When I started writing this book, I never expected to receive this much love and support, but I’ve been truly overwhelmed by your encouragement. To my dearest readers—thank you for unlocking chapters, gifting gems, and leaving such thoughtful comments. Your support has made this journey incredible, and because of you, this book became one of the contest winners. From the bottom of my heart, I am deeply grateful. Note: We have just one more chapter to go, followed by the epilogue. I’ve grown to love Benita and Nathan’s story so much that I almost don’t want it to end. But don’t worry—you’ll still see more of them in Theo’s story!
Benita’s POV Today was the day—the one I’d been waiting for my whole life. It could either be the best day or the worst, and I wasn’t sure which terrified me more. Standing in front of the mirror, I studied my reflection. My cheeks were slightly flushed, giving me a soft, youthful appearance, while my body curved in ways that didn’t fit the slim, toned ideal my family worshiped. My hips were full, my stomach soft, and my thighs pressed together when I shifted my weight. I could see every part of me that didn’t fit into the narrow expectations of what beauty was supposed to look like. I tied my black hair into a bun and wore jeans and a simple shirt—not exactly the look of someone excited for a mating ceremony. But I had learned not to expect much, and I dressed like I was bracing for disappointment. “Benita, get your lazy ass down here!” my mother yelled from downstairs. I let out a heavy sigh before hurrying out of my room and down the stairs into the sitting room. As expected
Benita’s POV “Mate…?” I shuttered in disbelief as I stared at the cord which was intertwined with Nathan’s wrist. Stunned, I moved my gaze away from the cord and looked up at Nathan, who seemed shocked and in disbelief. His eyes moved from the cord and were fixed on me as he glared at me. “No! This can't be possible!” he yelled, frantically shaking his head and trying to break the cord from his wrist, but it remained intact. Loud gasps echoed around the field as murmuring filled the air. Everyone present couldn’t believe it. They couldn’t believe I was the one mated to Nathan instead of my sister. “This is some kind of joke!” Nathan spat, moving closer to me, his eyes blazing with anger. “What did you do? What witch did you visit to make this happen?” he yelled, gripping my arms so hard that I winced in pain. “Tell me! Tell me!” he demanded in an outburst, his eyes filled with disgust, as if he had just realized he was mated to something vile. “Speak! Speak!” Nathan urged, h
Benita's POV A strange feeling of pain mixed with pleasure coursed through me as Nathan’s fangs sank deeper into the crook of my neck. The pain was intense, but the slight sensation of pleasure was so fascinating that I couldn’t help but close my eyes as a soft moan escaped my lips. I wasn’t sure if I was mistaken or if my ears were playing tricks on me, but I could swear I heard Nathan let out a pleasurable groan. When he finally pulled away, my neck felt cold without his bite, my body throbbing with an ache I didn’t fully understand. With panting breaths, our gazes interlocked. His fangs were still extended, and drops of my blood glistened on his lips. He stared at me with pure hatred in his eyes, wiping the blood away before spitting it to the ground as if I’d poisoned him. My stomach twisted. “Come on, everyone, a round of applause,” Alpha Richardson demanded, and the stunned pack members were forced to clap for us. My eyes remained on Nathan as his stayed on me. I could see t
Nathan's POV I glared into her eyes which was filled with fake tears as hate, and anger surged through me. I wished I could wrap my hands around her throat, make her feel just a fraction of the pain tearing me apart. But I couldn’t—not with half the pack watching. Gritting my teeth, I glared at her one more time before shoving her away, making her stumble to the ground, her butt hitting the dirt. Turning around, I ran out of the field, ignoring the loud calls from my father. I kept running, running until I reached the mansion. I stormed inside, bolting up the stairs and straight to my room. Once inside, I slammed the door shut and I began kicking everything in my way. I kicked over the small coffee table, sending it crashing into the wall, the sound of breaking wood doing little to calm the storm inside me. My chest heaved with anger as I ripped the couch cushions off, throwing them across the room. They hit the mirror, shattering the glass into pieces that fell to the floor like
Benita’s POVAs I glanced into the mirror, I didn’t know what to feel. Today was supposed to be a happy day for me—it was my wedding day. I was getting married to my mate, a day I’d envisioned countless times in my head, staying up late as a young girl, giggling and fantasizing about it. I imagined myself in a beautiful white dress, being escorted down the aisle to meet my mate, who would be waiting for me with a big smile on his face. He’d look at me with so much love, and I’d feel special, cherished. That was how I imagined it. But alas, that was just a fantasy.“Benita, are you okay?” Luna Anita’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. Blinking, I returned to the present, noticing her standing behind me with a concerned look on her face.“Are you alright?” she asked again, her eyes filled with worry.Slowly, I stood up and turned to face her, my heart racing with fear. “I don’t think I should go on with this marriage,” I admitted, feeling a wave of unease wash over me. The thought of
Benita's POV After the draining ceremony and endless whispers, I retreated to my chambers, barely able to breathe under the weight of the day’s events. My heart was heavy, and my mind raced with worry about what tonight would hold. I knew my role now, the duty expected of me as Luna and Nathan’s wife, but the thought only filled me with fear. A gentle knock on the door pulled me from my thoughts, making me startle. I took a deep breath, steadying myself before calling out, “Yes? Come in.” Two maids entered, bowing slightly as they stepped inside. One of them, with a polite smile, approached me. “My queen, we are here to prepare you for the evening. Alpha Nathan has requested that you join him, and we’ve been asked to assist with your bath and help you dress.” The words sent a chill through me, though I nodded in silent acknowledgment. This was expected; he had already informed me about it—a moment I had dreaded. The maids led me to the adjoining bathroom, where a tub of steaming
Benita’s POV“Don’t make me repeat myself, Benita. Get on the bed,” his angry voice echoed in the room, making my body tremble with fear. My wolf, Olivia, growled inside me as she could feel my pain and fear.I looked up to hold his gaze and was terrified when I noticed his green eyes were now gray and filled with rage. Fear gripped me tightly, and I wished I could run away, run away from him and this bond, but alas, I was trapped within this marriage.Filled with embarrassment and shame, I wrapped my arms around my chest and moved over to the bed with shaky legs. “Turn your back and be on all fours!” he ordered, and my heart raced faster, but I obeyed and knelt on the bed, my back turned against him.Hot tears fell freely down my cheeks as my whole body trembled with fear. I was so terrified, so scared of what he would do to me.Soon, I heard his footsteps behind me, and then I felt his weight pressed on the bed, his presence so close that I had to swallow the bile rising in my throa
Alpha Nathan’s POVI heard a loud thud at my door just after she closed it, and despite how much I wanted to ignore it, I just couldn’t. Forcing myself up on my feet, I walked over to the door, pushed it open, and wasn’t surprised to see Benita lying on the floor, unconscious. A frown spread across my face as I stared at her unconscious state.“Mate! Nathan, do something, you dick!” my wolf yelled at me, but I didn’t move an inch; rather, I just kept staring at her body on the floor. Thoughts buzzed in my head—the thought of her not waking up; at least that would set me free from her. But my wolf growled loudly again as he raced worriedly in my mind.“Nathan! What is this? Pick her up!” my wolf pleaded, but I gave deaf ears to his words and shut the door. Settling back on the couch, I picked up the glass of whiskey and took a sip of it as I tried to ignore the fact that Benita was lying unconscious just outside my door. I didn’t want to care about it; I didn’t want to care if she live
Benita’s POV I was combing my hair in front of the mirror when the door to my room burst open. Theo and Lila rushed in, their faces filled with panic and worry. “Theo, Lila? What is it?” I asked while abruptly getting to my feet. Theo was the first to speak, his voice trembling. “Mother, it's Father. We were with him, playing in his room, and he just fainted,” Theo said in panic. My heart stopped. “What?” I gasped and didn't give it a second thought before racing toward Nathan’s room. I raced down the hall, my heart hammering in my chest. The thought of Nathan collapsing filled me with fear. Had he been hiding an illness? Had something happened while I wasn’t looking? I didn’t stop until I reached his room, pushing the door open with force. “Nathan…" But I froze. The sight before me was nothing like what I had feared. Instead of finding him unconscious on the floor, I saw roses—dozens of them—scattered across the floor, their petals creating a sea of red. White candles flic
Benita’s POV Darius tightened his grip on my arms, holding me as I struggled to breathe. My entire body trembled, my mind spinning. A plane crash. Nathan had been on that flight. I swallowed the lump in my throat, my eyes stinging with unshed tears. “Have you tried reaching him through the mind link?” My voice came out shaky. Darius's jaw tightened, his expression filled with worry. Just like me, he was on the verge of crying. “I did. There's no response.” My wolf whimpered inside me, her fear echoing my own. I sucked in a deep breath, forcing myself to stay upright. “I have to try.” Closing my eyes, I focused on the bond, the connection that tied me to Nathan—the mate I had been so cruel to last night. My heart raced as I reached out, calling for him through the link. “Nathan?” Silence. I tried again, panic gripping me. “Nathan, please. Answer me.” Nothing. Tears spilled down my cheeks. “No… no, no, no.” My voice cracked as I shook my head. He couldn't be gone.
Benita’s POVI hated myself.I hated myself for what I had done.Nathan had gone through all that trouble—setting up a beautiful dinner on the rooftop, trying to make things right between us—and I had turned him down. Again.And for what? Because of Nikita? Because of the way I had seen them together earlier? Because jealousy had wrapped itself around my heart and squeezed so tight that I couldn’t think straight?How could I be so cruel?My heart tore even more as I stepped into my room, shutting the door behind me. My heart pounded in my chest, and my feet itched to turn back—to go back to the rooftop, to tell him I was sorry, to sit at that table he had set just for me.But I held myself back.I had already hurt him tonight. What good would it do to show up now when he had probably already left?I swallowed hard and climbed into bed, pulling the blanket over myself. But no matter how much I tried, I couldn’t sleep. My mind kept replaying the look in his eyes, the way his voice had s
Alpha Nathan's POV I held the roses in my hand and sucked in a deep breath to compose myself. I was so nervous, like it was my first date with a woman. Well, it might not be my first date, but it was the most important. I placed a soft knock on the door, and Benita’s soft voice asked me in. I held the doorknob and pushed it open, then stepped in. Stepping in, I expected to see Benita halfway dressed, but she wasn’t. Rather, she was dressed in her nightwear like she was about to go to bed. I stood frozen, gripping the roses in my hand as my heart raced in my chest. I had expected to see Benita halfway dressed, preparing for our date, maybe even looking forward to it. Instead, she was wrapped in silk nightwear, her long hair cascading down her shoulders as she looked at me with a calm expression. “You’re ready for bed?” I finally asked, my voice betraying the disappointment I tried to hide. She sighed, shifting on her feet. “Nathan, I… I don’t feel like going anywhere tonight. You
Darius’ POV I drove into my apartment, feeling exhausted. Getting out of the car, the men stationed at my home welcomed me, and I responded with a curt nod as I made my way toward the sitting room. In the living room, I met Marta, Oscar’s nanny. “Welcome, sir,” Marta greeted, and I nodded, looking around, searching for my boy. “He went to bed early,” Marta announced, as if she could read my thoughts. I nodded. “Becca?” I asked, referring to Oscar’s mom. Marta frowned. “I have no idea. She left right after you did and hasn’t returned since.” I was surprised, but that was typical Becca lifestyle. She’d leave early in the morning and wouldn’t return until past midnight, stumbling in reeking of alcohol and sex. Yes, sex. Despite having a child with me, despite living under my roof, Becca still sees other men, and according to her, I can’t tell her what to do. I can’t control her because she is just my baby mama; she isn’t my mate or my wife. But how can I think of settling down wi
Alpha Nathan’s POV “Do you want the maids to get you something?” I asked Nikita, who sat on the bed, looking lost in thought. “No, I’m fine, Nathan. Thank you,” she replied, forcing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. Concerned, I moved closer, sitting beside her before pulling her into a hug. She rested her head on my shoulder, a familiar gesture—one that had always comforted her when she was upset. “It’s okay, Nikita,” I murmured, running a soothing hand down her back. “It’s not the end of the world, and you know that.” “You won’t understand, Nathan…” she paused, lifted her head from my shoulder, and looked me straight in the eyes. “Can’t you see my stomach? Don’t you notice something different?” Frowning, I glanced down at her stomach. It was slightly bloated, as if she'd eaten a lot, or… Realization dawned, and my eyes widened. “You’re pregnant?” I asked in shock, already knowing the answer. Nikita nodded as tears rolled down her cheeks. “Yes, Nathan. I’m almost three mon
Benita’s POV A knock landed on my door, and by the alluring familiar scent, I knew it was Nathan. “The door is open,” I said softly, and after a few seconds, the door pushed open, and Nathan walked in, slowly shutting the door behind him. I looked up from the book in my hands, watching as he crossed the room with slow, measured steps. “Good day,” he greeted, a small smile spreading across his face. “Good day,” I responded plainly while ignoring the howling of my wolf at his smell. His scent was so intoxicating that I was doing my best not to sniff the air. “The kids aren’t back yet?” he asked. I shook my head. A moment of silence hung in the air before Nathan spoke. “I got you something,” he said while bringing out a box from his pant pocket. I watched him open the small velvet box and take out a silver bracelet. My fingers curled instinctively, resisting the urge to reach for it. “For you,” he said, his voice softer than usual. I swallowed, my throat tightening. “
Nathan's POV My heart raced in my chest while my wolf, who was frightened, went silent. This was the most critical moment of our lives, we had never been this terrified before. “This is my verdict,” Lycan Kent began, and I held my breath. “It is true that Alpha Nathan was found guilty of all the charges laid against him.” He paused, and I continued holding my breath, my eyes fixed on him. “ But he was under a spell. And while being under a spell does not justify his actions, it does change the intent behind them. Just as Lady Benita pleaded, I will take the children into consideration. Therefore, after careful deliberation, I have decided to grant him a second chance.” A murmur spread through the crowd, some in agreement, others clearly displeased. My heart was still hammering, and my wolf remained eerily silent, as if still processing what had just been said. Lycan Kent’s sharp gaze swept over the assembly before returning to me. “However, this does not mean Benita remains wif
Benita’s POV “The trial is about to begin,” Xavier announced as he stepped into the room. Taking a deep, steadying breath, I stared at my reflection in the mirror one last time. My lips pressed into a thin line as I exhaled softly. Without another word, I followed Xavier out of the room. The trial was being held in the courtroom, a separate building attached to the mansion. As we walked closer, an inexplicable unease settled over me. It wasn’t for myself—I wasn’t the one on trial. It was for Nathan. I couldn’t shake the heavy, suffocating worry I felt for him. When we reached the courthouse doors, the guards stationed there stepped aside, opening the entrance for us. Xavier led me inside, and the moment I crossed the threshold, my eyes instinctively sought him out. Nathan. He was seated in the accused booth, his head slightly bowed. When his gaze lifted, our eyes met, and I felt a pang in my chest. The life in his eyes—the spark I had always seen in him—was gone. I swallowe