Just The Beginning

Natalia's Pov 

“Samantha!”

I watched Shane rush forward, dropping beside her. His hands moved quickly over her, checking her breathing, his face filled with so much panic I had never seen before—at least, not for me.

My lips curved faintly, though there was no warmth in the expression.

When Shane looked up at me, the panic in his eyes had vanished. It was replaced with fury — sharp and violent. His wolf stirred aggressively beneath the surface, claws already threatening to emerge.

“Natalia, when did you become this evil?” he roared. “You don’t deserve to be the future Luna!”

I tilted my head slightly, studying him with calm detachment.

“You were the one who insulted me first, remember?” I replied evenly. “Then you lied about me in front of everyone. So tell me, Shane… who is truly evil here?”

His jaw tightened. He clearly hadn’t expected that answer.

Before he could respond, Samantha let out a weak groan, shifting slightly on the floor.

Shane’s attention snapped back to her instantly. The moment he noticed the blood, his expression changed again.

Without hesitation, he lifted her into his arms as though she were fragile glass.

“Move,” he ordered sharply.

The crowd parted immediately under his urgency as he rushed toward the pack clinic.

I watched him leave — carrying another woman like she was his whole world.

The hallway slowly emptied as whispers followed them. I exhaled calmly and turned to my maid.

“Shantel.”

“Yes, My Lady.”

“Excuse me for a moment. I need to speak with someone.”

She nodded without question and stepped away.

When I turned, Dominic was still there, leaning against the stone wall like the chaos around him had never existed.

The dark warrior uniform fit tightly across his broad shoulders, alongside the silver commander markings resting against his chest.

Even after years of battle, he was still strong and well-built. Older than the Alphas my age, yet far more dangerous.

His rolled sleeves exposed old battle scars on his tanned skin. And his eyes were already on me.

I stopped close enough to catch the faint scent of cedarwood and smoke around him, and something distinctly masculine beneath it.

“Thank you, Alpha Dominic,” I said quietly. “For standing up for me.”

A small grin appeared on his lips, but it wasn’t mocking like the way they used to be before.

“It’s nothing,” he replied. “It’s my responsibility to protect the pack.”

I nodded slightly, but avoided his gaze. Instead, I looked down for a second—because standing this close felt unfamiliar, and too dangerous.

This was the first time we had spoken without arguing, without him warning me about something, or without me trying to get away from him. And somehow, that felt far more unsettling.

“My choosing ceremony is in three days,” I said after a short pause. “You should come.”

His eyes stayed on me for a long moment before his jaw tightened slightly.

“It won’t change anything, little wolf.”

“You’ll still choose Shane.”

The way he said Shane’s name made it sound like an insult.

“And I’ll be busy that day,” he continued. “The new recruits started training this week.”

He pushed himself off the wall slowly.

“But don’t worry,” he added quietly. “I’ll send someone on my behalf.”

Something about the way he said it made heat crawl beneath my skin.

Then he stepped past me, his arm brushing lightly against mine.

The touch lasted barely a second, but my whole body reacted in some kind of way I could not explain.

And just like that, he walked away without looking back. 

I stood there for a moment longer than I should have, thinking about what he just said.

And why was he referring to me as little wolf ?

“Go after him, Nat.”

Hazel’s voice suddenly rang in my head disrupting my real thoughts.

“No,” I muttered under my breath.

“You felt that, didn’t you?” she teased. “His scent… it’s different when he’s close to you.”

“Hazel, stop.”

“You’re starting to like him, don't you?”

She laughed softly inside my head.

“I’m not.”

“Yes you are. You don't need to lie. It smells all over you.”

I quickly cut off the mental link completely, leaving only silence. Then I let out a long breath.

Maybe Hazel was right. But I refused to dwell on that thought.

Still, choosing Alpha Dominic at the ceremony would not be a bad decision. After all, he did not stab me in the stomach for another woman.

When I thought about it carefully, he was my father’s strongest warrior—older, colder, and far more dangerous than Shane himself.

Yet somehow, I felt safe around him.

Especially when he called me little wolf in that low, rough voice of his.

Perhaps choosing him would be the perfect way to hurt Shane.

And honestly? Becoming Shane’s aunt-in-law did not sound so bad at all.

****

The next night, the air was unusually calm.

I decided to walk in the royal garden with Shantel, simply to clear my mind.

As we passed near the royal statues, I suddenly heard familiar voices.

I stopped immediately, and Shantel did too.

We moved quietly without notice, hiding behind a large ornamental plant that covered us completely.

Behind the statue stood Shane and Samantha — kissing passionately.

They probably thought the whole pack was asleep, and had snuck out to be together.

“Isn’t that your mate, with Lady Samantha?” Shantel whispered in shock.

“Yes,” I replied calmly.

She went quiet, and we stayed hidden, watching.

“I think Natalia suspects us,” Samantha murmured softly. “But why would she cancel the wedding so suddenly?”

Shane scoffed.

“The bond has weakened,” he replied. “It’s harder to control her now.”

Control.

My fingers curled slowly.

“And if she chooses someone else?” Samantha asked.

“I won’t allow it,” Shane said firmly.

In my past life, I had mistaken them for a guard and maid making out, and walked away without waiting enough to realize it was actually them. 

But not this time. Now I would ensure they paid for every betrayal.

I turned to Shantel slowly.

“Shantel,” I whispered quietly. “Alert the guards, and tell them there are thieves stealing from the royal garden.”

Her eyes widened in shock, but she didn’t question me. She turned and ran quietly toward the guards' station.

It didn’t take long before a dozen pack guards arrived and surrounded them. Shane and Samantha were caught completely off guard.

“What is this?” Shane demanded.

“You were caught in the royal garden at night,” a guard replied. “Under pack law, unauthorized presence during restricted hours is suspicious.”

They were brought to the throne room shortly after.

Inside, my father sat on his throne.

A guard stepped forward.

“Alpha, they were caught attempting to remove Spring Melissa from the royal garden.”

A murmur spread through the hall.

Spring Melissa was a rare medicinal plant exclusive to our pack — heavily protected under pack law.

“Who the hell would tell such lies to you? If you don't say, I'll find them myself and slit their throats.”

From where I stood outside the throne room, I could hear every word inside. Thanks to my heightened werewolf senses. Because I was just waiting for the right moment to strike. And this is it.

“And who the hell are you slitting their throats? Me?”

I pushed the double doors open and strode into the throne room. I held my head high, as Shantel trailed behind me. 

Shane and Samantha turned toward me with clear hostility.

“Father,” I said calmly. “I witnessed these two attempting to steal Spring Melissa for themselves. They must have thought the pack was asleep to carry out the act”.

“That’s a fat lie, Father!” Samantha cried, dropping to her knees immediately. “I would never do that—”

“Then what were you doing there?” my father asked sharply, rising from his throne.

Neither answered. Of course, because admitting their relationship would violate pack law — especially since they were not mates.

My father’s expression turned cold.

“For theft,” he declared, “you will spend two days in the dungeon and one month stripped of all pack duties.”

Samantha’s face paled. “Father, that’s not fair!”

“I am being lenient with you Samantha…considering you're my blood. You know the real punishment for those who tried to steal Spring Melissa, don't you?” he replied sternly.

Samantha turned to me desperately.

“Lady Natalia, please…” she said, grabbing my arm. “Talk to Father. You're his favourite.”

I pulled my hand away gently.

“And why should I do that?" I responded, “You know what you did, Samantha. Face it.”

Her tears began falling, then Shane stepped forward angrily.

“Stop this act, Natalia,” he said as he stepped closer. “Tell your father to drop the charges. You wouldn’t want to see me locked up, would you? After all, we’re mates, and—”

Before he could finish, I raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face.

The audacity. Talking to my father like that—how dare he?

The sharp crack echoed through the room, drawing a gasp from Samantha and a faint, approving smile from my father.

“Don’t ever speak to my father like that again, you wretch,” I said coldly. “You’re not worthy of addressing him. Learn to show some respect.”

His expression shifted instantly to confusion as he searched my eyes, but my gaze remained calm and unreadable.

In my past life, I had treated him with so much affection that even when he spoke rudely to my father or humiliated me in front of everyone, I still found a way to blame myself for upsetting him. But not anymore.

I turned toward the guards stationed at the throne room entrance and gave a firm command. “Take them away. Now.”

Shane struggled violently.

“I am your future husband!” he shouted. “Order them to release me!” 

Future husband my foot.

I let out a silent scoff and turned my back on them.

The guards overpowered him quickly, cuffing his hands. Shane continued shouting as he was dragged away, while Samantha sobbed beside him.