01: The unspoken truth

© 2026 Aurora Quinn. All rights reserved.

This work is independently written. While general story frameworks may be shared, all characters, scenes, and narrative elements in this book are original to the author.

Stealing this story will not be tolerated at all and legal actions would be taken. Exclusively only on Goodnovel. 

Chapter 1 

Elara’s Pov

I'm pregnant.

Thirty days before my marriage is set to end.

I threw the pregnancy test into the trash, not knowing what to do.

This was always a marriage with an expiration date. On our wedding night, my mate placed a contract before me.

“You were never meant to be my Luna. But I need your pack’s political support. Will you accept a three-year marriage?”

Alpha Cassian stood, towering before me and said those words. I still remember his deep blue eyes quietly watching me.

“You are free to turn down this marriage.”

But I couldn’t. He was my mate and I had fallen for him hopelessly the moment I first saw him. 

“I can make him love me.” I thought as I signed my name.

For three years, I tried everything. I cooked his favorite meals. I took care of the house. There were always fresh flowers in the living room, the ones he liked best. I hoped he would notice the little things and see how much I was giving, but he didn't.

Cassian only came to me when he needed release—when the urge for sex was too strong to ignore. He’d pull me close in the dark, his breath hot against my neck as he buried himself inside me with a low, desperate groan.

Every time I trembled beneath him, I thought we were truly meant to be. But three years have passed, and I was wrong. He never once mentioned extending the contract. He treats me like one of his subordinates. Restrained and distant.

I touched my belly. A life was growing inside me. But I had broken the one rule of our marriage contract. I wasn't allowed to get pregnant. Would he accept this child? I wasn't sure, but I couldn't let my child be born a bastard. This was his child after all. No matter what, I had to tell him. So I gathered my courage and walked home. Before I even reached the door…”

I heard faint sobbing coming from inside. And knew instantly, who it was.

Seris—Cassian’s childhood friend. She just had a messy divorce with her abusive and narcissistic husband and was in need of protection. That was what everyone said. I heard she was returning today.

“I didn’t know where else to go… Thank you for letting me stay. Permanently.”

‘Permanently?’ I whispered and stepped closer with unease, until the half-open door revealed what I wasn’t prepared to see.

Cassian was on the bed, and she was in his arms.

Her body leaned into his chest as she spoke.

“I hate him… I’m glad I didn’t have pups with him.” Her fingers clutched his shirt.

Cassian didn’t move away.

Instead, his hand lifted slowly, brushing her hair back with a gentleness I had never felt from him. His fingers lingered at her cheek, wiping away her tears like that was the most natural thing in the world.

“Shh,” he said quietly with soft sleepy eyes. “You’re safe here, okay.”

Something inside me twisted. He had never looked or spoken to me like that.

Everyone knew who Seris was. The perfect Ebony girl, with flowing hazelnut hair. 

Cassian had been in love with her, they were inseparable… until she found her mate. She was dragged to him screaming. Cassian's door stayed shut for three months. 

Her father was the Chief Beta and leader of the mating community, even when it didn't sit well with him, he was silent—because what could he say? His own mating community's rules had condemned his daughter.

Cassian met me a year later. But the house still felt like a tomb and no one ever said her name. It was always whispered.

 Now, four years later, she was back.

She had the same hollow cheeks my Gamma, Eliza described. The same way of holding her own arms like she was cold even in summer. 

Her eyes flickered toward me, just for a second. In that second, I saw everything my assistants couldn't say. Then she leaned closer into his chest and made a small, broken sound. 

My stomach turned inside out. I had spent a year feeling sorry for a ghost. But she was real now, in a time when I never wanted her to be real.

I told myself she was a victim. That she needed comfort. That I had no right to feel this way.

But none of that stopped the quiet ache spreading through my body.

“Cassian?” I called quieter than I expected. He glanced at me, briefly.

Then his attention returned to her.

“What is it?” He asked, his tone already colder.

“Why are you here Elara?” The difference was immediate.

I swallowed. “I… need to talk to you. It’s urgent.”

For a moment, he paused.

Just long enough for my hope to rise—

“If it’s urgent, say it.”

And just like that, it died again.

I hesitated, the words caught in my throat. This wasn’t how I imagined breaking the news to him, and not in front of her.

Seris shifted slightly, as though she had just noticed me.

“Oh… I’m sorry, Luna,” she said, stepping back from the bed. “Am I interrupting something? I can leave.”

But her fingers remained curled around his sleeve. Before I could respond, Cassian answered.

“No, you’re not, stay.”

Silence followed. I swallowed and opened my mouth to speak when Seris stood up suddenly.

“Oh… I almost forgot,” she said, offering a small, apologetic smile.

The words rose to my lips but never came out, covered by the same familiar helplessness that had followed me for three years.

“I got you something, as a thank you.”

She picked up a box from the bed and opened it, revealing a neatly folded grey tie.

“It’s nothing expensive,” she added quickly, almost shy. “I just thought…”

“You didn’t have to,” Cassian interrupted with a huge smile, forgetting I was standing there.

“I wanted to.” She smiled and then stepped closer to him.

“Let me…” Her fingers trembled slightly as she lifted the tie.

“I’m still a bit nervous. It helps to… focus on something simple.”

I lowered my gaze as she stepped closer to him, adjusting his collar with careful fingers. 

“She's as sly as the devil." The words rang in my head, but I pushed it down. 

That space…his space…had never belonged to me. Because of her. 

This marriage has always been a contract. But then, it still felt like something was being taken from me.

Cassian carefully turned to me.

“Elara, excuse us. I will come to your chambers later." Her hand tightened in his shirt—just enough to stop him from taking a step.

"But first, I need to walk Seris back to hers.” He gave no room for argument. I nodded.

“It’s fine,” I said quietly. “It can wait.”

I turned and left and just like that, the moment slipped away again.

Some hours later, I found him alone in the garden.

“Cassian.” He turned slightly.

“What is it?” I hesitated for a while, then opened my mouth to tell him about the baby, but instead, different words came out. 

“Don't you think what you're doing with Seris is inappropriate?'”

“She’s been through a lot, Elara.”

His gaze hardened slightly. “Your priorities are disappointing.”

I had never seen that look on his face before. It was genuine disgust and it made my heart clench. But I had to speak. There was a fire burning inside me, urging me to defend my rights as his wife.

"I am your Luna. You let a strange woman cry on your shoulder."

"So what? And Seris is not a strange woman. Seris is my…She was here before you." The bile rose up in my throat, but I forced it down.

"It's inappropriate. You are still married to me.” 

I tried not to let my voice crack. I tried not to let the tears fall.

"I don't think I owe you an explanation. My friend needed help. And you're here, making trouble over nothing. I'm tired."

Cassian walked away coldly, without so much as a glance in my direction. My heart plummeted into ice. It was as if I was seeing my place clearly for the first time. A contract marriage. A wife who was not respected.

And yet…My fingers tightened slightly at my side.

I still hadn’t told him. I nodded, forcing my voice to steady despite the weight in my chest.

“Cassian, I…”

“Cassian!” Seris’s voice cut cleanly through mine.

He didn’t hesitate. He turned and headed straight for the pack house.

And just like that, the opportunity was gone again.

I followed him and on getting to the kitchen, it was a mess.

Something had burned and Seris looked flustered, clearly embarrassed.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ruin dinner.”

“It’s fine,” Cassian said, already stepping in. “I’ll handle it.”

I swallowed. He spoke with that same patience and tone I always wanted from him.

“You shouldn’t have to…” Seris cooed softly.

He guided her hands under the running water and she leaned into him slightly, her head tilted toward his shoulder.

Quietly, I looked away and left without a word.

That night, he didn’t come back to the room. I laid awake waiting for him, the pregnancy test was already on the table beside me.

Sometime past midnight, he was yet to come, so I went downstairs for water, when I heard whispering from the floors.

I tiptoed towards the balcony and looked down, it was Cassian and Seris.

“I didn’t plan on coming back like this…” There

was a brief pause and then she said.

“You know I got divorced… because of you.” My fingers gripped the railing and my breath faltered as the weight of her words settled in.