CHAPTER THREE
Cana pov She picked up the call a few minutes later. Her voice sounded worried. “Have you seen her?” She asked him. “Yes,” he said as he gave me the phone. I pressed the phone to my ear “Hello” I said in a whisper. “Cana! I have been so worried about you. Where did you go? When are you coming back?” She asked. I cleaned the tears that helplessly rolled down my cheeks avoiding her boyfriend's gaze. I would not want anyone pitying me. “I'm fine Mia. I just want to stay away for a while. Till the shame and everything dies down” I said. “Noo cana, you can't leave me. You did not even pack some clothes. What about your parents? Aren't you going to visit their tomb?” She asked, almost breaking into tears. “Mia I will be fine,” I said even though I knew what she said was true. I needed to see my parents and tell them what happened. That their daughter was rejected and that no one has loved me since they died. “Please cana, come home. I will be here with you” she said with a trembling voice. I heaved a sigh. Whatever she was saying was true and I knew it was. “Fine,” I said as I stood up. “Let's go,” I told him. The drive to my house was silent. Different thoughts ran through my mind. Would it be good if my parents were still alive? Would they love me? The car stopped at the palace gate instead of my house. Otto left before I could ask him any questions. Why had he brought me back here, the same place I was rejected? I squared up my shoulders. Maybe Mia was still here or Derek was here attending to some of the Parks' needs as he is head of the elder council. Immediately I stepped into the palace, I froze on the spot. Everywhere was still crowded. it looked as if they were still holding a party. What could they celebrate? Maybe it was my defeat, I mean most people immediately hated me the day Axel asked me to be his Luna. As if they sensed my questions they started whispering among themselves. “She's fit to be a Luna” “Ivy would make a good Luna compared to that twat that calls herself Cana” My breathing seized for a moment. Was this the reason the palace was still full? To discuss my pain? “Thank the moon goddess that Axel and Ivy got married today. Their chemistry is unmatched” one of them whispered. My legs grew weaker as pain rushed within me stopping me from breathing. I gasp around for air. They would soon notice that I was there and start mocking me to my face. I was still standing outside with my wedding gown. I hid between the palace pillars as hot tears rushed down my cheeks. I can't believe that they decided to get married today of all days. The same day I was meant to get married. Couldn't they humor me and at least postpone the wedding to another day? “To our Luna” Axel shouted, raising his glass to the air. “To our Luna” they all shouted. I looked around. They all seemed happy. No one even felt bad for the Alpha holding the wedding on the same day as mine. I began to regret the reason why I followed Otto. I would have just remained in the restaurant. A rough hand grabbed my arms from where I was hiding. It was Derek, my guardian. He dragged me immediately into his car and drove to our house. Immediately we got to his house he banged the door loudly behind me. I flinched at the force. I was already too weak to start asking what happened. “Have you gone mad? How could you run away from a wedding without the Alpha permitting you?” he shouted as he walked toward me. Grief washed me as I stared at him. His voice is void of emotions. And here I thought he had traveled. He did not even care about me. It was about me leaving the Alpha without his permission. “I was rejected by Axel. My fiance left me for his girlfriend who was pregnant! Should I have stayed and watched them get all lovey-dovey in my presence!?”I shouted with anger. My head was getting hot, tears were flowing down my face. His eyes softened, and he heaved a deep sigh “You would have let him ask you to go cana. Irrespective of your grief. People are gossiping about your show this morning. They claim that the Alpha has no control over his pack because of how you behave. You made the pack look weak” he explained. His voice was low with remorse. Cold gripped my feet and spread through my whole body. What was he trying to say? “Meaning?” I asked in a low whisper. He ran his hand over his hair and cursed under his breath “They have asked that you leave the pack because of your misbehavior this morning” he explained. My eyes widened with surprise, and my esophagus became blocked with pain “And what did you say?” I asked him. Surely he must have said something to them. He can convince the council in my favor. “I begged them cana. They refused to accept my apology, however, they did not banish you from the pack. You would be gone for a while and return” he said his voice filled with hope as if that would help my pain. I swallowed hard “How long? How long will I have to stay away? A week, a month, forever?” I asked with a bitter smile. “Three years,” he said I nodded my head and gave him a bitter smile.”Okay,” I said and walked away. I went to the next door where Mia lived. I knocked on the door tears continued to flow down my cheek She opened the door and her face immediately turned into a frown when she saw me crying. She hugged me immediately, patting me on my back as tears flowed more. “It's going to be okay,” she whispered. I cried more. She does not know that I have been sent away from the pack. I have to tell her and leave without anyone noticing me. I stopped crying and sniffed in. “I have been sent out of the park. '' I informed her. “What?” She asked to release me from the hug. I nodded too weakly to respond. More tears flowed down. “I have to go, Mia,” I said. “We can figure- “Cana!” it was Derek's voice. I knew that as I spent more time here my life would be in more danger. I stared at her with tear-stained eyes, my heart heavy with pain. She was the only friend I had in the world. She burst into tears and hugged me again. “I am going to miss you” she whispered. We stayed there for a while. Hugging each other. “Cana!” The voice came again and I left her. I left the house without looking back. I strolled down the road aimlessly, too weak to even walk. A car stopped by my side and the window rolled down revealing a handsome man. He flashed me a smile. “Hello Cana,” he said. I narrowed my eyes to a split look. His face looked familiar. Who is this? Then the memory hit me. I have seen him visit Axel once. He was also there for our engagement ceremony. Colour drained from my skin. Was he here to mock me? “I heard what happened and- “ You are sorry. I know, thank you” I said, completing his sentence. A smile tugged his lips “Where are you going to?” He asked I can't tell him I was banished. The pity would increase. So I lied. “I am going home” He shook his head as if he knew I was lying.“Home? But you were banished right?” I nodded with a sigh. “Yes” “Hop in, let me take you to my park,” he said as he opened his car door. He went round to open the other door for me with a charming smile His three-piece suit enhanced his masculine features. I nodded and walked around with weak legs. I entered the car, his strong intoxicated scent hit me. It was not just any scent. It felt too strong to be just the scent of a wolf. Maybe that was how his park smelt.Chapter four.Cana pov.Immediately I entered the car, my eyes roamed around the car for a while before it landed on him. Only to find out that he was staring at me.“Are you okay?” He asked with a soft tone.“Well, I was rejected on my wedding day, but I am over it now and I am fine,” I said.A smile shadowed his lips; he stretched forth his hands. “Lycan Zane,” he introduced.I took his hands with a smile. I already knew his name. He was a lycan. No wonder Alpha Alex always made sure he gave him the best treatment possible.Lycans were also considered rulers of a pack, but they were higher than. Alphas. He started the car and started driving in a comfortable silence.“How long did they banish you?” He asked, suddenly breaking the silence.“Three years”He nodded and fixed his attention on the car again. ain “Do you miss home? I mean, your friends or guardians. I could talk to Alex to take you back,” he offered.On a normal no note, I would have taken that offer but right now, no. Th
~Cana’s POV:Hearing the words that had been spoken by Zane’s uncle was like a punch to the gut. For the second time tonight, the sick feeling of betrayal washed over me. I looked between Zane and his uncle, not sure what to say after hearing that Zane was betrothed. I didn’t have anything to say. The man In front of me was a total stranger, except for the times when I caught a glimpse of him visiting the pack house and the well-known fact that he was a Lycan, I knew nothing about him. So, who was I to feel betrayed? “I want her gone,” His uncle hissed. “Uncle Callahan-“ Zane tried to speak up, but his uncle cut him off. “She’s not worth it, Zane. I want her gone and you out in the main parlor as soon as possible.”Callahan, as I now knew his name, glanced once in my direction, throwing me a nasty look that I had too familiar with in less than a day, before storming out. Zane sighed as soon as the door slammed shut and turned to me. “You…have a betroth?” The words rolled off my
After changing into a more presentable outfit, I checked out of the motel with Zane carrying my things. He threw the bags into the trunk of his car and held the door open for him to step in. Although I was still keeping my guard up against him, I whispered words of gratitude under my breath and sat down.Once Zane got behind the wheel, he spoke up. “I know a good restaurant around here,” He turned to face me briefly and said. “Why don’t we go there for breakfast, then I’ll explain.”I didn’t see a problem with that. The faster I found out what he wanted from me, the sooner I would be able to get away from him and start planning my new life. Three whole years of living alone and away from the pack…I wondered how I was going to cope.But I sure as hell wasn’t going to go back and beg them. “Sure,” I nodded. “Let’s do that.”Zane started the engine and drove off. Soon, we arrived at a fancy-looking restaurant. All the buildings around the restaurant towered over it, but the décor and
~Cana’s POV:I sat in the center of the queen-sized bed of a motel, staring absentmindedly at the two cards in front of me. The first was the black card Zane had given me and the second was his business card. But the latter didn’t disturb me as much as the former did. For crying out loud, it was a freaking black card, with an unlimited spending limit. And, imagine the surprise that washed over me when I saw the balance. The numbers were uncountable, unlike anything Axel had ever entrusted to me. This was one of the reasons why this card bothered me so much. Groaning, I allowed my body to fall back onto the bed and curled on my side. ‘All this was too much,’ I silently complained.As if being banished from my pack, being humiliated on my wedding day, and getting rejected by my mate wasn’t enough, the moon goddess had decided to do what? Throw in a little funny trope into my already sad life? Groaning, again, I turned and curled on the other side, seeking a certain amount of comfo
~Cana’s POV:The group seized their wicked cackling and Ivy rushed to withdraw her foot, granting my bruised palm freedom. Hissing in pain, I stood up and examined my hand. Suddenly, it was snatched from me as Zane made his presence known beside me.He was standing close and he examined my hand with a deep frown. His touch and proximity had me gulping and looking away. And the scent of his pheromone wasn't helping any better. It smelt so sweet, yet masculine that it made me grow red in the cheeks and my wolf wild. "So delicious!" It screamed, wanting to have a piece of where the intoxicating scent was coming from. I couldn't blame her. 'Cana,' I quickly scolded myself. 'Focus on the matter at hand.'As if being reminded by my mind wasn't enough, the whispers of Ivy's cliques soon reached my ears, pulling me back to reality. "I-isn't that Alpha De Luca? Why is he here and...why is he touching that filth?" One of the girls whispered. Her followers were quick to agree. "She's goin
~Axel’s POV:I had just concluded a meeting with the pack elders when Ivy stormed through the front door, looking like she had cried for three hours straight. Her eyes were swollen, her nose red and mascara stained her face, leaving rails of the tears she had shed. Seeing her this way tore at my heart and in seconds, I rushed to her. “My love, what happened? Did you encounter trouble? Talk to me?” I gently rubbed her back as I pulled her into my arms.She sniffled and I held her tight, allowing her to cry and sob into my chest, not caring if her tears stained my white shirt.After a while, she pulled away and I noticed the rage in her eyes.“Who did this to you, baby?”“It was her,” She hiccupped. “Cana,”My fingers froze in place, halting the comforting motion they had been rubbing on Ivy’s back. My eyes narrowed and I felt anger rise within me. “Cana did this? She made you cry?”Ivy nodded. “She humiliated me, Axel. Just because of a simple mistake, she…she had me humiliated and
~Zane’s POV:“Alpha De Luca?” There was a gentle knock on the door of my office, followed by the voice of my assistant. “Are you there, Alpha?”“Come in,” I responded, putting aside the file I had been reading. The door opened and in walked Sheila, my assistant, carrying her usual tablet close to her chest. She bowed to greet and I nodded in acknowledgment before asking “Is there something wrong?”“Um, yes,” She walked towards me. “Ms. Vivian called and asked that I inform you that Ms. Cana had quit her position at the restaurant.”My brows creased upon hearing the announcement. “What?”“She said she found a better offer elsewhere.”Lies, I could tell, after all, Cana herself had admitted to being new in this city, there was no way she could have gotten a better offer overnight. Then, did that mean she quit because she didn’t want to be near me?The thought made my heart heavy and out of habit, I took off my reading glasses and pinched the bridge of my nose. Why was Cana trying so
~Axel's POV:I was as angry as a bull when I got back home. How dare those two treat me like I wasn't the alpha of the Manhattan pack. I hadn't expected much from Cana, but Zane, everything about what he did today hit me like a truck. Our packs had been in a no-violence treaty for years. We cooperated and existed like neighboring villages, but now, he had broken that treaty. The bastard had the guts to lay his hand on me and it was all because of Cana. I wasn't sure what type of sorcery she had used on Zane, but I'd be an idiot to sit on my butt and watch her caddy about her wicked plan. "We have to expose her evil deeds and bring her in front of both packs to apologize, only then would she have atoned for the disgrace she caused us today.' My wolf growled and I agreed. That is the best way to handle this situation, I thought as I climbed up the stairs and scoffed as I remembered Zane's words. Yeah right, no Alpha in his right mind would ever accept a mate as useless and weak a
The soft morning sun filtered through the curtains of their modest home in Ashbrook, painting the walls with warm hues of gold and pink. Cana stirred awake, the sound of tiny footsteps pattering down the hallway pulling her from her dreams. A soft giggle followed—a giggle she could recognize anywhere.Cana smiled and turned toward Zane, who was still fast asleep, his face relaxed and peaceful. She reached over to nudge him.“Your daughter is up,” she whispered.Zane groaned but smiled, keeping his eyes closed. “Our daughter,” he corrected, but he didn’t make any effort to move.Cana chuckled and threw the blanket off. “Fine, I’ll get her. But you’re on pancake duty.”That got him to open one eye. “Deal.”As Cana walked toward the living room, she found Peace sitting in the middle of the floor, surrounded by her stuffed animals. She had one of her birthday presents—a small toy piano—in front of her and was pressing random keys, creating a chaotic but delightful melody.“Good morning, m
EpilogueThe soft hum of laughter and the gentle clinking of glasses filled the air as a warm breeze swept through the backyard. The space was alive with celebration, a reflection of a life rebuilt from the ashes of chaos and pain. Cana adjusted the balloons on the arch for what felt like the tenth time, ensuring they were perfect. She stepped back to admire her handiwork and smiled as her gaze landed on Zane, who had their daughter, Peace, perched high on his shoulders.Peace squealed with uncontainable delight, her tiny hands gripping her father’s thick black hair as he prowled around like a pretend wolf.“Rarrrr! The big bad wolf is coming for you!” Zane growled playfully, eliciting another round of giggles from his daughter.“You’re spoiling her,” Cana teased from across the yard, her tone light and affectionate.Zane looked over, his mischievous grin softening. “She deserves to be spoiled, especially today.”Cana chuckled and shook her head. She loved seeing Zane like this, care
The house was eerily quiet as Cana stood in the middle of the living room, a half-packed box of belongings at her feet. The walls that once bore memories of battles, fleeting moments of laughter, and unshakable grief now felt foreign to her.Her fingers rested there as Zane entered the room, his arms full of folded clothes. He set them down on the couch and studied her face.“You sure about this?” he asked softly, breaking the silence.Cana nodded. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”Zane sighed, leaning back against the couch. “I’ll miss this place, you know. Not everything that happened here, but the good parts. It was home for a while.”“Home isn’t a place, Zane,” Cana replied, her voice steadier now. “It’s us. Wherever we go, that’s home.”Zane smiled at her, but there was a trace of sadness in his expression. He knew leaving the pack was necessary, but it didn’t make saying goodbye any easier.Lionel appeared in the doorway, his ever-present smirk subdued for once. He held a
The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a warm orange glow over the forest that stretched beyond the small town Cana and Zane had called home. The evening breeze rustled through the trees, carrying with it the faint scent of pine and damp earth. Cana sat on the back porch of their cabin, a blanket draped over her shoulders, her hands cradling a steaming mug of tea. Zane leaned against the railing, his arms crossed over his chest, his sharp eyes fixed on the setting sun.Now that Axel is behind bars for the first time in what felt like years, there was silence. No battles, no cries for help, no looming threats. And yet, the quiet carried its weight.“You’ve been quiet,” Cana said, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft but carried a trace of concern.Zane turned to her, his expression unreadable. “Just thinking.”“About?”He hesitated for a moment, then pushed off the railing and sat down beside her. “About us. About what comes next.”Cana frowned, setting her mug down on the smal
Cana stirred awake, her body aching and her mind clouded with fragmented memories. The last thing she recalled was the overwhelming rush of power coursing through her veins, her hands shifting into claws, and her body morphing into something primal. She felt the pull of the wolf—a force so ancient and raw that it left her trembling. The familiar scent of cedar and leather told her she was in Zane’s cabin.Her eyes fluttered open to see Zane sitting beside her bed, his elbows resting on his knees, his face etched with worry. His knuckles were bruised, his clothes torn, but his relief was palpable as their gazes met.“You’re awake,” he said softly, his voice heavy with emotion.“What happened?” Cana croaked, her throat dry. She winced as she tried to sit up, every muscle in her body screaming in protest.Zane reached for a glass of water on the bedside table and handed it to her. “You shifted, Cana. Fully. Into a wolf.”The words hung in the air, and Cana’s heart raced. She clutched the
Seven Months AgoThe cell was dimly lit, the air heavy with the scent of rust and despair. Ashley sat slumped against the cold metal wall, her wrists shackled and her expression weary but defiant. She heard footsteps echoing through the corridor and turned her gaze toward the source. Lionel stepped into view, a sly smile curling his lips.“What do you want now?” Ashley snapped, her voice dripping with disdain.Lionel leaned against the bars of her cell, his posture relaxed but his eyes calculating. “You’re the one who replicated wolfsbane,” he began. “What was your intention?”Ashley snorted. “I had no intention. I was just following Jeremy’s orders.”Lionel tilted his head, his smirk unfaltering. “And now that he’s gone? What’s the plan?”Ashley’s lips twitched in a mock smile. “I’ll think about that part when I’m free of these chains.”Lionel chuckled, a low, almost sinister sound. “You know, we don’t necessarily have to be enemies here.”Ashley narrowed her eyes. “What’s that suppo
Axel stormed into his house, his mind swirling with anger and disbelief. The Elders had banished him, taking everything from him without a second thought. He gritted his teeth, trying to keep his temper in check, but it was impossible. Everything he had worked for, every plan he had carefully laid out, seemed to be crumbling beneath his feet.“Just wait,” he muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing. “I’ll make them all pay. But first, Zane... you will finally pay for always standing in my way.”The next morning, Axel woke to a loud knock on his door. His head was pounding, and his frustration hadn’t waned in the least. He trudged to the door, swinging it open to reveal three figures standing in his doorway: Lionel, Larz, and Akam.They exchanged brief greetings before stepping inside. Axel didn’t bother with pleasantries; his mind was focused solely on one thing.“So, tell us, Axel,” Lionel asked, his voice calm but curious. “Why the rush to kill Zane?”Axel clenched his fists,
The air in the dimly lit room was thick with tension. Five Elders, each radiating authority, sat in a semicircle as Axel stood before them. His expression was calm, almost smug, as he prepared to deliver what he believed was a triumphant announcement."My Elders," Axel began, his voice steady but laced with an undertone of pride. "I bring good news. I will soon have an heir."The room remained silent for a moment, the Elders exchanging glances. Finally, one spoke. "Why tell us this?"Axel straightened, confidence surging through him. "Because I want to lead my pack again. An heir solidifies my claim to the title of Alpha."A scoff broke the silence. Another Elder, his eyes sharp and unforgiving, leaned forward. "Even after killing your kind? One of your pack?"Axel's confidence faltered, his eyes narrowing in suspicion. How did they know? He wondered, his mind racing."How did you find out?" Axel asked, unable to hide the shock in his voice."That doesn't concern you," the Elder snapp
Cana hadn’t expected Axel to find her so quickly. She had chosen this small, nondescript motel for exactly that reason—to be far enough from the chaos of her past life to be safe, to think, and to plan. But the moment she heard the knock on her door, her stomach sank. She didn’t have to look through the peephole to know who it was.The deep, almost predatory knock sounded again, and with it came the familiar sense of dread that always seemed to follow Axel. She’d seen his manipulations, his lies, his promises. She knew what he was capable of—what he was still capable of, and she couldn’t afford to be caught off guard.Cana opened the door, and there he was, standing in the hallway with a smug smile that made her stomach twist with disgust. Axel, the man who had once been everything to her, was now a reminder of all the worst decisions she had made. His eyes gleamed with that same cold, calculating look that always came right before he dropped the hammer. The same look that had broken