Bruce's POV

The ballroom at the Meridian Hotel was packed with everyone who mattered in the city. Business associates, pack leaders, politicians. All here to see my new bride.

All here to judge if she was worthy of the Leonard name.

I watched Beverly work the room, and I had to admit, she was magnificent. She charmed the wives, impressed the husbands, and held her own against the snobs who tried to trip her up with backhanded compliments.

"Where did you find her?" David Chen asked, my closest thing to a friend. "And why the rush?"

"When you know, you know," I replied, taking a sip of whiskey.

"Bullshit. You've never done anything without a five-year plan."

He was right. But he didn't know about Grandfather's condition, or the mate bond that was driving me insane. Every time Beverly laughed, every time she touched someone's arm in conversation, my wolf wanted to rip them apart.

Mine. She was mine.

Except she wasn't. This was business. Two months and she'd be gone.

"Bruce!" Thomas Wright approached with his daughter Emily. "Congratulations. Though I must say, I'm surprised. Emily and I thought after last time..."

"Last time was a mistake," I said coldly.

Emily smiled, all fake sweetness. "Well, I hope this one works out better. Your wife seems... sweet."

The condescension in her voice made my jaw clench. Emily and I had dated briefly two years ago. She'd wanted the Leonard name and money. When she realized I wouldn't mate with her, she tried to trap me with a fake pregnancy. It had been messy.

"Beverly is perfect," I said firmly.

"If you say so." Emily's eyes tracked Beverly across the room. "Though I heard she was engaged to Marcus Williams yesterday. Quite the quick rebound."

"Watch your tongue, Emily."

"Just making conversation. Oh look, here she comes now."

Beverly approached, and I could tell immediately that something was wrong. Her smile was too bright, her shoulders too tense.

"Darling," she said, surprising me by pressing close to my side. "I need to speak with you."

"Emily, Thomas, excuse us."

I guided Beverly to a quiet corner. "What's wrong?"

"Marcus is here."

"What?" I scanned the room, my wolf rising to the surface.

"He just walked in. With a woman. They're by the bar."

I found him immediately. Marcus Williams, looking smug in an ill-fitting tux, with a blonde hanging on his arm.

"Stay here," I ordered.

"Bruce—"

"Stay. Here."

I crossed the room, people parting before me. They could sense the predator approaching.

"Williams."

Marcus turned, his smirk widening. "Leonard. Congratulations on the wedding. My leftovers treating you well?"

My fist connected with his jaw before I could stop myself. He went down hard, the blonde shrieking.

"Bruce!" Beverly was suddenly there, grabbing my arm. "Stop!"

Marcus wiped blood from his mouth, laughing. "Still the same animal, Leonard. No wonder your first mate ran."

The room went silent. Everyone stared.

"What did you say?" Beverly's voice was deadly quiet.

"Oh, he didn't tell you?" Marcus stood, swaying slightly. "Bruce Leonard had a mate five years ago. She died trying to get away from him."

"You son of a—"

"Bruce." Beverly's hand on my chest stopped me. "We're leaving."

"Listen to your replacement bride," Marcus sneered. "Before she ends up like the last one."

I would have killed him. Right there, in front of everyone. But Beverly's hand found mine, squeezing tight.

"He's not worth it," she whispered. "Please."

I let her lead me out, aware of hundreds of eyes following us. The whispers started before we even reached the door.

In the limo, Beverly sat as far from me as possible.

"Is it true?"

"It's complicated."

"That's not an answer."

"Yes, I had a mate before. No, she didn't die running from me."

"Then how?"

"Car accident. She was driving to see her ex-boyfriend. The one she'd been cheating with for months."

Silence.

"I'm sorry," she finally said.

"Don't be. It was a long time ago."

"Is that why you need a fake wife? Because you can't trust anyone real?"

"I told you why. My grandfather—"

"Your grandfather knows we're mates. He doesn't need us to be married. So why?"

I stared out the window. How could I explain the curse? The family secret that had killed my parents and would kill me too if I didn't break it?

"There are things about my family you don't understand."

"Then help me understand."

"I can't. Not yet."

"More secrets. Great."

The rest of the ride was silent. At the penthouse, Beverly went straight to her room. I poured myself a drink and stood at the windows, Marcus's words echoing.

My first mate, Sarah, hadn't been running from me when she died. But she had been leaving me. The bond hadn't been enough to keep her faithful. She'd wanted her human boyfriend more than her destined mate.

And now I had another mate who didn't want me. The universe had a cruel sense of humor.

My phone rang. James.

"Sir, we have a problem. Marcus Williams has been talking to reporters. The story will break in the morning."

"What story?"

"About your first mate. He's claiming you were abusive, that she died trying to escape."

"That's slander."

"He's being careful with his words. Implying without stating. Sir, this could be bad for the company."

"Handle it."

"How?"

"Whatever it takes. Buy the outlets, threaten lawsuits, I don't care. Kill the story."

"Yes, sir."

I hung up and poured another drink. Then another.

"Drinking alone?"

Beverly stood in the doorway, now in pajamas. Silk ones that left little to the imagination.

"Couldn't sleep," I said.

"Me neither." She came closer, taking the glass from my hand and sipping. "Tell me about her."

"Why?"

"Because I'm your wife. Even if it's fake, I should know."

So I told her. About meeting Sarah in college. The instant recognition of the mate bond. The perfect year before she met Jason, her human boyfriend. The slow deterioration as she pulled away. The night I found them together. The fight that followed. Her leaving. The call from the hospital.

"She was texting him when she crashed," I finished. "Telling him she was coming."

"That's not your fault."

"Isn't it? If I'd been a better mate—"

"Stop." Beverly set down the glass and surprised me by taking my hands. "People make choices. She made hers. It wasn't about you not being enough."

"How do you know?"

"Because I've spent one day as your wife and I can already tell you give everything to people you care about. Maybe too much."

"You don't know me."

"I know enough."

We stood there, hands linked, the bond humming between us.

"Beverly..."

"Don't." She pulled away. "This doesn't change anything. Two months."

"Two months," I agreed.

But we both knew we were lying. The bond was getting stronger. And Marcus's threats were escalating.

My phone buzzed. Another unknown number.

*She's mine. Always was. Always will be. Enjoy her while you can.*

I showed Beverly. Her face paled.

"This is getting serious," she said.

"I'll handle it."

"How?"

"I have ways."

"More secrets?"

"Beverly, there are things about my world— about our world— that you're not ready for."

"Try me."

I studied her. Strong. Brave. Beautiful. My mate.

"Not tonight."

"When?"

"Soon."

She headed for her room, pausing in the hallway. "Bruce? Whatever you're hiding, whatever's coming... we're in this together now. Even if it's just for two months."

After she left, I made another call.

"Alpha Leonard," the voice answered.

"Gather the pack. We have a situation."

"The Williams boy?"

"Among other things. And Victor?"

"Yes, Alpha?"

"Double the security on my wife. Discreetly."

"Already done, sir."

I hung up and returned to the window. Storm clouds were gathering over the city. How appropriate.

Marcus Williams had no idea what he'd started. But he was about to find out what happened when you threatened the mate of an Alpha.

Even if that mate didn't know she'd married one.