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 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 hands tr
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 closer,
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 sc
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
Benita’s POV I woke up to the soft glow of morning light streaming through the curtains, its warmth brushing against my skin. My head felt heavy, clouded with the remnants of last night’s emotional storm. As I stirred, I realized I wasn’t alone. Nathan lay beside me, his face relaxed in the peaceful stillness of sleep. For a moment, all the pain, anger, and confusion faded away. I found myself simply watching him. His dark hair fell messily across his forehead, and my fingers twitched with the urge to brush it back. The tension that usually hardened his chiseled features had melted away, leaving his jaw relaxed. The faint shadow of stubble added a rugged edge to his boyish charm, and his full lips, slightly parted, made him look gentle. Innocent, breathtaking. But it was his vulnerability that struck me the most. Gone was the dominant, commanding Alpha who always seemed to be in control. In his sleep, Nathan looked… human. Soft, approachable, and heartbreakingly handsome. My wo
Benita’s POV “Now no one is here. Don’t you think you should fulfill your dare?” Nathan challenged, his green eyes filled with lust and hunger for me. I could tell he was intoxicated on the whiskey, but I could also see the desire for me in his eyes, and he was doing his best not to fuck me. “Why are you silent? Are you chickening out?” he challenged with an annoying smirk on his face, which I found very irritating. My wolf purred with desire in the back of my mind while Nathan’s gaze bore into mine, daring me to back down. But I didn’t. Instead, I slid my hands down his chest, feeling the hard lines of his muscles beneath my fingertips. He watched my every move, his chest rising and falling as if he were trying to control the storm brewing inside him. “You’re serious about this?” I asked, my voice soft but teasing as I let my hands linger just above his waistband. Nathan smirked, his green eyes darkening. “What do you think?” The challenge in his voice sparked someth