Chapter Fifty Six : UnwelcomeCara’s POVMy heart was heavy as I stepped into the packhouse with Liam beside me. I thought coming back here would bring some kind of relief, some kind of peace, but instead, uneasiness crawled over my skin like a warning.Sophia was the only person I expected to welcome me back. She had been the one who helped me escape, the one who believed me when no one else did. But as soon as her eyes landed on me, I knew something was wrong.Her expression wasn’t one of happiness. It wasn’t relief.It was disappointment.A deep, painful kind of disappointment that made my chest tighten.Before I could even say a word, a sharp, cruel voice sliced through the air.“Look at her,” Vanessa sneered, arms crossed over her chest. Her gaze flickered from my face to my belly, her lips curling in disgust. “Running back here like some lost little puppy. What, Damon finally threw you out? He got tired of playing with you?”I clenched my fists, my stomach twisting in anger.“Th
Chapter Fifty SevenTorn Liam’s POVI stood in my father’s chambers, waiting for him to speak. The room was quiet, but I could feel the tension in the air. My father, the Alpha, sat in his chair, staring at me with cold eyes.“You brought her back,” he finally said. His voice was low but sharp. “And with her, him.”I knew who he was talking about—my child.I didn’t say anything, but my father’s stare grew harder.“The elders are already bowing,” he said. “Bowing to a child who hasn’t even been born yet.”I stiffened. I had heard whispers, seen the way the elders looked at Cara’s stomach with something close to worship.“They say he will be the strongest Alpha of his time,” my father continued. “Stronger than you. Stronger than me.”I swallowed.“They are already choosing him over me,” he said, his voice bitter. “The Alpha, their leader, is being ignored. They believe in a child that isn’t even here yet.”I frowned. “The elders want him to be born?”“Yes,” my father said sharply. “The
Chapter Fifty Eight: Sophia’s Motive? I don’t knowCara’s POVI sat alone in the sitting room, my hands resting on my stomach. The silence in the house felt heavier than usual. Liam had been acting strange since we arrived, and now, he was nowhere to be found. A part of me wanted to go look for him, but another part of me didn’t have the strength to. Maybe he just needed time to think.Just as I was lost in my thoughts, I heard footsteps. I turned to see Sophia walking in. She looked tired, like she had a lot on her mind. She sat beside me with a sigh, leaning back against the couch.“You look like you have something to say,” I said, breaking the silence.Sophia gave me a small smile but didn’t respond right away. Instead, she stared at the ceiling for a moment before speaking.“Have you ever felt like you don’t belong?” she asked suddenly.I frowned. “What do you mean?”Sophia sighed again. “Everyone in this pack expects me to follow their rules, to do what they think is right. But w
Chapter Fifty Nine To know the truthLiam’s POVThe journey was long and exhausting, but I didn’t stop. I rode through the night, the cold wind biting at my skin as my mind raced with thoughts. My father’s words haunted me.“That child will take everything from you, Liam. He will be stronger, more respected. If you don’t act now, you will live in his shadow forever.”I had tried to ignore it, tried to believe it wasn’t true. But the way the elders in my own pack had bowed before the unborn child—the way they spoke of him as if he were already a ruler—it shook me to my core.I needed answers. And so, I had come here—to a distant pack where the elders were known to hear directly from the Moon Goddess. If anyone could tell me the truth, it was them.****The pack’s territory was different from mine. The trees were taller, the air heavier with mystery. The moment I crossed into their land, I felt something strange—an energy I couldn’t explain. It was as if the ground itself was alive, wa
Chapter Sixty : Sophia’s MissionDamon’s POVI sat in my study, staring at the papers on my desk, but my mind was elsewhere. No matter how hard I tried to focus, my thoughts kept drifting back to Cara. I hated how she still had this effect on me. She had made her choice. She picked Liam.I should move on. I should forget.A soft knock at the door pulled me out of my thoughts. I frowned. I wasn’t expecting anyone.“Come in,” I said, my voice sharp.The door opened, and to my surprise, a woman stepped inside. Sophia.I leaned back in my chair, watching her closely. She walked in with confidence, her long brown hair falling over her shoulders, her eyes calm but observant. She was different from Cara, sharper, more calculating.“What are you doing here?” I asked.She stopped a few steps away from my desk and smiled slightly. “I wanted to see you.”I scoffed. “And why would I care about that?”She didn’t seem bothered by my coldness. “I just thought I should thank you for taking care of Ca
Chapter Sixty One : Under The TensionCara’s POVI sat in the quiet of Liam’s room, my hands resting on my belly as I stared out the window. The sun was setting, casting an orange glow over the pack. The past few days had been overwhelming. I could feel the weight of everyone’s stares whenever I stepped outside—some filled with curiosity, others with resentment. Even though Liam had chosen me, it didn’t mean his pack had accepted me.I turned my head when I heard the door open. Liam walked in, looking deep in thought. His brows were slightly furrowed, and there was something distant about him. He had been like this since he returned earlier today, distracted, as if his mind was somewhere else.“Did you hear?” I asked, hoping to get his attention.He looked at me, finally meeting my eyes. “Hear what?”“The rogues,” I said. “They are coming. It’s been spreading across the packs. They are planning to attack every pack.”Liam nodded slowly. “I know.”I frowned. His reaction was too calm. T
Chapter Sicty Two : Discussuon Cara's POVThe room was silent for a few seconds after Luna had spoken. The air was heavy, as if it would be difficult to breathe, but I sat still, my hands neatly folded on my lap. My heart pounded in my chest, but I would not let any emotion show on my face."There will be a meeting at the Head Pack," Luna stated, her voice cold and commanding. "It is a very important meeting. The future Alpha of this pack, Liam, will be present. And, of course, he will come with his mate, Vanessa."A sharp prod in my chest, but I remained silent.Liam stayed quiet. His lips hadn't moved once since this conversation started. I didn't dare look at him, but his expression showed nothing."Everyone in the pack will be there," Luna continued, scanning the room. Then she turned to me. "Even you, Cara. But of course, you'll be going on your own."I wasn't surprised by what she said, but it did not take away the small ache in my chest as a shiver of disappointment ran throug
Chapter Sixty Three : An Option For Damon Damon’s POVI sat in my office, leaning back in my chair, while Lucas paced in front of me like a mother hen worrying over her reckless child. My Beta had a way of making simple things sound like life-or-death situations, and right now, his focus was on the upcoming gathering at the Head Pack.“Damon, you can’t go alone,” Lucas said for what felt like the hundredth time.I raised an eyebrow at him. “And why not?”He stopped pacing and looked at me like I had just asked if the sky was blue. “Because you’re the Alpha of the Lion Pack. You know how these gatherings work. Every Alpha arrives with a mate. It’s a sign of strength, stability, and power. You showing up alone? That’s like walking into a war zone without a weapon. People will talk.”I smirked. “Let them talk.”Lucas groaned and dragged his hands through his hair. “You’re impossible, you know that? They’re not just going to talk. They’re going to use it against you. An Alpha without a L
Chapter 105: Cara's POV – The Unexpected SightI had been pacing around the packhouse, trying to cool my head. It had been days since I'd spoken with Damon. Ever since the evening he'd betrayed me, I couldn't seem to handle him. And now, even Sophia, she wasn't even staring at me in the same way anymore. There was tension among us all.But that was something to worry about another time. There was something that worried me much more. I had to keep Damon away from Sophia. I had to tear them apart, destroy what was between them. That was my plan. That was my plan since the first time I'd seen them together, but deep within me lay something that had it set upon making it become a reality.I returned towards the living room, the part of the packhouse where individuals typically gather. But when I drew near, I stopped. I overheard the laughter and became frozen.I did not anticipate this. Not at all.I looked out the window, and there they were. Damon and Sophia. Sitting together. Laughing.
Chapter 104– Damon's POVI stood before her door.I heard her soft breathing inside.A week had passed.One complete week since she caught me and Cara. Since the truth unfolded. Since I apologized to her for the error I committed.And every single day thereafter felt like punishment.Sophia stopped sharing our bed. She gathered her stuff and just left without a word. And never returned.She barely addressed me.She walked past me as if I didn't exist.As if I were a stranger.Even Kayden, my wolf, stopped talking to me for a while. He was upset too. Upset with me. Upset at hurting our mate.Now, I was standing in front of her room… heart pounding like a drum.I didn't know why I was scared. I was the Alpha of the strongest pack. I could kill ten rogues in one stroke and not blink.But I couldn't go to my mate's door and knock.I closed my eyes and took deep breaths."Open the door, Damon."Kayden's voice resurfaced eventually."If she refuses you entry, we'll deal with that. But you s
.Chapter Forty Three – Cara's Point of ViewI lay on the couch with hands folded across my belly. The house was quiet. Too quiet. I still remembered Sophia's crying in my head although she had scaled up to the bedrooms. Her heart was broken. And because of me. I did not intend to hurt her. I did not intend to do all of these. But I did.I never planned on sleeping with Damon again, but these…It just escaped me.And then… I did something. I did it in order not to be disposed of by Damon. He looked at Sophia as if she was the sun, and yet I couldn't let him do so without a fight. I had something—a baby. Something potent.The thing is I knew.Growing inside of me is a baby by Liam.I was already three months pregnant before Damon ever touched me again. And Damon knew. Hr knew that day when Liam came to take me r. He knew I am being pregnant with Liam, and how he was shocked. But now… now all of that was different. Now he had kissed me again.Maybe. perhaps, if I made him aware that th
Chapter Title: The News That Broke MeSophia's POVI sat alone in the garden behind the packhouse. It was quiet. The only noises were birds and the wind through the trees. I had my knees curled up tight against my chest and cried silently.I did not want anyone to see me. My heart felt like a stone. I thought I could be strong. I thought not speaking to Damon would hurt less. But no… it hurt worse. I couldn't get him out of my head. I couldn't get his voice out of my head, apologizing… telling me he still loved me.But how do you say I love you to someone and then go to bed with somebody else?I wiped away my tears in a hurry when I heard footsteps. I was praying that it was Lucas. He had stopped by to check on me earlier, but I told him I needed to be alone. I didn't want anyone. I wanted peace.But when I turned around…It was Cara.I frowned and looked away immediately. I did not wish to gaze at her. I did not wish to hear her voice. But she did not mind. She walked towards me slow
Chapter 101Damon's POVI could feel the weight of the silence hanging in the air. The tension between Sophia and me had been mounting for days now, and despite how much I fought it, it seemed like the distance between us continued to widen. The things I'd shared with her, the truth about what transpired with Cara—it was just too much for her to process. I had expected her to be furious, but I could never imagine that it would be like she was escaping me, step by step.I stumbled through the packhouse, my feet heavy on the ground, my mind spinning. I hadn't talked to Sophia since I'd told her Cara was dead. Since then, she'd barely even looked at me. When she did, her eyes were full of hurt, betrayal… and something else I couldn't quite pinpoint. She was so far gone, and nothing I said or did seemed able to bring her back.Today, I was compelled to deal with her. I was compelled to make her understand that I loved her. That I didn't want Cara. That I didn't want anyone else other than
Chapter HundredHe Chose Her Instead of MeSophia's POVI curled up alone in the packhouse garden at the base of a big tree where no one could see me sitting. I tucked my knees up into my chest and wrapped my arms around them, and had my chin resting on top. I wasn't crying anymore. My eyes were already tender. My heart pounded harder.I hadn't even noticed how long I had been sitting there. Maybe hours. All of it weighed on me. My chest, my breath, my mind.Then I heard footsteps.I didn't lift my head."Sophia?"I knew that voice. It was Lucas. Damon's Beta. His best friend.I didn't answer him.He approached slowly and sat beside me without permission."You've been out here a while," he said softly. "Are you okay?"I didn't look at him. I didn't talk. I didn't even move.Lucas hesitated, then said again, "Sophia, you need to tell me something. You don't sound okay."I shut my eyes and let out an unsteady breath. "I'm not," I hardly whispered.His face drifted before me, concerned.
Chapter Ninety NineHer ScentI was in the packhouse living room, holding a pillow to my chest. It was quiet in the room. The fire was low in the fireplace, and the night air was cold. I had just come back from my parents' house. I missed them, but I missed Damon more while I was away.I smiled to myself as I thought about him. I wanted to surprise him with my return, maybe cook for him, maybe cuddle in his arms like we used to. I missed his warmth, his scent, his laughter. I missed the way he would look at me as if I was the only person in the world.I heard the door open.My heart pounded.He was back.I sat up straight right away and turned toward the door, expecting his smile. But Damon didn't smile. He walked in slowly, shoulders tense, eyes brooding. He didn't even look at me."Hey," I said softly, attempting to make him look at me.He nodded just and walked by me. No hug. No kiss. No words. He was… different."Damon?" I said softly. "Is everything okay?"He didn't answer. He ju
Chapter Ninety EightScheme From HerCara's POVI woke up slowly. My body was frail, but my heart was warm. Damon was next to me. His chest was bare. His face was serene in sleep.I smiled weakly. Last night was real. He touched me. Held me. Kissed me.It was like the past again.I reached out my hand, craving to touch his hair. But before I could, his eyes opened.He looked at me. He did not say anything for a moment. He was dazed. Then he sat up abruptly."What the hell?" he cried, breathing heavily.I also sat up, wrapping myself in the blanket. "Damon, relax. You're okay.""What is this?" he shouted. "What happened last night?"I looked at him. "You were drunk. You were upset. You needed someone. I was there for you."His eyes were wide open. "No. No, this didn't happen. Tell me we didn't sleep together."I said nothing.He jumped off the bed, pulling up his pants. Then he came to my side and grabbed my arm roughly."You tricked me, didn't you?" he yelled. "You planned this!""No!
Cara's POVI rested against the window, gazing out at the serene, moonlit evening. The house was abnormally still, the only sounds the distant howls of wolves in the forest. I could feel the pressure of it all crashing down on me. Damon and Sophia were bonded. That was the truth. The truth that stung. But it was irrelevant now. I had a plan.I surveyed the room, my eyes locking onto the door. Damon was in the adjacent room. Sophia had gone off to visit her parents, and I was left alone with him. I had been waiting for this opportunity—the ultimate opportunity. This was my moment to at last get what I wanted. I was pregnant with Liam's child, but no one knew that. Everyone thought the baby was Damon's. That was my chance to reclaim Damon, to have him back for myself.I couldn't help but smile to myself, imagining. This would be okay. Damon had never truly pushed me away, and if I could only maintain the charade that the baby was his, then he would return to me. He would be mine again,