Bonded Beyond Trickery by Ember Davis

TILLY
Growing up as the Alpha’s daughter, the importance of the pack has always been front and center. While I never questioned if my parents loved me, I also knew the importance of the pack and the expectations on the shoulders of my parents. I grew up watching my brother training to make the same sacrifices for the Golden Summit pack, sacrifices I was told were in my future if my mate ended up being an Alpha.
The problem with all those sacrifices for the pack, the ones put on my shoulders without my consent, was that I had my own dreams. I dreaded turning 18 and the promise of finding my mate because I didn’t want those dreams stolen from me. That’s why I hatched my plan and hid my scent, just in case.
It was a good thing too since I found my mate not long after my birthday; and he’s an Alpha who has no idea who he is to me. I’ve stayed away from him while going to school and finding myself beyond the pack. Now that I’ve graduated, I know I can’t keep putting off my fate. I just hope he can forgive my trickery.

WHITAKER
The years I’ve been searching for my mate have been long. For some reason, I thought for sure I was going to find her four years ago. It was an instinct pulling at my gut before arriving at the annual mating ball, but I was proven wrong.
I’ve been waiting for her while leading my pack. It’s not easy with no one at my side to help me, keep me focused, and provide the balance I need. I’ve seen the way some of the other she-wolves look at me. They’d like nothing more than to be my Luna, but it’ll never be them.
I’m not expecting anything more than leaving this year’s mating ball alone, again. But I’m proven wrong. When I meet my mate, finally able to smell a scent that calls to me and is made just for me, I realize I’ve met her before and should have been able to recognize her as my mate. Her trickery has cost us years together and I’m not sure if I’ll ever forgive her for it even though I can’t deny the pull between us.