LISA’S POVAs dawn broke, I stirred from my uneasy slumber. The chill of the stone floor still clung painfully to my skin. Jonas was already awake; his mood was surprisingly cheerful compared to the previous night.His voice, usually as cold as the floor I slept on, had a warmth to it that morning. I found myself questioning if this was a newfound kindness or just another one of his twisted games.“Did you sleep well?” Jonas asked, his eyes meeting mine on the floor. I nodded in response, but my heart echoed a different emotion.How could one sleep peacefully on a bed of cold, hard stone? The memory of my soft bed back in the village seemed like a distant dream.My gaze traveled through the open window and towards the clear sky. I found myself wondering how Jax and Max were faring and if they missed me as much as I missed them.Tears threaten to spill from my eyes. I blink them away, quietly swearing to myself to escape this tangled mess named Jonas.“Are you hungry?” His eyes narrowe
LISA’S POV“Are you ready?” Jonas asked, his voice dripping with malice. He towered over me, his dark attire contrasting with my silver gown in the early morning light. I felt like a lamb being led to the slaughter.I nodded, paralyzed by his close proximity. His smile was cruel and twisted, making my skin crawl. He leaned in closer, his breath hot against my face, as he uttered his next words. “Good, Lisa. Very good.”"What are you doing?" I whispered, trying to sound brave but failing miserably as he continued to hover around my face.“Kiss me, Lisa.” His voice rumbled.“Please, Jonas, don’t do this,” I begged. My voice trembled as I tried to back away from him, but his grip was firm, making escape impossible. He ignored my plea, his hand snaking around my waist and pulling me closer to him. I could feel the stiff bulge in his pants as he continued to press himself against me."You're mine, Lisa," he whispered, his lips hovering over mine.I felt my heart hammering in my chest, lo
ASHER’S POVI returned to the pack house. The familiar faces of my pack members, already immersed in their daily tasks, greeted me. Their presence was a comforting constant in the whirlwind of emotions that was my life.I nodded at them, acknowledging their respect and loyalty, and then made my way to my room. I needed some time to myself to sort out the mess in my head and heart.I hoped that a shower and a change of clothes would wash away the traces of the night, the memories of Lisa, and the doubts of Jonas.My footsteps echoed in the hallway, a hurried rhythm that matched the pounding of my heart. As I neared my room, Scarlett appeared, her sudden presence catching me off guard. The moment Scarlett saw me coming, she walked towards me.I had no intention of stopping, but her hand reached out to take hold of my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.“What is it, Scarlett?” I ask myself, trying to pry her hands that are tightly wrapped around my wrist.“Please don’t push me away. I under
LISA’S POVThe uncanny resemblance between Kiara and me was like staring into a mirror that reflected not just my face but also my soul. It was as if we were two drops of water in the same ocean, indistinguishable from one another. This revelation sent a shiver down my spine, causing me to question the very fabric of my existence. My past was a blank canvas, tainted solely by the vivid memory of a horseback riding accident that had erased my memories.I hurried down the stone hallway, its dampness and darkness chilling my bones. My mind was a whirlwind of questions. Had my brothers deceived me? Was I a twin at birth? The questions echoed in my mind like a haunting melody, growing louder with each passing second.Suddenly, I froze. My heart pounded so hard that I could hear it in my ears as I remembered the stolen kiss with Asher in his chambers. I felt my face flush, remembering the feel of his lips against mine. He had kissed me, thinking I was her, and I had kissed him back. I had
ASHER’S POV"Lisa, wait!" I called out as I watched her run away from me. She didn't stop or look back. She vanished through the door, leaving me alone and confused.We had just kissed, and it had been the most amazing kiss of my life. Her lips were soft and sweet, and her tongue was playful and teasing. She had kissed me back with passion and fervor, as if she felt the same way I did. But then she had pulled away, her eyes wide and scared, and she had fled from me without a word.Why? What had I done wrong? Was it that she didn’t want me? Or was it that she didn’t feel the connection between us? I could have sworn she had responded to every singe one of my demands.I couldn’t let her go. I had to find her, talk to her, and make her understand. I pushed my way through the door, following the trail of her scent and the glint of her golden hair. I caught a glimpse of her as she turned a corner, only to be met by the sight of Scarlett.Scarlett. I am certain that she despised Kiara and d
LISA’S POV"Carelessness is a luxury we can't afford." Jonas's voice cut through the silence like a knife later that night, making me flinch. He glared at me with cold fury, his eyes piercing my soul. "Especially not when it comes to Scarlett."I lowered my head, unable to meet his gaze. A surge of guilt and anger washed over me—conflicting emotions that tore at my composure. I was aware of my mistake, yet I felt I didn’t deserve his wrath."I'm sorry," I whispered, hoping he would forgive me. "It won't happen again."He sighed, his face softening a bit. He ran a hand through his hair, a gesture of frustration. "Look, I know you didn't mean to cause trouble, but you have to be more careful. You don't understand how delicate our situation is. We're walking on a tightrope here, and any slip could send us tumbling down."I nodded, feeling the pressure of his words. I knew he was right, but it was hard to accept. I wanted to live freely and go back to my brothers, but I couldn't.I had to
LISA’S POVSeeing the confusion in my eyes, Jonas proceeded to explain. He told me that being chosen as his mate was the highest honor he could bestow. He described it as a sacred ritual, a bond that would forever unite us.According to him, it was the only way to shield me from the lurking dangers in the shadows. It was also his unique method of claiming me as his own, completely and irrevocably.“Come on, Lisa. You should be grateful for this privilege. This could be the best thing that ever happens to you.”I stared at him, an uproar of emotions churning within me. I felt trapped, cornered, and utterly helpless. I yearned to scream at him, to flee, to resist. Yet, I knew it was all in vain. I was acutely aware that he had sealed my fate long before his intentions were laid bare.I knew escape was impossible, but that didn’t mean I would let him ruin my life with his selfish plans. I tried to jerk away from his iron grip, but Jonas held me fast, his eyes boring into mine with a pred
ASHER’S POVIn the privacy of my room, I found myself pacing like a caged beast, each step echoing my growing restlessness. I had managed to deter my brother Jonas from claiming Lisa as his mate, but the ticking clock of uncertainty gnawed at me.How long had it been before he sought the council’s permission? The idea that Jonas might possess knowledge about Lisa that I lacked was a persistent thorn in my side, continually pricking my curiosity. Moreover, the fact that she bore an uncanny resemblance to Kiara only served to further fuel the fire of my imagination.She possessed the same delicate features, yet she was not Kiara, not my mate. I found myself at a loss, uncertain of how to approach Lisa under the hawk-like surveillance of Jonas. It was as if he kept her under lock and key, a precious gem hidden from prying eyes. His possessiveness was palpable, as though he feared someone might uncover the truth or snatch her away from him.But who could blame him? She was a rare beauty,