Nathan’s POV Three Weeks Later It had been three weeks since I had been away from the country and the pack. I had been attending meetings upon meetings that required my presence. During these three weeks, I hadn’t seen or talked to Benita, not because I didn’t try communicating. Every time I attempted to make a mind link with her, she blocked me. Whenever I called the mansion phone and asked to speak to her, she usually rejected it. Before leaving, I had made sure her security was tight. Guards were instructed to follow her wherever she went, and I even positioned them outside her door. That was how determined I was to ensure she didn’t leave while I was away. As the car pulled into the mansion driveway, I sighed in relief, taking in the comforting scent of home. The sight of the familiar building eased some of the tension that had built up over the past weeks. The mansion staff stood in a neat line, awaiting my arrival. Their heads were bowed respectfully as I stepped out of the
Nathan’s POVHer response was a soft whimper as she arched against me, her nails digging into my shoulders. I claimed her lips again, my hands roaming her body, memorizing every inch of her. The bond between us flared to life, intensifying every sensation, every touch. My fingers slipped between her thighs, and her gasp was music to my ears. “Nathan,” she whispered, her voice trembling, but this time, there was no protest in her tone. Only need.I thrust my fingers inside her and heard her release a soft moan, but then I leaned forward and took one of her nipples into my mouth. Fuck, her breasts had gotten bigger, and her nipples looked so inviting. Growing impatient, I pulled my fingers out and took a step away from her. As I undid the button of my soaked shirt, I held her gaze and could see her eyes were filled with desire for me. She wanted me as much as I wanted her. As I unbuckled my belt, my eyes trailed all over her, and damn, she looked stunning. Her puffy cheeks looked so
Benita’s POVWhen I opened my eyes, I realized I was lying naked on my bed, with only a duvet covering me. I released a tired sigh and sat up, memories of what had happened in the shower flashing in my mind.Damn it! Why can’t I resist him?A deep frown spread across my face at the thought of him. It had been three weeks since he had been away—three weeks since I hadn’t seen him or spoken to him. At first, when I realized he was going to be away for that long, I was so happy. At least I wouldn’t have to see him or talk to him, and most importantly, I could rest from the constant sex.But surprisingly, a few three days after he left, I realized I missed him despite being angry at him. There were times I wanted to pick up the phone and talk to him, but I held back. Nathan was back, and his touch was just as intoxicating, just as maddening. No matter how much I wanted to hate him, his touch drove me insane.I sighed heavily, dragging myself out of bed. My body felt weak, and the tirednes
Benita’s POVI stumbled back, the air knocked out of me. Positive. The word echoed in my mind like a death sentence. My hand instinctively went to my stomach, my fingers trembling uncontrollably.“No,” I whispered, my voice barely a breath. My wolf was eerily silent, as she processed the news.I sank to the floor, clutching the edge of the counter for support. I was pregnant with Nathan’s baby. I shook my head as his words replayed in my mind: “You are never to get pregnant, and if you do, we are aborting it.” His warning replayed in my head, and I gulped in fear, tears welling in my eyes. What was I going to do?A sob escaped my lips, and I covered my mouth, desperate to muffle the sound. My wolf stirred uneasily, her presence no longer offering comfort but rather a shared sense of dread.“We can’t let him find out,” she whispered, her tone a warning.I nodded weakly, my tears blurring my vision. I couldn’t let Nathan discover this—not now, not ever. He would see this child as a mist
Nathan's POV“Why is your wife keeping us waiting?” Aunt Anne, my father’s twin sister, spoke in an irritated tone as we waited for Benita, who was yet to arrive at the table.“She will be here soon,” I said, but Aunt Anne scoffed. “This is the first time I’m getting to meet her, and she is already giving me a bad impression about herself. It seems the rumors about her were true,” Aunt sneered.Before I could respond, I heard soft footsteps behind me, and her scent, nutmeg mixed and something uniquely Benita—reached me. I didn’t need to turn around to know she had arrived.She stepped into the dining room, her curves accentuated by the tight gown she wore. My eyes lingered on her, betraying the frustration I tried to suppress.“Good evening, Ma,” Benita greeted Aunt Anne with a polite smile, her tone respectful despite the obvious tension.Aunt Anne didn’t reply, merely giving Benita a blank, calculating stare. Benita, ever composed, ignored the silence and gracefully took her seat ac
Benita's POVAs I stood before the mirror, staring at my reflection, my thoughts drifted back to what happened at the table. I could recall Nathan's words—how he had made it clear that he didn’t want a child from me. He had made it clear that after these two months, his decision hadn’t changed; it remained the same. If I got pregnant, the baby would be terminated.Fear gripped me as I wrapped my arms around my stomach. The thought of Nathan finding out I’m pregnant scared the life out of me, and I dreaded what he would do. Surely, he would forcibly make me have an abortion.“No!” I whispered to my wolf. “I have to leave before that happens.”Suddenly, the door to my room flew open, and I didn’t need to see his face to know it was Nathan. His presence filled the room with tension, and I could hear the rage in his footsteps as he slammed the door behind him.I turned to face him, my heart pounding in my chest. His eyes were dark, almost dangerous, and I could feel the anger radiating of
Alpha Nathan’s POVThe door to my room creaked open, and Darius stepped in, shutting it softly behind him. He paused, taking in the scene of my room. The dim lighting, the empty bottle of dry gin on the floor, and me slumped in my chair with another glass in hand. His worried gaze locked onto mine as he moved to sit on the couch across from me.“What is going on, Nathan? It’s 6 a.m., and you are asking to see me. What happened…” he paused and looked at the empty bottle of dry gin on the floor. His brow furrowed. “Have you been drinking all night?” he asked in a concerned tone.I sighed, raising the glass to my lips for another sip, but Darius leaned forward and snatched it from my hand. I groaned in frustration, shutting my eyes as my headache throbbed.“What is going on, Nathan? What is happening?” He sounded so worried and worked up.I slowly opened my eyes and looked at him, his gaze filled with worry and concern.“Come on, man. You’re making me scared. Why have you been drinking a
Nathan's POV I stared at Darius, as I tried processing his words. My mind reeled with the weight of the truth he had just dropped on me. All this time, I had thought Nina was the one who cared enough to make that herb for me, the one who noticed my pain. But it wasn’t her—it was Benita.“Why are you telling me this now, Darius?” My voice came out strained, a mix of anger and guilt.Without thinking, I crossed the distance between us in two quick strides, grabbing him by the collar.“You knew?” I growled, my voice low and menacing. My grip tightened, pulling him closer until our faces were inches apart. “You knew all this time and didn’t tell me? Why the hell would you keep that from me, Darius? Why?”He looked startled but didn’t move away, his hands coming up in a placating gesture.“Nathan, listen to me—”“Don’t you dare tell me to listen!” I snarled, shaking him slightly. My anger was a storm, threatening to break free. “You let me believe Nina was someone she wasn’t. You let me l
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