My Panic Lie Got Me an Alpha

I was going to kill my mother.
Alpha Garrett—the third "suitable match" she'd arranged this month—was lecturing me about my future like I was livestock being appraised.
"You're young and healthy. Perfect for breeding. At least three pups, I think." He gestured with his fork. "You'll need to quit that little job at the archives. Focus on pack duties. And no more wasting money on cosmetics and fancy clothes."
An Omega's place is supporting her Alpha, he said, like he was bestowing ancient wisdom instead of recycling prehistoric garbage.
That's when I snapped.
"I can't marry you," the words exploded out of me. "I'm already marked."
The café went dead silent. Garrett's face turned red. And I realized I'd just told the stupidest lie of my life.
Until a dangerously familiar voice spoke from directly behind me.
Kael Nightshade—Alpha of our pack, my boss, the wolf who made grown Betas stammer—was suddenly there, silver eyes locked on mine.
And then he did something that changed everything: he looked Garrett dead in the eye and said, "I don't take kindly to people disrespecting my mate."