Chapter 6

I covered Darren’s mouth in panic. There were no people nearby, but I was afraid his voice would attract attention.

“This is not as bad as it looks,” I said quickly.

He pulled my hand away and stepped back, running a hand through his hair as if trying to process everything.

“You’re not hallucinating, Darren,” Zephyr finally said. “I’ll explain everything during the meeting, so don’t make a scene now.”

Darren stared at him in disbelief. “How can I not make a scene about this?” he groaned. “I thought our father’s scandal—marrying two mates—was bad enough. But you… damn it, Zephyr!”

“She’s my fated mate,” Zephyr said calmly. “I only claimed what was mine.”

“But she’s married!” Darren snapped, avoiding mentioning Rowan directly. “We have a moral code now, don’t we? We don’t claim someone who’s already been marked.”

We weren’t animals anymore.

At least, that was what they believed.

Darren let out a frustrated growl. “This is infidelity, Zephyr.”

My teeth clenched at that word.

Infidelity?

He didn’t even know the truth, yet he was already judging us.

Call me a bitch. Call me shameless.

But a cheater?

No.

That title belonged to Rowan alone.

“I divorced him,” I said, my chest tightening at the mention of Rowan. “I don’t know if he’s signed the papers yet, but it doesn’t matter. I’m not in a relationship with him anymore.”

I lifted my chin slightly. “So no—I’m not cheating. And Zephyr didn’t break any moral code.”

I exhaled slowly. “I know you have questions, but I’ll explain everything during the meeting.”

I wasn’t going to repeat my story over and over again.

Once was enough.

Darren studied me carefully, his expression shifting as he seemed to sense something deeper.

“In your case… is Rowan innocent?” he asked.

That question caught me off guard.

I didn’t expect him to even consider that.

“He’s not,” I answered quietly.

Darren nodded. “Alright. I’ll hear your explanation first.”

By the time the sun was high in the sky, Zephyr brought me to the community building.

I didn’t know most of the Silver Claw Pack, but they knew me.

Rowan’s wife.

Or Samantha Cole—the former actress.

Even though no one said anything, I could feel their thoughts.

What is she doing here?

The monthly meeting was exclusive.

Only pack members were allowed inside.

Outsiders weren’t welcome.

And yet, here I was.

Every gaze followed me as I stepped in.

Before I could go further, someone blocked my path.

A young man—strong presence, sharp eyes.

A Beta.

“Ms. Cole,” Theodore Harmon said, his tone firm. “You cannot enter this building, even if you are related to the leader.”

“I’m more than that,” I replied.

He frowned, clearly not understanding.

Before he could question me further, Zephyr stepped forward. “She’s with me.”

“Leader, we have rules,” Theodore insisted. “I can’t allow an outsider to enter.”

Zephyr’s gaze hardened.

The air shifted.

His Alpha aura pressed down, heavy and undeniable.

“Do I need to repeat myself?” he asked.

Theodore stiffened. His hands trembled slightly before he stepped aside.

“Welcome to Silver Claw, Ms. Cole,” he said reluctantly.

As we walked in, I could feel the shift in the room.

People noticed.

They smelled it.

Zephyr’s scent on me.

And then—

I saw her.

Eleanor Lloyd.

Rowan’s grandmother.

She stood up immediately, confusion written all over her face.

“Samantha? Where have you been?” she asked, hurrying toward me. “My daughter said you ran away from home.”

She looked me over, checking for injuries.

Eleanor had always been kind to me.

Unlike Rowan’s mother.

“I’m divorcing Rowan,” I said.

She froze.

“What happened?” she asked, her eyes wide. “Weren’t things fine?”

If even Rowan’s own mother didn’t know the truth…

How would Eleanor?

“We weren’t fine,” I said simply. “You’ll understand soon.”

She looked like she wanted to ask more, but Zephyr interrupted.

“Take your seats.”

We moved to the table.

He sat at the head.

I sat beside him.

The Silver Claw Pack was large—over fifty members.

So they split into factions.

Northern.

Southern.

Only key members attended meetings like this.

The room quieted.

“Before we begin,” Zephyr said, his voice steady and commanding, “I have an announcement.”

My heart started pounding.

“From this moment on, Samantha Cole is my mate… and your Luna.”

The room erupted.

Gasps. Whispers. Shock.

Eleanor shot to her feet. “What kind of joke is this?!”

Her expression twisted into anger.

“How could you steal your nephew’s mate?” Her gaze snapped to me. “This is disgusting!”

Mona Lloyd—Zephyr’s mother—looked just as stunned. “Zephyr, explain this.”

The noise escalated—

Until Zephyr raised his hand.

Silence fell instantly.

“Samantha was Rowan’s mate,” he said. “But I am her fated mate. And you all know that such a bond cannot be broken.”

Eleanor slammed her hand on the table.

“Ridiculous!” she snapped, her eyes blazing. “You’re just like your father—always talking about fated mates while destroying people’s lives!”