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 POVFor a long moment, neither of us said a word to each other, simply staring at each other until I finally decided to break the silence. “What do you want, Alpha Nathan?” I asked angrily, but Nathan didn’t say a word. Instead, he just kept staring at me like he was trying to read through me.“I believe your wish is coming true, isn’t it?” I spat with hatred, but he still didn’t respond. His face twisted with anger, which annoyed me even more.Another moment of silence hung in the air before he took a step closer to me and squatted before me, our eyes interlocked. “You have just thirty minutes left, and I want to give you another chance, even though you don’t deserve it. But I just want to help you…” He paused, glancing at me with a blank look that made it difficult to read him.“Confess to the crime, undo the spell you cast on my wolf, and I’ll make sure you get a lighter jail sentence,” he offered, waiting for me to respond.I scoffed in anger, shaking my head before looki
Nathan's POVI watched her as they led her to the gallows, while my chest was heavy with anger and something else I couldn’t place. She walked with her head held high, defiant, refusing to show even a sign of fear. Benita. The woman I’d sworn to hate, the woman I’d married only to torment, now stood before the crowd like a martyr, and somehow, that angered me even more.My fists clenched, and I forced myself to keep my gaze cold and blank. She was guilty. Everything pointed to her. I’d found those items in her room, and I knew what they meant. But as I stared at her, a nagging doubt crept into my mind—an unease I couldn’t shake. Was it possible she was innocent? And if she was… what would it mean for me to stand here and watch her die?I had been so certain, so determined to see her punished for the chaos she had brought upon my life, yet now, as she faced death, a pang of doubt twisted in my chest.The elder’s voice rang out, each word making me more uneasy. “Benita, you have been fo
Benita’s POVWith ragged breaths, I lay on the bed, watching as he unbuttoned his shirt and let it fall to the floor. My heart pounded, and I swallowed hard, my gaze fixed on him as he slid off his jeans, leaving him in nothing but his underwear. His eyes never left mine as he slipped out of his last piece of clothing, standing naked before me, giving me a glimpse of his hardened length.I believe you like what you see,” he murmured, his voice rough with desire as he climbed onto the bed. Swiftly, he tore my clothes away until I was left in just my bra and panties. His gaze was fierce, his hands rough as he lifted himself off me to unclasp my bra, tossing it aside. Without hesitation, he tore off my panties, leaving me completely naked beneath him.“Stay away from me,” I grunted in anger and tried moving away, but he pinned me to the bed. Every nerve in my body was on fire, a mix of anger and something else that I didn’t want to admit. I was furious, hurt, betrayed—and yet, I found my
Nathan’s POVWatching her lying there, catching her breath, should have felt like a victory. Instead, I was left with this messy mix of anger and something else I didn’t want to admit. The way she looked at me—full of hate and something more—set every nerve on edge, making me feel like I was losing control.She fell back onto the bed, her gaze locking with mine. For a second, I hesitated, feeling an urge to keep her close. But I pushed it down, clenching my jaw. I needed her to leave before I completely lost my grip.“Get out,” I snapped, my voice colder than I meant. I just needed her gone, needed to stop feeling so much.Benita got up from the bed and began putting on her clothes, and I couldn’t help but gawk at her. She might not have my favorite type of body, but damn, she was alluring in her own way. My eyes landed on her breasts, which were on display, and I groaned, looking away as I covered myself.After she finished dressing in the torn dress, she didn’t say a word to me, but
Nathan’s POV“What do you want from me, Nathan?”Benita’s sea-blue eyes pinned me in place, demanding an answer I didn’t have. Vulnerable, defiant—she had this way of looking at me that made my chest tighten and my mind spin. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to pull myself together, but the knot of emotions inside me refused to untangle.What did I want from her? Revenge? Control? Or was it something deeper, something darker, something I couldn’t even admit to myself? My wolf stirred restlessly, growling low in the back of my mind.I dropped onto the edge of the bed, putting space between us, my head falling into my hands. My gaze shifted to the floor, where my own release had spilled. I couldn’t believe I had just had sex with Benita—and worse, that I had enjoyed it.“What I want,” I said, my voice rough and unsteady, “is for you to undo the spell on me. Stop pretending you’re innocent when we both know what you did.”Her expression didn’t waver, but for the first time, I saw it—
Benita's POV“Where is Theo?!” I demanded, my voice trembling with panic as I clutched Nathan’s shirt tighter. My heart raced wildly, and every possible worst-case scenario flashed through my mind.Nathan’s brows furrowed as he placed his hands gently over mine, trying to calm me down. “Benita, breathe,” he said softly, his eyes filled with confusion. “Theo’s isn’t gone. We’ll find him. He might have wandered off.”“Wandered off?!” I snapped, shaking my head as tears threatened to fall. “He’s a child, Nathan! He wouldn’t just disappear without someone seeing him!” My voice cracked as I released his shirt, turning to scan the room, searching for any sign of my son.Nathan stepped in front of me, his hands on my shoulders this time, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Listen to me,” he said firmly, his eyes locked onto mine. “I’ll call the guards to start searching. We’ll find him. I promise.”I glared at him. “Tell me you don’t have a hand in this! Did you ask your men to hide him? You want
Benita’s POV Nathan carried me like I weighed nothing, cradling me against his chest with ease. My breath hitched in surprise, but I was too drained to argue or push him away. The murmurs of the crowd grew louder as Nathan turned toward the pack house, his movements quick. “That’s enough for today,” he announced, his authoritative tone leaving no room for objections. “She’ll return tomorrow to continue the healing.” I barely registered his words, my body sagging against him as exhaustion consumed me. The healing process had taken more out of me than I expected. Pulling toxins from others and into myself wasn’t just painful; it was draining in a way I couldn’t describe. Nathan glanced down at me, his expression unreadable. “You should’ve stopped sooner,” he muttered under his breath, more to himself than to me. His voice, though low, carried a hint of concern I didn’t want to acknowledge. “I’m fine,” I mumbled weakly, though the weight of my own body said otherwise. My eyelids flu
Benita's POV“Mother,” I whispered under my breath, staring at her in disbelief. She was a shadow of the woman I once knew.“Mother,” I whispered again, my voice trembling, unsure if it was from anger or shock. She stood there, frail and thin, her once sharp eyes now dulled with exhaustion. But the coldness I remembered—the hatred that had shaped my childhood—still lingered in her gaze. Even now, she still hated me. I vividly remembered the last time I saw her, standing outside my cell, wishing for my death.“Benita,” she said, her voice dry, almost cracking. Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, she studied me as if I were a stranger. “You’ve returned.”I straightened my back, refusing to let her see how her presence rattled me. “Yes, I’m here,” I replied firmly. “Not that you ever cared whether I was gone or not.”Her lips twitched with pain. It seemed she was also affected by the illness. She looked around, her gaze brushing over the sick pack members gathered in the
Benita’s POV A knock landed on the door, and without being told, I knew it was Nathan. I frowned, wondering what he wanted this time. Pushing the door open, I found him standing before me. His eyes locked onto mine instantly, and I glared at him. “It’s 9 PM, Alpha Nathan. What do you want?” I asked in an annoyed tone, but he didn’t seem bothered by my attitude. Is Theo asleep already?” he asked. I continued to glare at him but nodded reluctantly. “Yes. Is there a problem?” Nathan sighed and remained silent for a moment before speaking. “I just came to inform you that the sick pack members will be in the courtyard by 8 AM,” he announced. I scoffed, shaking my head in disbelief. “Who would have thought that the same girl they once screamed should be hanged would be the one to save their lives someday?” I sighed and folded my arms. “Is that all?” I asked, raising a brow. Nathan hesitated, taking a step closer until only a few inches separated us. “I looked for you everywhere, Be
Benita’s POV “So, Theo, tell me, would you like a room on one of the lower floors?” Nathan asked, his tone brimming with enthusiasm. I frowned instantly. “We’re not staying here long, so there’s no need for Theo to have a separate room,” I countered sharply. Nathan’s lips parted as if to argue, but he thought better of it and nodded. There was no way I was letting my son out of my sight, not even for a moment. You must be hungry. I’ve already asked the cook to prepare something,” Nathan announced, his voice laced with forced cheerfulness. I barely spared him a glance before looking at Theo. My son sat silently, his wide, curious eyes darting between us. The sight made my heart ache. No child should have to witness the broken shards of their parents’ relationship displayed so blatantly. But what could I do? This was the reality we had to live with. “Alpha Nathan,” Theo’s voice broke the silence as he addressed Nathan directly. His young, steady tone carried a weight that caught bot
Benita’s POVOpening my eyes, I was greeted by the sight of Theo deep in conversation with Alpha Nathan. The mere sight of them together made my heart flutter nervously.“Mother, you’re awake!” Theo’s voice brimmed with excitement as he rushed to hug me. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him tightly before gently pulling away to sit up, resting my back and head against the headboard.Are you fully recovered? Do you need anything?” Theo asked eagerly, his concern for me obvious in his eyes. I responded with a faint smile, not trusting my voice just yet.“Mate!” Olivia, my wolf, howled in my head. Her sudden outburst made me frown, and my gaze instinctively shifted to Alpha Nathan. Our eyes locked, and for the first time since we’d crossed paths again, I allowed myself to truly see the breathtaking man seated beside me.At twenty-nine, Alpha Nathan had grown more striking than I remembered. Time had refined him, sculpting the boy I once knew into a man who commanded attention effort
Alpha Nathan’s POV Her admission hit me like a blow, and my wolf snarled in my mind. “You knew? And you didn't tell me?” “I didn't tell you because I didn't trust you, Nathan,” she replied, her tone calm. “Benita needed to be safe, and I wasn’t sure you could provide that. Not after everything that happened.” I took a step closer, my jaw tightening. “So you helped her escape?” “Yes,” she admitted without hesitation. “I helped her disappear. And I'd do it again if it meant protecting her and Theo.” Her words ignited anger I hadn’t felt in years, but beneath the anger was a deep, gnawing guilt. “You had no right to keep my son from me,” I growled. “Or to decide what was best for Benita without consulting me.” Aunt Anne's eyes narrowed. “I had every right. You broke her, Nathan. You treated her like she was nothing, and when she finally found the strength to leave, I made sure she could. She was pregnant, Nathan, and she was so scared you would force her to abort the child. I, myse
Alpha Nathan's POV“I can’t,” I said, my voice rough with emotion. “I won’t.”Her hands slammed against the table, and she rose to her feet, her eyes blazing with frustration. “Why? Why are you doing this? Is this about control? About possession? You don’t love me, Nathan. You never did.”“That’s not true,” I said fiercely, standing as well. My voice echoed in the room, louder than I intended. “I did love you, Benita. I do love you.”She froze, her lips parting in shock. For a moment, she just stared at me as if trying to decipher the truth in my words. Then she laughed—a bitter, broken sound that made my chest ache.“I fell in love with you without realizing it,” I said, my voice low and strained. I took a cautious step toward her. “I’m sorry. For everything. For how I treated you.”Benita let out another bitter laugh, her arms folded across her chest. “Why now, Nathan? Why are you apologizing after all these years?” she asked, her voice sharp. “I’m still the same—still plus-size, st
Nathan's POVThe door suddenly pushed open, and Aunt Anne walked in. The moment she did, I furrowed my brow at her. I had numerous questions to ask her. How was she able to find Benita? Did she know Benita's whereabouts all this while? Did she know I had a son with Benita? Was she the one who helped Benita escape? All these were questions I needed answers to.“Aunt Anne, could you please watch over Theo while Alpha Nathan and I have a brief private discussion?” Benita said, and Aunt Anne nodded.“Mommy, where are you going?” Theo asked, his tone filled with concern and worry. Benita cupped his cheeks and placed kisses on them.“Don’t worry, my champ. I just want to have a word with Alpha Nathan, and once I’m done, we are leaving, okay?” she said, and I swallowed hard. The thought of her leaving was something I would not take.Theo nodded, then looked at me with resentment and anger in his eyes before turning back to Benita. “If he hits you, call for me, okay?” he said worriedly and pr