NOT EXPECTED

CLARK POV

The branch cracked under the force of my grip, splintering in my hand before I kicked it into the woods with a sharp swing of my leg. The anger boiling inside me was a constant companion, a fire that had burned relentlessly for five years—since the day I was banished, betrayed, and humiliated. Five years of pain and growth, of transforming into a fighter.

But most importantly, it had been four years since I gave birth to my son, Lorenzo.

He was my anchor, my reason to endure. Every breath I took was for him. And now, after years of grueling training, I was finally ready to face Alpha Lucian and Sarah. Not for peace or reconciliation, but for revenge.

A few months ago, I learned that Sarah had become Lucian’s Luna and bore him a son three years ago. Their betrayal stung anew, the wound fresh despite the years that had passed. Lucian had used me, manipulated me, and discarded me for her. I had been foolish to love him, to trust him.

But that woman he betrayed me for? That man who cast me aside? They would pay.

No longer was I the weak, gullible girl I once was. I was Clark now—a warrior forged by suffering, a mother fueled by fierce determination. And I would make them regret ever crossing me.

Speaking of the old cargo. He has been the father figure I never had since I never got to know my parents and grew up as an orphan. He had and will always be my motivation, while Lorenzo was my strength; both of them are my family, and I wouldn't trade them for anything else.

It has been an hour since he should have arrived at our training site, so why hasn't he? I'd just go check up on him; besides, I was already exhausted.

Thinking of Lorenzo brought a rare smile to my face. My son was my pride, a brave and spirited boy with the heart of a warrior. Though I left him in Grandpa Fritz’s care during training, I knew he was likely giving him trouble. Still, I trusted him to follow my instructions—never to engage in a fight without my consent.

The thought of holding him again quickened my steps toward the cottage. But the sight that greeted me froze me mid-stride. A figure lay sprawled on the ground outside, blood pooling beneath him. My heart stuttered as I recognized the insignia on his tunic: a warrior from the Red Moon Pack.

*Lorenzo!*

Panic surged through me as I dropped my bag and bolted for the door. The sound of a scuffle echoed from inside.

“Lorenzo!” Grandpa Fritz’s voice roared before being abruptly silenced.

I burst through the door just in time to see him pushed aside. A sword pierced his chest, the blade slick with his blood.

“Grandpa!” I screamed, rushing to his side as he crumpled to the floor. Blood bubbled from his lips, and his breath grew shallow.

“Clark…” he rasped, his voice trembling but resolute. “Don’t… cry. It’s time for this old man… to rest. But promise me… promise me you’ll protect my great-grandchild… and you’ll… triumph.”

“I promise,” I sobbed, clutching his limp hand. Tears streamed down my cheeks as his body went still, his gaze fixed in eternal silence.

My grip on him tightened as I cuddled him to myself and let out a deafening scream.

A cold voice interrupted my grief.

“The Alpha has requested your presence,” a woman said behind me. Her tone was laced with cruelty. “Come quietly, or your son will join the old man.”

My gaze darted to Lorenzo, who was clutching a chair, his tear-streaked face filled with terror. Fury overtook my sorrow. Lucian had tracked me down, killed my mentor, and now threatened my child?

For a good five years, I always told myself that I might have misunderstood Lucian, that I must have been wrong, but how stupid I was. I wouldn't let this slip, never would I! I wanted to postpone their death sentence, but it seems they crave death.

They wanted me to come willingly? Fine. I would play along—for now.

“If your Alpha wants me so badly,” I snarled, standing to face her, “then I’ll come. But tell him this: he will regret it.”

____

The journey to the Red Moon Pack was silent except for Lorenzo’s soft sobs. He clung to me, his small hands trembling. Each cry chipped away at my resolve, but I forced myself to remain stoic. I had to be strong for him.

The car came to a stop, and I stepped out, gripping Lorenzo’s hand tightly. The pack’s manor loomed before me, a place that once felt like home but now only ignited my hatred.

The guards led us inside, and there they stood. Lucian and Sarah.

The sight of them stirred a storm within me. Lucian’s eyes met mine, a mix of guilt and sorrow swirling in his gaze, and for a second, I felt pity for him, and that quickly faded away, replaced with a grieved smirk on my lips, knowing fully well why he was like that.

It turned out that his almighty mother, the former Luna who despised me, was sick and needed a healer to cure her, or she had passed on. Unfortunately for them, I was the only healer in their pack and, judging from the fact that I stayed with a healer for five years, they believed my skills would have improved, which they were right about, and now they wanted me to cure their mother.

“Come in, Clark; mother needs your help”, Lucian breathed out.

Whatever regret he felt now would never undo the damage he caused.

“Clark,” I corrected sharply. “And for the record, I wouldn’t step foot in this place if my life depended on it.”

His jaw clenched, the regret in his eyes hardening into a glare. “That wasn’t a request. It was an order…or you'll be dragged in.”

“I don’t take orders from you, Lucian,” I hissed. “Drag me in if you dare, but know this: if you try, I’ll make sure your mother suffers a slow and painful death.”

He stiffened, and I smirked, savouring his helplessness. He was the Alpha here, yet he couldn’t touch me.

“What will it take to get you inside?” he demanded.

I glanced at Sarah, who stood beside him seething with anger. “Nothing much,” I said with a mocking smile. “I want a special carpet to walk on. Specifically, your Luna’s body.”

Sarah’s face twisted with rage. “You insolent, wolfless wretch! How dare you…”

“Enough!” Lucian barked, cutting her off. “Do it.”

Sarah’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You want me to…”

Before she could finish, Lucian shoved her to the ground. She landed with a graceless thud, her face pressed against the floor.

I stepped forward, pressing my foot onto her head, forcing her to remain in place. “Now this,” I said with a wicked grin, “is a fitting welcome.”

With Lorenzo in tow, I walked into the manor, leaving Sarah grovelling behind us. The game had begun, and I would ensure Lucian and Sarah regretted every move they made.