Chapter 5

“Which invitations,” Matteo spoke without looking up.

His Beta, Carl, stood nearby holding the letters carefully in his hands. “The Crimson Moon Pack has an upcoming wedding,” he said.

At that, a few of the other Lycan commanders exchanged glances.

Among werewolves, Lycans were feared, stronger, rarer, almost untouchable, but the Crimson Moon Pack was not just any pack.

It was the strongest in the werewolf world.

And Alpha Ryan, despite being a bad father, was known as a ruthless and effective leader.

Dante, his gamma, tilted his head slightly. “I think we should attend.”

Carl adjusted his glasses. “They are one of the few packs who paid respects when your parents died.”

That made Matteo pause.

A faint smirk tugged at his lips as something flickered in his memory—someone.

A ginger-haired girl.

“Which daughter?” he asked calmly. Carl blinked, surprised. “It doesn’t specify.”

Matteo gave a low hum and leaned back into his chair, already losing interest as he returned to his documents.

Carl turned toward the door, then hesitated.

“Umm… Victoria came by again,” he added carefully. Matteo didn’t even look up.

“Don’t tell me about irrelevant people to me again.” Carl sighed quietly and left.

A few minutes before midnight…

The room was silent except for the faint scratching of pen on paper. Matteo finally closed the file, pushed back his chair, and stood.

On the balcony, the night air was cold.

He wore relaxed lounge wear, a glass of wine in one hand, a cigarette between his fingers as he leaned against the railing.

He took a slow drag, exhaling into the darkness.

His phone lit up. Unknown number. Another message. A photo appeared.

Victoria.

Dressed in revealing lingerie, posing deliberately for the camera. The angle made her cleavage very visible and her nipples could be seen from the fabric. Under normal circumstances, any man might have reacted.

Matteo stared for a second… then expressionlessly blocked the number.

He picked up his phone and called Carl.

Carl answered half-asleep. “What is it now?” he muttered.

Matteo’s voice was calm. “Tell your sister to stop acting like a prostitute.”

Click.

The call ended.

Carl froze in silence before groaning internally.

Matteo returned his gaze to the night sky, taking another slow drag of his cigarette.

He wasn’t interested in distractions. Not women.

As unbelievable as it may seem, he was waiting. For his mate.

He looked up to the moon in the sky and inwardly cursed the moon goddess

—

Laughter echoed through the training grounds.

Myra moved easily between the fighters, her energy lighter than usual for once. For a brief moment, she almost looked free.

“Myra!” someone called.

A soldier jogged toward her, smiling. Myra turned immediately, her expression brightening. “Kendal!”

She ran toward him without hesitation and jumped into his arms, wrapping her legs lightly around his waist.

Kendal caught her effortlessly, steadying her with a soft laugh as he held her close. Both of them locked eyes. A growl snapped out both of them

A sharp silence fell over the edge of the training grounds.

Aiden stood there, veins throbbed from his forehead, his wolf was clearly agitated with the fact that his mate was cozying up to a man. Moreso the man that Kylie was infatuated with. Kendall was also Myra’s best friend, basically childhood sweethearts but they had no feelings attached because they held intense value for their mates.

Aiden's expression darkened instantly.

The mate bond inside him reacted violently, a low, suffocating pressure building in his chest.

Kendal, unaware of the tension, kept Myra steady, smiling at her as they spoke quietly.

That was when Myra noticed Aiden.She snickered when she saw Aiden's reaction and leaned closer to Kendal.

Aiden’s eyes sharpened. “Get away from him, Myra,” he said coldly.

His voice cut through the air like a blade.

“Or what? The Beta should not involve himself in matters concerning an ex-convict,” he added, voice controlled but dangerous. “Respect yourself and focus on what matters… like your wedding”

Myra tilted her head. Then smiled. A little too sweetly.

She winked at Kendal.

Kendal smiled cooperatively and held her waist tighter pulling her close. He too had a grudge to settle.

Before anyone could react, his fist slammed into Kendal’s face.

Once. Twice. Again and again. Each hit carried more force, more frustration, all his pent up emotions releasing, Kendal tried to defend himself, but against the Beta, he stood no chance.

“Stop it!” A commanding voice cut through the chaos.

His presence alone forced stillness into the air. Aiden froze mid-motion, chest rising and falling heavily as he stepped back from Kendal, his jaw clenched tight.

Kendal staggered but remained upright, wiping blood from his lip.

Myra rushed to his side immediately.