Benita’s POVA low murmur erupted from the crowd when Nathan gave the go-ahead for me to be hanged. I could hear the soft whimper of my wolf as she howled in pain. Slowly, my eyes met Nathan's, and for a moment, neither of us looked away. Staring at him, I couldn’t believe this man was my mate. How could a mate agree to the sentence of his mate? What kind of man had the Moon Goddess bound me to?“You will be hanged three hours from now. Guards, take her back to the cell,” the magistrate declared, and the two guards who had brought me to the council hall grabbed both my arms and dragged me away. As I was being dragged out of the hall, my eyes met Nathan’s, and for a moment, maybe I saw something like concern and worry in his eyes, but I shook my head. It was obvious I was seeing wrong.Reaching the cell, I was shoved into it, and the gates were locked.Inhaling deeply, I sat on the cold floor, rested my back against the wall, and closed my eyes. I couldn’t believe it—I would be killed
Benita’s POVFor a long moment, neither of us said a word to each other, simply staring at each other until I finally decided to break the silence. “What do you want, Alpha Nathan?” I asked angrily, but Nathan didn’t say a word. Instead, he just kept staring at me like he was trying to read through me.“I believe your wish is coming true, isn’t it?” I spat with hatred, but he still didn’t respond. His face twisted with anger, which annoyed me even more.Another moment of silence hung in the air before he took a step closer to me and squatted before me, our eyes interlocked. “You have just thirty minutes left, and I want to give you another chance, even though you don’t deserve it. But I just want to help you…” He paused, glancing at me with a blank look that made it difficult to read him.“Confess to the crime, undo the spell you cast on my wolf, and I’ll make sure you get a lighter jail sentence,” he offered, waiting for me to respond.I scoffed in anger, shaking my head before looki
Nathan's POVI watched her as they led her to the gallows, while my chest was heavy with anger and something else I couldn’t place. She walked with her head held high, defiant, refusing to show even a sign of fear. Benita. The woman I’d sworn to hate, the woman I’d married only to torment, now stood before the crowd like a martyr, and somehow, that angered me even more.My fists clenched, and I forced myself to keep my gaze cold and blank. She was guilty. Everything pointed to her. I’d found those items in her room, and I knew what they meant. But as I stared at her, a nagging doubt crept into my mind—an unease I couldn’t shake. Was it possible she was innocent? And if she was… what would it mean for me to stand here and watch her die?I had been so certain, so determined to see her punished for the chaos she had brought upon my life, yet now, as she faced death, a pang of doubt twisted in my chest.The elder’s voice rang out, each word making me more uneasy. “Benita, you have been fo
Benita’s POVWith ragged breaths, I lay on the bed, watching as he unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall to the floor. My heart pounded, and I swallowed hard, my gaze fixed on him as he slid off his jeans, leaving him in nothing but his underwear. His eyes never left mine as he slipped out of his last piece of clothing, standing naked before me, giving me a glimpse of his hardened length.I believe you like what you see,” he murmured, his voice rough with desire as he climbed onto the bed. Swiftly, he tore my clothes away until I was left in just my bra and panties. His gaze was fierce, his hands rough as he lifted himself off me to unclasp my bra, tossing it aside. Without hesitation, he tore off my panties, leaving me completely naked beneath him.“Stay away from me,” I grunted in anger and tried moving away, but he pinned me to the bed. Every nerve in my body was on fire, a mix of anger and something else that I didn’t want to admit. I was furious, hurt, betrayed—and yet, I found my
Nathan’s POVWatching her lying there, catching her breath, should have felt like a victory. Instead, I was left with this messy mix of anger and something else I didn’t want to admit. The way she looked at me—full of hate and something more—set every nerve on edge, making me feel like I was losing control.She fell back onto the bed, her gaze locking with mine. For a second, I hesitated, feeling an urge to keep her close. But I pushed it down, clenching my jaw. I needed her to leave before I completely lost my grip.“Get out,” I snapped, my voice colder than I meant. I just needed her gone, needed to stop feeling so much.Benita got up from the bed and began putting on her clothes, and I couldn’t help but gawk at her. She might not have my favorite type of body, but damn, she was alluring in her own way. My eyes landed on her breasts, which were on display, and I groaned, looking away as I covered myself.After she finished dressing in the torn dress, she didn’t say a word to me, but
Nathan’s POV“What do you want from me, Nathan?”Benita’s sea-blue eyes pinned me in place, demanding an answer I didn’t have. Vulnerable, defiant—she had this way of looking at me that made my chest tighten and my mind spin. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to pull myself together, but the knot of emotions inside me refused to untangle.What did I want from her? Revenge? Control? Or was it something deeper, something darker, something I couldn’t even admit to myself? My wolf stirred restlessly, growling low in the back of my mind.I dropped onto the edge of the bed, putting space between us, my head falling into my hands. My gaze shifted to the floor, where my own release had spilled. I couldn’t believe I had just had sex with Benita—and worse, that I had enjoyed it.“What I want,” I said, my voice rough and unsteady, “is for you to undo the spell on me. Stop pretending you’re innocent when we both know what you did.”Her expression didn’t waver, but for the first time, I saw it—
Benita’s POVI watched Nathan storm out of my room, slamming the door hard behind him. Swallowing my pain, I sat on the bed and rubbed my hands over my face. I couldn’t explain it, but something seemed different about Nathan—or maybe I was just imagining things.My eyes darted to his cum on the floor, and my eyes narrowed. Nathan had sex with me, and he came? How is that possible? I thought someone only came when they enjoyed the sex and were satisfied with it. Does it mean Nathan enjoyed the sex we just had? But how is that possible? He hates me and thinks I used a spell on his wolf, so why would he release after fucking me? My mind swirled with questions as I stared at his cum on the floor. This was the first time he’d released, and I didn’t know what to think of it.“Perhaps he has come to terms with our bond,” my wolf spoke, but I scoffed in disbelief and shook my head. That was impossible; that was never happening. Nathan will always love one woman, and that is Nina. He will neve
Nathan’s POV “If you despise me so much, then why can’t you stay away? Why do you think about me, Nathan? Why do you want me?” Benita questioned, and for a moment, I couldn’t respond. I was so confused, so lost in the whirlwind of emotions I didn’t understand. Why had my thoughts shifted from Nina to her? Why was she all I could think about? All through the night, I had been unable to sleep. Ever since leaving her room and returning to mine, my mind had been consumed by Benita. Her scent lingered in my senses, her words echoed in my ears, and the feel of her skin against mine replayed in my mind like a forbidden melody I couldn’t silence. I clenched my fists, trying to suppress the gnawing pull of the bond I had spent so long denying. But no matter how hard I tried, it refused to let me go. She was everywhere—her voice, her touch, her defiance—it all haunted me. “Because of the fucking spell!” I grunted. “Benita, you have cast a spell on me. Undo it!” I demanded angrily, but Benit
Benita’s POV I woke up to the gentle rays of sunlight streaming through the curtains, warming my skin. My body felt heavy yet comforted, cocooned in the soft blankets. For a moment, I forgot everything—the pain, the tears, the world outside this room. Then I noticed the steady rise and fall of the chest I was nestled against, the warm, firm body beside me. My heart skipped as I tilted my head slightly, only to find Nathan sleeping soundly next to me. My breath hitched. He was shirtless, the sharp lines of his chest and abdomen illuminated by the sunlight. His tanned skin glowed, the faint scars scattered across his torso only adding to his rugged appeal. His chiseled jaw was relaxed in sleep, his dark lashes resting softly against his cheeks. And he looked so… peaceful. So lovable, even. Different from the Alpha I knew—a man who had tormented me, broken me in ways I couldn’t put into words. I should hate him. I do hate him. But damn it, why does he have to look like th
Alpha Nathan’s POV The door to my room pushed open, and immediately, the intoxicating scent of Benita hit my senses. But what I saw hit me harder. Benita stood there, her eyes swollen and red, tears streaming down her face. She looked utterly broken. “Benita, what’s wrong?” I asked, my voice filled with concern as I moved toward her. The moment I reached her, she collapsed into my arms, sobbing uncontrollably. My arms instinctively wrapped around her trembling body as my wolf howled in anguish. Someone had caused her pain—pain that was already tearing me apart. Her sobs were muffled against my chest, but they shook her entire frame. My wolf was pacing in my mind, demanding answers, demanding vengeance for the pain someone had caused her. I was surprised at what could have happened to make Benita break down this way. I held her tightly, brushing her hair gently, trying to calm her down enough for her to speak. “Benita,” I said softly, tilting her chin up so I could see her
Benita’s POV For a moment, my mouth hung open in shock, but I quickly composed myself. “Your mommy gave birth to another child?” I asked softly. Lila nodded. “Yes, she had her for her husband, uncle Mark. They got married two years ago… Mark…” She paused, shaking her head, and then fell silent. I glanced at her and saw the pain in her eyes. So much had happened to this little girl—more than I could have imagined—and I knew I had to uncover the truth. Gently, I wiped her tears with the back of my hand. My wolf whimpered in anguish, urging me to pull Lila into my arms and comfort her. But I stopped myself, knowing I needed her to talk. “Lila,” I called gently, squeezing her small hands in mine. “Tell me what happened to Crystal.” Fresh tears slid down Lila’s cheeks, and my heart ached as I fought to stay strong for her. “Mommy said I was the cause of her death, but it’s not true,” she whispered. I gasped softly, unable to hide the shock that coursed through me. Her tiny h
Benita’s POV I was heading toward Lila’s room when I spotted Nina arguing with the guards Nathan had stationed at the door. As I approached, her angry voice filled the hallway, demanding to be let in. The guards, unfazed, stood firm, blocking her path. Just as I had requested, Nathan had forbidden her from seeing Lila, and Nina clearly wasn’t taking the news well. When she noticed me, she turned sharply, abandoning the guards to march toward me. Her steps were quick, her eyes filled with rage, and before I could react, she blocked my path. My wolf growled lowly, irritated by her presence. “I know this is your doing, Benita,” she snapped. “What do you gain from this? Separating a mother from her child!” I scoffed, raising an eyebrow. “Excuse me? You? A mother?” My voice was calm, though the irritation was creeping in. “You can’t call yourself a mother, Nina. How could you, when your own daughter looks terrified of you? She’s scared of you.” My voice hardened as I stepped close
Alpha Nathan’s POV It has been two days since I gave Lila a separate room, separating her from Nina, and things have been going fine. But Benita… she gives me the cold shoulder, and I understand her feelings. She has every right to be angry at me. I’ve made mistakes, and I’ll spend as much time as it takes to fix them—no matter how long it takes. For the past three hours, I’ve been sitting behind my desk, drowning in documents. Paperwork—a tiresome necessity of being an Alpha. I hate it. If I had my way, I’d spend my time on the combat grounds, sparring until exhaustion, rather than shuffling through endless deals and reports. A knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. My senses sharpen immediately as I catch a familiar scent of Augusta wafting through the air. Her scent is unmistakable like dusk lingering after the sun has set. One thing about me—I never forget a smell. If I’ve been around someone at least three times, I can identify them instantly wherever I catch their sce
Alpha Nathan’s POV Her face paled, her silence speaking louder than any denial could. My wolf growled low in my mind, urging me to push for the truth. She quickly regained her composure, crossing her arms and lifting her chin as if challenging me. “Are you seriously accusing me of something so ridiculous, Nathan?” she scoffed, her voice dripping with mockery. I hardened my gaze, taking a slow step closer, my presence towering over her. My wolf growled faintly in the back of my mind, urging me to press on. “It's not so ridiculous, Nina. Especially since the wooden sculpture that was used to bind spells was found in your home by your father. The same sculpture Benita was accused of using to manipulate me.” Her eyes darted away for a fraction of a second—quick, but not quick enough. I caught it. She was nervous. Her lips parted as if to deny it, but no words came out. Instead, she took a step back, her confidence cracking under the weight of my accusation. “You have no proof,”
Alpha Nathan’s POV Lila stirred in her sleep, her eyelids fluttering weakly before her soft green eyes opened and settled on me. For a moment, she seemed confused, her gaze drifting around the room until it landed on my face. Her lips parted slightly, her voice barely above a whisper. “Dad?” Hearing her call me that made my chest tighten. I swallowed the lump in my throat and leaned closer, trying to keep my emotions in check. “I’m here, Lila,” I said softly, brushing a strand of her dark hair away from her forehead. “How are you feeling, sweetheart?” She blinked, her eyes glassy with fatigue but filled with genuine happiness. She was so happy to see me. “Tired,” she admitted, her small fingers twitching slightly as if she wanted to hold my hand. I hesitated for a moment, guilt crashing over me again, then reached out and gently took her hand in mine. Her fingers were so tiny, so fragile, and the realization of how much of her life I’d missed hit me all over again. “I’m s
Alpha Nathan’s POV “We’re home, Alpha,” Step, my driver, announced as the car rolled into the mansion’s yard. Benita didn’t wait for me to open the door or for my men to offer assistance. Without a glance in my direction, she opened the door herself and stepped out of the car, moving swiftly across the driveway. I felt the familiar pang in my chest, but I swallowed it down and forced my feet to follow her. My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, but I pushed his frustrations aside. The men stationed around the mansion stood at attention, bowing their heads respectfully. I returned a curt nod and walked into the mansion behind Benita. “Mom! You’re back!” Theo's excited voice filled the air. I looked forward and saw Theo running excitedly toward Benita. His arms stretched out wide, and he had a big smile on his face. His excitement was palpable, as though he had been waiting weeks for her return, though it had only been a day. Benita dropped to one knee and hugged him tightly,
Benita’s POV “Who?” I asked, curious. Just when Alpha Xavier was about to respond, I noticed the abrupt opening of the door, which forced my attention to it—only to see a panicked-looking Alpha Nathan barging into the dining room. Nathan’s sudden arrival made the room feel heavy with tension. He stood at the doorway, his piercing eyes first locking onto me, then narrowing at Alpha Xavier. His presence was like a storm—silent but full of brewing anger. Alpha Xavier, however, seemed relaxed. He leaned back in his chair, casually gesturing at Nathan. “You’re up earlier than I thought,” he said, as though nothing was wrong. Nathan ignored him; his attention fixed on me. Nathan’s eyes flicked to me, and I suddenly felt like a child caught sneaking cookies from the jar. His eyes flicked over me in a way that made me feel like I’d been caught red-handed doing something forbidden. “Benita, what are you doing here?” Nathan demanded, sounding obviously angry. Before I could answer, A