《ALPHA'S REGRET: REJECTED, PREGNANT, AND CLAIMED BY HIS ENEMY》


 Chapter 1: BESTIE TO BACKSTABBER

    <h4>Chapter 1 - 1: BESTIE TO BACKSTABBER</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    <strong>[TRIGGER WARNING: MISCARRIAGE]</strong>


    The Luna of the Ash Creek pack mmed her fists on the kitchen counter, ring daggers at me. The force of her blow rattled the counter, sending the steaming pot on the stove dangerously off bnce.


    Lydia.


    My mother-inw.


    The stuff my nightmares were made of.


    It didn''t matter that I was married to the Alpha Prince and had every right to be the next Luna of the Ash Creek pack.


    She treated me worse than trash.


    At this point, my marriage to the Alpha Prince was a sham. I ranked lower than the pack servants, abused at every turn.


    "Why isn''t dinner ready yet, you silly girl?" she seethed, pointing an using finger at the ingredients I was still prepping for thevish household dinner.


    Her expression was haughty, her voice filled with scorn.


    "Do you realize how special tonight is? My son, Ivan, is expecting a distinguished guest, and dinner ought to have been ready eons ago. Goddess, could you be any more useless?"


    Tonight''s guest. I had heard whispers about a mysterious visitor joining the pack house for dinner, and I couldn''t help but wonder who it was.


    "I''m working as fast as I can," I muttered meekly, my voice subtly above a whisper.


    "Really? Is this the best you can do?"


    Lydia reached out and gripped a fistful of my hair, yanking hard. I winced as pain shot through my scalp.


    Out of the corner of my eye, I took in the mountain of dishes syed across the kitchen ind.


    I had been in the kitchen for hours, cooking alone. As always, Lydia had forbidden the house servants from helping me.


    At this point, it was almostughable that servants even existed in this household. I was the one doing all the chores.


    It was Lydia''s way of punishing me for failing to meet her impossible expectations for the prince''s mate.


    From the moment I arrived in the Ash Creek pack, she had deemed me unworthy of her son.


    Every day, I tried my hardest to please her, but nothing I did was ever enough.


    To her, I was nothing more than a useless piece of scum¡ªsomeone the Alpha Prince had been unfortunate enough to be stuck with.


    "You have half an hour to set the table for dinner," she snarled, her icy voice cutting through my thoughts. "If you fail, I will beat you within an inch of your life."


    She let go of me so suddenly that I stumbled backward, colliding with a bottle of soy sauce.


    I tried to catch it, but it was toote.


    Helplessly, I watched as the bottle flew off the counter and crashed to the floor. Oil spilled everywhere, and shards of ss scattered across the immacte kitchen tiles.


    I gasped, my eyes widening in shock.


    Lydia''s scowl deepened, her entire body vibrating with fury. The sight of her alone made me freeze in terror.


    "You worthless piece of scum," she yelled, raising her fist.


    I shut my eyes, bracing for the p.


    It didn''te.


    Instead, she gripped another fistful of my hair, this time yanking so hard that tears sprung to my eyes.


    I struggled against her punishing grip, desperate to escape the searing pain, but there was nowhere to go.


    "You''re useless," she spat, her words burning like acid. "Useless in the kitchen, useless in the bedroom¡ªsince you can''t even manage to produce a single heir."


    I sucked in a sharp breath at the mention of my miscarriage.


    The wound was still fresh, still raw.


    Hearing Lydia talk about it so offhandedly made my chest tighten with unbearable pain.


    "You use me wrongly, Luna," I hissed, still caught in her merciless grasp. "I never meant to lose Ivan''s heir. I would have given my life for our pup if I could. But you and I both know it was beyond my control."


    My voice broke on thest word. I clenched my fists to keep myself from crying.


    Lydia snorted, unmoved by the tears brimming in my eyes.


    "I have no desire to watch you y the victim yet again. You''re disgusting to look at." She leaned in, her voice venomous. "I want the dinner table set in the next half hour. If you fail, I will hurt you so badly, you''ll wish your miscarriage had been the least of your worries."


    She meant it.


    The sheer malice radiating from her was suffocating.


    I would be a fool to take her threats lightly.


    With onest shove, she sent me crashing to the floor.


    A sharp sting shot through my palm as a shard of ss sliced deep into my skin. Blood trickled onto the pristine white tiles.


    "One more thing," Lydia said as she brushed invisible lint from her silky blouse. "Clean up this mess. Or I''ll clean it up with your useless face."


    With that, she stormed out of the kitchen, leaving behind only coldness and misery.


    Swallowing my pain and humiliation, I got back to work.


    I cleaned up the mess, wrapped a bandage around my injured palm, and somehow, somehow, managed to get dinner ready in half an hour.


    ***


    I was tempted to kill Lydia at least twice a day.


    If I were more courageous, I would have done it by now¡ªprobably nicked a vial of poison from the local market and slipped it into her bowl of soup.


    But I wasn''t courageous.


    I was nothing but a helpless weakling, trapped in her grand scheme to tear me away from Ivan.


    Ever since I lost the pack''s heir, that had been her only goal.


    Even tonight, as I served dinner, she kept shooting me devious little looks¡ªlike she knew something important that I was unaware of.


    A chill ran down my spine.


    I looked up just then and locked eyes with my fated mate.


    Ivan.


    Alpha Prince Ivan Cross.


    My heart skipped a beat, ignoring the wall of coldness between us¡ªchoosing, instead, to linger on his breathtaking beauty for a moment.


    As usual, his face was set in an emotionless mask, but even that couldn''t dull his devastating allure.


    His piercing gray eyes held the icy depths of a winter storm, and the silky strands of pitch-ck hair framing his chiseled features made him impossible to forget.


    He stood out in any room¡ªtall, powerfully built, as if molded by the Goddess herself. A force of nature, lethal grace carved into flesh and bone.


    Yet despite his raw strength, his striking beauty, and my every desperate attempt to melt the ice between us, Ivan remained as cold and impassive as a marble statue¡ªuntouchable and heartbreakingly out of reach.


    The moment Ivan recognized me as his mate¡ªhis wolf reaching out to mine¡ªhad been the happiest moment of my life.


    Captivated by his strength, his beauty, and most of all, the endless reserve of patience he had for the outcast omegas, I had fallen head over heels in love with him¡ªinfatuated by the man I thought he was.


    How wrong I had been.


    I tore my gaze away and focused on setting up the rest of the dinner table.


    Meals were horridly tense affairs in the Ash Creek pack. As usual, the Alpha King, Roderick, sat stiffly at the head of the table. Lydia upied the seat at the opposite end.


    Ivan''s seat was next to his father''s¡ªa strategic position for discussing pack business while eating.


    I filled my test, then took slow, measured steps toward my ce beside Ivan.


    My heart pounded with dread at the thought of his coldness. And yet, I couldn''t help the quiet thrill that came with sitting close to him. Inhaling his intoxicating scent. Having even the slimmest fraction of his attention.


    No matter how brief itsted.


    It was pathetic, but I couldn''t help it.


    I reached my designated seat, but just as I was about to sit, Ivan shot me a cutting look, halting me in my tracks.


    "What do you think you''re doing?" he asked.


    There was genuine astonishment in his voice.


    For a moment, I was confused right out of my wits.


    "W-what do you mean?" I stuttered.


    You''d think after all this time, I''d befortable enough around him to express myself freely.


    The opposite was the case.


    "This seat is reserved for someone else," he spelled it out slowly, as if speaking to an invalid.


    I stared at him, stunned.


    He had never cared where I sat at the dining table. Until now.


    Why was he suddenly humiliating me in front of his parents?


    And who was this ''special guest'' worthy of taking my ce?


    "Where am I supposed to sit?" I asked.


    Awkwardness settled over me as I stood there, a te of food clutched tightly in my grip.


    Ivan barely spared me a nce.


    "I don''t care where you sit," he said indifferently. "This seat is for a special guest of mine."


    As if on cue, the double doors burst open.


    A tall, striking figure strode into the room.


    Before I even saw her, I smelled her perfume.


    A rich, musky scent¡ªone that had been ingrained into my memory long before I was mated to Ivan.


    Slowly, I lifted my eyes, taking in the figure standing before me.


    I gasped.


    "Serena?" I scoffed in disbelief.


    What was she doing here?


    It took me a second to absorb the sight of her.


    She wasvishly dressed, her gown a sequined masterpiece that hugged her lush curves.


    Her charcoal-ck hair cascaded in soft ringlets, spilling down to her lower back.


    There was something about her sudden presence in my home that rubbed me the wrong way.


    A terrible, gut-churning something.


    Lydia''s face broke into a wide grin at the sight of Serena, and rm bells began to go off in my head.


    What was going on?


    Why was Serena here?


    "Wee, my dear," Lydia said, rising from her seat and walking over to embrace her.


    I stiffened.


    Lydia wasn''t a hugger.


    I couldn''t recall a single moment when she had shown genuine affection to anyone.


    But now¡ªshe was hugging my best friend, appraising her with a look of fondness, as if Serena were someone precious.


    "We''ve been awaiting your arrival," Roderick added, raising his wine ss to her.


    And that was when it hit me.


    Serena was the mysterious guest everyone in the pack house had been whispering about.


    She was the one for whom I had spent hours ving away in the kitchen.


    But why?


    I turned sharply to Ivan, shooting him a quizzical look that demanded an exnation.


    "What''s going on?"


    Rather than answer, Ivan rose from his seat with effortless grace.


    He sauntered across the room, his piercing gaze locked onto Serena.


    With bated breath, I watched as he took her hand in his, his fingerscing through hers with casual familiarity.


    There was a twinkle in his storm-gray eyes, a flicker of something I had never seen directed at me.


    Excitement.


    Then he did something that sent my stomach plummeting¡ªhe smiled at her.


    Ivan Cross, the Alpha Prince, smiled at her.


    I could count the number of times he had smiled at me on one finger.


    Heart hammering, I stared in disbelief as he led Serena towards the dining table.


    Towards my seat.


    "Wait a minute," I blurted, stepping in their path before she could sit down.


    My pulse pounded in my ears.


    "I don''t understand. What is going on? Is this the special guest you were talking about?"


    "Yes, Maeve," Ivan said coolly, his voice devoid of emotion. "Due to your repeated failures to provide me with an heir, I''ve decided to wee Serena into my household as my breeder."


    The words hit me like a blow.


    "What?" I spluttered. "You''re joking."


    "Hardly, wife."


    He spat the word <i>wife </i>like it was a curse.


    "You see," he continued, his grip tightening around Serena''s hand, "Serena has been a confidante. A friend. I have reason to believe that she will seed where you have failed."


    I stared at him, waiting for a sign that this was some cruel, twisted joke.


    It wasn''t.


    He was serious.


    I forced my gaze to my best friend, searching for something¡ªanything¡ªthat made sense of this nightmare.


    But when I looked at her, it was like staring into the eyes of a stranger.

 Chapter 2: RUNAWAY LUNA

    <h4>Chapter 2 - 2: RUNAWAY LUNA</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    Thest time Ivan had truly hurt me, I had been covered in blood.


    It was right after I lost the baby.


    I had been broken in more ways than one. No matter how much I mourned the loss of my pup, I couldn''t seem to fill the void in my heart.


    Even though I knew it was foolish, I had dared to turn to Ivan forfort.


    At first, when I was pregnant, he had been kind to me.


    While he hadn''t exactly done a full 180, he had acted in a way I had never seen before.


    He had paid more attention to me.


    When we made love at night, it was with a tenderness that made me ridiculously emotional.


    And afterwards, while the moon bathed our bedroom in her hauntingly beautiful light, he would trace constetions on my back, naming the stars.


    During those nights, he held me with such warmth that I would fall asleep in his arms, thinking I was the luckiest outcast in the world.


    But after I lost the heir of the Ash Creek pack, Ivan reverted to his old ways¡ªtreating me with a cold indifference I couldn''t seem to break, no matter how hard I tried.


    And now, it seemed he had devised the ultimate weapon to hurt me.


    My best friend.


    Serena.


    "I don''t understand."


    I stepped forward, inching closer to Ivan''s side.


    When I came dangerously close to touching him, he flinched¡ªvisibly flinched¡ªas if the mere thought of my touch repulsed him.


    Another nail in the coffin of my humiliation.


    I froze, then straightened my spine. If I was going to confront my husband about this, I needed my wits about me.


    Thest thing I needed was to sound like an emotional wreck.


    I bet Lydia would love that, I thought bitterly.


    The Luna was watching me with unabashed interest, looking incredibly pleased with the oue of this bizarre exchange.


    I took a deep, calming breath and turned to Ivan.


    He was already watching me with hooded eyes. His fingers were stilltched onto Serena''s.


    The way he held her hand looked intimate. Possessive.


    It was something I had fantasized about for so long¡ªsomething I had never received from him.


    "Ivan," I urged, my voice steady despite the painful ache in my chest. "Please, listen to me. I don''t know what has driven you to make this decision, but bringing a breeder into our home is not the right thing to do."


    "The right thing to do?" Ivan let out a harsh, humorlessugh. His tone wasn''t amused. If anything, he sounded usatory¡ªlike he was ming me for something. "It''s funny hearing that from the likes of you."


    My stomach twisted.


    "What is that supposed to mean?"


    The dining hall was thick with tension. It was suffocating, making it hard to even breathe.


    "There''s no need to pretend innocence," he said coldly. "I know all about your drinking problem. It''s the reason you lost my heir in the first ce."


    His words struck harder than any physical blow ever could.


    I reeled, my breath catching in my throat.


    "What?" I choked out. "Did you just say drinking problem?"


    I turned to Serena, desperate for an exnation.


    And then I saw it¡ªthe small, smug smile ying at the corners of her lips.


    A chill ran down my spine.


    Had she told Ivan lies about me? Had she nned this all along?


    "Did she say that to you?" My voice was sharp as I pointed an usatory finger at the stranger standing where my best friend used to be. "It''s all lies. I don''t have a drinking problem."


    I turned back to Ivan, grasping for some piece of him that I could still reach.


    "Listen, Ivan, I know I failed you. I know I failed the entire pack. Losing our pup broke me in ways I can''t even put into words, and I know it hurt you too. But it wasn''t something I could control. It wasn''t something I wanted."


    I swallowed hard, fighting the lump in my throat.


    "Please, don''t do this. We can try again¡ªwe can have as many heirs as you desire. Just... don''t throw me away like this. Don''t turn your back on me. Please, Ivan... just give me another chance."


    "There are no more chances for you, wife," he sneered. He spat the word wife again like it was filth in his mouth. "You had your chance to fulfill your duty as my mate, and you blew it. You''re at the end of your rope. And right now, you''re useless to me."


    "Ivan, please¡ª" I tried to beg, but he cut me off.


    Without another word, he turned away from me and fixed his attention solely on Serena.


    Dismissing me.


    I watched, breathless and helpless, as he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her close to his side.


    I watched as Serena''s breath hitched¡ªa mix of surprise and something else. Something darker.


    Desire.


    And this time, when they turned to face me, they looked like the perfect couple.


    Teamed up against me.


    I couldn''t stop my heart from breaking all over again as I watched everything unfurl right before my eyes.


    If Ivan was affected by the pain on my face, he was doing a damn good job of hiding it.


    I was still struggling toe to terms with the fact that he could rece me so easily.


    I knew our union had been rocky, but there had been remarkable moments, too.


    Did none of it matter to him?


    How could he turn his back on me now?


    "I''ve made my choice," he deadpanned, his tone as cold as ice. "My decision is final. You will drop this argument, Maeve, and this will be thest you speak of it. Are we clear?"


    I bit my bottom lip hard, refusing to dignify his question with an answer.


    I wasn''t okay with any of this.


    I wanted to fight.


    My palms itched to grab Serena, to demand an exnation for her betrayal.


    And more than anything, I wanted to shove a pot of scalding broth down Lydia''s throat¡ªfor ruining my life.


    But I couldn''t do any of that.


    All I could do was hold my breath and fight back my tears.


    I couldn''t bear to be in this room any longer. I knew I wouldn''t be able to stomach a single spoonful of food, not after everyst shred of my hope had been ripped away from me.


    Turning on my heel, I started for the door¡ªonly to be stopped by Ivan''s sharpmand.


    "Where do you think you''re going?"


    I froze.


    "I don''t recall giving you permission to leave."


    I swallowed.


    "I''m not hungry," I murmured weakly. "I wish to retire to my bedroom."


    "You can retire after you serve dinner to my guest."


    I reeled back as if he had pped me.


    "What?" My voice trembled. "I will do no such thing. D-do you realize what you''re asking of me? How can you¡ª"


    "You will serve dinner to my guest, Maeve," Ivan cut in, his voice dark and dangerous. "Or I will make you. And believe me, you do not want me to force you."


    A cold shiver ran down my spine.


    No.


    I didn''t.


    Whatever Ivan had in mind as punishment for defying him couldn''t be good.


    It would only make things worse.


    With trembling hands, I filled a te with food for Serena.


    Ivan draped a napkin over her thigh, and when she blushed at his attention, he smiled at her.


    A deep, aching pain twisted inside me.


    Crushed, I mmed the te onto the table and turned on my heels, ready to flee.


    "Wait." Serena''s voice stopped me cold.


    It was the first time she had spoken to me since this nightmare began.


    The sound of her sickly sweet voice made my skin crawl.


    Slowly, I turned to face her.


    She was holding up her wine ss, her lips curved in mockery.


    "You forgot to fill my wine, Maeve."


    I stared at her, barely able to process the audacity of it.


    She was serious?


    I turned to Ivan.


    He was cutting into his steak with meticulous ease, the picture of calm indifference.


    But I knew better.


    If I refused, I knew exactly what he would do.


    Because this was my life now.


    A cruel, twisted reality where I had been reced by my best friend.


    Clenching my fists so tightly my nails dug into my palms, I trudged back to Serena''s side of the table.


    I poured her wine.


    She took a delicate sip, then sighed in pleasure.


    "Mmm," she hummed. "Sweeter than I ever imagined. Thank you, Maeve."


    She was mocking me.


    I knew it.


    I couldn''t take it anymore.


    I turned away, tears burning my eyes, and fled the room.


    This time, no one stopped me.


    * * *


    Behind the closed doors of my bedroom, I wept.


    I cried until my chest ached, until my body felt hollow, until I was afraid I would never stop.


    The hours passed, but nothing eased the misery.


    I felt dead inside.


    Empty.


    Laughter drifted up from the dining hall, carrying through the halls of the pack house.


    Itsted for hours, taunting me.


    By midnight, the house finally grew silent.


    Everyone had gone to bed.


    I shouldn''t have thought about it, but I couldn''t help it.


    I couldn''t stop the images from invading my mind¡ªSerena in our bed, wrapped in Ivan''s arms, while he fucked her brains out.


    I clenched my eyes shut, but it didn''t help.


    Would he hold her the way he once held me?


    Would he trace constetions along the contours of her back?


    Would he kiss her afterward, whisper against her skin like she was his whole world?


    The thought made me cry harder.


    I had been crying for hours.


    I was spent.


    And at this point, only one thing was certain¡ªI needed to leave Ash Creek pack.


    There was no reason for me to stay any longer.


    Ivan didn''t want me anymore.


    Roderick and Lydia were pleased to have me reced by a wolf they deemed the better choice for Luna.


    The breeder.


    The woman destined to birth future heirs for the Ash Creek pack.


    There was no way I was sticking around for that.


    I had to leave while I still could.


    Without thinking, I jerked to my feet and began stuffing everything I owned into a suitcase.


    I was done in less than ten minutes.


    It was pathetic how everything I owned could fit into a single bag.


    No keepsakes. No photographs. No sentimental trinkets to mark my time in the packhouse.


    Nothing.


    It had all been nothing but a cruel, drawn-out nightmare¡ªone I needed to wake up from.


    Now.


    It was past midnight when I finally left the packhouse.


    The roads were empty, covered in darkness, as I hurried along the sidene.


    My heart pounded, the fear and desperation gnawing at me, urging me to put as much distance as possible between myself and the life I was leaving behind.


    I wondered how long it would take before the packhouse realized I was gone.


    Would they even care?


    The thought of being caught¡ªdragged back to that suffocating hellhole¡ªsent a bolt of panic through me.


    I quickened my pace.


    And then¡ª


    A rustling sound.


    Coming from the woods, just beyond the row of towering trees.


    I froze.


    What was that?


    Was I being followed?


    Had Ivan or Lydia already discovered my escape?


    Were they hunting me down?


    A cold chill slithered down my spine at the thought.


    Had theye to kill me?


    Terror gripped me, and before I could think, I broke into a sprint, my breath ragged, my pulse hammering in my ears.


    I ran blindly.


    I didn''t dare look back.


    I just needed to get away.


    I reached the main road and tried to cross¡ª


    Then¡ª


    A sudden burst of headlights.


    The re swallowed me whole.


    I barely had time to react before the impact struck me like a force of nature.


    For a moment, I was airborne¡ªsuspended in time.


    I had the gut-wrenching realization that I might nevere back down.


    And then¡ª


    I hit the pavement.


    The collision was violent, the pain immediate and all-consuming. A sharp crack split through my skull.


    Darkness rushed in before I could even take another breath.


    I lost consciousness.

 Chapter 3: MIRACLE CHILD

    <h4>Chapter 3 - 3: MIRACLE CHILD</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    I woke up with my cheek pressed against a soft surface.


    Moss-covered ground.


    Groggily, I pushed myself up, only to be startled by the breathtaking world disyed before me.


    It was nothing like the world I had left behind.


    Impossibly tall trees surrounded me, their branches stretching endlessly into the sky. Despite the nightfall, I could see everything clearly, as though bathed in daylight.


    Ethereal lights filled the air, far more vibrant than the northern lights.


    And that was how I knew.


    I was dead.


    Surprisingly, it didn''t feel so bad.


    I didn''t mind it.


    For one, I wasn''t in pain. There were no aches in my bones, no bruises staining my skin. It was a far cry from the life I had known¡ªa life filled with suffering.


    I took a tentative step forward, drawn toward the glowing lights.


    Then, movement.


    A silhouette emerged ahead¡ªa woman.I squinted, straining to get a better look.


    She seemed familiar, like someone I shared a deep and evesting connection with.


    Mama.


    A gasp left my lips.


    Tears welled in my eyes as a single thought crashed over me.


    If Mama was here... then this had to be heaven.


    I had forgotten what my mother looked like, but deep in my soul, I had always believed that if I ever saw her, I would recognize her instantly.


    And I did.


    Hope surged through me, propelling me forward as I broke into a run.Up close, she was even more perfect than I had imagined.


    "Mama!" I screamed, pure joy swelling in my chest as I rushed to her, throwing my arms around her.


    Tears gushed down my face as I clung to her, never wanting to let go.


    She felt like home¡ªa half-forgotten song, a burst of joyousughter, a warm after a cold, bitter night.


    She ran soft fingers through my hair, and I sighed in contentment, resting my head against her chest.


    "My beautiful child," she murmured, her voice the most beautiful sound I had ever heard. "I''m sorry for all that you have endured. Your mother is so proud of who you''ve be. And while I may not have birthed you, I am your mother all the same. Maeve, I love you just as she would have."


    Her words sent a jolt through me.


    Slowly, I pulled back, my gaze searching hers.


    My lips parted, trembling with the urge to call her a liar.


    No.


    Please, no.


    Don''t tell me you aren''t her.


    My chest tightened painfully. I wanted to scream. I wanted to cry.


    She must have seen the devastation on my face because she gently brushed loose strands of hair from my eyes and cupped my shoulders with a touch both firm and impossibly soft.


    "Maeve," she whispered, her voice like the wind rustling through the trees."I am your mother, and her mother before her.I am the moon and the trees, the grass and the moss.I have listened to every prayer you have whispered, heard every cry of yours.I am every wolf who has ever howled in tune with your sorrow."


    The world around us trembled with her words.Her silver eyes glowed, shifting into full moons.


    The realization struck me like a divine force, and yet... it made perfect sense.


    I took in my surroundings, the glowing trees, the sky filled with celestial light¡ªthis world was hers.


    Her domain.


    My breath caught in my throat.


    "Moon Goddess," I whispered in awe.


    I dropped to my knees, bowing my head in reverence.Shame burned through me.I had held her in my arms. I had clung to her, demanded things from her.


    I had sinned.


    I hadmitted a crime worthy of punishment.


    "Forgive me," I pleaded, my voice shaking. "Please."


    But instead of condemnation, she lifted me gently, pulling me back into her embrace.


    I let myself be held, let myself melt into thefort of her arms, desperate for this moment tost forever.


    A slice of infinityter, she pulled back, tilting my chin up so I could meet her gaze.


    "My child," she murmured.


    "Goddess," I breathed, honored beyond words.


    "You need to finish what you started," she said, her voice filled with a strongpulsion. "For your future and for the future of your pack."


    I knew what she meant.


    She wanted me to go back.Back to the cruel, harsh reality that had shattered me into pieces.


    No.


    I didn''t have a future there.


    I didn''t want a future there.


    There was nothing left for me in that world.


    But here... here, I could stay.With her.And maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªI could even see my motheragain.


    I swallowed thickly, my voice weak and small.


    "Mother Selene," I said, calling her by her ancient name.Tears welled in my eyes as I clutched at thest fraying thread of my hope."I have nothing to go back to. No loved ones waiting for me. No friends hoping to see me again.Please¡ªlet me stay."


    "Child, would you condemn an innocent to death before they even get a chance to live?"


    "What?" I gasped. "I would never!"


    Her question had caught mepletely off guard.


    "Then why would you condemn your own child to death before he has the chance to draw his first breath?"


    My mind reeled.Confusion clouded my thoughts.


    I didn''t have a child.Not anymore.


    The Moon Goddess seemed to read my mind. Her knowing smile, along with her next words, confirmed it.


    "You still have a child, Maeve."


    Gently, she ced a hand over my stomach.


    "Asha lies within you, and he must be born. He holds the hope of your werewolf pack¡ªand your future as well."


    I froze.


    My breath caught in my throat as her words sank in.


    Pregnant.


    I was pregnant.


    Tears welled in my eyes as I shakily ced my hand over hers, pressing against my stomach as if to feel the life growing within me.


    I wasn''t alone.I hadn''t lost everything.


    "Now, go!" shemanded, her voice filled with divine certainty. "And know that I am watching over you, no matter how bleak things may seem."


    With those parting words, she pressed a light kiss to my forehead.


    And just like that¡ª


    The world around me melted away.


    ** *


    I woke up with a start.


    My chest rose as I gasped for air.


    My eyes flung open, taking in the blinding fluorescent lights suspended from the ceiling. The overwhelming scent of antiseptic filled my lungs, and it didn''t take much to realize where I was.


    A hospital.


    I had most likely been brought here by the person who ran me over.I had suffered a brutal fall, yet I barely felt any pain.Painkillers, maybe.


    I was probably drowning in them.


    "You''re awake," a deep voice spoke from a corner of the room.


    It was undeniably male¡ªrich, smooth, and oddly soothing. A momentter, the voice was joined by a face.


    A startlingly handsome face.Alluring was a better word.


    Chocte-brown eyes stared down at me, studying me with an attention I wasn''t ustomed to.And was that... concern?


    I hardly ever received looks of concern from anyone.I didn''t quite know what to do with it.


    As if sensing my distress, he shot me a quick, reassuring smile¡ªmostly apologetic.


    "I''m sorry. There was an ident. I hit you with my car, and you suffered a nasty head injury. Thankfully, I got you here in time."


    "How long have I been out?" I asked, attempting to sit up.


    The stranger¡ªwho I now noticed was blond, with a mop of curly hair that had a habit of falling into his eyes¡ªimmediately reached forward to help me.


    "Twelve hours," he said, adjusting my pillows with careful precision.


    Everything about the way he moved was gentle, considerate. It was... unfamiliar to me.


    "You needed surgery," he continued. "Itsted a couple of hours. You''ve been asleep since then."


    I studied him closely, giving him a quick once-over.


    He had a five o''clock shadow¡ªmost likely from spending half a day in the hospital with me. There were faintugh lines around his eyes.


    Even without knowing him, I could tell¡ªhe was a man who smiled often.


    Without meaning to, I thought about Ivan.


    I thought about the way he had smiled at Serena,pletely unapologetic about how deeply his cruelty had cut me.


    I wondered if he knew what had happened to me.And if he did¡ªthough that was highly unlikely¡ªI wondered if he cared.


    Judging by how effortlessly he had discarded me at dinner, I wasn''t about to hold my breath.


    I returned my gaze to the blond stranger.


    He was studying me just as intently as I had been studying him.


    Something about my expression must have amused him because the corners of his lips lifted into a warm smile.I was caught off guard.


    His smile was brilliant.Awe-striking, even. It was warm and incredibly masculine all at once.


    I quickly looked away, clearing my throat. "Have you been here the whole time?"


    "Yeah," he said, his deep voice rumbling softly.For some reason, the sound was oddlyforting."I''ve been here the whole time. I couldn''t bring myself to leave, seeing as I''m the one whonded you here in the first ce.I''m Devon, by the way. Devon Lockwood."


    I hesitated before responding.


    "I''m Maeve Cro-"I stopped myself. I wasn''t a Cross anymore. "Maeve Oakes. I am Maeve Oakes."


    "Maeve." He tested my name on his tongue, his brown eyes still locked onto mine.Before I could react, he added, "The doctor will be here soon to check your vitals."


    As if on cue, a middle-aged man waltzed into the room.He had sharp gray eyes and wore round-rimmed spectacles.


    His coat was pristine white¡ªjust like the rest of the sterile room.His name tag read Dr. Gaines.


    "You''re finally awake," he said with a warm smile.I seemed to be receiving a lot of smiles today."How are you feeling?"


    "I feel dizzy. Numb."


    "That''s because of the medication," Dr. Gaines exined. "You needed it to manage the pain. And also¡ª"


    He hesitated, ncing between me and Devon.My stomach clenched.


    "What?" I pressed, sensing the sudden shift in atmosphere.


    Devon gave him a reassuring nod. "It''s fine, doc. Go ahead and tell her."


    Dr. Gaines turned back to me, his warm smile still in ce¡ªthough his gaze held a hint of curiosity.


    "You''re six weeks pregnant."

 Chapter 4: HER SAVIOR

    <h4>Chapter 4 - 4: HER SAVIOR</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    The words hit me like a sledgehammer.My heart stilled.Pregnant?


    "You''re incredibly lucky," he continued. "It''s a wonder that the baby is still alive and well. Given the gravity of your ident, neither of you should have survived. Some would call this a miracle."


    It wasn''t a miracle.I knew why I had survived.The goddess had intervened. And just like she had promised, I was six weeks pregnant.


    Dr. Gaines continued speaking, unaware of my spiraling thoughts.


    "Your surgery was a sess. Whenever you''re ready, I''ll have your discharge papers sorted out."Then his gaze softened. "Do you have a loved one? Someone who can sign off on your release?"


    I opened my mouth¡ªthen shut it.My fingers twisted nervously in myp.


    "No," I said simply.


    I had no one.No one to call.No one to wait for me.No one.


    "Really?" He quirked a brow at me. "No one? Not even the father of your unborn child?"


    I swallowed hard at the mention of Ivan.


    Acknowledging his existence meant acknowledging the inevitable¡ªI''d have to return to the Ash Creek pack. It meant birthing and raising my pup amidst the toxic cruelty of the packhouse.


    That was thest thing I wanted.


    "There''s no one, doctor," I stated firmly, refusing to crumble under his scrutiny. "It''s just me."


    "That''s not true," Devon cut in.


    I snapped my head toward him, my brows furrowing.


    "What do you mean?"


    Devon regarded me for a long moment before turning to address Dr. Gaines.


    "Maeve Oakes must have hit her head harder than we originally thought," he said smoothly. "She does have a loved one. It''s me."


    "What?" I inhaled sharply, unable to contain my shock.


    Again, Devon Lockwood ignored me. He only seemed to have eyes for the doctor.


    "Whenever she''s ready to leave, I''ll be more than happy to sign her discharge papersand cover the bills as nned."


    "That''s wonderful." Dr. Gaines beamed, settling the matter right then and there.


    After checking my vitals and adjusting my IV, he left the room, leaving me alone with my self-appointed savior.


    I locked eyes with Devon, my irritation evident.


    "You didn''t have to do that," I muttered. "I hate owing people."


    He smiled at that, amused.


    "You don''t owe me anything, Maeve. But if it makes you feel better, consider it payment for me running you over with my car."


    I exhaled sharply. "So, we''re even then?"


    "Hardly." His smirk deepened, his gaze twinkling with amusement."I don''t know why, but I feel this... pull toward you. A natural inclination to help you. To take care of you."


    "Why?" I scoffed. "That doesn''t make any sense. You''ve only known me for barely a day. And the entire time, I was unconscious."


    He snorted¡ªa low, amused sound.


    "Not the entire time. I''m talking to you now, aren''t I?"His expression softened. "And I can tell you need help. You''re pregnant, and you have nowhere to go."


    "I''ll figure something out," I countered stubbornly.


    "I don''t doubt that for a second." His tone was reassuring. "You''re strong, Maeve. I can sense it. You have a survivor''s will."


    I narrowed my eyes. "And how exactly can you sense that?"


    Devon leaned in slightly, his voice dropping to something quieter.


    "I think you already know, cara''nia."


    I sucked in a sharp breath.The meaning of his words sent a jolt through me.


    Cara''nia.A term of endearment among werewolves.A word only mates used for each other.


    If Devon knew that word, then¡ª


    "You''re a werewolf," I said carefully, trying to mask the way my pulse had spiked.


    His lips curled into a smirk.


    "An Alpha," he corrected, amusement flickering in his eyes as he took in my stunned reaction.


    An Alpha.


    I forced myself to steady my breathing.


    "If you''re an Alpha, then you know I''ve run away from my pack," I said slowly, my voice edged with caution. "I don''t n on going back. I intend to start fresh¡ªfar away from everything I''ve ever known. It''s the right thing to do. For me. For my baby."


    Instinctively, I pressed a protective hand over my stomach.Even now, I could hardly believe it.It was just like the Moon Goddess had told me.


    Asha.Already, I loved him fiercely¡ªmore than I had ever loved anyone.


    Silently, I vowed to protect him. To raise him with all the love I had been denied my entire life.


    Starting fresh would be hard.But I would do it.We would be okay.


    "I know you''ve run away," Devon interrupted my thoughts. "And judging by how fiercely you denied having a loved one, I''d wager you weren''t treated very well in your old pack."


    "You don''t miss a thing, do you?" I mumbled, not bothering to hide my irritation.


    He ignored my sarcasm.


    "I have a pack, Maeve." His voice was calm, soft. "A lot of rogues live there¡ªwerewolves who understand what it''s like to be outcasts."


    I tensed as he continued.


    "What I''m saying is that Dark Wind Pack could be a ce where you''d be epted. Protected. A safe haven for your child."


    I stared at him, my throat tight.


    "You''re serious?" I exhaled sharply. "How can you just invite me into your home like that? I know you feel guilty about hitting me with your car, but let''s be real¡ªyou don''t know me. I could be a lunatic. A vindictive maniac, cursed to bring war to your doorstep."My voice was rising now."Do you still want to take me in?"


    I expected him to hesitate.To backtrack.To look at me like I hadpletely lost my mind.But instead¡ª


    Laughter.Deep, throaty, genuineughter.


    The sound caught me off guard.It rumbled through the air, transforming his face in an instant.And for just a second, all I could think about was how damn handsome he was.


    "You''re surprisingly funny," he chuckled. "It''s good to know I won''t be bored with you in my household."


    "I haven''t agreed to anything."


    "But you will." He seemed certain. "Deep down, you know joining my household is the best decision you could make right now."


    He winked at me.


    Devon Lockwood wasn''t just my savior, sent to rescue me and my unborn son from ruin.He was also surprisingly easy to talk to.


    And now, he was offering me something I never thought I could have; a new life.A pack full of outcasts.Just like me.


    Tempting as it was, it still felt too good to be true.Was this the Moon Goddess''s doing?


    Was this her way of ensuring that Asha survived? That he lived long enough to fulfill his destiny?


    I swallowed hard.


    "The truth is," I began hesitantly, "when I ran away from my pack, I never imagined any of this happening¡ªlet alone in less than twenty-four hours. Meeting you. Joining your household. It''s all... happening so fast."


    Devon studied me for a moment before offering a small, reassuring smile.


    "We may not know much about each other right now, Maeve," he admitted, "but I know we''re going to be just fine together. And if all else fails, well¡ª" his lips curved in amusement¡ª "at least we''ll always have your humor."


    A conspiratorial smile tugged at his mouth.And just like that, I felt my resolve begin to crack.


    I thought about a packhouse as warm as Devon''s smile.A home where my son could be safe.Where he would be loved.Cherished.


    The thought of Asha growing up in a ce like that...it was the final push I needed.


    Everything moved quickly after that.Devon Lockwood signed my discharge papers.


    A few hourster, I was belted into the front seat of his car, leaving my past behind.Heading toward Dark Wind Pack.


    My new home.

 Chapter 5: THE GREATEST HEALER

    <h4>Chapter 5 - 5: THE GREATEST HEALER</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    <strong>[A FEW YEARS LATER]</strong>


    I scooped the final batch of crushed herbs into a small bowl and handed it over to Meg and Rhonda.


    Both girls were part of the kitchen staff, responsible for cooking meals for the Dark Wind packhouse.


    They had identical rashes spread across their chest areas.


    ording to the rumors floating around the packhouse, Meg and Rhonda had gone running in the woodsst night.But they hadn''t been alone.Apparently, they had male wolfpanions in tow.


    "Here." I gestured toward the bowl. "This should help with the itching. Apply the salve now and again before bed."


    Meg epted it gratefully, scooping a generous amount onto her fingers and rubbing it over her rash. Then she passed the bowl to Rhonda.


    "I already feel better, Mistress Maeve. Thank you for the salve." Meg dipped her head slightly, looking sheepish.


    I gave them both a curious look. "I still don''t understand exactly how this happened. Just how far did you two go with your wolf friendsst night?"


    Rhonda flushed at the mention of the guys, clearing her throat awkwardly.


    Meg, on the other hand, suddenly burst intoughter, her face turning crimson.


    "What''s so funny?" I asked, confused by her reaction.


    "I''m sorry, Mistress," she said between chuckles, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "I think we may have gotten the rash while... goofing around in a bed of shrubs."


    "Goofing?" Rhonda scoffed, shooting Meg a look. "You mean fucking like wild animals in a goddamn thorn bush."


    She nced at me, caught sight of the amused expression on my face, and promptly blushed deeper.


    I chuckled."Well, at least someone got lucky. Next time, maybe pick a less... prickly setting for your woond adventures."


    "Of course," Meg said seriously."I guess we should count ourselves lucky that we have a healer as talented as you to help us out with things like this."


    I waved off thepliment. "It''s fine."


    Still, I couldn''t deny how good it felt to be recognized for my healing abilities.


    I had always been fascinated by what herbs could do¡ªthe way they could soothe pain, mend wounds, or even save a life.


    Back in Ash Creek, I never had the time to truly perfect my understanding.


    My days had been consumed by torment, trying to survive Lydia''s cruelty and Ivan''s coldness. Learning was a luxury I couldn''t afford.


    But when I became part of Dark Wind, all I had was time.And I found myself gravitating toward the elderly pack healer.


    She was ancient, her body was weak,yet she still tended to every sick and injured wolf that came her way. The pack depended on her, but I could see the exhaustion was a torture given her age.


    So, I started helping.


    At first, it was simple¡ªpreparing bandages, crushing herbs, fetching water. But the more I watched, the more I wanted to know.


    I studied her old notes and scrolls, absorbing every bit of knowledge she had gathered over decades. I experimented, refined techniques, expanded on her work through research and trial.


    She taught me everything she could, and when she grew too weak to continue, I took over.


    And when she finally passed on...Devon gave me the greatest honor of my life.He named me the official healer of Dark Wind Pack.


    It was the birth of a passion I never knew I had¡ªnot until I started practicing.


    I healed pups with scraped knees and warriors with battle wounds. I treated fevers, infections, broken bones. I traveled to neighboring packs when their healers were overwhelmed.


    And the more I healed, the better I became.The more I learned.And the more they whispered¡ªrumors spreading that I was the greatest healer.


    Not that I ever considered myself that.There was still so much more to learn.


    But one thing was certain¡ªhealing had be more than just a skill.It had be who I was.Healing gave me purpose.


    Granted, there were moments when I felt the distress of my still existing mating bond with Ivan. But with each passing year, it became easier to bear.


    I forced myself to focus on the bright spots in my new life. My real home.


    "So," I said, shaking off my thoughts, "what''s on the menu for dinner tonight?"


    Meg grinned. "Roastmb with mashed potatoes."


    "Asha''s request," Rhonda added with a knowing smirk.


    I huffed in indignation. "You know you don''t have to indulge my son''s every whim, right?"


    "Oh, it''s no trouble at all, Mistress," Rhonda was quick to defend him.


    As usual.


    With how much these girls doted on Asha, it was a miracle he wasn''t spoiled.


    "We''re more than happy to cook whatever the young master desires," she continued.


    Meg nodded solemnly. "Yes, Mistress. I mean, have you seen himtely? He''s the cutest little pup ever. Boys at that age need all the good food they can get to grow strong."


    I sighed dramatically. "Fine. I give up."


    I lifted my hands in surrender, epting defeat in my very weak attempt to dissuade them from spoiling my son.


    The truth was, everyone in Dark Wind pack spoiled Asha rotten.From the moment I gave birth to him five years ago, the pack members had practically adopted him.


    Now, at five years old, he had an endless list of unofficial uncles and aunties¡ªwolves who doted on him, trained him, and showered him with love.


    He could go to any of them for treats, advice, or even fighting lessons.It was everything I had ever wanted for him.And more.


    I lingered in the kitchen a little longer, watching the girls cook.


    Meg was the head of the gossip mill today, currently filling me in on Asha''stest lessons.


    Suddenly, Rhonda leaned back, swirling a ss of drink with azy grin.


    "So," she started sweetly, "you and Devon finally broke the bed or nah?"


    Meg choked on herugh and turned beet red.


    I blinked. "What¡ª"


    "Meg said she heard something mming against the wall," Rhonda continued like she was discussing the weather. "I said it was probably a demon, but then I remembered¡ªoh wait, Alpha Devon exists."


    Meg snorted. "It was loud. Like, <i>beastly</i>. Thud, thud, thud¡ªpause. Then again¡ªthud, thud¡ª<i>moan</i>."


    Rhonda immediatelyunched into a ridiculous impression of said moaning¡ªundeniably mine.


    I groaned, burying my face in my palms.


    "You two are going to kill me."


    "Okay but tell the truth," Meg said, all wide-eyed innocence that didn''t fool anyone. "Is the Alpha as good as he looks? Or better?"


    Rhonda nodded solemnly. "Because that man walks around like porn in motion. I''d be shocked if you weren''t walking funny."


    I turned to Rhonda with mock-seriousness and a frown.


    "Are you confessing to checking out my mate, young woman?"


    "Maybe," she grinned, then burst intoughter. "I''m sorry, okay? He jogs through the woods every morning in nothing but sweatpants¡ªwhat the hell else am I supposed to be looking at?"


    "The fucking fruits you went to pick," Meg smacked her lightly on the head.


    I just shook my head,ughing. "You''re disgusting, Rhonda. Goddess, someone get holy water for this girl''s mind."


    Rhonda gasped, hand over her chest. "So it''s true. Devon dickmatized you."


    "I hate both of you."


    "Don''t lie," she said sweetly, patting my thigh. "You love us. Almost as much as you love getting your insides rearranged, Luna."


    A fond smile crept onto my face at the mere thought of my mate.My chosen mate. My second chance from the goddess.


    As always, thinking of Devon Lockwood filled my belly with a sweet warmth that spread all the way to my toes.


    I hadn''t seen him since dawn¡ªhe''d left thefort of our bed to take care of pack business¡ªand already, I missed him. I could hardly wait to see him again.


    I never imagined I could be happy with another after my failed rtionship with Ivan.


    I still remembered how I had nearly driven myself insane at the beginning¡ªobsessing over Ivan, wondering if he had tried to find me after I left.


    Even after five years, the thought still crossed my mind from time to time.


    It was impossible not to.Not when I still shared a mating bond with him.


    Devon had tried to sever it, but to our dismay, my wolf had resisted¡ªclinging to the one person I longed to forget.


    In the end, the only thing he had seeded in breaking was my connection to Ash Creek.


    He had also taken it a step further, cing a cloaking charm on me, making it impossible to be trackedor found by Ash Creek.


    It was the only way to truly put the past behind me.


    And then, right after I had given birth to Asha, Devon had presented himself to me as my second-chance mate.


    He wanted us. He wanted a family with me and Asha. He wanted to be everything the father of my child was not.


    A partner of my own choosing.


    At first, epting him hadn''t been easy.


    I had been scarred¡ªhurt and broken beyond recognition. The thought of giving my heart to another had been terrifying.


    But somehow, Devon had made it past all of my barriers.And honestly, I wasn''t even surprised that he did.


    The man I hade to know over the years was kind, loving, and incredibly patient. But the best part of all was how much he adored Asha.


    He was everything I had missed out on with Ivan.I was lucky to have him.


    I stayed in the kitchen with the girls for another hour before finally making my way outside to the fields.


    I knew I''d find Devon and Asha there. They usually went for their evening runs in the woods at this time of day.


    As I drew closer, I spotted the two of them hurrying to pull their clothes back on.


    They were covered in mud, chuckling conspiratorially to each other.


    I couldn''t help but be amused at the sight they made¡ªboth standing so close together, looking equally guilty.


    Devon was the first to notice me.His grin was sheepish as he subtly tried (and failed) to hide his muddy feet from my sharp gaze.


    "Good evening, love." He shot me another grin, flicking on the charm. "You should''ve seen Asha running tonight. He''s getting faster every day. Soon, he''ll be flying through the woods."


    "Mummy!" Asha shrieked in excitement, bolting toward me. He wrapped his arms around my waist, smearing mud all over my denim trousers.


    I sighed in fond exasperation. "Hello, baby. Sounds like you had fun out in the woods."


    "I did!" Asha beamed, his curls bouncing as he nodded enthusiastically. "I ran so fast. I even beat Daddy tonight!"


    "Someone''s feeling cocky about his first win," Devon snickered, pretending to roll his eyes.


    By now, he had closed the distance between us.He gazed down at me, his golden-brown eyes warm with appreciation.


    "How is it possible that you look even more beautiful than you did this morning?" he murmured. "It''s so unfair."


    I rolled my eyes. "If that''s your way of distracting me from the fact that you smell like mud, you''ll have to try harder than that."


    "Oh, please. You love it."


    Smirking, he made a show of trying to get mud on my shirt.


    I shrieked, ducking out of his reach¡ªbut I wasn''t fast enough.


    He swooped in, wrapped an arm around my waist, and pulled me in for a kiss.


    "Mmmm." He hummed against my mouth before pulling back just enough to study me. "Have you been ying healer again, Mrs. Lockwood?"


    "Very funny," I snickered. "If you must know, Meg and Rhonda needed my salve for a rash they got..." I eyed Asha. "...goofing off in the woodsst night."


    "What would those two do without you?" he chuckled, clearly amused.


    I shrugged. "Well, they did express their gratitude by gifting me with brownies."


    I reached into my jacket and pulled out a Ziploc bag filled with warm, freshly baked brownies.


    "Here," I said, handing it over. "You can have them. You too, Asha."


    Asha took one look at the treats and pumped his tiny fists into the air.


    "Brownies! Yay!" He bounced excitedly. "I want one! Give me one!"


    "So bossy," I smirked, unzipping the bag. I handed Asha a brownie and passed the rest to Devon.


    I watched as they both devoured them within seconds.


    "More," Asha quipped, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "I want more!"


    "You''ll get more after dinner." I gave his hair a soft pat and nudged him toward the house. "But first, you need a bath. You stink, buddy."


    "Stink!" he giggled, amused by my choice of words. Then, without another word, he bolted toward the house, leaving me alone with Devon.


    I turned to him with a curious smile. "How were your meetings?"


    "They were alright," he sighed, draping an arm over my shoulder. "We still haven''t decided what to do with thetest captives in the dungeons."


    "Oh?" My brows knitted together. "What are they being held for this time?"


    "tant attacks on my territory. The captives are Red Moon pack members."


    "That''s right," I murmured, recalling a conversation we''d had a few nights ago in the solitude of our bedroom. "I remember you mentioning this."


    Lately, Devon had been dealing with an increasing number of attacks, and at this point, I wouldn''t be surprised if the dungeons were overcrowded.


    "What do you n to do with them? Will you punish them or negotiate their release?"


    "Negotiation..." Devon''s eyes gleamed with a hint of approval. "That''s actually a smart idea."


    "It would be beneficial to our pack if you leveraged the captives for something in return. Maybend. Or even a building."


    Devon hummed, considering it. "Remind me to bring you along to my council meetings from now on."


    I chuckled, pleased by how readily he epted my input. He did this often¡ªsought my opinion on pack-rted matters. It made me feel seen. Respected.


    Like now.


    "I''d dly dabble in pack politics, honey," I teased, "but I''m too much of a healer to be interested in all that."


    He gave me a knowing smile, but then his gaze softened. "Speaking of interests... how do you feel about going away for the weekend?"


    "This weekend?" My eyes lit up at the prospect of a trip.


    "Yeah. I''ve been thinking... it''s been a while since we went away¡ªjust the two of us. I figured a few days away would be good for us."


    He wasn''t wrong.


    We''d both been working nonstoptely. A break sounded like exactly what we needed.


    If Devon wanted to go on a trip, then I was in.


    "A trip sounds fun," I agreed. "Where do you have in mind?"


    "I haven''t figured out the specifics yet, but rest assured¡ªit''s going to be grand." He led me toward the house, taking care to steer me away from the steep curve next to theke. "I just need to wrap up some business first."


    "We could go to the Eastern Inds," I suggested. "I''ve been dying to go there."


    "Eastern Ind it is, then." He pressed a quick kiss against my temple. Then, after a pause, he asked, "You are happy, right? Being with me? You don''t have any regrets?"


    I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in his tone.


    "What do you mean?"


    "Nothing," he said, but there was something hesitant in his expression. "It''s just... sometimes, I think about how determined you were to make it on your own five years ago, and I wonder if you ever regret choosing toe here with me."


    There was a shadow of doubt in his eyes.It was the most vulnerable I had ever seen him.


    My heart clenched, my mind racing for the right words to quell his uncertainty.


    "Of course I don''t regret being with you," I scoffed, genuinely taken aback. "Are you kidding me? You showed up at the darkest moment of my life and gave me a way out. I''m more than happy to be with you, Devon Lockwood. I feel lucky to have you."


    His lips curled into a pleased grin. "Really?"


    "Yes," I snorted. "It''s about time you got that through your thick skull, Alpha Lockwood."


    His smile widened. "I''m d you feel this way, Maeve, because I do too. And I intend to make sure you continue to feel this way for a very long time¡ªstarting withtheEastern Inds."


    He leaned in, capturing my lips in a kiss.


    I kissed him back, deepening it.


    But then, asudden burning sensation shot through my body.Intense.Like fire burning me from the inside out.


    I gasped in pain, wrenching my lips away from Devon''s, my hands trembling.


    My wolf¡ªshe was writhing in distress.Rebelling against the thought of intimacywith another.


    Devon''s eyes darkened with concern as he cupped my cheeks, staring intently into mine.


    "Another attack?" he asked softly.


    I nodded weakly, barely able to form words.


    And before I could even attempt to speak, I copsed against him, the world spinning into darkness.


    However, even in that darkness, I saw those familiar cold gray eyes that have haunted me since the night I left him.

 Chapter 6: WEDDING CRASHER

    <h4>Chapter 6 - 6: WEDDING CRASHER</h4>


    <strong>IVAN''</strong><strong>S</strong><strong>POV</strong>


    Today was my wedding day.


    And seeing as it wasn''t my first rodeo, I barely felt inclined to care about trivial details like flower arrangements or the dinner menu.


    Not when I had far more pressing issues to deal with.Like my mother''s health.


    She had the pitting sickness.


    For years now, she had suffered from relentless weakness and severe bloating across every inch of her skin.


    As if that wasn''t bad enough, no one had been able to decipher the cause.


    But if I had to take a guess, I''d say it had everything to do with my father''s death.


    Father.


    Mauled to death by a pack of rogues while out on a hunt, leaving the alpha throne vacant and vulnerable.


    By all rights, I should have ascended immediately. I was his heir.


    But I couldn''t bloody well do that yet.Not while I remained without an heir of my own.


    It seemed Serena had overestimated her abilities as a breeder, considering she had yet to produce one.


    At the beginning, I had been patient, hopeful even¡ªpractical about the prospect of our arrangement.Now, the mere sight of her pissed me off.


    And then, there was Mother.


    The pitting sickness had crept in shortly after my father''s death, and I had no doubt in my mind that losing her destined mate was what had caused it.


    Lydia Cross had always been unbreakable.And yet, here she was.A shell of the woman she once was.


    I had never been the type to pay keen attention to my mother''s appearance, but even I could tell she was closer to death''s door than away from it.


    Her decline was rapid, merciless.She had aged twice as much in just thest few months.


    In the past year alone, I had traveled across packs and kingdoms, visiting every healer I could find, searching for a cure for the pitting.


    Nothing worked.


    Nothing.


    All I had managed to find was disappointment and the stricken realization that I was running out of time.


    At this point, I had lost count of the so-called healers who had breezed through our doors, swearing they could cure her.Each one had been a waste of my time.


    And then, I heard about her.A talented healer, here in the city.


    I didn''t know her name, but she was famous¡ªrenowned for her vast knowledge of herbs and orthodox medicine.


    She ran a healing practice, and if the rumors were anything to go by, she was the best there was.


    I had already sent a messenger to fetch her, extending a formal invitation for her to visit Ash Creek.Now, all that was left was for her to show up.And pray to the Goddess she was the real deal.


    In the meantime, I had a wedding to get through.I had half an hour before I had to haul my ass up to the altar.


    I spent the free time in my study, staring nkly at the firece, idly sipping whiskey.Mostly, I was lost in thought.


    The Council of Elders had been a pain in my asstely.They were the only thing standing between me and my throne¡ªmy birthright.


    But apparently, I couldn''t have that yet.Not until I had an heir.


    As if on cue, my phone buzzed with an iing call.


    Serena.


    I pursed my lips in annoyance as her name shed across the screen.


    She had already called fifteen minutes ago to whine about how the wedding nner had gotten ca lilies instead of white roses.


    Obsessed. That''s what she was at this point.


    And if I had to hear about one more damn flower cement, I was going to lose it.I picked up the call with a sigh.


    "Serena," I greeted tly. "Is everything okay?"


    "Ivan," she breathed heavily, sounding almost giddy. "Are you excited about the wedding?"


    I pinched the bridge of my nose.


    "Did you just call to ask me that?"


    She let out a nervous chuckle. "Yeah, sorry. It''s just... a lot is at stake here. I just want everything to go perfectly today. But more than anything, I wish your mother could be there."


    "You know she can''t," I interrupted, already losing patience."You''re worrying about the wrong thing, Serena. How about you focus on doing your part in all of this?"


    Silence.I didn''t let it linger.


    "Remember," I added coldly, "this is only an arrangement born of necessity and nothing else. You''re only important to me if you produce an heir."


    She exhaled sharply."I know."


    Her voice was smaller now, her usual confidence fraying at the edges. But in true Serena fashion, she tried to mask it with false cheer.


    "I know I haven''t been able to give you an heir yet, but this time, I won''t let you down."


    "I''m d to hear that." I leaned back in my chair, ncing at the clock. "I''ll see you at the wedding."


    And with that, I ended the call.I downed thest of my whiskey and put my phone away.I refilled my whiskey ss and took anotherrge gulp.


    Serena wouldn''t like the fact that I was drinking barely fifteen minutes before our wedding.


    Good thing I didn''t have to see her until right before the ceremony.


    That way, I had some time to get into the right headspace¡ªto pretend I gave a damn about saying the custom mating vows.


    For some reason, the thought of exchanging vows with Serena didn''t sit right with me.


    Lately, nothing about touching her felt right.Sex had be a chore¡ªone I endured at best.


    I med Maeve Oakes for that.For the insufferable mating bond I still shared with her.


    It had been five years since Ist saw her.Five years since she snuck away in the middle of the night, leaving everything behind.


    At first, I had been in denial, hellbent on erasing her from my mind.


    But as time passed, I realized¡ªto my disdain¡ªthat I couldn''t shake her off, no matter how hard I tried.She was always there. Lingering at the edges of my thoughts.


    I wasn''t in love with her. Not by any chance.


    But I missed her.


    I missed the wide-eyed innocence.


    I missed the way she wore her heart on her sleeve, always going out of her way to please me, desperate to salvage the fragments of our marriage.


    And then, she left.


    For the first few months, I had been indifferent.Then, I felt insulted that someone as weak as Maeve Oakes had the balls to leave me.


    Enraged, I had sent men all over the kingdom to find her.


    But it was like she had disappeared into thin air.Not even a single trace or scent of her was found. It was as if she had never existed.


    Which was bullshit¡ªbecause I could feel her.The bond wouldn''t let me forget.Being separated from my destined mate for so long had consequences.


    I couldn''t get my dick up with anyone else, even if I wanted to.Not even with Serena.


    "You suffer from what we werewolves call the wrath bond," Revierre, the High Priest, had told me during myst visit to his temple.


    "The wrath bond?" I repeated, trying¡ªand failing¡ªto mask my curiosity.


    "It is your wolf''s way of longing for its other half."


    I scoffed. "You mean Maeve."


    Revierre met my gaze with agrave expression. "Have you made any progress in finding her?"


    I exhaled sharply, shaking my head. "Nothing."


    He studied me for a long moment. "Then you need to find her."


    I tensed. "Why?"


    "If you desire to mate with Serena and produce an heir, then your mating bond must be severed first."


    The words hit me harder than I expected.


    Breaking the bond should have been the obvious solution. The reasonable thing to do.


    But the thought of beingpletely severed from Maeve Oakes¡ªfor good¡ªmade my wolf stir uneasily in my chest.


    ** *


    The wedding ceremony kicked off at noon.


    The pce hall was packed with guests who had gathered for the event.


    Allies and friends from neighboring packs. Business associates. My pack members.


    They had alle to witness my second attempt at forging a bond¡ªone that, if sessful, would produce an heir and finally allow me to im my inheritance.


    As priest, Revierre was in charge of conducting the mating rites.


    I stood next to Serena, half-drunk, barely registering the formalities as the priest carried on.


    Soon, it was time for us to exchange the mating vows. I shook my head, trying to clear some of the alcohol from my system.


    My fingers spasmed slightly as I took Serena''s hands in mine.


    Her eyes shone with delight, her breath hitched in anticipation¡ªwaiting for me to seal the deal between us.


    I opened my mouth to recite the vows. I knew them by heart.


    As the words spilled from my lips, I willed them to mean something. Anything. In the end, they were just that: words.


    Then, it was Serena''s turn.


    She had fucking tears brimming in the corners of her eyes as she recited her vows to me.


    I ignored them. Perhaps if I were sober, I''d have forced myself to care.


    Revierre gripped our enjoined wrists, holding up the mating ribbon.


    His voice rose an octave higher as he spoke the final bonding ritual.


    "The mating vows have been exchanged," he dered. "Now, before I take the final step in joining these two together, if anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your¡ª"


    The entrance doors burst open. The impact was all too loud and all too sudden.


    All heads swiveled toward the doorway. For several seconds, time stood still.


    The stranger''s entrance sent a ripple of murmurs across the hall. Some members of Ash Creek gasped in shock, rising from their seats to get a better look.


    Curious, I turned.


    The first thing I saw was a pair of red heels.


    ssy. Sexy as hell. Her toned legs? Even sexier.


    Slowly, my gaze traveled upward.


    She wore a skin-tight ck dress that did all sorts of dangerous things to her curves.


    With each step she took, her dark curls bounced against hervish bosom.


    I fixated on that bosom.


    Instantly, I grew hard.


    I hadn''t felt this way in years.


    My wolf stirred. Rose to the sight of her. I barely remembered thest time I had felt my wolf react to anyone.


    Until now.


    I must have lost my fucking mind from all the whiskey I had downed before walking to the altar.


    It was the only exnation for why I was openly ogling a sexy stranger in front of my bride-to-be.


    And yet¡ªI couldn''t look away.


    She was fucking gorgeous. Breathtaking.


    Finally, my gaze lifted and locked with hers.


    I froze.


    Recognition mmed into me, so violently I almost stumbled back.


    I knew those eyes.


    Blue. Almost translucent. Immacte.


    I had dreamt about them a thousand times over thest five years.


    My pulse thundered in my ears as my mind finally caught up to what I was seeing.


    The woman before me was not the timid, wide-eyed girl I once knew.


    No¡ªthis woman was fierce. Confident. A far cry from the fragile, breakable thing that had once belonged to me.


    And yet she was still her.


    Maeve.


    My heart skipped a beat as I forced my mind to conjure up her name.


    Then, she spoke.


    "I object to this union." Her voice was sharper than it had ever been. There was no hesitation in her words. No fear. Only unbridled fire.


    A slow growl rumbled from my chest as my wolf red to life.


    The murmurs in the room increased by the second. The chaos in the hall was growing, but I couldn''t hear a damn thing.


    I couldn''t take my eyes off her.


    It took another moment before I finally noticed the little human standing next to her. Holding her hand.


    A child. A boy. No older than five, maybe.


    A strange sensation crawled up my spine as I took a closer look at him.


    And then it hit me like a freight train.


    He looked exactly like me.

 Chapter 7: THE REVENGE PLAN

    <h4>Chapter 7 - 7: THE REVENGE PLAN</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    <strong>[</strong><strong>ONE MONTH </strong><strong>EARLIER]</strong>


    Myst stop on my healing excursion was Crimson Bridge Pack.


    The pack''s alpha¡ªone of Devon''s allies¡ªhad been suffering from a crippling illness for months.


    By the time I was done tending to him, he was sitting up in bed, already asking for dinner.


    "Thank you, Maeve," Luna Cressida said as she walked me to my car, her gratitude evident in her warm expression. "Once again, Crimson Bridge Pack is in your debt."


    I smiled, slipping behind the wheel. "It''s fine. I''m merely doing my job."


    "It''s baffling how you can still be so humble, considering you''re the best healer in the kingdom."


    Iughed lightly. "I try."


    "If you ever need a favor, remember¡ªyou have strong allies in my household."


    "Thank you. I''m sure Devon will be pleased to hear that."


    "Of course," Cressida grinned. "He has every reason to be pleased. He bagged a wolf like you as his Luna."


    I rolled my eyes yfully. "You tter me, Cressida."


    With our farewells exchanged, I waved onest time before driving off, heading home.


    By the time I pulled into the driveway of the Dark Wind Packhouse, the rain had turned into a downpour.


    Without an umbre, I jumped out of the car, sprinting for the front doors.


    The house was eerily quiet.


    The only sound was the rattling of the windows as the storm pounded against the shutters.


    Most days, the packhouse was filled with noise and movement¡ªconversations,ughter, training sessions.


    But tonight, the storm had forced everyone into their rooms early.


    Asha was most likely asleep in his bedroom.


    I nned to check on him.


    But first¡ªI needed to see Devon.I had been apart from him all day, and I missed him.


    I also couldn''t wait to tell him about our growing alliance with Crimson Bridge, all thanks to my healing abilities.


    Knowing Devon, I knew he would be pleased.


    A small smile yed on my lips as I climbed the stairs toward his study.


    Halfway up¡ªmy phone rang.


    Devon.


    Speak of the devil.


    I answered, already grinning. "Hello? Dev, honey?"


    His voice rumbled through the line. "Maeve."


    I could hear the smirk in his voice.Such a Devon move.


    "I heard youe in a few minutes ago," he murmured. "How was Crimson Bridge?"


    "Eventful," I quipped, my smile widening. "I''m actually on my way to your study to tell you all about it."


    "It can wait." His tone shifted¡ªserious.


    I paused mid-step.


    "Is everything okay? Are you okay?"


    There was a brief silence before he spoke.


    "Come to the throne room, Maeve. That''s where I am."


    A small shiver ran down my spine.Something about his voice felt... off.


    "Okay," I said slowly. "I''m on my way."


    ** *


    Devon was reclining against his throne casually, waiting for my arrival.A ss of rum dangled idly from his right hand, his posture both feral and grim.


    I entered the throne room, my hair still damp from the rain, my chest rising and falling as I tried to catch my breath.


    "Hey," I heaved, pushing my wet curls back. "Sorry for my disheveled look. I never could have predicted the storm tonight¡ªelse I would have brought an umbre."


    Devon let out a deep sigh."Maeve."


    He rose from his high seat, taking long, measured strides toward me.


    I tilted my head to meet his gazeand froze.


    His eyes were red-rimmed and sunken.There was no easy smile waiting for me, no teasing warmth.That was a first.


    "Hey." I cupped his face with my cold hands, pressing my palms against his cheeks, closing the space between us.


    His skin was warm. Warmer than usual.


    "Are you okay?" My voice dropped to a whisper. "You look pale. Are you sick? Is it Asha? Is he sick?"


    My heartbeat spiked. The thought of Asha bedridden, sick or helpless, sent a wave of cold terror through me.


    "Asha''s fine," Devon reassured me.Some of the tightness in my chest eased.


    "Then what is it?" I growled, frustration creeping in. "You''ve got two seconds to fill me in, Devon Lockwood, or I swear¡ª"


    I punctuated my words with a heated re.


    Any other day, Devon would have graced my irritation with a smirk, a kiss, a teasing remark.Not today.


    Instead, he took my hands, holding them firmly in his. His gaze darkened.


    "I know who you are, Maeve."


    My stomach dropped.


    "What?" My voice came out small. "What are you talking about? I don''t understand."


    Devon didn''t blink."Alpha Roderick is dead."


    The world shook beneath me.


    "What?" I exhaled sharply, stepping back, my thoughts scrambling to make sense of what he''d just said.


    A gasp escaped my lips as the reality of his words crashed down on me.Icy cold spread through my veins.


    My lungs clenched, as if I had been submerged in freezing water, unable to breathe.


    Devon closed the distance between us again, his grip firm on my shoulders, anchoring me in ce.


    "Judging by the look on your face, I''m guessing my suspicions were right." His voice was low. "You knew thete Alpha of Ash Creek. More than that, you shared a close rtionship with him. His household."


    Goddess, give me strength.


    "Devon¡ª" I tried, but my voice caught in my throat.


    My mind was nk.Completely empty.All I could think was¡ª


    He knows.How?How long?


    And if he knew¡ªif he truly knew¡ªthen there was a fat chance he had pieced together the biggest secret of all.


    Asha.


    I felt hot shame crash over me, drowning me in waves of guilt.


    Five years.Five years of lying.Of hiding.


    "We need to have a serious conversation, Maeve."Devon''s grip tightened ever so slightly."And we''re going to be honest about everything."His voice was gentle, but there was no room for negotiation in his tone."Is that okay with you?"


    My lips parted, but no words came out.


    How could I promise honesty to a man I had lied to for years?How could I look him in the eyes and admit¡ªI had been running from my past.


    Running from <i>him</i>.


    Devon''s voice sharpened, cutting through my thoughts.


    "Maeve."


    I swallowed and nodded wordlessly.It was all he needed to continue.His hands slid from my shoulders, down toce his fingers with mine.


    The warmth of his touch felt too kind. Too forgiving.


    "I''m not mad at you," he said, his tone softer than I deserved.


    I blinked at him, trying to process why he wasn''t furious.


    "I remember the night I met you." His eyes searched mine. "If the state you were in was anything to go by, I can understand why you''d want to hide the fact that you were married to an asshole like Ivan Cross."


    My breath caught. "Devon¡ª I can exin."


    "You don''t have to." He gave my hands a squeeze. "I''ve known for five years."


    Five. Years.


    I reeled. "But... how?"


    Devon exhaled through his nose, his lips quirking into a wry smile.


    "Shortly after you came home with me, I received word from my sources in Ash Creek." His fingers tracedzy patterns along my knuckles, his voice calm, casual¡ªlike he wasn''tpletely blowing my mind."The heir''s destined mate had run away. Abandoned her position. Turned her back on their union."


    He tilted his head slightly. "And seeing as how I happened to find you miles away from Ash Creek, it wasn''t exactly difficult to put two and two together."


    I sucked in a sharp breath. "So... you''ve known this whole time?"


    "Yes."


    How could he still love me?


    How could he bear treating me with kindness, raising Asha as his own, when he knew I had been lying to him the entire time we''d been together?


    How could he stand the sight of me?


    My heart pounded as suppressed memories forced their way to the surface.Memories of misery.Abuse.Pain.


    Memories I had spent five years burying¡ªonly for them to rise, raw and suffocating, as if no time had passed at all.


    "Maeve? Love?"Devon released my hands and cupped my cheeks, forcing me to look at him.The kindness in his eyes gutted me.


    My vision blurred as tears gathered in the corners of my eyes.


    How could he look at me like that, knowing the web of lies between us?How could he still love me?


    "I never said anything because I was waiting," Devon murmured, his voice gentle. "Waiting for you to tell me in your own time."


    A sharp breath left my lips. "You must be pretty disappointed that you beat me to it."


    I sniffed, hating how small I sounded.


    Devon brushed away my tears with his thumbs, smiling at me softly¡ªbefore his expression turned serious.


    "I need you to listen very carefully, Maeve," he said, his tone dropping an octave lower. "What I''m about to tell you is important."


    I straightened slightly. "I''m listening."


    "You asked me earlier how I know Ivan," he continued.His jaw tightened as he spoke the name."I know him because he''s my cousin."


    The air left my lungs.


    "What?"


    He nodded.


    "Yes. Ivan and I are cousins. Our fathers were brothers. I grew up in Ash Creek. For the first half of my life, I lived alongside him."His fingers twitched against my skin, his voice turning colder."But everything changed when my parents were murdered by the Alpha King."


    A sharp gasp tore from my lips. "Goddess!"


    I pressed a shaking hand to my throat, my pulse thundering.


    The anger in Devon''s eyes burned hot.


    "I was sixteen when they forced me out of Ash Creek," he continued, his voice deceptively even. "I was kicked out. Stripped of my name. Forced to live as a rogue. Condemned to a life of exile."


    My heart clenched at the emptiness in his tone.


    "Devon..." I whispered, my voice thick with guilt and sorrow.


    I reached for him, my fingers grazing his chest as if my touch could lessen the weight of his past.


    "I am so sorry," I breathed. "I can''t even imagine what you went through."


    Devon''s expression didn''t change, but his hands tightened around mine.Pain flickered in his eyes, but it was drowned beneath a much stronger emotion¡ªrage.


    Without meaning to, my mind drifted back to Ash Creek.To Ivan.


    If his father was truly dead, then the council was already making preparations to crown him Alpha King.


    I could picture him standing at the helm of power, smug as hell.Married to Serena.With bratty heirs running around the pack house.


    My nostrils red, rage swelling deep and primal.What right did Ivan Cross have to be happy?


    To live his life without consequence¡ªwhile I had to w my way out of the hell he had thrown me into?People like him didn''t deserve a peaceful night''s sleep.


    And yetas much as I wanted to hold onto my anger¡ªI couldn''t.Not fully.


    Because despite everything Ivan took from me, despite the years of suffering¡ªmy life had turned out better than I ever imagined.


    I had a son.I had a mate who loved me.


    It still hurt to think of Ivan and Serena together, but it wasn''t crippling.It wasn''t a wound that bled fresh every time I touched it.


    And maybe¡ªjust maybe¡ªthat was the biggest victory of all.


    Devon ran his thumb over my cheek, his eyes studying me with intensity.Then he asked a question I never could have expected.


    "How do you feel about bing the next Luna of Ash Creek, Maeve?"


    I stiffened.


    "What?" I scoffed, leaning back to search his face.


    He wasn''t smiling.He wasn''t joking.


    There was a fire in his eyes, an edge to his voice that made my stomach tighten.


    "You want to be King of Ash Creek?" My voice came out slow, deliberate."How? Why? What are you nning, Devon?"


    His grip on my waist tightened, his fingers curling against my skin.


    "Ivan took everything from me."His voice was deadly quiet."And I intend to take everything from him."


    A shiver ran down my spine.


    "I have ns, Maeve. ns that will make Ivan Cross and his family pay for everything they''ve done."His eyes shed dangerous, his wolf rising to the surface."At the same time, I intend to pull a hostile takeover of Ash Creek."


    My heart mmed against my ribs.A coup.


    Devon wanted to take the throne.To be King.


    He reached for my chin, tilting my face until our eyes locked.


    "But to do this, Maeve¡ªI need your help."

 Chapter 8: SPY ON IVAN

    <h4>Chapter 8 - 8: SPY ON IVAN</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    <strong>[ONE MONTH AGO]</strong>


    "You want my help."I repeated the words nkly, stunned by his revtion. "I don''t know, Devon. As much as I want to support you, this is all so sudden."


    "Hardly."His grip on my cheeks tightened slightly. "I''ve beenying the groundwork for years. With the old Alpha King dead, and with Ivan still without an heir, it''s finally time to act."


    My breath hitched.


    "Ivan has no heirs?" I echoed, my eyes widening in disbelief.


    How was that possible?


    Five years ago, he had taken a breeder¡ªmy best friend. He had been so sure that she would give him an heir in no time.


    I couldn''t believe that Serena had failed at the very thing she had betrayed me for.


    The sheer shock of it sent me reeling.


    "I thought you knew," Devon said, giving me a pointed look. I wondered what thoughts were running through his mind at that moment.


    I shook my head. "There''s no way I could have known. Ever since I left Ash Creek, I haven''t heard anything about him. Or Serena, for that matter."


    "Well," he said, his tone filled with something dark and knowing. "If you''re curious, they''re getting married in a month."


    A strange sensation rushed through me.


    Ivan and Serena.Getting married.


    It was expected, wasn''t it?


    Yet, I still felt something deep and visceral wing at my insides.


    Devon continued,. "Once they forge a mating bond, there''s a high chance she''ll birth his heirs. Oppositions to the Alpha throne. To stop that, I need you to crash the wedding."


    I jerked back.


    "You want me to what?"I stared at him, stunned beyond belief.


    This conversation had veered so far off course that I was struggling to keep up.


    When I had returned home tonight, I thought we''d be discussing my trip to Crimson Bridge Pack¡ªnot nning a political sabotage.


    I didn''t even realize I had moved away from Devon until the cold of the storm seeped through my clothes.My first instinct was to go back into his warmth. But I couldn''t. Not yet.


    Devon didn''t move to touch me.


    He knew me too well.


    "Think carefully before you oppose it, love," he said.His tone was calm. Persuasive. Dangerous."If you go to Ash Creek, object to the wedding, and dere Asha as Ivan''s heir, the marriage will be nullified."


    My chest constricted.


    "You want to drag Asha into this?" I growled, my hands curling into fists.


    "I know you have your reservations about this," he admitted. "But Asha is the key to everything. Dering him as Ivan''s heir means he won''t see the need to keep trying for more heirs with Serena."


    I shook my head, taking another step back.


    "Going back to Ash Creek would jeopardize Asha''s safety. My safety. None of this is worth it if it puts us in danger."


    Devon''s expression darkened.


    "Do you really think I would ever risk you or Asha?"His voice was a low, wounded scoff."He''s my son too, Maeve. As much as yours."


    My feet itched to close the distance between us. But I stayed rooted.


    "I''m doing this for him. And for you.Do you have any idea what it''s like to be the Alpha of a castaway pack? A legacy built from shame, exile, and desperation?"His eyes burned with a truth I wasn''t ready for."I don''t want the same for Asha. He deserves more than a broken legacy. He deserves a real throne. A name that carries power."


    "All Asha needs is a family that loves him," I countered fiercely. "And he has that already. He doesn''t need Ash Creek."


    Devon exhaled sharply.


    "He''s going to need its influence when he''s older."His voice was calcted."Maeve, I know these things don''t seem important now. But a day wille when Asha will need the backing of a strong, established pack."


    I stared at him long and hard.


    I understood Devon''s hatred for the Cross family.They had abandoned him.Betrayed him.Tried to erase him.


    I couldn''t fault him for wanting revenge.For wanting to seize the throne that should have been his birthright.


    But was it worth the risk?


    I was a mother now.A wife.A Luna.A healer.


    Asha had everything he needed.


    Devon adored him.He had a father. A stable home. A future.


    So why did Devon still want Ash Creek?Why wasn''t this enough?


    Then, as I gazed into the caramel depths of his eyes, I saw the answer.


    Vengeance.


    Asha''s future.


    Just like the Moon Goddess, Devon could sense something powerful in Asha.That was why he wanted him on a throne.A true legacy.


    A name that no one could ever strip away from him.Not a castaway throne, as Devon had put it.


    I was once again reminded of Selene''s words to me five years ago, when I had been suspended in her presence.


    If Asha was truly meant to fulfill the destiny she had spoken of, then he needed all the support he could get.


    Perhaps this was my way of making it happen¡ªagreeing to help Devon in his quest.


    I exhaled sharply. "What would you have me do?"


    Devon''s eyes red with purpose, a glint that spoke volumes of his grand n.


    Without a word, he pulled a fancy scroll from his desk and held it out to me. Urging me to take it.


    I hesitated before epting it tentatively. "What''s this?"


    "A formal invitation from Ash Creek."


    My breath caught.


    "What?" My grip on the scroll tightened. "Why would they send an invitation here?"


    Devon''s expression darkened.


    "I''ve actually been working to get my hands on it for a while."His voice was smooth, but there was an unmistakable edge to it."It''s the perfect way for you to get in."


    I scanned the scroll''s contents, my confusion deepening with every word.


    "It''s a royal summons... addressed to the Moon Healer."I looked up at him in shock."That''s me."


    Devon''s lips twitched slightly, a hint of a conspiratorial smile ying at the edges.


    "Seeing as they sent an invitation here, it''s clear that Ash Creek doesn''t have a clue about the Moon Healer''s identity."


    I sucked in a breath. "That''s beside the point. Why do they want me there?"


    "Apparently, the Alpha Queen is gravely ill."


    My stomach turned.


    The Alpha Queen.


    Lydia <i>fucking </i>Cross.


    Dread curled around my insides.


    The universe sure had a twisted sense of humor.


    Lydia Cross¡ªthe woman who had taken so much from me¡ªwas sick.


    And she had unknowingly sent an official summons right to my doorstep, requesting my healing skills.


    The irony was almostughable¡ªif it didn''t feel so utterly bizarre.


    Devon continued, his tone calcted. "They''ve sent letters all across the kingdom trying to locate the Moon Healer."


    He watched me carefully. "You''re incredibly famous, Maeve. Your reputation has spread like wildfire... and now, it has provided us with the perfect opportunity to secure your entrance into Ash Creek."


    My fingers curled around the scroll.


    "So you want me to pose as Lydia''s healer. And then what?"


    His gaze hardened. "Then, I want you to spy on Ivan."


    My pulse spiked.

 Chapter 9: FAKED ORGASM

    <h4>Chapter 9 - 9: FAKED ORGASM</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    <strong>[ONE MONTH AGO]</strong>


    I knew that look in his eyes. He was gauging my reaction, studying me like a chess piece, waiting for my next move.


    I should have expected this.He must have mistaken my silence for agreement, because he pressed on.


    "Once you establish yourself as an unrivaled healer, it''ll be easy to gather intel. You can falsify evidence against Ivan''s leadership¡ªweaknesses, corruption, anything that will help our cause."His voice lowered, lethal. "And... I need you to retrieve a particr ledger called The ck Book."


    My breath hitched. "The ck Book?"


    "It''s a detailed record of every crime and cover-upmitted by thete Alpha King. If we get our hands on it, we''ll have the leverage we need to bring down Ivan and take the throne before he''s crowned."


    I stared at him.


    I could see it now¡ªhis ns, his strategy, the years of careful maneuvering.


    And now, it all hinged on me.


    "I don''t know, Devon." My voice was softer now, uncertainty creeping in. "This sounds risky. What if I get caught? What happens to me then? What happens to Asha?"


    Devon''s jaw tensed.


    "You won''t get caught."


    He reached out, cupping my face, his forehead pressing gently against mine.


    Thest inch of space between us disappeared.


    His voice softened. "And just in case things ever spiral out of control, I swear by the goddessto put an end to the n immediately. No questions asked. No hesitations. You have my word, cara''nia."


    My throat tightened.


    How far had he gone to orchestrate all of this?Exactly how long had he been nning this?It had to have been longer than the five years we''d been together.


    I swallowed thickly, my voice barely above a whisper. "How would I even reach you?"


    "I''ve arranged for a special burner phone." His answer was too easy.


    Too prepared.


    This wasn''t just strategy.It was obsession.


    It hit me then¡ªDevon had been waiting for this moment.


    For years.


    And now, he had found a way to get Asha and me involved.


    I sighed. "I wish Asha didn''t have toe along."


    My voice was small. Tired.


    I could feel it happening¡ªthe slow, inevitable slip.


    I was caving.


    "Bringing him along is the only sure way to stop the wedding," Devon murmured, wrapping his arms around me.


    His touch was warm. Familiar.


    But I could feel something else pressing against me.


    His cock.


    It throbbed against my thigh.


    The heat in his voice darkened.


    "If everyone sees who Asha really is, Ivan will have no reason to go through with the wedding. His heir will already exist."He lowered his lips to my ear."While he''s busy reeling from the illusion of his shiny new heir... we''ll take the throne out from under him."


    "And Dark Wind?" I pressed. "If you seed in conquering Ash Creek, what happens to our life here?"


    Devon''s grip tightened on my waist.


    "Dark Wind will always be ours," he assured me. "But Ash Creek can also belong to us¡ªyou, me, and Asha. With Ivan still without an heir, now is the perfect time to stake our im and take back what''s rightfully ours. Think about it, Maeve. If this works, we could rule both Ash Creek and Dark Wind, securing an impressive legacy for Asha."


    I let his words sink in.


    I still felt uneasy about his ns, but he was doing all of this for us¡ªfor our family.


    If this was his way of ensuring our future, why shouldn''t I y my part?


    Besides, it was the perfect opportunity to finally sever my mate bond with Ivan and be done with the wrath curse once and for all.


    Most called it the Wrath Bond.


    To me, it had been nothing but a living nightmare¡ªa constant reminder of a connection I wanted severed.


    A curse that followed me into my new life, affecting my every move, tainting even the most intimate moments.


    Now that I was mated to Devon, ending the bond with Ivan was the only way forward.


    And honestly? It wouldn''t hurt to watch Lydia, Ivan, and Serena suffer for everything they had done.


    The thought alone gave me rity.


    With these convictions in mind, I finally found the courage to make my decision.


    "Fine. I''ll do it. All of it."


    Devon sucked in a sharp breath.His brown gaze burned into me, filled with something new.


    Adoration.Or maybe lust.


    His voice dropped to a low, husky octave. "You''re sure?"


    I nodded. "No looking back."


    Devon''s lips tilted into a knowing smirk. "No looking back."


    "Goddess," he rasped, his breath hot against my lips, "how the hell did I manage to snag a wolf like you?"


    His lips crushed against mine, sinking me into a deep, desperate kiss.


    I melted into him, my fingers threading through his hair as he devoured my mouth.


    He scooped me up, carrying me to the oak table in the corner.Not once did he break the fervent connection between us.


    The moment my back hit the tabletop, Devon pushed my dress up, his fingers rough against my thighs.


    I fumbled at his belt, my fingers trembling with urgency.


    Finally, his trousers came undone, and his cock sprang free.


    My breath hitched.


    Devon didn''t hesitate.In one swift, punishing thrust, he mmed into me, filling me to the hilt.


    A strangled moan tore from my lips.


    Within seconds, we were fucking like animals atop the desk, the room filled with the wet, obscene sounds of our sex.


    I dug my nails into his biceps, arching into him, meeting every forceful thrust with equal desperation.


    The pressure built fast, tightening in my core.


    I was so close¡ªso achingly close.


    But then, like a cruel twist of fate, it happened.


    Ivan.


    Goddess, not now.


    A sharp wave of nausea rolled through me.


    More images flooded my mind.Images of how he used to fuck me.How his hands had gripped my thighs.How his voice had sounded rough against my skin.


    I squeezed my eyes shut, fighting against it, but the memories only magnified in intensity.


    I hated this.


    I hated that even now, even after five years, my wolf still yed these cruel tricks on me.


    Fucking Wrath Bond.


    I had read about it during my studies as a healer.


    It was a bitch of a curse.


    A destined mate''sst form of control.


    Even when I didn''t want him¡ªeven when I had already chosen Devon¡ªit forced Ivan''s presence into my most intimate moments.


    It made me remember.


    It made me ache for something I had no desire to want.


    Devon groaned, gripping my ass, thrusting harder.


    He waspletely lost in the moment.Oblivious.To the images haunting me.To the war raging inside me.


    I clenched my jaw, biting down hard on my bottom lip.


    Don''t you dare say his name, Maeve.


    The pressure built higher, higher, but it wasn''t because of Devon.


    I hated myself for it.I hated my traitorous wolf.


    I hated Ivan Cross.


    And so, I did the only thing I knew how to do.


    I faked my orgasm.

 Chapter 10: BASTARD CHILD

    <h4>Chapter 10 - 10: BASTARD CHILD</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    <strong>[THE PRESENT]</strong>


    After I objected to Ivan''s union with Serena, time seemed toe to a halt as my destined mate and I faced off.


    He looked different from thest time I saw him, yet somehow, exactly the same.It was like getting behind the wheel after years of not driving.


    Familiar, yet strangely foreign.


    I stood below the makeshift altar at Ash Creek, my gaze locked onto his.


    His cheekbones were sharper.His jawline more chiseled.There were new lines around his mouth, but they didn''t take away from his good looks.


    If anything, they made him even more devastatingly attractive.


    I tried not to stare.Tried not to notice the broadness of his shoulders, the way his biceps strained against his suit.Tried not to acknowledge the dark intensity of his gray eyes.


    Tried not to react to the pull of our bond.But my wolf had a mind of her own.


    For a split second, attraction sizzled in the space between us.A natural reaction after being apart for so long.


    That''s all it was.


    A side effect of the Wrath Bond.It didn''t mean anything.I didn''t love him.I didn''tevenwant him.


    I was here to take him down.


    And I was not going to let a chiseled jawline, a perfectly groomed stubble, or thick, muscr biceps distract me.


    Not this time.


    The hall was in chaos.There were shes of camera lights.Murmurs.Gasps.


    Asha squeezed my hand.Reminding me why I was here.I was doing this for him.For the future he deserved.A future where he wouldn''t be undermined.Where he wouldn''t be ridiculed for being different.


    I knew what it was like to be an outcast.To be beaten down and broken.To be treated as though I was worthless.


    And now, with Devon''s support, I finally had a chance to change that.To give Asha the legacy he deserved.A throne.A name that carried power.


    But first, I had to take Ivan down.And I wasn''t going to stop until Lydia and Serena fell with him.


    I noticed Ivan watching Asha.His brows furrowed.His jaw ticked.I stepped forward, pulling my son with me.


    "I object to this union."I repeated. The words rang loud and clear across the room.


    The murmurs grew deafening.Some people stood up, gasping in disbelief.I wasn''t done.


    "For those who do not know me," I continued, "my name is Maeve. Five years ago, I was married to Ivan Cross. I still share a mating bond with him, and this little boy right here¡ª" I lifted Asha''s arm, "is his son and rightful heir."


    Silence.Dead silence.Even the air in the hall felt still.


    I felt the weight of hundreds of eyes on us.I looked at Ivan.If he was shocked by my sudden return, he looked absolutely floored now.


    His mouth was slightly open, his gaze bouncing between me and Asha.He looked lost.Like he was trying to process the impossible.


    A guard in a charcoal suit grabbed my arm.I jerked away, fiercely shrugging him off.His gaze met mine, and for a brief moment, I saw the recognition in his eyes.


    He knew me.Knew who I had been before.


    I ignored him and turned back to the perplexed pair on the altar.This time, I spoke directly to Ivan.


    "I request a private audience with you. I''m not leaving until I get it."


    The next voice was not Ivan''s.It was Serena''s.


    "You sleazy, lying bitch!" she shrieked.


    She gathered the hem of her gown as she stomped down the altar steps, her heels clicking furiously against the floor.


    Her face was twisted with rage.In the past, Serena''s anger would have made me cower.I would have flinched, fearing her sometimes harsh words, even though she was my best friend.


    But now?


    Goddess, now, I was amused.


    She was so furious that her bridal makeup was close to smudging.And I was all for it.


    "How are you even alive?" she demanded, her perfectly manicured finger pointed at me.


    Then, as though the thought suddenly hit her, she took a sharp step forward.


    "But more importantly¡ª" her voice rose in hysteria "how DARE youe here and ruin my mating ceremony? My wedding!"


    She was practically vibrating with rage.And I couldn''t help myself.Laughter bubbled from my lips.


    It came out in soft, amused chuckles before spilling into a full-blown, unrestrainedugh.Myughter bouncedoff the wallsof the quiet hall.


    Serena''s face turned even redder.


    "You think this is funny?" she snarled, baring her fangs.


    I ignored Serena''s outburst, wiping an invisible tear from the corner of my eye.


    "Of course, I do. Don''t you?" I said lightly, tilting my head at her. "Come on, Serena, I can''t be the only one who sees the irony in all of this."


    Her face darkened.


    "So, this is revenge then?" she snapped, gripping her dress with tight fists. "I ruined your life, and now you''vee to ruin my wedding by trying to pass your bastard off as Ash Creek''s heir?"


    She was taunting me, hoping to provoke a reaction by calling Asha a bastard.


    Rather than take the bait, I remainedpletely calm, unfazed, and fuckingposed.I smirked in the face of her brewing rage.


    "What''s the matter, Serena?" I asked smoothly. "Afraid I might be right? That my son''s im is legitimate? That you''ll be discarded¡ªsent back to being the insignificant, worthless thing you''ve always been?"


    Her face twisted.


    "You''re crazy," she hissed, spinning toward Ivan. "Ivan? Honey? Ignore her. Command the priest to proceed with the ceremony. This is nothing more than a ruse¡ªa pathetic distraction."


    Her voice rose in indignation.When Ivan failed to acknowledge her, her anger deepened.


    "Ivan!" she growled, her voice turning shrill. "Stop looking at her! Can''t you see? This is exactly what she wants! To throw us off course! Get a grip already and uphold yourmitment to me, dammit!"


    She stamped her foot, nearly shrieking in frustration.


    But Ivan still didn''t respond.His gaze was still locked on me and Asha.As though he didn''t know how to look away¡ªeven if he wanted to.


    I knew why.


    The Wrath Bond.


    Even after all these years, it still held him captive.


    I could feel it too¡ªthe tangled web of emotions inside me, my wolf''s restless desperation to reach for him, despite the hatred coiling in my chest.


    I fought to suppress it.To bury it.To make sure none of it showed on my face.Thest thing I wanted was for Ivan Cross to think I desired him.


    "This is ridiculous," a sharp voice boomed across the hall.


    The murmurs fell silent.


    All heads turned toward the sound.


    Luna Lydia.


    My old friend.

 Chapter 11: THE MOON HEALER

    <h4>Chapter 11 - 11: THE MOON HEALER</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    She stepped out of the crowd, her movements slowbut indisputably regal.Her face was twisted in a sneer, hatred burning in her dark eyes.


    She was exactly as I remembered.Only older.Thinner.So thin that it was a wonder she could still stand.


    "Mother," Ivan called, snapping out of his reverie.He rushed to her side, holding her frail shoulders. "You should be in bed."


    "I was," she said coolly, her tone filled with spite. "Until I received word that a wedding crasher had entered the hall."


    Her wicked gaze snapped back to me.Five years ago, the mere sight of her re would have sent me into tears.


    I would have flinched, bracing for the inevitable blows.Lydia Cross had an iron fist.And her strikessted for hours.


    My nostrils red with rage as memories of her abuse resurfaced.


    "You''ve got some nerve showing up here after all this time, Maeve Oakes."


    I smiled at her.A smug, knowing smile.


    "Nice to see you too, Lydia. You look exactly as Ist remember."


    Her expression hardened.


    "Save the pretense, you lying, two-faced whore."She spat the words at me, her body trembling with rage.


    "Your health, Mother," Ivan warned.


    She turned to him, giving him a sharp look.


    "I don''t know what she''s told you, but it''s all a lie." Her voice was coldandcutting. "There''s no way that boy at her side is yours. She''s only trying to manipte you¡ªto pin another man''s bastard on you. She''s nothing more than a gold digger."


    My vision went red.I dared her to say it again.


    "Call my son a bastard one more time," I snarled, stepping forward, my voice low and full of warning.


    I was done.Done with the backhanded attacks.Done with their lies.Done letting them speak about my child like he was nothing.


    Lydia lifted her chin, staring at me with pure loathing.


    "Get out of my home," she snapped, her voice filled with venom.She pointed directly at Asha."Take your child and leave. You are not wee here."


    I held my ground.


    "You can''t make me leave."My voice was low, but authoritative.


    I was not the weak girl she had once tormented.I was a Luna now.A healer.A mother.And I wasn''t backing down.


    "Until I get what I came for, I''m staying right here."


    The murmurs rose again, hushed whispers filling the air.Asha didn''t say a word the entire time. He just held on to my side, clinging tighter the louder the hall got.


    I had prepared him for this ¡ª not the full truth, obviously, but enough to get him through it. I told him we were ying a role, like a story or a pretend show.


    That today was going to feel confusing, but it wasn''t real. That the man standing on the altar might say things or act like he knew him, but he didn''t.


    I told him Devon was his father, and no matter what he heard today, no matter what anyone imed, that wouldn''t change.


    I made it clear it was all make-believe ¡ª a performance we had to do for something important. And Asha, bless his heart, believed me.


    He nodded at the time and promised he''d follow my lead, even if he didn''t fully understand. That''s all I needed from him ¡ª trust.


    "Enough."Ivan''s voiceof quiet irritationcut through the noise.


    He turned to me, his expression carefully concealed.


    "You want a private audience with me?" He remained calm. Controlled.Almost unfazed. "Fine."


    "No, Ivan."Lydia gripped his arm, her frail fingers wing into his sleeve.


    "What are you so afraid of?" I scoffed, augh escaping my lips. "Are you scared that I''ve returned to reim my ce beside your son? Guess again. I''m not here to live among your brooding lot of sadistic vipers. The only reason I''vee is to address an urgent matter¡ªand to break the mating bond between me and Ivan."


    "Lies!" Lydia bellowed, her grating voice sharp enough to pierce ss. "If that were true, you wouldn''t have brought your spawn along with you! You''re up to something. Whatever it is, you won''t get it."


    She turned to the nearest guards, snapping out a sharpmand.


    "Get rid of her. You have ten seconds to throw her out."


    The guards immediately moved to do her bidding, stepping toward me with purposeful strides.


    But before they couldy a single hand on me, I straightened my spine and spoke in a voice that echoed across the hall.


    "Is this how you treat the Moon Healer¡ªafter she''s traveled all this way to honor your invitation?"


    A ripple of shocked gasps spread through the crowd.


    "What? What did you just say?" Ivan''s deep voice tightened, a sliver of a scowl on his face.


    I met his stunned gaze.


    "I am the Moon Healer," I repeated, louder this time. "The very one you extended an official invitation to."


    "That''s impossible," he growled, as though to physically reject the idea. "There''s no way you''re the Moon Healer."


    "I am."


    As evidence, I reached into my purse and pulled out the royal summons.I held it up for everyone to see.The whispers intensified.


    "She''s telling the truth."


    "That''s Maeve¡ªthe destined mate of the future Alpha!She''s the Moon Healer?"


    "How does she have a son for him? Why did it take her this long to return?"


    The air buzzed with spection, the tension doubling in the hall by the second. And thenRevierrie stepped forward.The priest''s presence alone was enough to silence the room.


    He moved as calmly as the wind. All eyes followed him as he approached me.


    "May I see the summons?" he requested, extending his hand.


    I nodded once and passed it to him.He studied the parchment in silence, his keen gaze flickering across the words.


    When he returned it to me, something had shifted in his eyes.A look of fascination.A look reserved for something rare.


    "It seems you are telling the truth after all," Revierrie said atst. "You are the healer. The best in the city, apparently."


    "Bullshit!" Serena snapped, her voice vibrating with rage.


    "There''s no way she''s the healer," Lydia added, looking both pissed and perplexed.


    Revierrie ignored them both.Instead, he turned to Ivan and spoke with quiet authority.


    "Maeve is the healer you summoned. Whether we like it or not, she is the Luna''s only hope for survival. I advise you to put your grievances aside for now and prioritize your mother''s health. As for the boy¡ª" his gaze flickered briefly to Asha "¡ªwe will conduct a DNA test to confirm his parentage."


    A dead silence followed.


    And then¡ª


    "You''ve got to be kidding me!"Serena screamed, gripping handfuls of her perfectly styled hair. Her fancy updo copsed into a wild mess."A DNA test? There''s no fucking way that''s happening!"


    Her entire body jerked around to face me, her movements erratic.Her eyes¡ªwild.Red with tears.


    "You!" she shrieked, her voice nearly cracking. "There''s no way I''m letting you take away everything I''ve built since you''ve been gone! I''d rather kill you first than let you take it all away!"


    Before anyone could react, she lunged.It happened so fast.The sh of white wedding silk.The blur of her manicured ws.The snarled promise of violence.


    But before she couldy a single scratch on me¡ªIvan caught her.


    His fingers mped around her arm like a vice.With one swift, forceful movement, he yanked her backward.Serena stumbled, her breath hitching in shock.


    And then, with a chilling coldness, Ivan turned her toward the guards.


    "Detain her," he ordered.


    His tone empty. Devoid of emotions.Deadly.Gasps rang through the hall.Even I was taken aback.


    What was he ying at?He had to have an angle.


    Serena panicked.Her entire body went rigid as the guards stepped in.She thrashed violently, her voice rising into a wail.


    "Ivan! Don''t do this!"Her desperate plea rang out, but Ivan didn''t even look at her.Didn''t acknowledge her.Didn''t care.


    Instead, he turned back to Revierrie, his voice controlled.


    "We will proceed with the healer," he dered. "And in the meantime, conduct the DNA test on the boy."

 Chapter 12: DON’T TEMPT ME

    <h4>Chapter 12 - 12: DON''T TEMPT ME</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE''S POV</strong>


    The Ash Creek study was exactly as Ist remembered. The mahogany table was still sleek, overlooking the length of the French windows.


    There were shelves on the adjacent wall, lined with stacks of books.


    I studied the details of the study, doing everything to avoid thinking about the repercussions of the chaos I had caused in the wedding hall.


    I knew there would be consequences.


    It didn''t matter if the DNA result came back positive. It didn''t matter that I was the Moon Healer.


    Someone as vindictive as Lydia was going to make sure I was punished in some way for returning to Ash Creek and disrupting the heir''s wedding.


    After I had left five years ago, it had been quite apparent that I was never meant to return, yet here I was.


    The double doors of the study burst open, taking me by surprise.I turned around to find Ivan standing in the doorway.


    Behind him, the noise from the hallway filtered into the room, keying me into the fact that everything was still a mess.Because of me.


    Ivan shut the door slowly, his movements stilted and filled with tension. He tilted his head for a moment, observing me with those dark, stormy gray eyes that felt like a teasing graze of fingers down my skin.


    Then coldly, he pulled away, talking toward me.


    Thest time we had been alone together in a room, he had made love to me. Tender. Worshipful. Devouring me with the hungry, hard lines of his mouth.


    Ivan Cross didn''t look like he wanted to make love to me right now.If anything, he looked like he wanted to strangle me.


    Well, he wishes.


    I moved calmly, ignoring him, turning toward the shelves. I pulled a book from the shelf and pretended to study it.


    His footstep drew closer, the hairs on my back standing, but I stood my ground, continuing to flip through the pages mindlessly until he seized my arm without warning.


    Before I could react, the book slipped from my grasp.Then, suddenly, I was backed against the shelf.


    He ced both hands on the wood behind my head, caging me in, rendering me vulnerable to the overwhelming warmth of his scent. A curl of heat fluttered through my belly.


    He smelled sinful. Delightfully delicious in the worst way. That once addictive scent. And now, he was pressing closer, making it impossible for me to escape, even if I wanted to.


    "What do you think you are doing?" I asked, ring up at him."Have you never heard of the concept of personal space before? Get your hands off me!"


    Ivan didn''t move. His voice was low and edged with something dark as he murmured:


    "Why did youe back?" His hot breath ghosted my lips.


    "Where''s my son?" I asked instead, ignoring his question.


    Frankly, my son''s whereabouts were all that mattered to me right now.Thest I had seen of him, the priest, Revierrie, had led him away to an adjoining room to conduct a DNA test.


    I had stood there, frozen, as my son was led away. It had taken everything in me not to pull him back into my arms.


    My palms had itched to spare him the difort of the sampling, to shield him from being prodded by strangers.But I couldn''t.


    ording to Devon''s carefullyid-out strategy, there needed to be proof. Proof that Asha was Ivan''s heir. The first step in gaining Ivan''s trust. The first move in tearing down some of his walls.


    "He''s fine," Ivan said, his tone clipped.He was watching me closely. Too closely. Like he was trying to tear through my mind, rip apart every wall I had built over thest five years. "You''re yet to give me an answer."


    "I don''t know what kind of answer you''re expecting," I shot back, lifting a manicured finger and pressing it against his chest¡ªright above his heart."Last time I checked, you were the one who sent a letter to my doorstep. You summoned the Moon Healer."I arched a brow."You sent for me, Ivan. And here I am."


    "I don''t buy it." His nostrils red, voice darkened by those low, cutting edge. "There''s no way you came all this way just to heal my mother, of all fucking people. No, Maeve¡ªyou''re up to something. And you''re going to tell me what it is."


    He pushed closer¡ªuntil our chests nearly touched. Now, there was nowhere to look but into his eyes. Fire and ice, all in one. Enough to steal my next breath. The bond between us red: that damnable, cursed wrath bond.


    I pressed my palms t against his chest, trying to push him away, but it was a mistake. The movement only brought us closer.


    "I am first a healer before anything else, and you might not know this, but the Cross royal family is dead to me. I don''t care enough to hold useless grudges." I lied easily, reinforcing with a sharp re. "Now, move aside, neanderthal. You have no right to be this close to me."


    The man only chuckled, a sound so dismissive, it actually stung.


    "I must remind you, Maeve, that I am still your Alpha, and I will stand wherever I damn well please. For the sake of my next question, I''ll disregard the tone of your disrespect." His gaze pinned me on the spot, cold and lethal. "Tell me truthfully now¡ªis that boy truly mine?"


    That boy. He was talking about Asha.


    My spine stiffened instinctively, yet I let my voice convey an airy bite.


    "I don''t believe I stuttered earlier, did I, <i>Alpha</i>? Or has being devastatingly arrogant finally dulled your hearing?"


    His jaw ticked.


    "Why did you hide the fact that you were pregnant, Maeve? You led me to believe that you had suffered a miscarriage! I demand to know why."


    I snorted."I didn''t know that I was still with child until after I left. It''s almost as though fate rewarded me for leaving you."


    Fire burned in his eyes.


    "You could have returned after you found out you were carrying my child!" His voice hardened, a deep rumble filled with usation. "You had no right to keep my son away from me for five years."


    "Your son?" I scoffed, a dryugh escaping. "You acted like a robot most of the time we were together. How was I supposed to know you wouldn''t treat him the same way you treated me?"


    "This isn''t about you and your insecurities, Maeve.This is about you hiding my heir from me for thest five years. I should have you executed for this. And even then, it wouldn''te close to what you deserve."


    "Really?" I threw my head back andughed in his face, bitterly. "I''d like to see you try, Mister Big Bad Alpha. I dare you."


    His jaw clenched tightly, evidently fuming in a quiet, helpless rage. He looked like he wanted to squeeze the life right out of me¡ªbut also, something else lit darker in his gaze.


    Something that feathered his heavy, teasing breath over my lips, as his eyesnguidly dropped to them, then to my exposed neck, my swollen cleavage, robust against the tight, corseted dress.


    Those stormy gray eyes darkened before he forced them back to mine.


    The temperate dropped. A shiver trailed down my spine.


    "You think this is funny?"


    "Why?" I taunted, tilting my head. "Don''t you?"


    "Don''t tempt me, Maeve," he growled dangerously low, leaning in until I could feel the heat of him. "I''ll have you dragged down to the dungeons, stripped naked, with nothing but silver biting into your skin while you''re left shivering in the dark. And the only warmth you''ll taste for days¡ª" his lips grazed my ear, "¡ªwill be what''s left of your body when I''m done using you to take this edge off."

 Chapter 13: DYING TO KISS

    <h4>Chapter 13: Chapter 13: DYING TO KISS</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    My breath hitched.


    But even then, I knew this game.


    ssic intimidation.


    A power y. A test. A demand for submission.


    He still thought I was the same woman he knew five years ago, the woman who bent over backward to please him.


    The woman who withered under his indifference. The woman who ached for his approval, no matter how little he gave.


    I wasn¡¯t that woman anymore. It was about time I showed him.


    "You¡¯re not man enough to scare me, Ivan. Maybe you were once. But I bled that fear out a long time ago."


    His expression remained stoic, but I saw it¡ªthe quick sh of surprise in his eyes.


    "What were you expecting?" I smirked then. "That I¡¯d whimper and cower at the sound of your threats? That might have worked in the past, but not anymore."


    Something shifted in his expression¡ªdark amusement.


    "Careful, Maeve." His voice dropped to a warning. "Keep running that mouth, and I just might find out how well it works when you¡¯re choking on your own breath."


    His hands clenched at his sides, and I saw how much he was fighting the urge to touch me. Choke me. Those handsrge, lined with thick veins.


    I wondered what it would feel like to be touched by Ivan Cross again. Would his hands burn as hot as the fire in his eyes?


    Would they be rough? Hard? Would they grip and im and take? Going by the insanity of the wrath bond, I could tell¡ªhe wanted to fuck me.


    Badly.


    His eyes were drowning in his wolf¡¯s hunger.


    Wasn¡¯t it ironic? I¡¯d spent my whole life waiting to be looked at like this by Ivan¡ªand the moment he finally did was the moment he¡¯d already lost me.


    But even then, I couldn¡¯t help the subtle, shameful wondering: would his thrusts be slow and sensual... or just as soulless as he¡¯d always been?


    Would I have to fake an orgasm, like I did over and over with Devon? Or would Ivan take me the fucking monster he was?


    Heat curled low in my belly at the thought of being taken apart by the same asshole my wolf craved above all else.


    Well. I guess I¡¯d never know.


    "Your empty threats mean nothing to me," I tilted my chin, feigning boredom. "You act all high and mighty," I continued. "But let¡¯s get one thing straight, Ivan¡ªyou need me. If you didn¡¯t, you wouldn¡¯t have sent your dogs crawling to beg for the girl you once called worthless. So if you want your precious mother breathing by sunrise, I suggest you watch your tone... and try something new, like respect."


    "I never knew you were the Moon Healer," he ground out, jaw ticking. "If I had¡ª"


    "What?" I cut him off with a scoff. "You would never have sent for me? It¡¯s not toote, you know. I can still leave. I can walk away right now with Asha¡ª" I pushed closer, leveling him with a re. "And there¡¯s nothing you can do to stop me."


    Ivan stilled.


    "Asha," he repeated, softer this time, slower. But then, his eyes snapped in the next breath. "You really think I¡¯ll let my son leave with the woman who vanished in the night and kept him from me for five fucking years?" He chuckled, dark and sinful. "Try it. I dare you."


    "He¡¯s my son!"


    "He¡¯s mine too," Ivan growled. "And if you take him again, I swear to the goddess, I¡¯ll burn down the fucking world to bring him back."


    For a moment, I was taken aback by his intensity. The test result had yet to be revealed, yet he already felt possessive of Asha. Exactly as Devon predicted.


    If he was right, this might be enough to end the wedding entirely.


    "The DNA results haven¡¯t evene in yet. How can you be so sure that he¡¯s yours?" I raised a brow.


    "Because I know you, Maeve." He exhaled a deep breath, his gaze locked onto mine. It was the first time he didn¡¯t lead with a scowl. "You never would have brought him here if you weren¡¯t already sure of his identity. But what I don¡¯t understand is why you stayed away for so long. Where have you been all this time? And why now? Whye back just to ruin my chance at finding love with another?"


    Love? Did he say love?


    The thought of Ivan being in love with anyone was ludicrous. He was unemotional and cold.


    And yet, that was part of his appeal¡ªthe air of mystery, the brutal indifference. That face, sculpted like sin itself.


    Even before we were mated, women flocked to him. Even afterward, they still harbored not-so-secret feelings. Loving a man like Ivan Cross was a death sentence.


    And in the end, I had died willingly.


    "Love? Ruin?" I snorted. "Again, I remind you¡ªit was you who summoned me here to heal your mother. But don¡¯t worry, Ivan. I retain my right to leave the minute I feel unwee."


    "I know for a fact that you hate the ailing queen. Why would someone like you care if she lives or dies? It makes no sense that you¡¯de all this way just to heal her."


    "Again, I am a healer. My personal feelings do not interfere with my profession."


    "Again, I don¡¯t believe you." His lips twisted. "I¡¯m going to get to the bottom of this, and when I do¡ª" he pressed harder into me, voice like a growl "¡ªthere will be consequences."


    "Fine," I snarled, meeting his intensity with my own. "You want to know why I¡¯m here? Apart from revealing Asha¡¯s identity as the rightful heir of Ash Creek, I came back to break the mating bond between us. That¡¯s how much I want to be free of you."


    His expression didn¡¯t change. If anything, his gaze darkened, thick with something dangerous.


    "You don¡¯t want that," he whispered.


    "And how the hell would you know what I want?"


    "Because," he breathed, "I¡¯ve been pressed up against you for thest fifteen minutes, and you haven¡¯t done a damn thing to stop me."


    A slow, seething horror spread through me. Because he was right.


    We were touching everywhere, and I hadn¡¯t moved. Hadn¡¯t pushed him away again. My wolf liked being close to him. Even if I didn¡¯t.


    "I haven¡¯t shoved you off yet because I¡¯ve been too busy trying to put your ego in its ce," I threw back, salvaging thest of my pride. "But please, don¡¯t let my being here stop you. Go ahead, Ivan¡ªfind yourself another poor, desperate woman willing to put up with a narcissist like you." I lifted my chin. "Meanwhile, I¡¯ll be severing thest thing tying me to you. Now, get away from me."


    This time, I shoved him with every ounce of strength I had.


    But rather than the satisfaction I craved, he caught my wrists¡ªhard¡ªand yanked me closer, lifting my chin until my lips were barely a breath away from his.


    "Narcissist," he murmured, smirking. The movement brought his lips so devastatingly close, I could feel his breath on my skin. "Didn¡¯t stop you from loving me five years ago."


    "Loving you was a mistake," Ished out. "One I¡¯ll never make again."


    "You¡¯re lying," he whispered, his hand pressing lower, right against the curve of my spine. "You¡¯re probably dying to kiss me right now."


    "What?" I sucked in a sharp breath. "You¡¯re insane!"


    The bastard¡¯s smirk widened.

 Chapter 14: THE PERFECT SLAP

    <h4>Chapter 14: Chapter 14: THE PERFECT SLAP</h4>


    <strong>IVAN</strong><strong>¡¯S POV</strong>


    She wanted me.


    Even after all this time, the pull between us was still there.


    Maeve may be an insufferable piece of work, but she was right about one thing¡ªshe wasn¡¯t the same woman I knew five years ago.


    The Maeve I used to know had been sweet. Submissive. A natural pleaser.


    This Maeve¡ªthe she-wolf locked in a battle of wills with me¡ªwas something else entirely.


    She was fire and confidence wrapped in soft, dangerous curves. And Goddess help me, it made her even sexier. The best part was that she still wanted me.


    Even as we threw barbs at each other, even as I held her flush against me, her body told me everything her mouth refused to say.


    The warmth of her skin, the way she trembled, the breathy rise and fall of her chest¡ªI knew that look.


    My wolf snarled against the walls of my control, wing to break free. To im her. I wondered¡ªwhat would she do if I kissed her?


    Would she scratch, bite, fight? This new Maeve seemed the type.


    But Serena¡ª


    My supposed bride.


    I wasn¡¯t that much of a bastard. But she was probably outside the door, tearing herself apart, wondering how much longer I would stay locked in here with her former best friend.


    Five years ago, I had chosen Serena as a breeder because it was the logical thing to do.


    She showed up with whispers of Maeve¡¯s drinking, pictures, promises of heirs, and the perfect pedigree. My parents approved. So I agreed.


    And Maeve had felt betrayed. But back then, I hadn¡¯t been able to bring myself to care. Duty came first. The pack came first.


    Then she left.


    And for months, I forced myself to forget she ever existed. But the bond didn¡¯t let me.


    It twisted inside me, dug its ws into my soul, until I had no choice but to acknowledge it¡ªto acknowledge that I missed her. Craved her.


    And now, after five years, with her body flush against mine, it took everything in me not to taste her.


    I didn¡¯t deserve this closeness, but fuck, I wanted it. She had filled out¡ªfuller breasts, softer curves, wider hips.


    I¡¯d bet my left nut she looked even better naked. I was already hard thinking about it.


    "Ivan," she rasped, snapping me back to the present. "Let. Me. Go."


    She struggled against my grip, her wrists twisting in my hold. For the first time, I really looked at her¡ªbeyond my own desires.


    She looked... shaken. Not just angry. Not just guilty. But resentful.


    I released her immediately, like she was made of fire.


    Clearing my throat, I stepped back, putting space between us.


    If she noticed the strain in my trousers, she was doing a damn good job pretending she didn¡¯t. It made me question¡ªwhat the fuck was I doing?


    I hade here for answers¡ªand all I¡¯d done was act like a pup in heat.


    Pathetic.


    Anger boiled inside me, my nostrils ring with the force of it.


    At myself, for losing control. At her, for crashing back into my life like a fucking storm and ruining my ns in the span of an hour.


    And worse¡ªat this reckless attraction that refused to die.


    "You¡¯re enjoying this, aren¡¯t you?" I bit out.


    Maeve¡¯s breath was still shaky as she stared at me, back against the shelf like she was forcing herself to stay put instead of running from me.


    "What the hell are you talking about?"


    I gestured between us.


    "This. Crashing my wedding. Wrecking everything. You always did love turning my life into a goddamn mess. You think you¡¯ve got me cornered with the im that your son is mine?" I leaned in slightly, my voice dropping to a harsh whisper. "Guess what, Maeve? Until that DNA test proves it, your boy is just some other wolf¡¯s bastard you¡¯re trying to pin on me."


    It was a lie. And I knew it the second the words left my mouth.


    Asha was mine. I felt it in my bones, in the primal, gut-wrenching way a wolf recognized his own blood.


    But if I admitted that¡ªif I epted it without question¡ªthen I¡¯d have to face the truth I¡¯d been trying to ignore since she walked in with him.


    I had a son. A son who had spent five years without me. A son who had never known me, never needed me.


    That realization sat like a rusted de between my ribs, eating at me in ways I wasn¡¯t ready to confront.


    So, I said the one thing that would make Maeve feel even a fraction of the bitterness wing at my insides.


    "Are you trying to call me a liar?" she asked slowly, dangerously.


    "Wouldn¡¯t be the first time something like that happened."


    "I would never lie about something as important as this."


    "You kept it a secret from me for five years. Who knows what other secrets you¡¯re hiding?"


    The usations spilled from my lips faster than I could stop them. But maybe I didn¡¯t want to stop them.


    Maeve looked like she wanted to set me on fire. How the hell did we get here?


    One minute, we were at each other¡¯s throats, the next, we were drowning in a thick fog of lust, barely restraining ourselves from ripping each other¡¯s clothes off.


    It unsettled me¡ªhow easily she pulled me under. How much control I had almost lost. It proved what I already knew.


    Maeve Oakes was dangerous.


    And until I figured out why she was really here, I had to treat her like the enemy she was.


    "How can you use me of trying to pass another wolf¡¯s son as yours?" she seethed, breathing out in huffs as she stormed toward me. "I know things were rocky between us when we were married, but you of all people should know that I would never lie to you about this."


    I rolled my eyes. "Wouldn¡¯t be that surprising if you did."


    She stiffened. Good.


    "Last time I checked, you were a drunk who couldn¡¯t tell the difference between a miscarriage and an ident. Maybe you would have¡ªif you hadn¡¯t taken to drinking so¡ª"


    The p came like a lightning strike.


    Brutal. A perfect snap of skin against skin.


    And I let her do it.


    I had been baiting her for it, waiting for the blow. Anything to drag me out of whatever spell she had me under.


    "How dare you?" Maeve gritted out, fists trembling at her sides. For a second, I thought she might hit me again. I almost wanted her to.


    "You have no right to throw that in my face." Her voice was raw, shaking with rage. "You must have a fucking death wish, Ivan Cross. I may be standing in your shitty pack right now, but if you think I¡¯m going to take your bullshit in stride like I used to, then you¡¯ve got another thinging."


    She was furious. The angriest I had ever seen her.


    And damn if it didn¡¯t make me want her more.


    I flexed my jaw, forcing my expression into something cold and indifferent.


    "All I did was state the truth, Maeve. You¡¯re the one who can¡¯t handle it."


    She let out a bitterugh, shaking her head. "This just confirms what I¡¯ve always known about you."


    I arched a brow, amused despite myself. "Oh? And what¡¯s that?"


    "That you¡¯re a worthless scumbag. And somehow, you¡¯ve only gotten worse."


    I smirked. "Hate to break it to you, sunshine, but you¡¯re not the first she-wolf to say that to me, and you sure as hell won¡¯t be thest."


    Her breath hitched, nostrils ring. I could tell she was seconds away from trying to w my face off.


    "One of the worst things that ever happened to me was being mated to you," she spat. "I can¡¯t wait to break this damn bond and finally sever whatever twisted connection exists between us."


    "The feeling is incredibly mutual, sweetheart."


    Her lips parted like she had more to say¡ªmaybe another insult, maybe another p.


    And for one twisted, fucked-up second, I wanted her to.


    "Fuck you."


    Then she spun on her heel and stormed out, leaving me to stare after the sway of her ass.


    I exhaled sharply, raking a hand through my hair.


    She was wrong about one thing.


    I was already fucked.

 Chapter 15: GET OUT, SERENA

    <h4>Chapter 15: Chapter 15: GET OUT, SERENA</h4>


    <strong>IVAN</strong><strong>¡¯S POV</strong>


    I was still reeling from my meeting with Maeve as I returned to the throne room, dispersing thest of the wedding crowd.


    At this point, it was clear¡ªthere wasn¡¯t going to be a wedding anymore.


    The flower arrangements were already being cleared away. The decorations were being pulled down.


    Serena was nowhere to be found. Most likely holed up in her chambers, throwing a fit. She had spent weeks nning this wedding¡ªobsessing over everyst detail.


    I could understand why she¡¯d be upset. But it didn¡¯t change the fact that I had an heir.


    Although the DNA results had yet to be revealed, I couldn¡¯t deny the resemnce. The boy was mine.


    The test was nothing more than a formality¡ªsomething to silence any opposition that might arise in the future.


    I had been around pack politics long enough to know that legitimacy was everything. A single shred of doubt could create fractures that would be impossible to mend.


    And thest thing I wanted was for Asha to grow up as a question mark. Or for Maeve to be left vulnerable to the inevitable bacsh.


    While we waited for the results, I made arrangements for both of them to stay in the Alpha¡¯s wing. Lavish. Spacious. Right across from Mother¡¯s chambers.


    It was practical.


    Maeve needed easy ess to her patient, and I needed her where I could keep an eye on her. Now, all that was left was for her to do what she came here to do.


    By the time I made it back to my chambers, I was exhausted.


    I unfastened my bow tie, tugging it loose as I reached for the decanter of brandy on my dresser. Halfway there, I switched on the lights.


    And stopped.


    Serena was sprawled across my bed. Still in her wedding dress, sans veil.


    Her borate updo had fallen into a mess of tangled curls. Mascara streaked down her face, staining her cheeks.


    And in her grip, my decanter of brandy. Half-empty.


    I narrowed my eyes at the quickly diminishing alcohol stash.


    "Well, this is quite the development," I muttered, my voice devoid of the passion I had used with Maeve.


    At the sound of my voice, Serena¡¯s head jerked off my pillows.


    "Ivan. Baby." She blinked sluggishly, struggling to focus. "Where have you been? I¡¯ve been waiting ages for you."


    Her voice slurred. She burped, udylike, unbothered, then tried to climb off the bed. Tried, and failed.


    She lost her footing, stumbling toward the floor. I caught her wrist, keeping her upright.


    "Phew!" She let out a dryugh, shaking her head. "That was close."


    "You¡¯re drunk," I said tly, ripping the bottle from her grip.


    "No! I¡¯m barely tipsy," she whined, reaching for the bottle. "After everything that¡¯s happened today, I deserve to be tipsy. Now, hand it over."


    She made another grab for it. I held it out of reach, irritation flickering to life in my chest.


    "That¡¯s enough," I said, tossing the decanter onto the bed. "You¡¯ve had more than enough, judging by the way you¡¯re acting."


    I knew I should be more understanding¡ªgiven everything that had happened. But I was tired. And pissed.


    Thest few hours had been a goddamn circus, and thest thing I wanted to do was y babysitter.


    "I¡¯m allowed to act however the fuck I want," she snapped, her expression hardening into something bitter and usatory.


    Then, just as quickly¡ªher face crumpled. Her eyes welled with tears. Great. Just what I needed.


    "I can¡¯t believe how quickly you called off our wedding¡ªall because of her," she wailed, voice climbing toward hysteria. "That bitch is the reason I¡¯m not on my honeymoon right now."


    I exhaled sharply.


    "I didn¡¯t call off shit," I said evenly. "Maeve caused a scene. She announced Asha as my heir in the middle of the fucking throne room. There was no way we could move forward with the ceremony after that."


    "Asha." She sneered, spitting the sybles like they tasted foul. "I see we¡¯re on a first-name basis with the bastard."


    My head snapped toward her.


    "Watch it." My tone dropped into something cold, something sharp. "I know you¡¯re upset, but that¡¯s no excuse to talk shit about a child who very well might be mine."


    "Nothing has been decided yet," she hissed. "The test results aren¡¯t in."


    "Nevertheless," I said, voice firm. "Until everything is settled, our wedding is postponed."


    "How can you be so sure she¡¯s not lying?" Serena sneered, her voice twisted with bitterness. "It¡¯s Maeve. She¡¯s always been careless and vindictive. That¡¯s why she lost your heir five years ago. And now, she¡¯s back with a bastard because she knows you¡¯ll be crowned Alpha King soon. She¡¯s trying to stake a im to what¡¯s mine, and I won¡¯t stand for it."


    I sighed with irritation, rolling my neck to release some of the tension wing at me.


    "You know, if you put as much effort into producing heirs as you do with running your mouth and making baseless usations, maybe we wouldn¡¯t be here right now."


    Serena¡¯s lips parted slightly, her bloodshot eyes narrowing.


    "What the hell is that supposed to mean?" She wiped at the angry tears staining her cheeks.


    "It means I gave you every opportunity to provide me with pups in Maeve¡¯s stead, and five yearster, you¡¯ve yet to do that. You¡¯re in no position to stake a im to anything."


    Her lips curled, her expression twisting with resentment.


    "So, it¡¯s my fault that Maeve waltzed in here with some kid who may or may not be yours?" She let out an ugly, humorlessugh. "And since when did you start defending her?"


    "Serena," I sighed, rubbing a hand down my face. "It¡¯s been a long fucking day. Go to your room. We¡¯ll talk in the morning."


    "No." She crossed her arms, her body vibrating with fury. "I want to talk about it now. I want to know what happened between you two while you were locked up in that study. Do you still have feelings for her? Is that why you were so quick to call off our wedding? Answer me!"


    "Enough!"


    The sound of my voice ricocheted off the walls, violent and enraged, shaking the foundations from its roar. My nostrils red as rage coiled inside me. I needed an outlet.


    The closest thing within reach was my gold-flecked stool. I kicked it with a brutal snap of my foot, sending it flying across the room. It hit the wall and broke into two halves.


    Serena flinched violently, sucking in a sharp breath. The silence stretched between us. Even the air was strained. Thick with a suffocating tension.


    I pointed a finger at her, my voice low and dangerous.


    "Listen closely. You don¡¯t have the right to make demands here. We had an arrangement. You give me an heir, and I keep you around. But as it is, you don¡¯t have an heir. You bring nothing to the table. You¡¯re worthless to me. Understood?"


    Her breath hitched. "Ivan¡ª"


    "Get out."


    She hesitated, trembling, lips quivering¡ªon the verge of another emotional outburst. I didn¡¯t have the patience for it.


    "Get. Out."


    Themand left no room for defiance. She spun on her heel and stormed out, mming the door behind her so hard the hinges rattled.


    The quiet that followed was blissful. I exhaled, soaking it in.


    After a moment, I pulled out my phone and shot a quick text to my beta.


    <strong>¡¯</strong><strong>Come to my chambers.</strong><strong>¡¯</strong>


    Then, reiming my brandy decanter from the bed, I tilted it back, draining what was left.

 Chapter 16: VINDICTIVE

    <h4>Chapter 16: Chapter 16: VINDICTIVE</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE</strong><strong>¡¯S POV</strong>


    Serena and I had been best friends since we were pups.


    We were the mismatched duo¡ªthe kind of friendship that made no sense to anyone.


    She was the beautiful one. The tall one. The easygoing one. The popr one.


    The one who had wolves begging to be her friend.


    And yet, of all the options she had, she chose me¡ªthe outcast.


    I had felt lucky. Cherished.


    Even when my life with Ivan had soured into a nightmare, I found sce in knowing I had a best friend who would always stand by me.


    Or so I had thought.


    The night I suffered a miscarriage¡ªor thought I did¡ªI had wept on her shoulder, heartbroken over the loss of my one ray of sunlight.


    I still remembered how much Serena had cried with me, holding me so tightly, so tenderly, that I had believed¡ªtruly believed¡ªshe shared my pain.


    Then, weekster, she had betrayed me in the cruellest way possible.


    And now, five yearster, standing before her, staring into her razor-sharp gaze, it felt like I was looking at a stranger.


    Too much time had passed. Too much had happened.


    I barely remembered how to talk to her anymore.


    "You must have felt vindicated ruining my wedding," she sneered, her voice icy, wasting no time with pleasantries.


    I wondered how long she had been lurking here, waiting for me to show up. Had she even sleptst night? Doubtful.


    The ck circles around her bloodshot eyes told me she had spent the night seething. Her body was rigid, and I could feel how badly she wanted to lunge at me.


    She had tried it yesterday. Had to be restrained¡ªby Ivan, of all people.


    "I also hear you¡¯ve been given a set of rooms in the alpha wing." She took a step closer, jaw clenched. "Was that your n all along? To ruin my wedding and weasel your way into the heart of the pack house?"


    Another step.


    She was trying to make me back down.


    I held my ground. "What exactly do you want me to say?"


    "The truth."


    A slow, taunting smirk curved my lips.


    "Well, if you must know... I guess I¡¯ve been feeling a little vindictivetely."


    Her nostrils red.


    "After the shitty hand you dealt me, I figured it was only right to return the favour. Must hurt, huh? Finally knowing what it feels like to have what¡¯s yours stolen away from you."


    "None of this was ever yours!" she snapped, jabbing her finger dangerously close to my chest. "You never deserved any of it. Being mated to the alpha prince. Being in the running for Luna of Ash Creek. Selene must have suffered a momentarypse in judgment, handing it all to you."


    I felt my anger swell, rising to match hers.


    "Is this your way of justifying what you did to me?" My voice dropped to cold pitch. "We were friends for years, Serena. But that wasn¡¯t important to you, was it? Not if it meant getting to y Luna."


    Her jaw tightened. I took a step forward.


    "It¡¯s funny, really¡ªafter five years, Ivan still hasn¡¯t made you his Luna." A cruel smirk tugged at my lips as I whispered, "I guess you weren¡¯t that important to him after all."


    She screeched, her voice cracking with rage.


    "The wedding wasn¡¯t called off! It was merely postponed! Once Ivan gets rid of you, we¡¯ll hold another ceremony¡ªgrander than the one you ruined!"


    I hummed, tilting my head.


    "Ivan," I mused. "He seems quite taken with me. Yesterday, while we were alone in the study..." I let my voice drop, just to watch her squirm. "...he could barely keep his hands off me."


    Serena¡¯s entire face drained of colour.


    "That¡¯s impossible." The words came out hollow, desperate. "You¡¯re lying."


    I shrugged, watching panic bloom in her eyes.


    "If you say so."


    It was a petty move. A cruel one. And I didn¡¯t care. Ivan may have never loved her, but she sure as hell loved him.


    And now, the little fantasy she had clung to for five years was crumbling before her eyes.


    I could see the doubt creeping in¡ªthe deep-rooted fear that maybe, just maybe, Ivan had never wanted her at all.


    "You must be feeling pretty cocky, thinking my mate has shown you some fleeting level of fascination."


    I arched a brow, unimpressed.


    "Let me break it to you," she continued, her tone insidious. "The only reason he¡¯s even remotely interested is because of that boy of yours. Without him, you¡¯re nothing. Useless."


    "Useless," I repeated, dragging the word out slowly, savoring it. "Is that what he calls you, then? Seeing as how you¡¯ve yet to seed in carrying out your duties as a breeder?"


    The immediate sh of hurt in her eyes pleased me more than it should have.


    "Ivan loves me," she spat, rushing to her own defense. "As for heirs, we¡¯re working on it. How about you get a grip and keep your filthy paws off my mate?"


    "Your mate?" I scoffed, rolling my eyes. "I don¡¯t want him. I have no interest in reiming my trashy seconds. You coveted him. You can keep him."


    Serena¡¯s lips curled in rage, but I was done humoring her.


    "I don¡¯t need to keep what¡¯s already mine," she shot back, fists clenched at her sides. "And as for that bastard of yours, you can forget about him ever being named heir of Ash Creek. The DNA test results won¡¯t change a damn thing." She stepped closer, her eyes alight with cruel amusement. "And you want to know why I know for a fact that he isn¡¯t Ivan¡¯s? Because I¡¯m the one who poisoned you five years ago, Maeve. I¡¯m the reason you miscarried."


    The wordsnded like a physical blow.


    What?


    I inhaled sharply, my body going rigid.


    "What are you talking about?" My voice barely sounded like mine.


    My heart pounded against my ribs as I fought to process the implication of what she had just confessed.


    "You¡¯re joking," I whispered, forcing out augh, though my pulse felt shaky. "Tell me you¡¯re joking."


    Serena¡¯s lips curved into a twisted, satisfied smile.


    "I poisoned you, Maeve. I slipped it into your drink when you weren¡¯t looking." Her voice was mocking, oozing with wicked pride. "I knew it was the only way to get rid of your disgusting pup before it ruined my chances with Ivan. And guess what? It worked." She tilted her head, her eyes shining with dark pleasure. "How¡¯s that for vindictive?"

 Chapter 17: HEALER FROM HELL

    <h4>Chapter 17: Chapter 17: HEALER FROM HELL</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE</strong><strong>¡¯S POV</strong>


    She wanted me to break. Tosh out. To crumble.


    It was what she wanted. Why she had finally decided to reveal this to me. And goddess, it was tempting.


    The truth was shocking, a de plunged straight into my past, twisting everything I thought I knew. But I had prepared for this.


    Did it even matter now since she¡¯d woefully failed?


    When I decided to return to Ash Creek, I knew I would have to face the ugliest parts of my past.


    I had braced myself for the worst.


    And for Devon¡¯s sake¡ªfor Asha¡¯s¡ªI did thest thing Serena ever expected.


    Iughed.


    I threw my head back andughed so hard, my shoulders shook and tears sprang to my eyes.


    Serena¡¯s triumphant expression faltered. She narrowed her eyes at me, clearly unnerved.


    "What the fuck is so funny?"


    "You," I gasped between chuckles, wiping the corners of my eyes. "You¡¯re fucking hrious."


    Her jaw clenched. "What did you just say?"


    "You¡¯re so far gone, you actually believe your own delusions."


    She took a step toward me, but I didn¡¯t budge.


    "You really think Asha isn¡¯t Ivan¡¯s?" I mused, shaking my head. "And yet, you just admitted to poisoning me five years ago. Now tell me¡ªhow exactly are you nning to prove that he isn¡¯t Ivan¡¯s son without exposing yourself as the sick, desperate bitch who nearly cost Ivan his heir?"


    Serena¡¯s face drained of color. I smirked, watching the exact moment panic seeped in.


    "You¡¯re fucked either way," I whispered. "A typical loser bitch."


    She gaped at me. Tried to speak. No words came out.


    Her body trembled with suppressed rage, but she couldn¡¯t refute it.


    I had won. For now.


    I knew better than to believe this was the end¡ªbut for the moment, it was enough.


    I adjusted the basket in my hands, sighing dramatically.


    "Look, as fun as this has been¡ª" (hardly) "¡ªI actually have important things to do."


    Serena fumed as I held up the basket.


    "So, if you¡¯ll excuse me, I have an ailing Luna to attend to." Then, just because I could, I leaned in onest time. "And don¡¯t worry¡ª I won¡¯t tell Ivan you poisoned me and nearly cost him his heir." I smiled sweetly. "Frankly, I¡¯d hate to see what he¡¯d do to you if he ever found out."


    The fear in her eyes was delicious. She opened her mouth¡ªprobably to spew more venom¡ªbut I was done.


    With onest mocking smile, I brushed past her and resumed my walk.


    Behind me, I felt the intensity of her murderous re burning into my back. But I didn¡¯t turn around. She wasn¡¯t worth it.


    By the time I reached the Alpha Queen¡¯s chambers, Lydia was awake. She was still in bed, looking frail, helpless, and miserable.


    Her skin pale as parchment, her nightdress hanging off her bony shoulders. It suited her. A perfect look for a heartless bitch like her.


    A mousy-looking maid stood near the French windows, foldingundry, her hands trembling as she tried to make herself invisible in the presence of the furious Luna.


    I knew that look of terror well. I had once been at Lydia¡¯s mercy, just like her.


    Every day, I had prayed for nightfall¡ªbecause it was the only time I could escape Lydia¡¯s cruelty.


    At my entrance, Lydia¡¯s scowl deepened. Her pale lips curled in disgust.


    "Maeve," she spat, hissing my name like it physically wounded her to say it. Her gaze burned with hatred. "What the hell are you still doing in Ash Creek? I thought you¡¯d be gone by now."


    I smiled.


    "Good morning to you too, Lydia."


    "Answer me," she snapped, voice grating with venom. "Why do I have to suffer your presence first thing in the morning?"


    I shrugged, letting her stew in her own bitterness.


    "You should ask your son."


    She frowned.


    "Believe it or not," I continued, watching her closely, "he wants me here. To heal you." I leaned in. "I hear you¡¯ve got the pitting."


    Lydia sat up abruptly, her covers shifting to reveal her legs¡ªswollen twice their original size.


    She was in no condition to move, much less fight me.


    "I don¡¯t need your help," she fired back. "I¡¯d rather die than receive treatment from a whoring scum like you. So pack up and get the fuck out of my sight."


    I chuckled darkly, unfazed by her rage.


    "You¡¯re gonna have to try a lot harder than that to get rid of me."


    Her gaze narrowed, and for a moment, I saw it¡ªthe panic behind her fury. She wasn¡¯t just angry. She was scared.


    "Wait a minute." Her voice turned calcting. "Is this really about waiting for the DNA test?" Her lips curled. "You think that brat of yours is going to be named heir?"


    I tilted my head. "I have no such thoughts."


    That wasn¡¯t entirely true. I had every intention of ensuring Asha became heir¡ªbut Lydia Cross didn¡¯t need to know that.


    I set my basket at the foot of her bed, rummaging through it. Found it. I pulled out a slender vial, holding it out.


    "Here. This should help with the pain. Reduce the swelling."


    Lydia¡¯s face twisted with disgust. Then, in a violent burst of strength, she lunged.


    With a sharp, hissing snarl, she snatched the basket and flung it across the room. ss shattered. Vials of herbs crashed against the floor, spilling liquid like blood across the pristine tiles.


    The maid gasped¡ªpping her hands over her mouth as the red stain spread. For a moment, she stood there, frozen in fear.


    Then, she dropped to her knees, scrambling to pick up the broken shards. Before she could touch them, I caught her by the wrist.


    "Don¡¯t."


    Her breath hitched.


    "I-It¡¯s fine," she stuttered.


    "It¡¯s not," I said firmly, pulling her up to her feet. "What¡¯s your name?"


    She blinked, surprised by the question. "Theresa."


    I offered a small, reassuring smile.


    "Leave us, Theresa."


    She hesitated. I tightened my grip just slightly, my voice softer¡ªbut leaving no room for argument.


    "I¡¯ve got this."


    She swallowed. Nodded. Then scurried out of the room. Leaving me alone with Lydia.


    I locked the door. And then, I turned.


    Lydia was still sneering, but there was something else now¡ªa sliver of uncertainty creeping into her stare.


    Perfect.


    I moved toward the bed. Slow. Leisurely.


    Lydia¡¯s sneer twitched.


    "What are you doing?" she snapped.


    I didn¡¯t answer.


    Not until I reached beneath my dress¡ªand pulled out the dagger hidden in my thigh holster.


    Lydia paled. Her lips parted.


    "W-What are you¡ª"


    I pressed the tip of the de against her throat. The soft whimper that slipped from her lips was delicious.


    I leaned in closer, watching her pulse hammer against her fragile, paper-thin skin. And I grinned. Slow. Feral. Vengeful.


    "I¡¯m going to kill you, Lydia." I whispered it sweetly. "And this time?" I dragged the de just slightly, feeling her tremble with immense satisfaction. "No one ising to save you."

 Chapter 18: MURDEROUS SLUT

    <h4>Chapter 18: Chapter 18: MURDEROUS SLUT</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    There were quite a few things I never thought I¡¯d have the privilege to see. Lydia Cross being extremely terrified was one of them.


    All it had taken was for me to pull out a dagger¡ªand then dish out a half-assed threat¡ªto get the job done.


    I watched her eyes widen with fear¡ªa reflexive reaction to the tip of my dagger pressed against the papery skin of her throat.


    She tried to move away from me, but her legs were way too swollen¡ªhindering her movements.


    It gave me great pleasure to conclude that the Alpha Queen was royally screwed. A burst of excitement fluttered through my stomach at the thought.


    "H-How dare you? I am y-your Luna," she stuttered, trying to hide her terror with a huff of indignation. "You would never make it past the gates if you try. Ivan would surely rip your nasty throat off."


    "When are you going toe to the realization that I don¡¯t give a damn about what you say? Sorry to break it to you, but you no longer call the shots." I pinned her with a sharp, reprimanding look. "Perhaps you need me to show you just how far you¡¯ve fallen from your shiny horse of power."


    I angled even closer, taking a seat on the edge of the bed, my dagger still pressed against her throat.


    This time, I took things a step further. I jabbed the dagger¡¯s tip deeper into her flesh. Not enough to draw blood¡ªbut enough to sting.


    "Don¡¯t," Lydia wheezed, trembling with the effort it took to hide the depths of her fear. "D-don¡¯t hurt me."


    "What was that?" I preened, my eyes shining with amusement. "We¡¯ve stooped to begging now, have we?"


    "I¡¯m not begging," she swallowed the thickness in her throat, grappling with her fast-diminishing sense of pride.


    It was ludicrous how she could still care so much about her pride, given the way she looked.


    I doubted anyone could take her seriously looking like this. Sick. Pale. Deranged.


    "I¡¯m merely trying to stop you from throwing your life away," she continued, trying to find the right words to dissuade me. "Because that¡¯s what you¡¯ll be doing if you kill me."


    "You know, Lydia," I taunted, wiping every trace of humor from my voice. "Given the awful things you¡¯ve done, I¡¯m surprised how much you seem to fear dying. What does a bitter old hag like you still have to live for?"


    "Think about Asha. You¡¯d be putting him in danger if you do this."


    Lydia gasped in shock when I suddenly pulled my dagger away from her throat and began to run its tip along the skinny contours of her shoulders, and then down the length of her arm.


    "Here¡¯s the first thing¡ªyou¡¯re going to leave my son¡¯s name out of your scheming little mouth," I stressed, giving her a warning look. "Second of all, you¡¯re in no position to make demands from me. The bnce of power has shifted, whether you like it or not, and I am no longer the na?ve little girl you used to know."


    "Indeed, you¡¯re not," she spat at me, looking disgusted. "I can see you¡¯re a murderous slut now."


    "A murderous slut," I smirked at her. "Oh Lydia. If I wanted you dead, you¡¯d be dead by now. I guess you could say I enjoy having your life in the palm of my hand¡ªmore than I enjoy the thought of you dead. For as long as I can remember, you¡¯ve always had the power. Now, you finally get a taste of what it¡¯s like to be a victim."


    "I am nobody¡¯s victim. Definitely not yours. I¡¯d rather die first than be your victim."


    "It¡¯s not up to you. And to prove that, I¡¯m going to cut your hair off."


    "What?" Lydia inhaled sharply. I didn¡¯t realize it was possible for her to grow paler, but she did. "You¡¯re joking."


    "No, I¡¯m not. I¡¯m going to cut off everyst strand of your hair, Lydia. Now hold still."


    I raised my dagger to the silky strands of her hair. It was the only thing about her that still seemed to glow.


    Lydia took one look at my descending dagger and began to scream her lungs raw.


    "No! Get away from me! You bitch! I¡¯d much rather die than have my hair cut off!"


    She iled her arms, intent on putting up a fight.


    Before things could get out of hand, I tightened my hold on the hilt of the dagger and rammed it against the side of her head¡ªknocking her out cold.


    She fell backwards, her neck lolling against the pillows. Much better.


    A shot of adrenaline coursed through my veins as I gripped a handful of her hair and began cutting it all off.


    I made quick work of the greying, lush strands. Within minutes, the Alpha Queen was bald.


    It was the first step in my personal revenge against her, and it felt fucking good.


    I hid my dagger back inside my underwear and pulled out a herb knife, nting it at the foot of the mattress.


    Just then, there was a sudden knock on the door. It startled me.


    "Maeve? Mother?" The knock came a second time, louder, and my heart skipped a beat.


    Ivan.


    What the hell was he doing here this early in the morning?


    Pitting or not, I never would¡¯ve pegged him as the type to pay a morning visit to the Alpha Queen¡¯s rooms.


    Unless¡ªhe wanted to catch me in the act of doing something I wasn¡¯t supposed to be doing. That had to be it.


    When the knock came a third time, I pulled myself out of my spiral and rushed to unlock the door.


    Ivan stood on the other side, hands shoved deep in his pockets.


    He was just as tall as thest time I¡¯d seen him. Dressed in all ck¡ªa ck cashmere turtleneck tucked into tailored cks¡ªradiating that same dangerous, alluring mystery.


    He looked like he had just stepped out of the shower. His hair was still damp, strands hanging loosely over his brows.


    He looked mouthwatering.


    And Goddess, he smelled amazing¡ªspearmint soap mixed with musky cologne.


    I noticed, rather btedly, that he didn¡¯t look happy.

 Chapter 19: INSIDIOUS VIPERS

    <h4>Chapter 19: Chapter 19: INSIDIOUS VIPERS</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    "Why was the door locked?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at me.


    "Why? Do you suspect me of something?" I threw back, my voice light but taunting.


    Clearly, he didn¡¯t appreciate that¡ªhis eyes narrowed further.


    "You took quite a whileing to the door. Any particr reason why?"


    "There is no particr reason. As for locking the door¡ªit¡¯s standard procedure. I do everything possible to keep intruders like you from disrupting the treatment process." I folded my arms, quirking a brow. "What were you thinking? That I would murder your mother in the confinement of her room?"


    "You¡¯re assuming things, Maeve. I never said that."


    "But you were thinking it."


    "I can see you haven¡¯t lost any of yesterday¡¯s fiery energy. For a moment, I feared I had only dreamed it all up."


    Ivan walked right past me before I had the chance to respond. He moved deeper into the room. It took him all of two seconds to notice the mess.


    Behind me, I heard his sharp intake of breath, right before he bellowed¡ª


    "What the fuck is going on here?!"


    My hands trembled slightly as I shut the door and turned to find him ring at me.


    "Did you do that?" he asked, pointing directly at Lydia¡¯s bald head.


    "Rx," I told him, forcing calm into my voice. "It¡¯s merely medical procedure. After reviewing her previous medical records, I realized I needed to examine her scalp properly. The only way to do that was to cut all of her hair off."


    "So you made the decision to cut her hair off without consulting me?"


    "Sorry. I didn¡¯t realize I needed your permission to do the job you assigned me to do. Is this going to be a thing now? Where I have to ask your permission for every spoonful of healing tonic I administer too?"


    "You know that¡¯s not what I meant," he growled. "I¡¯m just caught off guard by the new bald look."


    "Oh well. Feel free to take it all in." I returned to Lydia¡¯s bed and made a show of plumping her pillows.


    "What¡¯s with the bottles and herbs scattered all over the room?" he pressed, gesturing to the broken shards of ss on the floor.


    I followed his gaze. The spilled tonic had dried, leaving a deep red stain across the floor. A stain like that would take at least half an hour to scrub out.


    Fucking Lydia.


    I let out a long, weary sigh.


    "I guess you could say your mother wasn¡¯t thrilled about losing her hair. That¡¯s why the mess. She threw quite a tantrum before exhausting herself and falling asleep."


    "She didn¡¯t hurt you, did she?" His voice softened slightly as he pursed his lips, eyes locking onto mine.


    The question caught mepletely off guard.


    "No, she didn¡¯t," I said, clearing my throat and breaking his gaze.


    Why would he ask me that?


    Given our history, it was obvious he didn¡¯t care enough to be concerned about my safety.


    "Why are you here?" I asked, putting the wall back up between us.


    Ivan noticed. Subconsciously, his nostrils red in protest. But then, he pulled his guards back up, shoulders stiffening.


    Behind the scenes, my wolf growled, her ws raking at the walls of my resolve, desperate to break free¡ªpushing, wing, urging me to get closer to him.


    I ignored her. I refused to be swayed by the force of her desires.


    Yesterday in the study had been a mistake. There was no way in hell I was slipping up again.


    "Why am I here?" Ivan re-echoed my question, pulling my attention back to his eyes. They were intense. Haunting. "I wanted to talk to you about Asha. Where is he?"


    "He¡¯s back at my quarters, taking lessons." My brows furrowed together in confusion. "Why are you asking?"


    "I¡¯ve gotten the results of the DNA test. It turns out you were right. Asha is my son."


    His eyes hardened.


    Then, without warning, his hand shot forward and grabbed me. His grip was like steel, hauling me up and yanking me flush against him.


    It was just like yesterday. Only a different scene.


    "You kept my son and heir hidden away from me for years." Ivan¡¯s voice was cold. Dangerous. Menacing. The sound of it sent an rming shiver racing down my spine. "And now, you are going to tell me why."


    "I didn¡¯t keep him away from you." I shoved at his chest, forcing him off me.


    He let go, as if just realizing we weren¡¯t in his study, but in the sick Luna¡¯s chambers.


    I stepped back, breathing hard. My fists clenched tightly, fingers digging into my palms.


    It was my calming mechanism. Thankfully, it worked. My voice was measured when I spoke.


    "I know it¡¯s hard for you to grasp this, but I didn¡¯t keep him from you out of spite. I kept him safe."


    "Safe? From what!" Ivan snapped, his patience thinning.


    "From you insidious vipers." My voice was sharp enough to cut. "From Serena. From your bloodsucking mother. From a potential deadbeat father."


    His jaw tightened. I took a step closer, the venom rising in my chest.


    "You lost your right to him the moment you believed I¡¯d purposely put my child¡¯s life at risk. The moment you chose to rece me with her. The moment you handed your trust to the very people who would¡¯ve destroyed him the second he was born." My eyes burned into his. "You think your darling fianc¨¦e is innocent? Your precious second chance at love. loves you? Go ask her what she tried to do to our pup five years ago."

 Chapter 20: TOUCH STARVED

    <h4>Chapter 20: Chapter 20: TOUCH STARVED</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    Lydia¡¯s room felt too damn small. Too fucking tight for him to be standing this close.


    The air was thick with the stench of herbs, dried tonic, and whatever was rotting beneath the surface of this family.


    The walls pressed in, as though they wanted to trap me with him.


    "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?" Ivan scoffed, eyes hardened to a re. "What does Serena have to do with the fact that you kept Asha away from me for five years?"


    My jaw clenched before the words hissed out.


    "Everything." I swallowed the rest. "But like I said¡ªyou should ask her yourself. I¡¯m sure she has plenty to say."


    His head shook, his gaze tightening, eyes narrowing like I was some child making excuses again. That same look he always gave me when he wanted to y righteous.


    "You never change, do you?" he said, like he pitied me. "Always twisting the story. Always ying the victim."


    The bitterugh scraped out of my throat before I could stop it.


    "The victim? You really have the fucking audacity to stand here and say that to me? After everything?"


    "You think hiding my son from me for five years makes you the hero? Your big self-righteous sacrifice?" His voice sharpened dangerously, an usatory edge following right after. "Don¡¯t pretend you did this for anyone but yourself."


    "You don¡¯t get to lecture me about sacrifice!" I stepped toward him, chest heaving, pulse on fire. "Where were you when I needed you, Ivan? When you threw me aside like nothing? Like I was trash? When you believed I lost the baby and wasted no time recing both of us?"


    "You fucking disappeared. You left, Maeve. You made that choice."


    "Because you made it impossible for me to stay!" I fired back. "You wanted to believe the worst of me. You wanted an excuse to move on. And you found it. Convenient, wasn¡¯t it?"


    His breathing quickened. His jaw clenched harder. His anger was burning right under that dangerously controlled mask of his ¡ª the one that always cracked when I got too close to the truth.


    "I would¡¯ve imed him. I would¡¯ve raised him. You stole that from me."


    I stepped closer. We were toe to toe now. My voice dropped but every word was a de.


    "No. I protected him. You wouldn¡¯t have protected either of us. Not from her. Not from your mother. Not from anyone."


    "You don¡¯t know that. You think you¡¯re the only one who was hurt?" His voice dropped into something darker, heavier. "You think you¡¯re the only one who lost something? I lost my son. I lost all the time I needed to be in his life, be a part of his growth, of his memories. You never gave me that chance."


    "You didn¡¯t deserve the chance! You proved that long before Asha was even born, you bastard."


    The air between us charged¡ª rushing hot and sour and electric. Lydia¡¯s shallow breaths sounded behind me, but I barely heard her.


    I needed to leave this room. Leave being in this small space with him. It had barely been 24 hours, and he was already draining my sanity.


    I was about to pick up my stuff and leave, then he moved.


    Ivan grabbed my arm suddenly, pulling me into him with force that knocked the breath out of me. His heat pressed against mine, stealing space I didn¡¯t give him.


    "Don¡¯t you dare walk away from me." His voice was low, rough ¡ª that dangerous edge sitting right under the surface. "We¡¯re not done with this conversation."


    My chin tipped up automatically, my pulse hammering inside my head.


    "I¡¯ll do whatever the hell I want. You don¡¯t get to control me anymore."


    His eyes darkened. That glint ¡ª that thing that always sat between hate and want ¡ª snapped in his gaze.


    "Since when did you get so damn headstrong?" His voice rasped. "You¡¯re fucking impossible."


    "Haha, well, that sounds like a you problem."


    "So, what? What¡¯s your big n? You want me gone? Out of my son¡¯s life? Is that it?" His voice came clipped, breath hot against my cheek. "Fucking tell me."


    "I want you gone, Ivan." My chest heaved, the words ripping straight out of me. "Not just out of Asha¡¯s life. Out of mine. You repulse me."


    His jaw locked, hard. For a second, he just stared at me, like the words cut exactly where they were meant to.


    Like he was weighing how much more he could take before snapping.


    But Ivan never snapped the way normal men did. Instead, he leaned in.


    That sharp edge in his eyes shifted, turning into something far worse. Something dangerous. Something I hated him for.


    His hand moved before I could prepare for it, sliding up into my hair, fingers curling through the strands. Possessive. Delicately.


    I froze, caught off guard.


    My stomach twisted. My throat tightened. My scalp prickled from the graze of his touch, from that thing within that wanted to rip me apart in order to lean deeper into it.


    "Did you cut your hair?" The rasp in his voice was low, oddly soft and surprised.


    "What?" My re stayed sharp, alert, suspicious, but my body had already betrayed me.


    "It used to be much longer," he continued, his fingers sliding slowly through my curls, like he had all the time in the world to touch me. "Long and silky. But now, you¡¯ve got curls. It suits you."


    "W-What?" I rasped, again, thrownpletely off bnce by the sudden shift in his tone.


    Ten seconds ago, we were locked in a brutal fight, spitting usations and poison, and now his hand was buried deep in my hair, stroking me with that dangerous familiarity I hated myself for responding to.


    What the fuck? How did Ivan go from throwing daggers at me toplimenting my damn hair? How had he managed to do so? Why was he even doing this?


    And the worst part¡ªthe part that made my stomach tingle and heat curl in my gut¡ªwas how much my wolf was enjoying it.


    She surged forward, ws scraping at the inside of my chest, restless, eager, greedy for his touch.


    It was as if she had her own mind, dragging me with her, forcing my body to lean into him despite every rational part of me screaming not to.


    "How is it possible for you to be so infuriating and yet so¡ª" his voice dropped, thickened, rough and smooth at once, that deep rumble vibrating straight through me like a pulse.


    I shivered, unable to stop it, my entire body reacting before my mind could catch up.


    "What? I don¡¯t¡ª" I stammered, my voice catching as my breath hitched.


    I couldn¡¯t even form a coherent sentence, too disoriented by the heat crawling beneath my skin. My eyes darted up to his, wide, calcting, searching, but it was useless.


    Whatever this was, it had already spiraled beyond my control. Our wolves were circling each other, and deep down, I knew it wasn¡¯t just me fighting anymore.


    The pull between us was primal, wild, and horrifyingly familiar. The curse of the mate bond. And I didn¡¯t know how to stop it. I wasn¡¯t even sure I wanted to.


    It was such an addictive feeling.


    Ivan¡¯s hand moved again, slower this time, as if testing how far I¡¯d let him go.


    His fingers brushed my lips like he owned it. Like he was already imagining what it would feel like wrapped around something else.


    I should¡¯ve stopped him. I didn¡¯t.


    My pulse punched hard, my thighs pressed together, and still¡ªstill¡ªI let him graze, linger. That slow, teasing drag of his thumb over my bottom lip like he wanted to memorize, or better yet, remembered exactly what it tasted like.


    And then he leaned, eyes darkened and heavy and desperate, crashing into my lips with a filthy, touch-starved hunger that drowned my gasp in a single second.

 Chapter 21: KISS ME

    <h4>Chapter 21: Chapter 21: KISS ME</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    There wasn¡¯t a grain of hesitation in the way he took me. Like he had something to prove¡ªsomething he¡¯d craved for months, years even.


    Like he was done pretending he didn¡¯t want this.


    His tongue slid past my lips, tasting, taking, owning.


    I was too frozen to kiss him back at first, breath caught between the inferno of want that came alive in me and the instinct to shove him off.


    Nheless, like I¡¯d lost my fucking mind, I didn¡¯t do thetter.


    Instead, my fingers dug into his shoulders, holding on like he was the only solid thing in a world that had gone sideways.


    He groaned¡ªdeep, dark, feral with desire¡ªand the sound went straight to my thighs.


    Ivan didn¡¯t let up. His hand fisted the back of my shirt, dragging me closer until there was no space left to breathe.


    It was humiliating how easily I melted under him, how easily my body remembered him.


    I sank into his scent, and fuck, it was just as intoxicating and addictive as I remembered. It was insane how it drove my wolf to the edge¡ªand pulled her in all the same.


    I needed nothing else in that moment.


    I thought of nothing but the way his mouth moved over mine¡ªrough, yearning¡ªkissing me like it wasn¡¯t enough. Like he was trying to crawl inside me through sheer will.


    My head spun. I was drowning in the filth of the forbidden. And fuck, I didn¡¯t want toe up for air.


    Still, I tried to push against him¡ªsome small piece of sanity screaming at me to stop¡ªbut he didn¡¯t move.


    Instead, his grip slid lower, fingers digging into my ass as he dragged me flush against the hard bulge pressing into my stomach.


    The feel of him made my stomach tighten, my breath hitch¡ªmy whole body sparking to life under his touch. I remembered exactly who he was in bed.


    This was insane. Reckless. Everything it shouldn¡¯t be.


    And yet, Ivan showed no sign of stopping.


    His tongue tangled with mine again¡ªwet, insistent¡ªhis teeth catching my bottom lip like he couldn¡¯t get enough.


    "Kiss me," he rasped against my mouth, voice rough with need. "With tongue. Just like that. Fuck."


    The rawness in his voice sent a fresh wave of heat between my legs. I was wet. I was throbbing. Dizzy from the overwhelming pull of him.


    His hand slid lower again, fingers pressing against the heat between my thighs through my dress¡ªteasing, possessive¡ªlike a man who knew exactly how to undo me.


    And goddess help me¡ªit felt good.


    His lips moved to my jaw, his breath hot against my skin, his grip fierce like he never wanted to let go. My body ached for him. Every nerve alive with him.


    "You think I haven¡¯t dreamed about this?" he rasped roughly against my ear. "Fuck, Maeve. I¡¯ve dreamt about you. The sounds you make. The way you¡¯d look with my hand between your thighs¡ªbegging me to stop while clenching like you never want me to."


    He pressed his hips harder, grinding his hardness against me.


    "I¡¯ve been dying to hear you breathe my name with my cock buried so deep, you forget every reason you ever ran from me."


    His finger almost made it¡ªalmost slipped between my thighs and found the aching wetness already waiting.


    But reason mmed into me. Forced me out of the hypnotizing daze of his scent, his words, his addictive touch.


    I almost moaned. But then¡ª


    "Stop!"


    The word tore out of me, desperately, breaking through the fog choking my brain. He froze.


    His eyes burned into me as I shoved him back with everything I had left, finally breaking free of his hold.


    My back mmed against the wall, cold seeping into my spine as I struggled to catch my breath.


    The shame hit like a tidal wave. My chest heaved, my skin still burning where he¡¯d touched me, but all I could think¡ªGoddess. Devon.


    Devon.


    I hadn¡¯t thought of him once. Not while Ivan kissed me. Not while I kissed him back. Not while I let him touch me like that.


    My wolf snarled, furious at my retreat, wing inside me, but I shoved her down.


    It hadn¡¯t been just a kiss. It was everything. Passion. Rage. Need. All the things I swore I¡¯d never feel for Ivan again¡ªand yet, I did.


    And the worst part was that nothing had changed. Ivan still wasn¡¯t on my side. He regretted nothing of his past actions to me.


    That pissed me off to no ends.


    I clenched my fists tightly, forcing my face back into something cold and indifferent.


    When I spoke, my voice came out icy. Furious.


    "You had no right to do that."


    "Do what? Kiss you?" Ivan¡¯s lips tilted, just the slightest, into a grin.


    He looked predatory, like he had every intention of dragging me back into his arms and devouring me all over again.


    I red daggers at him. "Yes. You had no right to kiss me¡ªnone! And if you ever try that again, I swear to the goddess, I¡¯ll make you regret it."


    "Why? You liked it." He smirked, raising a brow as his eyes dragged over me in that goddamn sexy way. "Don¡¯t lie¡ªyou were making those pretty little noises like you wanted me to keep going." He tilted his head, voice dropping as he added, "Can¡¯t really me me for wanting a second taste."


    "I didn¡¯t like it," I snapped, a hot wave of shame crashing over my pride. "If you must know, I detested it. Every second of it. It was nothing more than a mistake."


    He chuckled, tilting his head. "Mistakes don¡¯t taste that good, and you know it."


    His gaze burned into me, that dark, consuming intensity that made my pulse spike against my will. My stomach clenched, my breathing shallow as the charged air between us thickened again.


    I tried to look away, desperate for escape, but there was nowhere to turn. He trapped me without even touching me.


    Ivan wasn¡¯t backing down.


    He looked like all he wanted was to press me back against the wall, kiss me again, and strip everyst bit of my resolve away. My clothes, too.


    In fact, he dared to inch closer.


    But I wasn¡¯t having any of it. Not again.


    I needed to shut this down before I lost myselfpletely.


    I scoffed, stepping back like his presence physically repulsed me.


    "You know what? We¡¯re done here. This¡ªwhatever the fuck that was¡ªis never happening again. Get that through your head."


    "I¡¯m not done talking to you," he said, voice rough, possessive, almost pulling my arm back, but I dodged him like he was a gue.


    "Don¡¯t you dare touch me. And well, I¡¯m done," I retorted sharply. "I need you to leave. Also, consider this yourst warning."


    "Warning?" he scoffed, like the idea of me threatening him was ridiculous, almost amusing to him.


    I narrowed my gaze, my tone dropping dangerously low.


    "Listen carefully, Ivan Cross. My wolf may be drawn to you because of the wrath bond, but that doesn¡¯t give you permission to cross the line between us. The next time you try it, I will kick you so far up your balls you¡¯ll beg for death. You got that?"


    "Maeve¡ª" he started, but I cut him off before he could say another word.


    "One more thing. The mating bond between us¡ªI want it gone. Dissolved. Completely. You have 24 hours to figure out how to rid it."

 Chapter 22: HUMILIATED ALPHA

    <h4>Chapter 22: Chapter 22: HUMILIATED ALPHA</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    I tried to recall a time when I had ever been humiliated in my life, but nothing came to mind.


    Since I was young, I had always been ustomed to a level of adoration and reverence from everyone. Especially from women.


    I had a lineup of infatuated she-wolves who practically begged to remain in my presence, desperate for a moment of my attention, aching to belong to me.


    Even now, nothing had changed.


    I received unnned visits from delectably young and supple creatures¡ªwless, eager, offering themselves to me without shame. Offering to be my breeder.


    ording to them, I wasn¡¯t officially mated to Serena yet. And since my chosen mate wasn¡¯t my fated one, it meant she could easily be reced¡ªby any one of them.


    Their ambition was bold. Presumptuous. But hardly surprising.


    With the official confirmation of my position as Alpha King drawing closer, now was the perfect time for them to strike. None of them would¡¯ve passed on the opportunity to have me.


    Not one.


    They would have relished it. They would never have dared push me away. Never. The only wolf who had the balls to do that was Maeve.


    After we kissed, part of me had foolishly expected her anger to soften.


    I had hoped that feeling me¡ªtasting me¡ªwould have pulled her closer, loosened that impossible wall she keeps building between us.


    But instead, she red up even more. I still heard her voice ringing in my head, sharp and venomous, full of fury. The threats. The rejection.


    And yet, it was obvious she had wanted it.


    She enjoyed that kiss. Her body told me more than her mouth ever would. She was breathless, desperate, and flushed.


    But she hated herself for wanting me. That was the difference between us¡ªshe fights it. I don¡¯t.


    I saw the crack in her gaze right after, the way her eyes went distant, far-off. Like something else weighed heavily on her mind. Like she was hiding something.


    And before I could even press her on it, she kicked me out. mmed the door in my face. She dismissed me like I was nothing.


    Humiliated didn¡¯t even begin to cover what I felt.


    I was pissed.


    What made it worse was how easily I had let her get away with it. How easily I¡¯d taken her rage in stride like I had no choice in the matter. As if her temper was some force of nature I simply had to weather.


    I inhaled deeply, forcing a breath to calm myself, but it did nothing. If anything, it only stoked the fire still burning inside me.


    Images of her shed through my mind: Maeve warning me to stay away from her. Threatening to sever the mating bond and take our son. Kicking me out like I was disposable.


    I was pacing in front of my study desk when Francis walked in. He took one look at me and asked the obvious question.


    "Let me guess. Maeve?"


    I growled at the mention of her name.


    "She hasn¡¯t changed one bit. She¡¯s still as insufferable as ever. Even more so now."


    "Really? She seems different to me," Francis shrugged, like he was purposely poking at my irritation. "I was with her in the kitchen earlier. There¡¯s a confidence about her that wasn¡¯t there before. She seems very assured in her role as healer."


    "It doesn¡¯t change the fact that she¡¯s a stubborn piece of work," I snapped, moving behind my desk and finally taking a seat.


    Francis leaned forward, his brows raised.


    "Don¡¯t mind my asking, but did she do anything in particr to piss you off this time?"


    "I finally got the results of the DNA test," I told him, my jaw tightening as the words left me. "The boy. Asha. He¡¯s mine."


    "Wow." Francis whistled softly. "You know, I suspected, but hearing it confirmed like that¡ªwow. You finally have an heir."


    I couldn¡¯t believe it either. I still couldn¡¯t fully wrap my head around the fact that I had a son out there who looked exactly like me.


    Since the confirmation, I hadn¡¯t been able to stop thinking about Asha.


    Thinking about the right moment to call for him. To meet him. To finally see with my own eyes all the traits we might share. The way he carried himself.


    The way he looked. The way he would recognize me as his father.


    And yet, I couldn¡¯t ignore the fact that until yesterday, he didn¡¯t even know I existed. Everything was new to him, just as it was to me.


    I med Maeve for that. Completely.


    If she hadn¡¯t kept my son hidden from me all these years, I wouldn¡¯t be standing here now, forced to strategize how to initiate something as simple as a conversation with my own child.


    "What¡¯s going through your head right now?" Francis asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.


    "I¡¯m thinking about how Maeve has been nothing but selfish since her return," I replied coldly. "She hid my son¡ªmy heir¡ªfor years, for reasons that served no one but herself. And now, she wants to break the mating bond."


    "She wants to break the bond?" Francis blinked, taken aback. "That¡¯s... unexpected."


    "I don¡¯t think so," I said, shaking my head. "It didn¡¯t sound like a spontaneous decision to me. It sounded like something she¡¯s been nning for a long time."


    Five years exactly.


    Going by how cold and precise she sounded after our kiss, it was obvious she¡¯d thought long and hard about this. About me. About everything.


    She hadn¡¯t made any of this up on a whim. I just hadn¡¯t figured out everything running through her head yet. But I would.


    "And how do you feel about that? Breaking the mate bond," Francis asked, his tone serious, eyes narrowed. "Is it something you want to do?"

 Chapter 23: REJECTION PLANS

    <h4>Chapter 23: Chapter 23: REJECTION PLANS</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    "It doesn¡¯t matter what I think," I gritted out, my voice clipped with irritation. "If Maeve wants to sever all ties with me, I¡¯ll give her what she wants."


    "And Asha? You don¡¯t think she ns to leave with him once the treatment¡¯s over, do you?"


    "If she did, she wouldn¡¯t have dered him so publicly as my son and heir."


    "So, you¡¯re appointing him then. As your heir." Not a question. A fact.


    Before I could respond, there was a brisk knock on my door. The handle turned, and a momentter, Barty entered.


    One of the oldest members of the Ash Creek council. One of the few who¡¯d been here long enough to know the deepest roots of this pack.


    When I left Maeve¡¯s quarters, furious and humiliated, I¡¯d already decided who I needed to call. If anyone knew how to sever a bond like ours, it would be him.


    Barty bowed deeply before me. "You sent for me, your Highness. I came as fast as I could."


    "Yes," I gestured for him to sit. Francis moved silently toward the windows, closing the shutters.


    "Well, I¡¯m here now," Barty said, folding his hands over hisp, his voice patient but curious. "How may I be of service to you?"


    "I wish to dissolve my mate bond with Maeve Oakes," I said tly. No hesitation. "I was hoping you could assist."


    Barty blinked, visibly caught off guard.


    "Ah." He cleared his throat, shifting slightly. "That is... a rare request, Alpha. Severing a wrath bond is not an easy decision. Nor is it easily undone once broken. Before proceeding, you must be certain this is truly what you want."


    "I know that," I snapped, irritation ring in my chest. "I didn¡¯t summon you here for your counsel. I called you for the solution."


    "Of course," Barty said quickly, adjusting himself in his seat. "In cases such as this, a rejection ritual under the full moon would be the most effective approach."


    "A rejection ritual," Francis echoed thoughtfully. "That sounds workable."


    Barty nodded, encouraged. "Yes. The full moon strengthens the severing process. If both you and Miss Oakes consent, the ritual should be sessful under the right conditions."


    "When¡¯s the next full moon?" I asked, turning to Francis.


    "In a week," he answered.


    "Good." I looked back at Barty. "Begin preparations."


    "Of course, your Highness. I¡¯ll begin immediately."


    As he spoke, something twisted in my chest ¡ª not pain exactly, but a greasy pang. My wolf bucked against me, resisting the decision. Instinctively rebelling.


    I shoved him down, tightening my control, locking him out.


    This was the right decision.


    Regardless of how drawn we were to Maeve, the bond didn¡¯t change my reality. I had a crown to inherit. A pack to rule. Duties to uphold.


    Maeve may have returned different¡ªsassier, more confident, her body even more maddening than before¡ªbut I didn¡¯t trust her. Not enough to entertain the fantasy of rekindling what we once had.


    Serena was the safer choice. Predictable. Manageable. Yes, she was dramatic, and often insecure, but at least she carried no secrets.


    At least, that¡¯s what I told myself.


    But as I sat there, my mind shifted back to what Maeve said. The usation she threw at me ¡ª about Serena.


    About what may have happened five years ago. About what Serena might¡¯ve done to her... to my child.


    Back then, I hadn¡¯t let myself believe it. It was easier to side with Serena. Safer. Lessplicated. But now, the thought wed at me, unwee but refusing to be dismissed.


    Before I could fall deeper into it, the doors to my study suddenly burst open.


    My gaze shot toward the intruder.


    Serena.


    Speak of the devil.


    What did she want now?


    I was barely past our fight fromst night. Honestly, thest thing I needed was more of her tantrums.


    But of course, Serena never understood the concept of space. Not even when you shoved it down her throat.


    At least I had Asha now.


    The only silver lining in this entire mess.


    His existence made up for the gnawing weight sitting in my chest ¡ª the weight of knowing I had likely lost Maeve for good, and I had no fucking clue what to do with Serena¡¯s endless insecurities.


    "Ivan," she shrilled, storming into the room with quick strides.


    She didn¡¯t so much as nce at Francis or Barty, her entire focus locked on me like a hunter tracking prey.


    "You said we would continue our conversation in the morning," she snapped. "It¡¯s been hours, and since you¡¯ve made no effort to seek me out, I figured I woulde to you instead."


    "I¡¯ve been busy." My voice came out stiff, clipped, offering her nothing.


    She didn¡¯t care.


    "Really?" Her sneer twisted into something ugly. "Busy with Maeve? Someone told me they saw you going into the queen¡¯s rooms with her. And you were both in there for quite some time."


    I exhaled through my nose, shaking my head, unable to fully suppress the disgust curling through me.


    "I see you¡¯ve resorted to spying on me now."


    "I don¡¯t see what other choice you¡¯ve left me," she fired back, her voice rising with each word. "Maeve humiliated me. She ruined our wedding, and you rewarded her by giving her rooms this close to the queen¡¯s chambers. Right under my nose."


    "Again with the room," I muttered, my patience wearing thin. "I already told you¡ªI did that for my mother."


    "I don¡¯t care what your excuse is." Her eyes zed, voice sharpening into a high-pitched hiss. "I want Maeve gone, Ivan. I want her and her son out of this pack¡ªand out of our lives."


    "I can¡¯t do that." My jaw tightened as I forced the words out.


    The irritation in my chest bloomed hotter.


    For a moment, my gaze shifted toward Francis and Barty.


    They stood there awkwardly, clearly recognizing this was a fight they had no business witnessing, but neither dared leave without my dismissal.


    "You can¡¯t?" Serena practically spat the word, as if offended by the very idea.


    "I can¡¯t," I repeated, voice lower, rougher, the weight behind my words deliberate.


    "Really? Even after all her lies? After she tried to pass off another wolf¡¯s bastard as yours?"


    "She didn¡¯t." My voice cut through her usation. "The DNA test confirmed it. Asha is my son."


    Her breath caught sharply. The color drained from her face before her voice shot up, shrill and desperate.


    "WHAT!" The scream rang so loud it nearly shattered my ears. "You¡¯ve got to be kidding me!"

 Chapter 24: BASTARD SON

    <h4>Chapter 24: Chapter 24: BASTARD SON</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    "You¡¯ve got to be kidding me?" Serena yelled, widening her eyes to the size of saucers.


    It was apparent that the results of the DNA test had shocked her all the way down to her marrows.


    Already, she had been having a hard time dealing with the possibility of Asha being mine. And now, that it was no longer a spection, she had to be losing her marbles.


    As much as I wanted to diffuse some of her fears, I couldn¡¯t overlook the fact that I had an heir.


    "There¡¯s no way that DNA result is true," she spat fiercely. "It was definitely forged! Maeve must have found a way to alter it."


    "And how could she have managed that?" I inquired, raising my eyebrows curiously. "The test was carried out in secret. There¡¯s no way anyone could have found a way to mess with it."


    "I refuse to believe that," she was trembling in rage, barely refraining herself fromshing out at me.


    She turned to Francis and Barty, addressing them with an air of condescending anger.


    "I demand a redo of the DNA test."


    "What?" Barty pursed his lips, looking floored. "B-but, his highness approved the test himself. He ensured that it was carried out with the utmost care. Doubting the authenticity of something that has been proven true is an insult to the crown."


    "There¡¯s nothing authentic about any of this!" Serena shrilled. There were visible veins sticking out on her neck. That was how angry she was.


    "Serena. You need to calm down," Francis butt in, trying to reason with her.


    "Don¡¯t tell me to calm down," she red at him and issued a swiftmand. "You will conduct another DNA test. There¡¯s no way in hell I¡¯m going to ept Maeve¡¯s bastard boy as the next heir of Ash Creek."


    The second the word left her lips¡ªbastard¡ªsomething inside me snapped.


    I might have let her rant. I might have tolerated her tantrum. But not that. Not that word.


    That single word cut through my restraint like a de, gutting whatever little patience I still had left. My wolf fired inside me, growling violently.


    Five years.


    Five fucking years my son had lived separated from me. Hidden. Lied to. Robbed of his birthright.


    And now, this woman ¡ª this insecure, desperate leech ¡ª dared to stand here and throw that word around like he was nothing.


    My vision darkened.


    Without thinking, I mmed my fists across my desk, sending everything crashing to the floor.


    The sharp sound of breaking ss echoed as ink sttered across the wooden floorboards. The decanter hit the ground and shattered. Scrolls scattered on the grounds.


    And even then, it wasn¡¯t enough.


    Before anyone could react, I lunged. In seconds, I was across the room, standing inches from Serena before she could even register my movement.


    She gasped, her breath hitching as she instinctively stumbled backward. But I didn¡¯t let her escape.


    I grabbed her arms, pulling her firmly into ce, my grip biting into her flesh, not enough to break it, but just enough to ensure she felt every ounce of my warning.


    From the corner of my eye, I caught Barty turning his focus toward the wall, pretending to admire the painting like it was the most fascinating thing he¡¯d ever seen.


    On the other side of the room, Francis remained perched next to the window. He had a stoic expression on his face.


    It was the look of a man that was hardly fazed. It probably had something to do with the years spent fighting pack enemy threats, all in the name of the Ash Creek crown.


    Now, it had made him detached. Cynical.


    I couldn¡¯t help wondering about the words I would use in describing my son once I got to know him.


    Certainly not bastard.


    My son. Not bastard. Never again. No one would call him that, not under my roof. Not while I still drew breath.


    I lowered my voice to a lethal whisper, leaning into her space, letting the cold fury roll off me.


    "Listen carefully, because I will only say this once." I stepped closer, my grip tightening slightly. "Do. Not. Call. My. Son. A. Bastard. Ever. Again."


    Her lips trembled. She tried to speak, but I wasn¡¯t done.


    My hand shifted from her arm to her throat, wrapping around her neck with slow, deliberate force.


    My fingers tightened just enough to cut off her air for a breath, enough to make her feel the threat of my actions.


    She gasped, eyes wide, tears pooling as she wed lightly at my wrist, struggling against my hold.


    Her tears meant nothing to me. They were like rain against stone.


    "Ivan¡ª" she sobbed, her voice shaky under the pressure.


    I stared into her panicked eyes, my voice dropping even lower.


    "Remember this moment, Serena. Let it burn itself into your mind. Because this¡ª" I squeezed just a little more, watching her face flush with desperation. "¡ªis exactly what will happen if you ever speak about my son like that again. Do you understand me?"


    I choked her some more. I didn¡¯t relent until she finally nodded her head, agreeing to my warning. Only then did I release her.


    She stumbled backward, grabbing onto the edge of my desk for support, wheezing, her hands immediately flying up to cover her neck¡ªhiding it from my gaze like that would somehow shield her from what just happened.


    She was crying, trembling, but I could still see it in her eyes¡ªthere was more she wanted to say. More venom she was holding back.


    But in the end, she turned sharply on her heels and fled from my study.


    The door mmed shut behind her. My rage, however, remained trapped inside these walls.


    I rammed my fist into the desk. The burst of pain shot straight up my arm, but it wasn¡¯t enough. It didn¡¯t even make a dent in my fury.


    I mmed my fist down again. And again. The polished mahogany shattered under the repeated blows, but still¡ªit wasn¡¯t enough to settle me.


    "Your Highness!" Barty¡¯s voice broke in, panicked as he stared at my bleeding knuckles. "Please¡ªyou must calm yourself¡ª"


    Before he could even finish, I watched the flesh of my hand begin to knit itself back together, the pain dulling as my wolf¡¯s healing took over.


    The sight of the rapid healing only irritated me further.


    My lip curled back, fangs bared as I snarled directly at him, sending him staggering back a step in fear. His eyes darted down, avoiding my gaze altogether.


    Francis, as always, stayed nted by the window. Stoic. Sensible enough not to approach me when I was in this state. After years of surviving battles and my rage, he knew when not to interfere.


    The next moment, I shifted, wolf bursting forth with no warning. My bones cracked under the force of the transformation.


    With a feral growl, Iunched my wolf¡¯s body into the double doors. They exploded off their hinges under my full strength, mming into the hallway with a deafening crash.


    "Great," Francis muttered behind me, his tone a mixture of exhaustion and irritation.


    I ignored him entirely, bolting into a full sprint. My paws pounded against the ground as I tore through the corridors, straight toward the woods.


    The moment my paws hit the forest floor, I ran harder.

 Chapter 25: FORM OF WORSHIP

    <h4>Chapter 25: Chapter 25: FORM OF WORSHIP</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    Trees blurred past me as I shoved my body forward, breaking through bushes and thorns, the wind breezing against my fur. The deeper I ran, the more the edge inside me began to dull.


    The more the rage bled into something else.


    Before I left the study, my chest had been drowning in rage. In guilt. In questions I didn¡¯t want to face yet. Questions about the future. About Maeve. About Asha.


    I didn¡¯t know him yet. But Goddess¡ªI wanted to. The reality of it sat heavy in my chest. The pull toward him was primal. A desperate need from a father who had failed for so long to be one.


    I wanted to know him. To forge something with him that was mine. Something different. Something better than what my father had ever given me.


    The cold, loveless shell I¡¯d grown up under¡ªI wouldn¡¯t pass that down to my son.


    And yet, not knowing how any of this would turn out gnawed at me.


    What kind of father I¡¯d be. What kind of man Asha would grow into. Would he resent me? Would he forgive me? Would he ever truly call me father?


    In that moment, I would¡¯ve given anything¡ªanything¡ªto glimpse twenty years into the future. Just to see us both. To know how it all unfolded.


    But I couldn¡¯t see that far. The future was a blind spot I couldn¡¯t prate. And because I couldn¡¯t control it, my mind fell back¡ªbackward instead.


    Back to five years ago.


    Three months before Maeve lost the child.


    Two months before she vanished.


    * * *


    <i>I was so fixated on tracing the constetions on Maeve¡¯s spine, I barely noticed that she was watching me intently with tears in her eyes. </i>


    <i>By the time I did, she was crying softly, looking heartbroken and incredibly happy at the same time.</i>


    <i>I didn¡¯t do well with emotions. I hardly ever knew what to do with crying she-wolves. But with Maeve, I found myself wanting to try harder. To be better for her.</i>


    <i>She was the sweetest wolf I had ever met.</i>


    <i>She loved me with the whole of her heart and never failed to show me just how much.</i><i></i><i>There were days when I felt like I didn¡¯t deserve her. </i>


    <i>Stormy gray days, when mother would strike her for being too slow with her chores. Days, when father would make her feel like shit for failing to birth heirs.</i>


    <i>In all of it, I couldn¡¯t recall a single time when I had risen up to defend her against the alpha and luna¡¯s cruelty.</i>


    <i>For as long as I could remember, I had been terrible and cowardly. Mostly, I felt guilty for treating her with a mechanical indifference for years.</i>


    <i>To show my regret, I had taken to tracing the constetions on Maeve¡¯s back.</i>


    <i>It wasn¡¯t much but it was something we did now ¡ª right after we made love.</i>


    <i>I made love to Maeve now.</i>


    <i>Whenever we came together, I would feel the hours fall off, reced by the desperate fervency of our desire.</i>


    <i>It was astounding how easily pleasuring her came to me.</i>


    <i>Like something I was born to do.</i><i></i><i>It was my form of worship.</i>


    <i>"You¡¯re fine," I wrapped Maeve in my arms, wiping her tears with the pad of my fingers. "I¡¯m here. Whatever you¡¯re feeling, you can let it all out."</i>


    <i>Maeve clung on to me and cried harder, soaking my chest with her tears.</i>


    <i>"All of this feels like a dream," she sniffed, hugging me tight.</i>


    <i>"What do you mean?" I probed.</i>


    <i>"This. Being here with you like this. I don¡¯t ever want it to end."</i>


    <i>"It doesn¡¯t have to," I raised her fingers to my lips, kissing her knuckles, trying to reassure her.</i>


    <i>"I know you hate it when I act like a victim but right now, I can¡¯t help myself. I am afraid that any moment now, I am going to wake up and realize that all of this has been nothing but a dream. It wouldn¡¯t be surprising though. I mean, when have outcasts like me ever been deserving of love?"</i>


    <i>"Okay, first of all Maeve, you¡¯re nobody¡¯s victim," I began, tilting her chin upwards, and forcing her to look at me.</i>


    <i>Her eyes were shiny with tears. So innocent. So beautiful.</i>


    <i>"Second of all, I know I¡¯ve not always been kind to you, but I¡¯m willing to try. You wanna know why?"</i>


    <i>She nodded, much too emotional to say anything else.</i>


    <i>"It¡¯s because you are deserving of love, just like anyone else."</i>


    <i>Maeve¡¯s eyes lit up with happiness at the sound of my words. She was still nervous but there was a sense of joy on her face that made my lips tilt upwards in a small smile.</i>


    <i>"I¡¯m pregnant," she announced, taking me by surprise.</i>


    <i>"What?" I sucked in a sharp breath, forgetting to breathe for a second.</i>


    <i>Maeve¡¯s palms were warm as she cupped my cheeks. "I went to see a healer and he confirmed it. We¡¯re finally going to have an heir."</i>


    <i>"You¡¯re not joking," I scoffed. It was more of augh. "We¡¯re having a pup? I¡¯m finally gonna be a father?"</i>


    <i>"Yes," she shrieked as I suddenly attacked her with a smothering hug.</i>


    <i>Since we became mates, I had never given her a smothering hug or peppered her cheeks with kisses.</i>


    <i>There were a lot of things that I hadn¡¯t done for her.</i>


    <i>As Maeveughed her ass off from my hugs and kisses, I silently vowed to do better.</i>


    <i>But then, </i><i>a </i><i>month</i><i>s</i><i>ter, she suffered a miscarriage. </i>


    <i>Serena had revealed Maeve¡¯s secret drinking problem to me, causing me to push my mate away.</i>


    <i>Two months after that, Maeve had run away in the middle of the night, putting Ash Creek behind her for good.</i>


    <i>Or so I thought.</i>


    * * *


    It was around dusk by the time I reappeared at the edge of the woods.


    I was drained from the hours I had spent running in the woods, whilst taking a trip down memoryne.


    I shifted back to my human form and padded naked towards the white oak tree that stood adjacent to the sprawling pack house.


    I usually kept a fresh change of clothes hidden behind the tree for when I wanted to go running in the woods.


    Just as I drew closer to the tree, I came to a halt as the subject of my day dreams suddenly appeared in front of me.


    He was exactly as Ist remembered. The spitting image of me.


    Asha.


    My son.


    He wasn¡¯t alone. Maeve was with him, holding his hand protectively.


    I was so enraptured by the sight of them together, it took me a full minute to realize that I was still naked.

 Chapter 26: MY SALVATION

    <h4>Chapter 26: Chapter 26: MY SALVATION</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    <strong>[MOMENTS EARLIER]</strong>


    Lydia was still unconscious when I left her chambers.


    She was breathing, but I wasn¡¯t sticking around to watch her wake up. I cleaned up the cut hair, the spilled tonic, and the broken ss. Then I left just as quickly.


    By the time I returned to my quarters, Asha was just finishing lunch.


    "Thanks for looking after him," I told Nina. "You can take a break. I¡¯ve got it from here."


    Relieved, she shrugged on her coat, patted Asha¡¯s head, and left to tour the castle.


    My baby¡¯s face stretched out in a blinding grin just as I pulled him into my arms.


    "Hey, honey. How were your lessons? Did you miss me?"


    "I missed Mummy," he crooned, hugging me tight¡ªthen pulling back with a scowl. "But I¡¯m bored," he huffed. "I wanna go outside. When is Daddying?"


    I sighed. "I already told you, Asha. Daddy can¡¯te. But once I finish what I have to do here, I¡¯ll take you to him."


    How soon that would be, I didn¡¯t know.


    We¡¯d only been here a day, but I already missed Devon. I missed home. And I hated the fact that Ash Creek was putting me in such dangerous proximity to Ivan.


    Goddess, I med that for how far things had gone with him¡ªhow easily I¡¯d let him hold me, kiss me... taste me. Fucking hell, Maeve. Real smooth.


    I¡¯d thought I was past him. That he had no control over me anymore.


    Devon would be so disappointed if he knew. It had barely been a day and I was already swapping saliva with the man he hated most.


    The guilt ate me like a disease. But my wolf... she didn¡¯t feel the same. She didn¡¯t regret a damn thing.


    I had to be careful now. I needed to be the one rolling the dice, not him. No more slip-ups. No more letting his charm sink its ws into me.


    No more disappointing Devon. No more betraying what we had.


    Ivan was dead to me. And I¡¯d keep it that way.


    "If Daddy¡¯s noting, can we go outside?" Asha asked again, using that look that always pulled my heartstrings.


    "I don¡¯t know, Asha... it might not be safe."


    "Please!" he begged, practically whining, and on the verge of a tantrum.


    But even then, I hesitated. If Ash Creek had taught me anything, it was that it wasn¡¯t a ce for soft, harmless boys like Asha¡ªnot when people like Serena and Lydia still existed.


    But then, he had been cooped up all day, and this ce wasn¡¯t home. He was used to ying legs deep in mud. He chased butterflies for hours on end and took regr runs with Devon in the woods.


    I could see how being constrained to a stuffy bedroom, taking lessons all morning, would take a toll on him.


    "Fine," I relented, sighing softly. How could I ever say no to him? "But not for long."


    "Yay!" he shouted, hugging me again. "Thanks, Mummy!"


    "You¡¯re wee. Just don¡¯t get mud on your shorts."


    "Okay!"


    * * *


    We stepped out into the sunlight.


    First, the fountain. Asha shrieked with joy every time the water spouted up. Dark Wind had no such sights, and it was heartwarming¡ªtruly¡ªto see my boy this excited by something so simple.


    Then came the fields. We walked hand in hand, the wind tugging at our clothes.


    Earlier, I¡¯d grabbed a nket and some fruit¡ªgrapes, strawberries, bottled water¡ªfor a makeshift pic.


    A small, satisfied smile pulled at my lips as I watched Asha chase butterflies with his empty jar while I set up our spot.


    By the time he plopped down beside me, breathless and beaming, I couldn¡¯t stop the warmth that bloomed in my chest.


    There was no feeling in the world thatpared to the spark of joy I felt when my son was happy.


    It healed something deep inside me¡ªsomething wounded and battered by this world, by this cruel pack.


    It reminded me why I kept fighting, why I kept rising no matter how many times I¡¯d been brought to my knees.


    The Goddess might have believed I was born to save Asha¡¯s life and carve out his ce in this world. But the truth was, Asha¡¯s existence had saved me.


    He was my salvation.


    My gaze shifted to the still empty jar Asha held.


    "Where are the butterflies?" I asked.


    He shrugged. "I caught them... but I let them go."


    "Oh?" I tilted my head. "Why¡¯s that?"


    He didn¡¯t answer right away. Just stared out at the grass, thoughtful in that oddly grown-up way only children can be.


    "I dunno," he finally said. "I think... it stops being fun once you have them. They looked sad in there. I don¡¯t think pretty things are made to be trapped."


    I blinked, taken aback by the depth of his words, even as he cluelessly continued ying with the grass. At that, Iughed.


    "I see," I said as I handed him a few grape pieces, and he ate them like nothing life-altering had just slipped from his mouth.


    Once those were finished, I handed him a few more. We basked in the serene quiet of each other¡¯spany¡ªuntil I handed him a strawberry.


    Asha made a face of disgust. "I don¡¯t like strawberries."


    "It¡¯s good for you, baby," I urged. "Come on. Just one."


    "No!" he refused. "No strawberries."


    "If you don¡¯t eat it, I¡¯ll make you," I warned, holding it up and sounding maniacal. "Why? Because I am Greta, the Big Bad Wolf."


    At the mention of the viin from his favorite book, Asha let out a shriek and bolted.


    Laughing, I chased after him through the grass.


    "I¡¯ming for you, Prince Asha! And my evil little strawberry!"


    Wind in my hair,ughter bubbling from my chest¡ªI couldn¡¯t remember thest time I let myself y like this.


    We finally copsed beneath the white oak tree, gasping and giggling.


    "Greta wins," I said, offering him the strawberry again.


    "Fine," he pouted. "Just one bite."


    He took it like a champ. Eyes closed. Swallowed dramatically.


    "That wasn¡¯t so bad, was it?"


    "No. Mommy was right. It wasn¡¯t," he smiled.


    "I told you so." I ruffled his soft curls, brushing the leaves out of them, then took his hand as I stood. "Come on, let¡¯s head back. Outdoor time is up for us."


    Asha groaned, but didn¡¯tin.


    We turned to head back to the pack house, only to stop short. There, just a few feet away, stood a man: fucking naked.


    And not just naked¡ªglorious.

 Chapter 27: GLORIOUSLY NAKED

    <h4>Chapter 27: Chapter 27: GLORIOUSLY NAKED</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    <strong>[MOMENTS EARLIER]</strong>


    Muscle-sculpted, sun-kissed, pant-dropping¡ªlike the forest had decided to hand-deliver temptation itself. It took me a few stunned seconds to realize who it was.


    Ivan Cross.


    My breath caught in my throat.


    What the actual hell was he doing out herepletely nude, like a scene ripped from one of the filthier daydreams I swore I¡¯d buried?


    Every instinct screamed at me to look away. I didn¡¯t. Couldn¡¯t.


    It had been years since I¡¯d seen him like this. And goddess, time had done him favors.


    Hard, lean lines. Broad shoulders. That body had no business looking that fucking good.


    Heat bloomed in my chest and dropped straight to my core the second my eyes dipped lower¡ªto his size, the hanging monster between his legs¡ª


    And fuck¡ª


    My wolf began to pace. Hungry. Breathless.


    Maeve, get a grip.


    Think of your chosen mate!


    Devon. Devon. Devon.


    At that, I forced my gaze toward the woods behind him, willing my heart to stop racing. Desperate to ignore the traitorous pull of tension stretching between us like a live wire.


    Focus, Maeve. You need to focus.


    And then I realized¡ªfor the first time since we¡¯d met again, Ivan¡¯s eyes weren¡¯t on me.


    They were on Asha.


    Gazing at my little boy like he was frozen in ce. Quiet. Gaping.


    Judging by the mud streaks on his feet and fingers, he seemed to havee from the woods. He¡¯d most likely been out for a run.


    He looked different from ourst encounter. The Ivan standing in front of us now didn¡¯t seem like an aggravating asshole or a seducer.


    This Ivan had a weird, hesitant look in his eyes¡ªlike a schoolboy trying to be on his best behavior in front of his most intimidating teacher.


    And the teacher, in this case, was Asha.


    Ivan continued to stare at him with quiet fascination, like the boy hung the fucking moon.


    I doubted he even realized he was still naked. He wasn¡¯t bothering to cover up. Just stood there, openly staring.


    Asha, clearly done with the weirdness, whimpered and scurried behind me. Honestly, in his defense, Ivan did look like a fucking weirdo right now.


    It was enough to snap Ivan out of whatever trance he¡¯d fallen into. He took two steps forward, but I stopped him before he got any closer.


    "Whoa!" I said, throwing my arm out in front of Asha like a mama bear. "What do you think you¡¯re doing?"


    "What?" he blinked, clearly confused.


    "You¡¯re naked," I snapped, gesturing at him. "Goddess¡ªput on some clothes!"


    Asha whimpered again, clutching my legs even tighter.


    Ivan finally looked down and realized what had scared Asha.


    To myplete shock, a blush bloomed across his cheeks, staining them a faint pink. Ivan Cross¡ªblushing. He was actually embarrassed.


    "Fuck. Right. No¡ª not fuck, I wasn¡¯t supposed to say that. I meant... fudge. Sorry. Of course. I¡¯m sorry," he stammered, then sighed in frustration. "I¡¯ll just get changed."


    He turned, and I instinctively shut my eyes to avoid seeing more of him than I already had.


    "Actually, my clothes are behind that tree¡ªby your side," he added, ncing back. "Do you mind grabbing them for me?"


    I nodded awkwardly, but Asha still clung to me, tears welling in his eyes.


    "Don¡¯t leave me, Mummy!" he wailed, clinging tighter.


    "Oh, honey." I scooped him into my arms and held him close. "I¡¯m not leaving you. I would never leave you. I¡¯m just moving over there to grab some clothes for this... nice gentleman. Don¡¯t worry, baby. He won¡¯t hurt you. Let¡¯s help him get dressed, okay? Can we do that?"


    Calling Ivan a gentleman was a stretch¡ªand by stretch, I meant a damn leap¡ªbut right now, Asha didn¡¯t need the truth.


    I smiled at him gently, rubbing circles on his back.


    "Do you want toe with me to get the clothes?"


    Still wary, Asha nodded reluctantly, his sobs tapering off into sniffles.


    I turned to Ivan. There was a look of hurt in his eyes, and for a second, it pierced something fragile inside me. But I shut it down immediately.


    I refused to let myself feel anything about how much it must hurt to realize your own son sees you as a stranger¡ªworse, as someone to be afraid of.


    With Asha in my arms, I walked behind the white oak tree. Just like Ivan had said, there was a folded change of clothes lying on a cement b near the roots.


    A pair of pants and a ck T-shirt.


    Monochrome. His signature style.


    "Here you go," I passed the clothes on to Ivan, careful not to brush against his skin.


    He epted them numbly.


    "Thanks."


    I turned away, giving him a moment to dress.


    He was done in ten seconds t. "You can turn back around."


    When I turned back around, Ivan was dressed, but that strange look hadn¡¯t left his face¡ªsomething between hurt and yearning.


    Once again, he wasn¡¯t looking at me. Like before, he was fixated on Asha. I guess that¡¯s what not knowing your son for five years does to you.


    You start noticing the growing simrities¡ªthe color of his hair up close, the sharpness of those gray eyes that mirror your own¡ªand then you feel it.


    The tug of everything you¡¯ve missed crashing into your chest all at once. I saw it build in his eyes, the ache for something he couldn¡¯t name, and maybe didn¡¯t deserve.


    I didn¡¯t know what to say at first. So we just stood there, awkward and quiet, the breeze brushing past like even the wind didn¡¯t want to interrupt whatever this was.


    After a moment, when it became clear all Ivan was going to do was gawk, I shifted Asha on my hip.


    He was calmer now, head resting against my shoulder, but his fingers still clung to my shirt like he wasn¡¯t ready to let go.


    Tentatively, the words left my lips¡ªsofter than I meant them to be,ing from a more vulnerable ce than I¡¯d ever admit.


    "You okay?" I asked.

 Chapter 28: COOKIE POINTS

    <h4>Chapter 28: Chapter 28: COOKIE POINTS</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    Ivan blinked, his gaze dragging up to mine.


    "Yeah," he said. "Just... didn¡¯t expect to scare him like that."


    "You did show up naked," I muttered.


    That pulled the smallestugh out of him, reluctant, dry, but genuine.


    "I wasn¡¯t exactly nning on an audience," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "I usually run further out. I didn¡¯t think anyone would be here."


    "Well," I shrugged, "we were just having a pic. That¡¯s all."


    His eyes shifted to Asha again. "Looked like he was having fun."


    "He was," I said. "Until a naked man showed up out of the trees."


    Ivan gave a low groan. "You¡¯re not gonna let that go, are you?"


    "Not any time soon."


    Another stretch of silence followed.


    Then, softly, hesitantly, he said, "So... are you gonna introduce us?"


    My chest tightened.


    I didn¡¯t know how to answer that.


    Not when Asha had no idea who Ivan really was. Not when I hadn¡¯t even decided if he¡¯d ever need to.


    As far as he was concerned, this was all just some borate make-believe.


    But how long would that hold up before the questions started? Before the pieces didn¡¯t add up anymore?


    I wasn¡¯t sure. And truthfully, I was afraid to find out.


    "I think introductions are a little premature," I said carefully. "He¡¯s still... settling in."


    Ivan nodded once, jaw tightening.


    "Right. Of course. I didn¡¯t mean anything formal. Just... I don¡¯t know. Maybe a name. Something."


    He looked at Asha like the boy was made of ss. Like he didn¡¯t know how to hold him, or if he ever would.


    "Asha," I said eventually, bouncing him gently. "This is... Ivan. He¡¯s from the pack. And he¡¯s... someone I used to know."


    Asha didn¡¯t respond. His face was half-buried in my neck, and he clung to me like he was afraid I¡¯d disappear if he lost his grip.


    Ivan¡¯s throat bobbed.


    "Hi, Asha," he said quietly. "It¡¯s nice to meet you."


    Asha said nothing. Just held tighter.


    "I think that¡¯s enough for now," I murmured. "He needs time."


    "Yeah," Ivan said. "Of course."


    But I could see it, the flicker of something broken in his eyes.


    "I just..." he started, then stopped. Scrubbed a hand over his face. "I don¡¯t know. I want to make it less scary for him. I don¡¯t want to be this... thing he runs from."


    "He¡¯s shy with new people," I said. "You don¡¯t need to read into it."


    "I do." His voice was softer now, but it held ice nheless. "Because I want to do something. Anything. I want to help, Maeve. Even if it¡¯s just, I don¡¯t know... winning cookie points."


    That dragged a smile out of me, despite everything.


    "Cookie points? Really?"


    He gave me a side-nce. "What? Isn¡¯t that what kids like?"


    In another scene, another life maybe, I might haveughed. But in that moment, I didn¡¯t answer. Things were too different between us now.


    I was too busy trying to push down the emotion threatening to well in my chest. Because this wasn¡¯t the Ivan I¡¯d prepared to face if he ever met Asha again.


    I¡¯d expected an explosion of demands. I¡¯d expected him to try and im Asha by the sheer virtue of being Alpha.


    But this wasn¡¯t the selfish asshole. Or the terrifying Alpha.


    This was just a man¡ªtrying. Awkwardly. Clumsily. Reaching for something he didn¡¯t think he deserved.


    And maybe that was my fault. For running all those years.


    Maybe, even now, I¡¯d be med for taking a child away from their father. But what else could I have done? What other choice had there been?


    For a second¡ªjust a second¡ªI almost felt bad for him.


    But then I remembered.


    He¡¯d caused all of this. He¡¯d brought a breeder between us. My best friend, no less.


    And fuck, it had hurt.


    It still did.


    And maybe Ivan only cared now because Asha was his path to the throne. I wouldn¡¯t put it past him to be that selfish.


    After all, his duty to the pack¡ªhis birthright to be Alpha¡ªhad alwayse first. Before anything. Before me. Maybe even before the idea of being a father.


    If Devon¡¯s n went ordingly, Ivan Cross would never have the luxury of sitting on that throne. I¡¯d make sure of it.


    But before I could shut down these fragile, dangerous emotions¡ªbefore I could retreat behind the wall I knew so well¡ªa scream tore through the air.


    Bloodcurdling.


    And it came straight from the pack house.

 Chapter 29: THE BALD LUNA

    <h4>Chapter 29: Chapter 29: THE BALD LUNA</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    The screamsing from the Ash Creek pack house grew louder as Ivan, Asha, and I burst through the front doors.


    Ivan led the way down the hallways toward the throne room¡ªit was where the chaos seemed to being from.


    The halls were empty, which was weird. Since yesterday, the house had been a beehive of activity, teeming with servants, elders, and general guests.


    Ivan took quicker steps, hurrying to get to the bottom of whatever was causing themotion. I brought up the rear, albeit warily, holding Asha tightly to my chest.


    After what felt like forever, we entered the throne room¡ªand found Lydia throwing a tantrum right in the middle of it.


    She was still bald and more furious than I had ever seen her. Her eyes were bloodshot, and there was saliva frothing at the corners of her mouth.


    She looked rabid¡ªlike she belonged in a psych ward rather than ying the role of Luna in a pack house.


    I lowered my gaze to her legs. The swelling had gone down; it was the only reason she could walk right now.


    "Where is she!" Lydia shrieked loudly, startling the small crowd that had gathered to witness her meltdown.


    Her voice sounded like chalk scraping across a ckboard¡ªannoying, aggravating, and headache-inducing.


    I instinctively stepped away from Ivan, angling backward toward a secluded corner.


    I had barely taken a few steps when I felt a warm presence ease into the space next to me. It was Nina.


    "Hey," I whispered to her. "What the hell is going on?"


    Nina winced and shot me a hesitant look.


    "The Luna woke up a few minutes ago and has been asking for you. Did you cut her hair off?"


    "Maybe," I said vaguely, a smirk curling on the edge of my lips.


    Nina snorted, clearly amused. "She¡¯s very pissed. She says she¡¯s nning to murder you."


    "Really?" I chuckled. "I¡¯d like to see her try."


    "Huh." Nina¡¯s lips curved up just slightly. "Before that happens, you may wanna hand Asha over to me. I¡¯d hate to see him involved in your spat with crazy pants over there."


    She had a point. Thest thing I needed was for Asha to get caught in Lydia¡¯s crossfire.


    I handed him over to her without hesitation, relieved that he wasn¡¯t fussy. We both turned to look at Lydia again.


    She now had a maid gripped by the neckline of her uniform, ring down at her like she meant to rip her apart.


    "Maeve," she spat my name like it was venom. "Where is she?! Where the hell is that scheming little whore? Where are you hiding her?"


    "I¡ªI don¡¯t know," the maid whimpered, trembling on the verge of tears. "I really don¡¯t know. Please, Luna. Let me go. You¡¯re hurting me."


    Lydia abruptly released her, and the maid stumbled backward, mming her hip into the tiled floor with a dull thud.


    Lydia cast her onest withering re before turning toward the rest of the room, which was filled with a strange mix of shock, fascination, and secondhand embarrassment.


    I caught a few pce maids trying (and failing) to hide theirughter behind gloved hands as they stared at her bald head.


    But no matter how unhinged Lydia acted, no one dared to intervene.


    No one except Ivan.


    "Mother," he called out, loud enough to snap her attention toward him. "You should be in bed. What are you doing out here? What¡¯s going on?"


    He sounded exasperated, but it didn¡¯t stop him from stepping forward and reaching out to her. She flinched away from his touch immediately.


    "Don¡¯t touch me," she snapped, glowering at him. "Where the hell is Maeve?"


    Ivan took a long breath, visibly trying to stay calm.


    "You need to rx. I checked in on you earlier¡ªyou¡¯ve been asleep for several hours. What you need now is a bath. Maybe a hot meal."


    "I don¡¯t want any of those things!" she shouted, raising her voice several octaves. "What I want is for you to bring that gold-digging scum here, right now!"


    She jabbed a finger at him, trembling with rage. "All of this is your fault, you know? If you¡¯d just sent her away like I asked, I wouldn¡¯t be bald right now. You¡¯re the reason I look like this!"


    She stamped her feet like a child, throwing an unhinged tantrum in front of everyone.


    It was so painfully out of character that several house members averted their eyes, visibly ufortable.


    Ivan sighed and reached for her again, his tone gentler this time.


    "Come on, Mother. You know why I asked Maeve to stay. She¡¯s the Moon Healer. Without her, you would have died. And about your hair¡ªshe had to cut it in order to properly diagnose your illness."


    At the sound of that, Lydia threw her head back andughed maniacally.


    "Really? Is that what she told you? Tell me, son¡ªwas it before or after she spread her legs wide open for you?"


    Ivan¡¯s eyes darkened to a scowl, a dangerous tick to his jaw. Soft murmurings swirled around the hall¡ªgossip, no doubt, spreading like wildfire.


    At that point, I¡¯d had enough.


    "Do sit down, Luna Lydia," I drawled, stepping forward with all the patience of a queen done sipping tea at a rabid dog¡¯s banquet. "I think I speak for everyone when I say you¡¯re embarrassing yourself."


    Gasps followed. Lydia scanned the room quickly. I saw the exact moment she recognized me¡ªher eyes narrowed into murderous slits.


    "You bitch!" she snarled, lunging at me without warning.


    A collective new round of gasps rose as she raised her fist, fully intending to strike me.


    I watched the descent of her blow and waited until thest possible moment before shooting my hand out to stop it.


    I wrapped my fingers around her wrist, freezing her hand mid-air.


    Lydia red at me like she could set me on fire.


    "What do you think you¡¯re doing? Let go of me if you know what¡¯s good for you."


    "There¡¯s no need to y the victim, Lydia, when you¡¯re the one who just tried to attack me."


    "I attacked you?" she scoffed, trembling with rage. "You¡¯re the one that assaulted me first."


    "Let go of her," Ivan cut in, his voice sharp and cold enough to cut through the tension.


    I let go immediately, turning to him with a mocking bow of reverence.


    The Luna turned to him, jabbing a trembling finger at her bald head.


    "Take a good look at me! This whore-trash cut off everyst strand of my hair out of spite. And then she knocked me out with the hilt of a dagger. She¡¯s no healer¡ªshe¡¯s a vindictive bitch, and her only goal is to see her bastard son seated on the Alpha throne!"

 Chapter 30: SOBS AND INSANITY

    <h4>Chapter 30: Chapter 30: SOBS AND INSANITY</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    "Oh, please. Your words are untrue. Though I must admit, your version is far more dramatic. You should write a book, Lydia¡ªcall it Delusions of a Dying Luna. I¡¯d read it. Maybe."


    "Maeve." Ivan¡¯s tone was a sharp warning.


    "YOU WERE TRYING TO KILL ME, BITCH!" The Luna screeched. "That is why you drew that dagger!"


    Every head in the room was turned to me, waiting¡ªhungry¡ªto see how I¡¯d respond. I thought fast, my brain moving a mile a minute.


    Lydia was doing a fine job acting insane. Maybe it was time I leaned into that narrative and handed the crowd a conclusion, not just suspicion.


    So I did the one thing that always worked when logic wouldn¡¯t: I burst into tears.


    The tears came hot and fast, so sudden that even Ivan looked startled.


    "I¡¯m sorry," I choked out between sobs, really leaning into the pity. "I didn¡¯t want to have to say this in public, but you leave me no choice, Lydia."


    "What are you going on about, you skank?" she snapped, the only one not fazed by my crying.


    I took a deep breath, steadying my voice as I prepared to lie like my life depended on it. And in a way, it did.


    "I didn¡¯t want to do this, but I¡¯m afraid I have to." I lifted my head, letting my gaze sweep across the room. "Members of Ash Creek, it appears the Luna¡¯s condition is far worse than we originally believed."


    "What¡¯s that supposed to mean?" Ivan asked, his eyes narrowing, uncertainty flickering across his face.


    I sniffled loudly, wiping snot from my nose.


    "I¡¯m sorry I didn¡¯t tell you earlier, Ivan. I conducted a more in-depth diagnosis this morning. And I discovered... the Alpha Queen is currently in the final stage of the pitting disease."


    "The final stage?" Ivan inhaled sharply, though his eyes stayed narrowed. "I wasn¡¯t expecting that."


    "I¡¯m sorry, but it¡¯s true. It¡¯s the major cause of her current psychotic meltdowns."


    "Psychotic," Lydia echoed with a guttural snarl. If she could have ripped me apart right then and there, I knew she would¡¯ve tried.


    I lowered my head, willing myself to look utterly devastated. I needed to sell this¡ªevery word of it.


    Karma really was a bitch. Who would¡¯ve thought I¡¯d ever have the chance to dismantle Lydia¡¯s pristine reputation in front of the whole pack?


    "You know what?" I said softly, twisting the knife with a little more ir. "I didn¡¯t want to say this, but seeing as everything has spiraled out of control... I guess I have no choice but to speak the truth."


    "What... truth?" Ivan already looked like he regretted asking.


    "Luna Lydia was the one who cut her hair off."


    Gasps exploded across the room.


    I gestured toward Lydia¡¯s gleaming bald head as my sobs finally softened into small, broken hups.


    "You lying bitch! How can you stand here and lie in front of my son? I should have you locked up in the dungeons. That should teach you a thing or two."


    I didn¡¯t flinch. Instead, I shook my head slowly and turned to Ivan, my tone slipping into something grave.


    "I realize it was wrong of me to keep such an important piece of information from you. And while it¡¯s true that I don¡¯t care much for any of you..."¡ªI paused, letting that truth settle¡ª"...somehow, I found myself wanting to protect the Luna¡¯s reputation."


    "From what?" Ivan asked, his voice lower now, strained as though he were holding his breath.


    I clenched my fists tightly, forcing my lips not to curl. Then, with the same calm used to deliver a death sentence, I announced:


    "Due to the pitting, I¡¯m afraid the Luna has finally lost her sanity."

 Chapter 31: HER FIRST VICTORY

    <h4>Chapter 31: Chapter 31: HER FIRST VICTORY</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    I thought about it long and hard, yet I could hardly think of anything that spread faster than a rumour.


    A funny thing about rumours? They didn¡¯t care about truth, or if you were titled, or even the fucking goddess. Once a rumour was out in the open, there was no taking it back, no concealing it.


    The only thing you could do was allow it to run its course. And right now, I had lit the match by announcing Lydia as certifiably insane. It was left to the crowd to do the rest.


    "That¡¯s absurd," Lydia screeched, turning to face the murmuring crowd.


    Most people had begun to give her wary little looks. Some even went as far as taking a few steps back, as if they feared the snarling wolf would suddenly set the grounds on fire.


    This was certainly not Lydia¡¯s lucky day. Unfortunately for her, I was only just getting started. There was still so much more toe.


    "I am not insane," Lydia continued, whipping her gaze back to Ivan. "Ivan. Son. She¡¯s lying. I am the Luna of this great household. I am not mad. You have to believe me when I say that she attacked me on purpose. She shaved my hair off and knocked me out."


    "I¡¯m afraid the Luna is in denial," I countered, forcing a drained expression onto my face. "I know we¡¯ve had our differences, but what reason could I possibly have to cut her hair off?"


    "Mother has had a few episodes since she grew ill," Ivan said, interrupting with a sharp look in my direction. "But then, I find it hard to believe that she would go as far as to cut her own hair off. There¡¯s also the case of this morning. You imed to be the one who had cut her hair off in order to carry out a diagnosis." His gaze narrowed sternly then. "Which is it, Maeve?"


    "I was merely covering up for the Luna¡¯s misdeeds," I said, clutching my hands tightly. "At that point, it had just happened. I had no choice but to cover for her. I had no idea she was going to do this out here in the open." I waved in the general direction of the hall, and Ivan growled.


    "I don¡¯t believe you."


    "That¡¯s more like it." Lydia¡¯s eyes lit up. She reached out and grabbed Ivan¡¯s arm, clinging to him like he was herst tether to reality.


    The hall, once abuzz with gossip, fell into a heavy silence. There was a thick, stifling tension now as everyone waited for what I would say next.


    I looked from Ivan to Lydia, then back again. My tears had dried. Now my face was set in cool indignation.


    "Typical," I muttered, a breath of augh slipping past my lips. "You know, I can cease being the Luna¡¯s healer if you no longer approve of my methods. What¡¯s the point, if you¡¯re just going to keep distrusting me?" I paused, then added, "But keep in mind that the clock is ticking. The Luna is running out of time. You have to decide what matters more to you¡ªher life, or your inhibitions about me."


    I held his gaze, daring him to speak against the truthid bare between us. Ivan¡¯s face shifted slightly¡ªhis jaw tense, eyes calcting.


    He looked like he had plenty to say, but was carefully weighing his options.


    "I said it already, and I¡¯ll say it again," I began, slowly, making sure each word was clear. "The Luna threw a fit during my session with her this morning. She cut off all her hair and passed out from exhaustion. Now, based on everything you¡¯ve seen in thest fifteen minutes, I want you all¡ªmembers of Ash Creek¡ªto decide for yourselves who¡¯s most likely telling the truth."


    I took a few measured steps back, giving the crowd the space to form their opinions. That was when Revierre, the pack priest, stepped forward in all his aged glory.


    "I¡¯m sorry to interrupt," he said calmly, emerging from the crowd.


    Every eye in the room turned to him.


    He looked exactly the same as yesterday, but this time, he wore a round pair of sses perched on the bridge of his nose.


    He moved toward the tight circle we had unconsciously formed and spoke directly to Ivan.


    "Again, I apologize for the intrusion, Your Highness," he said. "And I hope this won¡¯t offend you. But I implore you to consider the truth in the Moon Healer¡¯s words. After months of desperate searching, she is ourst hope of saving the Luna¡¯s life. As she rightly said, we are running out of time. The more we dwell on past missteps and old wounds, the more likely it is that we¡¯ll lose her entirely."


    "What are you trying to insinuate, priest?" Lydia asked, her voice dripping with venom as she turned her rage onto him.


    Revierrie lowered his head in a respectful bow.


    "I do not mean any disrespect, Luna, but if the healer says that your illness has deteriorated to the point of madness, then I implore you to provide the room for her to do her job so you can get better."


    "You presumptuous little weasel!" Lydia screamed at him. "How dare you? You know nothing about me or my illness!"


    "I know enough to deduce that you need to be treated as soon as possible. Thest thing we need is for the present situation to grow worse than it already is."


    He turned to Ivan, silently urging him to hearken to reason. Ivan looked torn, clearly wrestling with the opposing perspectives.


    It took him a few moments to make up his mind, but I recognized the exact moment he did¡ªhe exhaled a rasping breath, his expression rigged with guilt.


    "Ivan," Lydia gripped his arm tighter, as if she could physically anchor his loyalty.


    Ivan ced his hand over hers and gently pried her fingers away.


    "You need to try to get some rest, Mother. You¡¯ve had a long day."


    "Don¡¯t tell me you believe these tant usations against me," she growled, voice trembling with fury. But more than anything, she looked hurt. Betrayed.


    "I¡¯m afraid the priest is right. You need to get better as soon as possible. And to achieve that, we have no other choice but to cooperate with the healer."


    "So you don¡¯t believe me? You actually think I¡¯m insane?"


    "I¡¯m sorry, Mother," he said, avoiding her gaze. Then, his tone shifted to something colder, more authoritative, as he addressed the guards. "Take the Luna back to her rooms. Keep a close watch on her. She is not to leave until we see improvements in her health."


    "No!" Lydia shrieked, attempting to flee, but the guards were quicker.


    They seized her before she could get far. She thrashed in their grip, yelling obscenities and calling out to Ivan, but he refused to turn.


    His back was to her, his jaw clenched tight, and his shoulders stiff with resolve. He didn¡¯t move until Lydia was safely escorted back upstairs and locked in her rooms.


    The crowd slowly began to disperse after that.


    But even then, his eyes never left me.


    There was a glint of something in his gaze, suspicion, maybe, or a lingering note of usation.


    As if he were trying to peel back each of myyers, to uncover whatevery buried underneath my intentions. To catch a slip-up, a fracture in my mask, the slightest hint of a lie.


    I bit down on my smirk before it could curl too smugly across my lips and offered him a slow, theatrical bow instead¡ªone befitting an Alpha. A mockery wrapped in elegance.


    Then I turned on my heel, collected Asha into my arms, and strode out with my head held high. And yet, not once did Ivan¡¯s eyes leave my form


    By midnight, a wicked little rumor had spread across the entirety of Ash Creek pack: the Luna had gone mad.


    As the hours wore on, whispers turned into questions. Many began to wonder whether it was still reasonable to keep Lydia Cross in her position as Luna.


    That night, I slept with my arms wrapped tightly around Asha, unable to suppress the small, satisfied smile of victory on my lips.


    I woke the next morning wearing that same vindictive smile.


    I got ready quickly, dressing Asha without dy.


    By the time Nina arrived to escort him to his lessons, I was already dressed and standing by the door¡ªready to begin a new day of ending the Cross lineage.

 Chapter 32: MY FAVORITE PATIENT

    <h4>Chapter 32: Chapter 32: MY FAVORITE PATIENT</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    I knocked twice on the Luna¡¯s doors before I walked inside.


    Theresa was clearing away the breakfast tray when I sauntered in. She gave me a quick nce before lowering her head, trying to make herself inconspicuous.


    "Good morning, Theresa," I greeted her good-naturedly. Then, I turned to Lydia.


    As expected, she looked sour. Pale. Hateful. She especially looked pissed to see me.


    I ignored her anger, forcing my tone to sound chipper.


    "And how is my favorite patient doing today?"


    A question like that was sure to piss Lydia off further¡ªand I was counting on it. She ignored mepletely and turned to Theresa instead.


    "That¡¯ll be all, Theresa. Take the rest of the morning off."


    "Yes, Luna." The maid bowed quickly and hurried out of the room, taking a basket of linens with her.


    "So," I pped my hands together and took a seat at the edge of the bed, "should we kick the morning off with a dose of medicine? Or do you wanna start by telling me how you¡¯re feeling today?"


    Lydia stayed quiet for the longest time. The hands gripping her sheets were tight, her knuckles pale and the visible veins under them pulsing.


    When she finally forced herself to speak, her voice came out hardened and poisoned with venom.


    "As much as it pains me to be the only one that sees right through you, I know the day wille when everyone else will finally see you for what you truly are."


    "I¡¯m sorry, Lydia, but I don¡¯t think baseless usations are a part of today¡¯s treatment schedule."


    "From the moment you stepped foot back in Ash Creek, everything about you has been a lie. Just like yesterday," she hissed, ignoring my jab. "You may have fooled everyone with your fake tears and carefully crafted lies, but you can only fool people for so long. Sooner orter, your true colors are going toe out, and everyone will see what I see¡ªa lying, scheming whore." Her voice dropped, bitter with fury. "I should have ended you all those years ago when you were nothing but a trembling, irritating thing beneath my feet. You think you¡¯ve grown stronger, don¡¯t you? But you¡¯re still that same pitiful girl, desperate for scraps of affection, holding on to delusions of revenge. You¡¯ll always be that girl, Maeve. That weak, trembling thing."


    "Maybe that was your greatest mistake, Lydia¡ªnot killing me when I was weak and pliable under your feet. You had every opportunity, didn¡¯t you? But instead, you chose to toy with me. You tortured me slowly. You made me tremble, cry, beg. And you thought I¡¯d stay that way forever." I let out a softugh, the kind that was almost pitying. Almost. "Only a fool tortures someone for years and expects no reckoning when they let them live. This isn¡¯t revenge, Lydia. No, no. This is inevitability. This is what happens when you fashion a monster out of your own hands and forget to chain it." I grinned, slowly drinking in the horror that paled her expression. "You say I¡¯m still that desperate little girl? Well, maybe. Or maybe... I simply learned from the best. You taught me everything I know. So if I¡¯ve be a lying, scheming whore... then I suppose you should take it as apliment." Deliberately, I leaned forward to adjust the covers on the bed.


    Lydia flinched, recoiling instinctively, as though I might lunge at her with shears again.


    I smirked in amusement. "Rx, my Luna. You¡¯ve got no more hair left for me to cut."


    "You¡¯re even worse than I thought!" she spluttered. "So, you do admit it then? You did cut my hair off and knocked me out with a dagger."


    Iughed, unbothered. "Of course it was me. Who else could it have been?"


    "I¡¯m going to tell Ivan," she threatened, struggling to rise from the bed, only to find her swollen legs too heavy to carry her. Serves her right for stomping around yesterday like an Elephant.


    I rolled my eyes. "No one¡¯s going to believe you, Lydia. You¡¯re insane, remember?"


    "I¡¯m not," she snarled. "You¡¯re the one who¡¯s a lying bitch. You¡¯re the one who has gone insane!"


    "Yes," I agreed with ease. "I am insane. Delightfully so. And I strongly suggest you don¡¯t test the depths of it. Because if you think I¡¯ve done you dirty now, oh Lydia... you truly have no idea what it means to be deranged. This is nothing. By the time I¡¯m done with you, you¡¯ll be on your knees, begging me to stop. But I won¡¯t. Because you and I both know¡ªyou don¡¯t deserve my mercy."


    "You won¡¯t get away with any of this," she cried, desperation bleeding through the edges of her fury. "Very soon, Ivan is going to see you for what you truly are."


    "I doubt that," I scoffed. "I¡¯d much sooner wreck everything he holds dear before he gets the chance to figure it out."


    "So that¡¯s your grand n? To wreck my son?"


    "Yes, Lydia. Among other things." My lips curved into a smug smile. "But don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯ve got especially big ns for you."


    "If you try to kill me, Ivan is never going to forgive you." She raised her chin in a feeble attempt to sound defiant, but all she did was expose how terrified she truly was.


    Typical Lydia.


    Even when cornered, she still wanted to be the one calling the shots.


    It hurt her pride too much to admit that, for once, the odds weren¡¯t in her favor. That no one wasing to save her.


    Not Ivan.


    Certainly not Serena.


    "How many times do I have to say this for it to sink in?" I sighed, every word measured, my body inching closer with each one.


    I wanted her to feel it¡ªto feel me the way I used to feel her cruelty years ago, when she ruled my world with fists and abusive words.


    "I have no ns to kill you," I whispered, running my fingers slowly down the curve of her neck. "More than anything, I want you to live. So I can pay you back for every ounce of hurt you caused me¡ªall those years ago."


    "I¡¯d rather kill you first before you get the chance," Lydia stated coldly. I hardly noticed her reaching beneath the covers.


    Before I could fully register her movement, she pulled a dagger out from under the sheets and lunged straight at me.

 Chapter 33: NOT SO FAST

    <h4>Chapter 33: Chapter 33: NOT SO FAST</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    Lydia lunged for me, raising a diamond-studded dagger with every intention of stabbing me. I moved out of the way at thest moment.


    A secondter and the knife¡¯s sharp de would have rammed into my rib, puncturing one of my organs. It cut my forearm instead.


    The sting of the wound was sharp. So was the pool of blood.


    Blood gushed from the wound, spilling to the floor. The sting lingered for a moment longer before it began to heal.


    I raised my gaze to Lydia¡¯s. She was still clutching the de menacingly, breathing hard.


    "Put the de down, Lydia," I told her, eyeing her carefully.


    I had to give it to her. She had taken me by surprise with that stunt she pulled. I never could have anticipated she had a dagger hidden beneath her sheets, waiting for me.


    Was that why she dismissed her maid early? The more I thought about it, the more I realized the entire thing had been a carefully crafted Lydia n. I was lucky to have escaped with just a nick on my arm.


    I gave her another meaningful look. "Put the de down. Seriously, your arm¡¯s gotta be hurting with how long you¡¯ve had it suspended in the air."


    "I¡¯ll hold it however long I want," she snarled.


    I tilted my head at her, a slow smirk curving my lips as I eyed the shaking de still clutched in her hand.


    "You can hold it all night if you want, but it won¡¯t make you any less pathetic." I took a single step forward, just enough to make her flinch despite the dagger, then smiled wider. "And don¡¯t worry¡ªI¡¯m not going to retaliate. Not today, at least. After all, I did strike first. Consider us even... for now."


    "Y-You don¡¯t scare me," she spat. "You¡¯re the one who should watch her back!"


    "I¡¯m shaking in my panties. If I were you, I¡¯d sleep with that de under your pillow. You never know when I might change my mind." I chuckled, reaching inside my jacket. I pulled a vial from my inner pocket and tossed it toward her.


    Lydia didn¡¯t bother catching it. She just eyed it with a condescending look, all disdain.


    "What¡¯s that?"


    "It¡¯s definitely not poison," I smirked, turning on my heels to leave. "It¡¯s today¡¯s dose of medicine. Take two drops now and two drops in the evening."


    "There¡¯s no way I¡¯m ingesting anything you rmend," she scoffed, finally lowering the de. "I¡¯m not that dumb."


    "No, you¡¯re not dumb. Just... insane." I gave her a little wave and walked out of the room.


    So far, every meeting with Lydia had been chaotic and borderline crazy. I could only hope a chance would present itself soon to search her room for the ck book.


    After I knocked her out yesterday, that would¡¯ve been the perfect opportunity¡ªbut then Ivan showed up.


    I walked down the hallway and ventured down the grand staircase. Asha was most likely still busy with his lessons, and I didn¡¯t want to intrude on that.


    So, I took some time to traipse the grounds, taking in the few changes that had been done to the packhouse in thest five years.


    Aside from instating a Luna¡¯s kitchen, another major change was the addition of a state-of-the-art training room on the ground floor. The room had all sorts of stuff¡ªweapons, a fighting arena, even a viewing box.


    I wondered why Ash Creek needed a room like this. Unless they were nning to go to war. If that was true... how soon?


    Another change to the Ash Creek pack house was an in-house movie theatre. It was almost as big as one of thosemercial cinema halls.


    It was surprising that members of Ash Creek¡¯s ruling family had time away from scheming and being jerks to indulge in movies.


    Someone like Ivan? I could hardly picture him hanging out in a room like that, just for fun. The theatre had probably been set up for the house members.


    I walked around a bit more. At the end of my excursion, I ended up outside, next to the water fountain. A few minutester, Marlo showed up.


    She had been out running a few errands¡ªgetting herb supplies for tomorrow¡¯s brew. That was the story we were telling, anyway. In truth, she had been getting Ash Creek intel back to Devon¡¯s men stationed at the market.


    "Hey, Marlo," I greeted her with a smile, gesturing to the basket in her hands. "Were you able to get everything on the list?"


    "Hello, Maeve," she returned my smile. "It wasn¡¯t easy, but I was able to secure all the ingredients. I¡¯m heading to the Luna¡¯s kitchens now to get started on the brew."


    "Good job."


    "Thanks," she said, walking past me. At thest moment, she halted and whispered, "Devon wants you to call him tonight with the burner phone."


    My heart skipped a beat at the sound of that. "What time?"


    "Nine o¡¯clock."


    Marlo walked on, leaving me behind. For thest couple of days, I¡¯d been waiting to receive word from my mate, barely restraining myself from using the burner phone.


    Devon had made it clear from the beginning that I wasn¡¯t to initiate a call until he sent word through Marlo.


    I didn¡¯t know how long I could put up with our speaking arrangements. The truth was that, regardless of everything we were trying to pull, I missed him. I missed talking to him.


    After a few days of waiting, I finally had a chance to talk to him. I could hardly wait.


    Just as I made to head back inside the house, a shiny red convertible pulled into the front yard with so much speed that the tires screeched against the pavement.


    The car rounded the fountain,ing to a stop at the bottom of the front steps. I folded my arms across my chest, wondering who the reckless driver was.


    A few momentster, the car door rose upward and Serena stepped out, putting me out of my suspense.


    Of course it was her.


    Now that I thought about it, I hadn¡¯t seen her since yesterday morning. Even when Lydia had made a spectacle in the throne room, she hadn¡¯t been present.


    Serena shut the car door, adjusting the shades perched on her button nose. Her hair was hidden underneath a designer scarf, and her dress was chic with a baby cor.


    She looked like something out of a vintage magazine¡ªelegant, polished, and dripping with that timeless sort of beauty reserved for noble bloodlines.


    She could¡¯ve easily passed for a taller, sluttier version of some long-dead royal courtesan.


    I saw the exact moment she noticed me, because her shoulders stiffened defensively.


    She sashayed toward me, taking long and purposeful strides.

 Chapter 34: DIRTY TALK

    <h4>Chapter 34: Chapter 34: DIRTY TALK</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    "What are you doing out here?" she asked, peeling off her sses with a sneer. "Shouldn¡¯t you be off somewhere, stirring your little peasant herbs or whatever it is you people do?"


    There were dark circles under her eyes, hinting at ack of sleep. Again, I wondered where she had been.


    Not because I cared. It was more of a gnawing curiosity.


    A she-wolf as insecure and territorial as Serena would never choose to leave Ivan alone under the same roof with me for an entire night.


    Unless she was up to something.


    "Actually, I should be asking where you¡¯ve been," I said smoothly, letting my gaze rake over her. "You look like you¡¯ve been off enjoying yourself..."


    "I was at a resort," she said coolly, brushing invisible lint off her sleeve. "Figured I deserved a little pampering after all the stress you¡¯ve caused me these past few days."


    "Really?" I snickered. "But I¡¯ve barely done anything."


    "I heard you caused quite the ruckus with Lydia yesterday," she continued. "You must be pleased to have turned Ivan against his mother."


    "You heard wrong. All I did was call it as I saw it. Everyone else made up their minds on their own."


    "Is that what you tell yourself to feel better about the awful things you¡¯ve done?"


    "Careful now. You of all people should know better than to say that to me, especially with the graveyard of confessions you¡¯ve handed me." I tilted my head, and Serena instinctively straightened her spine.


    She knew exactly what I was referring to¡ªthe fact that she had poisoned me five years ago, nearly causing me to lose Asha.


    "Tread wisely, Serena," I said, taking a slow step forward. "I may choose to stay quiet about the callous things you¡¯ve done to me, but that doesn¡¯t mean I¡¯ve forgotten, or that I hate you any less."


    Serena opened her mouth, but no words came out. Once more, I had her cornered.


    As much as she hated that I was here in Ash Creek and wanted me gone, more than that, she feared having Ivan discover that she had nearly murdered his heir five years ago.


    A secret like that would shatter the fragments of her already shaky rtionship with him. And knowing Serena, I could tell that was thest thing she wanted.


    She loved Ivan. She wanted to be Luna of Ash Creek so badly.


    I watched her lower her gaze to her shoes. She cleared her throat, visibly ufortable.


    "You can ignore I said anything. As far as I¡¯m concerned, we never had this conversation."


    With that, she dismissed me and hurried up the front steps, disappearing past the double doors.


    That night, in my room, I took a long soak in the tub. Asha was already in bed, busy with his storybooks.


    After my bath, I dressed in my nightwear and headed to the adjoining sitting room, taking a seat in front of the firece. It was a warm night, yet I relished the heat of the fire.


    At exactly nine p.m., I called Devon. In typical Devon fashion, he picked up immediately.


    "Maeve," he said, his voice sounding so familiar and yet so far away.


    "Dev," I breathed, his name barely audible on my lips. "Honey. I¡¯ve missed you."


    It was the truth.


    It didn¡¯t matter how physical I had gotten with Ivan or how passionately my wolf seemed to crave him. I missed my husband¡ªso much.


    I missed the warmth of his embrace. His stability. His kindness. His sce.


    "I¡¯ve missed you too, pretty girl," he replied, his voice light, and I could almost picture the smile on his face. "How¡¯s Asha?"


    "He¡¯s fine," I told him. "He misses you. He can¡¯t wait to see you."


    "I miss him too," Devon murmured. "And while I can hardly wait to have him back here with me, you do understand why you both have to remain there for now."


    "Yeah, I know," I sighed, leaning back into the plush chair. "It hasn¡¯t been easy though¡ªespecially with Lydia. And... Ivan." My voice dropped lower, hesitant. "He suspects me. I think he¡¯s got spies nted on me. But don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m being careful."


    There was a brief silence on the other end, like he was considering his next words.


    "How are you coping, though?" he asked gently. "I mean... seeing him again? Being under the same roof with your ex-mate. Is that... hard for you?"


    I froze. My throat tightened for a moment, because yes¡ªit was hard. Harder than I wanted to admit. And moreplicated than I could exin.


    I started to speak, but he filled the silence before I could.


    "Don¡¯t tell me he¡¯s been trying to woo you again," Devon said, attempting lightness with a forced chuckle.


    Iughed, too¡ªbut the sound was short, tight. Weak.


    "No, of course not," I said, lying through my teeth.


    I could still feel the light trace of Ivan¡¯s lips on mine, still hear the way my wolf had whimpered for more. Before I could stumble my way through a proper answer, Devon continued.


    "I¡¯m joking, pretty girl," he said. "I trust you. You¡¯re mine. And I love you. You know that, right?"


    "I know," I whispered. And I did. But the knot in my chest didn¡¯t ease.


    Then, his voice dropped, lower, rougher.


    "What are you wearing right now?"


    I blinked, surprised. I nced down at myself, at the thin satin of my pyjama robes sticking damply to my skin from the bath.


    "My nightwear," I said, cautiously.


    "What kind?"


    "A robe."


    "What color?"


    I swallowed. "Red."


    "Fuck," he groaned. "That¡¯s my favorite. You know what I¡¯d do to you right now if I was there?"


    I didn¡¯t answer. My pulse fluttered. I felt it in my stomach first, then lower.


    "I¡¯d pull those little straps off your shoulders with my teeth," Devon said, voice husky and hungry with need. "I¡¯d press you down into that chair and kiss every inch of you. Lick you until you begged. I¡¯m fisting my cock right now just thinking about your lips around it, your breath on my neck..."


    My breath hitched, heat crawling up the sides of my neck. I gripped the phone tighter. But just as I parted my lips to say something back¡ª


    <strong>Knock knock knock.</strong>


    I jolted, heart jumping into my throat.


    "Devon," I whispered quickly, standing from the chair. "Someone¡¯s at the door. I¡¯ve got to go."


    "Fuck. Fine, hang up," he said immediately, his voice shifting back intomand. "I¡¯ll keep in touch."


    I ended the call, breath still shaky, and rushed to the firece.


    With shaking fingers, I tucked the burner phone behind the mantle, hiding it in the dark crevice just as footsteps sounded faintly outside my door.


    But even as I stepped back, the tightness in my chest deepened. What rattled me wasn¡¯t the knock at the door.


    It was the fact that¡ªdespite the dirty talk, despite Devon¡¯s voice, his love, his trust... my body hadn¡¯t thrilled the way it used to.


    I forced the thought away, crossing the room and unlocking the door.


    The wolf standing on the other side of the threshold wasn¡¯t a servant. It wasn¡¯t Marlo or Nina either.


    It was Ivan.


    Ivan Cross.

 Chapter 35: FUCKING GODDESS

    <h4>Chapter 35: Chapter 35: FUCKING GODDESS</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    I had spent most of the day in meetings with the Council of Elders, deliberating on security matters. Lately, there had been rogue threats to our borders.


    The Council had also received reports of spies roaming freely through the market and less conspicuous parts of the pack, gathering intel about Ash Creek and selling them to enemy territories for a price.


    I sat at the head of the meeting table, overseeing the details of the discussion.


    While I wasn¡¯t Alpha King yet, I was the closest point of contact to the Ash Creek throne. Now that I had an heir, it was only a matter of time before I was crowned.


    The Council continued to bicker and argue, tossing out suggestions on the most effective ways to handle the situation.


    I waited until they had reached a conclusion concerning the rogues and the spies before shifting the conversation to something else entirely.


    "I wish to discuss the topic of my ascension to the Alpha throne," I began, toying with the Ash Creek si ring on my finger.


    The ring was silver, a family heirloom my father had gifted me a few years ago. I knew it was corny to think about, but now that I had Asha, I couldn¡¯t help but imagine the day I¡¯d pass it on to him.


    "Of course, Your Highness. It is about time we had that discussion," Francis said, giving the table a meaningful look.


    I returned the look. "My coronation was dyed because of my failure to produce an heir. But as you all know, I happened to have fathered a son with my first mate, Maeve, five years ago. A DNA test confirmed his identity."


    "So, you do n to name the boy, Asha, as your heir?" Barty asked, voicing the question on everyone¡¯s mind.


    "Yes," I answered simply. "He is mine. I don¡¯t see why not. But then, for that to happen, I would have to ascend to the Alpha throne first. How long is that going to take?"


    "We would have to wait for the next full moon," Elder Kris replied.


    "The next full moon?" I shook my head. "No. That¡¯s not going to work."


    As I said that, I turned to Barty. "How are the preparationsing along for the rejection ritual?"


    "Everything is on track," Barty assured me. "The next full moon is in three days. With your permission, we can hold the rejection ritual then."


    "You have my permission," I told him. "As for the coronation ceremony¡ª"


    This time, I addressed the rest of the table.


    "We¡¯ll hold an official ceremony in a month¡ªthe next time the moon is at its fullest. There¡¯s no rush. I¡¯d also like the ceremony to double as Asha¡¯s formal instatement as the next in line for the Ash Creek throne."


    "Of course, Your Highness," the Council chorused.


    The meeting dragged on for a few more hours. After several rounds of discussion, the Council was finally dismissed.


    One by one, the Elders left, until I was the only one left in the throne room.


    Not quite ready to call it a day, I helped myself to a few sses of rum. As I drank, I thought about everything that needed to be done in theing months.


    With Father gone, it was up to me to protect Ash Creek now, to strengthen the borders and the legacy. I also needed to present a united front¡ªwith a Luna at my side.


    That was where Serena came in.


    No matter how insufferable or dramatic she was, she was the only one I was willing toplete the Mating Ceremony with.


    But to do that, I needed to break the mating bond I still shared with Maeve. Just as Barty had said, the rejection ritual would be held under the next full moon.


    And if everything went ording to n, the bond would be severed.


    I finished my drink and finally stepped out of the throne room. To my surprise, it was already past 9 PM.


    I¡¯d been awake and working since dawn, and now, I was bone-tired. I made my way down the corridors, offering curt nods to the servants who stopped to bow or greet me.


    Somehow, after fifteen minutes of wandering without a destination, I found myself standing in front of Maeve¡¯s door.


    Showing up thiste, I knew she wouldn¡¯t like it. She¡¯d probably pick a fight with me over it. I told myself it didn¡¯t matter¡ªif it meant I got to see Asha.


    Asha. That was the reason I was here.


    I hoped he was still awake. So far, I hadn¡¯t managed to have a decent conversation with him.


    Yesterday¡¯s encounter in the woods had been a disaster¡ªone I intended to fix.


    It was all up to Maeve to give me a chance to redeem myself. I braced myself, gathering every ounce of courage I had before knocking on the door.


    There was no response, but I could hear the faint sound of scurrying feet behind it. I waited a few seconds more.


    Maybe she hadn¡¯t heard me. Just as I raised my fist to knock again, the door flung open suddenly.


    Maeve appeared in the doorway, wearing a red robe that looked like it had been stitched from sin itself, tailored explicitly for seduction.


    The silk clung to her curves like it worshipped them, loose enough to be dangerous, tight enough to drive me fucking insane.


    It parted at the thighs just enough to show off smooth, golden skin and the promise of whaty between. Her hair was tousled, her lips slightly parted like she¡¯d just woken from a wet dream.


    Blood rushed straight to my cock, hot and hardening so fast it was painful.


    My mouth went dry, heart rate spiking as a thousand images¡ªno, a thousand filthy shes¡ªof this woman, this goddess, flickered through my brain.


    Her on her knees, tongue out and eyes ssy. Bent over the edge of my bed, begging. Spread open with my mouth on her, my name breathless on her tongue.


    Her nails dragging down my back while I drove into her hard enough to make her forget every man before me. Every thought before me.


    The robe was short¡ªdangerously short¡ªclinging to her wide hips, the torturous curve of her thighs. I followed the path of the carelessly knotted ties to¡ª


    Fuck.


    One tug. That¡¯s all it would take to have her naked and gasping under me.


    One tug, and I¡¯de face-to-face with the soft swell of her breasts.


    Goddess. Maeve Oakes wasn¡¯t wearing a bra. The nightie was sheer,pletely see-through, and I could see her nipples¡ªsulent, perfect, impossible to ignore.


    "Ivan. What are you doing here?" Her voice was startled, cutting through my thoughts like a de.

 Chapter 36: A SECOND MATE

    <h4>Chapter 36: Chapter 36: A SECOND MATE</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    I blinked, dragged out of my inappropriate daze.


    "Huh?" I looked up quickly, meeting her eyes.


    She must¡¯ve seen something filthy in my gaze because her face flushed a deep crimson.


    She cleared her throat and crossed her arms over her chest, trying to shield herself from me. I could see her debating whether to bolt inside and grab a shawl.


    I didn¡¯t want her to cover up. But I needed to get a grip, fast.


    "I¡¯ve been in meetings with the Council of Elders all day," I said, blurting the first thing that came to mind. Fucking alcohol.


    "Okay?" she raised a brow, clearly unimpressed. "And?"


    I cleared my throat, forcing my eyes to stay on her face.


    "One of the things we discussed was the ritual to sever our mating bond. It¡¯s happening in three days, during the full moon. Be ready."


    "That was fast," she said, clearly surprised, momentarily forgetting her state of undress.


    "I told you I¡¯d handle it," I replied curtly, harsher than I intended.


    "So, is there anything I need to bring? For the ritual?"


    "Nothing. Juste as you are. I¡¯ll send you the location details before the day."


    "Alright," she exhaled, sounding strangely light, almost relieved.


    Too relieved.


    Something about her tone didn¡¯t sit right with me. She was suspiciously... eager.


    "Well," she said, drawing in a breath, "if that¡¯s all, I guess this is my cue to say goodnight."


    She began to step back, pulling the door with her.


    "Wait." I reached out and stopped the door from closing.


    "You¡¯ve got something else to say?" Maeve asked, giving me a wary look.


    "It¡¯s more of a question." I raised my hand slightly in a non-threatening gesture. "You¡¯ve made it pretty damn clear how badly you want this bond broken. I just need to know¡ªwhy? I mean, I get it on my end. I¡¯ve got a fianc¨¦e. But what¡¯s your excuse?"


    "My excuse? You narcissistic bastard." Maeve chuckled, holding my gaze with a confidence that set my teeth on edge. "First, I want nothing to do with you ever again. Our mate bond is a nuisance to me. And secondly, with all your talk about finding a chosen mate, I¡¯m surprised it¡¯s never urred to you that I might¡¯ve found mine, too."


    "What?!" I snarled, my voice rising.


    My nostrils red as the full meaning of her words hit me like a sledgehammer. She had a second chance mate. Since when? Where had she met him? Who the fuck was he?


    "You¡¯ve got a second mate?" I spat, the words bitter as acid. "And you waited until now to say something?"


    "I never felt the need to," she shrugged, infuriatingly nonchnt. "What I do with my love life is none of your business."


    "Your love life?" I scoffed, barely restraining the fury bubbling in my chest. "Are you trying to tell me you love this wolf? Who the fuck is he?"


    "Well, he¡¯s definitely not you. That¡¯s all you need to know. Now, if you¡¯ve got nothing else to say, I¡¯m going to bed."


    "We¡¯re not done here," I growled, stepping into the room. I pushed the door shut behind me and in the same motion, closed the distance between us, backing her up until she hit the wall.


    "Not this again!" Maeve tried to push me away, but I pinned her there with the full length of my body.


    Her body was warm against mine, and as twisted as it sounded, it pleased me to feel her breath quicken from our close proximity.


    Her attempts to fight me off were weak¡ªhalf-hearted at best.


    Deep down, I could tell she was trying her hardest to hide the fact that her wolf was aroused by my closeness, stirred by my warmth, reacting despite her mind¡¯s resistance.


    "Who is he?" I asked, whispering the words dangerously close to her lips. "This second mate you speak of. Do I know him?"


    "How could you possibly know him?" she huffed, ring daggers at me.


    I ignored the heat of her anger and pressed on. "Do you love him?"


    "Do you really want to know the answer to that?" she asked, scoffing right in my face.


    "Answer the question."


    "Yes, Ivan. I love him very much. So much it aches. Is that what you want to hear?"


    "I don¡¯t believe you," I countered, taunting her now, my voice dropping lower. "If you really loved him, you never would¡¯ve let me kiss you the way I did the other day."


    "I never consented to that kiss," she shot back hotly. "It was more of an assault on your part. I had no choice but to take it in stride."


    "You can deny it all you want, but I know you loved that kiss."


    My gaze dropped then, slowly, deliberately, devouring her inch by inch. I drank in the way the silk of her robe hugged every filthy curve.


    My eyes tracked the teasing dip between her breasts, the slight tremble in her thighs as she tried¡ªand failed¡ªto look unaffected.


    Her nipples were peaked under the thin fabric, a sinful fucking dare my mouth ached to meet. Fucking hell, she¡¯d be the death of me.


    I wanted to press her up harder against the wall, slide down to my knees, and bury my face between her thighs until every moan that tore from her lips was my name¡ªuntil she forgot every man who came after me.


    Until this second chance mate bes nothing but a distant memory.


    I wanted to taste every truth, every lie, until she was wrecked and breathless and begging me to fuck her like a beast in heat.


    "The same way I know this," I murmured, my eyes dragging slowly back up to meet hers, "is the same way I know you still want me. Your body can¡¯t deny it, even if your mouth does."


    "You¡¯re crazy," she red, renewing her struggle to get away from me.


    I seized her wrists, pressing them gently but firmly to my chest.


    "You want me, Maeve. So much it eats you alive. Admit it."


    "It¡¯ll be a cold day in hell before I admit to something as ludicrous as that," she snapped. "Now let go of me, you controlling jerk."


    "Let go of her!" Asha¡¯s tiny, furious voice rang out from the bedroom doorway.


    The sound hit me like a ssh of ice-cold water. I froze, every bit of heat and momentum zapped out of me in an instant.


    I dropped Maeve¡¯s wrists like they were scalding coals and stepped back quickly, guilt crashing down on me hard and fast.


    I turned to him.


    Asha was standing there, small but holding amp in his shaky hands, his re burning with something far worse than anger¡ªdisappointment.


    I had been hated and scorned before. At different points in my life, I¡¯d been cursed at, spat on, even feared.


    But none of those things cut as deep as the scalding look of disappointment in my five-year-old son¡¯s eyes.


    "Asha," I began, raising my hands in surrender, trying to calm him. "This is not what it looks like."


    "No!" he shouted, his little chest heaving, his expression fierce. "You¡¯re a bad man! I want you to stay away from my mummy. Leave us alone!" His voice cracked slightly, but the warning in it was clear.


    I might have been proud of his fearless reprimanding, if it hadn¡¯t been aimed at me.


    This tiny pup¡ªthe one person I wanted to impress more than anyone else in this godsdamned world¡ªand I had already failed him. Again.


    I just kept messing things up, even when I didn¡¯t mean to.


    Like now.


    "Your mum and I were just talking," I said quickly, the lump rising in my throat making it hard to breathe, let alone speak. "I would never hurt her. You have to believe me."


    "I don¡¯t believe you," Asha replied firmly, shaking his head so hard that his curls bounced with every movement. "Get out."


    Wow.


    Not only had I been yelled at¡ªI¡¯d been dismissed, too.


    Fucking great.

 Chapter 37: THE BAD MAN

    <h4>Chapter 37: Chapter 37: THE BAD MAN</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    Asha¡¯s re could¡¯ve set fire to the damn room.


    He looked like he was one second away from shifting¡ªwhich was wild, considering he was five. But that¡¯s how deep his loathing ran.


    He wasn¡¯t scared of Ivan like he had been earlier. He despised him. And the part that gutted me was that I couldn¡¯t even me him.


    Impressions mattered to kids, and Ivan¡ªNeanderthal that he was¡ªhad disappointed my little boy twice in a row.


    Worst of all, he had cornered his mummy against a wall like a fucking brute. Themp in Asha¡¯s small hands twitched, like it itched to swing.


    I rushed to his side.


    "Baby, hey," I said gently, crouching beside him. "Drop that, sweetheart. It¡¯s bedtime. You shouldn¡¯t be here."


    But Asha yanked it away from my reach, nting his tiny feet like a warrior made of fire and grit.


    "No. Get behind me, Mummy," he said, his voice tight with resolve. "I¡¯ll protect you."


    My heart skipped.


    He took a step in front of me, shielding me with his little body like it was the most natural thing in the world.


    "I¡¯m not afraid of the bad man anymore."


    For a moment, my chest swelled with pride, but that crashed the second I caught Ivan¡¯s expression¡ªthe shattered, bruised look on his beautiful face.


    It shot right through my chest and scarred my wolf. It was a look I wouldn¡¯t be forgetting anytime soon.


    He stood there like he¡¯d been sucker-punched. Like he couldn¡¯t figure out where the hell he went wrong.


    His fists kept clenching and unclenching. His jaw flexed. His breathing was weak. And his eyes. Sweet Goddess, those eyes¡ª


    He wasn¡¯t hiding the pain. Not this time. He couldn¡¯t, even if he tried.


    It was the first time I saw Ivan look small. Emotionally.


    Like the version of him I used to know¡ªthe one who traced constetions on my back and made me believe in sweet little nothings¡ªwas peeking out through a crack in his armor.


    Any other day, I¡¯d haveughed at the awkward stiffness in his shoulders, mocked the way he kept ncing between us like a man holding a grenade. But today? Today, it just fucking hurt.


    And it was for that reason that the next words left my lips, tired and exhausted from this never-ending emotional torture.


    "I think it¡¯s time you leave, Ivan."


    "Yes! Leave us!" Asha echoed fiercely.


    Ivan¡¯s shoulders were tight with so much tension, I was surprised he could even manage to keep still. He was quiet for a moment, stuck in that state, then...


    "I¡¯m sorry," he said after a beat, his voice strained and distraught. It was so unlike him to sound that way¡ªso defeated. "I never meant to make you ufortable, Asha."


    Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him give me an inscrutable look. In that moment, I would¡¯ve done anything to know what he was thinking.


    Before I could ruminate on it further, he turned on his heels and walked out of the room, shutting the door quietly behind him.


    But even then, with the door shut, the suffocating air he left behind stayed.


    I turned to Asha immediately, and just then, he abandoned hismp and rushed into my arms for a hug just as I dropped to my knees to wee him.


    I hugged him back, relishing his warmth¡ªcherishing the moment. His expression had shifted from the brave facade to a watery, anxious stare.


    His worry on my behalf made my heart ache with a mixture of immense love and guilt.


    "Mommy, that was so scary! I almost peed myself. I thought he¡¯d hurt us," Asha whimpered, tightening his little arms around me.


    "Oh, my brave, brave boy," I pulled away just enough to ruffle his hair and meet his teary eyes. "My sweet pup, you really are one of a kind. I¡¯m so proud of you for standing up to protect me like that."


    He blinked at me, suspicious. "You¡¯re about to scold me, aren¡¯t you?"


    I sighed, smiling despite myself. "Just a little. Because that was dangerous, Asha. You shouldn¡¯t be eavesdropping on adults, baby. You should be sleeping right now."


    "I wasn¡¯t eavesdropping," he muttered, his brows pinching tight in that stubborn way that always reminded me of... well, him. "I heard noise, and when I looked, I saw the bad man cornering you. Was it wrong that I wanted to shoo him away¡ªlike how you shoo bad things from me?"


    The tears welled again, his bottom lip trembling¡ªand just like that, any edge I had melted into soft uselessness.


    "No, baby," I said, brushing my knuckles across his cheek. "Not wrong at all. That was a brave thing you did, and I¡¯m proud of you, sweetheart. But the man¡ªIvan¡ªhe wasn¡¯t hurting me."


    Oh, not at all. He was only whispering the filthiest of intentions into my ear like the arrogant entitled bastard he was.


    Asha¡¯s eyes widened, then narrowed like he didn¡¯t believe me. Still, his mouth tugged into a half-smile.


    "So... does that mean I get a treat? I vote ice cream!"


    I chuckled, returning his grin. "Let¡¯s wait till morning before we discuss the reward for your good work, little soldier. Hmm?"


    He groaned dramatically but nodded.


    "Fine!" Then he paused and tilted his head up at me, his expression turning serious. "But... are you okay, Mummy?" His small palms cupped my cheeks, heartwarmingly. "You looked scared. Did he scare you¡ªeven a little?"


    "I¡¯m okay, baby," I whispered, pulling his hands down and kissing each one. "I¡¯m sorry if we frightened you."


    "Nope. Not scared anymore. I have Mommy now¡ªand ice cream!" he squealed with a grin.


    "Shhh!" I pressed a finger to his lips, even asughter spilled from mine. "You¡¯ll wake the entire damn house."


    We fell into a softer silence, one that felt more like safety than whatever energy Ivan had left behind. I exhaled slowly and shifted to sit on the floor, patting myp.


    "Come. Sit with me for a bit."

 Chapter 38: MUMMY’S BOYFRIEND

    <h4>Chapter 38: Chapter 38: MUMMY¡¯S BOYFRIEND</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    He scrambled into myp, warm and trusting, his tiny limbs curling against me like he belonged nowhere else.


    I brushed his wild curls back gently, letting my fingers forage in the soft, springy strands, breathing in the familiar scent of baby powder and sunshine.


    "I want to talk to you about something important," I began carefully, voice measured as to not alert him. "About the man that was in here earlier."


    At the mention of Ivan, Asha¡¯s face pinched again.


    "The not-nice man. What about him?"


    "He¡¯s not as bad as you think, love," I said gently. "Do you remember when we saw him... naked in the woods?"


    Asha snorted. "Yes. He has a big butt."


    I gasped, smothering augh. "Stop that! He¡¯s an Alpha."


    His eyes grew wide. "HE IS?"


    "Mhmm." I nodded. "Just like your daddy, Ivan is an Alpha."


    He seemed to think this over for a moment, then grimaced.


    "What kind of Alpha goes around butt-naked?"


    Iughed. "Definitely a crazy one. But... that¡¯s not the point right now. Ivan is... a littleplicated. People can be like that sometimes. Things aren¡¯t always ck and white like they are in cartoons, you know?"


    Asha frowned, thinking. "So... he¡¯s not a viin?"


    "No, he¡¯s not," I said gently. "He was angry earlier, but he wasn¡¯t going to hurt us. He just... doesn¡¯t know how to talk about his feelings the right way."


    "Like that time I threw my cereal bowl because you forgot to buy the blue milk?"


    "Exactly like that," I chuckled.


    "He looked at you like he was gonna eat you. Not like a bad way. Like an ¡¯I want Mummy all to myself¡¯ way," Asha said, nose scrunching.


    "Oh, Goddess," I whispered under my breath. My son was observant to a terrifying degree.


    "But he also looked sad when I yelled at him. Like really sad."


    "He was," I said honestly. "And that¡¯s kind of why I wanted to talk to you. Ivan... he used to be someone really important to me. And though we¡¯ve both made mistakes, I think he¡¯s trying now. At least, I think he wants to." I frowned to myself.


    Asha tilted his head again, his voice a little too curious for myfort.


    "Is he your boyfriend?"


    My heart stopped.


    I blinked. "My¡ªwhat now?"


    "Your boyfriend," he repeated innocently. "The Darkwind aunties said boyfriends are boys you like. And you were really close to him. Plus, he was naked when we saw him before, soooo... does daddy know you have a boyfriend?"


    Oh Goddess.


    I felt my soul leave my body.


    "Um-I... We, er... W-What else did the aunties say?" I asked slowly, my voice going oddly high as my mind scrambled to recover from the verbal punch of the century.


    "They said when you like a boy so much that your wolf gets fluttery, he bes your boyfriend. And that boyfriends are fun. But that sometimes they break hearts and make you cry in the bath."


    I¡¯d often left my little boy in their care while visiting neighboring packs and sorting out medical issues. It wasn¡¯t new that thedies of Darkwind were notorious gossips¡ªsharp-tongued, over-powdered, and forever sipping someone else¡¯s tea.


    But doing so in front of my son? In front of my baby? Wow. I was going to murder every single one of those gossiping hens.


    "Well, sweetie," I said as calmly as I could, gently tucking his curls behind his ear, "Ivan is not Mommy¡¯s boyfriend. Not even a little bit."


    "Hmm. But he wants to be," Asha said matter-of-factly. "I saw the way he looked at you. It was that stare that says, ¡¯I want to kiss your face and carry you to my wolf house forever.¡¯"


    I nearly choked.


    "Asha!"


    He grinned, all teeth and smugness. "That¡¯s what Auntie Elna said her mate does to her. She said that¡¯s how boys act when they want to make you their luna. I don¡¯t think Daddy will like that. Ivan is scary."


    I dropped my head into my hands and let out the longest, most suffering sigh known to she-wolf kind. The kind that wed its way up from deep in the chest, dragging centuries of female agony with it.


    I needed a drink. Or an exorcism. Whichever came first.


    "Sweetheart," I murmured. "Sometimes adults haveplicated feelings. Like I said, Ivan and I used to be... friends. But things got messy. And right now, we¡¯re just... trying to figure stuff out. It¡¯s important that you understand there is nothing going on between me and Ivan. Daddy is our family. He¡¯s our forever."


    "Okay, Mommy. I don¡¯t like Ivan anyway, and I don¡¯t think Daddy will like him, too," he pouted, and that earned a softugh from me.


    "You have to at least be civil, baby. Think of him like... a frenemy."


    Asha blinked at me. "So he¡¯s like the pet lizard I used to hate but then loved after he ate worms?"


    I paused. Thenughed. "Yes. Exactly like that."


    He beamed like he¡¯d cracked some sacred emotional code.


    "Okay. Then maybe I¡¯ll give him a chance."


    My heart twisted painfully.


    "That would mean a lot, baby," I said softly. "Just... don¡¯t rush. You can take your time, alright?"


    "Okay. But if he makes you cry in the bath, I¡¯ll kick his big butt."


    "Asha!"


    He giggled, snuggled closer, and sighed. "I still vote ice cream though."


    "You¡¯re incorrigible."


    "I don¡¯t know what that means, but it sounds like a yes."


    Iughed into his hair, holding him tight¡ªwishing I could freeze this moment in time.


    His little heartbeat pounded gently against my chest, clueless, innocent, oblivious to the vipers and troubles that existed just beyond these walls. Right in this pack.


    But for now, in this very moment, at least, the war was on pause.


    And I had my little soldier tucked safely in my arms. My fleeting teether of peace in a world that had given me none.

 Chapter 39: THE REJECTION RITUAL

    <h4>Chapter 39: Chapter 39: THE REJECTION RITUAL</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    The full moon shone a brilliant shade of silver, trickling into the grounds of the sacred hall¡ªa silent witness to the separation ritual that was about to take ce between Ivan and me.


    As promised, Ivan had taken care of everything quite nicely. I hadn¡¯t seen him since the night he¡¯d shown up uninvited in my room.


    It was almost as though he had gone out of his way to avoid me¡ªwhich... worked out quite the way I wanted.


    Except that my mind kept wondering and wandering at the edges, kept drifting back to that look on his face when Asha screamed at him.


    My heart twisted.


    At least he was here now, face hardened into an expressionless mask.


    The sacred hall had been marked with chalk, and candlesticks dangled from different corners of the room, their mes casting dancing shadows across the stone walls.


    Apart from the priest, Revierrie¡ªwho I¡¯d learned would be officiating the severance¡ªthere were two other witnesses in the room.


    One was Francis, Ivan¡¯s beta. The other was a middle-aged elder with worry lines permanently etched into his forehead, like he hadn¡¯t known peace in decades.


    Both witnesses stood right outside the edge of the chalk marks, watching in tense silence as Revierrie finished thest of his chants.


    The air felt heavier than ever, thick with the reality of what we hade here to do.


    I wrapped my arms around myself, feeling a cold shiver trail down my spine.


    After days of bickering and ming each other for every goddamn thing, Ivan and I were finally going to do it¡ªsever the mating bond between us.


    I¡¯d always thought about it in the abstract, as something distant.


    But now that it was real, now that it was here, I could feel the gnawing ache of the bond pressing against my chest like a living, breathing entity wing at my insides.


    I had always felt the bond as an extension of myself. A sacred part of my bond with my wolf. But now I felt it more vividly than ever.


    It¡¯s probably just nerves.


    Ivan stood tall and intimidating as always in front of me. His shoulders were drawn tight, fists clenched brutally like he was holding back a thousand emotions.


    As expected, his eyes held no warmth when they met mine. Cold. Closed-off. Distant.


    And yet, I couldn¡¯t help but notice how the moon¡¯s light fell on his face¡ªhighlighting the sharp lines of his jaw, softening the cold gray of his irises into something that almost looked... torn. Beautiful, too.


    I hated that I could still notice that.


    I swallowed the sudden lump rising in my throat.


    This was what I wanted. No regrets.


    Yes, there had been a time when the bond had given me happiness¡ªbrief, blinding, dizzying happiness. But now, it was a chain.


    A living reminder of what had been. Of what would never be again. An anchor dragging me back into memories I¡¯d worked too hard to bury.


    And I didn¡¯t want the past. Not when I had a future to protect. A child to raise. A life to rebuild.


    Once more, I reminded myself: cutting the bond was the only way to truly move on.


    Once it was done, I would walk away with my head held high, and Ivan¡ªhe would be nothing more than a name that made my stomach churn.


    So... why did I still feel this hesitation?


    "Are you ready?" Revierrie asked. The abruptness of his tone startled me, and I barely held back the flinch that rippled through me.


    "Yes," I said, exhaling hard. "Let¡¯s get this over with." I rubbed my palms together and nced at Ivan.


    He looked away almost instantly, passing a stiff nod to the priest.


    "Right," Revierrie muttered, lips tightening as he looked between us. "Before we begin, I feel inclined to ask one more time: Is this truly what you both want? It¡¯s not toote to back down. Say the word and we¡¯ll call the whole thing off."


    He was giving us an out.


    Why now?


    Ivan¡¯s jaw ticked. Tension stiffened his posture, and for a second, I braced for the explosion. It didn¡¯te. Just... that quiet. Long and unending. It grew so loud, it felt like a scream in my ears.


    And that¡¯s when I knew¡ªwithout him saying a word¡ªI knew he was.. conflicted.


    He still felt the bond. He still felt it pulling at him, same way I did.


    But feeling it wasn¡¯t enough.


    We were too far gone. Too much had been broken.


    For years, we¡¯d slung hurt at each other like knives. And no matter how much I hated to admit it, I hade to believe that the goddess had made a mistake binding me to a man like Ivan.


    A cold, selfish narcissist who could never see beyond himself.


    I forced out a shaky breath and shoved down the painful memories¡ªthe rare moments when he¡¯d shown vulnerability.


    When he¡¯d looked at Asha like he saw the whole world in that boy. When he used to trace constetions on my skin and call me "his universe."


    Those versions of Ivan were dangerous. Because they made you forget everything else. They made you forget the pain. The abandonment. The betrayal. And they neversted.


    I wasn¡¯t sticking around to see if this time would be different.


    I had Devon.


    He was my second chance mate, and we loved each other.


    As I thought it, a cold gust of wind seeped in through the window shutters, causing another unsolicited shiver to trickle down my spine.


    I clenched my fists, steeling my resolve. When I returned my gaze to the priest, my eyes were hard.


    "Do it. End this goddess-forsaken, wretched bond."


    Whatever inhibitions Ivan seemed to harbor about our severance ritual disappeared at the sound of my biting words.


    It was almost as if he¡¯d been doused with cold water. This time, his scowl was a condescending work of art as he hissed his orders at the priest.


    "I have no use for a lying, two-faced she-wolf. Get on with the ritual, Revierrie."


    "Ditto. I¡¯ve wasted enough years tethered to a self-serving, narcissistic asshole." Myeback was instant, armed with an ego that refused to let him have thest word.


    If I was being honest, I was slightly hurt by his usations¡ªnot that I would ever admit it out loud.


    "Perfect. Makes it easier to forget you ever existed." Ivan said without blinking, easily sliding his gaze back to the priest.


    My heart hurt. Did he mean that?


    Revierrie looked ufortable, caught in the crossfire between us.


    "Right then. I guess that¡¯s my cue to begin the ritual."

 Chapter 40: MAKE IT STOP!

    <h4>Chapter 40: Chapter 40: MAKE IT STOP!</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    He put his hands out in front of us, wordlessly beckoning us to take them.


    Annoyed, I ced my hand in his. Ivan did the same.


    Revierrie¡¯s fingers twitched beneath mine as he began to mumble a series of chants.


    As he spoke the ancient words, he pulled his hands away, forcing Ivan and me to grip each other¡¯s arms instead.


    The moment my skin brushed against his, a shot of electricity rushed up my arm¡ªunwee, thrilling, and all too familiar. Infuriating.


    It seemed like my body hadn¡¯t gotten the memo that we were done, and I hated it. Hated that my pulse skipped. Hated the way his warmth was soothing in the best and worst way.


    Hated that my wolf reacted, going wild and excited in a heartbeat. It took everything to keep my calm¡ªto stay unbothered, even as Ivan lifted his eyes to mine, and our gazes locked.


    My heart raced.


    We continued to stare at each other in agonizing silence, listening to the priest¡¯s ancient chants, waiting for something to happen. It only got hotter by the second, despite the chill night air.


    After what felt like an eternity, Revierrie turned to us and said:


    "Your Highness, Lady Maeve, it is time for you to say the ancient severance words, passed down from generation to generation. The Moon is generous andys witness to the depths of your earnest desires."


    The air around us felt dense¡ªvtile with a growing supernatural energy. I felt restless on the inside. Ivan must have felt it too, because his brows drew subtly together.


    Nheless, in the next moment, we both echoed off each other¡¯s words:


    "I, Ivan Cross, reject this bond and cut the ties that connect us together, by the will of Selene."


    "I, Maeve Oakes, reject this bond and cut the ties that connect us together, by the will of Selene¡ª"


    A surge of pain shot up my spine, and a screech tore from my throat¡ªgut-wrenching in its depth, guttural in the sheer agony of it.


    It felt like a thousand needles pierced straight into my chest, like my skin was being ripped away to expose something feral and bursting from within me.


    Ivan¡¯s identical howl of pain broke the night too¡ªechoing through the charged air alongside the wild flickering of mes and the sudden gusts of wind that roared around us.


    But the agony didn¡¯t stop. It came brutally from something inside me¡ªsomething that held on too tightly, something that, despite the torment, refused to let go.


    My wolf. She screamed within me, a banshee¡¯s wail scraping against my skull, thundering like a migraine that wouldn¡¯t end¡ªsobbing, fighting, weeping like a fucking psychotic.


    "Make it stop!" I screeched in a voice that blended with my wolf¡¯s. "MAKE IT STOP, PLEASE!"


    "Maeve," Ivan choked out¡ªreaching forward desperately, like he was trying to reach me through the madness.


    And for a second, it all seemed to make sense. A haze of irrational logic fell into ce, molding this moment like muscle memory.


    My own hand dove forward to meet his in a reflex that felt as natural as breathing.


    The second we touched again, I exploded¡ªfur surging forward in a violent burst, overtaking my skin and shoving my consciousness into the backseat.


    There was no stopping it. My wolf had a mind of her own, and in that moment, her will crushed mine with terrifying ease.


    My eyes glowed under the moon¡¯s light. I bared my fangs and dropped to my knees, shifting into my wolf form with a snarl.


    Ivan followed a heartbeatter, unleashing a powerful howl only an Alpha could own.


    There was no time to overthink it. The second his haunting gray eyes met mine, our wolves lunged in an aching, desperate tether.


    They circled each other like mas pulled by instinct, closing the distance just to press against each other¡¯s fur, to breathe each other in like oxygen.


    "No! No!" I screamed from the inside, wing to regain control, pushing back against the madness.


    But it was no use. The cocooning peace of Ivan¡¯s presence was like a drug¡ªlike the kiss of warmth after a cold night, the first taste of sce after endless war.


    But it wasn¡¯t a peace I wanted. It wasn¡¯t the ending I came here for. I was done with it.


    With every ounce of strength I had left, I tore myself away from Ivan¡¯s wolf and forced a shift back into my human form.


    The pain was excruciating, ripping through my bones and sinew like fire¡ªbut it worked. I screamed as my body twisted and reformed, but I did it. I took myself back.


    Of course, I was naked.


    Fan¡ªfucking¡ªtastic.


    "Maeve!" Revierrie rushed forward with wide eyes, his hands twitching like he didn¡¯t know whether to reach for me or keep back. "Are you hurt? Goddess¡ªare you okay?"


    Behind him, Francis barreled toward me as well, followed by the older elder, both looking rattled and unsure if they were witnessing a miracle or a disaster.


    But I stepped back from them, wrapping my arms around my chest.


    "Did it work?" I barked in response, hard gaze swinging to Revierrie like a de. "Tell me it worked!"


    He froze.


    His expression, already pale with unease, dimmed further. I watched the light drain from his face as his lips parted, then pressed together again in hesitation.


    "Well?" I snapped, stepping forward despite my nakedness. "Answer me!"


    Revierrie exhaled slowly, his gaze shifting to the chalk circle that now looked like a battlefield.


    "I¡ªI don¡¯t know what to say," he admitted, voice low, almost reverent with dread. "This has never happened before. The wrath bond is... unpredictable. Violent. Vtile. It doesn¡¯t follow normal rules."


    "That¡¯s not an answer," I hissed. "Did. It. Work?"


    His silence was answer enough.


    "No," he said finally, the word falling from his lips in a whisper. "It didn¡¯t."


    I screamed, rage wing out of my chest. The walls shook the night as I turned away, shaking, trembling, furious at my wolf, the goddess, Ivan, the moon, the priest, at everything. At myself.


    This bond refused to die.


    And I didn¡¯t know how much more of it I could take.


    "I¡¯m sorry," the priest offered hesitantly. "Something must have gone amiss. This is uncharted territory for me as well. Give me some time and I¡¯ll look into it."


    I stumbled a step back, heart pounding.


    "Maeve," Ivan said gently¡ªhe was back in his human form too, and for once, the soft depth of his eyes held the entirety of my attention before his naked body did.


    His voice was soft. Too soft. Like an apology. Like pity.


    And when his hand reached for my shoulders¡ªas if to gather my breaking pieces to himself, as if to mend back the shattering parts of me with his warmth¡ªI flinched like he¡¯d tried to burn me.


    "Don¡¯t touch me," I spat, venomcing every syble. My eyes met his squarely¡ªwild, hurt, furious. "Don¡¯t you fucking touch me."

 Chapter 41: THE PERFECT SLAP

    <h4>Chapter 41: Chapter 41: THE PERFECT SLAP</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    His hand hovered in the air for a heartbeat longer before it dropped to his side. For a second, I thought I saw something flicker in his expression¡ªpain, maybe. Guilt.


    But I didn¡¯t care enough to know.


    Without waiting for more of Revierrie¡¯s excuses, or for the stunned, judgmental stares of the other witnesses, I turned on my heels and stormed out of the sacred grounds.


    Everything was too loud. My heart. My nerves. The noise around me.


    It was a typhoon of a hundred emotions, a hundred sounds, all crashing into each other in waves.


    Despite that, I found my way into the hallway, ignoring the few stunned side-looks from the guards stationed outside.


    A maid had been instructed to wait just beyond the doors with a change of clothes for both Ivan and me¡ªsince it was tradition to burn the garments worn during a rejection ritual, a symbolic shedding of the past.


    Before we¡¯d gone inside the hall, she¡¯d been stationed right there, holding a bundle of neatly pressed clothes in the crook of her arms.


    However, right now, there was no sign of the maid. I stepped further into the hallway, craning my neck to get a better look around. But she was nowhere to be found.


    Another gust of wind hit my bare skin, reminding me¡ªpainfully¡ªthat I was, in fact, as naked as the day I was born. This time, I wrapped my arms around myself and shivered.


    I could feel a sense of dread taking over the ce where my anger had been.


    I couldn¡¯t bring myself to head back into the sacred hall. It was way too embarrassing to even think about going back in there, especially after the way I¡¯d stormed out.


    If only I wasn¡¯t naked.


    "Oh, how the mighty have fallen," came a voice slick with glee, floating in from behind a pir.


    My jaw clenched. Just fucking great.


    Serena stepped into view like a queen descending her throne¡ªgraceful, glowing, and goddamn grating.


    Her gown blew dramatically behind her, and her eyes raked over me like I was roadkill.


    "Did you have anything to do with my missing clothes?" I asked, voice t and already tired of the circus.


    Serena blinked, then gasped dramatically like I¡¯d just used her of murder.


    "Who? Me?" Her eyes went wide, hands pressed to her chest in mock innocence. "Oh, not at all."


    Then she grinned.


    "I just... well, I¡¯m so excited and happy about this brave step you just took, honey. I nned an entire party in your honor, and I¡¯m here to deliver a personal invitation," she said sweetly, brushing imaginary dust off her gown. "To toast your severance from my mate. A fresh start for you... and maybe a fresh start for us, as friends."


    She sped her hands together like she truly believed the bullshit she was peddling.


    "Honestly, Maeve, I had my doubts. But you finally did the right thing and let him go." Her smile widened with poison. "Congrattions, Maeve. You¡¯re officially out of our lives."


    I stared at her for a long moment.


    "Cancel it," I said.


    Sheughed. Actuallyughed. Tossed her head back like I¡¯d just told her the moon was made of cheese.


    "And why would I do that?" she asked with a soft chuckle. "I¡¯ve already baked a cake¡ªand it¡¯s rude to reject my party invitation."


    I stepped closer, each word filled with ice. "If you want to maintain even a molecule of your dignity, you¡¯d cancel your pathetic party."


    That wiped the smile from her face.


    Her brow arched. "Bitch, I¡¯m trying to do you some good¡ª"


    "It didn¡¯t work." The words dropped like a guillotine.


    She blinked.


    "The rejection failed." My voice cracked¡ªjust once, just enough for me to feel the pain behind my ribs. "It failed."


    "W-What?" Her voice broke.


    "You fucking heard me. I¡¯m still tethered to your precious Ivan, so cancel your grand finale or whatever. It might have to wait for a while."


    "You did this on purpose," she whispered, stunned.


    Iughed, dry and bitter.


    "Trust me, I did not. But don¡¯t worry," I continued, steadying my breath, "I¡¯ll find a way to end that bond, even if it¡¯s thest thing I do."


    I turned to leave¡ª


    "You did this on purpose," she repeated, louder this time. Her nostrils red. "You¡¯ve always wanted him. Even when you pretended to hate him. Even all the while youined to me about your loveless marriage. You wanted to be the one he chose."


    I caught her gaze, and from the pitiful once-over she gave me, one might think I was the other woman standing between two fated mates.


    "If I wanted Ivan, Serena... you¡¯d know. Because he¡¯d already be mine."


    This time, I almost seeded in getting away¡ªbut that was when Serena moved. She shrieked and lunged, grabbing my hair and yanking me back with both hands.


    "You worthless bitch! You nned this! You never intended to reject him! You let it fail because you want him for yourself! You want to steal my mate! You fucking greedy whore!"


    My hand flew across her face with enough force to echo.


    She flew back, stumbled into the wall, eyes wide with stunned betrayal. I walked toward her, naked, furious, divine in my rage.


    "Touch me again, Serena, and I swear by every goddess watching¡ªI will end you."


    She looked up, hand pressed to her cheek, trembling with a mix of shock and fury. Her breath hitched, chest rising and falling as if each second demanded too much of her.


    My eyes regarded her with disgust, unmoved by the tears now brimming in her eyes¡ªfat, unshed droplets that stuck to hershes like they, too, were unsure whether to fall or fight.


    "You¡¯re so pathetic, you know that? I can¡¯t believe there was ever a time I considered you my best friend. You¡¯re not even human enough to be pitied. You repulse me."


    And then I turned.


    I walked away, fucking naked but beyond caring.

 Chapter 42: EASY TO UNLOVE

    <h4>Chapter 42: Chapter 42: EASY TO UNLOVE</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    The separation ritual failed.


    I hadn¡¯t expected it to¡ªbut when Revierrie confirmed it, a breath punched through my lungs like I¡¯d been holding it in for years.


    Relief rushed through me before I could stop it.


    It didn¡¯t make sense. I should¡¯ve been angry. Frustrated. Just as infuriated as Maeve.


    I should¡¯ve felt cornered by the bond I¡¯de here to destroy, exploded on her, and demanded answers from the priest.


    But instead, all I felt was the sudden looseness in my chest, like something in me could finally breathe again. Like some part of me wasn¡¯t ready to let her go.


    And that pissed me off.


    Pissed me off even more when I saw that my relief was nothing like Maeve¡¯s disposition.


    It shot a sharp pang through my chest to see how disappointed she was¡ªhow almost desperate she seemed to sever whatever was left between us.


    She didn¡¯t spare me another nce before storming off¡ªand if I weren¡¯t such a bastard, I might not have noticed how hypnotic the sway of her apple-bottom ass was as she walked away.


    But I did.


    Goddess help me, I did.


    The sight of her bare body had been... glorious. Better than Ist remembered. Better than any of my sweaty, fist-pumping daydreams.


    And now it was striding away from me like I didn¡¯t exist.


    My wolf, still prowling close beneath my skin, yearned to chase after her¡ªto pull her back to us and nuzzle deep into her neck, to breathe in her scent, to breathe in every maddening inch of her existence.


    We craved to drag her back into the circle, back into that moment when everything else¡ªour past, our pain, our pride¡ªhad faded into nothing but the electric space between our bodies.


    Confession time: I had loved every second of the pain that came with trying to sever the bond.


    It was the fucked-up kind of satisfaction¡ªthe kind you fight like hell but lose to anyway. The kind that sets your blood on fire because you¡¯re already too far gone, too tethered to the one person you were never supposed to want again.


    And the subject of the entirety of my obsession was Maeve.


    The worst person it could be.


    I clenched my fists tightly, trying to leash my wolf¡¯s overpowering desire. My jaw tightened. Stubborn little beast.


    Everyone in the room still wore the same stunned expression, their gazes glued to Maeve¡¯s retreating figure.


    My first instinct was to grab something¡ªanything¡ªand cover her up. To stop Francis and the old geezers from gawking at what wasn¡¯t theirs to look at.


    But it wasn¡¯t my ce to protect her like that anymore.


    Right?


    And fuck, Goddess knows that if I got close enough¡ªjust close enough to catch a whiff of her addictive scent and drown in the pool of those beautiful eyes¡ªit wouldn¡¯t matter how furious she was or how hard she pped me.


    There¡¯d be no calming the storm inside me.


    No stopping the way my cock stiffened at the sight of her ass¡ªround, perfect, jiggling slightly with every furious step toward the door.


    No restraining how fast I¡¯d drop to my knees and bury my face between her thighs, uncaring who saw, who gasped, who judged¡ªbecause in that moment, she¡¯d be all mine again.


    I could already picture it: her moaning, arching, her legs locked around my waist as I pinned her behind one of the marble pirs and imed what had once been mine.


    Fucking hell.


    Goddess, I wanted her.


    I had never wanted anyone this much.


    I needed to feel the heat of her skin flush against mine, needed to hear her gasp as I plunged into her wet, waiting pussy, needed to fuck the hate right out of her¡ªand this torturous hunger out of me.


    The thought made my wolf growl low in my chest, and this time, I couldn¡¯t stop myself.


    "Don¡¯t." Francis stepped in front of me, his palm pressing against my shoulder with grounding force.


    I hadn¡¯t even realized I¡¯d started moving until that touch yanked me out of it. His eyes were calm, but the warning in them was clear.


    I frowned, jaw ticking, already on the verge of arguing.


    "Leave the woman alone, Ivan." His words were stern, and the look he gave me left no room for misinterpretation. "Going after her right now is bad news."


    My brows drew together, wrestling with the urge to shove past him and do it anyway.


    "The Beta is right, sire," Barty chimed in carefully. "We don¡¯t understand the nature of what went wrong in the severance¡ªand I think it unwise to go after a woman you¡¯ve marked for rejection. Nude, no less."


    He deliberately avoided my gaze¡ªor maybe it was my nudity. I didn¡¯t care. My shoulders slumped under the bite of helplessness.


    Even if I went after her... what then?


    She hated me. She¡¯d made that very clear. Don¡¯t touch me, she¡¯d said. And not touching her was thest thing I wanted right now.


    I¡¯d never felt more cornered by a woman in my entire life¡ªand she wasn¡¯t just any woman. She was my ex-wife.


    I sighed. She was at the doors now. Still no nce back. Not a single bone of yearning as she left the double doors.


    Was she only this desperate because of her new man?


    New man. The thought alone left a bitter taste on my tongue. A bloodthirsty rage built in my chest.


    Why him? Why the fuck did he get to have my mate of all people?


    Had he kissed her the way I used to? Had she let him touch her the way she let me?


    Did she melt for him the way she always melted for me¡ªeyes fluttering, thighs parting, breath catching like I was the only goddamn thing that ever existed?


    Did she truly love him? Was that even fucking possible?


    In five years of trying to move on from Maeve, I had never felt a single sliver of warmth¡ªmuch less desire¡ªfor Serena. Love? Not even close.


    But Maeve? She looked at me like she wanted me gone from her world.


    Did she hate me that much? Enough to bring her wolf to love another man?


    How could she so easily find the very thing I¡¯d searched and yearned for tirelessly over five goddamn years?


    My chest twisted like someone had mmed a de into it and twisted. The pain was excruciating. Deep. And I couldn¡¯t exin it. I didn¡¯t even understand it.


    "Here." Francis held out a bunch of folded fabric¡ªclothes, freshly pressed.


    He had insisted on having them brought in before the ritual¡ªto save the dishonor of having the maids and guards see their king naked.


    I took them with numb fingers, barely registering the movement as I slipped into the ck cks and T-shirt. It felt pointless, somehow. Empty.


    Like dressing up a corpse.


    Francis exhaled beside me, his gaze still fixed on the door Maeve had stormed out of.


    "The ritual brought out the feral nature of your wolves, so I understand that you might feel things right now," he said quietly. "But you need to calm down, Your Highness. She¡¯s not herself either."


    "Forgive me, my king!" Revierrie cried suddenly, dropping to his knees with dramatic shame. "You must spare my life enough to atone for this disappointment. I am deeply sorry for all of this. Just give me some time, and I promise¡ªI promise¡ªI¡¯ll fix whatever went wrong with the ritual."


    He looked like he was on the verge of either tears or pissing himself¡ªneither of which was a pleasant sight for a man his age.


    "Get up, Revierrie," I said tly. "I expect a full report by morning on your research."


    He bowed lower instead, refusing to rise, still muttering apologies. I rolled my eyes and stepped out of the glowing circle, now fully clothed and just as empty.


    Barty appeared at my side instantly. His face was tight with concern.


    "Your Highness, I too am sorry that this has been a colossal waste of your time," he said, bowing his head. "Revierrie and I will not sleep a wink until we find a way to fix this. We promise."


    Before I could respond to Barty¡ªtly, dismissively, with the barest grunt of fine¡ªthe double doors burst open like they¡¯d been thrown off the hinges.


    My head didn¡¯t even turn. I didn¡¯t need to look. I already knew.


    Serena.


    And I was fucking tired.

 Chapter 43: BITCHSTORM

    <h4>Chapter 43: Chapter 43: BITCHSTORM</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    Francis reacted first, the surprise of her uninvited appearance cutting through his voice.


    "Serena, you¡¯re not allowed in here."


    But of course, she didn¡¯t stop. She never did.


    She was already halfway across the hall, fury twisting her face into something cruel and ugly. A nightmare in red lipstick.


    She looked possessed. A bull on a mission to gore the nearest man in sight¡ªwhich, by her luck, happened to be me.


    "Serena! I said you¡¯re not allowed in here! This is a sacred hall!" Francis barked again, stepping into her path with arms spread wide like that would mean a fucking thing to her.


    She blew past him like he wasn¡¯t even there, eyes narrowed into a lethal re. I just arched a brow and waited to see what fresh hell she nned to unleash.


    I should¡¯ve known, the moment she stormed past me without sparing a nce¡ªthis was a different kind of tantrum. The kind only haughty, noble-born women could manufacture when their sense of entitlement met resistance.


    She didn¡¯te for me.


    She went straight for Revierrie.


    The poor bastard was still trembling on the floor, muttering apologies for his failure¡ªstill groveling, still utterly unprepared for the bitchstorm thundering toward him in streaking mascara and manicured nails.


    Serena grabbed him by the front of his sacred robes, yanked him up like a rag doll¡ªand pped him. Hard. Brutal enough that his head snapped sideways, teeth ttering audibly.


    My brows lifted.


    Revierrie copsed from the sheer force.


    She was raising her hand again for another strike when Francis lunged, grabbing her from behind with both arms.


    But she thrashed like a wild thing. Her body jerked and twisted in his hold, her fists swinging, her voice shrieking through the hall like banshee fire.


    "You fucking fraud!" she screamed. "One job! One! You couldn¡¯t sever a single goddess-damned bond?! What use are you? Useless bottom-feeder! You wrinkled, limp-dicked excuse for a priest!"


    Francis grunted with effort. She wasn¡¯t trained¡ªnothingpared to him¡ªbut the strength of her bloodline was boiling through her.


    Rage had made her dangerous. She nearly broke free.


    And that¡¯s when I¡¯d had enough.


    I was on her in a blink. One hand around her throat. One m into the wall.


    The impact snatched the breath from her lungs, pain, no doubt, shooting up her spine.


    "What the fuck is wrong with you?" I snarled, my grip tightening as I pinned her to stone. Her feet barely grazed the floor.


    Finally, some rity flickered in her eyes. Tears came next. Hot, fast, and ugly.


    "I can¡¯t lose you," she gasped. Her voice trembled, already broken. "Ivan¡ªplease¡ªI¡¯m sorry for always getting on your nerves. I swear, I¡¯ll do better. I¡¯ll stop talking so much, I¡¯ll be better¡ªbut please don¡¯t let her take you from me!"


    My brow furrowed. Confusion bloomed for a heartbeat¡ªthen came the revulsion. A cold, crawling irritation in my chest. Her tears meant nothing.


    "I love you," she sobbed. "Please, just... let Maeve go. We can still be happy. We can still be a family¡ªI¡¯m already taking fertility herbs¡ªI¡¯ll take to your bed tonight, just say the word, please!"


    "Shut up," I said, disgust curling in my gut. I dropped her like dead weight.


    She hit the ground hard, folding onto her knees, palms catching the cold tile. Her whimpering sobs filled the hall.


    "Your tantrums don¡¯t give you the right to be a raging bitch, Serena," I said, voice t, dead calm. "I¡¯ve had enough of your delusions. You will get on your knees and apologize to Revierrie. Right now. Or I¡¯ll have him return the favor."


    Her head snapped up. Eyes red. Wild.


    "Why do you always do this to me?!" she shrieked. "Do I get to return the favor to your precious ex-wife who just hit me?!"


    My eyes narrowed. "What?"


    She turned her head, revealing her cheek. Red. Swollen. The shape of a full handprint clear as day.


    My brow actually twitched. Maeve did that?


    Huh.


    Somehow, it wasn¡¯t surprising. She had struck me not too long ago¡ªbut still, seeing it? Seeing Serena wear the imprint? I was almost amused.


    That was new.


    "She pped me!" Serena cried. "All I did was invite her to the post-ritual celebration and she struck me across the face! But of course, you don¡¯t care. Because it¡¯s her. It¡¯s always been her. I¡¯m your mate! Not Maeve. I¡¯m your chosen! Not¡ª"


    Iughed. Low-pitched and cruel. Cold enough to stun Serena.


    "You¡¯re not my mate, Serena," I said, stepping closer, lording over her. "You¡¯re my breeder."


    She gasped. Choked on it.


    The hall went still.


    "And at this rate," I added, stepping right over her like she was nothing, "you may never make it to Luna."


    I turned to walk away.


    "Now get on your knees and apologize. Or I¡¯ll take you from breeder to pack ve."


    She trembled. Pride warred with desperation in her bones, battling for control. But in the end, desperation won.


    She knelt. Slowly. Hesitantly. Shoulders stiff with humiliation. She turned toward Rivierre, voice barely above a breath.


    "...I¡¯m sorry," she muttered.


    I narrowed my gaze.


    "That¡¯s it?" I chuckled. "Francis, get the punishment chamber ready. Tell the guards¡ª"


    "I¡¯m sorry!" she burst out, the words tumbling in a rush. "I lost my temper¡ªI shouldn¡¯t have touched you¡ªI¡¯m begging you, please forgive me, Priest Rivierre¡ªI shouldn¡¯t have embarrassed you like that, I¡¯m sorry."


    I raised a brow, then looked to Rivierre.


    "Was that eptable?"


    He nodded quickly, lips pressed into a tight, miserable line.


    "Y-yes, Your Highness."


    I exhaled. "Good. You remain our High Priest. Regardless of this oue. You will carry yourself with the dignity of your station. Understood?"


    "Yes, my King."


    My gaze slid back to Serena. "And you will remember your ce. Just because you sleep in my bed doesn¡¯t mean you get to piss on anyone you choose."


    Her gaze dropped¡ªwhether out of shame or rage, I couldn¡¯t be bothered to care.


    I tucked a hand into my pocket. "Francis. I¡¯ll be in the east wing¡ª"


    "Wait!" she cried, scrambling after me, tripping over her own feet in the rush. "Ivan, what happens now? Are you¡ªare you doing the ritual again? Are you going to try ending the bond again? You can¡¯t give up, baby."


    Goddess.


    We had just crossed the threshold into the public hall, her footsteps clumsy behind me, her questions endless and shrill, when the noise hit.


    Amotion.


    Catcalls. Whistles. The rancid scent of lust wafting off the walls.


    Maeve.

 Chapter 44: JEALOUS EX-MATE

    <h4>Chapter 44: Chapter 44: JEALOUS EX-MATE</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    I moved before I could think, my body responding faster than my mind. Because if any single one of those fuckersid a hand on her, I was going to lose everyst shred of my humanity.


    Everyone else in the sacred hall must¡¯ve heard it too, because all heads immediately snapped toward themotion.


    I breezed past Barty, heading straight for its source.


    I could feel Francis on my heels, trailing behind me with the kind of deliberate quiet that told me he understood I was in no mood to be reasoned with.


    The moment I stepped past the threshold, I came face-to-face with at least a dozen household guards.


    They were nked by a few stunned-looking maids, all of them gathered like spectators to a damn circus. Together, they were openly gawking at a single figure.


    Naked. Female. Uncaring.


    It took me all of one second to realize it was Maeve.


    What the fuck was she doing?


    Why wasn¡¯t she dressed yet? In what world was it even remotely eptable for her to be unting her curves like that in front of every male wolf with a throbbing dick?


    The guards were leering. The maids whispering behind their hands, eyes wide, pointing like they¡¯d just seen a ghost¡ªor a goddess.


    "What is she doing?" Francis muttered under his breath, stepping up beside me as if trying to make sense of the scene.


    And then¡ªSerena appeared once more.


    She emerged from the side,posing herself with the exact elegance expected of a noblewoman, sliding her arm into mine like I hadn¡¯t just thrown knives at her throat.


    She kept up the image of the Alpha¡¯s bride and Luna-to-be. How wasn¡¯t that tiring?


    "Oh, you must be appalled. I¡¯ve been out here, asking myself the same thing," she said smoothly, her tone sweetly poisonous. "Yet I still can¡¯t understand why Maeve chooses to parade herself around the pack house in such a disgraceful manner."


    Her eyes fixed straight ahead, scanning Maeve¡¯s naked form with faux concern and poorly concealed disgust.


    "I passed by a few moments ago and overheard her yelling at the maid¡ªpoor girl had a change of clothes ready for her. But Maeve refused. Said she didn¡¯t need them. Then she marched right out here like this. I tried to reason with her, even offered a fresh start¡ªbut she pped me. Animal that she is."


    Francis snorted. "And you expect us to believe you didn¡¯t rile her up until she had no choice but to rewire your brain?"


    "Are you trying to call me problematic, Francis?" Serena snarled.


    Francis shrugged. "I find it hard to believe the Moon Healer would willingly put on a disy like this. Something¡¯s not adding up. And when things don¡¯t add up around here, it usually has something to do with you, Serena."


    She scoffed, her grip around my arm tightening. "Don¡¯t be fooled by her deceitful innocence. You don¡¯t know Maeve like I do. You have no idea the lengths she¡¯ll go to¡ªor the things she¡¯s capable of."


    I was too stunned by the sight to pull myself out of the daze.


    Maeve was halfway up the grand staircase now, hips swaying with that maddening rhythm I felt low in my gut. Blood rushed to my cock.


    Her skin glistened like temptation incarnate beneath the chandelier light, her ass moving like a slow, cruel tease with every step she took.


    Was she doing this to punish me? Rile me up? Hurt me because the rejection ritual failed? Was this her way of sending a message?


    I couldn¡¯t take it. Not anymore.


    I yanked my arm out of Serena¡¯s grip without a word. The shock on her face was gratifying, but I didn¡¯t bother acknowledging it. I was already moving.


    Francis said something¡ªprobably another weak attempt to rein me in¡ªbut I didn¡¯t hear it.


    My stride was quick, a possessive rage burning just beneath my skin as I closed the distance.


    The moment the guards saw meing, the catcalls died instantly. The maids scattered like startled pigeons, scrambling to find any excuse to disappear.


    Maeve must¡¯ve sensed it too¡ªthat shift in the air.


    She turned, and when her eyesnded on me, they widened for a fraction of a second, like she¡¯d just realized her mistake. Like the sight of my fury had doused her in cold water.


    But I didn¡¯t give her time to run.


    I stormed after her like a fucking madman, dragging her into the nearest sitting room, mming the door shut hard enough to rattle the chandelier overhead.


    My hands were shaking. With rage. With want. With something I couldn¡¯t name but damn well recognized.


    She spun around, teeth bared and ready to rain hell, but I didn¡¯t give her the chance.


    I moved on instinct, possessive, primal, pulling her flush against my chest so fast it knocked the breath from her lungs.


    Her skin seared against mine, nipples pebbling through the thin fabric of my shirt, the contact so intimate it felt obscene. My grip tightened around her arm possessively.


    "You know," I said, voice low and dangerous, breath grazing her cheek, "I always knew you were a liar. A fucking maniptor. But I never thought I¡¯d be adding whore to the list."


    The words were venom. Meant to cut her where it hurt. But not even that dulled the wildfire burning behind her eyes.


    "That¡¯s rich," she said coldly, lips curling. "Coming from the man who fucked my best friend the second I got a miscarriage."


    I bared my teeth.


    "How does it feel knowing every Ash Creek guard will fall asleep tonight with your naked body burned into their fantasies? Probably pumping their weak little cocks to the thought of you strutting through these halls like you¡¯re begging to be fucked?"


    Slowly, she tilted her head, smirked, and cackled¡ªa slow, wicked sound that curled like a noose around my neck.


    "Oh, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re jealous, Ivan," she purred, stepping in so close I could feel the heat of her thighs brush against mine. "You know... it¡¯d probably be the same way it feels for Serena every time you grunt my name in your sleep."


    This woman. A snarl tore through me.


    "You think this is jealousy?" I growled. "If it were, I¡¯d have you bent over my fucking knee by now, spanked red for even thinking any man, dead or alive, deserves to see you like this."


    She arched an infuriating brow. "And who the hell gave you the right to that righteous anger? Last I checked, I¡¯m not yours anymore. You don¡¯t even deserve to breathe the same air as me."


    "No," I growled, dragging her hips flush against mine, grinding just enough to feel the tremble in her breath. "But this fucking bond? It¡¯s still ours."


    My hand slid around her waist, fingers brushing over the soft curve of her naked skin, pulling her tighter¡ªclose enough to feel the rapid beat of her heart against my chest.


    "This fire between us, Maeve?" I hissed into her ear, my lips brushing her jaw as she squirmed. "It¡¯s still burning. You can lie to yourself all you want. Pretend you don¡¯t feel it. Pretend you aren¡¯t soaking wet from the way I¡¯m touching you. But as long as that severance hasn¡¯t been carved into our wolves, as long as the goddess hasn¡¯t ripped us apart by force..." I pressed my forehead to hers, our breath mixing¡ªraspy, breathless. "You are mine, just as much as I¡¯m still fucking yours."

 Chapter 45: ALPHA’S REGRET

    <h4>Chapter 45: Chapter 45: ALPHA¡¯S REGRET</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    Her expression wavered then, just for a breath¡ªeyes flickering with something that looked like surprise, or longing, or both.


    But she caught it before it slipped too far, sealing her features into something icy and distant.


    "You¡¯re insane if you think the fact that the severance failed is good news," she snapped. "And fuck you, Ivan¡ªI¡¯m not yours. I¡¯d rather eat a ming cactus than let that happen again."


    Every word was fire on her tongue, spat like venom, meant to kill.


    "And for your information," she seethed, stepping back just enough to shove at my chest, "this isn¡¯t about you. Not everything revolves around your precious ego. I didn¡¯t walk out there naked to make you jealous. I did it because your stic little wife had my clothes taken and told the maids to humiliate me. I walked out there like that because I refuse to cower. I refuse to be broken again. But of course you¡¯d twist it into a fucking porno."


    "You had a choice, Maeve. You could¡¯ve walked back to me¡ªjust like you could have done years ago. But somehow, your petty pride alwayses first. Twist this however you want," I said coldly, jaw clenched tight enough to ache. "But I won¡¯t have the mother of my son parading herself like amon whore. Did you even think about him? That maybe he saw his mom being lusted after by half the castle? That one day he¡¯ll hear how every wolf got a look at his mother¡¯s tits because she had something to prove?"


    Her mouth parted.


    And for a second¡ªjust one devastating second¡ªthere was no venom in her eyes. Just something fragile. Something that flickered between pain and shame. Something broken.


    But then her spine straightened. Her expression iced over, sealing the wound with rage. When she spoke, her voice dropped to a lethal whisper.


    "You don¡¯t get to use him in our conversations," she said. "He is not your son. You don¡¯t exist to him. You don¡¯t deserve to after everything."


    "Everything?" I echoed, fury wing up my throat. "You were drunk, Maeve. While you were pregnant! You put him in danger. So if anyone here doesn¡¯t deserve¡ª"


    "I WASN¡¯T DRUNK!" she screamed, her voice tearing through the air with enough power to shake the walls.


    The silence that followed was ugly. Heavy. The kind of silence that kills any sign of life.


    Her breath came in bursts, her chest heaving, her eyes ssy with unshed tears. The room felt like it might implode.


    Fuck. Fuck. Fuck, Ivan.


    She shook her head slowly, lips trembling with the effort of not falling apart. Her voice, when it came again, was barely more than a whisper.


    "I wasn¡¯t drunk," she whispered again, softer now. "But you never let me exin, did you? You believed her. You believed aplete stranger over your own mate. That¡¯s how much I was worth to you."


    Fuck.


    I couldn¡¯t breathe. I couldn¡¯t speak.


    How could I not have believed it? There were pictures. Pictures of Maeve¡ªmy mate¡ªheavily pregnant, passed out cold from drinking, surrounded by empty bottles.


    How was a father, who had just lost his son, supposed to see that and feel anything but rage?


    Serena came to me when I was already spiraling. Vulnerable. Grieving. Angry at the Goddess for ripping my pup out of my hands.


    And she pointed the finger. She told me the truth about Maeve¡¯s drinking, her recklessness¡ªand I¡¯d been so ready to believe it. She offered an exnation I was desperate to hear.


    Because I needed someone to me.


    And Maeve had made it so fucking easy. She chased after me like she always did, forfort, for warmth, for safety¡ªand I gave her nothing.


    I gave her nothing.


    Nothing.


    It hit me in the chest like a de. Even if she had drunk, even if the loss had somehow been her fault... were my actions any better?


    I hadn¡¯t just turned away¡ªI¡¯d abandoned my family.


    I had abandoned Maeve.


    She tried to storm past me, to leave, but my reflexes worked faster than my mind. I caught her, pulled her into my arms again, holding her to me like a lifeline.


    Like a man clinging to thest solid thing he still understood.


    "Ivan!" she struggled, shoving at my chest, breathless and furious. Nothing like the girl who used to love me. "Let me go!"


    But instead of letting go, the tension between us only drew me closer to her. My grip didn¡¯t loosen. My body refused to let her go.


    If anything, everything I had been trying to suppress for years rushed up all at once. The feel of her hips molded to mine. The scent of her¡ªwild, sweet, familiar.


    The storm in her gaze that had always threatened to pull me under.


    "Ivan!" she shouted again. "Get your hands off me¡ªfor fuck¡¯s sake!"


    And goddess help me, even in her rage, she was beautiful.


    Explosive. Divine. Deadly.


    And once... mine.


    "Ivan¡ªplease. Please, you have to let me go," she said again, exhausted this time.


    Her voice was weak, and I heard it in the raw edges. Tears streamed down her face now, and when her eyes met mine¡ªI swear I stopped breathing.


    "I can¡¯t," I whispered. "I did that once, and I haven¡¯t spent a single day not regretting it."


    Her body went still.


    "What?" she breathed, eyes wide,shes wet with disbelief. The fire in her eyes dimmed¡ªjust for a heartbeat.


    Fuck. I hadn¡¯t meant to say it. I hadn¡¯t nned to.


    But now that it was out, I didn¡¯t want to take it back.


    I should¡¯ve stopped. Should¡¯ve shut the fuck up and walked away before I wrecked her all over again.


    But my hands were already on her. My body already starved for the only thing it had ever truly needed. And my goddamn heart hadn¡¯t gotten the message.


    So I said the one thing I¡¯d never said out loud. The one truth that had been rotting inside me for five years.


    "I regret it, Maeve," I said softly. "Every fucking day."


    Her breath hitched. But... she didn¡¯t believe me.


    Sheughed¡ªbitter and broken. "You don¡¯t actually expect me to believe that, do you?"


    "I didn¡¯t mean to say it," I replied, voice low. "But I do."


    She stared at me for a long moment. Then the fire returned¡ªhotter this time, crueler.


    "Then you¡¯re dumber than I thought," she said, cold. "Because even if I believed you... I don¡¯t want you anymore. I have a mate. I have a family of my own now, Ivan. Get over yourself¡ªand let me go."


    And still¡ªstill¡ªI couldn¡¯t.


    Because even in her fury...


    Even when her eyes screamed hate and her words were like acid... I had no fucking idea how to stop wanting her.


    And instead of doing the one thing that could give us both peace¡ªwalking away¡ªI did the one thing that would ruin it further.


    I leaned in and kissed her.

 Chapter 46: CAUGHT RED-HANDED

    <h4>Chapter 46: Chapter 46: CAUGHT RED-HANDED</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    The kiss was hungry. Painful. Perfect.


    I devoured her like a man starved, my tongue sliding deep into the honey of her mouth, my hands locked tight around her body.


    She gasped¡ªstartled¡ªand, Goddess, I swallowed every bit of that sound like it was made just for me.


    I could taste her rage, her denial, her weakness, all of it reeling me deeper into the paradox that she was, drawing a feverish hunger from the depths of me.


    Goddess, I couldn¡¯t stop even if I wanted to. I couldn¡¯t listen to reason¡ªthat we were in a room anyone could walk into, that this was wrong, that she didn¡¯t want this.


    None of it made it through the daze of primal desire bursting through me, through the heat curling in my abdomen and rushing straight to my cock.


    Mine. Maeve was mine.


    Her hands shoved at me once, weak, half-hearted, but I pinned her tighter. I wasn¡¯t giving her space. Not when she was gasping for me. Not when she was this close.


    My tongue slid deeper into her mouth, tasting, sucking, dragging a groan out of my chest I couldn¡¯t stop.


    She moaned¡ªand fuck, it was delicious. A goddamn addictive sound, one that lit a fire in my insides, an unbridled desire to im her, to mark her, to hold her to myself forever.


    Maeve was a divine mix of sin and sweet pleasure¡ªmy undoing and my making in one person.


    When I finally tore my mouth from hers, I didn¡¯t let her go.


    I pressed my forehead against hers, both of us panting, chests mming together like we¡¯d gone ten rounds.


    For one brutal, fragile heartbeat, the world was quiet... so quiet that it was just her. Just me. Just this bloody bond between us.


    My voice came out small, desperate.


    "We don¡¯t have to keep fighting each other. We don¡¯t have to keep pretending. We could just... stop." My thumb stroked her jaw, my mouth so close to hers I could feel the feather of her breath. "I don¡¯t care what happened in the past, just...e back to me, Maeve."


    Her lips parted, and for a second¡ªGoddess, for a single devastating second¡ªI thought she¡¯d say yes.


    But she shook her head. Slow. Fragile. Like she hated herself for it. Like it was just as heartbreaking for her.


    "You can¡¯t keep doing this, Ivan..." she whispered. "Kissing me, touching me, saying these things... I¡ªI told you before. I have a mate now. I don¡¯t want this with you."


    The words gutted me.


    "Then leave him," I rasped, my voice breaking at the edges. I cupped her cheek, desperate, aching, dragging her closer when she tried to turn away. "End it. Start over with me. Please. First dates. First kisses. First everything. Let us do it all over again. Let me know this version of you. Let me earn you back."


    Her eyes closed, her head bowing like my words hurt worse than a silver de.


    "I can¡¯t," she whispered again, shaking. "I won¡¯t. I don¡¯t want to be that woman again." She swallowed hard. "I can¡¯t forgive you, Ivan. I can¡¯t forget. I hope you understand that it¡¯s just not... possible. And my mate¡ªhe¡¯s everything to me now. He¡¯s the love of my life. I won¡¯t betray him."


    Something snapped inside me.


    "Fuck him," I snarled, my hands locking on her hips, dragging her against the thick, aching length I¡¯d been fighting since the second she walked back into my life. "Fuck him, for fuck¡¯s sake. I don¡¯t give a damn if he¡¯s alive or dead or if he means the whole damn universe to you. Does he know what you look like when you moan my name? Does he know the sound you make when you¡¯re about to beg for it? Does he know that right now, right here, you¡¯re dripping for me?"


    Her breath hitched, eyes going wide.


    "Ivan¡ª"


    I swallowed her protest with another kiss. But it was different this time. Slow. Tender. Fucking sweet.


    My lips brushed hers with fragile reverence, soft enough tomunicate the depth of my plea¡ªthe desperation tangled in the sweet tug of her bottom lip.


    I tasted her sigh, drank it down like poison.


    "Just for a moment," I whispered against her mouth, kissing down her cheek, along her jaw, to the soft curve of her throat.


    My hand slid lower, greedy, worshipful, memorizing her curves like I could brand them into me.


    "Let me have you for one more second. Let us pretend¡ªfor one more second¡ªthat it¡¯s still us. Please."


    Her hands pressed against my chest, trembling, weak. Pathetic resistance. Not enough to stop me. Not enough to stop the bond that chained us both.


    I pinned her harder to the wall, my hips grinding against hers, drowning in the festering, consuming heat burning between us¡ªfuck.


    The rigid length of my cock pressed into the soft heat of her core, and her gasp was the sweetest sound I¡¯d ever heard.


    "Feel that?" I growled against her throat, my teeth grazing the ce where I used to mark her. "That¡¯s what you do to me. Still. Always."


    Her body trembled under mine, betraying her even as she shook her head. Her pulse raced beneath my mouth as I kissed her neck, sucking just hard enough to make her whimper.


    "Fuck," I hissed, rutting harder, dragging the thick press of my arousal along her pussy until she squirmed. "You¡¯re wet. I can feel it dripping down your thighs."


    Her nails dug into my shirt, half-push, half-clutch, and the delicious sound that spilled from her lips was the filthiest thing I¡¯d ever heard.


    "You think he knows this side of you?" I rasped, my breath hot against her ear. "Does your precious mate know how easy youe undone when I grind you like this?" I rolled my hips again, slower this time, grinding her higher up the wall. "Does he know you choke on your own breath when I touch you?"


    "Ivan¡ª" she gasped, but it was pathetic at best, a trembling mess of desire and resistance with no real bite left in it.


    "Shh," I hushed her, kissing her again, softer now, yearning and desperate. "Don¡¯t say anything. Just let me... let me pretend. Just one more second."


    My hand slid up the inside of her thigh, forcing her legs wider until there was no space left to hide from me.


    When my thumb dragged through her slick heat, her whole body jolted, her lips parting on a cry I swallowed hungrily with my mouth.


    Fuck, she was soaked¡ªjust like I¡¯d known she¡¯d be.


    My fingers were coated in her juices, and I groaned into her kiss like I¡¯d just stolen a glimpse of heaven.


    "Goddess, Maeve," I rasped, nearly undone myself at how wet she was, shamelessly aching to be inside this woman. "You can tell yourself you hate me all you want, but your body¡ªyour body aches to be fucked by me. Maybe right here. Maybe we should put your precious mate on a call, let him hear how well you take me¡ªhow fucking good I stretch you out, all the filthy, slutty sounds you make for another man."


    Her head tipped back against the wall, lips trembling, eyes ssy.


    Her resistance was there¡ªweak¡ªbut the slow panting, the absence of another cutting word, and the way her legs lifted higher to give me better ess, wrapping around my waist, told me I had her exactly where I needed her.


    That I might¡¯ve gotten away with it too if I¡¯d mmed my length into her right there against that wall.


    And bastard that I was, I would¡¯ve done it.


    I would¡¯ve ruined herpletely, fucked her against the stone with not a single fucking care in the world, until she was screaming in my hands, desperate, begging, broken in the best way for me¡ª


    If not for the violent m of the door.


    "NO!"


    Serena¡¯s feral scream ripped through the air. She stood in the doorway, eyes wide, mascara streaking, staring at us like the sight alone had gutted her.


    In front of me, Maeve untangled her legs from around my waist with startling speed, shoving me back hard.


    Her thighs pressed together, as if she could erase the evident glistening wetness slicking down them. She wouldn¡¯t meet my eyes.


    "Your shirt," she snapped, her voice detached, clipped¡ªnothing like the moaning mess she¡¯d been seconds ago.


    For a heartbeat, I almost yanked her back. Forced her to look at me the way she just had. But instead, I ripped off my shirt and shoved it into her hands.


    She slipped it on without another word and stormed out. Past Serena. Past me. Leaving her scent all over me. Leaving the taste of her on my tongue. Leaving me fucking ruined.


    I wanted to chase her. Drag her back in here and finish what we¡¯d started, Serena be damned. The ache in my cock was enough to drive me insane.


    But the sound of Serena¡¯s sobbing kept me rooted.


    She mmed the door shut behind Maeve, then turned on me, her face a grotesque mask of tears and rage.

 Chapter 47: WOUNDED SERPENT

    <h4>Chapter 47: Chapter 47: WOUNDED SERPENT</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    "You bastard!" she shrieked as she stormed up to me. "How could you do this to me? You were about to marry me, Ivan! Marry me! And I walk in to see you almost fucking your rejected mate like¡ª"


    I ignored her. I needed something stronger than her screeching. I crossed the room, grabbed the nearest bottle of wine from the table, and ripped the cork out with my teeth.


    The liquid burned down my throat, drowning out the sound of her hysteria.


    "Are you even listening to me?!" she followed me.


    "No," I said tly, pulling out a ss now and pouring, just to down it in one swallow.


    "You humiliated me in front of our people when you postponed our wedding, and now you¡¯re eating right out of her fucking palms! Don¡¯t you see how she has poisoned you? She has you bewitched! She intentionally made sure the rejection ritual failed! You should be pissed, Ivan! Yet you grind her like an animal with the whole pack right outside the door!" she screeched, louder by the second, each syble a stab to the temple.


    When I still said nothing, she stalked up until she was in my face, heaving.


    "Ivan! I am talking to you!"


    Her hand flew through the air, aiming for my face, but I caught her wrist mid-swing, twisting it and yanking her dangerously close. My grip was steel.


    "Don¡¯t," I gritted, voice low and lethal. "Don¡¯t fucking try me right now."


    She ripped her hand free, shaking with rage.


    "I should be the one saying that! Have you even bothered to think of how this affects me? I¡¯m hurting! And that is not fair, Ivan! I was there for you five years ago¡ªwhen that same woman killed your son! I was the one who held you when you sobbed and drowned yourself in wine. I was the one who showed you the truth about your wife, even when it meant betraying my own best friend!" Her chest rose and fell violently. "Do you even understand how it feels to constantly be undermined by the person who broke your trust and cost you your heir? How can you even bear to be in the same room with her¡ªmuch less kiss her? Does your dead son mean nothing to you?!"


    Her voice pierced like a needle to the ear¡ªbut worse than that, it hit something darker. That night. The blood. The emptiness. The loss I still carried in the pit of my soul. The nightmares. The guilt.


    Serena had been there. She¡¯d said all the right things. Held me when I was too far gone to stand. Brought me herbs to keep me from copsing under my own grief.


    She hadforted me¡ªbecause I had let her. Because I had been too fucked up to do the only thing that mattered: stand by my mate.


    And that... was unforgivable.


    I took another long drink. Let it burn.


    Then said, tly, "You¡¯re getting nauseating, Serena. And exhausting. Maeve is my mate. It¡¯s as simple¡ªand asplicated¡ªas that. You could wear her crown, her robes, bathe in her fucking scent, and you¡¯d still only be what you are." I turned to face her, eyes hard. "A failed breeder. Don¡¯t confuse the two."


    Her face drained of color. Then turned blotchy, red and raw with humiliation.


    "You absolute son of a bitch," she hissed, fresh tears gathering in her eyes. "Five years ago, you promised me¡ª"


    "I promised a marriage of convenience," I cut in coldly, stepping closer so she couldn¡¯t look away from the truth. "I never promised love. Or loyalty. Or even honesty. I wanted a child. And you were willing to spread your legs to give it to me."


    Her breath caught like she¡¯d been punched.


    "Don¡¯t insult my intelligence, Serena. You never wanted me. You wanted a title. You wanted to be Luna so fucking bad you would¡¯veid down for your best friend¡¯s mate if it meant getting a taste of power. Don¡¯t lecture me on betrayal when you are the epitome of it." My voice dropped, quiet and cruel. "And you don¡¯t deserve a single shred of my love. Or my loyalty. Not when Maeve still breathes."


    Her eyes were wide now, a deep frown settling on her face as she stuttered through her next words, bbergasted.


    "B-But she cost you your heir! Goddess knows how she got this new boy she¡¯s passing off as yours, but¡ªyou must not forget, Ivan¡ªthat she destroyed your family, a-and you still want her?!"


    I let out a low sound of amusement.


    "Funny, really, how easily you weaponize the darkest moment of both our lives when it suits you," I said, tilting my head. "Maeve says she never had a drinking problem. And now... that¡¯s interesting. Because a certain someone imed she did. A certain someone provided pictures... a story... a doctor¡¯s report. Proof, right?" I leaned in, my voice cold. "But I¡¯m inclined to believe there¡¯s been some foul y. It¡¯s embarrassing that it took me five years to get here, but if that¡¯s true¡ªthen the picture you showed me was doctored."


    Her eyes went round, panic starting to pool behind them, and she stumbled back.


    "W-What? H-How can you say that? Y-You don¡¯t really believe that, do you?"


    I shrugged, stiff. "I don¡¯t know what to believe anymore. But the more I think about it, the less I see the Maeve I knew ever risking our pup¡¯s life."


    Serena¡¯s voice sharpened, striking like a wounded serpent.


    "Really? So she sinks her ws back into you, spreads her legs, and now you¡¯re ready to forget she¡¯s the fucking viin she¡¯s always been?"


    "I¡¯m not saying I believe her," I said evenly, my tone dangerously calm. "I¡¯m saying I should have looked at the situation objectively from the beginning." I set the wine bottle down, stepped forward, and locked eyes with her. "So let¡¯s do that now." A beat of a second. "How the fuck did you get that picture, Serena?"

 Chapter 48: JUST ONE MORE ORGASM

    <h4>Chapter 48: Chapter 48: JUST ONE MORE ORGASM</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    I had barely been able to sleep a winkst night.


    I shut my eyes tightly, wishing for rest toe, but it was all to no avail. I remained wide awake, tormented by guilt for not being able to resist Ivan¡¯s touch.


    The moment he kissed me, every ounce of reasoning had flown out the window¡ªreced by a gnawing hunger that threatened to tear me apart if I didn¡¯t satiate it.


    And of course, Ivan had milked it for everything it was worth.


    His kisses had been liquid ecstasy in the cavern of my mouth. I could still feel the imprint of his fingers, burning hot between my thighs.


    And Goddess help me, I could still feel the hunger.


    The ghost of his teasing touch breezed over my skin, demanding attention¡ªgrazing torturously toward the aching spot between my thighs.


    Against every ounce of dignity I had left, I slid a hand down my belly, breathing shallowly as my fingertips brushed the ce he¡¯d touched¡ªwhere he¡¯d agonized me with nothing but his filthy, dirty-talking mouth, his hands, and that maddening scent of his.


    I didn¡¯t mean to. I didn¡¯t want to.


    But the heat burned low and tight and feverish, and before I could talk myself out of it, I was rubbing slow, shameful circles through the thin cotton of my pajama shorts, chasing after the ghost of him.


    His goddamn piercing gray eyes¡ªalways stormy, always arrogant, but somehow still soulful enough to tilt toward soft.


    That cocky tug of his smirk when they locked on mine, just enough to remind me of the bastard he truly was.


    And his words¡ªGoddess, those fucking words. They might be the death of me, if this mission didn¡¯t kill me first.


    I bit my lip, my other hand fisting the sheets, heat rising in my face like a second skin.


    It wasn¡¯t even about pleasure¡ªit was about need. About the unbearable, desperate hunger Ivan had nted in me, blooming like wildfire, choking out reason.


    My body remembered him. Responded to him. Even now. Even after everything. Even after all this while.


    And the worst part¡ªthe part that made me want to scream and sob and maybe set myself on fire¡ªwas that not once in five years had I ever felt like this with Devon.


    Not this quickly. Not this intensely. Not even when I tried to fake it.


    Devon, with his characteristic sweetness¡ªsomething Ivan sorelycked.


    Devon, with his yful words and boyish charm. His steady calmness. All the things Ivan never had.


    Ivan was a fucking caveman. Neanderthalic. Always manhandling. Always growling. Always crossing lines.


    How could I want that? How could he undo me with mere words and those chaotic gray eyes?


    And yet, even with the guilt fighting through my chest, even with the shame like ws in my gut, my fingers moved¡ªdesperate, greedy, chasing the crescendo left behind by another man.


    I had never been this wet in years. Never this affected by just a memory.


    Devon had never flipped me over and fucked me until I saw stars. Never made me choke on my own moans. Never made mee this fast just by existing in my mind.


    My fingers pressed harder, the sheets twisting under my clenched fist, as the wave of my orgasm crashed through me¡ªdelicious, breath-stealing, humiliating.


    My breathing was fast. Embarrassing.


    And all I could think was: he wasn¡¯t even here.


    That truth gutted me.


    As I squeezed my thighs together under the sheets, guilt returned with all its fury¡ªand my mind instantly turned to Devon.


    White-hot shame crashed over me in waves, causing goosebumps to bloom across my skin.


    I knew I sounded like a broken record at this point, but I still couldn¡¯t fathom how wildly out of hand things had gotten with Ivan.


    After the first time he kissed me, I¡¯d promised myself it would never happen again.


    Where the hell had that resolve gone?


    How could I act so shamelessly with Ivan when I had Devon?


    Devon¡ªwho was back home in Darkwind, trying to secure a better future for me and Asha.


    Granted, his methods were less than ster, but that didn¡¯t change the fact that every move he made was for our family.


    I loathed to imagine how he¡¯d react if he ever found out I¡¯d made out with his nemesis. Not once, but twice.


    As much as it would be easier to me Ivan for all of it, deep down I knew I had a part to y in ourtest escapades. It was a madness that had gone on long enough.


    It ended now.


    This time was thest time. I promised myself.


    But... right after I got myself off again. Just one more. For closure.


    With a sigh, my fingers slipped under the sheets. One more orgasm, please.


    * * *


    I got out of bed an hour before dawn. Asha was still sound asleep.


    I took care not to wake him as I climbed out of bed. My sweatery next to the dresser, and I slipped it on over my pajamas.


    Then I strapped on my beige fleece-lined boots and padded softly out of the room.


    Nina usually came to my quarters around dawn. Hopefully, she¡¯d be there by the time Asha woke up.


    Outside the pack house, the air was cold. White puffs of smoke left my lips with every breath I took.


    I clutched my basket to my chest, careful not to slip on the frostcednding that led into the woods.


    Apparently, I miscalcted my step. I lost my bnce and nearly went tumbling down the slope¡ªbut at thest second, a strong pair of hands caught me by the upper arm and yanked me back upright.


    I gasped, breath catching as I came face-to-face with none other than Revierrie.


    He looked just as unrested as I felt. His hair was mussed, the gelled side part he usually wore now undone. He was still in yesterday¡¯s clothes.


    "Revierrie," I breathed, the chill stinging my throat. "I never imagined I¡¯d run into you here at five in the morning."


    "I could say the same about you, Mistress," he replied with a clinical smile.


    It was the kind of look people reserved for strangers or high-ranking people. Surface-level politeness, no intimacy.


    It made me wonder what he actually thought of me.


    Probably not much¡ªaside from the fact that I was the moon healer.


    So far, all I¡¯d managed to do was give him every reason to see me as reckless. First, I¡¯d crashed a royal wedding. Then I¡¯d nearlye to blows with Lydia in the throne room.


    And, of course,st night¡ªafter the rejection ritual had failed¡ªI¡¯d screamed at the priest and stormed out of the sacred hallpletely naked.


    Now he¡¯d just stopped me from face-nting down a hill. Lovely.


    "Mistress?" I scoffed, wrinkling my nose. "Please. Call me Maeve. And thank you¡ªfor stopping me from wiping out."


    "You¡¯re wee... Maeve," Revierrie said, repeating my name with stiff civility. "So tell me, do you usually venture into the woods at the crack of dawn?"


    "What? No," I said with a snort. "I just couldn¡¯t sleep. Figured I might as well go out early and look for herbs."


    A glimpse of guilt shed across his expression at my words, but he covered that up fast with a curious look.


    "Herbs?" he asked, feigning genuine intrigue.


    "Yes. It¡¯s for the Luna¡¯s treatment."


    Not exactly.


    I nned to gather a particr kind of leaf¡ªan herb potent enough to brew into an elixir that induced deep sleep.


    That was the goal: to give Lydia a dose today. Once she was out cold, I could finally search her quarters without interruption.


    But first, I needed to wrap up my conversation with the priest and get started on that mission.


    "I¡¯m sorry, but I¡¯ve got to get going. The nts I intend to collect are freshest at the first light of dawn."


    "Oh, I see." Revierrie¡¯s eyes lit up with fascination. "If you don¡¯t mind, Maeve, I¡¯d like to apany you on your nt hunt. You don¡¯t know this, but I¡¯ve always had a great curiosity for herbs and healing. It¡¯s yet another passion of mine."


    "Really?" I asked, sounding thoroughly unenthused.


    Thest thing I needed was someone as grounded and observant as the priest tagging along on my secret quest.


    But before I could shut him down, he jumped down the narrow slope and held out his hands to me.


    "Here. Take my hands. I¡¯ll help you down the slope. I wouldn¡¯t want you tripping over again."


    "Thanks," I mumbled, epting his help.

 Chapter 49: SEIZE THE MOMENT

    <h4>Chapter 49: Chapter 49: SEIZE THE MOMENT</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE¡¯S POV</strong>


    Once I was on sturdy ground, we began our walk into the woods. The early morning fog was thick, coated with the wetness of mist.


    Revierrie¡¯s sses fogged over almost instantly, and he had to take them off. He tucked them into his pocket without breaking stride.


    "So, do you do this often? Go traipsing through the woods at the crack of dawn?" I asked, mostly just to throw his earlier words back at him.


    Revierrie chuckled. The sound was brief. Almost as quickly, he sobered.


    "Not exactly. I couldn¡¯t sleepst night. I was up all night studying the failed ritual, trying to figure out what might have gone wrong."


    A tiny, unwee pinch of guilt pricked my chest. I¡¯d given him hell yesterday¡ªsnapped at him in front of everyone¡ªbecause of that failure.


    I hadn¡¯t cared then that he might¡¯ve been just as shaken, maybe even more, under all his priestlyposure.


    The feeling lingered awkwardly for a beat, before I pushed it aside. Curiosity peeked through in its ce.


    "And?" I asked, my tone softer, more tentative now. "Did you figure it out?"


    He sighed wearily. Under the faint light of dawn, I could make out the ck circles under his eyes that hinted at a long, sleepless night.


    "Not yet," he said, sadly. "But I do have some theories."


    "Theories? Like... what?" I tried not to sound too eager.


    "I read quite a lot about wrath bondsst night," Revierrie began, his voice lowering to a near whisper. "There was a Chapter that struck me in particr. It talked about deeply rooted convictions between destined mates. ording to the author, if a mate truly believes¡ªdeep down¡ªthat they are fated to be with their bonded partner, that conviction alone can counter even the strongest severance. Including a rejection ritual."


    "I don¡¯t understand." I furrowed my brows, trying to make sense of his words. It took a few moments before the pieces began to click together. "Are you trying to say that one of us believes, on some subconscious level, that we¡¯re still meant to be together?" I almost scoffed out augh. "I highly doubt that."


    It sounded ridiculous the moment I said it. Sure, Ivan and I shared a disturbing, vtile attraction, but the idea that either of us truly wanted to remain mated to each other?


    No. That couldn¡¯t be right.


    Not after everything we¡¯d put each other through. We had caused each other more pain than anyone else ever could. We both had chosen different mates.


    The idea that some subconscious conviction was standing in the way of our attempt to sever the bond was preposterous.


    "About this conviction," I asked, the words leaving a bitter taste on my tongue, "what else does the book say?"


    Revierrie winced, clearly choosing his next words carefully.


    "Sometimes, it¡¯s more of a subconscious instinct than a conscious belief. The wolf who bears this conviction might not be aware of it, but that doesn¡¯t stop the subconscious from fighting against anything that threatens the natural bnce. The bond. The mate."


    "And what does your book say about fixing this... conviction?" I asked, barely keeping the sneer out of my voice.


    "Unfortunately, the Chapter didn¡¯t say." He looked sheepish, then added, "But don¡¯t worry. I¡¯ve got another stack of books I n to go through today. Rest assured, I¡¯ll find a solution."


    "Will Ivan and I have to wait until the next full moon to attempt the ritual again?"


    The thought made me anxious. ording to Devon, time was running out.


    Once I found the ck Book, he nned to confront Ivan¡ªim the Ash Creek throne¡ªand if that happened, I doubted we¡¯d get a second chance at holding the ritual.


    "The ritual will happen much sooner than that," Revierrie reassured me, as if sensing my unease. "We won¡¯t need to wait for the next moon cycle."


    We walked in silence for a few moments more, eventually reaching a clearing lined with low shrubs and short trees.


    "The leaves on these trees and shrubs are great for treating headaches and calming hallucinations," I told him, plucking a few of the greener leaves from the branches.


    I made sure to separate the ones I needed for Lydia¡¯s sleeping draught¡ªthe elixir I intended to slip herter today.


    It was a good thing all of the leaves mostly looked the same. Only a professional could tell the differences.


    "Fascinating," Revierrie crooned like an excited little boy.


    He leaned over a bed of shrubs, studying their leaves with keen interest. His sses were back on, slightly fogged at the edges.


    "And how do you intend to process the leaves? Will you be grinding them to make a healing juice or crushing them into a mash to make a salve?"


    "Juice," I answered, and despite myself, the corners of my lips quirked upward in a small smile. I couldn¡¯t help it.


    It had been a while since I talked about healing just for the sake of it. It felt nice to divulge in an exchange of knowledge with a fellow intellectual¡ªsomeone who seemed just as genuinely interested in medicine as I was.


    For the next hour, I pointed out at least two dozen nts to Revierrie, exining the varying benefits of their leaves.


    He listened with quiet attentiveness, asionally asking thoughtful questions or jotting notes in a leather-bound booklet tucked into his coat.


    It was nearly 6 a.m. by the time we waved goodbye and went our separate ways.


    With my basket full, I headed straight toward the Luna¡¯s kitchen and began working on the sleeping draught for Lydia.


    I would make a performance of it¡ªinsisting how vital it was for her to take the tonic, under the guise of treating the so-called "pitting disease."


    The pitting disease.


    It was almostughable, the way everyone whispered about how fatally ill Lydia Cross supposedly was.


    In truth, she suffered from nothing more than a mild but stubborn sickness¡ªone I never would have recognized if my old teacher, thete healer from Darkwind, hadn¡¯t battled it herself in herter years.


    Mireworm Fever.


    It wasn¡¯t dangerous, but it was evasive. The worm that caused it was clever, hiding deep in the body and avoiding most treatments.


    With the right herbs, I could manage Lydia¡¯s symptoms for a while, and if I wanted to, I could remove the worm entirely. But where was the fun in that?


    No¡ªbetter to let her drag herself down the whole miserable mile.


    So far, I was the only one who knew the truth¡ªand I intended to keep it that way.


    I would continue to y along, pretending to treat the Luna while maintaining unfettered ess to her rooms.


    Clutching the ss of thick green juice tightly in my hand, I knocked twice on Lydia¡¯s door. I waited a beat, then stepped inside.


    I half-expected to be greeted by her infamous sneer, that ever-condescending smirk she wore like a badge of superiority. But to my surprise, the room was empty.


    "Lydia?"


    I set the ss carefully on the dresser and padded toward the bathroom.


    She wasn¡¯t in there. Neither was she in the adjoining sitting room.


    No one had mentioned anything about the Luna being moved.


    Perhaps she had finally regained enough strength to menace the packhouse like the stubborn insufferable thing she was.


    Still, a chance like this didn¡¯te often.


    Regardless of the risks, I needed to seize the moment¡ªand search for the ck Book.

 Chapter 50: PINKY PROMISE

    <h4>Chapter 50: Chapter 50: PINKY PROMISE</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    I hadn¡¯t been able to get a useful response out of Serenast night. After I asked about the source of the picture from five years ago, she t-out refused to give me an answer of any value.


    "You do not have the right to make demands from me, Ivan Cross," she¡¯d said coldly. "Why should I hand you one more weapon for Maeve¡¯s arsenal of lies? It doesn¡¯t matter what I say¡ªyou¡¯d eat out of her palms either way."


    She¡¯d spat those words before storming out of the room.


    I hadn¡¯t seen her since.


    Frankly, I didn¡¯t think I wanted to.


    Why would I bother looking her in the eye when all I wanted was another? She might have been my intended, my chosen mate on paper¡ªbut that title meant less to me with every passing day.


    Somewhere along the way, Maeve had wed her way back into my head, and now she was all I could think about.


    I wanted to kiss her again.


    Last night, I¡¯d gone to bed with the memory of her wetness still etched in my mind.


    The best part had been how much she wanted me to touch her. Her moans had filled the room. Her legs had wrapped tightly around me.


    Again, I wondered how far things would have gone between us if Serena hadn¡¯t shown up when she did.


    How could she still want a separation ritual when we were still so drawn to each other?


    I knew there were deeply rooted issues between us, but there was always a way to move past them.


    There had to be a way for us to forgive each other and build something better than it ever was before. No, not the way it used to be¡ªbetter.


    This time, I¡¯d take care of her. I¡¯d dote on her, be the man she¡¯d always wanted. Better than her new mate.


    This was probably just my lust talking¡ªclouding my better judgment. Be that as it may, the fact remained: I couldn¡¯t get Maeve out of my system.


    I needed to have her.


    I needed to kiss her. To bury my cock deep inside her warmth and feel here all around me.


    But first, I would start by talking to her.


    * * *


    I skipped breakfast with the elders¡¯ council.


    We were supposed to meet to discuss thetestbat routine added to the warriors¡¯ training regimen, but I managed to push it to dinner instead.


    Standing in front of Maeve¡¯s chambers, I hesitated before knocking. For a full minute, I tried to gather the courage. It should have been easy.


    I¡¯d bickered with her plenty of times. I¡¯d circled her wetnessst night, swallowed her moans in open-mouthed kisses.


    And yet, the thought of seeing her now made me nervous for reasons I couldn¡¯t pin down.


    My hesitation dragged on long enough to be ridiculous. It was now or never.


    Squaring my shoulders, I raised my knuckles and knocked.


    I winced at the sharp sound echoing through the quiet hallway.


    I waited a few seconds, then knocked again. No sound came from the other side. No footsteps heading toward the door.


    Maybe showing up at seven in the morning was a bad idea. Maeve was probably still asleep¡ªand I doubted my face was what she¡¯d want to see first thing when she woke.


    I needed to leave. I had paperwork to deal with anyway.


    I decided I¡¯d wait until noon. Then I¡¯d send a letter inviting her and Asha to dinner with the rest of the packhouse.


    It was about time my subjects became acquainted with my son and heir. Hopefully, at some point during dinner, I could get a chance to finally talk to Asha.


    His anger toward me ought to have cooled by now.


    I was counting on it.


    Just as I began to step away, the doors burst open, revealing none other than Asha.


    The sight startled me so much I lost my footing. I tripped, catching myself on the doorpost before I could hit the floor.


    Great. Way to look cool in front of the kid.


    He already thought of me as the bad guy who took pleasure in harassing his mother. I wondered what he thought of me now.


    I looked down at him. He wore blue striped pajamas, his hair messy from sleep.


    Up close, I noticed applesauce stains at the corners of his mouth and splotched across his shirt.


    Had he been in the middle of breakfast?


    "Can I help you?" Asha¡¯s tiny voice was clear and crisp, his question shaking me out of my thoughts.


    I straightened to my full height, clearing my throat.


    "Good morning." There. That was a good start.


    "Good morning," he replied, unenthused. His small hands still clung to the door, like he was ready to m it in my face.


    I didn¡¯t want that. I had to try harder.


    "Um... how did you sleep?"


    It sounded like the right next thing to say.


    I hoped it was.


    "Fine." Asha pursed his lips, letting go of the door and folding his tiny arms across his chest, settling into a defensive stance. "If you¡¯re here to see my mother, she¡¯s not here."


    "She¡¯s not?" I raised my brows, surprised at how easily he¡¯d guessed my intent.


    He was such a little spitfire¡ªpossessing a sass and vigor I hadcked as a child. Even now, Icked it still.


    "No, she¡¯s not," Asha said, narrowing his eyes at me. "Which is a good thing. You won¡¯t get to be mean to her."


    Oh, fuck.


    "I am sorry, Asha." The apology left my lips before I could even register what, exactly, I was apologizing for.


    "What are you sorry for?" he asked. "You need to say it. Mummy always tells me to state the things I am sorry for. That way, I won¡¯t repeat them again."


    My lips twitched at that.


    "Your mummy sounds like an incredibly smart woman."


    "She is." Pride shed in his eyes. "Now, what are you sorry for?"


    This was it¡ªmy moment to right the errors of my ways. For Asha. For the future we could both have.


    "I¡¯m sorry for not always being kind to your mother. She¡¯s a wonderful woman, and I haven¡¯t treated her the way she deserves. I came here to tell her that, but since she¡¯s not here right now, I¡¯ll start by telling you. I¡¯m sorry, Asha. I promise I¡¯ll do my best to be nicer to her from now on."


    "Hmm. Pinky promise?" he asked, a little less suspicious now.


    "What¡¯s a pinky promise?" I asked, genuinely confused.


    Asha stared at me for a beat before doing thest thing I expected¡ªheughed. Loud and painfully mocking.


    "Mum was right; you¡¯re not very bright."


    I winced. She said that?


    "You don¡¯t know what a pinky promise is?" he wheezed, clutching his ribs. "Exactly how old are you?"


    Despite my little frown at Maeve¡¯s choice of description¡ªjust what else had she told him?¡ªhisughter was so infectious it brought a smile to my face.


    I scratched the back of my neck. "I¡¯m pretty much ancient. How about you enlighten me?"


    "Here." He extended his smallest finger toward me. "Hold out your pinky, like this."


    "Like this?" I copied his movement.


    "Good. Now, you have to kneel."


    "Kneel. Wow. Okay." I obliged, lowering myself until we were nearly eye level. "Now what?"


    "Now, we link our pinkies together." His eyes sparkled as he hooked his pinky through mine. "This is how you do a pinky promise. Got it?"


    "Yes," I nodded seriously, trying my hardest not tough. "You really are a skilled teacher."


    "Really?" He seemed pleased, not even realizing our fingers were still linked.


    "Yes. I didn¡¯t know what a pinky promise was five minutes ago. Now I do. It¡¯s all thanks to you."


    "I¡¯m a skilled teacher," Asha dered, finally pulling his finger away but not stepping back. If anything, he seemed more intrigued by me now.


    Finally. Some progress.


    "I have a toy ne," he announced, making wide gestures with his hands. "It¡¯s red and big."


    Well, that was quite the switch.


    "That so?" I said with a small smile, still kneeling, because if staying here on the floor meant sharing this moment with my son, I¡¯d do it.


    "Yeah. Do you wannae in and have a look at it? I could also teach you how to fly it."


    "You want me toe in?" I blinked, caught off guard by the invitation.

 Chapter 51: CO-PILOTS

    <h4>Chapter 51: Chapter 51: CO-PILOTS</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    He shrugged like it was nothing.


    "Yeah. Nina is not here, and I have no one else to y with."


    "Nina?"


    He nodded. "My good friend."


    She had to be one of Maeve¡¯s assistants.


    "I see." I pretended to think about it. "Well, since your friend is not here, I suppose I coulde y with you for a bit."


    "Yes! Come on."


    Asha tugged impatiently at my wrist, the casualness of the touch making my chest constrict in a way that was both painful and bittersweet.


    I rose to my feet and followed the little pup into the room. The first thing I noticed was the mess of toys strewn across the floor.


    A tray sat on a table in front of the firece, holding a bowl of cereal and a smaller dish of applesauce on the side. I tore my gaze from it and looked toward the four-poster bed.


    Maeve¡¯s bed.


    The bed she slept in at night.


    I pictured her in the sheer nightie from the other evening¡ªand felt my cock begin to harden.


    Shit.


    Not in front of the kid. I needed to get a grip.


    Clearing my throat, I forced my gaze back to the firece.


    Asha¡¯s bare feet padded softly across the room. He picked his way through the mess of toys until he reached a bright red airne.


    Lifting it proudly, he made his way back to me.


    "This is my toy airne," he said, holding it up for my inspection. His pride in it was obvious, and I wasn¡¯t about to take that away from him.


    I let my gaze travel over it with a deliberate slowness, as if I were appraising a rare treasure.


    "That," I said, nodding with mock seriousness, "might just be the finest aircraft I¡¯ve ever seen. Think you can teach me how to fly it?"


    "Okay!"


    Asha plopped down onto the floor, and I followed suit.


    It didn¡¯t take long to figure out how it worked: push a series of buttons on the controller and the ne would take flight. To steer, you just fiddled with a different set of buttons.


    Asha showed me the ropes before handing me the controller, granting me the honor of ying pilot.


    "Go left, go left!" he yelled when the ne came dangerously close to crashing into the bedpost.


    I eased the controls, pulling it away at thest second.


    "Rx, copilot," I said with a smirk. "I¡¯ve got this." Just to make him grin, I wiped imaginary sweat from my forehead like it had been a close call.


    Asha giggled. "You¡¯re bad at flying airnes."


    I arched a brow. "Bad? Give me five more minutes with this thing, and I¡¯ll be flying circles around you."


    "Liar! You wanna hear a secret?" he asked, lowering his voice like he was sharing state secrets.


    "Yeah. Sure." I gave him my full attention, silently praying to Selene that this would be the first of many secrets between us.


    "I want to fly real airnes someday," he admitted without hesitation.


    "Really?" My brows lifted, and something in my chest tightened at how certain¡ªhow precious¡ªthis kid was.


    "Yeah." He shrugged. "But Mummy says I¡¯m too little to fly an airne. I guess I¡¯ll have to wait until I¡¯m grown before I can fly one."


    "Well, Asha, it¡¯s a good thing we¡¯ve be friends."


    Calling us friends was probably pushing it, but I was willing to take my chances.


    "As friends, I¡¯d say it¡¯s my job to make sure your dreams happen."


    "You¡¯re a fairy?" Asha gasped, covering his mouth with both hands like I¡¯d just admitted to something scandalous.


    A smirk tugged at my lips. "Not quite. But I do own a real airne."


    "You own a ne?" If excitement could lift him off the ground, I swear he would¡¯ve taken flight right then.


    "Yeah. And she¡¯s not just any ne¡ªshe¡¯s mine. I call her Jenna."


    "You named your ne?" he giggled.


    "Of course." I grinned at him. "She¡¯s a beauty. When something¡¯s that perfect, it deserves a name."


    "I would love to see her!"


    I tilted my head, pretending to think it over.


    "You know... I could make that happen. We could take a quick flight today¡ªanywhere you want to go. How does that sound?"


    "Yes!" Asha answered without hesitation, bouncing his feet against the carpet. Restless. Excited. Happy.


    The fact that I had made him feel this way filled me with a satisfaction so fierce, I could barely contain it.


    The doors burst open just then, and a petite she-wolf with neat braids stepped inside.


    She was clutching a tray of fruit and froze mid-step when she saw us sitting on the floor in front of the firece.


    "You must be Nina," I said, drawing her attention.


    She blinked quickly, almost like she was clearing her vision, then dipped her head in a small show of respect.


    "Yes, Alpha. I¡¯m Nina. Forgive me, I... wasn¡¯t expecting to find you here. May I ask how you came to be inside?"


    "Thest time I checked, this was my home," I replied with a slow, smug smile, daring her to contradict me.


    Her eyes shifted to Asha before returning to me, careful now.


    "Of course, Alpha. I only meant¡ª"


    "I invited him in, Nina. Please don¡¯t be mad," Asha piped up, his little pout almostical.


    Nina¡¯s gaze softened at him before flicking back to me.


    "I didn¡¯t realize the two of you... were spending time together." Her wariness was still evident in the way she stared at me¡ªof course she was wary.


    I was Maeve¡¯s ex-husband, and she no doubt had the worst opinions about me.


    "Yes, we are," Asha dered proudly. "His name is Ivan, and he¡¯s going to fly me on his ne today."


    Her posture stiffened, though she tried to mask it.


    "Alpha... forgive me, but¡ªis that truly wise?"


    My lips twitched with amusement.


    "It¡¯s exactly what the little man said. I¡¯m going to make his dream of flying an airnee true today¡ªand you¡¯re going to help us."


    Her jaw tightened, but she lowered her eyes.


    "If that¡¯s yourmand, Alpha. But Maeve... she may not approve."


    "She¡¯ll get over it." I waved her concern aside. "Now, I¡¯ve got a favor to ask."

 Chapter 52: LUNA SERENA

    <h4>Chapter 52: Chapter 52: LUNA SERENA</h4>


    <strong>SERENA¡¯S POV</strong>


    I watched Ivan and Maeve¡¯s boy walking side by side.


    They were both wearing identical aviation jackets, decorated with shy stickers that caught the sunlight. It appeared they had gotten close recently.


    Ivan was smiling, gripping the boy¡¯s small hand in his. He looked protective. Happy.


    In turn, the boy was gazing up at him like he hung the fucking moon, pausing their walk every so often to bounce excitedly on his feet.


    I watched it all from the rooftop, sipping a cocktail even though it was still morning¡ªfar too early for alcohol. But this was what I had been reduced to.


    I had always been a drinker, but my love for alcohol had doubled ever since Maeve showed up with her son.


    Five years ago, I had taken everything away from her. And how could I not? It was never hers to begin with.


    As the daughter of Vance Montrose¡ªone of the noble houses that dated back to the earliest days of Ash Creek¡ªmy father had contributed much of his wealth in loyalty to the Cross family.


    He had earned the favor of thete king, and even though Ivan and I never crossed paths then, it was obvious to everyone that I was destined to be the next Luna of Ash Creek by virtue of family ties.


    But then Maeve Oakes came along¡ªsniveling, pathetic, irritating omega. You know, when I met her at first, I actually liked her.


    She was a people-pleasing, desperate little thing that tagged after me like a cute pup, always seeking my validation.


    But I could never forgive her for stealing my ce¡ªfor letting the Goddess mark our lifelong rivalry by mating her to Ivan.


    He was always supposed to be mine. It was my family¡¯s right to be seated on that throne alongside the Alpha.


    Granted, I loved Ivan¡ªhow could I not? He was the strongest, most handsome wolf in this pack, and as per my status, I deserved only the best. And he happened to be that.


    But what mattered more to me than his stone-cut abs was that throne.


    I¡¯d sold my soul and my humanity the day I decided to kill Maeve¡¯s child. I wish I could say it was a single moment of madness, but the truth is, the months of her pregnancy built up to it.


    I poisoned her slowly, slipping it into her herbal drinks, into our shared lunches, even when I "rmended" medicinal brews to her. I killed her slowly.


    And the n had always been for Maeve to die alongside that gremlin growing inside her. But somehow, that bitch survived, and I had to put myself through the trouble of staging her miscarriage instead.


    It¡¯s wonderful what you can do when you¡¯re a noble with the right amount of money to pay off anyone and the power to keep them quiet.


    I had put too much on the line, nned my part down to thest detail, scripted the entire thing¡ªonly to be forced to watch it all go down the drain now.


    The best day of my life was the night Maeve left.


    If only she knew I¡¯d sent the best of my father¡¯s men to hunt her down and bring her heart back to me, she might worry about just how far I¡¯d go to get rid of her.


    But now she prances around my castle, with my mate, like she¡¯s untouchable. Oh, darling¡ªshe fell the first time.


    Why does she believe it will be any different now? Because she managed to pass off a bastard as Ivan¡¯s son? I almost chuckled.


    I¡¯d send them both to hell and stomp on their graves.


    That first year after Ivan and I signed our agreement, we tried everything to produce an heir. To my utter dismay, nothing happened. The next year was the same story. And the year after that.


    Now, five yearster, he barely touched me anymore. It was as if he had given up entirely. As a result, a distance had grown between us¡ªone that threatened to tear us apart.


    I had always known I was agreeing to be his breeder¡ªit was contractual. But I also knew enough about packws to understand that birthing the Alpha¡¯s heir would cement my ce on the throne.


    Unfortunately, I¡¯d since learned that conceiving would be nearly impossible unless a bond existed between us. That was why I kept pushing for the wedding.


    I had convinced myself that an official mating ceremony could be the missing piece, the one form that would make his wolf ept me¡ªand finally, the breeding would work.


    I threw all my time and energy into nning it, and of course, Ivan indulged my every extravagant wish, sparing no expense.


    It gave me a renewed sense of hope¡ªfor us, for our future together. I was especially optimistic that after the mating ceremony, I would finally be able to birth Ivan¡¯s heirs and secure my ce in Ash Creek as the future Luna.


    But of course, Maeve¡¯s presence never allowed us to test that theory. She just had to show up in a slutty red dress and ruin everything. Fucking pain in the ass, that woman!


    And pretend all she might, she could have everything else eating out of her palm, but I knew Maeve¡ªI knew that bitch like the back of my hand.


    Somewhere inside her was still the same sniveling, pathetic little thing she had always been. I knew she wanted the throne. I knew she wanted to take Ivan back.


    That was why she¡¯d been so eager to unt herself naked in front of him, to catch his gaze¡ªand he¡¯d fallen for it, almost fucking her just yesterday. That was why she¡¯d made sure the rejection failed.


    It was painfully obvious he was smitten with her. Anyone with eyes could see it.


    And now, watching my husband bond so openly with that young pup, I knew, deep down, it was only a matter of time before I lost him for good.


    With Asha in the picture, he had no use for a breeder anymore¡ªmuch less any interest in pursuing a wedding.


    Though packws still demanded he needed a Luna to truly be Alpha, would he choose Maeve this time? And let me guess, they¡¯d all be one big, happy fucking family.


    I could already picture the portraits lining the great hall¡ªMaeve, Ivan, and Maeve¡¯s bastard smiling like the model family.


    Over my dead body.


    I gripped the stem of my cocktail tightly, feeling my anger rise. I had to act fast before I ended up wherever the hell Maeve had been for the past five years. I¡¯de too far to let her win.


    I looked down at the father-son bonding scene unfolding right beneath my nose.


    Ivan and the boy were climbing into one of his cars¡ªhis favorite sports car, the shiny ck one that was easily one of the most expensive vehicles he owned.


    A momentter, the engine roared to life, and the car tore out of the front yard.


    I mmed my cocktail ss against the railing and jerked to my feet. Enough of this. I¡¯d had enough of Maeve¡¯s endless schemes and Ivan¡¯s neglect.


    I needed to move fast. I still believed I could birth heirs¡ªreal heirs for Ivan. All I had to do was get rid of Maeve and make him look in my direction again.


    Then we could finally have our wedding and conceive our pups.


    And then I¡¯d be the Luna.


    Luna Serena Montrose.


    Sounds fitting, really¡ªdon¡¯t you think?


    To make sure my ns seeded as quickly as I intended, I needed Lydia.


    She had helped me get rid of Maeve once, five years ago, and based on everything I¡¯d heard recently, I knew she¡¯d be more than d to do it again.

 Chapter 53: A MUTUAL ENEMY

    <h4>Chapter 53: Chapter 53: A MUTUAL ENEMY</h4>


    <strong>SERENA¡¯S POV</strong>


    Withdrawing from the rooftop, I headed toward the Luna¡¯s quarters. Lydia was most likely awake by now.


    I marched up the stairway that led to her wing of the house, and just as I rounded the hallway, I ran into Lydia¡¯s royal maid.


    She was clutching a breakfast tray, stacked high with food. As always, she looked frightful¡ªa simpering, trembling mess of a girl.


    Maeve used to look like that. Back then, she¡¯d been treated worse than a servant in the Ash Creek household. Not even Ivan had been on her side.


    She had clung to me then, grateful for my friendship.


    "Hello, Lady Serena," the maid offered with a slight bow, her voice subdued.


    What was her name again? Terry? Tina? Perhaps Theresa?


    It was hard to keep track of all the servants¡¯ names when they all looked alike in their pathetic, ugly uniforms.


    "I¡¯m Theresa, Lady¡ªthe Luna¡¯s maid," she rified, as though reading my thoughts. "Are you here to see the Luna?"


    "Yes," I replied simply, resting my hands on my hips. "Is she awake?"


    Theresa shook her head. "I¡¯m afraid the Luna is not in her rooms at the moment. She is out taking a walk in the gardens."


    "The gardens," I repeated. This was news to me. Thest I knew, Ivan had given orders to confine her to her quarters.


    After Lydia¡¯s heated argument with Maeve in the throne room, she¡¯d been branded as unstable and seized by the pack guards. Maeve had definitely enjoyed that.


    For all her moon-healing bullshit, deep down, I knew she still hated the Luna fiercely. Ivan had to know it too.


    And yet, for some inexplicable reason, he was fine with Maeve treating her.


    "I¡¯ll head over to the gardens then to see the Luna," I announced, stepping to move past Theresa.


    "Oh no, Lady Serena," she intercepted quickly, looking nervous. "The Luna doesn¡¯t wish to be disturbed. She would throw a fit if you showed up. Besides, she¡¯ll be back in her rooms soon."


    "How soon?"


    "Shortly," she reassured. "I was onlying here to drop off her breakfast."


    "Here. I¡¯ll take the tray. Hand it over." I extended my hands toward her.


    Theresa hesitated but then obliged, passing it to me.


    "I¡¯ll wait for her in her rooms," I said over my shoulder as I walked away. "Just like you said¡ªshe won¡¯t be gone much longer."


    I dismissed the maid and continued down the hall. At the Luna¡¯s door, I didn¡¯t bother knocking. I turned the lock and pushed it open.


    What I saw made me stop in my tracks.


    Maeve was on her knees in front of the Luna¡¯s dresser, the bottom drawer pulled wide open, her hands wrist-deep inside as she searched for something.


    She spun around at the sound of my entrance, startled. Her eyes widened to the size of saucers¡ªthe look of someone who¡¯d just been caught red-handed.


    That wide-eyed panic was gone in a sh.


    Maeve withdrew her hands from the drawer, shut it, and slowly rose to her feet.


    She straightened her posture and met my gaze, but only for a second before her eyes darted away.


    It confirmed my suspicions. She¡¯d been snooping in the Luna¡¯s quarters.


    But why?


    "Maeve," I said, my voice dripping with icy venom. "Of all the ways I nned to run into you today, I¡¯ve got to say¡ªsnooping around the Luna¡¯s quarters wasn¡¯t one of them."


    I narrowed my eyes, daring her to deny it.


    She raised her chin, her earlier shock reced with calm indifference.


    "Good morning, Serena. I¡¯m d to see the scar from my p has healed." When my nostrils red, she smirked and added, "And you¡¯re right about the snooping. It¡¯s impossible not to, when the Luna insists on hiding hertest medical records from me."


    I let out a coldugh.


    "Medical records? That¡¯s the best lie you coulde up with? Please, Maeve, even for you, that¡¯s pathetic. You expect me to believe you were on your knees, digging through the Luna¡¯s things like amon thief, all for the noble cause of... helping her?" I tilted my head, letting my sneer deepen. "I think we both know you¡¯ve never given a damn about Lydia¡¯s health¡ªunless, of course, you¡¯re hoping she drops dead so you can crawl into her ce."


    Maeve¡¯s lips curved, but it was barely a smile¡ªit was the kind of expression that said she¡¯d already dismissed me in her head.


    "If I wanted her dead, Serena, I wouldn¡¯t waste my time rifling through drawers. I¡¯d simply let her keep rotting from the inside out. But unlike you, I actually care about others. So yes¡ªmedical records. Believe it or don¡¯t¡ªI really couldn¡¯t care less."


    "You know, Maeve, that sounds exactly like something a guilty person would say. Makes me wonder what you have to be guilty about." My lips curved into a serpentine smile. "Were you perhaps hoping to steal some of the Luna¡¯s jewelry? Is that what this is¡ªwing your way back into the Cross family to dig some gold for you and your bastard child?"


    I saw the fury sh through her eyes, and for a second, I flinched¡ªhalf expecting her to strike me across the face again.


    But for fuck¡¯s sake, I was Serena Montrose. It was time to remind Maeve of that.


    Rather than the outburst I expected, she simply shook her head, rolling her eyes.


    "You¡¯re making things up, Serena¡ªbut then again, it wouldn¡¯t be the first time. Let the Luna know I dropped her herbal juice. She has to take it, and that is amand." She turned for the door.


    "What? You¡¯re leaving already?" I gasped, feigning shock. "What about your precious medical records?"


    Maeve graced me with a faint scowl.


    "I¡¯m afraid I can¡¯t concentrate on my search, especially with you here. I¡¯lle backter, when Lydia gets back."


    "I see. And I suppose you wouldn¡¯t mind if I told Lydia about your little search in here?" I smirked, deliberately baiting her.


    The truth was, I didn¡¯t believe a single word of that half-assed story¡ªnot even the one about gold.


    If I went by the Moon Healer¡¯s reputation, Maeve wouldn¡¯t need to steal jewelry from the Luna to survive.


    I¡¯d heard there were packs that built monuments in her honor for saving their alphas with her so-called expertise. Fools.


    Still, if she wasn¡¯t here for gold and she wasn¡¯t after medical records, then what the hell was she looking for?


    I had been close to Maeve once upon a time. I knew how deeply she hated Lydia¡ªand now I was curious.


    This had to be something far more important.


    What was it?


    "I wouldn¡¯t mind if you told Lydia. Not at all," Maeve replied, her lips curving into a small, patronizing smile. "Go right ahead. And have a lovely day, Serena."


    With that, she unlocked the door and swept out.


    Bitch.


    She¡¯d barely been gone five minutes when Lydia returned.


    She found me reclining against her settee and grunted.


    "Huh. I see you finally decided to pay me a visit." Her words came out in a gravelly grumble.


    I smiled, setting the food down before moving to her side. I gripped her frail arm and helped her into bed. She eased back against the headrest with a sigh.


    "Oh, don¡¯t pout. You know I¡¯ve been especially busy nning the wedding," I said, pulling the covers over her legs. "Though recently, something far more... vile has been draining my attention. I¡¯ve been trying to keep Maeve¡¯s ws out of Ivan."


    "That wretched whore," Lydia nearly growled.


    At that, I smirked. Finally¡ªjust the person I needed.


    "Tell me about it." Despite the bitterness her name brought to my tongue, my smile widened. "You¡¯ll never believe who I caught snooping around your room just minutes ago."


    Lydia¡¯s eyes snapped to mine. "Who?"


    "Maeve," I deadpanned. "I think she¡¯s up to something. It¡¯s one of the main reasons I came to see you, Luna. Five years ago, you helped me get rid of her. And now¡ªjust likest time¡ªI¡¯m going to need your help to drive Maeve Oakes right out of our lives."


    At that, Lydia smiled.


    "I¡¯ve been waiting for you to visit all this while, Serena."

 Chapter 54: TAKING MY SON

    <h4>Chapter 54: Chapter 54: TAKING MY SON</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE</strong><strong>¡¯S POV</strong>


    The ck book wasn¡¯t in the Luna¡¯s rooms.


    While my search had been rushed, I¡¯d been thorough. I¡¯d checked the shelves, behind the paintings, underneath the bed, in the closet¡ªeven the bathroom. Nothing.


    I was just about to search the dresser when Serena walked in.


    Serena, of all people.


    For a second, I lost myposure, caught off guard by her sudden intrusion. Thankfully, I¡¯d been a healer long enough to master the art of staying calm under pressure.


    It came in handy as I faced off with my former best friend.


    I could tell she didn¡¯t believe the story I¡¯d fed her. She probably suspected something, but after I left the Luna¡¯s quarters, I put our terse exchange out of my mind.


    Regardless of what Serena thought, she had no proof.


    It was her word against mine.


    If she tried to go public about catching me snooping, I could easily paint her as a jealous maniac with a personal vendetta against her fianc¨¦¡¯s ex-mate.


    That kind of story would get the packhouse buzzing with gossip¡ªand it had worked before. Just ask Lydia.


    And if it came to it, I still had the ultimate card to y: the truth about Serena¡¯s influence over my faux miscarriage five years ago.


    That was an armed weapon with teeth, one I¡¯d been saving rather than baring to Ivan. Something told me it woulde in handy one day, and I wasn¡¯t about to waste it now.


    Back in my chambers, I looked around for Asha but he was nowhere in sight.


    Maybe he was in the bathroom?


    I checked¡ªempty.


    "Asha? Baby?" I called out. No answer. "Nina?"


    I crouched to check under the four-poster bed. Nothing. Just as I straightened, the front door burst open and Nina walked in.


    She looked out of breath. Nervous.


    My heart skipped. "Nina. What¡¯s happened? W¨Cwhere¡¯s my son? Where¡¯s Asha?"


    "Don¡¯t get scared, Maeve. He¡¯s fine," Nina rushed to reassure me, though the hesitation in her eyes told me otherwise. "It¡¯s just¡ª"


    "What?" I snarled, my patience snapping. "Whatever it is, spit it out already."


    "It¡¯s Alpha Ivan," she blurted. "He was here. I stepped out for a few minutes to make a fruit sd for Asha. When I got back, I found them ying together in front of the firece. Then Ivan asked to take Asha out flying in his private ne."


    I blinked rapidly. "Whoa, whoa. Back up. Did you just say <i>flying</i><i>?</i>"


    Nina inhaled sharply. "I told him you¡¯d be mad, but he wouldn¡¯t listen. I tried to insist, but Asha was excited. He pleaded, and Ivan told me not to alert you until after they¡¯d left."


    "Do you hear yourself?" I snapped. "Why would you listen to Ivan of all people?"


    "It wasn¡¯t about listening to him¡ªit was about listening to Asha. He really wanted to go. He was so excited."


    "Getting my son ready to go out with my ex-mate was not your decision to make, Nina," I shot back. "You should have told me first."


    "Fine. I¡¯m sorry," she muttered, looking away.


    I exhaled, fists clenching. "I¡¯m going to the port. I have to get my son back."


    "What?" Her brows shot up. "No offense, Maeve, but is that necessary? I¡¯m hardly a fan of the Alpha, but I doubt he¡¯s going to harm Asha on a little trip."


    "It doesn¡¯t matter. I¡¯m going anyway." My voice was ice.


    She shut her mouth and stepped aside.


    I stormed toward the door and threw it open. Before leaving, I nced back over my shoulder.


    "While I¡¯m gone, let Dev know the Luna¡¯s room is clear. He¡¯ll understand."


    * * *


    The Ash Creek port was private property. The tarmac was empty, save for the rectangr yellow markings painted across the long stretch of pavement. The path seemed to go on for miles.


    ording to the port chief, the ne wasn¡¯t due tond for another five minutes.


    They¡¯d taken off from Ash Creek three hours ago¡ªan interstate flight headed to a port in the Eastern borders.


    The fucking East!


    Ivan had a lot of exining to do¡ªright after I ripped his throat out.


    I stood on the sidewalk adjacent to the tarmac, tapping my foot impatiently, waiting for the ne to appear. Five minutes felt like an eternity.


    I couldn¡¯t believe Ivan had taken Asha out of the pack without telling me¡ªand worse, that he¡¯d convinced Nina to keep it from me.


    Maybe I was overreacting, but there was something about him taking my son anywhere, without my consent, that made my blood boil. It felt like a blindside. A vition.


    Perhaps, if he had asked, I might have said yes. Maybe. But he didn¡¯t. He made the call and took my son away while I wasn¡¯t there to stop him.


    Before I could sink deeper into my rage, I heard it¡ªthe faint hum of metal wings cutting through the sky. I looked up, and there it was, glinting in the sunlight as it descended.


    A few minutester, the ne touched down, rolling across the tarmac beforeing to a stop. The plug door opened, and the descent steps unfolded.


    My brows drew together as Ivan appeared at the top.


    He wore a customized aircraft jacket that fit him obscenely well, the expensive leather clinging to his broad shoulders like it had been made for him alone.


    The sleeves were pushed up just enough to reveal strong, veined forearms, the kind that hinted at his rippling, panty-dropping muscles.


    Dark shades shielded those storm-gray eyes. He bounded down the steps with that effortless, infuriating confidence I hated... the kind that rolled off him in waves and made lesser wolves step aside without a word.


    The wind caught in his dark hair as his boots hit the tarmac, and for one stupid, treacherous second, I understood why the goddess had thought it a good idea to tie me to him.


    Right behind him was Asha¡ªin an identical jacket and matching sunsses.


    For a second, I was taken aback. They looked like they¡¯d stepped straight off a magazine cover¡ªgrinning at each other like they¡¯d just shared the adventure of a lifetime.


    If I¡¯d been angry before, I was livid now.


    I stepped off the sidewalk and strode toward them. It took Ivan a moment to notice me, but when he did, his shades came off and his smile vanished.


    That wary, guarded look slipped into ce.

 Chapter 55: HURT IVAN

    <h4>Chapter 55: Chapter 55: HURT IVAN</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE</strong><strong>¡¯S POV</strong>


    Asha saw me next.


    "Mummy!" he squealed, tearing across the tarmac toward me. He mmed into my legs, hugging me tight.


    No matter how furious I was, I hugged him back, running my fingers through his curls, relieved to have him back.


    "You won¡¯t believe what happened, Mummy," Asha said breathlessly, pulling back from our hug to throw his little fists in the air. "My new friend Ivan took me flying in his ne! It was so big inside, and I got to sit right next to him. We went to a ce with waterfalls so tall the water looked like it was falling from the sky! We visited a park and yed all the games¡ªevery single one, Mummy! I won two prizes, and Ivan carried them for me the whole time. We got ice cream and cotton candy, and the cotton candy was as big as my head. Oh! And Ivan even spilled ice cream on his shoe¡ªit dripped down the side, and he made a funny face. It was so, so funny!"


    He doubled overughing at the memory.


    I wanted to smile, to indulge him, but I couldn¡¯t.


    "That¡¯s great, honey." I gave his shoulders a light squeeze, then pointed toward the sidewalk. "Why don¡¯t you wait over there for me? I¡¯ll be right with you, and then you can tell me everything."


    "Okay!" He grinned, turning to wave at Ivan. "Bye, Ivan!"


    "Bye, buddy," Ivan said, returning the wave.


    I waited until Asha was well out of earshot before turning on him.


    "How could you take Asha out of the pack on a trip without even thinking to inform me?" I bared my teeth. "You had no right to do that."


    "I¡¯m sorry," he said tly, in that infuriating tone that told me he wasn¡¯t sorry at all. "I knew I should¡¯ve asked you, but you weren¡¯t around, and the kid was excited about having his greatest wishe true. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision."


    My jaw clenched so hard it ached.


    "The next time you feel the urge to have one of your little spur-of-the-moment whims, you choke it down and run it by me first. I am his mother." I spoke slowly, like I was exining something to a child.


    His jaw tightened. "I admit I should have asked you, but he¡¯s my son too. All I did was give him a good time. Why are you making this such a big deal?"


    "Because, Ivan, it¡¯s just like you to act however you want without once stopping to think about how your actions affect anyone else."


    "Really?" He narrowed his eyes at me. "And are we still talking about this¡ªor something else?"


    "I¡¯m talking about you swooping in out of nowhere and pretending you care about Asha¡ªor me. We both know that¡¯s a lie. You don¡¯t give a damn about us. All you care about is securing your ce on that throne. The only person you¡¯ve ever truly cared about is yourself and your selfish needs."


    "Come on, Maeve. All I did was take our son out on a nice trip." He pinched the bridge of his nose.


    He looked agitated. When his gaze returned to me, there was something almost curious in it. Searching.


    "And about you¡ªabout not caring¡ª" he exhaled sharply. "If anything,st night proves I do care. I admitted I want us back, Maeve. All of it. Everything thates with it."


    He looked like he wanted to close the space between us but thought better of it.


    "And then this morning, I went to your rooms to see you, to ask for a chance to talk, but you weren¡¯t there."


    Pause.


    "Can¡¯t you see I¡¯m trying to reach out to you? No matter how messy things are right now, I¡¯m trying. I may be a fucked-up myriad of morally gray edges, but it doesn¡¯t change the fact that I want to understand everything that happened five years ago. More than that¡ªI want to fix things between¡ª"


    "Stop," I snapped, cutting him off. "Just... stop."


    "Why?" he challenged, finally taking that step toward me. "I want you to hear the rest. I¡¯m tired of dancing around the edge with you. I want to make things right between us."


    "I don¡¯t believe you." I shook my head, jerking back from him. "You¡¯ve got some nerve saying this to me when we both know you¡¯re nothing more than a cold, self-serving bastard. And you keep dragging yesterday into it like you didn¡¯t just cross a line I warned you about¡ªjust to get your dick hard. You want to fuck someone, Ivan? Go find the woman you call your fianc¨¦e."


    Ivan reeled back at my words, like I¡¯d reached out and pped him.


    "Is that what... you really think?"


    I watched him swallow, his throat working.


    A sh of something¡ªan emotion I couldn¡¯t ce¡ªflickered in his eyes. It was gone in an instant, reced by a steely, guarded look.


    He was hurt.


    Ivan Cross was hurt.


    It had to be an act. There was no way he meant any of what he¡¯d just spewed. It was all a ploy to get me to lower my guard when it came to Asha.


    "Listen." I squared my shoulders, hardening my tone. "The next time you try to take Asha without my permission, I¡¯ll drive your cock so far down your throat you¡¯ll wish you were dead. And while we¡¯re on the subject, remember this¡ªyou don¡¯t get to swoop in and y doting father when it suits you. I didn¡¯te back to this pack so you could stage some grand, self-serving reunion with my son. You¡¯ve had five years to be a father, and you weren¡¯t there. You don¡¯t get to rewrite that history just because you suddenly feel like it. If you want to be in Asha¡¯s life, you respect my ce, you respect my word, and you respect my boundaries... or you stay the hell out of both our lives. Do you understand me?"


    I didn¡¯t wait for his answer.


    I turned my back on him and marched toward the sidewalk.


    Toward Asha.

 Chapter 56: HER CHOSEN MATE

    <h4>Chapter 56: Chapter 56: HER CHOSEN MATE</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    Maeve¡¯s poisoned words left a bitter taste in my mouth¡ªand worse than my mouth, they did something to my chest.


    Something that constricted my lungs and made it almost impossible to breathe. It felt like I was bleeding, yet there were no physical wounds.


    Her words were cutting¡ªpossibly the kind no father wanted to hear. But it wasn¡¯t so much the things she had said; it was the way she had said them.


    She actually seemed to believe her convictions about me.


    To be fair, she had every reason to perceive me in an unforgivable light. I had been pretty shitty to her.


    Regardless of my reasons, and how justified I¡¯d felt at the time, it didn¡¯t change the fact that I had been horrible.


    I had treated my destined mate like scum and might as well have kicked her out the door myself.


    But I was willing to make up for it now. It was what I had been trying to tell her all along. The stubborn wolf, however, was firm and dead set in her ways.


    I could see it for a fact now¡ªthere was no changing her mind, not in the way I had hoped.


    If I truly meant what I said about wanting to fix things with her, then I was going to have my work cut out for me.


    She had made it clear on more than one asion that she was no longer the same simpering, innocent woman who had made everything easy for me.


    This new version of her was hellbent on giving me a hard time, making sure I fought for every single thing I wanted from her.


    As usual, it left me conflicted¡ªannoyed and yet wildly attracted and enamored.


    Maeve was already walking away from me, her forceful steps carrying her back to Asha¡¯s side.


    Asha. My chipper, utterly delightful boy.


    He was the reason I wasn¡¯t going after Maeve right now¡ªthe reason I wasn¡¯t dragging her back and demanding she give me a chance to fix the mess between us.


    I doubted he wanted to see a terse, heated scene, especially after I¡¯d promised him I¡¯d act with a better sense of self-control.


    It was a promise I vowed to try to uphold. Not that it would be easy¡ªnot when it came to a woman as unpredictable and infuriating as Maeve.


    Earlier, she had known exactly where to cut with her words¡ªhow deeply to cut. And then she had turned her back on me, leaving a dry, papery taste in my mouth.


    I couldn¡¯t even bring myself to throw a mouthy retort at her retreating figure, not when she was that angry.


    As I turned my back on her, my nostrils red. I was finding it hard to wrap my mind around the fact that she had turned me down.


    Even after every ounce of vulnerable shit I¡¯d spewed, it still hadn¡¯t gotten through to her.


    Fuck. I had practically groveled at her shiny, polished feet. Still nothing. She had held no mercy as she all but ripped my ball sack off.


    Francis was waiting for me in my study when I returned to the packhouse. I pulled the doors open and stalked across the carpet, ignoring him.


    I gravitated toward a bottle of whiskey and nearly broke the bottle¡¯s neck in my haste to get the cork off.


    My beta worked his jaw, a low growl rumbling in his throat.


    "Judging by the look on your face, I can¡¯t quite tell if your trip with Asha went well or not." He was doing that thing where he let his words hang heavy in the air between us.


    Knowing Francis, he wouldn¡¯t say another word until I was ready to talk.


    "We had a good time," I pushed the words past my dry throat.


    I drank a mouthful of whiskey, barely registering the usual harsh burn in my chest. I felt numb. More than that¡ªI felt cold all over. And angry.


    Maeve made me angry. She drove me insane with her frothy words and rigid demands.


    "It was all going pretty well until Maeve showed up, raining brimstone and thunderstorms." I couldn¡¯t speak without shaking with the force of my annoyance and indignation.


    "She did?" Francis grimaced, clearly picturing how horribly the exchange had gone.


    "Apparently," I stressed, dragging the word out. "I¡¯m not supposed to take Asha out without her consent. Can you believe that? Where the fuck does she get the balls to act all prissy and domineering with me? He¡¯s my son too. I could name him officially as my heir today and take him away from her, but you don¡¯t see me doing that."


    "Maeve would probably set Ash Creek on fire if you tried," Francis said. He didn¡¯t mean it as a joke¡ªhe actually sounded serious.


    I pinched the bridge of my nose, recalling everything I¡¯d said to her on the tarmac.


    It had never been my thing to open up and be vulnerable, but I¡¯d done it.


    For her.


    How could she so easily conclude that I was being insincere?


    Sure, I¡¯d made mistakes¡ªjudging her hastily, branding her as a drunken monster in the past. And yes, I deeply regretted it now.


    Somehow, I believed there was truth in the answers she had given me. While the picture still stood as damning evidence, I wasn¡¯t going to overlook my gut feeling this time.


    Until the mess of the past was sorted out, I intended to make our shared present bearable. Happy, even.


    Why was it so hard for her to give me a chance to prove myself?


    Why did her rejection still hurt so much?


    Speaking of rejection, she probably still wanted to proceed with the separation ritual. I knew she did.


    With how furious she¡¯d sounded, she most definitely wished she never had to cross paths with me again.


    And there was that one wolf out there¡ªher chosen mate. The one she imed to have feelings for now.


    In this moment, I would have done anything to know his identity. Who he was. Why he was so special to her. Why she felt like she could rece me with him.


    But the truth was that if I found out whom he was, I¡¯d probably arrange for his funeral.

 Chapter 57: RIPPING IT OFF

    <h4>Chapter 57: Chapter 57: RIPPING IT OFF</h4>


    <strong>IVAN¡¯S POV</strong>


    I knew I shouldn¡¯t care as much as I did. But I did. I didn¡¯t know how not to care about this.


    "Can we talk about something else?" I asked, my voice low and constrained. I capped the whiskey bottle, set it aside, and leaned against the edge of my desk. "Surely, you¡¯ve got something else to report to me?"


    It wasn¡¯t a question¡ªit was a plea. A desperate need to change the subject.


    Francis stayed put despite my mood,unching into an update about Ash Creek¡¯s newly imported military gear. The elders¡¯ council seemed to be handling the matter efficiently.


    As he spoke, I listened keenly, grateful for the distraction.


    At dinner, I sat nked by my elders¡¯ council, while the rest of my pack members filled the other seats.


    Unlike I¡¯d nned earlier, I didn¡¯t send a letter to Maeve, nor did I invite her and Asha to join us. She had probably arranged for dinner to be brought up to her rooms anyway.


    Frankly, it was for the best. I didn¡¯t think I could bear another round of her cold indifference tonight.


    Dinner, as always, was a rowdy affair.


    Next to me, Serena sat stiff-backed, eating with short, angry jabs of her fork. We hadn¡¯t spoken much since yesterday, which I was grateful for.


    Fortunately, the rest of the table had plenty to say, filling the space with conversation andughter.


    Halfway through the meal, Francis leaned close and murmured, "The priest is right outside the door. He wishes to speak with you."


    "Why isn¡¯t he here at dinner?" I asked, ncing up at him.


    Francis¡¯s mouth ttened. "He¡¯s refused to eat. He¡¯s been holed up in his study, surviving on water and berries. He¡¯s determined to fix whatever went wrong with the rejection ritual."


    "I see." My response was almost disappointed.


    Gripping the edge of the table, I pushed my chair back and stood.


    "And where are you going now?" Serena snapped, hurling the words at me like an usation. Her eyes narrowed with suspicion, her bitterness still sharp.


    I turned my head just enough to pin her with a look.


    "Out," I said first, deliberately clipped. Then, because I knew she¡¯d press, I added, "The priest is waiting for me. So eat your dinner, Serena, and stop looking at me like I owe you an itinerary."


    Without waiting for a reply, I turned away from her and crossed the room, excusing myself as I stepped through the door.


    Revierrie stood pale under the chandelier lights, his frame thinner, his movements restless.


    "Your Highness," he said, bowing when I approached. "I¡¯m sorry to pull you away from dinner."


    "I heard you wanted to talk," I replied, folding my arms across my chest, giving him my full attention.


    "Yes," he said with quiet urgency. "It¡¯s important. I¡¯m afraid it can¡¯t wait."


    "What is it?" I prompted, my voice cool but expectant. Behind me, Francis leaned against the wall, his hooded gaze fixed on the priest.


    "It¡¯s about the separation ritual, Your Highness," he continued, his eyes alight with discovery.


    From the excited glint on his face, it was clear this news probably made up for the strain he had been under recently.


    "I think I¡¯ve finally found a way around the glitch fromst time. Suffice it to say, we can hold the ritual again."


    "I see," I replied calmly.


    Honestly, I had already suspected the priest¡¯s visit had something to do with the ritual. Still, the confirmation made something in my chest twist.


    Part of me wanted it over with. But another part, the one I¡¯d been trying to silence, felt the weight of what it meant.


    This wasn¡¯t just a "sted ritual." It was cutting through a bond my wolf had never wanted to sever.


    But Maeve, on the other hand.


    "How soon can we hold the ritual?" I asked.


    "Tomorrow," Revierrie announced, his voice filled with pride, though there was still a shadow of the strain he¡¯d endured over the past days. "At midnight."


    Then, his tone shifted, the excitement tempered by something more sober.


    "Your Highness... I must apologize again for the disasterst time. The failure was mine to bear. I underestimated how deep the resistance between your wolves truly ran, and I allowed too many distractions into the circle. It will not happen again."


    He straightened, a glint of determination in his pale eyes.


    "This time, I¡¯ve refined the process. The maid will bring an extra pair of clothes and will be kept in clear sight from start to finish¡ªno chance of her disappearing. More importantly..." He lowered his voice, as if the walls themselves might eavesdrop. "I¡¯ve secured the Goddess¡¯s moonstone. You know its power¡ªan artifact blessed under the first full light, capable of amplifying the separation incantation. And to appease the Goddess for the severing, I¡¯ve arranged for a sacrificial wolf to be offered in exchange for the bond¡¯s breaking."


    My brows knit. "A sacrifice?"


    "A willing one," he assured quickly. "Chosen from the outer ranks. His life given in service to the Goddess, to open her ears to our plea. With the moonstone amplifying the call and the sacrifice sealing the offering, the ritual¡¯s chances of sess will be far greater than before."


    Was this worth it? Sacrificing a life¡ªan actual person¡ªfor the sake of a severed bond? Would Maeve even want this if she knew the cost?


    I made my decision then.


    "No to the sacrifice. If the Goddess is going to hear us, then she¡¯ll have to do so without bloodshed."


    Revierrie¡¯s expression faltered, the light in his eyes dimming. "B-but, Your Highness¡ª"


    "You¡¯ve done a good job, Revierrie. I¡¯m proud."


    He hesitated for a moment, clearly wrestling with the urge to argue, but in the end, he simply nodded and bowed low.


    "Thank you, Your Highness."


    "Till tomorrow, then. In the meantime, you should join the rest of the pack for dinner. I¡¯m sure there¡¯s something on the menu that¡¯s to your liking."


    "You¡¯re too kind, Your Highness," the priest smiled as he sauntered past me, disappearing into the dining hall.


    Now that his research was over, his appetite seemed to have returned.


    I watched him go, my mind already turning over the thought of tomorrow¡¯s ritual.


    I should¡¯ve been relieved that I didn¡¯t have to drag this out until the next full moon, but the truth was, the thought of doing it tomorrow left a hollow pit in my chest.


    Holding the ritual so soon would be like ripping off a bandage in one sharp pull¡ªstinging like hell at first, yes, but this wasn¡¯t just skin we were tearing open.


    This was the bond. My wolf¡¯s bond.


    And no matter how fast you ripped it away, it would leave a wound that didn¡¯t stop bleeding just because the cut was clean.


    Yet, there was barely any more time to convince Maeve otherwise.


    "What?" I scowled, narrowing my eyes at Francis.


    He was still leaning against the wall, staring at me point-nk.


    I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose.


    "You¡¯ve got something on your mind, Francis. Spit it out."


    "Is this truly what you want?" he asked. "The ritual. From what I¡¯ve seen, both Maeve¡¯s wolf and yours clearly don¡¯t want to reject each other. Why are you two trying to force this?"


    "It¡¯s what she wants," I told him simply, my jaw tightening. "I don¡¯t have much of a choice."

 Chapter 58: FAILED AGAIN

    <h4>Chapter 58: Chapter 58: FAILED AGAIN</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE</strong><strong>¡¯S POV</strong>


    The next rejection ritual was held deep in the woods.


    Just like thest time, everyone who had been present at thest ritual was present tonight. There was Francis and the elder, guarding the perimeter.


    Revierrie was busy lighting up candlesticks. He had a calmness about him¡ªwhich was good to note.


    Thest ritual had taken such a toll on him, he had gone as far as to starve himself in his quest to find the root cause of the ritual¡¯s failure.


    Francis had paid a quick visit to my quarters at the crack of dawn, informing me about the ritual tonight, at midnight, urging me to prepare.


    As I took his message in stride, I wondered if Ivan would have delivered the message in person, if I hadn¡¯tshed out at him the way I did yesterday.


    Ivan¡ªhe had been acting pretty much uncharacteristic since thest rejection ritual.


    First, there was the kiss against the wall. I had been buck naked and he¡¯d had his fingers graze my wetness. His filthy words and desperate desire had intensified the fervency of our kiss.


    All of it had been reckless and unhinged.


    And then, there was the spontaneous outing with Asha. The ne ride. The amusement park. The aircraft jackets. The identical sunshades. The shared smiles.


    All of it was the sort of thing that Ivan was unused to doing.


    And thenstly, was the messy confession out on the airport¡¯s tarmac.


    It wasn¡¯t exactly what I had been hoping for. I had been blindsided by the vulnerability of the moment. My first instinct had been to protect myself.


    And so, I did that the best way I could. Ished out hard. The more Ished out, the angrier I got. I was angry about being asked to let myself feel, even though there was a high chance I could get burned.


    Again.


    Even if I trusted that somewhere within all of Ivan¡¯s words there was a trace of genuineness, what then?


    Was I supposed to abandon Devon¡ªthe man who had picked up my pieces when Ivan had failed me? How could I do that to the one person who had been my pir, been Asha¡¯s father?


    Devon had sent me on this mission because he trusted me, for the goddess¡¯ sake. And I was supposed to go back and tell him I¡¯d fallen in love with his enemy? Fucking hell, no way.


    That would destroy everything Devon had put on the line. It was simply impossible, and sooner orter, Ivan would have to make peace with that.


    Yet, even now, mental images of his anguished face swam around the space between my eyes. And then, there had been his words.


    His apology. His readiness to own up to how wrong he¡¯d been in the past. His offer to fix things between us.


    His words yed out in my mind more frequently than I wasfortable with. I was also rmed at how much of my focus he seemed to be taking up.


    It was dangerous how closely I had be entwined with him physically. While I hadn¡¯t been able to resist his advances the few times they had happened, I knew for a fact now that I had to try.


    When Ivan was being just physical, I could handle him in some sort of way. His actions were predictable. Primal. In opposition, a vulnerable Ivan was definitely not predictable.


    I hadn¡¯t a clue what to do with an Ivan that was open with his feelings, no matter how messy they were.


    Again, I thought about what he had said about wanting to try and fix the past between us.


    What did that mean exactly? Did it mean that he was nning to leave Serena for me? I found that extremely hard to believe.


    Perhaps he had just been reeling from spending a pleasant afternoon with Asha. Or maybe he was up to something else entirely. Was this about the throne? Was he doing all of this because he needed an heir to secure his ce as Alpha King?


    If any of our previous interactions were anything to go by, I knew that he still suspected me.


    What if histest show of emotion was just his way of getting me to soften and lessen my guards?


    "Ready?" Revierrie touched my arm, pulling my thoughts back to the present.


    The midnight air was thick and hot with the light of the lit candles. Within the ritual circle, Ivan stood with his arms folded.


    His face was a nk te. Whatever he was thinking, there was no way to guess it.


    I forced my mind not to care too much about it. As far as I was concerned, I was done amodating any more thoughts of him.


    Once the ritual ended tonight, there¡¯d be no more forced interactions between us. No more messy confessions. No more stolen kisses.


    I would distance myself from him and find a way to get my hands on the ck book. And then, Asha and I could finally go back home to Devon.


    To Devon.


    My heart constricted at the mention of his name. It was crazy how little I had thought of him with everything that had been going on recently.


    Nevertheless, it didn¡¯t stop me from missing him. From feeling guilty about everything I had done.


    We were mated to each other. We had ovee a lot of adversaries together and built a family in thest five years that we had known each other.


    If I cared about him¡ªabout our life back in Dark Wind¡ªthen I needed to get my shit together. It started with keeping Ivan as far away from me as possible.


    No amount of physical pull was good enough to jeopardize everything I had worked so hard to build with my second-chance mate.


    "I¡¯m ready," I said to the priest, taking a deep breath¡ªin through my nose, out through my mouth.


    It helped, if only slightly, to calm the storm in my chest.


    Ivan had yet to shift from his stony position.


    Revierrie gave us both a quick once-over before he began the ritual.


    "I stand to believe that conducting this separation ritual is what you both really want?" he inquired hesitantly. "I only ask because, thest time, it may have been possible that one of you had subconsciously opposed the ritual. In response, it had gotten in the way."


    "I want this," I stated, my voice clear and crisp.


    The priest nodded and turned to Ivan. "Your Highness?"


    "I want this too," he replied with a sense of calm that cut straight through me. "We are in agreement. Aren¡¯t we, Maeve?"


    It caught me off guard¡ªthe way those cool gray eyes slid to mine, stealing the breath from my lungs.


    "I¡ªY¡ªWhat... sorry, I mean, yes. Yes, we are," I finishedmely, my voice tripping over itself.


    For some reason, his gaze didn¡¯t soften. If anything, his eyes only hardened, a sh of something unreadable passing through them before it all shut downpletely.


    "Proceed," he said abruptly to the priest.


    "I see... let¡¯s do this, then." The priest pped his hands once, and just likest time, he took mine and Ivan¡¯s hands into his own.


    He began the ritual with a series of chants.


    We let go of his hand, forcing ourselves to grip each other, just likest time.


    Ivan¡¯s gaze on mine was dead¡ªslits of emotionless, empty steel. His lips barely moved as he uttered the ancient severance chant.


    Just likest time.


    "I, Ivan Cross, reject this bond and cut the ties that connect us together, by the will of Selene."


    He finished his monotone with a flourish.


    "I, Maeve Oakes, reject this bond and cut the ties that connect us together, by the will of Selene."


    And then, we waited for something to happen.


    A minute passed. Nothing.


    There was no tingling sensation, no overwhelming muscle strain that came right before a shift.


    Just an underwhelming sense of despair, tangled with the night¡¯s silence.


    It took another minute toe to terms with the fact that the separation ritual had failed¡ªagain.


    Revierrie was the first to break. His calm fa?ade broke, and he began rifling through the pages of his ceremonial journal with frantic hands.


    "No... no, this doesn¡¯t make sense," he muttered, his voice rising. "I had the moonstone set in ce. The alignment is perfect. The chants, the markings¡ªit¡¯s all exactly as prescribed. It should have worked."


    "What went wrong?" Francis asked, his tone edged with impatience and clear irritation.


    Revierrie¡¯s eyes darted up from the pages. "It might be... the sacrifice."


    "What sacrifice?" I asked sharply, my gaze snapping to him.


    He froze, realizing toote that I had no idea.


    Ivan¡¯s voice cut through the tension. "There will be no sacrifice."


    Revierrie took a step forward, desperation bleeding into his tone far more than his usual cowardice.


    "Your Highness, can¡¯t you see? This bond isn¡¯t a standard mate bond¡ªit¡¯s wrath-bound. Every ount I¡¯ve studied says all aspects of the ritual must bepleted to break it. That includes the offering. Without it, the goddess may refuse to sever what she¡¯s¡ª"


    "I said there will be no sacrifice," Ivan snapped, his voice thundering across the clearing.


    Revierrie faltered, but pressed on, words tumbling over themselves.


    "But Your Highness, it¡¯s not working! Twice now! You¡¯re both stubborn wolves! If we do not appease the goddess in full¡ª"


    "I will not appease her with blood!" Ivan roared, his voice deepening into a feral growl.


    I caught it then¡ªthe shift in his eyes. A shade darker than before. And darker still with every breath he took.

 Chapter 59: THE FERAL ALPHA

    <h4>Chapter 59: Chapter 59: THE FERAL ALPHA</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE</strong><strong>¡¯S POV</strong>


    His chest rose and fell as he stepped forward, out of the circle, the air around him dropping enough to send a chill crawling over my skin.


    "If this bond will not end without bloodshed... then maybe it is not meant to end at all. Maybe we will rot with it. Forever. Until the end of our days."


    The words came out rough, an echo of two voices¡ªguttural, possessive¡ªnot entirely his own. Ivan¡¯s eyes darkened further, only lighting with the fiery gold of his wolf.


    "She has always been ours. Foolish mortals. Why do you believe you cane between us? From the moment the goddess gave her to us, she was ours to keep, ours to consume, ours to break if we choose. No severance, no shiny stone, no fucking priest will take her from me. And the only blood that will spill is that of the one who dares to stand between us."


    My breath stilled. This wasn¡¯t Ivan speaking anymore. It was in the way his muscles strained against the fabric of his shirt, his frame dancing on the edge of a full bi-pedal shift.


    Goosebumps prickled over my skin, my fingers going cold the second those golden eyes locked on me.


    "And if she thinks she can sever this... if she believes she can walk away from us again and be free... she will learn there are worse things than being mine."


    "Your Highness..." Revierrie¡¯s voice was soft, but the fear threading through it made my stomach tighten. "You¡¯re not yourself right now. Why don¡¯t you step back into the circle and I can renew your Tempering Spell?"


    My brows shot up. Tempering Spell.


    I didn¡¯t know much about the gimmicks of sacred rituals and spells kept by priests and priestesses, but my time with my old healer teacher had exposed me to certain sacred tricks.


    The Tempering Spell was a ssic¡ªoften used on rogues who had lost their humanity and grown feral... or worse, alphas on the brink of madness.


    So, if Ivan¡¯s Tempering Spell needed to be renewed...


    My breath caught.


    The answer came when Ivan¡¯s brutal gaze snapped to the poor priest. In the next heartbeat, his hand shot out, gripping the front of Revierrie¡¯s robes and hurling him back as though he weighed nothing.


    The priest flew through the air, the breath ripped from his lungs before he mmed brutally into a nearby tree.


    My jaw dropped.


    Francis lunged for Ivan, intercepting him as he stalked toward the priest, his shirt already ripping as his size expanded by the second.


    But Francis¡¯s poor attempt nearly got him killed¡ªit was impossible to restrain a man-beast of that size, of that strength, in the storm of such unpredictable fury.


    They collided hard, the growl ripping from Ivan¡¯s throat vibrating through the ground beneath my feet.


    I¡¯d seen him angry before. I¡¯d seen him dominant, cruel, cold¡ªbut this was different. This was... feral.


    His eyes¡ªthose once-stormy grays¡ªwere now nearly ck, swallowing the moonlight whole, shing gold in sharp, hungry glimpses.


    Francis was still struggling when Ivan suddenly stopped resisting. His head turned sharply, his gaze locking on me through the chaos.


    My heart froze, my pulse spiking in fear, and yet¡ªdespite my backward steps¡ªsomething inside me pulled desperately toward him.


    To run to him. To cup his face in my hands. To demand that he calm down. To promise him I wasn¡¯t leaving.


    A lie. A lie my own wolf urged me to make true.


    His stare left me breathless¡ªshaky, terrified.


    And yet, there was something in it that shifted, a forceced with both rage and a fleeting sh of fragility.


    Then, without another nce, he tore himself free from Francis¡¯s grip and disappeared into the trees with brutal speed.


    The shadows swallowed him whole, the beast inside him pressing forward with an earth-shaking howl.


    Squirrels scattered into the undergrowth.


    My pulse pounded hard in my ears, my skin prickling as the sound of the forest came alive under the prowl of a predator.


    By the time my body remembered how to move, Francis was already rushing toward the priest.


    I was right on his heels, my healer¡¯s instincts taking over before my thoughts could catch up.


    I crouched beside Revierrie, my hands moving over his arms and shoulders for breaks, checking the side of his head for swelling.


    He groaned faintly, his breathing weak, but nothing felt obviously broken.


    "Don¡¯t move yet," I instructed quietly, supporting him as he shifted against the tree trunk. His hands trembled when they clutched at my arm. "You could¡¯ve snapped something¡ªgoddess, what just happened?"


    No one answered me.


    "Revierrie?" I pressed, searching his pale, sweat-slicked face. "Did he¡ªhas Ivan ever¡ª?"


    The priest groaned but didn¡¯t meet my eyes. The elder¡ªBarty, I believed¡ªapproachedst, not with concern, but with the same permanent scowl he seemed to be born with.


    "Well, that was a waste," he said dryly, his eyes flicking over the priest like he was an object rather than a man who¡¯d just been hurled like a rag doll.


    I whipped my head toward him. "Are you not going to exin what I just saw? What was that? His eyes, his voice¡ª"


    Barty cut me off with a dismissive flick of his hand.


    "What it was, healer, was another failed ritual. And a waste of time." He pointed toward the dark line of the trees where Ivan had disappeared. "The real question is how the priest ns to fix it."


    Revierrie coughed, wincing as he straightened slightly against the trunk.


    "It was supposed to work this time," he muttered, shaking his head. "The alignment was perfect. The moonstone... I don¡¯t understand. I made the necessary research¡ªI was sure."


    "There¡¯s no point whining about it," Barty said tly. "You rushed things. If you¡¯d taken more time to find a proper solution, His Highness might not have¡ª"


    "Might not have what?" I demanded sharply, ring at him. "Lost control? Snapped like that? Does no one think I deserve an answer here?"


    Francis hade to stand just behind me, but his face was unreadable. Barty, on the other hand, didn¡¯t even seem fazed.


    "If you needed more time," he went on, ignoring me entirely, "His Highness would have given it to you."


    Revierrie¡¯s hands clenched at his sides, the shakiness in his fingers shifting from pain to anger.


    "There¡¯s no need for you to rub it in, Barty. I can see the facts as clearly as you can."


    "Then fix it," Barty snapped. "This is twice you¡¯ve failed the crown. Fail a third time, and you may not get the chance to try again."


    I stood, stepping between them before the air got any more tense.


    "Enough. Arguing won¡¯t change the fact that the ritual didn¡¯t work." I nced at Revierrie, softening my tone. "You¡¯ve been holed up for days trying to solve this. I don¡¯t doubt your effort, and I¡¯m sure you¡¯ll find a better solution."


    Barty only scoffed. "Effort doesn¡¯t matter if it still doesn¡¯t work."


    Before I could shoot back, a howl split the night¡ªferocious and utterly terrifying. It tore through the clearing, sank into my skin, and rattled my bones.


    A shiver ran down my spine despite the heat of the candles still burning around us.


    I turned toward Barty again, hoping for some kind of exnation.


    "That¡¯s him, isn¡¯t it?"


    The elder only gave me a thin, dismissive look.


    "Look, healer," he said instead, "I know you want to y nice about the priest¡¯s so-called hard work, but Ash Creek can¡¯t afford to waste more time. The longer this drags on, the longer the coronation gets pushed back. With your arrival, formalities demand that the king ends the bond before taking his new Luna and sitting on the throne."


    He wasn¡¯t wrong. The failure meant the next attempt would be at the next full moon¡ªdying the coronation exactly as Devon would want.


    That would buy him time to move his own pieces into ce. And me... more time to find the ck book.


    But the truth was, I wanted this bond gone as soon as possible. I wasn¡¯t sure I could coexist with all these emotions, with the maic pull between me and Ivan.


    I desperately needed it gone so I could focus without a care.


    Francis stepped forward then.


    "Can I talk to you for a second?" he asked, gesturing toward the trees.


    I still had a dozen questions wing at the back of my mind about what had just happened with Ivan, but it was clear no one here was going to answer them.


    "Sure," I said finally.


    We left the others behind, stepping into a more isted part of the forest.

 Chapter 60: MAD WOLF

    <h4>Chapter 60: Chapter 60: MAD WOLF</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE</strong><strong>¡¯S POV</strong>


    I followed Francis behind the group of tall trees, my gaze darting back toward the clearing in the faint hope of catching sight of Ivan¡¯s wolf.


    No such luck.


    "Is this about what just happened back there?" I asked. "Because I have a lot of questions, Francis¡ªstarting with what in the goddess¡¯s name I just witnessed."


    He stopped and turned to face me, arms crossing over his chest as he took a slow, measured breath. But he didn¡¯t speak right away. His silence only made my pulse thud harder in my ears.


    "Francis." I stepped closer, unwilling to let him stall. "I¡¯m not standing out here all night waiting for you to gather your thoughts. The ritual failed, Ivan nearly ripped your priest in half, and you dragged me out here¡ªso start talking."


    For a moment, he just looked at me, as if weighing whether he should even say what was on his mind. Then, finally¡ª


    "I called you out here, Maeve, because I want to talk to you about Ivan¡¯s wolf."


    My chest tightened, the priest¡¯s earlier words about the tempering spell still echoing in my head. That wasn¡¯t the kind of magic you just threw around.


    Slowly, I forced the words out, my voice low.


    "What about it?"


    Francis¡¯s jaw flexed, and he blew out a sharp breath.


    "The thing is..." He hesitated, raking a hand through his hair. "Shit. Ivan¡¯s definitely going to kill me for telling you this, but I¡¯ll take my chances."


    His wariness was starting to rub off on me, the worst of possibilities ying out in my head, turning my curiosity into unease. The longer he drew this out, the more I hated the suspense.


    "What?" I glowered, irritation seeping into my voice. "How much longer are you going to drag this out?"


    "Ivan¡¯s wolf is unstable," Francis said atst, lowering his voice to a whisper. He cast a quick look around, as though he expected to see the elder or the priest eavesdropping.


    My heart dropped like a stone. The words confirmed the sinking suspicion I hadn¡¯t wanted to name. Unstable.


    That single word felt both too big and too vague to mean anything, yet it chilled me to my core.


    "Unstable how?" I pressed, forcing his gaze back to mine.


    He swallowed hard before continuing.


    "For thest five years, his wolf has been prone to aggressive, uncontrolled shifts, and outbursts where his wolf takes the seat. The first few times it happened, he destroyed half the kitchen and injured several guards. Eventually, we got better at managing the episodes with the tempering spell. Now, whenever it happens, Ivan leaves the pack house immediately and runs deep into the woods until it passes. But this might be the most abrupt I¡¯ve witnessed so far. The most vocal, too."


    The words hit me like a physical blow, a cold rush shooting through my veins. My stomach sank, the forest suddenly feeling smaller, tighter. This was worse than I thought. Much worse.


    "So that¡¯s what tonight was?" I asked, mostly to myself. Somewhere out there, Ivan was still running wild because of his wolf¡¯s instability.


    My brows pulled together.


    "You said this started five years ago," I added, the question slipping out before I could stop it. "That¡¯s unusual. Instability like that doesn¡¯t just appear out of nowhere in a wolf¡¯s lifetime¡ªthere are almost always signs in childhood. So what could possibly trigger sudden, violent outbursts in a wolf as strong as him?"


    "You," Francis said tly, catching mepletely off guard.


    "What? Me?" I stiffened, heat rising in my chest. "How is any of this my fault?"


    "The outbursts started shortly after you left." He gave me a pointed look. "Don¡¯t you get it, Maeve? He became like this because of you. The bond you share is destined¡ªstronger and far more valuable than either of you realize. Look, I don¡¯t know exactly what¡¯s going on between you two right now¡ª"


    "There¡¯s nothing going on between us," I snapped, my scowl deepening.


    "Right." He cleared his throat but didn¡¯t argue. "Nevertheless, I¡¯m asking you to hold off on a third ritual¡ªat least until we¡¯re certain that severing the mate bond won¡¯t cause more damage than we¡¯re already dealing with."


    "That¡¯s a lot to ask of me, Francis."


    "It¡¯s not, when you consider what¡¯s at stake," he countered. "The alpha throne. The coronation. Ivan¡¯s heir. All of that could be jeopardized if the severance ritual makes things worse. After what happened tonight, there¡¯s a real chance he couldpletely lose control if the rejection actually works."


    "I can¡¯t think about that right now, Francis. Do you even realize what you¡¯re asking of me?" I asked, bbergasted. "Goddess. I can¡¯t spend my entire life tethered to him! All I know is that I need this bond gone. The longer it¡¯s there, the more it drags everything out¡ªhim, me, this whole mess. If there are risks, then we deal with them when theye, but I¡¯m not living like this for another full moon."


    "For fuck¡¯s sake, Maeve." His tone sharpened. "I¡¯ve seen the way Ivan looks at you. And when you¡¯re not around, you¡¯re all he talks about. He wants you to give him a second chance to fix the past."


    A sharp, humorlessugh tore from my throat.


    "Did he pay you to say all this? Or do you just enjoy ying messenger for him?" I stepped closer, tone dropping to a lethal whisper. "You don¡¯t have the faintest clue what it means to be mated to Ivan Cross. He might be your perfect Alpha, but he was the worst thing that ever happened to me. And I¡¯m not¡ª" I shook my head, firmly. "I¡¯m not subjecting myself to that again. I¡¯m going ahead with the third ritual. Whatever second chance he thinks he wants¡ªit¡¯s not happening."


    "But the ritual has already failed twice," Francis shot back, his voice rising with frustration. "Why do you think a third will be any different? Have you even stopped to think about why you two keep resisting the pull of the separation ritual?"

 Chapter 61: SPREAD THE RUMOR

    <h4>Chapter 61: Chapter 61: SPREAD THE RUMOR</h4>


    <strong>MAEVE</strong><strong>¡¯S POV</strong>


    "Ivan and I are not resisting the ritual," I said, rising to our defense. Even though it felt strange vouching for Ivan¡¯s intentions, I still felt inclined to do it. "It¡¯s just like the priest said¡ªthe ritual is still missing some important parts. Once Revierrie figures it out, the ritual is bound to work."


    "Or maybe¡ª" Francis drawled stubbornly, "the Moon Goddess values your bond and doesn¡¯t want you to break it."


    "And why would Selene feel that way?"


    "Because there¡¯s a great possibility that you and Ivan could still be together. This time around, it would definitely be better between you two. All you need to do is give it a chance."


    "No," I countered firmly. "I refuse to talk about this any further. I¡¯m sorry to disappoint you, Francis, but there¡¯s no way Ivan and I are ever getting back together. He made his bed with Serena five years ago, and now he has to lie in it."


    At the mention of Serena, Francis grimaced. For a moment, he wouldn¡¯t meet my eyes.


    "I understand your inhibitions about Serena," he continued apologetically. "I know the issues it presents right now, but if you could just give Ivan some time and a chance to¡ª"


    "I¡¯m not giving him a chance to do anything," I snapped, losing some of my temper. "I don¡¯t care about what you believe, Francis. I only care about what I know. And I know for a fact that Ivan doesn¡¯t care about me. He never has, and he never will."


    That wasn¡¯t entirely true.


    There was a time when Ivan had cared¡ªa time when I felt happy and actually believed things could work out between us.


    But of course, my hopes had been dashed brutally.


    The same Ivan Francis was trying to vouch for now was the same Ivan who had crushed my dreams.


    More than that¡ªhe had used me of things I had never done, choosing to believe Serena¡¯s lies time and time again. He stuck with her because, ording to him, she was the better choice.


    And even when his parents mocked me, antagonized me, and abused me, not once did he rise to my defense. His biting coldness and indifference had broken my heart more times than I cared to count.


    The hurt had been too much to bear. It blinded me, made my heart feel sick¡ªso sick I feared I would erupt into mes of rage and despair.


    It drove me away from Ash Creek and straight into my ident. An ident that could have cost me my life... if Devon hadn¡¯t shown up.


    Devon¡ªmy white knight in shining armor. My ray of hope. My safe space.


    I didn¡¯t need Ivan¡¯s morally gray intentions when I had someone as solid and stable as Devon.


    My meeting with Francis ended shortly after. My answer remained the same¡ªthere was nothing he could say to change my mind.


    Ivan could lose his goddamn mind for all I cared; it would be the least of what he deserved in the end.


    I made my way back to the pack house. In my chambers, Nina was still awake, cleaning a small de in front of the firece.


    She straightened when she saw me and put the de away.


    As an afterthought, I recalled how I had spoken to her yesterday morning when I found out Ivan had taken Asha on a spontaneous flight.


    I had been livid with blinding rage. I yelled and used her¡ªthen regretted it almost immediately.


    After I returned from the airport, I had pulled Nina aside and apologized for my rude behavior.


    In typical Nina fashion, she merely shrugged and asked about my earlier search for the ck book.


    "How did the ritual go?" she asked me now, studying my face closely, trying to guess the results. "I¡¯m guessing it didn¡¯t go well?"


    "No, it didn¡¯t," I answered simply.


    I walked toward my bed and saw Asha already fast asleep in the center of the mattress, his lips slightly parted with a thumb tucked in his mouth.


    I smiled at the sight of him. When I ran my fingers through his tresses, his hair was soft andforting against my palm, soothing some of my tension.


    I kissed his temple and finally leaned away from him.


    When I returned to the firece, Nina had a ss of water waiting for me. She handed it over, watching me empty it in seconds.


    "Thank you, Nina. I needed that."


    She nodded and retrieved the ss from me. "So, now that the ritual has failed yet again, what¡¯s next?"


    "The priest is going to return to his research. There¡¯s also a chance that the coronation¡ªted tomence during the next full moon¡ªmight be postponed in favor of the ritual."


    "Wow. It would be great if the coronation gets shifted." Nina¡¯s eyes glinted for a moment. "You¡¯ve really got to find the ck book, Your Highness. Most of our ns are riding on it."


    "I will," I reassured her. "Like I told you, I searched the Luna¡¯s rooms, but I don¡¯t think the book is in there. Not to worry¡ªI¡¯ve got a bunch of other ces lined up to search. I lived here in Ash Creek for a long time, so I¡¯ve got a hunch or two about where to look."


    "Okay then." Nina gave me a firm nod. "I¡¯ll pass all of these details over to Marlo first thing in the morning."


    "How¡¯s she going to manage to get the information to Devon?" I asked seriously. "I don¡¯t mean to deter you, but the other day I overheard some of the guards discussing the council¡¯s decision to strengthen security across Ash Creek Pack. Apparently, there have been sightings of spies around the marketce."


    "You¡¯re right about all of that." Nina smirked. "But then, Marlo is quite resourceful. She¡¯ll find a way."


    "Okay then." Just then, my eyes shed. At the same moment, I could feel the walls of my heart hardening.


    "One more thing, Nina."


    "What is it, Your Highness?"


    "I need you to find a way to spread a rumor around the pack starting tomorrow."


    "What kind of rumor?"


    "The rumor should carry actual urgency and state that Ivan¡¯s wolf is unstable."


    "Is he? Really?" Nina¡¯s gaze narrowed in surprise. I could tell this was news to her.


    "Yes, he is," I confirmed. "I heard it from his beta earlier. This is information that¡¯s been kept secret for thest five years. Now, it doesn¡¯t have to be a secret anymore."


    I gave her a pointed look, hoping she caught my meaning.


    "I¡¯ll spread the rumor," she assured me. "I¡¯ll start at the crack of dawn. By midday, all of Ash Creek will know about this. They¡¯ll know exactly how much of a liability he is to the throne."


    Her glee was evident, and for some reason¡ªdespite the hardening of my heart¡ªsomething inside me twisted. I didn¡¯t care to figure out what it was before passing Nina a matching smile.


    "Thank you, Nina. I knew I could count on you."


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