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 POVAn uncomfortable feeling twisted in my chest the moment her tear-filled eyes met mine. For a fleeting second, I wanted to order the guards to unchain her, but I held back. Benita didn’t deserve sympathy—so why was I even thinking this way?“Nathan, you’re making a huge mistake! Stop it! Benita didn’t cast any spell on us,” my wolf pleaded, for what felt like the hundredth time, but as always, I ignored him.“I am not guilty,” Benita screamed at the top of her voice after the magistrate read her charges.“Then tell us how the sculpture was found under your bed and the box of pictures?” the magistrate asked, his tone filled with anger. Nobody liked Benita. Not a single soul felt pity for her. She was never the Luna they had hoped for, and now, the mere suspicion that she had cast a spell on me only added fuel to their hatred.But there was a part of me—a part I barely understood—that wanted her to be innocent, wanted this all to be some terrible mistake. I clenched my
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 POV“Mother,” I whispered under my breath, staring at her in disbelief. She was a shadow of the woman I once knew.“Mother,” I whispered again, my voice trembling, unsure if it was from anger or shock. She stood there, frail and thin, her once sharp eyes now dulled with exhaustion. But the coldness I remembered—the hatred that had shaped my childhood—still lingered in her gaze. Even now, she still hated me. I vividly remembered the last time I saw her, standing outside my cell, wishing for my death.“Benita,” she said, her voice dry, almost cracking. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, she studied me as if I were a stranger. “You’ve returned.”I straightened my back, refusing to let her see how her presence rattled me. “Yes, I’m here,” I replied firmly. “Not that you ever cared whether I was gone or not.”Her lips twitched with pain. It seemed she was also affected by the illness. She looked around, her gaze brushing over the sick pack members gathered in the
Benita’s POV A knock landed on the door, and without being told, I knew it was Nathan. I frowned, wondering what he wanted this time. Pushing the door open, I found him standing before me. His eyes locked onto mine instantly, and I glared at him. “It’s 9 PM, Alpha Nathan. What do you want?” I asked in an annoyed tone, but he didn’t seem bothered by my attitude. Is Theo asleep already?” he asked. I continued to glare at him but nodded reluctantly. “Yes. Is there a problem?” Nathan sighed and remained silent for a moment before speaking. “I just came to inform you that the sick pack members will be in the courtyard by 8 AM,” he announced. I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. “Who would have thought that the same girl they once screamed should be hanged would be the one to save their lives someday?” I sighed and folded my arms. “Is that all?” I asked, raising a brow. Nathan hesitated, taking a step closer until only a few inches separated us. “I looked for you everywhere, Be
Benita’s POV “So, Theo, tell me, would you like a room on one of the lower floors?” Nathan asked, his tone brimming with enthusiasm. I frowned instantly. “We’re not staying here long, so there’s no need for Theo to have a separate room,” I countered sharply. Nathan’s lips parted as if to argue, but he thought better of it and nodded. There was no way I was letting my son out of my sight, not even for a moment. You must be hungry. I’ve already asked the cook to prepare something,” Nathan announced, his voice laced with forced cheerfulness. I barely spared him a glance before looking at Theo. My son sat silently, his wide, curious eyes darting between us. The sight made my heart ache. No child should have to witness the broken shards of their parents’ relationship displayed so blatantly. But what could I do? This was the reality we had to live with. “Alpha Nathan,” Theo’s voice broke the silence as he addressed Nathan directly. His young, steady tone carried a weight that caught bot
Benita’s POVOpening my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of Theo deep in conversation with Alpha Nathan. The mere sight of them together made my heart flutter nervously.“Mother, you’re awake!” Theo’s voice brimmed with excitement as he rushed to hug me. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tightly before gently pulling away to sit up, resting my back and head against the headboard.Are you fully recovered? Do you need anything?” Theo asked eagerly, his concern for me obvious in his eyes. I responded with a faint smile, not trusting my voice just yet.“Mate!” Olivia, my wolf, howled in my head. Her sudden outburst made me frown, and my gaze instinctively shifted to Alpha Nathan. Our eyes locked, and for the first time since we’d crossed paths again, I allowed myself to truly see the breathtaking man seated beside me.At twenty-nine, Alpha Nathan had grown more striking than I remembered. Time had refined him, sculpting the boy I once knew into a man who commanded attention effort
Alpha Nathan’s POV Her admission hit me like a blow, and my wolf snarled in my mind. “You knew? And you didn't tell me?” “I didn't tell you because I didn't trust you, Nathan,” she replied, her tone calm. “Benita needed to be safe, and I wasn’t sure you could provide that. Not after everything that happened.” I took a step closer, my jaw tightening. “So you helped her escape?” “Yes,” she admitted without hesitation. “I helped her disappear. And I'd do it again if it meant protecting her and Theo.” Her words ignited anger I hadn’t felt in years, but beneath the anger was a deep, gnawing guilt. “You had no right to keep my son from me,” I growled. “Or to decide what was best for Benita without consulting me.” Aunt Anne's eyes narrowed. “I had every right. You broke her, Nathan. You treated her like she was nothing, and when she finally found the strength to leave, I made sure she could. She was pregnant, Nathan, and she was so scared you would force her to abort the child. I, myse
Alpha Nathan's POV“I can’t,” I said, my voice rough with emotion. “I won’t.”Her hands slammed against the table, and she rose to her feet, her eyes blazing with frustration. “Why? Why are you doing this? Is this about control? About possession? You don’t love me, Nathan. You never did.”“That’s not true,” I said fiercely, standing as well. My voice echoed in the room, louder than I intended. “I did love you, Benita. I do love you.”She froze, her lips parting in shock. For a moment, she just stared at me as if trying to decipher the truth in my words. Then she laughed—a bitter, broken sound that made my chest ache.“I fell in love with you without realizing it,” I said, my voice low and strained. I took a cautious step toward her. “I’m sorry. For everything. For how I treated you.”Benita let out another bitter laugh, her arms folded across her chest. “Why now, Nathan? Why are you apologizing after all these years?” she asked, her voice sharp. “I’m still the same—still plus-size, st
Nathan's POVThe door suddenly pushed open, and Aunt Anne walked in. The moment she did, I furrowed my brow at her. I had numerous questions to ask her. How was she able to find Benita? Did she know Benita's whereabouts all this while? Did she know I had a son with Benita? Was she the one who helped Benita escape? All these were questions I needed answers to.“Aunt Anne, could you please watch over Theo while Alpha Nathan and I have a brief private discussion?” Benita said, and Aunt Anne nodded.“Mommy, where are you going?” Theo asked, his tone filled with concern and worry. Benita cupped his cheeks and placed kisses on them.“Don’t worry, my champ. I just want to have a word with Alpha Nathan, and once I’m done, we are leaving, okay?” she said, and I swallowed hard. The thought of her leaving was something I would not take.Theo nodded, then looked at me with resentment and anger in his eyes before turning back to Benita. “If he hits you, call for me, okay?” he said worriedly and pr
Nathan’s POV My eyes widened as I stared at the bold little boy who had just spoken back to me. “I can’t be the son of a man who caused my mother so much pain she had to run away from him!” he spat, and my eyes widened further. Benita's grip on the boy's hand tightened, her jaw clenching as she glanced at him. “Theo, enough,” she said softly but firmly. Her tone held authority but was also layered with a mother’s love. The boy, Theo, glared at me, his face filled with anger and hate. My wolf whimpered, confused and hurt by his words, but I couldn’t tear my gaze away from him. He had my eyes. My hair. My features. My blood. “Benita,” I began, my voice trembling with a mix of emotions. Shock, pain, and desperation. “Tell me the truth. Is he… mine?” Benita straightened as she met my gaze. “It doesn’t matter, Alpha Nathan,” she said, her voice cool and detached. “I’m here to heal your mother and the infected pack members, as promised. That is all.” “It does matter!” I roared, my wo
Alpha Nathan’s POV“Are you sure of your decision? What if this healer demands something outrageous?” Darius spoke in a worried tone, but I only sighed and relaxed back in my seat. When Aunt had communicated with me and told me the healer wants all her wishes granted if she is able to heal my mother, at first, I refused. Why would she make such a demand? But Aunt Anne assured me that the healer would not wish for anything audacious. She convinced me that the healer might just ask for money, a house, or lands, and that was all. Then she told me the healer would surely heal my mother and the people who were still infected—she was so sure of it. Left with no other option, I couldn’t sit and let my mother die, so I had to agree to accept all her wishes.“Alpha Nathan, you should take back your words and ask her not to come,” Darius pleaded. I could see the fear and concern in his eyes, but my mind was already made up. I was willing to take such a risk for my mother and my people. Besides,