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 Sixty Four Sophia’s Secret Visit to DamonSophia’s POVThe sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow over the pack grounds as I stepped outside. A cool breeze brushed against my skin, making me shiver slightly. I had dressed carefully, making sure my appearance was flawless before leaving. My long, flowing dress hugged my body in all the right places, and my hair cascaded down my back in soft waves. I wanted to look my best.I had planned this visit carefully. I didn’t want anyone to suspect where I was going, especially not Cara. She had never hidden her dislike for Damon, and I knew that if she found out I was going to see him, she would try to stop me or at least question me endlessly.I had only taken a few steps when I heard her voice behind me.“Sophia!”I froze for a second before turning around with a smile. Cara was sitting on the wooden bench outside her house, her long dark hair tied back into a loose ponytail. She looked at me curiously, her brows slightly r
Chapter Sicty Five : The Day Of The Gathering Cara's POVThe party day was cold, the kind of cold that seeped to my bones and made me shiver even though I had on warm clothes. The sky was a dismal gray, thick clouds low and hanging, threatening rain but never quite materializing. The air was heavy with the scent of wet soil and pine, a smell I was accustomed to and which usually made me feel comforted, but today it was stifling.Everyone was preparing to go out to the Head Pack's domain, and the entire packhouse was charged with tension and anticipation. Warriors were double-checking their weapons, omegas were scurrying about, making sure everything was set, and the ranked wolves were at the door, ready for Alpha to give the cue.I remained quiet, watching as everyone moved into position. My chest was heavy, and I hated the ache in my chest. I did not even know why I was feeling this way. Maybe because I knew what was going to happen. This meeting was not a simple pack meeting. It wa
Chapter Sixty Six : The Spark KissDamon’s POVThe moment I arrived at the gathering, I felt eyes on me. It was expected. I was the last Alpha to arrive, and my reputation always ensured that I was the center of attention. But none of that mattered to me right now.Because the first thing I saw was her.Vanessa.She was clinging to Liam, holding his hand like he was the most precious thing in the world. My jaw tightened, my hands curling into fists at my sides. Liam was supposed to be with Cara. That had been the arrangement, the expectation. But there he was, standing tall, allowing Vanessa to lean into him, fingers intertwined.I wasn’t the only one who noticed.Cara did too.I could see the way her face fell, how her eyes dimmed just a little before she quickly masked her expression. She was trying to be strong, but I knew it hurt her.Good.Let her feel the same sting of betrayal I did.I let my gaze shift, my eyes landing on Sophia.She stood beside Cara, her posture stiff, her f
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,