Chapter One Cara'S POV "You fucking bitch!" Mateo snarled, shoving me hard against the wooden counter. His eyes were afire, his lips twisted in a mean snarl. "You're nothing but a fucking burden! If it weren't for you, we wouldn't be stuck in this goddamn mess!" I gritted my teeth and said nothing. It wasn't new. For months, ever since I came to Shadow wood pack, Mateo had been spewing this same bullshit. But today, his anger was worse. More venomous. "Say something, bitch" he spat, grabbing my arm so hard I knew it would bruise. "Or are you gonna keep standing there like a fucking mute?" Before I could respond, a loud crash echoed from outside. We both turned toward the entrance just in time to see my uncle, his hands shaking, staring at a pile of fallen boxes. The truck that had whizzed past was now parked a few feet away, sending up clouds of dust. And then, a man stepped out. Tall. Broad-shouldered. Dangerous: He’s the Alpha’s eldest son. Richard. His face
Chapter 2 Cara’s POV I thought it was over. It would be back to normal Of course, I was wrong. One of Liam's men showed up right in the cafeteria. " Liam feels sorry for what happened that day," the man said. Low voice. Deadpan. "So he bought new goods for you." Silence. My uncle stiffened beside me. His hand on the counter tensed. The man continued, “You need to go to the pack house” The tension in the room snapped like a whip Everyone here knew it wasn’t that fucking simple. No one—especially not a Wilson—gave out anything for free. “I’ll go with her,” my uncle said immediately. The man's face didn't change. "He said she has to come alone." Mateo gave a low, mocking laugh. "Of course she does," he sneered, stepping right in front of me, blocking my path. His eyes gleamed with something ugly, something cruel. "Listen to me, you bitch." His voice dropped lower, colder. "If you dare cause any more trouble, I'll rip your fucking head off myself. "Let me get
Chapter 3 Liam’s POV She wrenched her arm free. For a moment, the graze of her skin, the spark firing at that first contact, still lingered. Cara's face didn't change. Her eyes—sharp, guarded—met mine with defense. "I don’t know him," she said, her voice level. Liar. I watched her closely, Boris, my wolf, pacing inside me. Boris growled, his frustration evident. “I want to talk to Cornell now” I clenched my jaw, “Not now, Boris” “She’s our mate,” he snapped, pacing inside me like a caged animal. “Let's make this quick" I ignored him, keeping my eye on Cara. The way her scent curled around me, something wild and sharp, like fresh rain after a storm. The way her lips pressed together like I was holding her back to him. The way her pulse quickened when I touched her, no matter how much she tried to hide it. I took a step closer, watching as her jaw tensed. “Do you feel it? We are mates” I asked, my voice low. She didn't pretend to misunderstand. "I know wha
Chapter 4 : She is Mine Liam’s Pov A loud rap of knuckles against wood yanked me from my mind. One of my men knocked on the door, face etched tightly. "Liam, it's Cara. Her cousin and those guys are causing her trouble again." I felt rage jump through me like a live current. "And?" The warrior shifted uneasily. "As usual, she doesn’t hit back." I slapped the book closed. I knew Cara was strong. We’d faced each other so many times in the battle. Of course, I know she could kick those bastards ass. But this is her choice “Go there. Right now,” Boris demanded. “Stop this nonsense.” I exhaled sharply, already on my feet. “I’m going. I'll handle it myself." By the time I arrived, Mateo and his pack of bastards were already gone.Her lower lip was smeared with blood, bruises already discoloring along her arms. I narrowed my eyes. She was healing. Slow. On purpose. Smart girl. She was concealing what she was by this way. Boris growled at the sight of her woun
Chapter 5 Cara's POV By the time I made it home, the ache was gone, but the bruises still coloured my skin. I'd retarded my healing, made it appear as if I wasn't healing as fast as I ought to. It was needed. Uncle took one look. "What happened?" he asked, frowning, his eyes roaming the bruises on my arms. "Training," I said, pushing past him toward the kitchen. "It will heal soon” Uncle let out a sharp exhalation. I began fiddling with the kettle, pretending that I hadn't heard the disappointment in his voice. We had this same conversation every time. He knew what was going on. But he also knew why I never fought back. Long after, he finally spoke. "You should rest." Instead, I pulled out the rent money that I had set aside and placed it on the table. "At least take this.” He shook his head almost immediately. "No." "I could not go see your father before he died," he cut me off, his voice low and laden. "I gave in. I betrayed him and Alpha Robert " He turned
Chapter 6 : A Twist Of Fate Cara’s POV I stood at the back of the mating ceremony. My heart, pounding. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. I glanced sideways at the influential family of Alphas; Alpha Marcus stood with another Alpha and his daughter, adding to the burden of this moment. It was choking: the eyes of all outside, their expectations so thick in the air. Liam stood tall upon the stage, his voice strong as he addressed the crowd. “Shadow wood pack and Barry pack have taken care of each other's backs for a while, and now it is time to make it official. We will sign the mutual protection contract" he said in a firm, clear voice. The Alpha of the Barry Pack, with his entourage, had also looked quite shocked by this announcement Liam continued, ignoring the growing awkwardness. "And now, it is an honor to have you all here, witnessing the bond that will strengthen our packs," he said, eyes scanning the room with that usual unshakeable calm. “And I want t
Chapter7 : The Bond Liam’s POV I followed my father into the study. As soon as the door closed, he hit me without warning. I noticed this before he started, but I didn’t move. I knew this day would come, but I still froze for a moment. Now, I just had to let him take out his anger on me. “You did this without telling me” The crack of the whip had seared across my back, I took my father’s wrath in Silence. “You didn't ask me," he growled in a low tone . "Why?” When the sound of the whip stopped, he nodded for me to get up. "Explain yourself.". I straightened, meeting his gaze without the slightest problem. What my father wants are: power, control, expansion. It ran in the blood, after all. So it's just a matter of making me mating Cara conform to what he wants “Father, I know you want to take more land and control the packs around us,” I said, keeping my voice calm. “But the bigger we get, the harder it is to handle everything. We’ve already felt the pressure. You migh
Chapter 8 Liam’s POV Cara was waiting for me, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes narrowing with confusion. “You better give me a reasonable explanation” I met her gaze, trying to keep my expression neutral. “I told you I am gonna have the mating ceremony today, right?” She huffed, her brow furrowing deeper. “Yeah, of course. with the daughter of Barry pack's Alpha.” I took a step closer, my eyes searching hers for understanding. “I did not say that. I just told you I am going to have my mating ceremony.” And You are my mate, of course. I would choose you” She opened her mouth, but she didn't seem to know how to talk me back, and I took her by hand before she could say any word of refusal. I took Cara to dinner with my family. As soon as we entered the dining hall, the air felt heavy. The large chandelier above lit up the long table, but it didn’t make the atmosphere any warmer. The only sounds were the soft clinking of silverware and the faint crackling of
Chapter One hundred and twenty three : The PainZarina's POVI sat on the bed, my body weak, my heart even weaker.The soft breathing of my babes filled the air. Their small bodies curled beside me, safe, warm… unaware of the storm outside these walls.I should be smiling. I should be happy.But my chest was constricting.It hurt to breathe.It hurt to think.Everyone was whispering about it.The fight.Asher vs. Elior.Two men.Both strong.Both powerful.Both capable of hurting each other.I closed my eyes, trying to close out the voices, the fear… but it didn't go away.Nothing could stem the way my heart wracked painfully every time I thought of what was ahead.The door creaked suddenly.I opened my eyes, my heart jumping into my throat.And there he stood.Asher.He walked in, light from the hall falling gently about him.He looked… fatigued.Aged.Chilled.The man I knew — the man who smiled so easily, who hugged me as if I were something fine — was gone.And in his place, anoth
Chapter 122POV: Lucas"Where's my Damon?" his mother screamed.Her voice startled me.It wasn't anger in her voice.It was fear.It was heartbreak.It seems as if she have felt it, that mother and son bond. She had knownI attempted to speak, but nothing came out.How could I ever say it?How could I ever say the words that Damon… Damon had dissapeared…She stepped closer, her hand grasping my arm in a tight hold.Her fingers dug into my skin."Lucas, where is my son?!" she shrieked again, her voice cracking.I hung my head.I couldn't face her.I felt ashamed, helpless.At last, I whispered, my voice barely a whisper, "He… he disappeared."The words left my mouth and filled the whole room with silence.Heavy, icy silence.I could hear my own heartbeat in my ears.At first, Damon's mom just stood there.Still.Frozen.Then she screamed.A cry so naked, so distraught, it constricted my chest.It was the wail of a mother losing her child.Cara cried out beside her, her hand to her mout
Chapter 121: A Mother's CryPOV: Sophia (sleeping) and LucasThe last thing I felt were warm arms embracing me.Safe arms.I was so tired… so broken…My head was resting on a firm chest. I could still feel my tears on my cheeks, still hear my own cries resounding in my head. But everything was gradually fading. The world was becoming silent.The scent surrounding me was familiar… Lucas.He held me carefully, as though I would shatter. And I wondered if I already had.I ceased to struggle. I let the darkness take me.I slept.Lucas's POVI looked down at Sophia in my arms.She had finally slept. Her breathing was slow and soft now, but her face still showed the pain. Tears streaked her cheeks even in sleep.My heart ached within me.I didn't hesitate, taking off my jacket and gently placing it over her, covering her small body.She was cold. Shivering a little.I held my arms closer around her."I got you," I whispered, as though she could still hear me. "I won't let anything happen to
A Chapter 120: Broken in His ArmsPOV: SophiaI couldn't catch my breath.I couldn't move either.The world outside me had disappeared.There was only the emptiness left behind by Damon.I looked at where he vanished, hoping, praying, begging in my heart for him to come back.He didn't.He was gone.Tears streamed down my face, hot and interminable.My hands shook so violently that I couldn't even wipe them off.My body was weak, as if the life in me had seeped out too.And then…I felt powerful arms around me.I didn't even look up.I didn't have the strength.I just fell into those arms, and they held me.Lucas.He pulled me against his chest, holding me like he would never let me go.I sobbed more, my hands grasping his shirt tightly, as if I would sink without holding on to him."I'm here," Lucas panted, his voice low and shattered. "Sophia… I'm here."I cried harder.Harder than I ever had before in my life.I buried my face in his chest and screamed out all the pain that was con
Chapter 119: The Bond That Broke the ChainsPOV: SophiaI saw Damon fall.I screamed."No! Damon!"His body landed with a hard thud on the ground. My heart broke in two. I wanted to run to him. I wanted to cling to him. But I was still tied to the tree—tied like some damsel in distress—while the only man who ever made me feel secure was lying there… unmoving.Tears flowed down my face like a river. My whole body shook. I pulled on the ropes over and over, but they were too tight. My wrists ached, my skin cracked, but I didn't care. I wanted to get to him."Damon!" I yelled again. "Please! Wake up!"He didn't move.His blood was on the ground.I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. I just sobbed, harder than I ever had in my whole life.Lucas tried to struggle towards Damon, but men held him back."Let me go!" he shouted. "Let me get to him!"But they wouldn't let him go. There were too many of them there.And I? I was stuck here. Just observing. Just sobbing. Just suffering.I glared a
Chapter 118– His Last StandPOV: SophiaDamon shifted.In front of thousands of men, he threw his head back, bones cracking as his body transformed. His black wolf was taller than all of them, his muscles hard and fierce, his fur thick like midnight. The air around him trembled with power. His eyes, still glowing gold, held fire and pain—and something else.Love.For me.He didn’t speak a word, but I knew.He was doing this for me.Without waiting, Damon lunged forward with a deep, terrifying growl. The sound shook the trees. It silenced the crowd for one second—but only one. Then chaos began.Wolves jumped at him from every direction.Five. Ten. Twenty.But Damon moved fast. So fast.He ducked under one, bit into the leg of another, tossed one over his back like it was weightless. The sound of snapping bones, painful cries, and heavy thuds filled the air. Blood sprayed the ground, and not all of it was his. Damon was winning.At first.I could hardly see through my tears. My body tre
Chapter 117: A Thousand Against OnePOV: DamonThe night was too quiet.Too still.The wind didn’t blow. Even the trees stood silent, like they were afraid of what was about to happen.Sophia was tied to a tree before me. Her hair was wild, her face bruised. My heart contracted when I laid eyes on her. Her eyes locked with mine, and even though she said nothing, I could feel her pain crying out at me."Damon," she breathed softly, "don't."It was too late for me to step back.I had taken it too far."Let her go," I spat, moving forward.Caleb didn't budge. He just stood there, chest puffed out with his arms crossed like he owned the entire damn forest."Why would I?" he sneered. "You stole my woman, Damon. You think you get to steal everything and get away like a hero?""I don't want Cara!" I yelled, my voice carrying. "I never wanted her. And the baby—he's not even my child. You know that, Caleb!"Again, please let me know if this passes the test.Caleb's eyes flared. "I don't care,"
Chapter 116 : She Shouldn't Have Left Alone(Damon's POV)I never knew the silence in a room could be so loud.I remained there, by myself, in the same room where I had last seen her. Sophia. My mate. My Luna.She had walked away with tears in her eyes, pain etched on her face, and I did… nothing.Nothing.I believed she would come back. I really believed she just needed space.We'd been in tougher spots before… hadn't we?But it was different this time.Her silence weighed on me. And with every ticked second, I was iller in my chest.The night air filtered in through the open window. Cold. Quiet.And so was the bed she hadn't returned to.I attempted to convince myself that she'd be fine. She was tough. She could take care of herself.But the truth was—this was on me.I let Cara remain.I let her lie.I stood there like a moron when she clung to that baby and claimed it as mine.And I said nothing.I didn't stop her. I didn't speak the truth.Because the child was strong. The elders
Chapter 115: I Should Have Been EnoughPOV: SophiaI just walked.I didn't know where I was going. I didn't care.The forest was dark. The wind was cold. My body shuddered, but it was not due to the weather. It was due to the pain. It hurt so much inside my chest. I felt like I couldn't breathe.How did I get here?I was Luna. I was his mate. I was meant to be safe… loved.But now, I was alone.And broken.I Trusted HimDamon was the only one I ever truly trusted.I let my defenses down for him. I offered him my heart. And he let them hurt me. He let her hurt me. Cara stood there, holding that child in her arms like a trophy. She told the whole pack the baby was his. And what did Damon do?Nothing. He said nothing. I should have gone back to my father’s pack, but they warned me, they warned me to send her away, but I didn’tEven when his mother suspected… even when she started accepting Cara like family… Damon said nothing.And I stayed there… a stranger in my own house.Why di