Marked by a Stronger Alpha After Being His Stand-in

""Father, I accept the marriage alliance with the Blackwood Pack."Silence stretched on his end of the link before he finally replied, "Caterina, are you certain?""I am."I didn't tell him the real reason.Last night, a heart-shattering agony ripped through our Mate Bond, through that damned bond, I saw everything—My mate, Alpha Rocco, was in the cabin on his private hunting grounds, pinning his childhood sweetheart, Scarlett, against the wall and kissing her with a desperate frenzy.I confronted Scarlett directly at the pack meeting, a flicker of triumph flashed in her eyes before she feigned innocence. "Caterina, I have no idea what you're talking about."Just then, Rocco's voice boomed through the open mind-link, echoing in the minds of everyone present. "Caterina, as the Luna of the pack, you shouldn’t cause a scene like this. Scarlett is just a friend. "In that moment, my heart died completely. He was my Alpha, my husband—the man I had spent years helping rise to power.I severed my mind-link with Rocco. The pain of the forced disconnection was so intense I could barely stand, but I straightened my spine and sent my reply. "I'll be home in two weeks."Go home and marry the most powerful Alpha in North America.They say he is cold and ruthless, unmoved by any she-wolf.Perfect.I don't need love. I just need an Alpha strong enough to help me secure the Silver Moon Pack.And as for Rocco?The Moon Goddess gave us a destiny, and he shattered it with his own hands. Now, I will seize my own."