Chapter 24

“No!!” Jacinta blurted bluntly, her voice sharp, her body restless. She was uneasy, in a hurry, and so nervous it puzzled Alpha Karl.

“And would you not do anything about us, Jacinta?” Wolfe’s voice was firm, thick with years of buried longing. “You are my mate, and I’m going to bring you back with me to Hale! I have been waiting for you for years! Do you know how long that is?”

Jacinta’s throat bobbed. “I’ll… I’ll think about it and give you feedback,” she rushed out before tearing herself away with the boys, her heart thudding wildly.

This wasn’t the moment she ever imagined meeting her mate. And fate—oh, cruel fate—her mate was Alpha Karl’s Beta? The dangerous crossing of destiny itself.

Her love life had never been a rosy one. She had thought her mate was long dead. That night when she turned eighteen, waiting beneath the full moon’s silver eye, she was left standing alone, trembling with expectation that turned to dust. Every full bloom moon since then, she hoped, prayed… but he never came.

Some days she told herself he was caught in war. Other days, that he died in one. Or perhaps, the moon goddess had tied her thread to a ghost—to a mate who would never live for her.

But now… now his scent drowned her lungs, his presence unsettled her bones. She recalled his gait, that commanding stride. The way his eyes burned when they met hers, the way he pulled her into him without hesitation, lips pressing against hers, insistent and starving. His hands at her waist, dragging her closer until there was no air between them.

That kiss… gods, that kiss. The electric surge that rippled down her spine. The urgency of his lips, as if he were afraid she’d vanish. Her fingers had clawed into his back, holding on as though she’d never let him go.

“I claim you…” he had growled against her lips, his voice rough as gravel.

“Jacinta Dante,” she had breathed.

“I, Wolfe Calanthe of Hale Pack, claim you, Jacinta Dante, as my mate,” he vowed, before devouring her lips again. His hands roamed, urgent, one hand squeezing her ass firmly, greedily, as though to brand her as his.

“Where have you been all this while?” she had whispered breathlessly between kisses.

“I have been working hard as the Beta of Hale… and I have searched for you, for ten years…” he confessed.

Jacinta froze, brows furrowing. “Did you just say… Alpha King of Great Hale?” Her eyes darted to the distance where she saw Coen, Conall, and Cahir standing with Alpha Karl. Dropping Wolfe’s hand, she bolted towards them, her chest caving under the weight of cruel irony.

“Aunt! Aunt!” Coen called, tugging at her hand to pull her attention back.

Jacinta blinked, jerking out of her daze.

“Were you seriously daydreaming?” Conall teased, laughter spilling from his lips. The others joined in hysterically.

“Zip it, Conn!” Jacinta snapped, trying to steady her heart.

“Didn’t I warn you not to talk to strangers? Do you even know that man?” she scolded.

“We don’t,” Conall admitted, “but he’s cool. You bowed to him. Is he the king?”

Jacinta’s lips trembled. “He is… he is the Alpha King of Hale.” She halted mid-step, her heart cracking. These boys—her boys—had been yearning all these years to know their father. Fate had laid him right before them, yet they were blind to it. And she… she was the cruel wall keeping truth from them.

“Do we get the chance to see him again?” Coen asked softly, hope flickering in his voice.

“And why lie that you’re our mom? What if he finds out?” Cahir pressed.

“Who’s that man? He said he wants to take you away. Can I come with you too?” Conall piled on more questions, their voices battering her already fraying mind.

“Enough!” Jacinta stopped, raising her hands. “One question at a time!”

They stared at her, wide-eyed.

“And no, Prince Coen! We cannot see him again!” she said firmly, her voice cracking.

“Because we cannot endanger Mom, Prince Cahir!” she added bitterly.

“And as for you, Prince Conn…” She faltered, stuttering as her throat closed. “He is… he’s… I don’t know.” Her words crumbled as she stormed forward, her pace quickening, desperate to escape both their questions and the truth that clawed inside her.

“My king! We’re literally late for the event. It cannot start without your presence—the kings are all waiting!” Wolfe said frantically, his tone bordering on panic.

Alpha Karl’s sharp eyes pinned him. “That woman is your mate, Wolfe. And she’s already birthed six boys—adorable, strong, and gods, they even look like my sons. Yet she has no mate mark. No trace. Explain that to me.” His jaw ticked. “And you can scent it, can’t you? She’s untouched—a virgin.”

Wolfe’s throat tightened. “Yes, your majesty. Her aura… it’s new. Like a flower blooming at dawn, fresh with morning dew. I don’t believe she birthed them. They do not even resemble her one bit…”

Karl’s eyes darkened, deadly suspicion brewing. He snapped his fingers at one of his men. “Red. Keep close eyes on her. Do not let her discover you’re watching.”

“Your wish is my command.” Red bowed low, retreating into the shadows.

“Let’s go,” Alpha Karl ordered coldly. His entourage followed as he strode into the grand hall. Instantly, ministers and chiefs rose to their feet.

“Welcome the Alpha King of Hale!” the herald boomed.

Meanwhile, Lois was still trapped inside the storage room. She had banged her fists raw against the door, but no one answered. It had been over an hour. If she missed the event, she knew she would lose her position—perhaps even face punishment.

Finally, the captain’s voice roared from outside. “Miss Marrok!”

“Captain! I’m locked in here! Can you hear me?” Lois cried, her voice desperate.

The door groaned as he unlocked it with his key. “How the hell did you get locked in here?” he growled.

Lois rushed out, gasping. “I… I’m sorry, Captain. But please—can I not be the one to paint the Alpha King of Hale’s portrait?”

His head snapped toward her, eyes wide with shock. “Why would you refuse? Do you realize this is a once-in-a-lifetime honor? People would kill for this chance!”

Lois’ lips quivered. “I can’t… I just can’t.”

“You’re afraid?” His tone was hard, disappointed. “Then hear me well—you might be thrown into the dungeon for disobeying a direct order from the bureau.”

The words struck her like a blade. She froze, stunned.

No… she couldn’t lose her job. Not now, not when her sextuplets’ survival depended on her. She swallowed hard, her chest burning, and rushed to the lockers. One by one, she yanked them open, pulling out makeup kits belonging to other girls.

She closed her eyes, steadying her breath. Running away wasn’t an option anymore. She had been avoiding Alpha Karl all her life, but now his presence loomed like a storm she could no longer outrun.

If she wanted to feed her children, she had no choice but to take this risk—even if it meant standing before the man who once ruined her life.