Benita's POVMy eyes were swollen from crying all night. It was already a new day, and I hadn’t closed my eyes even once throughout the night.My whole body ached, but the physical pain was nothing compared to the pain in my heart. I felt miserable, and for a moment, I thought of dying. I wished I had died in place of Nina—it would have been better than living this life of horror.A soft knock sounded at my door, but I refused to respond. After a moment, the door slowly opened, and I lifted my head from the pillow to see Luna Anita entering, her face filled with concern. She walked over to my bed, sitting beside me, and gently began to stroke my hair. A soft sigh escaped my lips at her tender gesture, and for a fleeting moment, I felt a spark of comfort, knowing that someone truly cared.“How are you, dear?” Luna Anita asked softly, but I couldn’t bring myself to answer. My lips wouldn’t move, and it felt as if I had lost my voice entirely.Not getting a response from me, Luna Anita s
Benita’s POV I picked up the paper from the floor, my hands trembling as I scanned the bold heading: Rules, Regulations, and Duties boldly written on the heading of the paper. I furrowed my brow and met Nathan's cold gaze. His face was unreadable, the cigar in his hand releasing a thin trail of smoke that filled the room with a harsh, bitter scent. “I believe you went to school, so read it out,” Nathan demanded, his voice devoid of emotion. I swallowed hard, feeling a lump in my throat. My wolf stirred uneasily, urging me to show strength, but I felt so small in that moment, like a helpless pawn in his twisted game. With a shaky breath, I began to read aloud, forcing my voice to remain steady even though my insides quaked. “Rule one,” I started, “Never address me without using my title.” Nathan’s eyes narrowed slightly as he leaned back in his chair, observing me with impatience and satisfaction. I continued, feeling a pit of dread forming in my stomach. “Rule two: seek
Benita’s POVThe beeping sound of the alarm jolted me up from my sleep. Slowly, I got down from the bed and didn’t bother to say my prayers; for the past few days, I had stopped believing in God or the Moon Goddess. If they really listened, they’d never have mated me to a man who hates me. They would never allow me to endure such a life of pain.My eyes went to the wall clock, and I realized it was 5:30. According to Alpha Nathan's former maid, she had informed me that Nathan takes coffee every morning exactly at 6 a.m. Now that it's my duty to make and serve his coffee. I sighed tiredly, undressed, and went into the bathroom. Standing in the running shower, I thought about what had happened yesterday in Nathan's study. I recalled the rules and duties he had set for me, and my heart ached. I was married to him, but I would be living like a maid, his personal maid.“I believe all this will be over soon,” my wolf tried to encourage me, but I ignored her and stepped out of the shower.I
Alpha Nathan's POVI didn’t have a reason for pouring the hot coffee on her, but I just got annoyed and decided to do it.The coffee dripped down her face and soaked into her dress. I waited for her to react or say something, but she didn’t, and that annoyed me even more.“Can you not even do something as simple as making coffee correctly?” I sneered. “You’re more useless than I thought.”My words got to her, but her gaze remained fixed on the floor, swallowing down the anger that threatened to spill over. My wolf howled angrily at me, but I ignored him.“Is there anything else you’d like me to do, Alpha?” she asked, and I let out a bitter scoff.“I want you to learn how to make coffee properly. If you can’t even do that, you’re just proving what a waste of a wife you are,” I sneered and waved my hand dismissively at her.She didn’t wait a second longer, carrying the tray and sprinting out of the room while I watched her, my eyes falling on her ass. I hated to admit it, but she did ha
Alpha Nathan’s POV “Alpha Nathan, you’re here?” Melissa, our pack seer, looked startled to see me standing alone at her door. “Yes, Melissa. I need to talk to you,” I said, my patience already running out. Melissa, a middle-aged woman with long red hair and sharp brown eyes, gave me a curious look before stepping aside to let me in. She closed the door and led me to the couch. I took a seat, and she settled onto the couch opposite me. “I need you to see this,” I said, getting straight to the point. I reached into my jacket pocket, pulling out the small wooden sculpture, and held it out to her. Melisa furrowed her brow and took the wooden sculpture from me. I watched her carefully examine it before her frown deepened, and then she looked up at me. “This was a spell, Alpha Nathan. Someone was trying or has cast a spell on you and probably your wolf. Where did you find it?” The seer asked with curiosity, and my rage intensified, confirming my suspicions were right. “It can’t be tr
Benita’s POV“Benita!” Nathan’s loud voice echoed through the hallway, and before I could understand what was happening, the door to my room burst open, and a furious Nathan stormed in.Terrified, I stood on my feet, but he rushed over to where I was, and before I could get the chance to ask what was happening, he threw a box right at me. I couldn’t dodge it in time, and the box hit me across the face, injuring me in the process.“How dare you,” Nathan yelled in rage, his voice vibrating through the walls of my small room.With my face aching from the hit, I moved my gaze toward the box on the floor and frowned when I realized it was open. Not only that, but I noticed pictures scattered on the floor.“I believe you recognize this box!” Nathan spat, pointing at the open box. Ignoring Nathan’s loud yells, I bent down and picked up the first picture my hand could reach. My brow furrowed when I realized it was a picture of Nathan and Nina, but there was something unusual about it—they did
Benita's POV“Don’t make me repeat myself, bitch! Undo the spell you cast on my wolf, or else I will kill you and break the spell myself,” he threatened. His words weren’t mere threats.“Nathan… I didn’t do this. Please, trust me—this could be a setup; someone is framing me!” I pleaded desperately, but my pleas only intensified his anger as the rage in his eyes deepened.“Before the count of ten, Benita, undo this spell,” he spat with rage.With a pounding heart, I stared at the photos scattered on the floor and then at the wooden sculpture. I didn’t know who had done it or how it was found in my room, but I knew whoever was behind this wanted me to pay for Nina’s death. I realized that apart from Nathan, who hated me for Nina’s death, my parents also blamed me. They despised me for the loss of their precious daughter. But would they go as far as setting me up, just to make me pay for a situation I had no control over?“One… two…” Nathan’s loud counting snapped me out of my thoughts a
Benita’s POVI slowly opened my eyes, and the first thing that hit me was the ache spreading across my body. My muscles screamed in protest as I shifted, trying to sit up. I blinked in confusion, realizing I was no longer tied to the rough wood where Alpha Nathan had left me. Instead, I was in an empty, cold cell.My brow furrowed as I glanced around the dimly lit room, my gaze landing on the iron gate that separated me from the outside. I felt the coldness against my skin, and looking down, I noticed that I was wearing a new dress, unfamiliar and uncomfortable. My hands and feet were chained together, securing me to the stone floor.Tears blurred my eyes as the realization of my situation settled on me, but I didn’t have much time to dwell on it. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching, and instantly, I knew it was Nathan through his scent.When he appeared before my gate, our gazes interlocked, and we looked into each other’s eyes. He glared at me with hate and anger, and I returned
Alpha Nathan’s POVWhen we reached the grand hall, Alpha Zach was already waiting. The moment his eyes landed on Benita, a warm smile spread across his face. He strode toward her with confidence and stopped right in front of her.“Lady Benita,” he said, his voice deep and charming. Without hesitation, he took both of her hands in his, pressing tender kisses to each one. “It is an honor to finally meet you.”I stiffened, my wolf growling low in my mind. The sight of another man touching her, no matter how innocent it seemed, made my blood boil.Benita, on the other hand, looked startled. “I… I’m sorry, do I know you?”Alpha Zach chuckled, his eyes sparkling with admiration. “Not personally, but your reputation precedes you. Your healing skills are known throughout my pack, and I had to see for myself the woman behind such incredible abilities. Now that I have, I must say, the stories don’t do you justice.”He let go of her hands, but not before his gaze lingered, taking in her features
Alpha Nathan’s POVAfter laying Benita on the bed, I pulled the blanket over her and called for a maid to watch her until I returned.When I walked into my study, Darius was already waiting for me.“You sent for me? Is everything okay?” he asked, his eyes filled with concern.I shook my head and sank heavily into my chair. “Benita’s parents… they’re not her biological parents,” I revealed, my voice low.Darius didn’t look the least bit surprised. Instead, he leaned back, arms crossed. “Oh? How did you find out?”His calm reaction caught me off guard. I narrowed my eyes at him. “You don’t seem surprised, Darius,” I said, studying his expression.He shrugged nonchalantly and settled into the chair across from me. “I had my suspicions. Think about it, Nathan. If they were her real parents, they’d never treat her the way they did. It was obvious.”He wasn’t wrong. Memories of Benita’s isolated existence in that household surfaced in my mind—how Nina was the golden child while Benita was t
Benita’s POV “What truth?” My voice trembled as I forced the words out. Pain throbbed through my entire body, but I pushed it aside. I needed to know. Needed to hear what they’d kept from me. “What truth? Tell me!” I demanded impatiently. I was still in Alpha Nathan’s arms, who was seated on the floor. My head was resting on his chest, finding comfort in his embrace. Mother and Father exchanged glances, their guilt, and hesitation obvious on their faces. Finally, Mother turned towards me, her frail hands trembling as she clasped them together. Her voice was low, almost apologetic. “Benita, there’s something we should have told you a long time ago,” she began, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears. “What is it?” I pressed, my voice barely above a whisper. She hesitated again, looking at Father as though seeking his approval. He nodded, his face lined with an emotion I couldn’t quite place. “We aren’t your biological parents,” she confessed, her voice breaking. For a moment, I co
Benita’s POV The car stopped in front of a familiar building. A building I was supposed to consider my home—the place where I had spent twenty long years of my life. But calling it home felt like a cruel joke. This building wasn’t home; it was a prison—a place that held countless painful memories I had fought so hard to forget. I stepped out hesitantly, my heart heavy with pain as the memories began to rush back like a dam breaking. I could almost hear the sharp, disapproving tone of my mother, berating me for every little thing. “Benita, why are you so useless? Why can’t you be like your sister?” The comparisons were endless, and regardless of what I did, I was never good enough in her eyes. I remembered the countless nights I cried myself to sleep, clutching a pillow to muffle the sounds of my sobs so no one would hear. Not that they would’ve cared. Mother always dismissed my tears, claiming they were manipulative or weak. “Stop crying. You’re just doing it for attention. No o
Benita’s POV My father’s face went pale, his body trembling as the weight of my demand hit him. Gasps filled the air as the infected members of the pack reacted to my words in stunned disbelief. “If you can do that, then I will heal your precious wife. But if you can’t, then…” I trailed off, looking away from him as I focused on the little girl who had been standing longer than expected. I smiled at her and healed her, then gestured for the next child to step forward. Just as I was about to begin, my father spoke. “I will speak.” Gasps rippled through the courtyard as my father knelt before me, trembling, his face as pale as a ghost. His hands shook as he clasped them together, desperation written all over his tear-streaked face. “I’ll speak,” he choked out again, his voice barely audible. The infected pack members standing nearby exchanged stunned looks, their murmurs filling the courtyard. Even Nathan stood still, his eyes narrowing as if trying to piece together the pu
Benita's POVI was healing the remaining infected children in the courtyard when I noticed my father walking toward me. His presence alone was enough to make my chest tighten, but I kept my focus on the little girl in front of me. He didn’t stop until he was standing a few feet away, his expression a mix of surprise and desperation.“Benita,” he said, his voice shaky as he reached out for me. Without thinking, I pulled my hand away, my frown deepening.“Please, you have to come with me. Your mother… she’s at home, dying,” he said, panic and desperation in his voice.There was a time when hearing something like that would’ve shaken me to my core. I would’ve dropped everything, rushed to her side, and done whatever I could to save her. She was my mother, after all. She birthed me. But that was five years ago. That naive, forgiving version of me was long gone.“I’m sorry, I can’t go with you,” I said, turning my attention back to the little girl in front of me.My father dropped to his k
Benita’s POV“So, Theo, what’s your favorite color?” Lady Anita, Alpha Nathan’s mother, asked as we sat around the table having breakfast.“Red,” Theo answered confidently. “Because it looks so good on Mom,” he added, grinning brightly. His words brought a smile to my face, but when I glanced at Nathan, who was seated at the far end of the table, my smile faded.Our eyes met, and for a moment, I was pulled back to the events that had transpired in his room just minutes ago. The memory sent an unwanted warmth to my cheeks. I quickly broke the gaze, focusing on Theo instead.You’re five years old, right?” Lady Anita continued, her voice filled with curiosity.“Yes,” Theo nodded. “But I’ll be six soon,” he added with pride.Lady Anita’s expression brightened. “When’s your birthday, sweetheart?”I expected Theo to reply with a straightforward answer. After all, that’s what any child his age would do. But, as always, Theo had a way of surprising me.He turned his sharp little eyes to Natha
Nathan’s POV “Fine,” she spat, and I froze. I hadn’t expected her to agree. I was teasing her, daring her, fully expecting she'd snap back and storm out. But Benita shocked me by not backing down. I watched, stunned, as her hands moved to the zipper at the back of her dress. My smirk faltered, my breath catching in my throat as I realized she was serious. The soft sound of the zipper lowering seemed to echo in the room, and I couldn’t tear my eyes away as the fabric slipped from her shoulders. My gaze traveled down the curve of her body, over the soft, warm flesh that had haunted my dreams for years. The dress fell to her waist, revealing a matching black lace bra that hugged her full, round breasts perfectly. I swallowed hard, my wolf stirring restlessly in the back of my mind. She paused for a moment, glancing at me with challenge and hesitation. It was as if she was daring me to look away—but I couldn’t. Then, without breaking eye contact, she pulled the dress down fur
Benita’s POV I gently kissed Theo’s forehead as he slept peacefully beside me, his small frame rising and falling with each soft breath. Pulling the blanket over myself, I turned off the lights and closed my eyes, hoping for sleep to take me. But no matter how hard I tried, it wouldn’t come. My mind was restless, a certain man haunting my thoughts. Moments ago, he was here, acting like the perfect father he should have been to Theo, but it seemed Theo didn’t want to have any relationship with him. Somehow, I felt pity for Alpha Nathan. Despite how hard he tried to hide it, I could still notice the hurt in his eyes when Theo lied to him, claiming he was tired just to avoid interacting with him. But who is to blame? It’s him and no one else. “Are you certain about divorcing him and rejecting him? He seems different now, like he’s changed,” my wolf whispered, her voice tinged with concern. I scoffed in response, my anger flaring. “I don’t care if he’s changed or not. I’m done wit