LOGINNote: This chapter is clearly a clean drafts. I'll edit it soon please. Thanks for reading. Natalia's POV“My Lady, are you alright?” Shantel said immediately after opening the door, and scurrying to my side.“I am fine, Shantel, thanks for your concern,” I said, giving her a subtle smile. I knew she knew I was just saying that I was fine, but she didn’t argue with me. She only nodded.“I’d like to return back to my room, my lady. I’ll see you by morning.”I nodded, sniffing silently.“Okay, Shantel. Good night.”With that, she bowed slightly then proceeded out of the door, shutting the door with a soft thud behind her.I sighed heavily as I made for my bed, plopping gently against it.Where had I gone wrong? And why had Dominic became so furious? Because I didn’t tell him I had an encounter with my stepsister? Had he really been serious when he said I shouldn’t keep things away from him? Anything at all?I thought to myself as I proceeded to lay my weight on the bed. Sleep had fin
Natalia's POV“Natalia, it’s me. Why are you taking so long?”Dominic’s voice suddenly echoed from outside the door, and even from where I stood inside, Hazel stirred excitedly at our mate’s arrival.But why didn't I smell his scent before?Shantel quickly shot me an "I told you so" look before turning to open the door for him.He exhaled sharply as he stepped inside, then pulled me closer before brushing his lips against mine in a brief kiss.When we disengaged, I asked. “What is really going on, Dominic?” He dropped onto the couch and released a weary sigh, as I watched Shantel close the door behind her.Perhaps, she didn't want to disturb our conversation so she's probably standing by the door.I turned to meet Dominic’s gaze on mine.“I really don’t understand what is happening, my love,” he said, his voice filled with concern.“What do you mean you don't understand what's happening?” I asked, my brows furrowing as I crouched beside him.He wrapped his hand firmly against mine the
Natalia's Pov "Hey, watch where you're going!" I said as a body bumped into me the moment I was about to turn toward the hallway.I had just left my father's chamber and was on my way back to my room.The figure stopped, covered in a dark hood and robe. Hazel stirred uneasily beneath my skin, warning me that something was wrong despite the familiar scent of Shantel.Why was she dressed like this, and why did she seem desperate to avoid me?"Forgive me, my lady. I'm so sorry," she muttered.Without lifting her head, she tried to slip past me. I frowned at her unusual behavior and grabbed her arm firmly.She stiffened before slowly turning toward me."Shantel, stop hiding. I know it's you. Where are you headed at this time of the night?" I asked, my voice stern.The sharp scent of fear rolled off her in waves.She didn't say a word. She simply stood there silently with her head lowered."Remove your hood and let me see your face this instant.’ I thundered, my impatience rising.She swa
Natalia's POV"Natalia!" my father roared, his Alpha command snapping me back to reality. "Talk to me, sweetheart. What did you mean when you said she's still not remorseful?” he asked, one question pouring after the other.I exhaled sharply, my heartbeat racing. Even Hazel lowered her head instinctively beneath the weight of his Alpha aura.I looked up to meet his gaze, steady on me without blinking. He was so seriously waiting for my response, but I just didn’t know how to present it to him.Would he believe Samantha had turned to dark magic?“Father," I finally said.His brows knitted.“It wasn't important, Father. I spoke without thinking. I actually wanted to say She has always held resentment toward me no matter how I treated her. So do you think someone like that would change, even when we banished her from the pack?” I asked, my voice steady, but his eyes still did not leave mine.“Since her mother passed away, I vowed to guide her as both her father and Alpha. But when a chil
Natalia’s POVEvening settled over the pack grounds as dark clouds rolled across the sky, flashes of lightning illuminating the distant horizon. After countless failed attempts to sleep, I sighed and pulled the blanket tighter around me.I had been alone in my chamber since Dominic left, and Hazel had been pacing restlessly beneath my skin, uneasy with our mate's absence. Even my favorite book, which usually helped calm my restless thoughts, couldn't hold my attention. Earlier, Shantel had sent word that her pack duties would keep her occupied until nightfall. I decided to change into something simple and take my usual walk through the pack grounds. It’s a routine I usually have whenever restlessness took hold of me, I wandered through the pack grounds until exhaustion finally pulled me toward sleep.So I quickly settled into a silky, light white dress which stopped below my knees, while a braided silver cord cinched the fabric at my waist. I checked myself out in the mirror by the
Dominic's PovAfter two minutes, the door opened and Shantel was escorted into the room.My gaze settled on her immediately.She was dressed in a simple silk-blue gown that fell gracefully to her ankles. Unlike the other maids, who wore plain brown uniforms with neatly pinned hair, Shantel's dark hair was gathered into a loose, slightly messy bun atop her head, giving her a softer and more youthful appearance.For a moment, her face brightened when she saw me.Then, as though she suddenly remembered who I was, she lowered her head and avoided my gaze."Alpha, what brings you here?" she asked politely.The maids' quarters were unusually quiet. Several young maids stood nearby pretending to organize linens, though their curious eyes kept drifting toward us.The head maid glanced at me,I gave a subtle nod, understanding immediately, she bowed before ushering the other girls out of the room.The door closed behind them, leaving only Shantel and me."Shantel."At the sound of her name, sh
Natalia's Pov “See that she’s comfortable when she wakes up.”“Yes, Alpha,” a woman answered softly.I heard Dominic's voice first, followed moments later by his footsteps fading down the hallway after the woman's response.Everything felt distant, like I was trapped between sleep and waking while
Natalia's POVHis scent—why does it have to be this intoxicating? I almost can't breathe around him.Chocolate and lemons. Goddess. This is insane.Hazel suddenly pushed into my thoughts. I almost rolled my eyes because I already knew she would tease me about Dominic, considering she had said how d
Dominic's PovFor years, I watched mating ceremonies come and go without ever finding my mate. At first, I pretended not to care. Then the whispers started. The pity. The mocking glances from female wolves who believed I was too proud to notice them.Worst of all was my granduncle constantly press
Natalia's Pov The day of the choosing ceremony finally arrived.My maids moved around me, adjusting every detail as they dressed me in a long flowery velvet gown. The fabric clung perfectly to my body. Soft yet elegant. My hair was styled into a neat high bun, and my makeup was kept simple, just t







