MasukDon Carter's POVThe instant I met Melody, I was hopelessly captivated by her. It wasn't physical—it was something more, something that wound itself around my chest and ignited my wolf, Sid, with yearning. He was agitated from the beginning, growling every time her scent blew near, clawing at my hold the instant her eyes locked with mine. And when she said something, it was done. I couldn't think, couldn't inhale. My whole body was screaming mate.And yet. she didn't sense it.Aren't I supposed to feel the same? That pull? That deep recognition? I could hardly gaze at her without shaking with the exertion of holding Sid back. But Melody? She regarded me as if I was a pest. Worse—a dislikable oaf. Her eyes contained no glimmer of connection, no interest, no hunger. Only gracious distance and the occasional glare.That afternoon, hours back, altered everything and nothing simultaneously. We were two of us in my study, quarreling over strategy and allegiance. Discussing the Alpha King ba
"Melody!"The sudden, acrid echo of my name crashed through the air like a thunderclap, suspending time itself. I stood still."What the hell do you think you're doing?" Jay's voice sliced into the tension like a knife, tearing the moment into ribbons.I lurched backward, my heart pounding as I faced him. His eyes—blazing with anger—met mine. His fingers clenched my arm, hard enough to leave a bruise. The warmth in his touch that I had once known was replaced by a controlling anger that froze me to the bone."Jay?" I panted, shocked. "What are you doing here? You didn't even call me."His lip curled into a sneer-smirk. "Why? Can't I have my fiancée without a call? Hope I'm not interrupting anything," he threw in sharply, staring directly at Alpha Don."No, you're not interrupting anything," I replied hastily, my voice shaking in spite of myself. My brain struggled to find composure. I had to maintain control of the situation.Jay's eyes flashed back to me, cold as a blade. "What do you thi
The next day, I chose a light gray dress—plain and unassuming, yet elegant in cut. Its plainness enabled it to become part of the background without drawing undue attention. Yet, there existed an undeniable elegance in its folds, a subdued sophistication that betrayed practical elegance more than flamboyance. It was a choice made with intention—one that expressed restraint, dignity, and a subtle air of poise worthy of the day to come.It was armor, in its own manner—subtle, unobtrusive, yet calculated. Jay was busy in the meeting room, strategizing with his economic advisor, a fellow who interpreted financial projections the way a general studied maps of battlefields. Their discussion had gone on for an hour already, the ideal amount of time for me to quietly exit unnoticed.I informed Mary that I required some fresh air, and she hardly glanced up at her clipboard before nodding.I walked towards the main square of the city, but this was not where I was actually headed. My actual target
The air in the morning was still crisp when Jay departed for the palace of the Alpha King. The dawn had barely broken, its light gently filtering over the rooftops. His customary calm mask was still in place, but I could detect the tension in his jaw, the pause in his gait. He hadn't spoken much, only a nod and a warning to the guards to be on their guard while he was away.But I knew.I knew he was anxious.He was about to meet the most powerful man in our kingdom, and while Jay never showed vulnerability, this was different. The Alpha King did not give his favor easily.When Jay came back later that day, everything had changed.I was with Mary in the kitchen, assisting her to sift through the herbs that would be used in tonight's tea, when Beta Ken suddenly poked his head into the doorway, his eyes wide with excitement."Miss Melody!" she exclaimed. "Alpha Jay's returned, and he requires your presence in the library immediately."I didn't hesitate. My heart racing, I placed the herb
"You're in a good mood," Mary said, a hint of surprise in her voice as she set a cup of hot tea on the bedside table.I smiled weakly and nodded. "I'm happy because I sensed my wolf a little while ago."It wasn't much, just the slightest stir in my chest, but it was her. My wolf. The connection that we shared had felt severed for so long, smothered under pain and betrayal. But now, something within me had changed. The pain was still present, but I could breathe again. For the first time in some time, I felt. free."I hope she'll return fully," I spoke softly.Mary smiled back at me, obviously attempting not to inquire further. She was aware that when it came to Jay, my replies would never be straightforward. Nevertheless, I could sense she was interested. Perhaps she’s curious why, of all mornings, I appeared calmer.What she didn't understand was that I had made up my mind.I no longer wished to compete with Jay.Whatever I had felt prior to this—love, attachment, desperation—it had started
Melody's POVI was in my bedroom, half-way done preparing the files for Alpha Don's coming meeting, when it struck. A searing agony—like nails scratching my chest from the inside. I let out a gasp, stumbling forward, holding on to the edge of the desk for support. My heart hammered furiously, like it had been pulled by something unseen. My knees almost gave way under me.No… no…" I breathed, laying a hand over my chest. "What is this?"I figured it was a panic attack, initially. Perhaps I was just too tired, too overwhelmed. Perhaps the stress of it all was finally catching up with me. But then the burn arrived. A creeping, searing wave that snuck along my ribs like fire—familiar, and yet terrifying. I had only experienced this type of pain once, previously.The day Jay took Samantha as his partner.The day he allowed her to remain.The day my heart began to shatter.But this—this was far worse.This was betrayal.Raw, intimate, undeniable.The connection between me and Jay had never







