Five

Savannah 

My mind reeled as we headed inside the mansion. The mansion wasn’t even the right word—it was a palace stretching out in every direction with stone walls and tall windows. The elegance was unlike anything I’d seen in my twenty-five years. 

Anxiety twisted in my stomach as the little girl clung to me tightly, as if afraid I’d run away. Aware of how sensitive children could be, I stayed silent and waited until I was alone with her father.

How could this be happening? Could I have a twin or some doppelgänger? No, that was impossible. My dad always said my mother had died giving birth to me. There was no one else. And even if I did, which was not even remotely possible, there would surely be some differences.

Beatrice, my mate's sister, returned, her scrubs marking her as a doctor despite her unconventional appearance. Her rainbow-colored hair, numerous piercings, and purple contact lenses made her stand out—a personality I knew Eve would click with instantly.

“Back from the dead, I see,” she sneered after distracting the kid.

“Look, I’ve got things to do, and I would appreciate it if you and your brother would let me go.”

She crossed her arms, and her sharp eyes scanned me. “Did you get tired of running off with your lover? Spent all the money and decided to crawl back here? Or is this some grand act to get everyone's pity?”

I stayed silent. None of what she said applied to me—I wasn’t Sasha; I was Savannah.

Scoffing, she pulled a stethoscope from her pocket. “You’ve always been full of shit.”

Her sudden shift in tone startled me. She’d been kind while her brother was around, but now she spoke to me like a total bitch.

She checked my vitals, and to my surprise, I didn’t resist.

“You’re thinner,” she muttered. “Clearly broke. Did your stupid lover dump you after squandering your money?”

She paused, then added with a glare, “Not that Xavier married you for anything other than politics. You were always a pretty face for an alliance with your grandfather's pack.”

Her words stung, even though they weren’t meant for me. I remained silent, letting her assumptions roll over me like waves. What could I even say?

The footsteps descending the staircase drew my attention, and my breath hitched.

Xavier appeared, shirtless, holding a glass of cognac in one hand. 

Holy shit.

The golden liquid swirled as he took a sip and locked his hazel eyes onto mine. His gaze explored my body, and I didn’t know how long I could hold myself together, thanks to my horny wolf.

His gaze lingered on me as if trying to decode a puzzle. Beatrice broke the silence. “She needs rest. We must rule out all options and be sure she’s not lying. I’ll start a treatment plan for her tomorrow.”

Xavier didn't respond, but his eyes didn’t leave mine. His sister walked away.

Alone with him, I became hyper-aware of his presence. The mating bond pulsed like a heartbeat, making my body more sensitive and causing me to squirm in my seat.

He moved closer, knelt before me, and placed a hand on my thigh. My heart thrummed, and I shut my eyes.

“Look at me, Sasha.”

Here we go with the Sasha name again!

I couldn’t bear to meet his gaze as its intensity suffocated me. I shut my eyes tightly, shutting out the world until all I could see was darkness.

A part of me longed to let myself be delusional just this once and enjoy the idea of having my mate beside me. The bond tugged at my soul, urging me to lean into the connection I had craved for so long.

But then reality crashed over me, reminding me of the two boys waiting for me at home. I snapped my eyes open, forcing myself to push aside the pull of the bond and face the situation with clarity.

“Please, you have to understand—I’m not who you think I am. I don’t even know you.”

His thumb kept caressing my thigh. The touch sent a jolt through me, the bond sparking like electricity.

“Do you think I don’t recognize my mate?” he murmured, his tone almost tender. “You’re mine forever, Sasha.”

He straightened and signaled to a maid, who hurried over. 

“Take her upstairs,” he ordered flatly.

I’d never bolted away so fast in my life. When we stopped in front of a door, the maid turned to me, filled with nervous energy. 

“Luna, if you need anything, please call me.”

“I’m not…” I started to say but swallowed my words.

She opened the door and stepped aside. The room was larger than any space I’d ever called my own. A canopy bed draped in white fabric dominated the center. The scent of lavender and vanilla lingered in the air. Every single thing was perfect.

I ran my hand over the bedspread. My gaze wandered to the vanity, where perfumes and jewelry glinted under the soft light of the chandelier. Who was this woman they thought I was?

This was the most complicated situation I’d ever faced, making me question why trouble always found me.

Five years ago, on my bachelorette eve, I woke up in a stranger’s bed, and then I got pregnant with twins, one with a heart condition. Now, I was being mistaken for my mate's wife and held hostage.

What else could go wrong?

For a brief moment, I considered taking one of the necklaces that lay on the vanity. It would be enough to pay for Jermaine’s treatments, enough to ease the constant worry about how I’d keep my boys safe. But as quickly as the thought came, I dismissed it. There had to be cameras somewhere in this house; the last thing I needed was to make this situation worse.

My eyes landed on a picture frame beside the perfumes, half hidden behind a vase of flowers. Slowly, I reached for it.

The photo inside sent a chill through my entire body.

It was me. Or at least someone who looked exactly like me. Her ash blond hair framed her face like mine, and her almond-shaped eyes stared back at me with the same intensity I often saw in my reflection. Even the tiny birthmark on her collarbone was identical.

My fingers tightened around the frame as I stumbled back.

This couldn’t be real.

How could someone look so much like me? Was it possible that Xavier and Adelaide weren’t entirely wrong? That this woman, Sasha, truly connected to me somehow?

I sank onto the edge of the bed, and the picture frame slipped from my hand and landed on the plush carpet with a muted thud. 

Memories of the past five years flooded my mind—fleeing my old pack, raising Jermaine and Jace, struggling daily to keep us afloat. And now, somehow, I was here, mistaken for a woman I didn’t know, trapped in a life that wasn’t mine.

I couldn’t blame Xavier or Adelaide for their assumptions. Seeing this photograph, I might even have believed I was Sasha. The bond I felt with Xavier surged through me again, and my wolf stirred.

I shook my head, forcing the thoughts away. I had to get out of here, whatever this was—whoever this woman was. My boys were waiting for me.

I lay on the bed, and at some point, the heaviness pulled me under, and I drifted into an uneasy sleep. Hours later, I woke to darkness. My mind immediately turned to Jermaine and Jace. They were alone, and I couldn’t stay here any longer.

I crept out of the room, carefully descending the stairs. The sound of maids chatting nearby made me pause, but I managed to slip into the kitchen unnoticed.

Finding a door that led to the backyard, I pushed it open, the cool night air hitting my face. My wolf stirred, and I gave in to the transformation, letting my body shift effortlessly.

In wolf form, I leaped over the fence, landing on the other side with a thud.