“Are you planning to surprise Alpha Lance, Lady Cassie?” “Yes,” I replied softly, my fingers cradling the small wooden carving I’d spent days perfecting. “I carved this myself. I want it to be meaningful. Something to show him how much he means to me.” A proud, content smile tugged at my lips. Today marked eight years with Lance, and he was preparing our anniversary celebration tonight! Eight years of standing by his side. Through battles, wounds, council politics, and sleepless nights. I had given him everything. My heart, my loyalty, my youth. “Congratulations on your anniversary, Lady Cassie,” the maid said, bowing slightly. “Thank you. Could you prepare my dress for tonight? I want to look my best for him.” She nodded and scurried off, leaving me alone in the dressing room. I placed the carving, a crescent moon with our initials, into a red velvet box. Soon, Lance and I would be fully bound. The Luna ceremony was expected to be announced any day now. I chose a white silk dress that shimmered under the candlelight, one Lance had once said made me look like a goddess. I ran a comb through my dark hair and added a touch of perfume he’d gifted me last winter. Tonight would be perfect. I spotted Beta Damien near the courtyard, overseeing arrangements. “Have you seen Lance?” He stiffened, avoiding my gaze. “I… I’m not sure where he is, Lady Cassie. Perhaps he’s in the Den.” The Den of Shadows. Reserved for high-ranking wolves, warriors, and of course, the Alpha. I thanked him and made my way there, confused by his tension. The corridors leading to the Den were dim and quiet, the scent of burning wood and incense thick in the air. I raised my hand to knock, but froze. Because I heard voices. “Alpha Lance, how are you planning to tell Lady Cassie that this whole preparation isn’t for your anniversary… but for Arielle’s return?” Every muscle in my body locked. Wait…what? “I’m not,” Lance replied, voice low and soulless. “Let her find out with the rest of them.” “But she’s your mate.” He scoffed. “Cassie’s nothing more than a convenience. She was loyal, sure, and useful for a while. But now that Arielle’s back, and carrying my child, Cassie’s role is finished here.” My knees nearly gave out. No… “She’s not even of noble blood,” another voice sneered. “Arielle’s lineage dates back to the original High Blood packs. She was always meant to stand beside an Alpha.” “That’s why she’ll be my Luna,” Lance said flatly. “Cassie will understand. Or she won’t. Doesn’t matter. I just used her anyway. It’s good to fuck her. You all should try her sometime.” I stumbled back from the door, my breath shattering into sharp, uneven gasps. Arielle. That name. The last I heard, she had left the territory years ago to train in one of the royal courts. Rumors swirled that she had power, bloodline, and ambition. I never thought she’d come back, let alone steal everything from me. And Lance… Lance had been hiding this. Hiding her. And a child. I clutched my chest as my wolf whimpered inside me, her cries echoing in my head. My wolf snarled, pacing inside me, torn between mourning and murder. He betrayed us, she howled. He chose her. A liar. A snake. I ran. I didn’t care who saw me. My legs carried me back to the pack house like they had a mind of their own. Once inside, I collapsed onto the floor. The velvet box opened on impact, revealing the necklace I had lovingly carved. A symbol of us. Now meaningless! I sat in silence, trembling, tears running down my cheeks. Eight years. Eight years I had devoted to a man who saw me as disposable. Who was ready to cast me out for status and bloodline. I hadn’t been marked. Not yet. He always said he was waiting for the Luna ceremony. Now I knew why. “Cassie, darling, are you here?” Lance’s voice cut through the air. I wiped my tears, calming myself. I stood tall, slipping the box beneath a nearby table. “Yes,” I replied calmly. He walked in, tilting his head. “Were you crying?” I forced a laugh. “Just emotional. It’s our anniversary, after all.” He looked at me, disinterested. “You should start preparing. Tonight’s important.” Then he turned and left. No kiss. No embrace. Just orders. That night, the ceremony began. Music swelled, candles flickered, and the pack gathered under the moon. Lance stood beside me, his hand casually draped around my waist as if nothing was a problem. He leaned close, whispering, “Happy anniversary, darling. You should smile and enjoy it.” So I did. But I felt like I was choking on every breath. Because I knew what this celebration was really for. “Excuse me… I need to go to the bathroom.” I didn’t wait for his response. I immediately pulled my hands away from his and walked off. He didn’t follow me, and honestly, I didn’t care. I was halfway through jogging when someone suddenly bumped into me. Or maybe… they were the one who ran into me. “Ouch. Watch where you’re going, you bitch!” The shrill voice pierced through the hallway, followed by the loud click of designer heels. I turned slowly, already knowing who it was. Her glossy lips curled into a smug smile as her eyes raked over me like I was something she scraped off her shoe. “Oh, look. The placeholder,” she said with a mocking tilt of her head. “Arielle,” I muttered through clenched teeth, trying to keep my cool. “What do you want?” She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she strutted closer until she was right in my face, the sharp scent of her expensive perfume clashing with the stifling tension between us. Her manicured nails reached up and she grabbed a fistful of my hair, yanking it back so hard I winced. “To watch you fall,” she whispered sweetly, “To watch you crash and burn like the pathetic little stand-in you are.” I tried to pull away, but her grip tightened. “You think Lance actually cares about you?” she sneered, eyes blazing. “You’re just a distraction. A joke. A warm body he uses when I’m not around.” I opened my mouth to retort, but she was faster, leaning in so only I could hear the next cruel whisper. “He moans my name when he’s with you, doesn’t he?” My stomach twisted. She laughed, low and cruel, clearly enjoying my reaction. “Don’t flatter yourself, Cassie. You’ll never be me. You don’t have the looks, the class, or the history. Lance and I, we’re inevitable. You? You’re just a phase.” She shoved me back roughly, still gripping my hair, and I stumbled before regaining my balance. Then she turned to the crowd and raised her voice. “Everyone, I have an announcement!” Silence fell. She slowly walked toward Lance. I watched in horror as she reached for his hand. He didn’t resist. He smiled when he saw her. “I’m pregnant,” she said, her voice rich with pride. “And I will be claiming Alpha Lance as my mate!”
My tears poured down my face. Memories of being with Lance crashed into me like a tidal wave. I could still feel his arms wrapped around me, his warm breath tickling my ear as he whispered, “I love you so much.” His eyes had been full of love, genuine and deep, or so I thought. I remembered the way he knelt in front of me, his voice trembling as he said, “Cassie, I can’t imagine a life without you.” He looked so sincere. “I can’t ever imagine hurting you. You’re the most important person in my life. You’re my first and only love.” Those words used to be my comfort, my anchor. But now, I realized they were nothing but lies. Empty, cruel lies. All this time, he was just using me—because Arielle wasn’t around. I was just a stand-in, a distraction. And now, Arielle’s pregnant. The thought twisted in my chest, making it hard to breathe. Anger bubbled up inside me, hot and consuming. My hands curled into fists. No. I’m not letting things end like this! Fury pushed me forward. I stormed after Arielle, grabbing her arm hard enough to make her flinch. “How dare you!” I yelled, my voice trembling with rage. “All this time, you’ve been sneaking around with my mate behind my back?!” The hurt and betrayal poured out of me, and I tightened my grip, desperate to make her understand the pain she’d caused. But before I could say anything else, Arielle gasped dramatically. “Ouch! Stop!” she cried out, clutching her stomach like she was in intense pain. She stumbled back, her face twisted in agony, and then collapsed to the ground. My eyes widened. I hadn’t even done anything. I just grabbed her arm! What the hell was she doing? Her reaction was way over the top! “Cassie…what did you do?! My baby! You killed my baby!” Arielle screamed, her voice ringing out. The accusation was loud enough for everyone nearby to hear. Whispers and murmurs erupted, and I could feel eyes burning holes into my back. My mouth fell open in shock. “What are you—” I tried to ask, but a furious voice cut me off. “Cassie! What are you doing to her?! Get away from her!” I turned, my heart plummeting as Lance rushed toward us, his eyes blazing with anger. I stood frozen as he dropped to Arielle’s side. He was so gentle, helping her up with careful hands, brushing hair from her face. “Are you okay? Did she hurt you?” Lance asked, his voice dripping with concern. “I’m fine,” Arielle whimpered, leaning into him as she clutched her stomach. “She’s bleeding!” “Oh no!” “Cassie did this to her!” Then I saw blood dripping down her legs. “It hurts so much! Cassie did this to me!” Arielle cried, pointing a finger at me. “That’s a lie!” I shouted, pointing a trembling finger at her. “You’ve been sneaking around with him this whole time!” But Lance’s glare was ice-cold. “Cassie, enough! You’ve done enough!” My throat tightened as I watched Arielle snuggle closer, a faint, smug smirk on her lips. Lance wrapped a protective arm around her, whispering soft reassurances. The man I loved had chosen her. Tears burned my eyes as I took a shaky step back. My mate betrayed me, and all I could do was watch as he comforted her. I shook my head, glaring at Lance. “You’re lying to me. Stop lying! Tell them the truth! Tell the whole pack the truth! Admit you’ve been sneaking around with Arielle behind my back. Admit you never loved me, that you were just using me!” The words tumbled out of my mouth, fueled by anger and desperation. I wanted him to admit it, to make everyone see the truth. “I SAID ENOUGH!” Lance’s hand came down hard across my face. The slap echoed, and the force sent me stumbling back. Pain exploded on my cheek, and before I could catch my balance, he shoved me hard. I crashed to the ground. “L-Lance?-” He pointed a furious finger at me, his eyes blazing with hatred. “You should be grateful I even accepted you after what your father did!” he snarled. “Your father, the traitorous beta, lied and manipulated my father—got them both killed! I took you in out of mercy, made you my mate, and this is how you repay me?!” Tears blurred my vision, but I caught a glimpse of Arielle behind him, her lips curved in a satisfied smirk. She was enjoying every second of my humiliation. I clenched my fists, trembling with anger. “I-I hate you,” I spat, my voice cracking. “And I hope karma gets both of you for what you’ve done!” Lance’s glare was a warning, but I didn’t care anymore. I pushed myself off the ground, ignoring the whispers and judging stares from the pack. “What a weak mate,” someone sneered. “She’s not fit to be our Luna.” I couldn’t get out of there fast enough. I shoved past wolves whose eyes were full of either disgust or pity, their whispers crawling over my skin like poison. My legs moved faster, faster until I was sprinting. Tears streamed down my cheeks, mixing with the damp night air as the forest blurred around me. I didn’t care where I was going. I just needed to run! To get away! Away from them! From him! From the lies and the weight of eight wasted years! My foot suddenly caught on a root, and I stumbled, crashing to my knees with a painful grunt. “Shit!” Dirt smeared across my skin, and sharp stones bit into my palms. The sky opened above me as if to mock my misery, and cold rain poured down in heavy sheets, drenching me instantly. My white dress clung to me, soaked and ruined. I sobbed out loud, choking on the lump in my throat. I tried to rise, but my legs trembled and collapsed beneath me. My body gave up and my heart ached relentlessly. I was about to push myself up when a low growl cut through the storm. I froze. From the shadows of the trees, a pair of glowing yellow eyes emerged. Then another. A rogue. “N-No…” There were two of them. Panic surged through me as I scrambled backward on the muddy ground, heart slamming in my chest. I was too weak to shift. Too heartbroken. Too late. One of the rogues lunged. “Ahhhh!” I waited…but it never reached me. A blur of motion slammed into the beast midair, knocking it aside. A deep snarl ripped through the air, more feral, more powerful than the rogues’. I stared, stunned, as the second rogue tried to flee, only to be caught and thrown against a tree with bone-cracking force. I gasped, my breath catching as the rain lightened just enough for me to see him. A tall figure stood over me, chest heaving, his eyes glowing faintly in the storm light. “Are you hurt?” he asked. I blinked, still trying to process what just happened. My arms shook as I pushed myself upright, staring at the stranger. My voice cracked. “What… what the hell just happened?” He stepped closer, his gaze scanning me carefully. “Rogues,” he said. “You were lucky.” I let out a bitter laugh. “Lucky? Right.” Then I narrowed my eyes, “Who are you?” He looked at me steadily, “My name is Dominic,” he said calmly. “And your brother sent me here.”
“My brother died a long time ago!” This is the story I’ve always known about my family. Ever since my father, the Beta, betrayed Lance’s father, the Alpha of our pack, I knew my whole family was marked for death. I was the only one left. Then Lance came into the picture, making me his mate. But I later found out he was just using me all along. My eyes caught his, and he just stared back at me without saying anything. Suddenly, he shifted into his wolf form. His wolf was massive, towering over me, and it completely threw me off. “Get on,” he said, his voice commanding. I shook my head. “No, answer my question first! I don’t have a brother! My brother’s dead!” “You’re wrong about that,” he said, his tone calm but firm. “Get on if you want to see him.” His words hit me like a ton of bricks. How could he know? My brother’s been gone for so long. But something in his voice, something in his eyes, made me believe him. “I know those people betrayed you,” he added. “But I won’t betray you like they did.” His voice was steady, and for the first time in a long time, I actually felt like I could trust someone. I swallowed hard, trying to make sense of everything. But in the end, I had no choice. My instincts kicked in, telling me to follow him, to trust him. So, I climbed onto his back, gripping his fur as we began moving through the forest. The wind whipped past my face, cold and sharp. I could hear the rustling of leaves, the soft crunch of twigs underfoot. The sound of Dominic’s steady breathing was the only thing that kept me grounded. After a while, we stopped. The forest opened up to reveal a large community town, obviously belonging to another pack. “Alpha, you’ve returned,” a voice said from the gates. I froze as guards appeared. My heart started racing as Dominic helped me off his back. I looked at him, still in shock. “You’re an Alpha, but my brother sent you to fetch me? What the hell is going on here?” Dominic didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he motioned for me to follow him. “Just follow, and you’ll understand,” he said. I didn’t have much of a choice, so I followed. We entered a huge hall, and then we moved into a room. There, a group of people stood waiting. Healers, maybe. One of them stepped forward. “Alpha, his condition is stable. He’s doing better now.” “Good,” Dominic said simply, his voice filled with authority. We entered the room, and that’s when I saw him. A man lay in bed, covered in bandages, looking fragile but alive. I swallowed hard when I saw him. I slowly walked toward the bed, my eyes—damn, my eyes were already watering with tears. “A-Adrian?” I whispered. He blinked, his eyes slowly focusing on me. “Cassie, I can’t believe it. The rumors were true. You’re alive.” His voice was weak, like he didn’t have the strength to believe it himself. I couldn’t stop myself. I rushed forward and hugged him tightly. “I thought… I thought you were dead! When we were just kids, rumors said our whole family was killed…” My voice cracked as I held him, desperate to believe he was really there. “No, Cassie.” He pulled back slightly, his eyes looking straight at mine. “Our father didn’t betray the Alpha. He was framed.” “W-What?!” I asked, my head spinning as I tried to process what he was saying. Adrian nodded slowly, his face serious. “Yes. Our father was innocent. He was supposed to be the Alpha, but they framed him. And when he found out the truth, he tried to take back what was rightfully his. But they… they killed him. Lance’s family killed him. After that, our whole family was cast aside. You were the only one left because you were the only girl, meant to become their breeder.” I felt a lump in my throat. “A…a breeder?” The weight of his words hit me. I didn’t know that. “And what happened to you?” Adrian’s eyes softened. “I was cast aside, too. When Mom died, Alpha Dominic took me in. He made me his Beta.” I turned to look behind me. Alpha Dominic was standing in the doorway, silently watching us. I still didn’t understand. “But why did Alpha Dominic take me in if he’s the Alpha? Why did he help me?” I asked, my voice shaking. “He saved my life,” Dominic spoke up suddenly, stepping into the room. His eyes locked onto mine, intense and unwavering. “We were attacked by rogue wolves here, in the village. And thanks to your brother, he saved my life. I didn’t even realize there was a rogue wolf trying to kill me from behind. It was Adrian who saved me. That’s why he’s in critical condition now. But I made sure he’d survive.” Dominic continued, his voice calm but full of purpose. “He asked me to fetch you in honor of what he did for me. That’s why I came—to save you.” He looked at Adrian and then nodded. “And I saved your sister’s life just before she became the Luna of the enemy.” I stood there, processing everything they’d just told me. There was so much I didn’t know, so much I hadn’t understood. My brother wasn’t dead. My family wasn’t what I’d been told. And now, everything I thought I knew was being flipped upside down. “You must stay here, Cassie, and train with us so you can become stronger,” Adrian said. “I… I don’t know—” Before I could finish my sentence, my head suddenly swirled. “Cassie!” Before I hit the ground, I felt someone’s hands catch me. “She’s bleeding!” My vision spun, and pain surged through my body… especially down there. When I looked down, my legs were dripping with blood. And then I remembered… I was late. And that could only mean one thing. I’m… pregnant with Lance’s pup?
“Make sure she’s okay!” I heard chaos around me. Voices. Movement. Panic. Everything felt like a blur until my eyelids fluttered open. The room was dimly lit, but I quickly noticed two figures arguing near the foot of the bed I was lying on. As my vision adjusted, my heart stopped for a second. It was my brother, Adrian. My chest tightened. He was still recovering from his recent attack, yet there he was, standing in front of me, visibly exhausted but determined. He looked like he had forced himself to come here. Across from him stood a healer, trying to calm him down. I struggled to sit up, but my body felt heavy, drained. I was inside a healer’s residence. The sterile smell, the faint chanting outside, the herbs on the shelf, everything was familiar yet foreign at the same time. That’s when everything came crashing back to me. I remembered now. I had bled out. I collapsed. I lost consciousness. And now… now I was here. A wave of dread swept over me. Could…I be pregnant? The thought hit me like a truck. I grabbed the blanket tightly, my breathing quickening. No. No, this couldn’t be happening. This couldn’t be possible! But deep down, something in my gut told me it was. I felt it in my body. I felt it in my soul. The signs were there. The pain. The bleeding. The exhaustion. I might be pregnant, with Lance’s pup. A lump formed in my throat. The betrayal stung more now than it ever had. Lance… he used me. Every night, he touched me, kissed me, claimed me. And I believed him. I thought he loved me. I thought we had something real. But it was all a lie. He used me like I was nothing more than a breeder. A means to an end. And now, I might be carrying his child. Even if the healer hadn’t said anything yet, I was sure of it. “Cassie?” Adrian’s voice brought me back. I looked up and saw him, struggling to stay upright. He limped toward me slowly, his movements pained, but he didn’t stop. He wrapped his arms around me tightly. When he pulled away, he cupped my face with his trembling hands. “Are you okay? Are you in pain? What’s happening to you?” His voice was shaky. “Do you know why you started bleeding?” I couldn’t answer immediately. I swallowed hard and looked him directly in the eyes. He looked so worried, so scared for me. “Adrian,” I said softly, “would it be okay if I spoke to the healer in private?” He was confused at first, but then he nodded slowly. “Okay, sure,” he said. “I know a lot is going on with you, but I respect your decision.” He stood up straight despite the pain and limped toward the door. “I’ll wait for you outside,” he said gently, before stepping out and closing the door behind him. Once we were alone, I turned to face the healer. My heart pounded as I asked the question that had been consuming my thoughts. “You found out I’m pregnant, didn’t you?” I asked, my voice low but direct. The healer stared at me for a while, her eyes searching my face like she was deciding whether to say the truth or keep it to herself. Then, slowly, she nodded. Without saying a word, she walked closer and began to clean me up. Her hands moved gently but with practiced care. She did what she needed to do, checking my vitals, feeling my pulse, and assessing my condition. “You are pregnant,” she finally said, her voice calm but direct. My breath caught in my throat. “And you didn’t tell my brother…” I whispered. She nodded. “I heard you just reunited with your brother, Beta Adrian. And I didn’t want to overwhelm him by telling him that you’re bearing a pup.” My eyes locked on hers. I didn’t say anything yet. I could feel my chest tightening with each word that came out of her mouth. She continued, her tone softer now. “And I know that your former mate not only humiliated you but also abused you.” The moment she confirmed what I already feared, all the emotions I had been holding in burst at once. My throat tightened, and I bit down on my lower lip, but the tears still fell. I cried right in front of her. No shame, no strength left to hide behind. “T-This is a mistake,” I choked out, my voice trembling. I was shaking, violently. I grabbed her hand tightly, desperate, and begging! “I-I want to kill the pup,” I said. “Please! Let me kill the pup. Please!” I screamed the words, the pain overwhelming me. My voice cracked, but I didn’t care. I was breaking apart, piece by piece. The healer flinched slightly at my outburst. Her eyes widened, but she didn’t pull away from me. “Hey, you need to calm down,” she said firmly. “Please,” I whispered again, my entire body trembling. “Please…” She held my hands tighter, grounding me. “I know this is hard for you. I know how heavy this must feel. But you need to think this through. Ending the pup’s life won’t fix anything. That’s still an innocent life inside you.” Her words hit me like cold water. It wasn’t just what she said, but how she said it. There was no judgment in her voice. Just truth. And then, just as I was about to say something, the door suddenly burst open. My head turned fast, expecting to see Adrian, my brother. I assumed he must have heard my shouting and rushed in. But it wasn’t him. It was Alpha Dominic. He stood in the doorway like a wall of strength, his presence commanding. His aura was cold, intense, and intimidating. My breath caught in my chest as our eyes locked. “What’s going on here?” he asked, his voice deep and cutting. There was no softness in his tone, just the firm, sharp authority of an Alpha who demanded answers. I froze in place. The healer remained silent. She lowered her head in respect and said nothing, showing deference to her Alpha. He stepped further inside, eyes narrowing. “Have you checked what’s happening to her?” he asked, not even addressing me directly. “Why is she crying?” I bit my lower lip hard, trying to stop myself from falling apart again. “She’s doing okay now, Alpha,” the healer answered quickly. “It’s just… she has a headache. That’s all.” I glanced at her, shocked by her answer, but also… relieved. She didn’t tell him. She was giving me time. She stood up and didn’t meet my eyes. Without another word, she walked out of the room, leaving me alone with Dominic. I couldn’t meet his gaze. He moved closer and sat across from me, watching me closely. “What’s going on with you?” he asked directly. My mind raced. My heart pounded. I wanted to scream the truth, but I couldn’t. I wasn’t ready. “I’m fine,” I answered quickly. “It’s nothing.” I lied. And I hoped to the Moon Goddess he wouldn’t see through it.
“Think you can manage here alone? Or do you want us to be together?” Adrian’s voice carried a teasing warmth as he helped me settle into the room. “I really don’t mind, you know. I’ve missed you so much.” That was Adrian, always trying to make things lighter, even when everything felt heavy. He joked, but I could hear the concern in his voice. “Brother,” I looked at him seriously, “you don’t need to treat me like I’m helpless. You should be the one resting. You were the one attacked by rogue wolves.” He let out a short laugh, brushing it off like it was no big deal. But I knew better. He was injured. He should’ve been lying in bed, not lifting and moving around just for me. It worried me. No matter how much he smiled, I could see the pain behind his eyes. The moment I was cleared to leave the healer’s residency, Adrian was already waiting for me outside. He didn’t ask questions, just took my hand and led me to the new room. I remember my conversation with Dominic earlier. He stayed quiet after I lied, maybe because he sensed I wasn’t ready to talk. I definitely didn’t tell him about the pregnancy. I don’t want him to know, especially him. And I don’t even know why. So, he kept his distance when he noticed I wasn’t comfortable around him. And the space between us only grew heavier. Every time he was near, I felt uneasy. Maybe it was just me. Maybe I was the only one feeling this way. “Cassie?” Adrian’s voice suddenly pulled me out of my thoughts. “Are you even listening to me?” I blinked a few times. “Oh. I’m sorry. What were you saying?” He moved closer and sat on the edge of the bed, his face softening. “You seemed far away just now. I know it’s a lot. Everything that’s happened… with our parents. And then what Lance did to you. Now you’re here in a whole new pack, trying to act like everything’s fine.” I looked down, my fingers tightening slightly. “But don’t worry,” he said gently. “You’ll be taken care of here. Alpha Dominic… he’s a good Alpha. Lance is nothing compared to him.” That made me pause. I looked at Adrian but didn’t say anything. I wanted to believe what he was saying. And maybe, to an outsider, Dominic did look like a great Alpha. He was calm, composed, and had a certain strength that demanded respect. But something about him felt… off. I couldn’t explain it, but my instincts told me not to trust him completely. There was a wall around him I couldn’t get past. And I wasn’t sure I wanted to try. I nodded slowly and forced a smile. “Go now, brother. I just want to rest for a bit,” I said softly. Adrian nodded and gave me a warm look. “If you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to call me, okay?” I smiled at him faintly. “I know.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead before finally leaving the room. As soon as the door shut behind him, the silence became deafening. Being alone made everything crash down all at once. I felt overwhelmed. This new room, this new pack, this new reality, none of it felt real. And Alpha Dominic… there were so many questions swirling in my head about him. But I knew none of them would ever be answered. He was too closed off. Too unreadable. And yet, his presence lingered in my mind. I was still heartbroken from what Lance had done. The betrayal, the humiliation… it clung to me like a shadow. And now, I was carrying his pup. A pup I didn’t ask for. A pup I wasn’t even sure I wanted. The thought of it made my stomach twist. I wanted to get rid of it. I wanted to pretend like it never happened. But at the same time… guilt ate at me. It wasn’t the pup’s fault. It didn’t deserve to carry the weight of my pain and shame. It didn’t choose any of this. I climbed into bed, closed my eyes, and hoped sleep would give me even a moment of peace. For a while, it did. But it didn’t last long. When I slowly opened my eyes, I felt something strange. A chill ran down my spine. Someone was watching me. I blinked, trying to adjust to the darkness, and my eyes widened when I saw who it was. “D-Dominic?” I gasped, shocked. I blinked again, as if my eyes were playing tricks on me. “Did I startle you?” he asked. I swallowed hard, my heart suddenly pounding in my chest. He stepped closer. How did he even get in? The door was locked. The windows were shut. I hadn’t heard anything. “I just wanted to check on you.” “I’m fine,” I replied quickly, sitting up straighter. He looked cold, emotionally detached even. I didn’t understand him. “You can go now,” I told him. “You should have knocked. I would’ve woken up.” He didn’t respond to that. Instead, his eyes dropped downward, and I suddenly felt heat rush to my face. My legs were exposed. The blanket had slipped while I was sleeping, and I hadn’t even realized it. I quickly pulled it over myself, feeling embarrassed. His gaze shifted, but there was something different in his eyes, something unreadable. He sat on the edge of the bed, and my body tensed. When our faces drew closer, I felt something strange. A jolt. An energy I couldn’t explain. It made my chest tighten and sent panic shooting through me. I immediately pulled away. My heart was racing. My breaths became shallow as I tried to calm myself down. Dominic looked at me closely, his expression unreadable. “Do you want to be strong?” he asked. I nodded hesitantly, even though his question felt sudden and caught me off guard. “Yes.” “Good. Because I’m going to train you.”
Lance’s POV The ceremony was finally over. I returned straight to the pack house, expecting to find Cassie waiting inside, just like she always did. Like a loyal dog. But before I could even reach the door, a familiar voice called out behind me. “Lance, where are you going?” I stopped walking and turned around. It was Arielle. I clenched my jaw. “What are you doing here? Why did you follow me?” She stepped closer, wearing that same smug expression she always had when she thought she was winning. “Are you seriously going back to her?” she asked. “I already announced to everyone that you’re mine, and that I’m yours. You didn’t even stop me. That must mean something. It means you don’t care about her anymore, right? Wherever she is now, it doesn’t matter to you.” I stared at her for a long moment before smirking widely. “You’re the only woman I’ve ever loved,” I said, my voice low but firm. “You’re the one I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. But I need Cassie beside me now.” Arielle’s face froze for a second, but I didn’t stop. “I told you before, Cassie was just a placeholder. Someone I used while you weren’t around.” She gave me a tight smile. “It’s okay. I understand,” she replied like it was nothing. “But now I’m back. I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere this time. So I should be the one living in that house with you. Not her. Kick Cassie out.” I went still. “No,” I said coldly. “I’m not kicking Cassie out.” “What?” she snapped. “Why not?” I stepped closer, locking my gaze on hers. “Arielle, there’s a lot you don’t know. It’s better if you just trust me on this, why I need her.” “But—” “End of discussion,” I said firmly. “I need rest,” I added. “And I need to talk to Cassie, to teach her a lesson. I’ll visit you tomorrow. Don’t worry.” I turned my back on her and walked toward the door of the house. I stepped inside without looking back. But of course, Arielle followed. “No, Lance! Get back here!” she yelled. “You can’t be serious! Tell me what’s going on and why you need her! For fuck’s sake! I don’t like that you’re keeping things from me! You chose me, and I’m going to be your Luna anyway. You should tell me!” I groaned in frustration, wishing she would just shut up. I ignored her, not in the mood to argue any longer. As soon as I entered the pack house, I shouted her name. “Cassie!” No response. I froze, my heartbeat echoing in my ears. The house was too quiet. The air felt heavy, like something was wrong. Footsteps approached behind me, and I turned to see Arielle standing there. She was looking around the place, confused and slightly anxious. “Did she run away?” she asked. Her question hit me like a slap. The idea hadn’t crossed my mind, until now. “No,” I said firmly, shaking my head. “She couldn’t have!” But doubt started creeping in. I stormed down the hallway and started searching. I checked every room, every corner, every drawer. I opened closets, looked under the bed, even tore through our shared room. Nothing. Her scent had faded. She wasn’t here. She really left. I clenched my fists. My chest tightened with panic and anger. I couldn’t let this happen. I wouldn’t! I turned to Arielle, eyes burning. “She can’t just run away like that!” Without waiting for her to respond, I rushed out of the pack house. I didn’t care about anything else. Cassie was my priority now! I immediately summoned members of my elite tribe. “Find her,” I ordered, my voice sharp and commanding. “Track her down, now!” “Why, Alpha?” one of them asked. “What’s going on?” “Cassie, she ran away!” I snapped. “And I don’t want her running from me. Make sure to find where she is. I don’t care what it takes, just bring her back!” From behind, Arielle was watching the scene unfold, disbelief written all over her face. “Why would you want her back?” she said loudly, stepping forward. “Isn’t this the exact outcome we wanted? We pushed her to leave! That was the point, right? We don’t need her anymore!” I turned to face her. She was angry, confused, and honestly, she had every right to be. But she didn’t understand. “You don’t know Cassie,” I said coldly. “You never did. I’ve been with her longer. I know her better than anyone.” “Then tell me what it is,” she demanded. “What do you know that I don’t?” I didn’t answer her. Instead, I walked off with purpose, heading straight to the Grand Hall. “Lance!” she called out behind me, but I ignored her. When she finally caught up, I was already in my office, rummaging through a locked drawer. I pulled out a folder, Cassie’s family file. Something I had been keeping hidden, just in case. I slammed the file down on the desk and flipped it open. “What is that?” she asked, stepping closer. “I had a hunch,” I muttered. “Cassie… she’s not just some random she-wolf. She comes from a bloodline that carries something…something powerful.” “What do you mean?” she asked, narrowing her eyes. I looked at her, dead serious. “Power. Enough to kill anyone. Enough to destroy entire packs, if she wanted to. She just doesn’t know how to use it yet.” Arielle went silent. “That’s why I need her back,” I continued. “Not as my Luna. That part of our relationship is already over. But as my warrior. My secret weapon. My pet, if I have to call it that.” She stared at me like I’d completely lost it. “So now you want her back just to use her?” “Yes,” I said, not blinking. “Because we can use her. That kind of strength? That kind of power? We’d be fools to let it slip away.” Arielle didn’t speak. She just stood there, trying to process everything. But I didn’t care what she thought. I had already made up my mind. Cassie was too valuable. Too important. I couldn’t afford to lose her, not now, not ever. Even if I had to hunt her down myself.
It took me a few days before I could finally feel okay again. I needed time to recover, physically and emotionally. “Cassie, are you sure you want to attend this training?” he asked, concern written all over his face. “The training ground here is no joke. It’s brutal. Alpha Dominic runs things differently. This isn’t like what you’re used to. And you’re new here.” He paused, like he was hoping I’d change my mind. “It’s okay if you need more time. There’s no pressure. No one’s rushing you.” I looked at him, my heart clenching a little. I appreciated his concern, really, but I knew I couldn’t hide forever. “I understand your concern, Adrian,” I said softly. “But I don’t want to stay weak. I need to get stronger. I need to be able to protect myself… and you. I can’t just sit around after what Lance and his family did to us. I can’t accept that. We need justice for our parents. We need to bring back our family’s name.” He let out a sharp breath, frustrated but calm. “I get that you’re angry. I really do. But revenge isn’t something we rush into, Cassie. When we let anger lead us, we make stupid choices.” I clenched my fists tightly, avoiding his gaze. “You wouldn’t understand,” I muttered. “Then help me understand,” he pushed gently. “What happened to you? Are you hiding something from me?” He stepped closer. “I’m your brother. You can trust me.” I looked at him, and for a moment, my walls started to crumble. I nearly cried. Seeing him again after everything that happened brought emotions I wasn’t ready to face. We had just reunited. And yet, I was already keeping secrets from him. “I… I—” I didn’t get to finish my sentence. A voice cut through the air. “Cassie, are you ready?” It was Dominic. He appeared beside us, arms crossed, eyes sharp as ever. He looked at me like he was assessing whether I was worth his time. I inhaled deeply and met his gaze. “Yes. I’m ready.” I turned to Adrian one last time. “I’ll be going now.” Before he could say anything else, I walked past him and followed Dominic. We made our way toward the training ground in silence. I could feel the tension in the air as we approached the area. When we finally arrived, I noticed a group of warriors already standing there. Some of them were watching me curiously. Others looked… unimpressed. I swallowed hard. I wasn’t used to this. I hadn’t trained in a long time. My skills were rusty, and my strength was far from what it used to be. I could feel their eyes judging me, like they already decided I didn’t belong here. Dominic didn’t say anything. He simply walked ahead and motioned for me to follow. I did. As I stood in the middle of the training ground, Dominic faced me with a cold, unreadable expression. “Are you ready?” “I’m ready,” I told him, trying to hide the fear building up in my chest. He gave a small nod. But the moment I blinked, he was gone. I barely had time to react. Because out of nowhere, Dominic attacked. His speed was unreal. In a blink, he was already in front of me, and I didn’t even see it coming. His body slammed into mine, and I hit the ground hard. My back ached. Pain shot through me as I groaned, curling up slightly from the impact. “Fuck!” I cursed under my breath. “You’re too slow,” Dominic snapped, his voice sharp and cold. “I won’t accept someone like you, someone who moves like a snail and can’t fight back.” He paced in front of me as I struggled to sit up. His voice thundered across the field, commanding attention. “The warriors here, I’ve trained them myself. I honed their strength and instincts. Their stamina rivals that of rogue wolves. And the enemies we face… they don’t wait for you to be ready.” I tried to get back on my feet, using everything I had left, but he didn’t give me time to breathe. In a flash, he grabbed me, flipped me, and threw me back to the ground. I hit the ground harder this time. The air was knocked out of my lungs, and a sharp pain shot up my ribs. I groaned again, unable to hold it back. Somewhere in the background, I heard Adrian shout my name. “Cassie!” His voice was full of panic but he couldn’t get close. He wasn’t allowed to interfere. That was the rule. I coughed. And then again. Until I felt the metallic taste in my mouth. Blood. I was coughing up blood. My hands trembled slightly as I wiped my lips and looked up. Dominic stood above me, looking down like he was studying me. Then, he bent down, getting close. Too close. His sharp eyes locked with mine. I froze. He reached out and grabbed my chin, forcing me to look at him. “You can’t hide things from me, Cassie,” he said in a low voice. “I know you’re keeping something. I can see it in your eyes.” My eyes widened. Panic shot through me. Does he know I’m pregnant? Did he hear something from the healer? Did someone tell him? Suddenly, when his fingers held my chin, I felt a strange jolt of energy run through my body. It was powerful. Electric. No…It’s impossible. I pulled away from him, my body weak, but my instincts screaming at me to get some distance. Dominic stood back up. He felt it. “Someone else will train you from now on. Someone who will push you past your limits. You have to be strong. Or else… I’ll have you removed from this pack.” Then, he turned his back on me and walked away, just like that. I was left on the ground, catching my breath, barely holding myself together. Moments later, Adrian rushed to my side. “Cassie! Are you okay?” he asked, kneeling beside me. “He didn’t have to be that harsh—” But I didn’t respond. Because right then… something flashed in my mind. A vision… It played in my head like a scene from a dream. Dominic. He was talking to someone. A woman. I couldn’t hear the words. I couldn’t make sense of it. But she looked familiar. Too familiar. “Cassie?” Adrian asked again, but I was already lost in that strange vision. Something wasn’t right.
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