My Alpha’s Fake Mate Game

My mate, Alpha Kade, loved testing my limits using his childhood friend. The more I pushed back, the more he enjoyed it. For the pack retreat, I suggested heading north to see the Northern Lights. He took Ruby to a southern island instead. I spent six months growing rare herbs in the greenhouse. Right before they bloomed, he ordered them torn out. He replaced them with Ruby's favorite roses. I confronted him about it once. He didn't care. "You know I respond better when you're sweet. The more you push, the more I push back. Just be a good girl and listen to me." After that, I learned to compromise. He demanded to bring Ruby as his date to the pack's inner circle dinner. I just nodded. Over the weekend, Ruby wanted to visit the former Luna at the main estate. I stayed calm. "No problem. Do what you want." Kade slammed me against the wall the second the words left my mouth. "Cora, what kind of attitude is that? You're okay with another woman visiting my mother?" I pulled free from his grip. "I'm just following your rules so I don't upset you." Kade froze, completely speechless. Ruby played innocent. "Cora is just acting out. Don't take it to heart." Then came tonight's private pack party. Everyone played Truth or Dare to celebrate the end of his bachelor days before our mating ceremony. The Dare Roulette was the main event. The spinner landed right on Kade and Ruby. They had to do a series of couple's dares together. The Beta running the game tried to smooth things over. "This challenge gets pretty physical. You can still use an immunity card to skip it." Kade didn't care. He pulled Ruby into his chest and looked at me. "It's just a game. She's my partner for tonight. I'll be yours tomorrow." The pack elites whistled and cheered. I kept my posture straight and gave him a blank look. "Fine by me." I had already accepted a transfer to the United Pack Medical Center. I didn't want this mate bond anymore. Chapter 1 Kade's expression didn't change. A nearby elite yelled out. "Alpha, Cora will be a perfect Luna! She's so gracious! She really made you look good tonight!" Ruby leaned against his chest and smirked at me. "Cora, I'm borrowing your Alpha for the night. I'll give him right back when the game ends." I kept quiet and stared at my glass. Kade scoffed. "Since you're being a good girl tonight, Cora, I'll buy you that ruby necklace you've been wanting." I had admired that necklace in an auction catalog a few weeks ago. I casually asked him to bid on it. He promised he would, but he never did. "The challenge countdown begins," the Beta announced, snapping me out of my thoughts. At his mark, Kade and Ruby intertwined their fingers. "First dare: partners must dance cheek to cheek." "You have immunity cards on the table. Use one if you want to skip." I glanced at the neat row of cards in front of Kade. Ruby bit her lip, looking worried. "Kade, maybe we should skip this. Cora might get jealous..." Kade didn't even look at me. "No need. You're my partner tonight. Who cares what she thinks?" They pressed close together on the dance floor. Their breaths mingled. I felt Kade watching me. I looked up and frowned. A second later, Kade kissed the tip of her nose. Ruby's cheeks flushed red. The crowd erupted in cheers. I dug my nails into my palms. I forced back the sting of our mate bond just to stay calm. Kade took my frown as defiance. He was using this to provoke me again. The game moved into its second half. The dare escalated to Seven Minutes in Heaven. Ruby and Kade had to go into a VIP room. The Beta smirked. "You get seven minutes alone in the dark room with no rules. You can still use an immunity card." The door finally opened over half an hour later. Ruby smoothed down her messy skirt. She kept her head down like she felt guilty. Kade casually loosened his tie and stayed quiet. The Beta gave a knowing smile. "Looks like you didn't use the card." Kade walked back over and tried to grab my hand before the next round. I turned away and dodged him. "I was just playing along. Don't be petty." His tone turned impatient when I stayed quiet. "It was just a game. Don't ruin the fun." He opened his mouth to say more, but Ruby called out. "Darling, it's almost our turn." Darling. It was a pet name required by the game. Kade tossed a mint onto my table. "You like this flavor, right? I always keep some on me." I threw the mint straight into the trash the second he turned his back. The party was ending. The final dare required them to exchange fake mating vows. The Beta brought over two special cocktails for a couple's toast. "Alpha, do you promise Ruby your complete devotion for tonight's game?" Kade glanced at me for the first time all night. I looked away. Then his deep voice echoed through the room. "I do." The pack erupted into deafening howls. They stood together under the lights. It looked like a real mating ceremony. The Beta sighed as people started leaving. "You two look like the real deal." Ruby covered her mouth and acted shy. "Stop joking. Kade and I are just childhood friends." "We just know each other too well." She looked right at me after she said it. I didn't react. She took the chance to hook her arm through Kade's. "Darling, will you miss me in the morning?" Kade rubbed her head. "Of course." Camera flashes went off. The crowd loved the drama and kept taking pictures. "Alpha, your chemistry with Ruby is amazing!" "Your chemistry is insane!" He suddenly remembered me and looked over. "But Cora is the future Luna, of course." "Cora doesn't mind, right?" They both looked at me, waiting for a reaction. I spoke slowly. "I don't mind." Fire flared in Kade's eyes. Ruby quickly played peacemaker. "Cora, it was just a game. I'm giving him back to you in one piece." She took Kade's hand and held it out to me. I took a step back. "Keep him." "Keep him as long as you want." Ruby thought I was being sarcastic. She sounded smug. "Are you still jealous, Cora?" "I'll definitely pick him as my partner next time we play." She missed Kade's face growing darker by the second. I just nodded. "Do what you want." Kade snapped. He stepped forward and grabbed my arm. "Cora, what kind of attitude is this?" "The game is over. Drop the attitude." "Ruby gave you an out. What more do you want?" His tone was completely condescending. He acted like he was doing me a favor. It was always like this. I had to step aside whenever he wanted to play a role. I was expected to welcome him back with open arms when he got bored. I yanked my hand back. "I said, keep him." "What does that mean?" "Exactly what it sounds like." Ruby quickly stepped in. "Don't be mad, Cora. It's my fault. I shouldn't have played such a crazy game with him." Kade didn't look at her, but he clearly took her side. "This isn't your fault. Cora is just starting drama for nothing. Bringing her out always ruins the mood." He dragged Ruby out of the club and shoved her into his passenger seat. He left me with one last sentence. "Think about what you did wrong. You can come home when you learn to behave." I looked at my phone and booked a nearby hotel. I wasn't going back to the main estate. And I was done waiting for him. Chapter 2 After showering at the hotel, I saw Ruby's new social media post. [I have my own exclusive Alpha now. @Kade.] Before I could close the app, Kade's messages popped up. [Cora, I'll officially act as Ruby's mate for the next few days. Whenever you're ready to fall in line, this game ends.] [That's what you get for disrespecting me in public.] I stared quietly at the screen. I finally realized my casual "Keep him" had struck a nerve. My knuckles turned white from gripping my phone. I only relaxed when my palms started to sweat. I was leaving anyway. Whoever he was with had nothing to do with me. On the clinic's system, my transfer approval to the United Pack was still flashing. An elder from the Medical Alliance sent one last message. [Cora, this transfer to the United Pack Medical Center is for three years. Are you absolutely sure?] I replied: [I'm sure.] A year ago, they offered me the exact same spot. Back then, Kade held my hand and begged me to stay. He said he couldn't live without me. The mate bond tied me down. I got soft-hearted and gave up my career opportunity. This time, I wasn't sacrificing my future for anyone. The next afternoon, I stepped out of the elevator to check out. I glanced through the lobby windows and saw his familiar car parked across the street. I forgot Kade could easily track me using his Alpha senses. Soon, a timid Omega from the pack walked into the lobby and stopped me. "Miss Cora, the Alpha told me to give this to you." She handed over a black velvet box. "He said you should stop throwing a fit, take the necklace, and go home with him." I looked at the gorgeous gem coldly, burying the very last trace of emotion in my heart. The young Omega swallowed hard, her eyes full of envy. "The Alpha is so generous to you. This gem is priceless. If only I could meet a mate who treated me like this..." "If you like it, keep it." I cut her off. The Omega's eyes widened. She let out a shocked squeal. "Oh my Goddess, you aren't joking, are you?" "Take it." My trash could be someone else's treasure. The same went for the Alpha who disgusted me. I didn't head for the main doors. I turned and left through the side exit. The second I got into a cab, Kade's text popped up. [You got the necklace, right? As long as you listen to me, I'll always reward you like I promised.] Staring at the screen, I remembered when we first mated. Kade used to give me everything I asked for. But the catch was, I always had to follow his rules. Like the time we went to the valley to gather herbs. He insisted on crossing rogue territory. As a healer, I was useless in a fight. I grabbed his arm and begged him not to. He gave me a cold look and ordered me to stay put and think about my attitude. Then he bolted into the dense forest without looking back, leaving me completely alone. That night, a pack of feral wolves surrounded me. If the border patrol hadn't arrived in time to save me, I would have been torn to pieces. Afterward, he looked at my trembling body and mocked me for overreacting. He actually claimed it was my punishment for daring to question an Alpha's decision. From then on, I numbed myself. I hid all my sharp edges just to keep him happy. But he pushed his luck. He crossed the line again and again, dragging Ruby right between us. I finally saw his true colors the day he destroyed my greenhouse. I had poured my heart into it. After that, I shut off my emotions. I obeyed his absurd demands like a puppet. Ironically, my submission only made him lose his temper more. I shook my head in self-mockery and turned off the screen, forcing myself to stop thinking about it. When I finished my handover at the pack clinic, my assistant leaned in and lowered her voice. "Head Healer, I saw Alpha Kade in the south district last night. He was with some sketchy woman. You should keep an eye out..." Kade had always hated the noisy, low-class environment of the south district. Whenever I wanted to go there to clear my head, he'd reject me coldly. Looking back, he didn't hate the place. He just didn't want to go with me. "It's fine. That's his business." I calmly packed up my office. It was the end of my shift. I walked out carrying a few pots of rare herbs I was still cultivating. His familiar SUV was parked at the bottom of the stairs. It was the one he had just bought. Ruby stepped out of the passenger side. She was wearing a rare snow fox wrap. It was the birthday gift I had politely declined. Kade had turned around and given it straight to her. At the time, I just mentioned wanting to see the Northern Lights for our anniversary. He gave the fur to his childhood friend instead to punish me. "Oh, Cora, why are you carrying all those weeds? Did you get fired?" Ruby's sarcasm made Kade frown from inside the car. He looked like he wanted to ask, but he kept his mouth shut. I didn't answer. I just adjusted the pots in my arms. "You're just too proud. You should have just stayed home after you mated. Look at me! With Kade protecting me, I don't have to worry about a thing!" When we first mated, Kade ordered me to quit my job and stay at the main estate as Luna full-time. I didn't want to become a mere trophy and lose myself, so I refused. He immediately turned around and asked Ruby if she wanted to move in. Ruby happily accepted. So Ruby shamelessly lived right under my nose for two whole years. Later, when my lab ran out of funding and was about to shut down, I swallowed my pride and begged him for a loan to help me out. His answer was completely ruthless. [Cora, second chances aren't for losers.] So this time, I wasn't giving this Alpha a second chance either. "Cora, this is the first time I've come to pick you up as Kade's mate. Even though it's just a game..." "Who said it's a game?" Kade reached out and pulled her close, raising his voice. "If I want it to be real, it's real." He kept his eyes glued to me as he said it. I looked away. "Cora, let's go get dinner together. The Alpha is paying." With Kade backing her up, Ruby wasn't even hiding her smugness. I shook my head immediately. "No thanks. I need to go process these herbs." "Oh, don't be like that! A huge blizzard is coming. You can't walk back carrying all that." I opened my mouth to refuse again, but a biting wind suddenly swept through. Heavy sleet and snow started smashing down. I glanced at the fragile seedlings in my arms. I gritted my teeth and compromised. "Fine." Ruby got back into the passenger seat. I reached for the back door, but it was locked. The next second, the SUV's engine roared and sped off. Slush and ice hit me hard in the face. My phone screen lit up with a text from Kade. [Since you refuse to behave, go cool off in the snow. Nobody here is going to pamper you.] Chapter 3 The blizzard was blowing fiercer by the minute. Frost was already covering the precious herbs in my arms. I gritted my teeth and retreated to the clinic porch for shelter. My phone lit up with a text from Ruby. [Cora, I'm so sorry! I didn't expect Kade to just drive off like that.] [You've been mated for years and you still don't get his Alpha temper. He just needs his ego stroked. Just swallow your pride and apologize.] [It's freezing. We'll hang out next time!] Melting snow dripped from my hair, running down my brow and into my eyes. I rubbed them, making them red. In the past, I never really understood Kade. Now, I didn't want to. By the time I braved the blizzard and walked back to the main estate, Kade and Ruby were already there. Ruby was wearing the pajamas I bought last month. She was sitting cross-legged by the fireplace. Kade was pouring her a glass of wine. Hearing the door, she walked over and handed me a pair of slippers. They were disposable guest slippers. "Cora, what took you so long? You're soaked! Hurry up and take a hot shower. Look at you!" I set down the frozen herbs. Kade looked up as I walked past the kitchen island. He watched me for a second, then looked back down at his wine glass. The bathroom counter was cluttered with Ruby's things. Body wash, lotion. Brands I didn't recognize. I turned on the faucet and quickly rinsed off with hot water. I went upstairs to pack my bags for the United Pack Medical Center. But when I opened my walk-in closet, I froze. My clothes were completely gone. The space was crammed with designer clothes and bags. It was obviously Ruby's stuff. I gripped the door handle. I turned and walked to the upstairs railing, looking down at Kade in the living room. "Where are my clothes?" Kade leaned back on the sofa. He looked up at me without an ounce of guilt. "I just had the maids clear a little space." "You've been throwing too many tantrums lately. Ruby needed somewhere to put her things, so we're using it for now. Once you learn to soften up, I'll have your stuff moved back." I gripped the railing tighter. Was this another punishment? Ruby shrank into the sofa, faking a nervous look. "Kade, is Cora mad? Maybe I should just move out." Kade patted her hand to comfort her. "It's fine. She's just acting out. Give it a few days and she'll fall right back into line." I stared at them and didn't say a word. Kade sighed and softened his tone. "Tomorrow is my mother's birthday dinner. She specifically asked for you. Cora, drop the attitude tomorrow and play along. Apologize after the dinner, and we'll move past this." Kade's mother, the former Luna, treated me like her own daughter. Ever since Kade and I mated, she was the only one who stepped in to comfort me and scold him whenever he acted out. Even though I was leaving, I at least owed her a proper goodbye. I took a deep breath and agreed. I couldn't even be bothered to pack my full luggage anymore. I went to the guest room, grabbed a small suitcase, and packed a few clothes and my documents. I left every single item tied to him behind. I didn't even glance back as I went downstairs and headed straight for the front door. Kade called out as I reached for the knob. "Where do you think you're going?" "You're barely home as it is." He sounded so arrogant, so sure that I had nowhere else to go. "That's none of your business." This place didn't even have a closet for me anymore. It wasn't my home. Kade's face darkened. Before he could blow up, I shoved the front door open. The freezing wind poured in. I looked back at him. "You're sick, Kade." "If you want absolute obedience, go buy a dog. Stop disgusting me." I slammed the door shut, cutting off whatever he was going to say. I called a ride and booked a fancy hotel on the edge of the pack borders. My phone blew up with messages from both of them all night. I just powered it off. The next morning, I walked into the lobby and froze. Kade and Ruby were sitting on the lounge sofas. This damn mate bond. He tracked me again. Ruby was wearing a flashy dress, acting like the Luna of the pack. She put on a look of fake concern when she saw me. "Cora, did you sleep well? Kade was worried you'd be stubborn and skip the dinner, so he came to pick you up." Kade stood up. His tone was a little softer. "Cora, head back to the main estate and help my mother host. I promised to take Ruby shopping for a dress. I'll bring her over later." I let out a dry scoff. I didn't even look at them as I walked straight for the revolving doors. Ruby shouted from behind me. "Don't be mad, Cora! I'm just borrowing the Alpha to pick a dress. I'll bring him right back before dinner starts!" I kept walking. "Cora, what is your problem now? Helping my mother prepare is your duty as the future Luna!" Kade's voice dropped, laced with impatience. I ignored him, hailed a cab, and left. The texts started coming in as soon as the cab drove off. Kade sent a string of angry messages. [Do you really have to fight me today?] [Go back and help my mother right now. Don't upset her!] I sneered and typed back. [Help her host? So I can work like a servant while you walk in with your childhood friend? So your mother can interrogate me in public?] As for Ruby's hypocritical texts, I just swiped and deleted them. It was just her begging me not to be impulsive and to "understand the Alpha's stress." After I hit send, my phone finally went quiet. Back in the lobby, Kade was struck with a wave of frustration. He couldn't even argue with my text. His mother would explode if she saw me working like a dog while he showed up with another woman. But he'd already promised to take Ruby shopping. His Alpha pride wouldn't let him back out of a promise. He cursed and kicked the lobby trash can. For the first time, a sliver of regret crept into his chest. Deep down, he felt something important breaking apart. Something he couldn't hold onto, and could never get back. Chapter 4 At the dinner, I handed the former Luna a wooden box. Inside was a salve I had spent three years formulating. It was made specifically for the joint pain from her old battle injuries. She squeezed my hand, absolutely loving the gift and praising me non-stop. Ruby suddenly cut in. "Luna, I heard you love antiques. I had someone track this bracelet down for me. It's very old." She opened the velvet box. The entire hall instantly fell dead silent. The bracelet reeked of the illegal black market. Several elders visibly cringed at the smell. Items of unknown origin were strictly forbidden in the pack. Ruby was actually stupid enough to give one as a gift. Seeing the tense atmosphere, Kade bit the bullet and stepped in. "Mother, Ruby meant well. She just got scammed. Let's put this away and start the dinner." The former Luna glared at him, absolutely livid. "If you paid this much attention to Cora, you wouldn't let black market trash into my house!" Kade shut his mouth and shot me an irritated look. "The mating ceremony... depends on what Cora wants." I just smiled and kept quiet. This wasn't the time or place to cause a scene. The former Luna openly favored me throughout the dinner. She made sure I was served all my favorite dishes. Ruby tried to make a toast to save face, but knocked her wine glass over in a panic. Kade stood up to protect her before the elders could lose their tempers. "She's just startled. Please don't hold it against her, Mother." The pack elites at the table silently looked away. Everyone could see the Alpha was blindly favoring his childhood friend. The former Luna asked me to stay after dinner ended. I finally walked out over half an hour later. Kade was waiting at the end of the hall. He immediately stepped up to probe. "What did my mother say to you?" "Nothing. Just talking." "Did you mention the thing with Ruby?" He was clearly paranoid. He was terrified I would expose his sick little fake-mate game. I calmly shook my head. He breathed a massive sigh of relief. "You're always so reasonable, Cora." I gave him a cold look and walked right past him. Before I left, the former Luna insisted on giving me her moonstone ring. I tried to refuse, but she gave me a knowing look and sighed. "That foolish boy doesn't know how good he has it." Kade didn't get it. "Mother, what does that mean?" She patted my hand and glared coldly at her own son. "I'm saying you'll get what's coming to you for taking your fated mate for granted!" Kade looked away in irritation. He just wrote it off as an elder's bias. We drove off under her watchful gaze. On the way back, Ruby reached for the passenger door out of habit. For the first time, Kade blocked her. Ruby stiffened. Then she quietly moved to the back seat. I sat in the passenger seat and stared blankly ahead. The car reeked of her perfume. The smell was sickeningly sweet. I was already sensitive to strong scents. Halfway home, I fought down a wave of nausea and told Kade to pull over. I shoved the door open, grabbed the roadside guardrail, and started gagging. "What's wrong? Do you need the clinic?" "No need." I instinctively dodged his hand. I was a healer. I didn't need his fake concern. For once, Kade didn't just drive off and leave me. He actually handed me a tissue and a mint. "Ruby and I are just playing a game," he muttered. "You can rely on me if something is wrong. Don't push yourself." I looked up at him. If he had done this earlier, maybe we wouldn't be here today. Once the nausea passed, I opened the back door and got in. Ruby immediately jumped at the chance to dive back into the passenger seat. "Kade, you promised to take me to that show in the south district tonight. Are we heading straight there, or going home first?" Kade stared at my pale face in the rearview mirror. "We're going back to the estate." Back at the main estate, I leaned against the sofa and closed my eyes. Ruby ran into my old walk-in closet to touch up her makeup. Looking at that door, I couldn't help but think of my ruined greenhouse. I spent countless nights growing those rare herbs. But Kade leveled the whole thing without a second thought, all because of one word from Ruby. Seeing me stare at the closet, Kade walked over and actually spoke up. "Ruby is only here temporarily. I had the Beta find a place for her in town. She's moving out next week." "I'll have the greenhouse rebuilt for you. You can plant whatever you want." I listened to his pathetic, charity-like promises. I felt absolutely nothing. Ruby was excitedly putting on her heels by the door. I spoke up, offering one final test. "Don't go." Kade's expression shifted. Finally, he sighed. "I promised her. I can't break my word as an Alpha. I'll stay with you next time." I let out a soft laugh the second the door clicked shut. Kade would never change. Whenever I said no, he did it anyway just to spite me. But that was fine. This was the last time he'd ever go against me. My phone buzzed. Three hours until my flight to the United Pack. I grabbed the small bag I had packed earlier. Just a simple suitcase, carrying away whatever little dignity I had left in this place. I didn't look back at the main estate as I walked out the door. Once, Kade pledged to me under the stars, "Cora, with you by my side, I'm a real Alpha." I was naive enough to think it meant forever. But things changed. Or rather, I finally woke up. I refused to be held hostage by this mate bond anymore. Kade called right as I walked into the airport terminal. "Cora, you love the roasted lamb chops from that place downtown, right? They have a huge cut today. Want me to bring some home?" My boarding announcement blared through the speakers. I replied coldly. "No." He went silent. "Cora, how long are you going to keep up this tantrum? Just admit you were wrong and play along. We can put this behind us." "You're right. This is the last time." "What do you mean?" The announcement echoed through the terminal again, calling my gate. Kade's voice turned frantic. "Cora, where are you?" I ignored him and spoke my final truth. "I am done obeying you, Kade." "I, Cora, reject you as my mate. We are done."