"I'll let them stay here till I get more information about them. If they're proven to be guilty then—" "Then we will take them back," Luna Evelyn cut off Alpha Cassian.Alpha Cassian looked at her. "You can take them back but I should warn you that I might lose my temper if the crime they committed is anything serious. You know I hate traitors. Especially the rogues." He glared at me.I clenched my fists. I felt so small in front of him. It was irritating. Alpha Keiran assured that we wouldn't be any problem for the pack and somehow managed to calm the persistent beast. "We will question them again later." He said to Alpha Keiran. "You can talk to them too. It's better for them if they confess now rather than us finding it out later." He threw a sharp look at me before walking out of the room.I was frozen in place while everyone around us stared at us. How am I going to defend us? The evidence they're gonna find is all going to be against us. How will I prove my father's innocence
Cassian's POVI couldn't feel her tremble as I hovered over her. Her pheromones slowly turned sour."Y-You have no right to insult him! You don't even know him!" She stuttered out.This kid amused me. I've seen others literally piss in their pants in my presence. None of the rogues has dared to speak up against me. Ever. So where did she get the guts from?Have I been too soft on her?"Listen, kid," I gritted out, releasing my alpha pheromones to force her into submission. I saw her take in a shaky breath as her hands searched for something to hold. I'm sure her knees are weak. They should be. She should submit. "I've been too kind to you and your mother. If you try to get too cocky with me, I'll throw you out in the blink of an eye. Got it?" I asked.She didn't reply. Her eyes were cast down, face tilted to the side as she exposed her neck in front of me. Her knuckles were white from gripping the clothes too tight and her pheromones were turning too sour.It irked me.My wolf was res
"Don't worry, we will come back if there's any problem. We can't stay here for so long but Cassian has agreed to call us immediately if there's any problem." I rolled my eyes as I watched Keiran trying to convince the omega and her mother that it was safe to stay in my pack without them. They nodded even though I could still see their fear.The girl glanced at me for a moment to which I replied with a raised brow, causing her to avert her eyes immediately. Evelyn said some words to them before saying goodbye. We sent them off with some gifts and stuff before retreating towards the pack house. Today will be a busy day.I have to assign training sessions and work for the new members. But for that, I'll have to learn about their skills and interests too. It's too much work. I could have given this responsibility to Ryder and focused on the paperwork and training the warriors if Ryder was here.I took a deep breath. The pack house was crowded today more than usual. I saw many unmated m
Ivy's POV"I'm sorry…" I said to my mother as we both ate our food. She looked up and gave me a soft smile even though it didn't reach her eyes."Why are you apologizing, dear?" Her voice was soft just barely above a whisper."I brought you to this pack. I shouldn't have. Alpha Cassian is an asshole. I can't take his disrespect anymore. It would have been fine if it was only directed at me but he keeps involving you and dad…""Don't say that. He's still letting us stay here. He gave us food, clothes, and a place to stay. We should be grateful. He has the right to be cautious. We are rogues…" My mother trailed off.I frowned. "But that doesn't—""Ivy," She softly gripped my shoulder. "Let's not make a fuss, dear. We have no right to do that. Let's wait till he makes a decision." She told me, making me silent.I looked at the food in front of me for a moment. "What if he doesn't accept us?" I asked in a soft whisper."Then we will go back to the woods. We will live like how we always di
"No." I took in a shaky breath. "It's the only thing I want to know. I'll leave your pack if you tell me what you did. Please, I just want to save my mother–" "I don't fucking care what you want!" Alpha Cassian roared and I felt my knees getting weak as my last bit of courage slipped out of me. His alpha pheromones were taking a toll on me. "How dare a lowly rogue like you demand answers from me?!" He seethed, glaring at me like I'm nothing but the dirt stuck under his shoe. It hurt my pride but I couldn't speak up. My mouth wouldn't move. "Don't even utter a single thing about my mate or I'll forget that you're a girl and strangle you till you take your last breath. Do you get me?!" He growled. I couldn't help but gasp as I fell to my knees, my head tilted to the side as he forced me into submission. "P-Please…" I managed to whimper out. I want to save my mother. I slowly felt his pheromones go down. He took a few steps back, taking a deep breath before talking to me again. "Go b
I let out a nervous laugh. "N-No, I'm actually—""Oh, you're a rogue, aren't you?" Another girl asked suddenly. I gave her a small smile and nodded. "Yes,""What's your name?""Ivy," I said, smiling wide. It was one of the guys who spoke up next. He was tall and well built. "Is it true that you grew up in the forest since you were born?" He frowned as he asked like he couldn't believe it."Uhh…yes. I grew up in the forest," I nodded at him. I was glad that they were interested in me enough to ask questions about myself. Maybe if they got to know me more, they would be my friends."How did you manage to do that?" One of the girls asked. "Like was it hard?"I was about to reply when another person spoke up."Yeah, right. Was there any bathroom? Where did you bathe and do other stuff?" She asked."Angel, don't be silly! How's there going to be a bathroom in the forest? They must've done it out in the open. It's common for rogues. Isn't it, Ivy?" The girl asked, earning a few snickers f
I watched my mate walk away from me without uttering a single word in reply. I had a thousand questions rushing through my mind. Fear took over me as my wolf whimpered for her mate.I felt hands wrap around me. I could feel people talking, whispering, and laughing…but everything was in a blur. Pain was all I felt. It felt suffocating. Like elastic over a wound. I needed to cry my heart out. So that's what I did.I cried like a child. I heard someone saying things to calm me down but nothing worked. Nothing could ease the pain. I wanted my mate. I needed my mate.I was dragged somewhere else. My vision wasn't clear because of the tears so I couldn't see. "Ivy…" I heard my mother's broken voice as she pulled me to sit on the bed. I hugged her close, taking in her faint scent as I wept. "Sleep, my child…Everything will be alright…" She said in her usual assuring voice. It used to calm me down but it didn't work this time. Because I knew…nothing was going to be alright this time.____I
"What's happening here?" A new voice echoed around the room and I looked towards the door to see a middle-aged guy walk in with a confused face. He looked really similar to my mate. Behind him was another man and a lady of the same age. "Jax! Thank god you're here. You need to talk some sense into your son's head!" Mrs. Ansaldo said before going towards the man. He quickly pulled her in for a hug and placed a gentle kiss on her head before looking around. "Dear, what did Cass do this time?""Nothing to worry about—""Cass," The guy who opened the door cut Cassian off. "Now that the elders are here, let them know about the situation. You should explain to them–"There's nothing to explain. This is a mistake–" "Cass, you're acting like a teenage guy. You're more mature than this,""Shut up, Ryder. You don't understand the situation I'm in,""Yeah, maybe I don't. But anyone with a brain can see how shitty you're handling it. This is not the right way, Cassian. Think and act like the
Third person POV The summer sun beat down on the pack as they gathered in the woods on the edge of their territory, their excitement building as each moment passed. Today was the day they'd release two prisoners who'd been separated from their mates for five long years. It was a rare sight—nobody had ever survived that long apart from their mates. The pack's curiosity was mixed with awe. Countless discussions going in the background as to how these two had managed the unbearable pain of separation.Cassian's scowl deepened, his discontent palpable. The alpha's hope was clear: he wanted the prisoners to die in prison. That’s how it should’ve been. The pack's healers whispered among themselves a lot of things, suggesting different reasons for the pair's remarkable endurance—perhaps they weren't true mates after all. Maybe the rogue had deceived Liya, manipulating her into believing a false bond. Beside the alpha, Ivy snuggled her two-year-old son closer, and moved towards her mate, w
[3 years later]“Oh wow, where’s my little Alexi off to, so early in the morning, hmm?”I paused when I heard Stella’s question. My brows shot up as I looked up from my book. Did she just call my pup’s name?I took another bite out of my half-eaten apple and turned around, only to be greeted with the sight of my mate standing there with our pup on his shoulder. Alexi looked at her grandma with a blinding bright smile as she exclaimed. “Papa taking me forwest!” “Your Papa’s doing what?!” I stood up like my ass caught on fire as soon as I heard it, forgetting for a second that I was halfway pregnant. I put a hand on my protruding belly and narrowed my eyes at my mate.Cassian looked away and stared at the wall like he suddenly saw a ghost pop out of there. The little one gasped immediately, slapping a hand over her mouth before she looked down at her father. “Papa! Mama here! Run!” she said, gripping Cassian’s hair tightly.“Don’t you dare move!” I glared at my alpha who gave me a ne
My legs trembled with each step towards the cabin, and I soon lost my balance. But before I could even flinch, Cassian's strong arms encircled my waist, sweeping me up in a gentle yet firm grasp. I gasped, clutching our pup tightly to my chest. "Cassian, our pup!" I shouted, prompting a deep chuckle from him. "You and our little one will always be safe in my arms," he whispered, his nose nuzzling my cheek with a reassuring smile. We swiftly arrived at the cabin, and Cassian carefully set me down on the bed. Ruth and Lily followed us inside, worry etched on their sweaty faces. "Ivy, are you alright?" Ruth questioned, eyes scanning me and the pup worriedly. "Tell me if you’re feeling pain anywhere," Lily added. I offered them a gentle smile and shook my head. "I'm all right," I reassured them. Now that I have my mate and pup beside me, unharmed, I feel better than ever. I looked up at Cassian only to see him looking around the cabin with a frown on his face. Cassian's expr
Cassian moved like a lightning, the pipe held up to deliver the final blow, but Liya was quicker. She flung herself in front of her mate, shielding him with her body while she pleaded, her voice trembling with desperation. “Alpha, please! Please, I-I beg you to spare my mate!” Cassian let out a low and menacing growl, his eyes darkening as he snarled, “Move, omega. Move, or I'll make you!” The pipe in his hands hovered inches from Liya's face, his arm trembling with restraint while he warned the girl. I took a step forward, worry taking over my mind. He looked seconds away from attacking her and I didn't want my mate to lay his hands on an omega even if she's a betrayer. It wouldn't set a good example for the pack. Enemy is an enemy but still, she doesn't have the strength to fight him back. That'll be an unfair combat.“Cassian, if you kill him, she'll also die,” I warned, trying to reason with him. But Cassian's anger was unyielding.“I don't fucking care,” he snarled, his eyes b
Cassian's grip on the pipe faltered, his arms frozen in mid-air as our gazes clashed. He turned to me with a deep scowl etched on his face. I swallowed thickly, my throat constricting with fear. His wolf was livid, its fury palpable in the air, and my omega instincts trembled in response. Our pup whimpered softly, sensing Cassian's displeasure, and I instinctively pulled the little one closer to my chest. Cassian's slow, deliberate steps towards me were like a ticking time bomb, each footsteps echoing through the silence, making my heart race with nervousness.Cassian's golden eyes bore into mine, his gaze piercing as he stopped in front of me. “What are you doing here, omega? You should be resting.” I flinched when his bloody hand rose to touch me. Cassian froze for a moment, taken aback by my reaction. I saw a flash of hurt in his eyes before he caressed my cheek with a gentle touch, his fingers tracing the curve of my face. Oh right, his wolf is in control.Cassian's frown deepen
I stared at her like a fish out of water. Letting go of the man who killed my father? Can I….Can I really let go? Can I really do something like that? No….No…. I’ll cut his head off! Then I’ll stab him repeatedly, watching as life drains from his body. I'll make him suffer just like he made my parents suffer.I’ll make sure he’s dead a hundred times over and I'll erase his whole existence from the face of earth.That's what I will do."So please...please spare my mate's life. We'll accept any punishment, just don't take him away from me. I beg you, Ivy, have mercy. Tell Alpha Cassian to not take his life. I'm not asking for forgiveness, just a chance for my mate to live. You know what it's like to love someone, to want to protect and care for them. You have a mate and a pup, don't deny me the same chance at happiness. Don't take away my chance to be a mate and mother,” Liya's words poured out in a desperate plea, her sobs echoing through the room. My grip on my pup tightened as I s
My pup's distressed cries filled the room, refusing to subside even after I lavished the little one with gentle kisses. I could hear the commotion outside as Cassian dragged the rogue out. My mate's fierce growls and the rogue's defiant snarls still echoed in my mind as Lily rushed to my side. Her usually steady hands trembled as she pressed a cool cloth against my neck, trying to stop the flow of blood from the wound.Fear danced in her eyes, and I knew she was desperate to ask me something, but the trauma of witnessing two alpha wolves clash had left her and the other omega helpers shaken. I couldn't blame them–the potent pheromones of two angry alphas were overwhelming for anyone, especially omegas. As Cassian's mate, I had some kind of a unique shield against their intensity, but the others didn't share that protection.Liya thrashed around in Ruth's grasp, desperate to break free, but Ruth's grip was unyielding. With a swift, merciless slap, Ruth sent Liya crashing to the ground,
What the hell? For a moment I actually felt bad for the girl for being trapped in a toxic bond with a man like this even though I'm not really in a position to feel empathetic for the people holding me and my mate captive.Cassian's eyes flashed with anger, his hand twitching as if he was about to grab the gun from Liya's trembling hand. But the rogue's piercing glare froze him in place, a silent warning that kept him restrained - for now.“I did all this for you and I'm still useless?! I followed you through everything and left all I knew only for you to say that I'm useless?” Liya’s voice tumbled out in a desperate plea but Silas cut her off with a snarl, low and menacing.“Urgh! Shut the hell up, woman. Eyes on me, Alpha Cassian. I can't wait any longer. I've delayed this long enough. Say your goodbyes to your mate and pup,” The man warned, his voice dripping with so much malice that it made a shiver run down my spine.“Release my mate, you fucker.” Cassian growled, his voice bare
Ivy's POVIt was suffocating. The air was heavy with the metallic tang of blood, the putrid scent of the rogue's hand clamped over my mouth, and the distressing pheromones of the omegas in the room, made my stomach roil with nausea. My thoughts were a jumbled mess, but my eyes were fixed on my precious pup, clinging to me for comfort. The overwhelming urge to protect my child was the only thing that kept me grounded. Just as I was spiraling into despair, Cassian's low, menacing growl snapped me back to reality. My mate stood there, his eyes blazing with fury, his alpha pheromones thick and potent, filling the cramped cabin with an almost palpable force. I instinctively pulled my baby closer, the primal urge to shield and defend my pup coursing through my veins as my motherly instincts kicked it. Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, my wolf and I felt torn by the conflicting desires to shield our pup and surrender to Cassian's protective presence. But now, both my mate and child