Cora's POVThe next few days, I stay in the pack house, trying to rest but carrying a constant sense of unease.Even though my body has mostly recovered by now, Jasper seems extremely busy. He barely comes to see me, and I’m doing my best not to let it get to me too much, but his continued absence is only making me more anxious—does he already know something?What makes me even more anxious is… today is Felicity and Beta Smith’s wedding.And I still have no idea whether my father or Liam will be attending.As I wake up in the morning, a swarm of maids rush into my room and start to prepare me for the day’s events. Their arrival leaves me no time to think. They know nothing about me, yet are clearly acting under Jasper’s orders—to do my makeup and dress me in the clothes Felicity had picked out for me. I can feel their curious stares every time they glance at me, intrigue mixed with just a hint of jealousy.It reminds me of the first few days after my father brought me back to the Bloo
Cora's POVBefore I can get too far in my thoughts, Jasper lets out a low chuckle.“Did you think I was proposing?” he asks, his tone teasing.My face burns.“I—no!” I say quickly, shaking my head. “Of course not!”He grins. “Remember the riverside test? I asked you to retrieve a box.”The test. The box. My heart clenches. He’s never told me whether I pass or not–my future at this pack has been hopelessly undecided since I fell into that river. Is he about to tell me if I passed or not?Am I about to be cast out again? I glance at him nervously, only to find that he’s already looking at me.“The ring is inside the box,” Jasper says, his voice turning gravely serious. “It’s made from the claw bone of the very first Alpha wolf. It’s the sacred symbol of the Moongrove Pack.”I hold my breath, waiting.But Jasper suddenly smiles and glances at my hand. “And now, it’s yours.”My eyes widen. I can’t help but beam, overjoyed by finally having the burden of failure lifted from my shoulders.
Cora's POVBy the time Jasper and I arrive at the wedding hall, the room is already bustling. Guests fill every corner, dressed in their finest, laughter and conversation swirling through the air like champagne bubbles.Walking beside Jasper—Alpha Jasper, the bride’s brother—I feel more eyes on me than I’d like. I lift my chin, smooth my dress, and try not to squirm under the scrutiny.Don't look nervous. Don’t look weak.I scan the crowd subtly, heart skipping each time I catch sight of another Alpha entering. I’m not looking for anyone in particular. I’m looking for two people I hope not to see: my father and Liam.So far, neither has shown. Relief uncoils in my chest like a breath I didn’t know I was holding.But before I can fully relax, a sudden commotion erupts beside me. A cluster of Alphas practically stampedes toward Jasper.“Alpha Jasper!” one says breathlessly, dragging a girl—likely his daughter—by the arm. “You must meet Madeline. She’s just turned twenty-two.”“Alpha, th
Cora's POVI stare up at Liam in shock, fear coiling in my chest as I cling to Jasper’s arm like a lifeline.He finally found me.Liam’s gaze burns into me, sweeping over my wedding dress with a twisted intensity. For a fleeting second, something like desire flickers in his eyes—but I know better. He’s not seeing me. He’s seeing Iris. He always has. Even when he touched me, kissed me, claimed me—it was never me he wanted. It was always her.That look vanishes as quickly as it appeared, swallowed by fury.His voice lashes out like a whip. “How dare you do this?”My breath catches.“To flee the Snowcrest Pack without permission—like a coward. To betray us in such a public, humiliating way—during this?” He gestures around at the wedding with scorn. “Unforgivable.”Unforgivable?I straighten, fury boiling in my veins. “I betrayed you?” I laugh bitterly. “That’s rich. You never treated me like anything but a placeholder. A shadow of someone you actually cared about. Don’t act like you los
Cora's POV“Are you ready, sweetheart?” My mom’s voice floats through the heavy oak door, all sugar and sunshine. I stare at my reflection, my heart pounding so hard it hurts.I don’t know it yet, but maybe this is the Moon Goddess trying to warn me.The satin wedding dress clings to my body like a second skin, and Luna's tiara glittered in my loose curls.I should be glowing.I should be thrilled.Instead, I feel like I couldn’t breathe.“Just... just a second!” I call back, smoothing my trembling hands down the front of my dress.Today is the day I marry the man of my dreams—Alpha Liam Thompson of the Snowcrest Pack.At least, that’s what everyone keeps telling me.Only three months ago, I was just another nameless orphan in the Stonebrook Home for Unclaimed Wolves. I spent my days scrubbing floors, cooking for ungrateful kids, and dodging Mrs. Edith’s whip. I didn’t even have a last name.Until one night, everything changed.Two strangers arrived, standing tall and proud in the mo
Cora's POVLiam and I have been married for two months now, but I still can’t stop thinking about the name he whispered on our wedding night.Who exactly is Iris?We sit at the breakfast table, a tense, awkward silence hanging between us.Ever since the wedding, Liam has been distant.Sure, we still sleep together, and he indulges some of my requests, but most of the time, I feel like a ghost in this house—like he doesn’t really see me.And deep down, I can’t help but think it has something to do with Iris.Whoever she is. Today, I can’t take it anymore. I have to talk to him.He barely glances at me when I sit down, offering only a flat, passing “morning.”I load my plate slowly, forcing myself to look at him, willing myself to be brave.My voice wavers for just a second, but then I find my resolve.“Who’s Iris?” I ask, blunt and direct.Liam freezes. His eyes flick away from mine, that same cold distance rising like a wall between us.“You must’ve misheard me, Cora,” he says, voice
Cora's POVJust as doubt creeps into my mind, a sudden wave of dizziness knocks the breath out of me.Gasping for air, I stumble toward the loveseat, barely able to steady myself. My limbs feel awkward, numb, almost foreign. Before I can catch my balance, a violent surge of nausea rises from deep inside me. Clutching my stomach, I lurch toward the bathroom.I barely manage to flip the toilet seat open before vomiting uncontrollably.Groaning, I cling to the sides of the bowl, my body shuddering with each painful heave. Another wave of nausea hits, forcing me to empty my stomach once more. I can’t tell how long I stay there, trembling and weak, but eventually the sickness begins to ebb, leaving me drained.Wiping my mouth, I stagger to the sink. Cold water splashes across my face as I stare into the mirror—my reflection pale, my eyes wide and glassy, my lower lip trembling.Something feels wrong. This doesn’t feel like ordinary stress. This isn’t just sadness or fear twisting my stomac
Cora's POVI stare at the girl lying in bed, my heart frozen in my chest.Everyone in the room notices me. Liam stops feeding her mid-spoonful, his head snapping toward me. The tender affection he wore just a moment ago vanishes, replaced by his usual cold, distant gaze.Why?Why is my husband caring for her so gently? Why are my parents standing by her side, looking after her with so much concern?It’s as if the girl in the hospital bed is the real me—the daughter my parents love, the wife Liam cherishes. And I’m just... an intruder. An outsider crashing into a life that was never meant for me.She’s living the life I want.And I am nothing.My parents and Liam stand there, frozen, like they’ve been caught hiding something they never meant for me to see. Their eyes flicker between me and the girl, panic etched into every line of their faces.Before any of them can speak, the girl moves first.With a delighted gasp, she leaps out of bed, bare feet slapping against the floor as she rus
Cora's POVI stare up at Liam in shock, fear coiling in my chest as I cling to Jasper’s arm like a lifeline.He finally found me.Liam’s gaze burns into me, sweeping over my wedding dress with a twisted intensity. For a fleeting second, something like desire flickers in his eyes—but I know better. He’s not seeing me. He’s seeing Iris. He always has. Even when he touched me, kissed me, claimed me—it was never me he wanted. It was always her.That look vanishes as quickly as it appeared, swallowed by fury.His voice lashes out like a whip. “How dare you do this?”My breath catches.“To flee the Snowcrest Pack without permission—like a coward. To betray us in such a public, humiliating way—during this?” He gestures around at the wedding with scorn. “Unforgivable.”Unforgivable?I straighten, fury boiling in my veins. “I betrayed you?” I laugh bitterly. “That’s rich. You never treated me like anything but a placeholder. A shadow of someone you actually cared about. Don’t act like you los
Cora's POVBy the time Jasper and I arrive at the wedding hall, the room is already bustling. Guests fill every corner, dressed in their finest, laughter and conversation swirling through the air like champagne bubbles.Walking beside Jasper—Alpha Jasper, the bride’s brother—I feel more eyes on me than I’d like. I lift my chin, smooth my dress, and try not to squirm under the scrutiny.Don't look nervous. Don’t look weak.I scan the crowd subtly, heart skipping each time I catch sight of another Alpha entering. I’m not looking for anyone in particular. I’m looking for two people I hope not to see: my father and Liam.So far, neither has shown. Relief uncoils in my chest like a breath I didn’t know I was holding.But before I can fully relax, a sudden commotion erupts beside me. A cluster of Alphas practically stampedes toward Jasper.“Alpha Jasper!” one says breathlessly, dragging a girl—likely his daughter—by the arm. “You must meet Madeline. She’s just turned twenty-two.”“Alpha, th
Cora's POVBefore I can get too far in my thoughts, Jasper lets out a low chuckle.“Did you think I was proposing?” he asks, his tone teasing.My face burns.“I—no!” I say quickly, shaking my head. “Of course not!”He grins. “Remember the riverside test? I asked you to retrieve a box.”The test. The box. My heart clenches. He’s never told me whether I pass or not–my future at this pack has been hopelessly undecided since I fell into that river. Is he about to tell me if I passed or not?Am I about to be cast out again? I glance at him nervously, only to find that he’s already looking at me.“The ring is inside the box,” Jasper says, his voice turning gravely serious. “It’s made from the claw bone of the very first Alpha wolf. It’s the sacred symbol of the Moongrove Pack.”I hold my breath, waiting.But Jasper suddenly smiles and glances at my hand. “And now, it’s yours.”My eyes widen. I can’t help but beam, overjoyed by finally having the burden of failure lifted from my shoulders.
Cora's POVThe next few days, I stay in the pack house, trying to rest but carrying a constant sense of unease.Even though my body has mostly recovered by now, Jasper seems extremely busy. He barely comes to see me, and I’m doing my best not to let it get to me too much, but his continued absence is only making me more anxious—does he already know something?What makes me even more anxious is… today is Felicity and Beta Smith’s wedding.And I still have no idea whether my father or Liam will be attending.As I wake up in the morning, a swarm of maids rush into my room and start to prepare me for the day’s events. Their arrival leaves me no time to think. They know nothing about me, yet are clearly acting under Jasper’s orders—to do my makeup and dress me in the clothes Felicity had picked out for me. I can feel their curious stares every time they glance at me, intrigue mixed with just a hint of jealousy.It reminds me of the first few days after my father brought me back to the Bloo
Cora's POVWhen I wake up in the hospital, my stomach growls, loud and insistent. I groan, sitting up slowly, trying to ignore the emptiness inside. It takes me a moment to piece together my surroundings. I'm in a dimly lit room, sitting cross-legged in bed. My head throbs, pain pulsing at my temple. I'm wearing nothing but a thin hospital gown.What happened? The challenge... the swimming...The room is empty, silent. I’m alone. Just as I prepare to get up and search for a nurse or doctor, the door swings open. A vaguely familiar girl steps inside, carrying several large bags.She looks at me, and once she sees I’m awake, her face breaks into a huge smile. “You’re up! How are you feeling?” she asks eagerly.I blink, confused. “I—um…”I stare at her, unsure what to do.Recognition flashes in her eyes, and she knows I don’t remember her. “I’m Felicity,” she says with a bright smile. “Jasper’s younger sister. I brought you some things!”Felicity immediately opens one of the bags, rev
Jasper's POVI wake with a jolt, disoriented for a second until I realize where I am—and more importantly, who I’m with.Cora lies curled against me, her body warm and soft, as if she belongs here. My arm is still draped over her waist. Her forehead bears a darkening bruise, a cruel reminder of yesterday’s chaos. And yet, somehow, she sleeps soundly. Trust me. That thought unsettles me more than I care to admit.I never let my guard down. I’m a warrior, an Alpha—trained to sleep light, fight smart, and never let emotions interfere with strategy. But here I am, tangled in the sheets with a woman who’s hiding more secrets from me than I can count.My fingers find her hair before I even realize what I’m doing, brushing gently through the silky strands. Her collar has slipped, exposing the delicate curve of her neck and collarbone. I swallow hard. The sight does something to me—primal, irrational, possessive. I want to mark her. Hide her away. Chain her to me so no one else can touch wha
Jasper's POVMy mate is pregnant with another man’s child.The words loop in my head like a curse. My grip on the edge of the hospital bed tightens until my knuckles turn white. I want to flip the damn thing over, destroy something, anything—but I force myself to stay still. The fury in my veins is molten and suffocating, a blinding rage I’ve never known before.I stare at Cora. Her face looks so peaceful, so innocent, lying unconscious on the bed. Her lashes rest delicately against her cheeks, her lips slightly parted, her breathing soft and slow. She looks like a fallen angel.But there’s nothing innocent about this.Someone else touched her.Someone dared to take what’s mine.My jaw clenches so tight it aches. Who is he? Who’s the bastard who got my mate pregnant?A sharp knock on the door cut straight through my boiling thoughts.“Alpha?” Dr. Shelley’s voice was soft, tentative.I turned my head sharply. “What?”She flinches, but steps in anyway. “I just wanted to let you know,”
Cora's POVThe next morning, I get up with the first light, wash up quickly, and change into the training clothes the maid left out for me—lightweight, fitted, and easy to move in. I run through every possibility in my mind, trying to guess what kind of test Jasper might throw at me. Sparring seems like the most likely option.Among werewolves, duels are the most direct way to prove yourself. Simple. Brutal. Undeniable.As soon as I step into his office, Jasper’s eyes lock onto me.“You ready?” he asks casually, setting aside a folder on his desk like we’re just heading out for a morning stroll.I swallow hard and nod once, trying to match his calm.“Who am I fighting?” I ask, getting straight to the point.“You’re not fighting anyone,” Jasper says, standing and walking toward me with quiet, confident steps.I blink, caught off guard. “I’m not?”He stops a few feet in front of me. “The Moongrove Pack doesn’t operate like most others,” he says. “Yes, we value strength. But we don’t gl
Cora's POVI’m lying on Jasper’s bed, wrapped in soft blankets, doing my best to recover. The scent of fir—his scent—lingers in the air, calming my nerves more than I care to admit. For the first time in a long while, I feel almost safe. Almost like myself again.A maid enters briskly, carrying a tray of food. She sets it beside me and disappears without a word. I glance at the steak, intending only to pick at it. I’m not really hungry—I just need the excuse to hide the pregnancy. But the moment the aroma hits me, something primal stirs. I sink my fork into the meat and bring the first bite to my lips.It tastes like heaven.Without thinking, I devour it—bite after bite—until I’m nearly halfway through the plate. It’s only then that I feel Jasper’s eyes on me. He’s sitting across from the bed, arms folded, silently watching.Back in Snowcrest, I could barely eat. I was too afraid, too hollow. But here… here, for the first time in ages, I enjoy the food. I realize how long it’s been