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 Nathan’s POV*A WEEK LATER*“What are you saying!” I yelled at the top of my voice, throwing the glass of whiskey at the wall, shattering it into pieces. The trackers standing before me flinched and stepped back cautiously.“We’re sorry, Alpha Nathan,” Justin, the head tracker, said cautiously, stepping back as though my rage might strike him next. “We’ve searched every pack in London. My other teams are combing through Spain and neighboring countries, but we can’t do much without her scent,” Justin’s words shattered my heart into pieces.It had been a week since Benita vanished. Seven excruciating days, and we still had nothing—no leads, no clues, no sign of her. It was as if she had been swallowed by the earth itself. No one could explain how she managed to leave the mansion and boarder without being caught. I interrogated all the men on duty that night, but no one admitted to seeing or helping her leave. I had threatened everyone with everything I could, but eventually, I rea
Nathan’s POVAunt Anne went silent for a moment before speaking again. “I thought you believed she was using charms on you…”“She wasn’t!” I cut Aunt Anne off rudely.Aunt Anne raised a brow. “How do you know?” she asked, and I clenched my jaw.“Because I can feel it, Aunt. What I feel can’t be a spell. It can’t be,” I spat in pain. The love I felt in my heart couldn’t be from a spell. I was sure of it.“If that’s so, then the wooden sculpture—who did that?” Aunt Anne asked, and I lifted my gaze to look at her with confusion. It seemed she was onto something.“What are you trying to say, Aunt?” I asked, but she simply shrugged her shoulders and stood. “If you believe Benita never cast a spell on you or your mate bond, then it means she was set up. Perhaps you should start by interrogating her father, who brought the wooden sculpture in the first place.”With those words, she turned and began making her way to the door but then stopped and looked back at me.“Nathan, you can’t force so
Five years laterBenita's POV“Miss Benita, your attention is needed,” Rita, one of the caregivers, said in a panicked tone. Hurriedly, I stood to my feet and followed her. We went to the children's ward, where she led me to the bed of a two-year-old child who was convulsing. I didn’t waste time asking questions. I scooped the trembling child into my arms and sat down, cradling her against my chest. Closing my eyes, I released my healing abilities, focusing on calming the girl’s erratic movements. Slowly but surely, her convulsions subsided until they ceased entirely.“She is fine,” my wolf whispered, confirming her healing. A sigh left my lips, and I slowly pulled the child back and looked into her face to see her sleeping soundly. “She is fine,” I said to the caregiver, who had a big, bright smile on her face as she took the baby from me and laid her on the bed.I stood and watched the child sleep peacefully.I stayed for a moment, watching the girl as she slept, her small chest ri
Alpha Nathan’s POV “Alpha, it’s happening again. Her condition is getting worse,” Victoria, my mother’s personal maid, said, her voice trembling with panic. I didn’t wait another second. Rising swiftly from my chair, I rushed out of my office, my heart pounding as I raced to her room. When I arrived, I saw the healers surrounding her, their hands glowing as they channeled their powers to ease her suffering. My breath hitched at the sight of her frail form, her face contorted in pain, her body almost lifeless against the bed. I stepped closer, my legs shaky, and gently took her hand in mine. Her fingers were icy, a chilling reminder of how close she was to slipping away. “Mother, I’m here,” I whispered, leaning close to her ear. But her eyes remained shut, and the agony etched on her face made my chest tighten painfully. Tears blurred my vision as I watched the healers do their best to alleviate her pain. Their magic shimmered faintly in the dim light of the room. The energy seeme
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 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 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