Hey everyone, I’ve been seeing some of your comments about me dragging this book, and I just want to clear things up. I promise I’m not dragging it, nor will I drag it. I’ve never dragged any of my books, and if you’ve read my other works, I think you’ll see that I always try to keep things moving. I know you’re eager for things to speed up, and I totally get it. I’m doing my best to fast pace the story as much as I can, but there are certain things that need time to unfold. If I skip over too much just to wrap it up quickly, it’s going to leave holes in the story – and I don’t want that for you or the characters. Thank you for sticking with me! Much love, Blessings Ezekiel
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
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
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 t
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 thi
Benita’s POV Light conversation filled the air as we sat around the breakfast table. Theo was telling his grandparents one of his numerous stories, and Lila, who was seated beside him, looked thrilled as she listened. Meanwhile, Nathan and I were in our own world. We hadn’t been able to look away from each other, constantly stealing glances. Every time I caught his gaze, Nathan’s lips would curve into that maddening smirk, the same one he’d flashed this morning in his room. I’d roll my eyes and force myself to focus on Theo’s story, but it was no use. My thoughts kept drifting to Nathan, and my wolf wasn’t helping, purring incessantly in my mind. “My lady, you have a call,” one of the servants interrupted, stepping into the dining room. I furrowed my brow. Who could possibly want to speak to me? I exchanged glances with Nathan and could tell he didn’t seem happy. “Who is it?” I asked. “Alpha Xavier,” the maid responded, and without giving it a second thought, I left my seat and ma
Benita’s POV After a two-hour drive, I arrived at Xavier’s pack house. Nathan had reluctantly allowed me to go, but not without sending a group of warriors to escort me. According to him, it was for my security, even though I insisted it wasn’t necessary. He had refused, saying it was the only way he would let me leave. The car door opened, and I stepped out to see Xavier waiting for me. His eyes lit up with a warm smile as they met mine. I returned the gesture and walked over to him. As I reached his side, he took both of my hands and pressed a soft kiss on them. “Welcome, and thank you for accepting my invitation,” he said in a tone filled with warmth. I smiled and nodded in response. Xavier’s gaze shifted behind me, noticing the entourage Nathan had sent. A mix of amusement and surprise flashed across his face as he counted the warriors—there were more than ten. He chuckled softly and shook his head. “Nathan practically sent an army to escort you to my pack. How protectiv
Benita’s POV For a moment, Xavier and I didn’t say a word; rather, my question hung heavily in the air. I swallowed hard and stared down at the picture in my hand, focusing on the woman in the photograph—a woman who was undoubtedly my biological mother, a woman who fought to keep me safe, to keep me alive. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I didn’t try to wipe them away. Slowly, I lifted my gaze and met Xavier’s shocked expression. He was still finding it difficult to believe that I could be his sister, although the look on his face told me he had already suspected there was a possibility. “Why do you think so? What makes you believe we are siblings?” Alpha Xavier asked, his voice cracking with unease. I drew in a shaky breath, struggling to gather my swirling thoughts. The emotions threatening to consume me made it difficult to speak, but I knew I had to try. “A few weeks ago,” I began, my voice trembling, “I found out the people who raised me weren’t my real parents. They told m
Benita’s POV “Have a sip,” Xavier said, handing me a glass of water. I smiled weakly, accepting the glass. After taking a sip, he took it back and placed it on the table before settling into the couch across from me. Our eyes met, and he smiled warmly. “I can’t believe it’s you. My little sister—it's really you,” he said, his voice brimming with happiness and pride. “Mother would be so proud of you. Look at what you’ve become. A renowned healer.” His soft chuckle was accompanied by a tear sliding down his cheek, one of joy rather than sorrow. My eyes blurred with tears as well. I now knew my family. I had an elder brother—Alpha Xavier. I was no longer the spare daughter of Sir Felix; rather, I was from a family of Alphas. I had a Lycan bloodline. It was so unreal, and I was still trying to wrap my head around it. “If Father were here, he would be so happy,” Xavier said, his expression suddenly clouding with pain. My curiosity was piqued, and I asked hesitantly, “He’s gone too?
Alpha Theo’s POVI could see the terrified look in her eyes as she waited for my command. There were so many things I wanted to demand of her—to ask her to call off her marriage with Oscar. Why would she want to marry a man she didn’t even love? I wanted to ask her to stop taking my breath away, to stop smelling so intoxicatingly alluring that I couldn’t control myself or my wolf. I wanted to tell her to stop making me feel this way—the unbearable urge to claim her, to mark her.For God’s sake, I was supposed to hate her. What the hell was happening to me?Composing myself, I looked at her, considering my next move. I needed to give her a task, something she couldn’t refuse. Then, something clicked in my mind.Her wolf.I hadn’t seen her wolf yet. And damn it, my wolf was growing restless, desperate to see it.“In twenty minutes, leave the mansion and wait for me outside,” I ordered.Lagertha’s brows furrowed. “Why?”I scoffed. “You’ll find out later. Now, unless you want to stand the
Lagertha’s POV “I'm so happy for you, Leggy. You deserve to be happy." Mother Lagertha had been buzzing with excitement all morning as we prepared breakfast. She seemed absolutely thrilled, going on and on about the wedding—about how Beta Oscar would be the perfect husband for me. I felt bad, knowing all of this was just an act. “Lagertha, Alpha Theo requests that you bring him a cup of coffee in his room.” One of the guards’ voices cut through my thoughts. A frown tugged at my lips, and my wolf huffed inside me. With a heavy sigh, I prepared the coffee just the way Theo liked it, grabbed the tray, and left the kitchen. When I reached his door, I hesitated before knocking, my pulse quickening as his intoxicating scent wrapped around me. “It’s open,” his deep voice called from inside, softer than usual, none of the usual harshness in his tone. Taking a steadying breath, I pushed the door open, stepped inside, and closed it behind me. Turning around, I met him standing at the
Lagertha’s POV I took a deep breath and stared at my reflection in the mirror. “You can do this, Lagertha,” I whispered, trying to steady my nerves. My wolf stirred within me. “Calm down. It's just a family dinner,” she soothed. But she was wrong. This wasn’t just any family dinner. It was my first time sitting at the same table with Oscar’s parents, Theo’s parents, Oscar’s siblings, Theo’s siblings, Theo and Oscar—all in one room. And I had to pretend to be in love with Oscar, right in front of Alpha Theo. My mate. It was a huge task. “You can do this," my wolf encouraged again. I exhaled deeply, forcing myself to push aside my emotions. Straightening my dress, I left my room and walked down the long hallway. My heart pounded with each step. The mansion was eerily quiet, aside from the faint clinking of dishes coming from the dining hall. The scent of roasted meat and warm spices filled the air, but it did nothing to settle my nerves. As I reached the entrance of th
Alpha Theo’s POV Lila stiffened beside me, her discomfort obvious in the way she tensed. I could feel the weight of her pain pressing down on both of us, but she kept her expression carefully blank. I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay composed, to not let my own emotions betray me. “They had to step out,” I said evenly, keeping my voice devoid of the frustration clawing at my insides. “Oscar had some business to handle, and Lagertha went with him.” It was a lie. I had no idea where they were. Mother’s brow furrowed slightly, but she nodded. “I see. Well, we’ll have to see them soon. The wedding preparations must be keeping them busy. I heard it’s happening in two weeks,” Mother announced, and my brows furrowed. “Two weeks?” I asked in panic, unable to control it. Mother furrowed her brow and gave me a suspicious look. “Yes… do you have a problem with that?” she asked, and where I stood, my heart sank. My furious wolf howling loudly in my head. Not getting any response
Alpha Theo's POV I stood on the balcony, gripping the railing so tightly as I watched Lagertha step into the car with Oscar. Everything in me urged me to go downstairs and pull her away from him, but I forcefully forced myself to remain in place as I watched the car drive out of the mansion. “Do something,” my wolf growled angrily in my head, and I wished I knew what to do, but I was confused. Oscar had put me in a tight corner—I was cornered. The sound of my door creaking open pulled me from my thoughts. I turned, my chest tightening when I saw Lila walk in. Her green eyes—identical to mine—were red and swollen, her usually radiant face pale and lifeless. My protective instinct kicked in, and I rushed to her, gently holding her arms as I studied her pale face. “Lila, why are you crying? What happened?” I asked worriedly but also angrily. Lila’s tears had always been my weakness, and seeing her like this, utterly broken, shredded me from the inside out. Lila broke into a loud sob
Beta Oscar’s POV Three years ago. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched Lila chatting happily with some guests, completely unaware of the storm raging inside me. Tonight was the mating ceremony, where aged wolves who didn’t find their mates after turning eighteen would participate in the bond. I had just turned eighteen a few days ago, and I was anxious—anxious about what lay ahead of me. I looked at Lila again—the only girl I had ever loved. I had liked her for as long as I could remember, ever since I truly understood what it meant to have feelings for someone. The three-year age gap between us had never mattered to me. I had convinced myself that if we were mates, she would see past it too. So I kept my feelings hidden, waiting for this night, clinging to the hope that fate would be on my side. I prayed every night for the Moon Goddess to grant my wish—to make her mine. And now, the moment of truth had arrived. We were all called to stand in line, but Theo refused, s
Lagertha’s POV The moment she walked in, I stood abruptly, my heart pounding. I swallowed hard, trying to steady myself. My body tensed as I met her gaze—her confused expression only making my nerves worse. I opened my mouth to speak, but before I could, Beta Oscar beat me to it. “Lila, you’re here,” he said, straightening to his full height. Then, unexpectedly, he wrapped an arm around my waist. I flinched but didn’t move away. I could see the stunned look on Lila’s face. “Lila, Lagertha and I are now dating,” he announced. My breath caught in my throat as I turned to Miss Lila, watching as a disapproving look flickered across her face. I swallowed hard as I began to wonder if the whispers among the other servants were true. According to the gossips I had heard, it was said that Miss Lila has feelings for Beta Oscar—that was why she had been rejecting all the eligible suitors that came for her. But I had never believed in gossip from the staffs. However, seeing the reaction
Lagertha’s POV I reached my room and leaned against the door, trying to catch my breath. My heart was still pounding, and my mind raced with everything that had happened. “Well done, Lagertha. You did well,” I murmured, offering myself a moment of encouragement. I stood there for a while, willing my pulse to slow, before finally pushing away from the door and sinking onto my bed. I kicked off my shoes and stared at the floor, my thoughts circling back to Theo—what I had said to him and the way he had reacted. If Lila hadn’t walked in when she did, I had no idea what would have happened. A sudden knock at the door made me jerk, but I quickly relaxed as a familiar scent filled the air—Mother Agatha. She always smelled like dried coffee, a scent I could recognize anywhere. The door creaked open, and she stepped inside, a warm smile spreading across her face. “Happy eighteenth birthday, dear Leggy,” she said cheerfully. A small smile tugged at my lips as I stood up. In her hands
Alpha Theo's POVI wanted to pull her back and tell her that I was never going to allow her to get married to Oscar. She could choose any of the men, and I would be able to live with it, but not my best friend… not him.“Theo… is everything okay?” Lila asked, concern lacing her voice. I sighed, turning my back to her. My wolf was howling in fury, sending a splitting headache through my skull. “Theo, please talk to me," she pleaded, placing a hand on my shoulder. I stood rigid, debating whether to tell her the truth. It was a risk. If she found out, she might tell our parents, and that could land me in trouble. “Are you in love with Lagertha?” Lila suddenly asked. I neither confirmed nor denied it. Lila sighed. “Theo, I noticed the way you look at her. You might pretend to others and make them think you hate her, but I know that you like Lagertha. I see the way you look at her when you think no one is watching,” Lila said, sounding so sure about it, and I didn’t bother to deny it