Bruce's POV

The warehouse on the outskirts of the city looked abandoned from the outside. Fifty of my strongest pack members stood in formation, waiting for their Alpha's command.

"Report," I ordered Victor, my beta.

"Marcus Williams has been spreading rumors all night. He's contacted three news outlets, two gossip blogs, and several business rivals of yours."

"And?"

"We've contained most of it. But sir, he's also been reaching out to other packs. The Riverside Pack is protecting him."

I growled, the sound echoing through the warehouse. Several younger wolves stepped back.

"The Riverside Alpha knows he's spreading lies about me?"

"Alpha Chen claims it's pack business since Marcus is one of theirs."

Politics. I hated pack politics.

"What about the threats to Beverly?"

"We've traced the phone to a burner, but the locations suggest Marcus or someone close to him."

"Increase security for my wife."

"Sir, if I may..." Victor hesitated. "The pack is confused. You married without informing us, and the woman is—"

"My mate," I finished. "Yes, I know what they're saying."

"They're concerned. The last mate—"

"Is dead. This one won't be."

"The curse—"

"Enough." My alpha command made everyone bow their heads. "Beverly is your Luna now. Anyone who disrespects her disrespects me. Clear?"

"Yes, Alpha," they responded in unison.

"Dismissed. Victor, stay."

After the others left, Victor approached. We'd been friends since childhood, before I became Alpha, before the weight of leadership and curses.

"She doesn't know what you are," he said.

"She knows I'm a wolf."

"But not an Alpha. Not about the pack. Not about the curse."

"She doesn't need to know."

"Bruce, if the curse is real—"

"It is real. You know it is. It killed my parents. It killed my uncle and his mate. Every Leonard Alpha for five generations has lost their mate within a year of bonding."

"Then why risk it with her?"

"Because maybe a fake marriage doesn't count. Maybe if we don't complete the bond—"

"You're playing with fire."

"I'm trying to save her life."

Victor was quiet for a moment. "And if Marcus keeps pushing? The Riverside Pack has been looking for an excuse to challenge us for territory."

"Then we handle it the old way."

"A challenge fight?"

"If necessary."

"You could kill him."

"Yes."

Victor studied me. "You've changed since yesterday. The bond is affecting you more than you expected."

He was right. Every hour with Beverly made it worse. Her scent, her laugh, her defiance. My wolf wanted to claim her, mark her, make her truly ours.

But that would seal her fate.

"Double the patrols around the penthouse," I ordered. "And find out what Marcus really wants. This isn't just about a bruised ego."

"You think someone's backing him?"

"Marcus Williams doesn't have the balls to threaten me without support. Find out who."

My phone buzzed. Beverly.

*Where are you? Your grandfather is asking for us.*

"I have to go," I told Victor. "Keep me informed."

The drive to the hospital felt longer than usual. When I arrived, Beverly was already there, sitting beside Grandfather's bed, holding his hand.

"There you are," Grandfather said weakly. "I was telling Beverly about your parents."

I tensed. "Grandfather—"

"She should know about the family she married into." He looked at Beverly. "They were true mates, you know. Childhood sweethearts. The bond was so strong you could feel it in the room."

"What happened to them?" Beverly asked softly.

"Car accident," I said quickly.

"Liar," Grandfather wheezed. "They were murdered."

Beverly's eyes widened. "What?"

"Grandfather, you're tired—"

"I'm dying. I can say what I want." He gripped Beverly's hand tighter. "Someone didn't want a Leonard Alpha to have an heir. They killed them when Bruce was ten."

"Who?"

"We never found out. But Bruce has been paranoid about mates ever since. First Sarah, now you."

"I should get you home," I told Beverly.

"No." Grandfather's voice was suddenly stronger. "You need to tell her the truth. All of it."

"Not now."

"When? When I'm dead? When the curse claims her too?"

"What curse?" Beverly demanded.

"Nothing. He's confused—"

"Leonard Alphas can't keep their mates," Grandfather said bluntly. "Five generations, no true mated pair has survived more than a year together."

Beverly pulled her hand away from both of us. "Is that why you wanted a temporary marriage? You think I'm going to die?"

"Beverly—"

"Oh my God. That's it, isn't it? You believe in some stupid curse and you're what, protecting me by fake marrying me?"

"It's not stupid. My parents, my uncle, my grandfather's brother—"

"Coincidences. Bad luck."

"Five generations isn't bad luck."

She stood. "I need air."

"Beverly, wait—"

But she was gone.

Grandfather chuckled weakly. "She's got spirit. Maybe that's what you need. Someone who won't run from the truth."

"You just signed her death warrant."

"No, boy. I just gave her the choice. Sarah never had that. You never told her about the curse until it was too late."

"And look how that ended."

"She was leaving you anyway. The curse didn't kill her, her choices did."

"You don't know that."

"I know she wasn't strong enough for you. But this one..." He smiled. "This one might surprise you."

I found Beverly on the hospital roof, staring at the city lights.

"It's freezing up here," I said, draping my jacket over her shoulders.

"A curse," she said flatly. "You believe you're cursed."

"I believe in patterns. And the pattern is clear."

"So what, you were just going to marry me, use me as a prop for your grandfather, then divorce me before the curse could kick in?"

"Something like that."

She laughed bitterly. "And you didn't think I deserved to know?"

"Would you have agreed if you knew?"

"Maybe. At least then I'd have all the information."

"Beverly—"

"No." She turned to face me. "From now on, no more secrets. You tell me everything, or I walk right now."

"You can't. We're married."

"Watch me."

We stared at each other, the bond crackling between us.

"Fine," I said finally. "No more secrets."

"Good. Start with why Marcus is really after me."

"What do you mean?"

She pulled out her phone, showing me a new message:

*Ask your husband about the territory deal. Ask him what he promised Marcus in exchange for you.*

My blood ran cold. How did Marcus know about that?

"Bruce?" Beverly's voice was sharp. "What territory deal?"

"I may have... suggested to the Riverside Pack that I'd reconsider some boundary disputes if Marcus stayed away from you."

"You tried to buy him off?"

"I tried to protect you."

"I don't need protection. I need honesty."

"You want honesty? Fine. Marcus is working with someone who wants me dead. They're using you to get to me. And if I don't figure out who soon, we're both in danger."

"How do you know?"

"Because only three people knew about that territory offer. Me, Victor, and the Riverside Alpha."

"So one of them—"

"Is a traitor."

Her phone buzzed again. We both looked at the screen.

*Midnight. The old pier. Come alone or your mother pays for your choices.*

Below was a photo of Beverly's mother at her home, taken through her kitchen window. Tonight.

Beverly's face went white. "Mom."

I was already calling Victor. "Get a team to Beverly's mother's house. Now."

"Bruce, I have to go—"

"Like hell you are."

"It's my mother!"

"It's a trap."

"I don't care!"

I grabbed her shoulders. "Beverly, listen to me. This is what they want. You, alone, vulnerable."

"Then what do we do?"

I looked at the message again. Midnight. Three hours.

"We spring the trap," I said. "But on our terms."

"How?"

"You're about to learn what it really means to be married to an Alpha."

For the first time since finding out about the curse, she smiled. It was sharp, dangerous.

"Good. Because I'm done being the victim in this story."

My wolf purred in approval. Maybe Grandfather was right.

Maybe this mate would surprise me after all.