Chapter Sixteen : Taken By My RivalLiam’s POV.I remembered the moment my lips touched Cara’s, she froze for a second, her breath catching as if she wasn’t sure what to do. Her hands tensed against my chest, and I could feel the hesitation in her body, the silent struggle between resistance and desire. But then, slowly, she relaxed.Her lips were soft, warm, and hesitant at first, but as I deepened the kiss, she responded, her fingers curling slightly into my shirt. A quiet sigh escaped her, and that sound sent a rush of heat through me. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer, feeling the way her body fit against mine.Time seemed to slow as I kissed her, savoring every second, every small movement she made. The way her lips parted just enough for me to explore her, the way she shivered slightly when my hand brushed her waist—it was intoxicating.When I finally pulled back, just enough to look into her eyes, I saw the way her cheeks were flushed, her lips slightly swollen f
Chapter Seventeen Liam's POVI came into the training yard, Cara stood in the center, standing upright but calm, instructing Sophia on a fighting drill.Sophia’s who never took instructions without a fight, was very focused.She mimicked Cara's movements, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration.That took me by surprise.Cara advanced purposefully, but I sensed she was withholding. Her strike was fast and keen—but without her full effort. She deliberately did not overmatch Sophia. She was a great deal more than this, keeping under wraps her actual ability, bringing down her strides so that Sophia could keep the pace. Sophia threw another punch. It wasn't perfect, but it was better than what I had seen her do before."Not bad at all," Cara said, nodding in approval.Sophia grinned, clearly pleased with herself.That did it. I stepped forward."Sophia," I said.Both girls looked at me."I need to speak to Cara," I said.Sophia scowled, glancing over at Cara and then back at me. She co
Chapter Eighteen : Fight– Caleb’s POVThe wind howled near the cliff, carrying the scent of blood. Liam’s brother, Alex, was bound, his hands tied behind his back. He looked drained, his body unsteady, as if he might collapse at any moment.His head suddenly appeared when he saw someone coming. There was panic in his eyes."Help! Someone—please!" Alex cried out.I didn't move right away. This was my moment to kill Liam. I had been waiting for this time, plotting. But before I could act, Liam's men arrived, with someone in tow.A woman.Her face was veiled, but I recognized her immediately.Cara.My heart constricted. I would be able to identify her even if she'd blindfolded herself. Her posture, how her body froze—I was certain.Liam stepped forward and glared at me. He sneered."This is Alec," he said.My mind reeled. How the hell did he know?Liam smirked, savoring my reaction. “Oh? Didn’t expect that, did you?” His voice was a slow, taunting drawl. “I have to say, I was surprised
Chapter Nineteen : Blurred LinesCara's POVLuna had been inviting me to dine and interact with the older she-wolves and Lunas from other packs recently. At first, I assumed she simply wanted company. But soon, I realized there was more to it. She was subtly presenting me as Liam’s mate—through her introductions, the conversations she steered, and the knowing glances exchanged between the others.But something wasn't right. Despite all her niceness on the outside, I didn't feel like Luna actually liked me. Her smiles never reached her eyes, and she seemed tense the way she treated me. It left me confused. If she didn't like me, then why was she pushing me to hook up with Liam?That night, after an extremely exhausting day, I was contemplating taking a hot shower to relax. The relaxing warm water melted away the day's stresses, and for a brief moment, I felt calm. Holding a towel in one hand, I stepped out of the bathroom to prepare for bedclothes.As I pushed open the door to my room,
Chapter 20: Losing ControlCara’s POVI hated him.I hated the way he always invaded my space, the way he looked at me like he already owned me. I hated the way he touched me, like it was his right. Most of all, I hated the way my body reacted to him—how, despite every part of me screaming to run, I stayed.Liam’s hands gripped my waist, pulling me closer. His heat was suffocating, his scent clouding my mind. I pressed my hands against his chest, trying to push him away, but he was solid, unmoving.“Let me go,” I demanded, my voice shaking.His dark eyes flickered with something unreadable. “I can’t,” he murmured. “You belong to me, Cara. You always have.”“No,” I snapped, struggling against him. “I don’t.”But my words were empty.Because even as I resisted, my body was betraying me.Liam’s grip tightened. His head dipped, his breath fanning over my skin, sending an involuntary shiver through me. When his lips brushed against my jaw, a strangled gasp escaped me. My fingers dug into
Chapter 21: The RevealingCaleb's POVIt was a silent night.Liam was away.I had been given what I wanted.I stood there, staring at Cara in front of me, my chest heaving from the aftermath of my fight with Liam. Liam had left with his precious little brother, and in return, he had given me Cara.Cara was still standing, her posture tense, shoulders slightly hunched as if bracing for what was to come. A black mask covered her face, the same as it did when Liam's men had brought her in. Her hair fell over her shoulders, her shape unmistakable.I absorbed the sight of her.Too long had it been since I'd seen her.Even though she had once been my captive, she had never yielded. Always glared at me with those venomous eyes, full of anger.I had expected her to resist now, to scream, to struggle. To be angry why I needed her after rejecting her.But she wasn't making any noise.Too silent.There was a small furrow on my lips, but I pushed the thought aside. She was merely exhausted. Lia
Chapter Twenty TwoRunning from My Own ThoughtsCara’s POVI shouldn’t be thinking about it.I had reminded myself a thousand times that it was a mistake. A stupid, crazy mistake. But no matter how hard I tried, the memory kept coming back to me.Liam. His hands. His mouth. The way he made me feel things I shouldn't be feeling.I sat on the edge of my bed, arms around my knees, trying to force the memories away. But they just wouldn't go.It wasn't that I had enjoyed it—that was the worst part. It was the way my body had betrayed me, the way I had lost myself to him. I had let him take control, let him destroy all the barriers I had set up to keep him out.And now? Now, I didn't know how to cope with the truth.I wasn't supposed to desire him.I was not supposed to miss his touch, to remember the trail of his fingers along my skin, the fire of his mouth on every inch of me.But I did.I groaned in frustration and hid my face in my hands. No, I cannot do this anymore.A knock on my doo
Chapter Twenty ThreeChapter 23: TakenCara’s POVThe air was still. Too still.A deep growl rumbled in the distance, and I froze, my body tensing. The training ground had been quiet a second ago, but now… something was wrong. The wind carried a scent I didn’t recognize—thick with danger and aggression.Sophia noticed it too. She took a step closer to me, her voice barely above a whisper. “Cara… something’s coming.”I didn’t answer. My instincts had already kicked in. My pulse pounded as I turned toward the trees, scanning the area. Then, they came.Shadows moved between the trees, fast and calculated. My breath hitched as a group of werewolves emerged from the forest, their eyes glowing with hunger and violence. Their movements were smooth, their bodies muscular and prepared for a fight.They weren’t just any werewolves. They were warriors.Sophia gasped beside me. I didn’t have time to reassure her. The second they lunged forward, I shifted.Bones cracked as my body transformed. Fur
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?""
Chapter: Secrets and ShadowsDamon's POVThe moonlight through the big windows in my office cast silver streaks on the floor. I sat at my desk, drumming fingers on the wood with nervous restraint. I had banished Sophia earlier that day, telling her I needed to rest. But my thoughts wouldn't rest tonight.Not after that message.Something is amiss.A knock on the door."Come in," I replied.Lucas walked in. My Beta. Loyal. Calm. Sharp.He bowed slightly. "You called, Alpha?"I nodded and motioned to the seat across from me. "Sit. We have to talk."Lucas sat, understanding the seriousness in my voice. "What is it?"I placed my phone in his hands and let him read the message.He read again, slowly.And then looked up at me with an eyebrow raised, furrowed face. "Alec Davis. wants her to come alone?""Yes," I said. "No destination yet, but I know Sophia will depart once it comes. And she doesn't want me included."Lucas sat back. "That's not wise. She's the Luna. What if it's a trap?""Th
Chapter 152: Something She's Keeping SecretDamon's POVThe room was peaceful.Sophia was in my arms, her head gently on my chest. She smelled of roses. Her breath was hot on my skin. Outside was quiet. No guard shouting. No wolves training. Just us. Alone. Safe.I kissed her forehead gently. She smiled faintly but did not open her eyes. She was tired. Maybe it was everything that happened today. The elders visited us earlier. They brought laughter and gifts—but tension as well. They kept reminding us that the pack needed an heir. That we owed it. A future to build.Sophia had said nothing after they left. I'd known something was bothering her. I hadn't asked. Not yet. I'd known she'd tell me when she was ready.Now, in this soft silence, I sensed her release once more."Are you alright?" I whispered, running my hand down her spine."I'm fine," she replied, her tone soft and slightly unsure.But before I could ask her anything else, her phone beeped.She sat bolt upright, grabbing the
Chapter 151: "The Game Begins"POV: CaraThe room was quiet—too quiet. Just the way I liked it.I perched on the bed in the guest room Damon had so generously allowed me to occupy. A part of me was entertained at how uneasy Sophia and Damon both were with my presence, yet they didn't have the backbone to tell me to leave. Guilt is such a potent leash. And I intended to tug it tighter.I deliberately folded my knees, watching as the curtain twitched to an imaginary dance created by a whiff of a breeze coming in through the window. Outside, the pack revelled, their laughter and cheers causing my stomach to churn—though not from envy. No, it was. enjoyment.For deep within, they knew not that their peace was what I held within my hand. And tonight, I was about to shatter.My phone buzzed on the table next to me. I grasped it drowsily and smiled at the name lighting up the screen: Mia — Publisher.Perfect timing.I picked up the phone in a sugary, scripted tone. "Mia, sweetheart. I was ju
Chapter: The Search for Alec DavisDamon's POVThe night was still. Too still.I sat in my study, the gentle glow of the fire illuminating shadows in the dark corners of the room. The logs popped as I stared into the fire, my mind far away. My mind wandered back to earlier today—when the elders had come to demand an heir, when Sophia had looked at me with that mixture of hope and fear. I had told her everything would be fine, but that little ball of doubt in my chest wouldn't go away.The heir.Was I already letting her down?I had promised Sophia that I would never abandon her. To protect her. To care for her. But how could I make her so joyful when something as important as this was slipping away from us?I sighed, slouching in my chair and running my hand through my hair. I had to clear my head. But I'd already wasted hours pacing, deliberating, trying to come up with a solution.And then, the one thing that could possibly cheer her up, I remembered.Alec Davis.I had heard her onc