Prologue
"I'm pregnant," I mumbled, hardly believing my own words as pain ripped through me and my eyes welled up with tears. The world around me seemed to spin as I struggled to comprehend the reality of the situation. Just moments before, I had seen him kissing her, and the sight had made me sick to my stomach. How could they do this to me? I felt betrayed, hurt, and alone, and I didn't know how I was going to get through this. The pain in my chest was almost unbearable, and I wondered if I would ever be able to trust anyone again. The door creaked as I watched them together, my heart pounding in my chest. He was holding her so close to him, kissing her again and again on our bed. The bed that we had shared ever since we had marked each other as mates. I had been so excited to tell him my news, to share with him the joy of our new little life growing inside of me. We were finally going to be parents and complete our little family together. But now, all of that was gone, shattered by his betrayal. I felt a wave of anger and sadness wash over me as I realized that everything we had built together had been built on a lie. The tears streamed down my face as I turned away from them, my heart heavy with grief and pain. "Wow, it looks as if you are both enjoying yourself!" I shouted, my voice echoing off the walls. They both jumped apart, the look of guilt in his eyes when he saw me. I could feel the anger and pain coursing through my veins as I realized that he had betrayed me in the worst possible way. He was supposed to be my mate, the one person who would always be there for me, and yet he had thrown it all away for a cheap thrill. I turned away from him, my heart heavy with sorrow and regret. I knew that this was the right thing to do, but it still hurt so much to let him go. "Oh my goddess, Catarina, this is not what you think," my stupid best friend, Tara tried to reason with me, but I was too disgusted by her. She was no friend. I wanted to hurt her and rip her apart, but I couldn't shift. I was pregnant now, and I had to think about my unborn child. Despite the anger and pain that I felt, I knew that I couldn't let my emotions get the better of me. I took a deep breath and turned away from them, my heart heavy with sorrow and regret. I knew that I would have to deal with the aftermath of this betrayal, but for now, I needed to focus on taking care of myself and my baby. “Get out of here. NOW!” Lochlan shouted in his alpha tone to Tara who grabbed her dress and hurried out of the room. I could not bare to look at him. I was too disgusted. I was his Luna, his queen and yet this is how he treated me behind my back. I turned on my heel and ran away as fast as I could. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I tried to put as much distance between us as possible. I knew he was behind me, and I could hear his footsteps getting closer and closer. Suddenly, I felt him grab me and whirl me around to face him. He was still half-dressed, but his eyes were full of anger and hurt. I refused to look at him, my body shaking with emotion. My wolf whimpered at our mate's touch, torn between the desire to be close to him and the need to protect our heart. He was not supposed to betray me like this, and now all I wanted was to get away from him. I could not think straight, and I needed time to sort out my feelings and figure out what to do next. “Look at me, my Luna.” He placed a finger under my chin and I cursed the stupid mate bond for making me feel such sparks of excitement at his mere touch. “Let me go, please.” I begged, tears falling down my cheeks as he wiped them away. My heart was broken. I pushed him away with all of my might, shocked at my reaction, he stumbled back. I took that chance and ran. "Catarina, please let me explain," Lochan shouted after me. But I didn't want to hear his excuses. I was tired of being lied to and betrayed. I needed to take some time for myself and figure out what I wanted. "I need some space," I said, not looking back at him. "I need to think things through." With that, I walked away, my heart heavy with pain and regret. I knew that this was going to be a difficult journey, but I was determined to come out stronger on the other side. "You do not get to leave me," he growled, grabbing me and shoving me back into the room. My heart pounded in my chest as I realized that he wasn't going to let me go so easily. I could feel the fear and anger rising up inside of me as I realized that I was trapped. But I refused to let him see my weakness. I stood tall and met his gaze, my eyes blazing with defiance. "I can leave you whenever I want," I said, my voice steady and strong. "You have no control over me. Not anymore. In fact you disgust me.” "You can't leave me," he said, desperation creeping into his voice. "My wolf needs you, I need you, so why would you leave?" I looked at him, my heart heavy with sadness. I knew that I couldn't stay with him, not after everything that had happened.. "I'm not leaving because I want to," I said softly. "I'm leaving because I have to.” I shook my head sadly and he stood silent for a moment. "I, Catarina Greys, reject you, Lochan Lakes, as my mate," I said firmly, looking him dead in the eye. The words seemed to rip his heart out, and I could feel the pain radiating off of him. But I knew that I had to be true to myself, even if it meant hurting him. "I'm sorry," I said softly, my voice barely above a whisper. "But I can't be with someone who doesn't respect me." He looked at me, his eyes filled with pain and confusion. "Please forgive me?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper. I shook my head. I had to go. “Accept my rejection. You and that hoe are welcome to each other.” I spat angrily, not being able to bring myself to say her name. Lochlan was not the one I thought he was, I had loved him with every bit of me. What a waste of time. Now I had to think about my pup that was currently growing inside of me. He could never know about that, he would surely never let me go. I knew that without me by his side he could have that bitch instead. “Let me go.” I yanked my arm from him and kicked him between the legs which caused him to shriek out in pain. “I will never accept your rejection!” He growled after me and those were the last words I heard from him.The grand halls of the royal kingdom pulsed with electric energy as I stood before King Alex. The anticipation hung in the air, crackling like lightning in a summer storm. This was it, the moment that could change the course of my pack's destiny. As the king offered to join forces, a mischievous glimmer danced in his eyes, hinting at a depth of excitement that mirrored my own. The king's words swirled around me, wrapping me up in a whirlwind of possibilities.m "You, Lochlan, and your pack are invited to become an integral part of our kingdom," the king proclaimed. "With your unique strengths and the royal resources at our disposal, together we can conquer any challenge. Our unity will be a force to be reckoned with, legendary in its power and scope." My heart raced in my chest, and adrenaline surged through my veins. This was more than just an offer of allegiance. It was an opportunity for growth, greatness, and the realisation of dreams that had long been whispered beneath moon
Catarina’s POV I watched as David was pulled down from the pillar and taken down to the cell block, I felt glad to see hom go. He deserved it after all the pain that he had inflicted onto this kingdom. I gazed down at my twins, a mix of conflicting emotions flooding my heart. Lochlan, the man who had caused me so much pain in the past, was now transforming before us. It was a surreal moment, one where I questioned everything I had ever believed. Part of me had always wanted to shield my precious twins from Lochlan, to protect them from the darkness that had seeped into my life because of him. But something had changed, not just within Lochlan, but within me too. Perhaps, against all odds, he deserved a chance to be a part of their lives. Lost for words, I looked from my children to Lochlan, searching for answers within their innocent eyes. As if sensing my internal struggle, Alex, my partner, wrapped an arm around my waist, offering his unwavering support. His wor
Lochlan’s POV “Keep your filthy mitts off of my Queen and if anyone dares to harm a hair on their bodies then they will have me to answer to.” Alex roared as he pulled Catarina, Mindy and the twins behind him, his eyes ablaze with fury and anger. “Mindy. I apologise for assuming you had anything to do with this bizarre situation. Lochlan perhaps you should deal with your Beta before my guards end his life here and now.” I watched as Alex’s men stood by keeping my every move in their sight as if they thought that I would suddenly command my own men to lunge out at the King. No, I wanted peace. I wanted to be a better alpha than I had been. All these members of my own pack looked up to me all this time that I had been their Alpha. David would not be able to take that away from me. “Enough. Pack. Listen up. I am your alpha. We are not at war with King Alex or Queen Catarina. What's done is done! My word is final. Now restrain
Catarina’s POV “Mindy, tell me. Is there not a hidden door in case of emergencies?” Mindy's eyes widened slightly, and she glanced around nervously before speaking. "I... I can't say for sure," she replied cautiously. "There have been rumours, whispers of a hidden door, but it's mostly speculation. No one knows for sure. “Ok. Mindy, we have to find out. We can't afford to be trapped here if something goes wrong." My heart raced as I looked at Mindy, her eyes filled with uncertainty. We had been trapped in the safe room, but staying there indefinitely was not an option. Danger loomed outside, threatening the safety of my precious twins, Nadia and Nathan. We needed to escape the clutches of my old pack, who would stop at nothing to claim the children since their father was the alpha of our old pack. Convincing Mindy to leave the safe room, however, was no easy task. She was loyal to the King's orders, but this was my twin's lives at stake. "Mi
Alex’s POV My heart raced as I swiftly carried Catarina over my shoulder, determined to reach the safe room where I knew the twins would find solace in her presence. The corridors seemed endless. A labyrinth of uncertainty mirrored the chaos outside. I knew time was of the essence, and I couldn't let anything happen to my queen or those precious twins. With each step, my mind raced, replaying the events that had led us to this moment. Everything had unfolded at a breakneck pace, leaving little room for thought or hesitation. But I was glad that Lochlan had agreed with me, for despite our differences, we both recognised the importance of keeping Catarina and the twins out of harm's way. Finally reaching the safe room, I gently placed Catarina down and pulled the heavy door shut behind me. It was sealed with a resounding thud, providing a barrier between the outside world and the sanctuary within. This was where Catarina and the twins would be protected, shielde
Catarina's POV As the sounds of the approaching danger intensified, my thoughts involuntarily turned towards my precious twins. Their innocent faces flashed before my eyes, their laughter echoing in my mind. A wave of protectiveness washed over me, engulfing my every thought. I couldn't help but imagine their confusion and fear, unaware of the impending danger that loomed over us. Images of their wide-eyed innocence mixed with the harsh reality of the situation, amplifying my instincts to keep them safe at all costs. They were my world, my reason for fighting. Even in the midst of this chaos, I could almost feel their warmth against my skin and their tiny hands clutching mine. Their safety became my unwavering determination, driving my actions and choices. I couldn't bear the thought of them being harmed in any way. But as much as I longed to gather them in my arms and shield them from harm, I knew I had to trust in the protection my mate provided. I believed in his streng
Alex’s POV The sound of footsteps echoed down the corridor and I thought I was dreaming when I heard her voice. "Alex!" Hearing her soft and beautiful voice made my heart skip a beat, a surge of hope and relief flooding my veins. Catarina had found me. Finally. Everything was going to be alright. But as my eyes followed her gaze, my breath caught in my throat. Standing behind her, the very embodiment of betrayal, was Lochlan. What was he doing with her? How could she stand beside him? Why was he not dead? A seething rage coursed through my body, overpowering any semblance of calm that remained. "Get away from her!" I growled, my voice laced with anger and protectiveness. Each word dripped with venom, a warning to Lochlan that he had trespassed too far. Catarina's eyes widened in surprise, her delicate features mirroring the confusion and conflict that waged within her. She reached out a gentle hand, a plea for understanding in her touch. “Alex, please," sh
Catarina’s POV I couldn't believe I was even considering trusting him again. After everything he had done to put me in this situation, how could I possibly let myself be vulnerable to him? Was I being foolish? Were there any other options? "Fine. I'll give you a chance," I sneered, my voice dripping with bitterness. "But let me make myself clear, Lochlan. If you so much as think about deceiving me, I'll tear you apart, limb by limb. It's what you deserve, after all the pain you've caused." He nodded, a mix of regret and determination in his eyes. "I know I've wronged you in the past," he confessed softly. "But believe me, I want to make things right. I want to show you I can be a better man." As he spoke, a war raged within me. The memories of his betrayal were fresh and painful, yet a small part of me yearned for redemption. Could he truly change? Could I find it in myself to trust him again? Only time would tell. "Actions speak louder than words, Lochlan,"
Lochlan’s POV In the heat of the moment, a surge of anger coursed through my veins as I confronted my Beta about his disrespectful treatment towards Catarina. My voice carried a low growl as I locked eyes with him, throwing a warning look his way. How could he disregard the years of loyalty and dedication she had shown our pack? Yet, instead of showing remorse or understanding, David let out a callous laughter, dismissing my concerns as if they were inconsequential. The audacity of his actions surprised me, for he had never before displayed such blatant disregard for my authority. "She shot me," he sneered, his voice dripping with contempt. "She abandoned her pack and left you weak. And let's not forget, she ran off with your heirs, keeping them away from their true family. Why should I have any respect for her? She is no longer worthy of being our Luna." His words pierced through me like a dagger, stirring a mix of emotions within. Yes, Catarina had made choices that brok