LOGINShe hesitated, then finally spoke, her voice trembling with honesty. “It’s not you, Alpha Theo. It’s me. I don’t belong here. I’m just a poor orphan—someone with no family, no name. If people find out I’m your mate, they’ll hate me. They’ll make my life unbearable. I’ve already seen how envy works in this pack.”Theo closed the remaining distance between them. His hand moved gently to her waist, steadying her trembling form. When she looked up, his eyes were no longer cold—they were warm, fierce, and filled with a promise she could feel through their bond.Without a single word spoken aloud, his thoughts brushed hers through the bond, deep and commanding yet full of care: Is anyone threatening you? Has anyone hurt you because of this?Her eyes widened. She hadn’t realized he could do that—speak directly into her mind. She swallowed hard and shook her head slowly. No, she replied silently. No one has…He nodded once, relief flickering across his features before he finally spoke again,
When they passed Rina’s chamber and still kept heading straight toward the Alpha’s personal quarters, Mina’s heartbeat quickened in alarm. Her palms grew damp around the silver tray.“Why… why are we going this way?” she asked softly, her voice barely audible. But Miko said nothing. He simply kept walking with steady, unflinching steps.Panic flickered in her chest. She hadn’t expected to be brought there—to the Alpha’s private chamber. The one place few dared to enter without being summoned.And somewhere behind them, Samantha, still following quietly in the shadows, felt her own panic rising. Her heart raced as she watched Mina being led toward his door.“What is going on?” she whispered through clenched teeth, her mind a storm of jealousy and disbelief. Every step Mina took toward that chamber felt like a dagger twisting deeper into her chest. Still, she followed, her eyes burning with suppressed rage.When they reached the Alpha’s door, Miko stopped and gave a respectful bow befor
On returning to her room, it wasn’t up to a few seconds when a gentle knock sounded on the door.Alarmed, Mina froze mid-step. Again? She turned toward the door, her mind racing. For the second time that evening, someone had come looking for her—and this time, she felt a strange chill of unease crawl down her spine.“Who could it be now?” she muttered under her breath, clutching her small bag tightly.Her first thought was that it might be Beta Matt again. The idea made her heart sink. She didn’t want to hear any more of his strange excuses or awkward small talk. Time was running out—if she delayed any longer, she would miss her chance to sneak out unnoticed.Taking a deep breath, she opened the door—only to stop short.It wasn’t Beta Matt.Standing in the doorway was Miko. His expression was calm but unreadable, and something about the way his sharp eyes flicked over her room made her pulse quicken.“What is with everyone suddenly knocking on my rarely visited room today?” Mina wonde
A few minutes after Miko left, Matt arrived at the Alpha’s study, slightly breathless, sensing the tension in the air. Theo was standing by the window, his hands clenched behind his back, eyes fixed on the vast expanse of the Dam-Nighade Pack territory below. His expression was calm, yet something in the set of his jaw betrayed restrained fury.“Alpha Theo,” Matt greeted respectfully, bowing his head slightly. “You sent for me?”Theo turned slowly, his eyes sharp, calculating. “Yes, I did.” His voice was quiet — too quiet — and that made Matt’s heart beat faster. Theo never used that tone unless something serious had happened.He gestured toward the chair opposite him. “Sit.”Matt obeyed immediately, waiting.Theo walked back to his desk, placed both hands on it, and said evenly, “I believe there’s something more happening inside this estate — something dangerous.”Matt frowned. “Dangerous? How do you mean, Alpha?”Theo’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You remember Samantha, don’t you? Rina
He stood, heart pounding, and moved toward the door with urgency. Pulling it open, he called to the guard stationed outside.“Bring me the man assigned to guard Rina’s chamber,” he ordered sharply. “Now.”The guard nodded quickly and hurried away.Theo remained at the doorway, breathing hard as he tried to steady the rush of emotions coursing through him. His mind was clear on one thing — whatever was happening to Mina, it was reaching him through their bond.And that could only mean one thing.She was in distress.---The heavy oak door opened and Miko, the tall guard assigned to Rina’s former chamber, stepped in with his head bowed. He barely had the chance to greet before Theo’s sharp voice cut through the quiet study.“Where have you been?” Theo’s tone was edged with restrained fury, his gaze dark and unyielding. “I gave you one simple task — to protect Mina. To watch her. Yet something’s wrong, and you come strolling in here as if nothing has happened!”Miko flinched at the Alpha
Morning sunlight streamed gently through the tall glass windows of the council hall, spilling golden warmth across the polished floor. The air carried the faint scent of pine and parchment — a familiar comfort that had been missing since Rina’s death.Matt and Jihoo exchanged quick glances as Alpha Theo walked in, his steps steady, his face calm. It was the first time in weeks he had looked composed, almost… peaceful. The deep circles under his eyes had faded, and there was even a faint softness to his expression.“Morning, Alpha,” Jihoo greeted carefully.Theo nodded, settling into his seat at the head of the long table. “Morning,” he replied, his voice firm but lighter than usual. “Let’s begin.”They gave their routine security reports — updates on patrol routes, border activities, and the growing tensions between rogue packs. Everything went smoothly, and for once, the weight that usually hung over the room was gone.As they concluded, Theo leaned back in his chair, fingers steeple







