Chapter Twenty ThreeChapter 23: TakenCara’s POVThe air was still. Too still.A deep growl rumbled in the distance, and I froze, my body tensing. The training ground had been quiet a second ago, but now… something was wrong. The wind carried a scent I didn’t recognize—thick with danger and aggression.Sophia noticed it too. She took a step closer to me, her voice barely above a whisper. “Cara… something’s coming.”I didn’t answer. My instincts had already kicked in. My pulse pounded as I turned toward the trees, scanning the area. Then, they came.Shadows moved between the trees, fast and calculated. My breath hitched as a group of werewolves emerged from the forest, their eyes glowing with hunger and violence. Their movements were smooth, their bodies muscular and prepared for a fight.They weren’t just any werewolves. They were warriors.Sophia gasped beside me. I didn’t have time to reassure her. The second they lunged forward, I shifted.Bones cracked as my body transformed. Fur
Chapter Twenty Fiur: When Everything ChangedLiam's POVThe moment Sophia burst through the doors, gasping and gaping, I recognized that something was wrong. My entire body seized up, instincts in overdrive before she'd even get a word out."It's Cara—she's gone."Those words were like a blow to the gut. I didn't budge for a moment, didn't take a breath. But then my eyes snapped into focus and my wolf churned futilely beneath my skin.Gone?I approached her slowly, my voice strained. "What do you mean she's vanished?"Sophia swallowed once more, her face pale. "We—we were rehearsing. Everything was fine. Then they came." Her breath hitched, fear creeping into her tone. "They were fast, Liam. Too fast. Cara shifted and fought them off, but too many. And their leader—he was strong. Too strong."A growl convulsed deep in my chest. My wolf tried to claw free, looking for blood, looking for fight.I grasped Sophia by the shoulders, holding her face to mine. "Who kidnapped her?"She shook h
Chapter 25: His Mate?Cara’s POVPain pulsed through my body, but I ignored it. My muscles ached from the fight, my skin was raw where the ropes had bitten into my flesh, but I refused to show weakness.The room was cold, damp, the scent of wolves thick in the air. Unfamiliar wolves. The walls were made of stone, the only light coming from a small barred window near the ceiling. There were no chains, no silver, but that didn’t make me any less trapped.I had been taken.I clenched my fists, my heart pounding. Liam. Did he even know I was gone? Would he come for me?Or worse—had he let them take me?Before I could drown in that thought, the heavy door creaked open.Caleb.I knew it was him before I even saw his face. His scent, his aura, the suffocating weight of his presence—it all hit me at once.He stepped inside, his towering frame blocking the light from the hallway. His dark eyes locked onto mine, scanning my face, my body, and then his jaw clenched.And just like that, his expre
Chapter Twenty Six : Unbroken By WillI struggled with Caleb's hold, my heart beating wildly in my chest. His hands were rough, his breath hot against my skin. I pushed against him with all my strength, but he was too strong."Let me go!" I growled, twisting my body, trying to tear loose.Caleb scorned, his eyes black with desire and control. "Why fight it, Cara?" he whispered, his fingers outlining my jaw. "You were always meant to be mine."I jerked my face away in disgust. "I belong to nobody!"He laughed, amused by my desperation. His fingers sank into my arms, holding me against the cold of the stone wall. My heart was beating so achingly hard. I would not cry, would not be scared.Suddenly, the door burst open.A whirlwind of movement. A blast of wind.Then—Liam.He stormed into the room like a tempest, his eyes burning with rage. He did not hesitate. He leaped at Caleb, his fist connecting with his face, and knocked him tumbling onto the floor.I gasped, my body trembling with
Chapter Twenty Seven: Escape in the DarkCara’s POVThe air in the room was thick with tension. My wrists ached from the tight ropes, but that wasn’t what had my heart pounding. It was the way Caleb was looking at me—like I was some prize he was eager to claim.He crouched in front of me, his golden eyes burning with lust and possession. “I’ve waited long enough, Cara,” he murmured, reaching out to stroke my cheek. I jerked my head away, disgust twisting in my stomach.“I won’t let you touch me,” I spat, my voice shaking with fury.He chuckled darkly. “Oh, but you don’t have a choice, my love.” His fingers slid to my shoulder, gripping the fabric of my dress.I struggled hard, kicking at him, but he barely budged. “Don’t fight me, Cara. I will have you, whether you like it or not,” he growled.I turned my head desperately, searching for Liam. He was still tied to the chair, his muscles tense, his expression dark and unreadable. But his eyes… His eyes were filled with something terrify
Chapter Twenty Eight: An Unexpected WelcomeCara’s POVThe journey back home was exhausting. My entire body ached, and Liam was breathing heavily beside me. Though we had escaped, the tension hadn’t left me. Every step we took felt like we were still being hunted.Liam kept a firm arm around me, his touch both protective and reassuring. “We’re almost there,” he murmured.I nodded, too tired to respond. My legs felt like lead, and my mind was still replaying everything that had happened. Caleb. His touch. His threats. The way Liam had saved me. My heart clenched. If Liam hadn’t been there… I shook the thought away.As we reached the entrance of Liam’s house, the door suddenly swung open.“SURPRISE!”I flinched, my body tensing on instinct. But then, I saw Sophia standing there with a wide smile, holding a bouquet of fresh red roses. The entire house was decorated with soft fairy lights, and the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air.I blinked in confusion. “What…?”Sophia’s smile
Chapter Twenty Nine : A Deal for My MateCara's POVMy stomach growled as I walked down the hall, towards the kitchen. I was exhausted from everything that had happened, and all I wanted was a warm meal and some peace.The house was quiet, the air still. It was a strange kind of quiet, the kind that precedes a storm.As I neared the kitchen, I was just going to enter when I heard a voice I recognized.Vanessa.I stopped, my hand mid-air before I opened the door.Her voice was smooth, confident—perhaps too confident.Something in her tone made me hesitate. Instead of entering, I stepped back, pressing myself against the wall and listening."Luna, you know how much I respect Liam. He deserves a strong partner beside him. Someone like me."I frowned.What was she up to?Luna sighed. "Vanessa, I already said, this is not my choice to make. Liam will select his own mate.""But why should he pick someone weak?" Vanessa insisted. "Cara doesn't have a powerful lineage. She has no powers. She
Chapter Thirty : The BetrayalLiam's POVI was sitting in my room with my men, my fingers tapping on the wooden table. My mind had not been at peace since we returned home. Cara had been through too much, and I was taking no chances."She can't go anywhere alone," I said emphatically, my voice not open to discussion. "At least three of you must follow her everywhere she goes."The men nodded, their faces grave."She might not like it," one of them, Marcus, spoke up."I don't care," I replied. "This doesn't have anything to do with what she likes. This is about keeping her safe."No sooner had I spoken than the door swung open.Luna Mariana, my mother, stood in the doorway. Her face was impassive, but her eyes—there was something in her eyes, something that twisted my gut."Liam," she said, her voice steady but commanding. "Come with me. You need to see something."I frowned. "What is it?""Just come with me," she said.I paused. Something was not right, but this was my mother. I trust
Chapter Thirty-Four: The Weight of Betrayal(Liam's POV)The tension was thick. The silence was heavy, pressing down on my chest like a boulder. Cara was across from me, her complexion pale, her eyes red and puffy from tears. My father was rigid, his face expressionless, and my mother and Vanessa were looking at me with anticipation, waiting for my reaction.And now, I stood there, staring at the doctor, daring him to lie to me again.“Tell me the truth,” I growled, my wolf stirring beneath my skin, barely contained. “Did Vanessa tell you to alter the results?”The doctor swallowed, his heartbeat pounding so loud I could hear it. He was nervous, shifting on his feet, looking at Vanessa and my mother for help.I stepped closer, letting a low, dangerous growl escape my throat. My wolf was furious, demanding justice.“Don’t look at them,” I warned, my voice low. “I asked you a question. Did she tell you to change it?”The doctor flinched. “Master Liam, I—”“Answer me!” I roared, my voice
Chapter Thirty Three : The Paternity Test(Cara’s POV)I sat in the hospital bed, my hands gently placed over my stomach. The room was quiet, but my heart was loud in my chest. It had been hours since Alpha decided I could stay under his protection until the paternity test was done. But I knew… peace would not come.Not for me.Not for my baby.A tear slipped down my cheek. I rubbed my belly softly, whispering, “Whatever happens, baby, I will stand by you. I will be with you.”My voice shook. My body was tired, my heart was broken, but I couldn’t give up. No matter what they said, this child was Liam’s. I knew it. I felt it.What if they forced me out?I closed my eyes, holding back a sob. I was scared.Then… I heard footsteps.I froze.The door to my room opened, and voices filled the air. My heart dropped as I recognized them.Luna.Alpha.Vanessa.Liam.They were all here.I stayed still, listening.“We must check if the baby is for Liam or not,” Luna’s sharp voice rang out.I swal
Chapter Thirthy Two: Cara Is Pregnant (Liam’s POV)Cara’s sudden collapse sent the entire room into chaos. One moment, she was standing there, tears streaming down her face as my mother ordered her out of the pack. The next, she swayed on her feet, her face going pale before she fell to the ground, clutching her stomach.“Cara!” I yelled, rushing to her side.She was unconscious, her breathing uneven. My heart pounded in my chest as I scooped her up into my arms. All my doubts, all the accusations, everything disappeared in that moment. Nothing mattered except getting her help.“She’s faking it,” my mother spat, folding her arms. “Don’t fall for her tricks, Liam.”“She’s not faking it!” Sophia snapped, kneeling beside me. “Can’t you see she’s sick?”Vanessa scoffed. “Sick or not, she doesn’t belong here. You should let her leave just as your mother ordered.”I shot her a glare. “Shut up, Vanessa.”For the first time, I wasn’t interested in pleasing anyone—my mother, my father, Vaness
Chapter Thirty One : SchemeCara’s POVThe room spun around me. My chest felt heavy, my throat tight.Luna’s voice echoed in my ears, sharp and filled with disgust.“Get out!” she screamed, pointing at the door. “You can’t stay in this pack! Someone like you will never be our next Luna.”Tears blurred my vision as I shook my head frantically. “No, please! You have to believe me! It’s a setup! I didn’t do it!” My voice cracked with desperation.Liam stood there, frozen. His eyes were clouded with confusion, his fists clenched at his sides. I searched his face for something—anything—that would tell me he believed me.But he said nothing.His silence shattered me more than Luna’s cruel words.I took a shaky step forward, but Vanessa’s voice cut through the tension like a blade.“She doesn’t deserve to be Luna,” Vanessa sneered, crossing her arms. “Just look at her. She doesn’t have the appearance, the status, or the class. And now, she’s going after Liam’s father?” She let out a cold lau
Chapter Thirty : The BetrayalLiam's POVI was sitting in my room with my men, my fingers tapping on the wooden table. My mind had not been at peace since we returned home. Cara had been through too much, and I was taking no chances."She can't go anywhere alone," I said emphatically, my voice not open to discussion. "At least three of you must follow her everywhere she goes."The men nodded, their faces grave."She might not like it," one of them, Marcus, spoke up."I don't care," I replied. "This doesn't have anything to do with what she likes. This is about keeping her safe."No sooner had I spoken than the door swung open.Luna Mariana, my mother, stood in the doorway. Her face was impassive, but her eyes—there was something in her eyes, something that twisted my gut."Liam," she said, her voice steady but commanding. "Come with me. You need to see something."I frowned. "What is it?""Just come with me," she said.I paused. Something was not right, but this was my mother. I trust
Chapter Twenty Nine : A Deal for My MateCara's POVMy stomach growled as I walked down the hall, towards the kitchen. I was exhausted from everything that had happened, and all I wanted was a warm meal and some peace.The house was quiet, the air still. It was a strange kind of quiet, the kind that precedes a storm.As I neared the kitchen, I was just going to enter when I heard a voice I recognized.Vanessa.I stopped, my hand mid-air before I opened the door.Her voice was smooth, confident—perhaps too confident.Something in her tone made me hesitate. Instead of entering, I stepped back, pressing myself against the wall and listening."Luna, you know how much I respect Liam. He deserves a strong partner beside him. Someone like me."I frowned.What was she up to?Luna sighed. "Vanessa, I already said, this is not my choice to make. Liam will select his own mate.""But why should he pick someone weak?" Vanessa insisted. "Cara doesn't have a powerful lineage. She has no powers. She
Chapter Twenty Eight: An Unexpected WelcomeCara’s POVThe journey back home was exhausting. My entire body ached, and Liam was breathing heavily beside me. Though we had escaped, the tension hadn’t left me. Every step we took felt like we were still being hunted.Liam kept a firm arm around me, his touch both protective and reassuring. “We’re almost there,” he murmured.I nodded, too tired to respond. My legs felt like lead, and my mind was still replaying everything that had happened. Caleb. His touch. His threats. The way Liam had saved me. My heart clenched. If Liam hadn’t been there… I shook the thought away.As we reached the entrance of Liam’s house, the door suddenly swung open.“SURPRISE!”I flinched, my body tensing on instinct. But then, I saw Sophia standing there with a wide smile, holding a bouquet of fresh red roses. The entire house was decorated with soft fairy lights, and the scent of freshly baked bread filled the air.I blinked in confusion. “What…?”Sophia’s smile
Chapter Twenty Seven: Escape in the DarkCara’s POVThe air in the room was thick with tension. My wrists ached from the tight ropes, but that wasn’t what had my heart pounding. It was the way Caleb was looking at me—like I was some prize he was eager to claim.He crouched in front of me, his golden eyes burning with lust and possession. “I’ve waited long enough, Cara,” he murmured, reaching out to stroke my cheek. I jerked my head away, disgust twisting in my stomach.“I won’t let you touch me,” I spat, my voice shaking with fury.He chuckled darkly. “Oh, but you don’t have a choice, my love.” His fingers slid to my shoulder, gripping the fabric of my dress.I struggled hard, kicking at him, but he barely budged. “Don’t fight me, Cara. I will have you, whether you like it or not,” he growled.I turned my head desperately, searching for Liam. He was still tied to the chair, his muscles tense, his expression dark and unreadable. But his eyes… His eyes were filled with something terrify
Chapter Twenty Six : Unbroken By WillI struggled with Caleb's hold, my heart beating wildly in my chest. His hands were rough, his breath hot against my skin. I pushed against him with all my strength, but he was too strong."Let me go!" I growled, twisting my body, trying to tear loose.Caleb scorned, his eyes black with desire and control. "Why fight it, Cara?" he whispered, his fingers outlining my jaw. "You were always meant to be mine."I jerked my face away in disgust. "I belong to nobody!"He laughed, amused by my desperation. His fingers sank into my arms, holding me against the cold of the stone wall. My heart was beating so achingly hard. I would not cry, would not be scared.Suddenly, the door burst open.A whirlwind of movement. A blast of wind.Then—Liam.He stormed into the room like a tempest, his eyes burning with rage. He did not hesitate. He leaped at Caleb, his fist connecting with his face, and knocked him tumbling onto the floor.I gasped, my body trembling with