POV ALPHA XAVIERI entered the bathroom and turned on the faucet, letting the sound of the water drown out any other noise. I knew Cassandra was on the other side of the wall, and, if only for a moment, I wanted her to believe that everything was fine. Keeping my face steady, I turned to the mirror and, in a burst of pent-up rage, punched the glass directly. The shards scattered across the floor as blood dripped from my hand, the pain burning intensely. I took a deep breath, letting out a growl from deep in my chest, tasting the bitter flavor of everything I’d kept inside for so long.I grabbed a small cloth, pulling the glass fragments from my skin, each one cutting deeper, until I finally wrapped my hand tightly. I took off my clothes, letting them drop heavily to the floor, as though each piece carried a weight I bore, and stepped into the bathtub. The hot water embraced my tense muscles, relaxing every exhausted part of my body, but only on the outside. Inside, my wolf, Ragnar, wa
Pov Alpha XavierAs I ran toward the battleground, every sound and scent blended around me—the pungent smell of blood, the humid air of the forest, and the heavy breathing coming from somewhere nearby. When I finally arrived, a chill washed over me at the sight of the blood-soaked ground, the bodies of my fallen warriors scattered around the entrance of a stone cave. The scene looked like a brutal hunting ground, the signs of struggle etched everywhere, but there was no sign of the shapeshifters.I sniffed the air, searching for signs of life. It was then that I heard a faint whisper, barely a whisper, but clear enough to make me turn toward the sound.“Alpha…”There, lying against a rock with a pale face and half-closed eyes, was Josh. His body was torn apart, with a deep wound in his stomach where part of his intestine protruded, a scene that could only mean one thing: they had tried to devour him.I knelt beside him, keeping my voice steady to calm him. “Calm down, Josh. You surviv
Pov CassandraWe arrived at the grand hall of the castle, where the Alpha King awaited us with his entourage of staff. There were at least a dozen people, all lined up, in uniform, with serious expressions. He introduced each of them with an air of pride—servants to cater to my whims and needs, people who would attend to Xavier, along with a few guards assigned for our "security."I noticed Xavier’s rigid posture beside me, silent, but something in his expression and the restless golden eyes of his wolf showed a discomfort that only I seemed to perceive. The tension was palpable, and to calm him, I held his hand firmly, thanking the Alpha King with a calculated smile.“We deeply appreciate, Your Majesty, the hospitality and this gift. They will be of great help to us. Thank you for everything during our stay,” I said, forcing myself to keep a serene tone.The Alpha King simply nodded, his cold eyes analyzing every detail of our farewell, as Luna Katy approached to say goodbye. She ext
Pov Alpha xavierAs the car engine roared back to life, the world seemed to narrow as I saw Cassandra on the ground, the shapeshifter mere centimeters away from ripping out her heart. A wave of insane rage exploded in my chest, and Ragnar, my wolf, roared within me. The sight of our mate in danger was the trigger I needed. A sharp scream echoed in my mind, filled with hatred and despair, as my eyes locked onto the creature.“Xavier, here!” I heard Josh shout, and instinctively, I turned in his direction. He threw something toward me, and I caught the gun in mid-air, cold and heavy in my hand. In a quick motion, I aimed and pulled the trigger three times. The bullets pierced the creature, which writhed on the ground, letting out a agonizing roar. The shapeshifter fell, its body sprawled out, and for a moment, silence dominated the scene.Cassandra was paralyzed with fear, her wide eyes fixed on the fallen creature. I got out of the car and went to her, extending my hand to help her up.
**Cassandra’s POV**When we finally arrived at the pack, after hours on the road, I saw a crowd waiting to welcome us. People had lined up to witness Xavier’s return, and I watched, still a bit distant, the reverence and respect everyone showed him. As soon as we got out of the car, one of the guards approached Xavier and informed him that his office was ready and the pending contracts had been organized for review. According to him, Jade had coordinated everything during our absence. Xavier asked where she was, and the guard explained that Jade had chosen to return to her father’s pack, Alpha Damon, before our arrival.I remained silent. I knew the real reason Jade was no longer there; she couldn’t bear to see us together. Her loyalty to Xavier was undeniable, but I felt the weight of her disappointment in the air, like a shadow hovering over us.“Can one of the staff take my wife to the room?” Xavier asked, and one of the employees quickly nodded. He gave me one last look before wal
**POV Cassandra**After all the crying, I felt my body exhausted. Carefully, I lifted myself from Jennie's lap, trying to ignore the weakness washing over me, but as soon as my feet touched the ground, the world around me spun violently. The dizziness was so intense that my knees began to give way, and I felt like I was going to faint."Miss, be careful!" Jennie screamed, alarmed. She held me tightly before my body collapsed to the ground and my head struck the edge of the table. The fear in her eyes was evident, but her concern was sincere."I'm sorry, Jennie," I murmured, trying to catch my breath, while a wave of nausea threatened to overtake me. "I suddenly feel very unwell. I think it's because I haven't eaten properly during my time in the King Alpha's pack." My voice was weak, and my stomach churned almost unbearably. A strong urge to vomit bubbled inside me."Don't worry," Jennie replied gently, trying to comfort me. "I'll call for a doctor to prescribe something for the nause
Pov Alpha XavierThe crackling of the fireplace in the office was a low sound, muffled by the weight of the concerns hanging in the air. I stood with my arms crossed, listening to my Beta’s report. His tone was firm, but the tension was visible in every line of his face."So far, no sign of the shapeshifter," he said bluntly. "We've reinforced all entrances, the guards are ready, and we’ve organized patrols in groups. Wolves are roaming the territory nonstop, and security around the pack house is doubled. We’re doing everything we can to keep him away."I nodded, keeping my face impassive, even though the situation deeply troubled me. "And Alpha Damon?" I asked, not mincing words. Just mentioning him left a bitter taste in my mouth.The Beta shook his head, his expression serious. "Since the wedding, he’s been silent. But Jade… she’s suffering a lot because of it." He paused, as if considering whether or not to continue. "The situation is making everyone tense."Before I could respond
POV CASSANDRAI lay in bed, staring impatiently at the ceiling when the nurse entered with a calm expression, carrying my medication on a tray."How are you feeling today?" she asked as she prepared the dose the doctor had prescribed for me.I sighed, looking out the window where the sun was shining brightly, and the sound of children playing outdoors reached me like a tempting invitation."Same as every other day… nauseous and wanting to throw up."She nodded, making quick notes on her clipboard before handing me the glass with the medicine.In the distance, I could hear the clinking of dishes, and when the maid brought in breakfast, the smell of vegetable soup filled the room. Instantly, my stomach turned, and nausea hit me hard. I tried to hold it back, but it was useless. My stomach churned, and unable to stop it, I leaned over the bed, covering my mouth to avoid getting sick on the sheets.The nurse’s eyes widened as she watched me pour a thick liquid onto the floor."Luna? Are y
**Pov Alpha Xavier**The night seemed endless. I sat in my office chair, drumming my fingers on the desk, unable to close my eyes. Anxiety ate away at me, and my wolf, Ragnar, was restless, growling softly in my mind.*"He's taking too long,"* I thought for the thousandth time, glancing at the clock on the wall. Each second felt like torture.I rose from the chair and began pacing back and forth. The shadows cast by the dim lights danced on the walls, as if mocking my impatience. I needed the truth. **Now.**Finally, I heard footsteps in the hallway. The sound of Josh's boots echoing on the wooden floor made my heart race. The door opened slowly, and there he was, holding an envelope with his usual grave expression."Josh, do you have it?" I asked, moving toward him before he could say a word.He nodded silently and extended the envelope. I grabbed it hastily, my fingers nearly tearing the paper from his hands. I ripped the seal open and pulled the report out, my hands trembling sligh
**Alpha Xavier's POV** “Any updates?” I asked Beta Josh, my voice sharper than I intended. The weight of the past few weeks was crushing me. The search for the woman with the tattoo, the chaos in the King Alpha’s pack, and the growing frustration with fragmented information—it was all becoming unbearable. Josh took a deep breath, his expression heavy. “Nothing yet about the woman, Alpha. We’re still searching, but... everything is falling apart in the King Alpha’s pack. He’s becoming more unpredictable by the day. His subjects fear for their lives. They say he’s killing anyone he suspects of being allied with the Wolves of the Dawn. It’s a bloodbath.” I clenched my jaw. The situation in Valentim’s territory was a powder keg ready to explode, and with each passing day, it seemed less likely I could get what I needed without plunging into an open war. “And what about Cassandra?” I asked, trying to shift my thoughts. Josh hesitated, his eyes meeting mine. “The tests are rea
**Cassandra's POV** Jennie looked at me seriously, her expression heavy with concern, while my mind reeled from the information she had just shared. "You have to be sure about this, Jennie. It can't be true... this sounds..." My voice faltered as I gripped the arm of the chair tightly to steady myself. "I’m just telling you what I heard," Jennie replied, nervously biting her lip. "The Alpha is looking for a woman who was close to the former King Alpha. The soldiers said this woman has a tattoo somewhere on her body, a mark that indicates the location of a document the Alpha needs to claim the throne." My body tensed, a shiver running down my spine. My stomach churned, and a wave of nausea hit me hard. "Cassandra? Are you alright?" Jennie asked, taking a step closer to me. I shook my head, trying to suppress the nausea, but it was no use. Everything around me seemed to spin, and my legs weakened. "I... I think I’m going to faint..." I whispered before losing my balance.
**POV Alpha Xavier** I held the report in my hands, my gaze fixed on it as if the words might magically form answers that had so far eluded me. "If the herb wasn’t what caused the loss... then did someone give Cassandra something else before I did?" I asked, fury evident in my voice. Josh shook his head slowly, visibly uncomfortable. "I’ll investigate, Alpha. But honestly, I don’t believe anyone would be bold enough to harm the Luna. Not only because she carries your child, but because everyone knows how much she means to you." I growled softly, running a hand through my hair. "Then explain, Josh. Why do the tests show she’s no longer pregnant?" The beta sighed, crossing his arms. "There are too many unknowns, Alpha. If you wish, we can repeat the test... without the Luna’s consent. Just to avoid her suffering more or fostering false hopes."His words hung in the air, and I felt my chest tighten. Cassandra had been avoiding me since that day. Every attempt I made to get
POV ALPHA XAVIERIt had been a few days since I had been home, following the clues Alpha Damom had provided about the supposed document. The situation seemed to worsen with every step. To make matters worse, the news about the document had reached the King Alpha’s pack, and when Valetim learned of it, he completely lost his mind. They said he had become an even crueler tyrant, terrorizing his people mercilessly. It was impossible to ignore the reports of dead subjects, missing workers, and an atmosphere of fear that hovered over the palace like a dark cloud. “Any updates?” I asked my Beta through the mind-link as I ascended the stairs, approaching Cassandra’s room. “Nothing concrete, Alpha,” he replied in a grave tone. “Our spies have checked all the king’s concubines, but none of them bear the mark or tattoo mentioned. Moreover, the King Alpha himself is searching for this woman. The palace is in chaos, a dark and hostile place. The staff are terrified, fearing they’ll be the n
**POV Cassandra** The months passed so quickly that it felt like I blinked and was already in a new stage of pregnancy. Each day it became harder to hide my growing belly, a constant reminder of the life I was carrying. "Careful, miss!" Jennie warned, holding my arm as she helped me step into the bathtub. Her movements were cautious, as if I were made of glass. After much insistence, I managed to convince Xavier to allow Jennie to return to the pack as my servant. He seemed so consumed by guilt over what happened—or rather, what he *thought* had happened—that he didn’t dare deny me anything I asked for. "Are you sure you don’t want to do any tests to find out the baby’s gender?" Jennie asked, pouring warm water over me as she gently lathered my body. I sighed, leaning my head back, letting the heat of the water relax my muscles. "I don’t care, Jennie. All I want is for this child to be born healthy and far from anything that could harm them." I ran my hand over my belly, c
**POV Alpha Xavier** --- Dr. Afonso left my office so abruptly that, for a moment, I was paralyzed. When I came to my senses, I realized I was alone with Cassandra. The silence in the room was so heavy it seemed to press down on every corner. Outside, my staff kept their distance, likely too afraid to cross my path in this state. She approached me slowly, her steps measured, her face still pale, but a faint smile graced her lips. Her eyes were gentle, though tired. When she raised her hands to caress my face, the touch was so light and delicate that I almost couldn’t hold myself together. A moment later, she rested her head against my chest, pulling me into a tight embrace. For an instant, it felt like the weight of the world had been lifted. “I love you, you know?” Her voice was a soft whisper, but it carried immense meaning. She seemed so fragile, so small in my arms. “I’m sorry... I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise.” Her words cut deep, striking a part of me I didn’t re
**Alpha Xavier's POV** "You bastard! Incompetent!" My voice thundered down the hallway. "I’m going to kill you!"My hands were firmly wrapped around Dr. Afonsos’s neck as he stared at me with wide eyes full of sheer terror. My wolf roared within me, thirsty for blood, demanding vengeance as the only possible justice for the death of my child."I trusted you..." My voice came out low and dark before rising again like a roar. "You told me the herb was harmless! That it wouldn’t harm the baby! And look what happened!"I pressed his back hard against the wall, tightening my grip on his neck. He struggled to breathe, his face turning a deeper shade of red as his eyes pleaded for mercy—mercy I had no intention of granting."Alpha... please..." he managed to croak, his voice hoarse and faint. "I... I don’t know what happened. The herb... it’s never had abortive effects before... I swear, this has never happened!"His desperate, hesitant tone only fueled my rage further. His excuse was a da
**Cassandra’s POV****Five Days Later**"Yes, perfect. Deliver everything to Dr. Afonsos. He won’t suspect a thing." My voice sounded firmer than I actually felt as I carefully placed the collection containers in Maria’s hands. She looked at me with wide eyes, hesitating to take them."Luna, what we’re doing is very dangerous," Maria murmured, her voice filled with concern. "Without Dr. Afonsos, you won’t have any monitoring during your pregnancy—no exams, no prenatal care. This could harm the baby."She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath, as if trying to gather the courage to say what was on her mind."Besides," she continued, her voice breaking, "I think the Alpha has suffered enough. He comes to visit you every day, Luna, and at night the staff hears him crying softly in his office, asking the Moon Goddess why it had to be this way. I’ve never seen a man like him so broken."Tears streamed down Maria’s face. She believed what we were doing was wrong, yet she kept helping me.