Elaine believes she has found her fated mate Michael until she learns he chose her sister Kathy and their unborn child instead. Abandoned by her family and pack, she’s forced to watch their mating ceremony. Broken and alone, Elaine must decide: will she accept her fate, or fight back?
Applause followed, warm and genuine, though the undercurrent of quiet observation never left the air. Politics, Darius knew, was always present, even on nights meant for celebration. The festivities began, music spilling into the evening while omegas moved gracefully with trays of food and wine. Laughter and clinking glasses rose above the hum of strategy…
“1 For a moment, silence thickened the air. Kathy’s hand trembled faintly where it rested against the desk, and Darius’s wolf stirred at the sight. This was not politics. This was personal. Michael cleared his throat, speaking with the careful cadence of someone measuring each word. “Yes, Alpha. My Luna and I-as well as our…
Roselyn’s eyes hardened for a moment. “If I had my way, Darius wouldn’t have gone at all. Michael and his Luna-” she spat the title out like it was bitter-“don’t deserve the his presence. But Darius is an alpha. He has to play the game, even when it’s rotten.” respect of Elaine lowered her gaze,…
And he, Michael, had been the hand that delivered that loss. He had killed his own child, the life he should have protected above all else. Since the day of the marking ceremony, he had not been able to look at Kathy’s mark. Elaine’s words haunted him: it will be a remembrance of our dead…
Michael sighed and stood up, time to look for his Luna. “Mama?” Her three-year-old son’s small voice echoed through the quiet den, warm and full of innocent curiosity. Kathy turned, her heart softening instantly at the sight of her little boy. Her son. Her light. The love of her life. She once believed she understood…
That one day, forgiveness might find them. And maybe, just maybe, love too. “Daddy!” Leo exclaimed, dropping his little wolf toy with a clatter on the floor. His small feet padded quickly across the rug as he ran straight into Michael’s open arms. Michael bent down, catching the boy with practiced ease, lifting him high…
“But why him?” Efrein shot back, his voice rising again. “Why bring him here for longer than a few days? The mating ball is already enough of an ordeal. Haven’t you noticed how uneasy the pack becomes whenever he’s near? They remember what happened. They remember how he looked at us like we were beneath…
“ And when Calvin stood before the previous alpha, demanding to stand by Elaine’s side, to defend her honor as both her brother and as the future beta, he had been shut down. Ordered to step aside. Reminded that he was not the one in charge, merely a tool of the alpha’s will.’ Do not…
“Both,” Darius said, his voice carrying easily across the training yard. “Michael’s territory has seen an increase in attacks. You’ll train beside their warriors, but you’ll also patrol their borders. Stay alert. Rogues are unpredictable, and they’ve grown bolder.” A murmur rippled through the ranks, a mix of determination and unease. Another warrior, a woman…
“The day after tomorrow, love,” he said. His hand slipped into hers, squeezing gently. “And we’ll remain there through the mating ball. About two weeks.” Elaine’s lips curved into a sad smile. Two weeks felt like forever. She had grown used to having him at her side-his unwavering love, his constant care, the way he…