Is Nathan’s suspicion right?
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 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 sc
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 closer,
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 hands tr
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 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 hands tr
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 closer,
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 sc
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
Alpha Nathan’s POV “We’re home, Alpha,” Step, my driver, announced as the car rolled into the mansion’s yard. Benita didn’t wait for me to open the door or for my men to offer assistance. Without a glance in my direction, she opened the door herself and stepped out of the car, moving swiftly across the driveway. I felt the familiar pang in my chest, but I swallowed it down and forced my feet to follow her. My wolf stirred restlessly inside me, but I pushed his frustrations aside. The men stationed around the mansion stood at attention, bowing their heads respectfully. I returned a curt nod and walked into the mansion behind Benita. “Mom! You’re back!” Theo's excited voice filled the air. I looked forward and saw Theo running excitedly toward Benita. His arms stretched out wide, and he had a big smile on his face. His excitement was palpable, as though he had been waiting weeks for her return, though it had only been a day. Benita dropped to one knee and hugged him tightly,
Benita’s POV “Who?” I asked, curious. Just when Alpha Xavier was about to respond, I noticed the abrupt opening of the door, which forced my attention to it—only to see a panicked-looking Alpha Nathan barging into the dining room. Nathan’s sudden arrival made the room feel heavy with tension. He stood at the doorway, his piercing eyes first locking onto me, then narrowing at Alpha Xavier. His presence was like a storm—silent but full of brewing anger. Alpha Xavier, however, seemed relaxed. He leaned back in his chair, casually gesturing at Nathan. “You’re up earlier than I thought,” he said, as though nothing was wrong. Nathan ignored him; his attention fixed on me. Nathan’s eyes flicked to me, and I suddenly felt like a child caught sneaking cookies from the jar. His eyes flicked over me in a way that made me feel like I’d been caught red-handed doing something forbidden. “Benita, what are you doing here?” Nathan demanded, sounding obviously angry. Before I could answer, A
Benita’s POV I woke up to the soft glow of morning light streaming through the curtains, its warmth brushing against my skin. My head felt heavy, clouded with the remnants of last night’s emotional storm. As I stirred, I realized I wasn’t alone. Nathan lay beside me, his face relaxed in the peaceful stillness of sleep. For a moment, all the pain, anger, and confusion faded away. I found myself simply watching him. His dark hair fell messily across his forehead, and my fingers twitched with the urge to brush it back. The tension that usually hardened his chiseled features had melted away, leaving his jaw relaxed. The faint shadow of stubble added a rugged edge to his boyish charm, and his full lips, slightly parted, made him look gentle. Innocent, breathtaking. But it was his vulnerability that struck me the most. Gone was the dominant, commanding Alpha who always seemed to be in control. In his sleep, Nathan looked… human. Soft, approachable, and heartbreakingly handsome. My wo
Benita’s POV “Now no one is here. Don’t you think you should fulfill your dare?” Nathan challenged, his green eyes filled with lust and hunger for me. I could tell he was intoxicated on the whiskey, but I could also see the desire for me in his eyes, and he was doing his best not to fuck me. “Why are you silent? Are you chickening out?” he challenged with an annoying smirk on his face, which I found very irritating. My wolf purred with desire in the back of my mind while Nathan’s gaze bore into mine, daring me to back down. But I didn’t. Instead, I slid my hands down his chest, feeling the hard lines of his muscles beneath my fingertips. He watched my every move, his chest rising and falling as if he were trying to control the storm brewing inside him. “You’re serious about this?” I asked, my voice soft but teasing as I let my hands linger just above his waistband. Nathan smirked, his green eyes darkening. “What do you think?” The challenge in his voice sparked someth