Benita's POV My 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, Lun
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
Benita’s POV I was combing my hair in front of the mirror when the door to my room burst open. Theo and Lila rushed in, their faces filled with panic and worry. “Theo, Lila? What is it?” I asked while abruptly getting to my feet. Theo was the first to speak, his voice trembling. “Mother, it's Father. We were with him, playing in his room, and he just fainted,” Theo said in panic. My heart stopped. “What?” I gasped and didn't give it a second thought before racing toward Nathan’s room. I raced down the hall, my heart hammering in my chest. The thought of Nathan collapsing filled me with fear. Had he been hiding an illness? Had something happened while I wasn’t looking? I didn’t stop until I reached his room, pushing the door open with force. “Nathan…" But I froze. The sight before me was nothing like what I had feared. Instead of finding him unconscious on the floor, I saw roses—dozens of them—scattered across the floor, their petals creating a sea of red. White candles flic
Benita’s POV Darius tightened his grip on my arms, holding me as I struggled to breathe. My entire body trembled, my mind spinning. A plane crash. Nathan had been on that flight. I swallowed the lump in my throat, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. “Have you tried reaching him through the mind link?” My voice came out shaky. Darius's jaw tightened, his expression filled with worry. Just like me, he was on the verge of crying. “I did. There's no response.” My wolf whimpered inside me, her fear echoing my own. I sucked in a deep breath, forcing myself to stay upright. “I have to try.” Closing my eyes, I focused on the bond, the connection that tied me to Nathan—the mate I had been so cruel to last night. My heart raced as I reached out, calling for him through the link. “Nathan?” Silence. I tried again, panic gripping me. “Nathan, please. Answer me.” Nothing. Tears spilled down my cheeks. “No… no, no, no.” My voice cracked as I shook my head. He couldn't be gone.
Benita’s POVI hated myself.I hated myself for what I had done.Nathan had gone through all that trouble—setting up a beautiful dinner on the rooftop, trying to make things right between us—and I had turned him down. Again.And for what? Because of Nikita? Because of the way I had seen them together earlier? Because jealousy had wrapped itself around my heart and squeezed so tight that I couldn’t think straight?How could I be so cruel?My heart tore even more as I stepped into my room, shutting the door behind me. My heart pounded in my chest, and my feet itched to turn back—to go back to the rooftop, to tell him I was sorry, to sit at that table he had set just for me.But I held myself back.I had already hurt him tonight. What good would it do to show up now when he had probably already left?I swallowed hard and climbed into bed, pulling the blanket over myself. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept replaying the look in his eyes, the way his voice had s
Alpha Nathan's POV I held the roses in my hand and sucked in a deep breath to compose myself. I was so nervous, like it was my first date with a woman. Well, it might not be my first date, but it was the most important. I placed a soft knock on the door, and Benita’s soft voice asked me in. I held the doorknob and pushed it open, then stepped in. Stepping in, I expected to see Benita halfway dressed, but she wasn’t. Rather, she was dressed in her nightwear like she was about to go to bed. I stood frozen, gripping the roses in my hand as my heart raced in my chest. I had expected to see Benita halfway dressed, preparing for our date, maybe even looking forward to it. Instead, she was wrapped in silk nightwear, her long hair cascading down her shoulders as she looked at me with a calm expression. “You’re ready for bed?” I finally asked, my voice betraying the disappointment I tried to hide. She sighed, shifting on her feet. “Nathan, I… I don’t feel like going anywhere tonight. You
Darius’ POV I drove into my apartment, feeling exhausted. Getting out of the car, the men stationed at my home welcomed me, and I responded with a curt nod as I made my way toward the sitting room. In the living room, I met Marta, Oscar’s nanny. “Welcome, sir,” Marta greeted, and I nodded, looking around, searching for my boy. “He went to bed early,” Marta announced, as if she could read my thoughts. I nodded. “Becca?” I asked, referring to Oscar’s mom. Marta frowned. “I have no idea. She left right after you did and hasn’t returned since.” I was surprised, but that was typical Becca lifestyle. She’d leave early in the morning and wouldn’t return until past midnight, stumbling in reeking of alcohol and sex. Yes, sex. Despite having a child with me, despite living under my roof, Becca still sees other men, and according to her, I can’t tell her what to do. I can’t control her because she is just my baby mama; she isn’t my mate or my wife. But how can I think of settling down wi
Alpha Nathan’s POV “Do you want the maids to get you something?” I asked Nikita, who sat on the bed, looking lost in thought. “No, I’m fine, Nathan. Thank you,” she replied, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Concerned, I moved closer, sitting beside her before pulling her into a hug. She rested her head on my shoulder, a familiar gesture—one that had always comforted her when she was upset. “It’s okay, Nikita,” I murmured, running a soothing hand down her back. “It’s not the end of the world, and you know that.” “You won’t understand, Nathan…” she paused, lifted her head from my shoulder, and looked me straight in the eyes. “Can’t you see my stomach? Don’t you notice something different?” Frowning, I glanced down at her stomach. It was slightly bloated, as if she'd eaten a lot, or… Realization dawned, and my eyes widened. “You’re pregnant?” I asked in shock, already knowing the answer. Nikita nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Yes, Nathan. I’m almost three mon
Benita’s POV A knock landed on my door, and by the alluring familiar scent, I knew it was Nathan. “The door is open,” I said softly, and after a few seconds, the door pushed open, and Nathan walked in, slowly shutting the door behind him. I looked up from the book in my hands, watching as he crossed the room with slow, measured steps. “Good day,” he greeted, a small smile spreading across his face. “Good day,” I responded plainly while ignoring the howling of my wolf at his smell. His scent was so intoxicating that I was doing my best not to sniff the air. “The kids aren’t back yet?” he asked. I shook my head. A moment of silence hung in the air before Nathan spoke. “I got you something,” he said while bringing out a box from his pant pocket. I watched him open the small velvet box and take out a silver bracelet. My fingers curled instinctively, resisting the urge to reach for it. “For you,” he said, his voice softer than usual. I swallowed, my throat tightening. “
Nathan's POV My heart raced in my chest while my wolf, who was frightened, went silent. This was the most critical moment of our lives, we had never been this terrified before. “This is my verdict,” Lycan Kent began, and I held my breath. “It is true that Alpha Nathan was found guilty of all the charges laid against him.” He paused, and I continued holding my breath, my eyes fixed on him. “ But he was under a spell. And while being under a spell does not justify his actions, it does change the intent behind them. Just as Lady Benita pleaded, I will take the children into consideration. Therefore, after careful deliberation, I have decided to grant him a second chance.” A murmur spread through the crowd, some in agreement, others clearly displeased. My heart was still hammering, and my wolf remained eerily silent, as if still processing what had just been said. Lycan Kent’s sharp gaze swept over the assembly before returning to me. “However, this does not mean Benita remains wif
Benita’s POV “The trial is about to begin,” Xavier announced as he stepped into the room. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I stared at my reflection in the mirror one last time. My lips pressed into a thin line as I exhaled softly. Without another word, I followed Xavier out of the room. The trial was being held in the courtroom, a separate building attached to the mansion. As we walked closer, an inexplicable unease settled over me. It wasn’t for myself—I wasn’t the one on trial. It was for Nathan. I couldn’t shake the heavy, suffocating worry I felt for him. When we reached the courthouse doors, the guards stationed there stepped aside, opening the entrance for us. Xavier led me inside, and the moment I crossed the threshold, my eyes instinctively sought him out. Nathan. He was seated in the accused booth, his head slightly bowed. When his gaze lifted, our eyes met, and I felt a pang in my chest. The life in his eyes—the spark I had always seen in him—was gone. I swallowe