**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.
**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
**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
**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 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 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
**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.
**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
Pov cassandraThe walls of the dungeon were cold and damp, and the smell of mold filled the air, mingling with the bitter taste of despair that refused to leave me. I sat in the dark corner of the cell, arms wrapped around myself, trying to suppress the trembling that overtook me. The chains on my wrists were heavy, but not as heavy as the weight of the accusations hanging over me.The echo of firm footsteps interrupted the oppressive silence. I lifted my head, quickly wiping away the tears that had fallen without my permission. I couldn’t appear weak, not in front of him. And there he was, Alpha Damon, standing outside the bars, wearing that cold, mocking smile that made me want to scream."What do you want here?" I asked, my voice firmer than I had expected.He entered the cell with the confidence of someone who knew they were in control. "You know why I’m here, Cassandra," he began, his tone calm but laced with venom. "I want you to take responsibility for the deaths."My hands cle
**Xavier's POV**Days had passed since the dust of war had settled, and I was finally crowned king. A grand ceremony took place, filled with ancient rituals and solemn words, but for me, the most significant moment was when Cassandra, by my side, received the crown of Luna. As the weight of gold was placed upon her head, I knew that, despite everything, she was my anchor, the reason why all of this was worth it.I looked at her, admiring her strength, even after all she had endured. There was an undeniable sadness in her eyes, but also a determination that made me believe that together we could overcome anything.After the coronation, my focus shifted to rebuilding the pack. The palace, devastated by the conflicts, began to be restored. The wounded soldiers received care, and the people returned to their homes. I made it a point to visit the families who had lost loved ones, offering help and ensuring that the future would be different. I promised myself that my leadership would be ma
The pain of childbirth had been excruciating, but nothing could compare to the wave of love that washed over me when I heard that fragile, delicate cry for the first time. My baby was here, in my arms, so small, so perfect.He was a boy. A beautiful, healthy boy, with eyes that, although newly opened, seemed to gaze directly at me. His skin, still red from the effort of entering the world, glowed under the flickering light of the flames illuminating the sky in the distance."My love... my boy..." I whispered, tears streaming down my face as I cradled him to my chest. Even with my body still aching from the pains of childbirth, I couldn’t take my eyes off him. I kissed his small forehead, feeling the warmth of his skin, and silently thanked the goddess of the moon for giving us this moment, even amid the chaos.But the moment of peace was brutally interrupted.The door was smashed open with a crash, and a group of men entered, their faces dirty and filled with hatred. I instinctively h
**Alpha Xavier's POV**The smell of gunpowder and blood filled the air as we led the attack on the central hall. I could hear the echoes of our wolves' howls mixed with the cries of resistance from Alpha Valetim's guards. Everything was going according to plan — we were surrounding the palace, closing off all escape routes.Ahead of me, one of Valetim's army commanders trembled, his eyes darting quickly over the men surrounding him. His breathing was heavy, and I could see the sweat dripping down his face."You’re surrounded," I said firmly, my deep voice cutting through the air. "It’s no use resisting. This isn’t just a battle, it’s the revolt of the people. Your tyranny, and that of King Valetim, is over. There’s no way out for you. Surrender and open the gates."He hesitated, gripping his sword with trembling hands. I could see the conflict in his eyes — a mix of fear and desperate loyalty. Before he could respond, one of my men advanced, pressing the sharp point of a blade against
*POV Cassandra*As I followed the servant through the dark corridors, we heard the unmistakable sound of Alpha Valetim’s voice echoing nearby. He was coming toward us. My heart nearly stopped, and for a moment, I froze.“It’s him...” I whispered, instinctively placing my hand on my belly.The eunuch glanced at me, alarmed, but remained calm.“We need to leave now! If he finds you here, Alpha Xavier’s plan will be ruined,” he said urgently, trying to pull me toward the exit.I looked in the direction of Valetim’s voice and felt a wave of despair. I knew he suspected something. If he realized I was trying to escape, not only would he imprison me again, but he would destroy all of Xavier’s efforts to save us.“Wait,” I whispered, gripping the servant’s arm firmly. “I need to throw him off track.”“That’s madness! Alpha Xavier wants you safe. You have to come with me now!” he whispered, almost desperate.“Trust me. I’ll delay him. Go to the meeting point and wait for me. I promise I’ll co
**Cassandra's POV**The months dragged on like centuries since Xavier disappeared. The last thing I heard was from some servants who claimed to have seen him working as a simple carpenter in a humble house nearby. They mocked him, calling him "The Crippled Alpha." The title had spread, and the rumors of his disability made him the subject of ridicule.His pack had abandoned him. When Valentim brought his punishment to everyone, most ran to save their own skins, including Jennie. From time to time, I would hear of hunts, captures, and the executions that followed. Valentim thought all of it was a big joke.Worse than the rumors were the photos. He sent them to me like slow poison, depicting Xavier limping, leaning on a cane, his exhausted face. Each image came with a messenger carrying gifts that piled up high in my room. They were never opened. I didn’t need to look to know they contained more insults than sincere intentions.That day, a servant entered, carrying a new batch."Luna, K
POV ALPHA XAVIERI was dragged through the dark, damp corridors of the dungeon like an animal about to be slaughtered. My wrists were bound by iron shackles that dug into my skin, causing constant pain. Two guards shoved me with every hesitation, their eyes filled with contempt. Finally, they stopped in front of a cell that smelled of urine, decay, and despair. Without ceremony, they threw me inside, and I stumbled, falling to the filthy floor.The sound of the iron door closing echoed through the dark space. I struggled to get up, wiping the blood from the corner of my lips, only to notice that the floor was infested with rats scurrying back and forth, fighting over pieces of spoiled food."Enjoy the hospitality, Cursed Alpha," one of the guards mocked. He held a plate with what looked like moldy bread and a bowl of sour broth. He pushed the food through the small opening in the cell and smiled maliciously. "This is your only meal of the day. Better save it."I didn't respond. I simp
**Cassandra's POV**The hall plunged into chaos the moment Valentim drew the knife. My heart stopped as he approached Xavier, his gaze overflowing with hatred."Valentim, don’t do this!" I screamed desperately, but he seemed to not hear.Xavier raised his arms defensively, trying to deescalate the situation."There’s no need for this, Valentim! Leave Cassandra and our child out of this. Deal with me, but not like this!"Valentim didn’t respond. With a swift movement, he grabbed Xavier's arm, pulling him close, and before I could even scream, the knife glinted under the light of the hall before plunging into the side of Xavier’s abdomen, just below his ribs. A muffled sound of torn flesh echoed through the hall, followed by Xavier’s scream of pain."Traitor!" Valentim roared, pointing the bloodstained knife at the guards around us. "The Cursed Alpha tried to kill me! He conspires against the kingdom, and for that, his whole pack will be condemned!""NO!" My scream ripped through the ai
POV ALPHA XAVIER"Another victim of the Alpha King," I heard someone comment."Was that an execution, or a horror show?" someone else replied.My body froze. Everything inside me was about to explode. The sight of my beta, my friend, dead before me was more than I could bear.Cassandra shrank beside me, sobbing quietly, yet she gripped my hand tightly, trying to hold me back, as if she knew what I was about to do.But nothing could stop me."Josh..." My voice was a low growl, full of pain and rage. My wolf howled in response, slamming against the barriers I had put up to control it.I knew that from that moment on, everything would change.The Alpha King's palace was dark at night, its oppressive architecture reflecting the chaos that reigned in the mind of the man who inhabited it. The doors slammed open as I entered, the sound echoing through the vast halls like thunder. My chest burned with anger and pain, my wolf growled impatiently within me, while my eyes found Valentim sitting