chapter four

Don’t you dare not open the door!”

Casey’s eyes flew open. Her wolf had been restless all morning, pacing inside her chest, pushing at her ribs as if trying to break free. For years her wolf had been silent, retreating after the kidnapping. But now—now she was loud, insistent, and it made Casey’s heart pound.

She stumbled out of bed and pulled open the door.

Chloe stood there, fiery hair damp from the drizzle outside, freckles standing out against flushed skin. Anger burned in her eyes, but beneath it lay something softer—worry. She marched inside without waiting for an invitation, arms crossed tightly.

“You know you can call me after you run, right?” Chloe snapped, dropping onto the bed with a thud.

“Sorry,” Casey murmured, shutting the door. “It was… an interesting night.”

“Cut the crap, sis.” Chloe’s eyes narrowed.

Casey dragged a chair from her desk and straddled it backward, folding her arms across the backrest. She lowered her head into her hands, then looked up with raw pain in her eyes. The sight made Chloe’s fury crack. She exhaled and softened, though her tone stayed sharp.

“They told you who?”

Casey nodded once. “Alfie Satton.”

“No way!” Chloe’s shout echoed, and she clapped both hands over her mouth, eyes wide.

Her father always spoke of Alfie with pride. But Chloe knew the rumors too: the arrogance, the womanizing, the temper. She had seen him at gatherings—always the center of attention, always charming, always calculating. Riley she had glimpsed only a few times, quieter, detached, with shadows in his gaze. But Alfie? He was dangerous.

“And you can’t refuse?”

“Not in any way I can think of,” Casey admitted, voice heavy.

“Yeah.” Chloe bit her lip, remembering whispered conversations she’d overheard. “The Alpha’s been pressing this for months. Everyone said it was just politics—your family’s bloodline, your status. But Alfie?” She shook her head. “Never thought he’d be the one.”

“What should I do, Chloe?” Casey’s voice broke on the question.

“There’s not much you can do,” Chloe admitted, guilt in her eyes. “Unless… unless you had a mate. That would change everything. No Alpha can force you if your bond is true.”

Casey shot to her feet, eyes blazing with sudden light. She grabbed Chloe’s hands and tugged her up, jumping like a child who couldn’t contain her joy.

“That’s it, Chloe! That’s my way out.”

Chloe blinked, dizzy from the sudden movement. “What are you talking about?”

“I saw him. Last night, in the woods. My wolf reacted—it was the first time in years. Chloe, I found my mate!” Casey’s grin was radiant, her whole body alive with hope.

Chloe froze. Her heart leapt for her friend—but she forced herself to breathe before answering. “Darling… do you have a mark?”

Casey faltered. “What do you mean?”

“You know the law.” Chloe’s voice was soft, almost apologetic. “If you only saw him in wolf form, it’s your word against everyone’s. Without a mate mark—without seeing him in human skin—it doesn’t count. They’ll say you made it up to escape Alfie.”

The joy drained from Casey’s face. She stared at her hands as if expecting to see proof burned into her skin. There was nothing.

“s**t,” she whispered. “Damn it!”

She began pacing the room, from wall to wall, her breath coming too fast. “If my father doesn’t believe me… if I can’t prove it…” Her voice cracked. “They’ll force me anyway.”

Chloe’s chest ached. She wanted to promise Casey everything would be fine. But lies wouldn’t help. Still, she reached out, her voice steady. “You’re not fragile, Case. You’re the strongest she-wolf I know. Your scars don’t define you.”

The door opened.

Angely stepped inside, her smile warm but weary. Her eyes flicked to Chloe, who shook her head slightly. The mother understood at once—her daughter was breaking.

“Sweetie, we’re waiting for you downstairs,” Angely said gently.

“I have a mate, Mom!” The words burst from Casey before she could stop them.

Angely’s smile trembled but didn’t fade. She crossed the room, taking her daughter’s hands. She turned them palm-up, staring at the unmarked skin, and pressed her lips together.

“Darling…” Her voice cracked with regret, but not hesitation. “Without a mark, this will be seen as refusal. And refusal is something we cannot afford. Not now. Not against the Alpha.”

Casey’s green eyes filled with pain. “You don’t believe me.”

“I want to,” Angely whispered. “Gods, I want to. But this family is not in a position to decline the Alpha’s will. We are asking too much of you already. I know it’s unfair. I know it hurts. But you can step up, Casey. You can be the wife this pack needs. The Alpha’s wife.”

Her words landed like chains.

Casey pulled her hands back, trembling. The wolf inside her snarled in defiance, but Angely’s soft, resigned smile was heavier than iron.