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.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