Chapter Thirty Seven : SmarterCara's POVThe room was quiet save for the soft crackling of the fire. The dim light had long shadows cast upon the walls, and the room seemed unusually chilly despite warmth in the air. I was sitting on the edge of my own bed, staring at myself in the mirror at the far end of the room.I should have been sleeping, but my mind would not quiet.Too much had happened.Too many betrayals.I placed my hand upon my stomach, pressing down lightly into the life pulsating softly within me. My pup. The only thing that had kept me from shattering completely.My entire life, I'd been instructed that I was weak, an omega nothing but a liability. That was a lie.I didn't require proof.I wasn't weak.I'd been a warrior.Before Caleb had cast me aside, I had trained with some of the best fighters in his pack. I had battled with ferocity in combat, defended my people, and proved myself time and time again. My body might have been warped into the form of an omega, but n
Chapter Thirty-Eight: The TrapCara’s POVVanessa’s smirk faltered, just for a second. Just long enough for me to see the tiniest crack in her confidence. She expected me to be weak, to be swaying from whatever poison she thought she had fed me.But I was smarter.I stayed slumped in the chair, pretending to struggle, letting my eyelids flutter as if I were losing consciousness. The moment stretched between us, her breath coming in excited little pants as she thought she was watching me crumble.“Poor little Cara,” she whispered, crouching next to me. “I almost feel bad for you.”I made my body shudder. Let my fingers twitch. Made my breath come shallow.Vanessa let out a quiet laugh, victorious.And then, I struck.With a sudden movement, I shot forward, grabbing her by the collar of her dress and yanking her toward me. Her gasp was sharp, eyes widening in terror as she realized too late—she had been the fool, not me.“Surprise,” I whispered, my grip tightening around the fabric.Van
Chapter Thirty Nine : The Plan Of SchemeCara’s PovJust then, the door burst open, and Luna stepped in. Her presence filled the room with authority, her eyes scanning the situation carefully. It was as if the air in the room changed the moment she arrived, demanding attention and obedience.“What is going on here?” she demanded, her sharp gaze moving between me, Liam, and Vanessa.Vanessa turned to her instantly, her tears falling even faster. “Luna,” she gasped, her voice shaking. “Thank the Moon Goddess you’re here! Cara—she attacked me. And now, she’s lying about me poisoning her to make Liam hate me!”My heart pounded in my chest. I should have known she would twist the story even further. Vanessa was a master at playing the victim, making herself look innocent while painting me as the villain.Luna’s eyes narrowed as she looked at me. “Is this true, Cara?”I opened my mouth to speak, but Vanessa cut in before I could even get a word out.“She just wants Liam to hate me!” she cri
Chapter Forty : Recue In The DarkSophia’s POVI wiped the sweat off my forehead as I walked back from the training ground. My whole body ached, but I felt happy. After so many days of training, I was finally good at fighting. Cara would be proud of me. She always told me to be strong, to never give up. I couldn’t wait to tell her.As I entered the packhouse, I smiled to myself. I was already imagining Cara’s reaction. She would probably hug me and say, I knew you could do it!I hurried toward her room, excited to share the news. But as I got closer, something felt wrong. The door was slightly open, and the air inside the room felt cold.I stepped inside.My heart stopped.Cara was lying on the floor. She wasn’t moving. Her eyes were closed, and her breathing was slow—too slow.“Cara?” My voice shook as I ran to her side. “Cara, wake up!”She didn’t respond.I placed my hand on her face. She was so cold. My chest tightened in fear. What happened to her? She was fine before!I touched
Chapter Forty One: The Alpha’s DilemmaAlpha Damon’s POVI stood by the bedside, watching Cara as she lay there, her face pale and her breathing slow. She looked fragile, nothing like the warrior I had once known. But I knew better than to be fooled by appearances. Cara was strong. She had always been.I knew her well, not personally, but her reputation spoke for itself. She was once a fierce warrior of the Winder Pack, one of the best fighters they had. Then, suddenly, she became Liam’s mate in Silver Pack Caleb. It never made sense to me. How could someone like her go from being a warrior to the Luna of another pack?Her story was complicated, and I had too many questions.Why was she here?If she was truly Liam’s mate, why wasn’t she in Silver Pack with him?And most importantly—why would she need medical treatment from my pack when Silver Pack Caleb had great doctors of their own?I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong.I turned to Sophia, who had brought her here.
Chapter One hundred and Six: Unmasked Secrets Cara's POV A pounding headache throbbed inside my head as I gradually awoke. My body felt leaden, my limbs trembling. My last recollection was the argument with Liam, the scorching pinch of a needle, and then—nothing. I blinked, my vision blurry at first, but then the room came into focus. It was unfamiliar. The air smelled different, like pine trees and fresh earth. This wasn’t Silver Pack Caleb. “Cara! You’re awake!” A voice I knew shook me out of my reverie. I looked up to see Sophia beside my bed, a radiant smile on her face illuminating it. Her eyes sparkled as if she had worried for eternity. "You scared me," she said, her hand sweeping lightly over my arm. "I thought we lost you." I tried to sit up, but my body fought me. A splintering pain shot through my arm, and I winced. "Don't move so much," Sophia warned. "You're too weak." I took slow breaths, my mind reeling with questions. "Where am I? I here’s Liam" I demanded. S
Chapter Forty Three: Bound by the AlphaCara's POVThree days.Three days ago is when Sophia left me off with Alpha Damon's pack. Three days ago is when I saw her face, a mixture of worry and distress, begging Damon to keep me safe. Three days of being locked inside this healer's home, with nothing but my own mind and the occasional visit from Damon and the doctor.The room was filled with the aroma of herbs and wet soil, a smell that reminded me I was still convalescing. My body was stronger now, but my head was as fatigued as the day I awoke here.I had barely spoken to anyone except Damon and the doctor. The pack members would have known I was there, but no one approached me. No one inquired about who I was.Maybe they didn't care.Maybe they already understood.The sun streamed through the small window when I rolled over beneath the dense blanket. My body ached still, and I was happy at least to be able to leave bed without nearly falling to the floor.As if sensing I was changing
Chapter Forty Four: Uncontrollable DesireAlpha Damon’s POVThe night was quiet, but my mind was anything but.I sat in my office, staring at the untouched glass of whiskey on my desk, my fingers tapping against the wood in frustration. It had been three days since Cara arrived, and yet, she still refused to trust me. She barely spoke to me unless necessary, and even then, her words were cold, distant.I should have let her leave. I should have respected her decision. But I couldn’t.Not because she was a warrior. Not because she was valuable. But because I wanted her.My wolf had been restless ever since she set foot in my pack. It was an unfamiliar feeling, one that made it hard to focus, hard to think straight. Every time I caught her scent, my control wavered. Every time I looked at her, my wolf growled in frustration, demanding that I take her, claim her.But she didn’t trust me.She thought I was like Caleb and Liam—men who had used her, betrayed her. And the more she pushed me
Chapter 162: Cara Deceit Failed Damon’s POVI held Sophia tightly in my arms as I walked into the pack house.My chest still burned with anger. My heart still beat very fastBut all I could think of was her—how small she felt, how cold her skin was, how tired her eyes looked.I kicked open the door to my private quarters. The maids rushed forward, shocked to see her like this. I said nothing.No one needed to speak. They saw it on my face. They saw the danger in my silence.“Leave,” I told them.And they left.I laid Sophia gently on the bed, still holding her hand. Her lips were dry. Her eyes were barely open. She had been through hell, andg she still didn’t complain“You’re home,” I whispered. “You’re safe now, Sophia. I’m here.”She didn’t say anything. She just blinked slowly, like she was still trying to believe it.I stood up and ran to the bathroom.I filled the tub with warm water and laid out soft towels.Then I came back, picked her up again, and carried her to the bathroom
Chapter One Hundred and Sixty-OneFree From Her CaptiveSophia's POVI sat on the filthy, cold floor of the empty building, my knees up to my chest, my arms wrapped tightly around them. My whole body ached—my legs, my back, my shoulders. Everything hurt. My head throbbed from the slap Cara had given me. My lips were parched, my belly grumbled, but I couldn't eat. I just couldn't. Not when my heart was filled with so much fear.I was tired. Tired of crying. Tired of waiting.But still. I waited.For him.Damon.Please, Damon. come.I couldn't help but replay that moment when Caleb finally handed me his phone and said, "Text him. Tell him where you are. He'll come for you."I had stared at the phone like it was a gift from heaven. I typed the message with shaky hands. And now. I waited. Again.Each sound outside made me jump. Each creak of wood. Each sigh of wind. My eyes would flicker to the door, hoping… praying… but nothing. Just shadows and silence.Caleb stood at the broken window,
Chapter One Hundred and SixtyI Know You're LyingDamon's POVI sat myself on the bedside.Staring at my phone.So many thoughts in my head. I did not eat. I did not sleep. I had not even showered. I kept waiting for a call, a text. something.It did.My phone lit up. A text was sent.From Sophia.My fingers shook as I held the phone. My heart was pounding."Damon, I'm in an old building by the river beside the nearby pack, Come. Don't tell Cara I sent this. I'm fine but scared. I need you."I stood there, I couldn’t believe it.I couldn't believe it. My chest expanded and contracted quickly. My eyes scanned the words over and over.She's alive.Sophia is alive.But… trapped?And she asked me not to tell Cara.Why?I sprang up in a flash, prepared to dash out of the room. I had to reach her. I didn't have a moment to spare.But then—The door creaked open.Cara stood in the doorway.She was smiling.Her hair was tucked neatly back, her dress perfect as ever. But I saw nothing but dark
Chapter 159 – A Glimmer of HopeSophia's POVThe walls that closed in around me were damp, cold, and cracked. I was on the floor in the corner of the empty room, my arms sore from having them tied behind my back for so long. My ankles were scraped and bruised. The ground was hard. The air smelled of dust, mold, and old paint. It was the kind of place you leave people to be forgotten.But I wasn't forgotten.Not yet.I hadn't eaten for a day—maybe two days. My lips were dry. My stomach growled in pain, not just hunger. But I didn't eat the food they'd brought before. I couldn't. Every bite would be like giving up. And I wasn't ready to quit.Suddenly, the door opened again.I looked up, expecting Cara to enter and taunt me for my misery. But it wasn't her.It was Caleb.He entered quietly, holding a small tray. On it was a piece of bread, a small bowl of scrambled eggs, and a bottle of water. He set it down quietly next to me, kneeling to my level."You have to eat," he said softly.I
Chapter 158 – Trapped in DeceptionDamon's POVThe air was thick in my study. Tension-charged. A burning heat radiated in my chest from a pain that had no reason behind it. A mixture of anger, fear, and confusion.Sophia was nowhere to be found.I had attempted. Texted. Waited.Nothing.She always kept her word. Always told me where she was going to be.But now… nothing.Lucas sat across from me, his hands flying quickly across the tablet screen. He had been quiet the last few minutes, trying to track Cara's phone. The guards we'd sent had lost Sophia. And now Cara too.I did not want to think it. I did not want to believe that Cara was involved. But every fiber of my being was screaming otherwise."Any signal?" I asked, my throat scratchy."Not yet," said Lucas. "Just another second or two. If she's got her phone on, we'll pinpoint it."Before he could finish speaking, the study door creaked open.I raised my head hastily.And there she was.Cara.Craddling the baby in her arms.My h
Chapter one hundred and fifty seven Suspect Damon's POVI waited in the study, staring at the clock.More than when she was supposed to call. I had told her to message me or call me the moment she arrived at the location Alec Davis had given her. She promised she would. I believed her. I believed she would keep herself safe.Too long. Too silence now.I picked up my phone and dialed her again.It rang once.And then twice.And then went to voicemail.I stared at the screen, my heart pounding. I tried a third time. Still nothing.A thunderous knock on the door caused me to look up."Come in," I said, attempting to sound calm.Lucas came in, holding a small tablet. I could tell from his face that something was wrong."We've got a problem, Alpha," he told me. "The guards we sent to tail Sophia… they lost her."My heart sank."Lost her?" I repeated, my voice even.What does that even mean?."She went into the building," he explained. "But she never came out. The guards stayed, maybe thi
Chapter 156 : Trapped By CaraThe streets were deserted as I walked to the destination I had been sent. It was an old street, near the town center, yet still deserted enough to make me get a bit apprehensive. I held my phone tight.And then suddenly—A heavy sound behind me.Before I could even turn, someone grabbed me hard from behind. A fist closed over my mouth. I struggled, kicked, screamed — but the rag over my mouth muffled my cry.I was pulled back, through an alley. My heart thudded so violently I thought it would burst.I caught sight of the shape of a broken-down, falling building — the windows broken, the walls cracked. My gut wrenched.They shoved me in.The air was thick with dust and mold. I was tied at the wrists. My mouth was open, my throat dry."W-What's going on?" I gasped. "Let me go!"And then I saw her.Cara.She stepped out of the darkness as if catwalking down a catwalk. Unfazed. Unapologetic. Evil.Caleb was behind her. He turned his head aside when I tried to
Chapter 155 :?The Weight in My Chest(Damon's POV)The air in my study was stale. The room smelled of old pages and quiet reflection. I had a book in my hand, but I wasn't reading. My eyes had been on the same line for the past five minutes. My mind wasn't calm.Not since that message came.Alec Davis — the name that had been so important to Sophia. Her favorite author. The one author who had written stories that had comforted her when the world had been cruel.Now that same author wanted to meet her in person. Alone.I didn't care for it. Not at all. It was strange. It felt too abrupt. Too personal. And something in the message… it had my wolf unsettle with unease.Just then, the door to our bedroom opened.Sophia stepped out. She wore light jeans and a soft cream-colored sweater. Her hair was brushed back neatly. She looked beautiful, but her face carried excitement, like a child about to meet her hero.“Damon,” she said gently.I turned in my chair, eyes meeting hers.“I’m getting
Chapter one hundred and fifty four : Cara's BargainPOV: CaraIt was cold air, night air, gliding down my body like a caress. I walked through the woods, taking my time, no hurry. My black trench coat was enveloped around me, heels of shoes sinking delicately into sodden ground as I went deeper into the trees. The moon was silver, distant, cold—like I am tonight.I'd given the message to Caleb hours ago. He responded right away."Same location. Midnight."This is the time I need Caleb the most, I know he doesn’t like Damon, and this is the time for me to act like I care about him.I smiled as I walked towards the small cabin hidden at the edge of the border, a place that only the two of us knew. A place that was filled with tired memories, lust, lies… and now, a new plan.The door was already open before I could knock.He stood there, big and broad, still with that same obstinate look he always had. Caleb. My history. My instrument."Cara," he said coldly. "What are you doing here?""