Chapter 4

Nessa POV

FIVE YEARS LATER

It has been five years since my mate enslaved me… and our child.

The thought lingered in my mind as chains encircled my feet, biting into my skin—binding me like a criminal.

I was dressed in tattered clothes. My hair hung in tangled knots, dirt smeared across my face, and my toes slipped out of damp, worn slippers.

“Will you walk faster, you bitch?” one of Blaze’s men sneered, his voice thick with fury as he swung a horsewhip in his hand.

My chest tightened. I swallowed the storm of thoughts clawing through my mind as the chains rattled against the ground—a heavy, dragging sound that echoed in my ears with every step I took.

“He took everything from us…” I murmured, my voice heavy with sorrow.

The pain of the past years surged through me—fresh, as though it had all happened yesterday.

Tears burned in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall.

The caring, supportive Blaze I once knew had vanished the moment Kaleb was born. In his place stood a monster who subjected me to ridicule… every single day.

Sharp gravel tore into my feet, but I endured it.

For Kaleb.

My survival—he was the only thing that mattered.

The cold bite of metal seeped into my bones, my legs trembling under the strain, but I pushed forward.

“I had to scrape together everything I had… just to get this cupcake for Kaleb,” I whispered, my breathing ragged as the chains clanked with every step.

My fingers tightened around the small treat in my palm, holding onto it like it was the only thing keeping me going.

“But the look on his face… will be worth it,” I added softly.

I staggered forward, panting heavily, until the pack house finally came into view. Blaze’s men flanked me on both sides, their eyes filled with nothing but hatred.

The man beside me reached into his pocket and pulled out a bunch of keys. His gaze lingered on me, making my skin crawl.

“Don’t try to run,” he muttered coldly. “Or you’ll regret ever being born.”

The chains fell away with a metallic clink.

My steps were slow as I walked inside, blood trailing beneath my feet—staining my slippers a deep crimson.

“Mommy!”

Kaleb’s voice rang out the moment I stepped in.

My heart swelled.

“Kaleb…” I smiled, lifting my hand weakly as he ran toward me with all his might.

“How was your first day at school?” I asked, gently rubbing his hair.

A shy blush crept onto his face.

“Mommy got you something,” I whispered, my voice soft—fragile.

“Is it from Daddy?” he asked, excitement lighting up his eyes.

The question pierced straight through me.

For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.

I forced a smile, though it felt like my heart was breaking all over again.

“Yes… it’s from Daddy.”

I placed the cupcake in his small palm.

Blaze had never once looked at his son since the day he was born… yet all Kaleb wanted was his love.

Before I could say anything else, heavy footsteps echoed through the hall.

I slowly lifted my head.

Britney.

She walked in with her son at her side, enforcers trailing behind her.

My body tensed instantly.

“Caught you, you disgusting thief,” she snarled, marching forward and grabbing my arm roughly.

Her grip was iron.

“What… have I done wrong?” I asked, my voice thin.

“You stole from us again,” she snapped, yanking my hair.

Pain exploded across my scalp.

“Let me go!” I cried out as her nails dug into my skin, something warm—metallic—dripping onto the floor.

My knees buckled, every joint in my body screaming as if my bones were being torn apart.

“You filthy barn rat!” she sneered. “How dare you steal from this pack after we spared you and that runt’s life?”

Her eyes were cold. Unforgiving.

“What did I steal?” I forced out.

“The cupcake.”

I froze.

“I didn’t steal anything,” I said, my voice shaking. “My son deserves to eat too.”

“Deserves?” she echoed, her lips curling.

Then she leaned closer, her breath brushing against my ear.

“My son is Alpha Blaze’s nephew… the only legitimate Ashclaw heir.”

My eyes widened.

The room fell into a suffocating silence.

“No…” I shook my head, fists clenching. “My son is the legitimate heir.”

“Now that my mate is dead,” she continued smoothly, “I will make Alpha Blaze mine.”

The words knocked the air out of my lungs.

“I will be Luna,” she said with a grin, “and my son will be the future Alpha.”

Rage boiled inside me, hot and uncontrollable.

“I am still Blaze’s mate,” I said coldly. “He will never bond with you.”

She laughed.

“And I already have a son with Blaze,” I added, my voice trembling. “Kaleb is his child.”

“Stop spreading your filthy lies,” she growled.

“You’re in my way.”

Her hand struck me hard across the face.

“I’m not afraid of you,” I said, lifting my head to meet her gaze.

Her expression darkened.

“Oh, I’ll make sure you are,” she spat.

“Don’t hurt my mum!” Kaleb cried, stepping in front of me, his tiny arms stretched wide like a shield.

“Bow down to me, you filthy peasant,” Ronan ordered with a sly smile.

My heart dropped.

Before I could move—

Ronan’s fist slammed into Kaleb’s stomach.

My vision blurred as I jumped.

“Stay away from my son!” I screamed, my voice tearing through the air as I forgot my place and slapped him!