Hey everyone! I just wanted to clear up a little misunderstanding some of you may have had about Oscar's hesitation in the last chapter. I’ve seen a few comments and messages, and I appreciate how deeply you're all invested in the characters! Oscar **was not** contemplating whether or not to accept his mate. His hesitation wasn't about indecision—it was about being respectful. He knew rejecting a mate would be incredibly painful, and he was trying to do it in the most considerate, gentle way possible. That moment of pause or hesitation was him gathering the strength to do what he thought was right, not because he was unsure, but because he wanted to be a gentleman. Also, he wasn’t the one torn between choosing his mate or Lisa. It was his wolf.
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
Lila’s POV I checked my wristwatch and realized Oscar’s flight had arrived. Any moment now, he’d be walking out of that terminal, and just the thought made my heart race. It had only been two days since he left, but it felt like an eternity. I missed him so much it ached. I craved him—his arms around me, his lips on mine. I wanted to feel him again. God, I was horny. My wolf scoffed in me, clearly annoying me even more. Where I stood beside the car, leaning on it with my back, I stood beside the car, leaning against it with my back, trying to stay calm as I waited. Passengers began pouring out of the terminal with their luggage, and my eyes scanned the crowd, searching for him. But suddenly an intoxicating smell hit my nose. My nostrils flared. That scent. It wasn’t just intoxicating—it was maddening, wild, and warm, curling into my lungs like it belonged there. My wolf froze, then jolted forward in my mind with a snarl that shook me to my core. Mate. My body straightened, my
Oscar’s POV “When are you arriving… I’ll come pick you up myself,” Lila said through the mind link, and I chuckled. “Already missing me?” I teased. “Of course I am… you’ve been gone for two days. And good news—Theo and Lagertha are coming back tonight. Theo has a surprise for Lila, and Mother is helping him prepare it. I want you here before they arrive,” Lila muttered, and I smiled. I was happy with how things turned out between Lagertha and Theo. After my fight with Grey, Ma’am Benita told us the truth—that Theo and Lagertha wouldn’t be going through any surgery because Lagertha could see. They hid it from us. She explained why she did, and I understood. “So what time am I expecting to pick you up at the airport?” Lila pressed on. A smile spread across my face. “I’m on my way to the airport… so in the next four hours, I’ll be arriving in California,” I said. “Good… I will be waiting for you. Have a nice trip back, darling. I love you.” My heart fluttered. “I love you,
Theo’s POV Her “yes” hung in the air, soft and shaky, but powerful. It sealed something between us that didn’t need words. I couldn’t speak—my throat felt tight, my chest full. Everything I felt for her, everything I had been trying to hide, came pouring out all at once. I held her face in my hands and kissed her again—this time slower, deeper. I wanted to feel every second of it. She let out a soft gasp when our lips touched again. Her hands grabbed my shoulders, pulling me even closer. Her body pressed into mine like she couldn’t stand even a little space between us. She was so warm, so soft, so real. Everything about her—her smell, her voice, the feel of her skin—wrapped around me like magic I never wanted to end. I carefully lifted her from the water. Her legs wrapped around me, and her head rested on my shoulder. She was shaking, not because she was scared, but because she was waiting for what was coming. I held her tight, kissing her forehead, her temple, the side of her ear
Theo’s POV Lagertha was asleep, and I was watching her. She lay curled beneath the thick blanket, her chest rising and falling in the quiet rhythm of peace—something she hadn’t had much of lately. Something we hadn’t had. The black strands of her hair spilled across the pillow like silk, her lips slightly parted, her eyelashes fanned across her cheeks. She looked so precious. So fragile. And yet, she was the strongest person I knew. I sat in the armchair across from the bed, a blanket draped over my shoulders, but I wasn’t cold. I wasn’t tired either. I just… couldn’t stop looking at her. My heart was still too full. Too shaken. I should be angry. I was angry, in a way. But it was drowned out by everything else. The grief, the relief, the crushing ache of knowing how close I came to losing her—not just to her blindness, but to a decision I hadn’t seen coming. She had planned to leave. And I hadn’t known. If I hadn’t offered my eye… if I hadn’t said those words… she wo
Oscar's POV We left the living room and stepped into the combat grounds, where a few warriors were still training. “Everyone step back,” I commanded, and they all stopped their training, stepping back but all looking confused. I stared at Grey, who was already taking off his clothes, ready for the fight. I looked at Lila, who stood a few steps away from me. She looked terrified, worried, and in pain. Her eyes were clouded in tears. It was obvious she was so scared of me, and I understood why. Grey was a good warrior. He had gone to war and had won, and I? I hadn’t been to a war. Our pack’s strength, numbers, and especially Theo’s unmatched power had always kept war away from our doorstep. No one dared challenge us. No one even considered it. “Why are you hesitating? Having second thoughts?” Grey mocked, noticing I hadn’t started undressing while he was already down to his briefs. I ignored his taunt and reached for the buttons on my shirt, but Lila stepped forward, gently takin
Lila’s POV “So tell me, Oscar, are you willing to die for Lila?” Alpha Grey asked, his voice dripping with confidence, as if he had already won. I scowled at his arrogance. “Yes,” Oscar replied without hesitation. “Only that I won’t be the one dying.” I glanced at him with wild eyes as I frantically shook my head. “Hell no… you are not fighting,” I disagreed. Alpha Grey chuckled softly. “What’s wrong, Lila? Are you afraid I’ll kill him?” His tone was mocking, his smirk infuriating. I shot him a glare full of hatred before turning back to Oscar, who wore a deep frown. “Don’t do it… we will find other ways,” I pleaded. But Oscar shook his head. “There is no other way. This is the only way.” “No, it isn’t!” I snapped at him. “I won’t let you do it, Oscar… I won’t,” I said in a shaky voice while fear filled my entire being. It’s not that I don’t trust Oscar’s skills and abilities, it’s just that I have heard stories of this Alpha Grey. He has fought two battles and has come out v
Lagertha’s POV “I have been able to see for a very long time.” I drop the bombshell, my heart pounding rapidly. For a moment, Theo stood speechless, his confused but stunned eyes on me. He was looking at me as if waiting for me to laugh and say I was joking, but I didn’t. Rather, my eyes remained focused on him. “Theo… say something.” I whispered nervously, waiting for him to explode, to yell at me for not telling him the truth sooner. But he didn’t. Rather, he just remained numb, staring right at me. I could see the confusion, the questions, and the disbelief in his eyes, But the anger I had feared? It wasn’t there. Slowly, Theo raised his hand, holding up two fingers. I didn’t need him to speak to understand what he was asking. “Two fingers.” I responded. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard, his hands balling into fists at his sides. He took a step back, putting distance between us. “ When?" His voice was too calm, too measured. And that terrified me more than if he
Lila's POV Rage, like fire, exploded inside me. So this was it—this was why he wanted me! To be a fucking breeder? I, Lila Luciano, a fucking breeder! These two people had it all planned. This was why he wanted me. Not because of love. Not because of fate. Not even because he saw me as his equal. But because he wanted an heir. Because he needed me to be a fucking breeder. I clenched my fists so tightly that my nails dug into my palms, my wolf snarling inside me. My vision blurred at the edges as my anger boiled over. Morgan watched me carefully, her expression unreadable. She had said everything so calmly, as if this wasn’t the most humiliating, disgusting truth I’d ever heard in my life. I forced myself to breathe, to swallow the bitter rage inside me. "So that’s it?” My voice came out sharp, trembling with fury. “That’s the reason you’re so willing to give up? Because you can’t give him a son, so now I have to?” Morgan didn’t flinch. “It’s more than that, Lila.”
Lagertha's POV I woke up to the voice of Theo. Opening my eyes, I saw him at the window. He was wearing only a pair of boxers, his body bare, and a phone pressed to his ear. “Yes, we will be there in the next two hours,” he said to the person on the other end of the call. I furrowed my brow but remained still on the bed. “She’s still sleeping. Once she wakes up, we’ll be on our way. Just keep everything ready, and please—no mistakes.” That was when I realized he was talking to the doctor. “You have to tell him now,” my wolf urged, and I swallowed hard. I was just scared of telling him that I could still see. “Alright, thank you.” Theo ended the call, and that was when he turned around and realized I was awake. A big, bright smile spread across his face, which made me frown. Who smiles like that when they’re about to lose one of their eyes? “You’re awake.” I nodded and sat up on the bed. Theo’s smile didn’t waver as he strode toward me, his bare chest catching the so