Jaselyn’s POV
“What is going on? Why have you brought me here?” I demand hotly.
“You'll only get your answers when you calm down and listen.” Zane's wife, Isla answers me casually and it takes all my self restraint not to glare at her.
“Just please tell me why I'm here. Why won't you let me leave?” I request more softly this time.
“This might come as a shock but my beloved Isla is unable to have children of her own, we've tried everything but nothing seems to be working. After I informed her about you, we talked and we both decided that since you're my mate, you'll be the perfect person to make our dream come true.” Zane begins.
“What?!” I exclaim, wide eyed and unable to believe my ears.
“You're going to have children in Isla's place, Jaselyn. You are my mate, after all, it's your duty to give me an heir.” Zane declares shamelessly while I struggle to comprehend everything.
After deflowering me, betraying and then rejecting me, he wants me to get pregnant and have a child for him and his Luna? Is this a joke?!
“I don't know what kind of sick joke this is but it's not funny. I only have a few hours before my uncle returns so if you'll excuse me, I must leave now.” I say and turn away but a firm grip encapsulates my hand, stopping me in my tracks.
Before I can protest, I'm slammed against the wall hard and Zane places both hands on either side of the wall, trapping me between his body and the cold surface. My heart races in my chest.
“This is not a joke, Jaselyn. It's not in my nature to make jest, everything I've told you is true. It's a fact you must accept, we're not giving you an option.” Zane growls at me in a warning tone and dread washes over me as I realize they're actually serious.
I try my hardest to stop them but the tears still fall.
“Why? Why did you choose me specifically for this task? If you wanted a surrogate you could have asked any other woman in this Pack. You're the Alpha, you're feared and respected, a lot of women would jump at the opportunity to share your bed and birth your child, so why me?” I asked the question that bothered me to no end.
“It's simple, Jaselyn dear.” He begins, his tone mocking. “You're my fated mate, you were created by the goddess just for me. You were born to carry my children, it's your destiny. Besides, your body's quite nice, it was made to be fucked and I don't mind taking on the responsibility.” He says and traces his hand up my body while I struggle not to cringe with disgust.
I slap his hand away and use the opportunity to push him away from me and create the much needed distance between the two of us.
“Listen to me carefully, I refuse to be used in such a way. I'm not a toy you can play with and discard whenever you deem fit. I'm a fucking person, I have feelings; I have dreams as well and becoming your baby making machine is not one of them.” I lash out and finally turn to them with teary eyes.
“And as for you, Zane. You're a horrible person and a despicable mate, how could you even come up with something like this? How dare you try to abuse our bond like that? You're……” My words are abruptly cut off when a hard slap lands on my face, causing me to accidentally bite my lip hard.
The taste of metal fills my tongue as I glare daggers at Isla who had just slapped me. She looks at me with disdain, like I was the worst piece of trash she had ever seen.
“Did whoever raised you not teach you any manners? When powerful people speak, scum like you should listen with your head bowed. You had the nerve to talk such rubbish about my husband, who also happens to be the Alpha of this Pack, just who do you think you are, brat?
Let me tell you right now, you're nothing but a slave to us. You're simply a body to carry our future children so know your place, wench, and never forget or else that slap will be the least you receive." She spewed in a voice full of animosity.
I'll be damned if I let this woman speak to me or treat me like this when she's clearly the one who doesn't belong here.
I raise my hand to retaliate but it doesn't land on the woman's makeup stamped face like I intended. A rush of pain reverberates through me and I realize that Zane grabbed my hand midair and is twisting it unnaturally.
I struggle in his grip but it only tightens. In less than a second, he flings me across the room like I weigh nothing and I fall to the ground helplessly.
Before I have the opportunity to regain my composure, I feel his hand on my head. He grabs a fistful of my hair, pulling me up with it while I bite my bottom lip dangerously hard to stifle the moans of pain that threaten to escape my mouth.
He leans towards me until we're eye level and the menacing look in his eyes makes my blood run cold. “Do not EVER raise your filthy hand to my wife. You could never compare to her, you're below her by every standard. You shouldn't even talk back to her or be ready to face my wrath and I promise you don't want to know what I'm capable of. Are we clear?”
I nod with what little chance his grip provides. He suddenly lets go of me and I crumble to the ground heavily.
My body shakes with sobs as everything finally begins to overwhelm me. How did things turn out like this? How could my life take such a dark turn in just a matter of hours? If only I hadn't attended that damned ball, I'm sure none of this would have happened.
My mind works overtime for some kind of solution but I know that I'm out of options. Yet, there's no way I can let them keep me here as their prisoner, especially if they intend to follow through with their plan. I have my whole life ahead of me, I can't let them ruin it.
Pride be damned, I need to get out of here.
“Please…. Please let me go. Let me go and I promise that I'll disappear from your lives completely. You'll never see me again and no one will ever know that we're mates. Just let me go.” I plead out in choked sobs, staying on my hands and knees and keeping my head bowed.
My wolf wrestles within me, unhappy with my submission but I know that this is my only option.
Zane walks over to where I'm kneeling and crouches down beside me.
“Hey, don't cry now.” He soothes and wipes away my tears. I raise my head to look up at him and my stomach turns at the sadistic smirk that lines his lips.
“I'll only let you go after you've had as many children as I desire. I want to possess you inside and out, destroy you, crush all your hopes and dreams. I'll become the only thing you have in this world, the only one you crave and you'll continue to adore me even as I torture you and leave you a wasted and broken mess with no value. This is your fate, Jaselyn. Embrace it.” He whispers into my ear and bites on my earlobe hard as if to drive home his point. My body freezes up in horror, my lips quivering as the words replay in my mind.
Zane moves away from me and joins Isla where she's standing. He stretches his hand towards her.
“Come on, my love. Our duties await.” He beckons and she places her hand in his. He holds it tightly but gently at the same time, like one would do with a prized possession.
I watched in utter despair as they both left the room and the sound of the door closing was the only thing that reminded me that this wasn't some kind of dream.
This is my reality; a betrayal so cruel I might never recover from it…….
Jaselyn's POV Shortly after Zane and Isla's departure, one of Isla’s maids showed up to take me to my new room. She had a disgusted sneer on her face and it was obvious that she hated my presence.Well that makes the two of us because if I had my way, I'd rather be anywhere else.I dragged my feet as I followed her but I had to pause when we reached a creaky set of stairs that led upwards towards what seemed like an attic. I thought she was taking me to my room, why are we going up there?The maid led me up the crooked steps, before she callously flung open the door to reveal a very nasty, rundown attic, filled with cobwebs and scattered rubbish littering every available space.The maid then turned to face me with a cruel smile on her face."Congratulations, wench. This is your new room.” She announced, her voice dripping with cold indifference.“I have a name, it's Jaselyn.” I retorted and she snorted. “Whatever.”I scanned the dusty, pathetic space and was horrified to see two hug
Jaselyn's POVI assured myself that only a few bones would be broken but I'd live yet it couldn't dispel the petrifying fear that seized my being. I closed my eyes shut tight, bracing for impact but instead I felt strong arms wrap around me and bring me into a warm embrace that strangely felt safe.I didn't know if I was imagining things so I kept my eyes closed, holding onto the person’s shirt tightly. A familiar scent tickled my senses but with my adrenaline addled brain, I couldn't remember who it belonged to.“It's OK, you're safe with me.” A soft voice cooed and my eyes flew open to meet the kindest emerald eyes I'd ever seen. It was Rion, the Beta who had been nice to me when I had been forcefully brought here. My cheeks flushed pink in embarrassment when I realized he'd caught me and basically saved me from falling but he still held me securely in his arms and my hands gripped his shirt tightly.“Um…..” I tried to speak and he seemed to understand as he dropped me to my feet c
Jaselyn's POV I stood there, staring at his large body sitting on my small bed. He had a devilish smile on his face as his lustful eyes roamed my body until I couldn't help but feel bare.I hugged myself, somehow managing not to cringe at his scrutinizing gaze but I could still see his eyes hungrily searching my body for any patch of exposed skin.My lips formed into a scowl as I glared at him.“What are you doing in my room?” I snapped irritatedly.I watched as his eyes narrowed at my tone.“Jaselyn dear, do you like it when I'm mean to you? Do I really have to remind you that you cannot speak to me like that? I might have brought you here but I’m still your Alpha!” He spoke calmly, the last bit sounding like a warning but I just rolled my eyes at him which made him growl at me.“My apologies, what are you doing in my room Alpha?” The sarcasm in my voice was clear and I relished in the look of annoyance that flickered across his face.It was obvious that he was losing his patience w
Jaselyn's POVI woke up with a jolt, rising up so fast from the bed that the aches returned with a vengeance. My head was aching as well and I nursed my temple, trying to clear my vision.I had just woken up from a nightmare, one in which Zane had kissed me and then dug a knife right into my back. He backed away with a malicious grin, telling me how much of a fool I was to trust him. In the next minute, before I could even react to the pain of having a knife lunged deep into my back, Isla pushed me off the cliff. As I fell down with a scream, slowly dropping down into the abyss, I saw Zane holding Isla closely while she carried what seemed to be a newborn sleeping peacefully.As I rubbed my forehead gently, everything began to come back to me vividly like a scene playing right before my eyes. I shake my head as if to make it go away.“I promise we won't let it happen. We'll survive this, we'll become stronger and we'll get out of here. We'll go make all our dreams come true, I promis
Jaselyn's POV Finding Isla’s room was very easy, with the direction of one of the maids, I easily spotted the biggest, most beautifully decorated room in the palace.But nothing prepared me for the sheer luxury I would find when I opened the room.The room was so large that it looked like a five star luxury suite. Everything was beautifully decorated and probably cost a fortune. Every inch of its space spoke of a type of wealth and privilege beyond anything I had ever known and would ever hope to know.Even the bed and lavish furniture looked so darn soft and fluffy that I had to physically hold myself back from falling into it. If this room were mine, I would probably go to sleep every night with the biggest smile on my face.And at that point I couldn’t help but wonder. How could someone with a bed this big and soft be so cruel and heartless? How could a woman with so much privilege take joy in oppressing others? I guess it goes to show that money truly isn't everything.I walked
Jaselyn's POV My eyes widened at the shocking accusation. Moi? Stole a diamond necklace? When did I even have the time to steal anything when she kept me working all day? But she must have already known that.“Isla.” I tried to begin calmly, fighting back the anger building up within me. “I really don’t know what you’re talking about. I never stole anything, I never even saw a diamond necklace anywhere.” There must have been some kind of misunderstanding or she had probably just misplaced it but I didn't get the chance to say that because she was still yelling at me.“I’m talking about the diamond necklace my husband gifted me on our wedding night. He gave it to me to signify our love and commitment to each other. I always wear it to important gatherings so everyone in the pack knows about it, you're obviously feigning innocence. I know you stole it out of jealousy. Now tell me where it is?!” She yelled even louder than before.“I’m not lying!” I bit back in frustration. “I didn’t ev
Jaselyn's POV “I was in the middle of a very important meeting which I had to dismiss suddenly after being informed that my attention was needed for something very urgent. So Isla, do tell me what was so important that it couldn't wait.” Zane demanded, the strain in his voice indicating that he was far from pleased.This was the first time I had seen Zane even remotely displeased with his precious wife, and I was truly surprised by it. I thought she could never do anything wrong in his eyes.I guess that it goes to show that you can never ever trust him to always be on your side. Zane was the kind of man who would treat you however he liked, whenever it suited him. Just like how he dumped me right after taking my virginity.Isla immediately rushed over to his side with a feigned look of innocence on her face as she clung to his arm.“Darling, I didn't mean to trouble you so. You know I wouldn't intrude in your work hours if it wasn't urgent but this is a matter that has cut too deepl
Jaselyn's POV Ocha's eyes were bulging down at the diamond necklace that had just fallen out of her pocket to our feet. For the first time ever, I saw her shiver as she darted backwards in horror.“How….I didn't— I…..It's not—When—” She stuttered out nonsensically.“Ocha? But how is that possible?” Isla muttered in disbelief. It sounded like she couldn't believe that Ocha had betrayed her in such a manner, but in reality, only the three of us knew that she was in shock at how her plan could have possibly backfired so badly.Ocha looked up at the Alpha and the Luna with stunned eyes and quivering lips.“Alpha— I—This isn't— I didn't do this, I swear. I don't know how—” It seemed like she couldn't stop stammering, so I just shook my head at her with a disappointed look on my face.“There's no use lying to us now, Ocha. You've been caught red-handed. Just admit to your crime and take your punishment with dignity,” I advised with as much sympathy in my voice as possible.Ocha's gaze snap
Celio's POV The wooden floor creaked under my knees as I scrubbed away at the dirt, pushing the rag back and forth with all the strength my small, 8 year old body could muster. The chill of the mountain wind seeped through the cracks in the old walls, biting at my skin. My hands were raw and red, the rough texture of the rag scraping against my knuckles. I didn’t mind. I didn’t mind the pain, the hunger gnawing at my stomach, or the loneliness that pressed on me like an iron weight. I was used to it.I glanced out the cracked window at the gray sky that mirrored my feelings. The little shack we lived in sat at the base of the mountain, far away from any Pack. Isla had always told me that it was better this way—away from the people who would look at me and know that I wasn’t wanted, that I was abandoned by the very woman who should have loved me most.“Your mother didn’t want you, Celio,” Isla would say, her voice sharp and filled with disdain. “She threw you away like you were nothin
Luka's POV The day started out like any other. Mika, Sawyer, and I were playing in the woods behind the palace, chasing each other through the trees, our laughter echoing in the air. At seven years old, we were pretending to be fierce wolves on a hunt, leaping over fallen logs and dodging branches. It was perfect, like it always was when we were together.But then everything changed in an instant.I heard the thud first—a sound so sharp and heavy that it made my heart skip a beat. I stopped and turned around, the world seeming to move in slow motion as I saw Mika crumple to the ground, his face twisted in pain.“Mika!” I shouted, racing back to him. The sight that met me made my stomach lurch. His leg was twisted at an odd angle, and there was blood—so much blood—pouring out of a long, deep gash along his shin. It covered the grass, bright and red, and kept coming. I couldn’t breathe.Sawyer came running up, her eyes huge and frightened as she saw the blood. “Luka, what happened?” sh
Jaselyn's POV I took his hand, and he pulled me close, holding me from behind as we swayed gently to the music. His lips brushed my ear as he whispered, “You’re beautiful, you know that? Even after everything, you’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. And I’m the luckiest man alive to have you.”Tears pricked my eyes, but they weren’t tears of sadness this time. They were tears of happiness, of gratitude. “Rion… you don’t know how much that means to me.”He kissed my neck softly. “You mean everything to me, Jas.”Suddenly, the music stopped, and a projector flickered on. I turned to see a slideshow of pictures—our memories together. Photos of us when we first arrived at the Pack, a few of the whole family, some from the day of our mating ceremony, which also doubled with the coronation, pictures of us as Alpha and Luna at a few events, including one of us at the Peace Ball. Pictures of me with the twins when they were born and finally, pictures of us with Luka and Mika. I
Jaselyn’s POVExhausted didn’t even begin to cover how I felt. I was beyond it. No, it was more like EXHAUSTED in capital letters, underlined and bold. It had been a few days since Luka and Mika were born, and though I’d prepared myself for the sleepless nights and constant feeding, nothing could have readied me for the complete overwhelm of being a new mother to two newborns at the same time. Rion helped as much as he could. He was always there, doing everything in his power to make things easier for me. But there was only so much even he could do. There were things I had to handle myself—breastfeeding, comforting them when they both decided to cry at the same time, managing the constant pain in my body that hadn’t fully recovered from the trauma of childbirth.Luka was a good feeder. He latched on almost immediately, eager to nurse, but Mika wasn’t doing as well. He struggled with breastfeeding, and that meant more time spent trying to get him to eat, more time stressing about whet
Jaselyn's POVFive years have passed since the birth of our twin boys.And in those years, Luka and Mika had grown into mischievous, spirited children who constantly kept me on my toes. They were inseparable, their bond unbreakable, and they moved through life with a shared sense of curiosity and adventure.Completely identical, they inherited the dominant Solstice genes with their ebony black hair, deep green eyes, and strikingly beautiful features. They were so similar in appearance that even their grandmother couldn’t tell them apart.Only Rion and I could tell which was Luka and which was Mika, and the boys often used this to their advantage, tricking everyone around them. But when they weren’t up to mischief, they were the sweetest children imaginable—kind, considerate, and always eager to bring a smile to my face.They were the best of friends, always looking out for each other. If one fell ill,
Rion's POV“That’s it, Luna,” the midwife encouraged. “The hardest part is over. Just one more push, and we’ll have him out.”Jaselyn nodded weakly, her face pale and slick with sweat. She gritted her teeth, her whole body trembling as she summoned the last of her strength. With a final, desperate scream, she pushed again, her body arching off the bed as she bore down with everything she had left.The baby slipped free with a gush of fluid and blood, his tiny body wriggling and slick in the midwife’s hands. “It’s a boy!” she announced, holding him up for us to see, his loud, piercing cries filling the room.My heart swelled with emotion as I gazed at our son, his tiny face scrunched up in a wail, his fists clenched and shaking. Tears blurred my vision as I looked at Jaselyn. “He’s beautiful,” I choked out, my voice thick with emotion. “Jas, you did it. You gave us a
Rion's POVI slammed my fist against the desk, sending papers flying. The frustration had been building for months, and now it was boiling over. "Dammit!" I cursed, pacing the room in a futile attempt to calm myself. We had conquered the Rain Forest Pack with ease, but it had been a hollow victory. Hadrian, that fool, had chosen to die rather than betray his cousin, Isla. He'd poisoned himself before we could get any information out of him. Another dead end.The Fishers were a twisted bunch. Part of me relished the thought of wiping them out for good, to rid the world of their poison. Isla had slipped through our fingers, and I was beginning to fear we’d never find her. If I could only get my hands on her, I would make her pay for taking Celio. She would wish she had never been born.Blade had been another disappointment, another dead end in our search for Celio. We had pushed him to his absolute limits, hoping that the pain and pressure would force
Jaselyn's POV“Maybe we could…shower together?” I suggested hesitantly. “It might help me relax.”Rion smiled softly, his eyes filled with understanding. “That sounds like a great idea. Come on, let’s get cleaned up.”We both undressed completely, and I followed him into the bathroom. He turned on the shower, adjusting the water temperature until it was just right, then we stepped under the warm spray together.The water cascaded over us, washing away the tension and the grime from the day. Rion wrapped his arms around me from behind, holding me close as the water streamed down our bodies. I leaned back against him, feeling the steady beat of his heart against my back. His touch was gentle, his hands moving over my skin with care, never lingering too long in one place.He washed my hair, his fingers massaging my scalp in slow, soothing circles. I closed my eyes, letting myself relax under
Jaselyn's POVI agreed to see Nae, but only because I needed to know if she could give me any information about where Isla might have taken Celio. It was my only lead, and I wasn’t about to let it slip through my fingers, no matter how much I despised Nae.Before heading to see her, I turned to Rion. His clothes were torn and stained with dirt and blood from the battle. He looked tired, and I could see the weariness in his eyes despite his usual confident stance. He needed rest, and he needed to be taken care of. After everything he had done for me, it was the least I could do for him.“Come with me,” I said softly, taking his hand. I led him back to our bedroom, feeling a mixture of nerves and determination. “Rion, I want our lives to go back to normal,” I began, my voice wavering slightly. “I want to feel close to you again.”He looked at me with a mix of surprise and concern. “Jas, you don’t h