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