Chapter 8 Liam’s POV Cara was waiting for me, her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her eyes narrowing with confusion. “You better give me a reasonable explanation” I met her gaze, trying to keep my expression neutral. “I told you I am gonna have the mating ceremony today, right?” She huffed, her brow furrowing deeper. “Yeah, of course. with the daughter of Barry pack's Alpha.” I took a step closer, my eyes searching hers for understanding. “I did not say that. I just told you I am going to have my mating ceremony.” And You are my mate, of course. I would choose you” She opened her mouth, but she didn't seem to know how to talk me back, and I took her by hand before she could say any word of refusal. I took Cara to dinner with my family. As soon as we entered the dining hall, the air felt heavy. The large chandelier above lit up the long table, but it didn’t make the atmosphere any warmer. The only sounds were the soft clinking of silverware and the faint crackling of
Chapter Nine : Pieces Of Memory Cara’s Pov The next morning, I slowly opened my eyes. I was in a new room. The room was nicely decorated with soft, yellow light coming in through the big windows. My head hurt with a dull pain, reminding me of what happened the night before. Pieces of memories started coming back to me - the sound of laughing, glasses clinking, and Liam's lips touching mine. Did we really kiss, or was I dreaming? As I tried to sit up, someone knocked softly on the door. "Good morning," a quiet voice said. The door opened, and a maid came in with a tray of breakfast food. The smell of fresh coffee and baked goods filled the air, making me feel a little better. “Where am I?” I asked, confused. “You drank too much last night,” she explained. “Liam brought you here and he slept in the guest room.” Embarrassed, I ask"Where is Liam?" The maid looked up and smiled. "Liam is at the training grounds, miss. He's practicing with the others." The maid gave me directions,
Chapter Ten : The Hidden Truth Cara‘s POVAlpha prepared to leave with his sons. They were heading to Barry pack to discuss a mutual help treaty. Sophia appeared, her eyes flashing with annoyance. “Liam, you promised to train with me today,” she snapped, glaring at him “But now you are leaving. Liam, who was preparing to leave, overheard her. He glanced at Sophia and sighed. “I’ll train with you when I get back.” Sophia let out an irritated sigh, tossing her hair over her shoulder. “That’s not fair. You always put other things first. I need to train, Liam. If you’re not going to help me, someone else should Liam finally turned to her, his brows furrowed. “I said I’d train with you when I return, Sophia. It’s just one day. You can wait.” She scoffed and rolled her eyes. “Or you could just let Cara help me.” I blinked, caught off guard by the sudden mention of my name. Before Liam could argue further, Alpha Marcus' deep voice cutting through the conversation. “That’s a great
Chapter Eleven : Rescued Liam’s Pov As soon as I returned, I heard the news—They had been attacked. I rushed to the training field The moment I arrived, I took control. “Spread out! Look everywhere!” , Everyone immediately followed my orders, searching the entire area. Minutes turned into hours, and the more time passed, the more worried I became. My breathing was heavy, and sweat dripped down my face, but I kept searching. I refused to stop. Just then, I saw Cara. She was floating, holding onto a piece of driftwood. Her body looked weak, her arms barely gripping the wood. I ran to the river and dove in. The water was so cold, but I didn’t care. All that mattered to me was getting her before it was too late I lifted Cara gently from the ground and into my arms. The water was freezing cold, and I could tell Cara's body shivered with the cold. I wrapped her as tightly as possible in my arms, trying to warm her. I swung around to return to the River, I put her down on the sh
Chapter Twelve : Invitation Cara's POVMy body was weighed down, like I was lying under a heavy blanket. I was sleeping in and out, my mind was a mess, and whenever I attempted to focus, it was like my brain could not keep pace with my body. I was so tired, like I had been up for days.I could feel something warm and soft against my cheek. It felt soft, like a hand caressing against my skin. I did not know who it was at first, but the sensation felt familiar and comforting. The warmth surrounded me, and while I wanted to know more, I could not fully open my eyes. I could barely keep them open, yet I knew that there was someone beside me.I tried to open my eyes wider, but nothing was clear. It took several tries, but I could see a little better at last. And I saw Liam, sitting next to my bed. His face was calm, but his eyes—his eyes were brimming with something I couldn't identify. Was it concern?His face eased when he saw me looking at him.I wanted to ask him what had happened, b
Chapter ThirteenThe message read, "Cara, come back to me.——Caleb”Why would he send me this?This was the same Caleb who had rejected me without hesitation, who had made it clear that I meant nothing to him. And now, out of nowhere, he wanted me to come back? It didn’t make sense. What did he expect me to do? Drop everything and run to him after all this time? After everything that had happened?My mind raced, but another realization hit me hard—how did this note even get here? It had been inside the medicine Sophia brought me. My stomach twisted at the thought. Without another thought, I tore the paper into tiny pieces, my hands shaking as I did. But even as I destroyed the note, the words still echoed in my mind.“Cara, come back”Sophia's birthday party was approaching, and I had yet to get her a gift. We didn’t know each other very well though. It just felt like the decent thing to do is to at least bring something. I got up, grabbed my coat, and walked towards the door. My m
Chapter FourteenCara's POVThe party was grand, filled with laughter and music, but something about it felt different. Almost everyone here was a girl, dressed in expensive gowns, their hair perfectly styled, their perfume filling the air with a mix of sweet and floral scents. I could hear them talking, laughing, and exchanging compliments, but I didn’t know most of them. I stayed near the edges of the room, trying not to draw too much attention to myself.Then, out of nowhere, Sophia approached me.Whispers started spreading.“Huh! Isn’t that Sophia, did I just see that right?” One girls muttered.“Sophia? Talking to her? Since when did that start happening?” Another added."Cara," Sophia said, voice cautious.I nodded, not knowing what to say."Sophia, I brought you a gift"Sophia's eyes grew wide with surprise, but she smiled and said, "Thanks, Cara. What is it?"I handed it to her.She took it, her fingers carefully unwinding the ribbon to expose the paper underneath. The moment
Chapter Fifteen : Realization Liam took a slow step forward, his towering presence making the tension in the air even thicker. “Lying to my face is one thing, but lying so poorly?” His lips curved into a humorless smirk. “You should know better. Cara is my mate and I won’t allow you to disrespect her”Before I could process his words, Liam suddenly turn towards me, his eyes met mine and without another word, he reached out, pull me against him, and he kissed me.My breath caught in my throat.Caleb’s POVI watched from afar as Linda, the she-wolf I sent to the party flirted with Liam's younger brother, Alex. Linda did the job well. She moved through the party with ease, her dress hugging her body in all the right places, her smile inviting and friendly.Alex picked her out immediately. He was young, wild, the type of guy who wouldn't say no to advances from a beautiful womanIt did not take long for Alex and then Linda to slip away from the party and head towards the forest. My men
Chapter 164A Mother's HeartSophia's POVThe house was quiet.Too quiet.I sat at the window, my fingers clasped around a hot cup of tea. Damon had gone off to do a patrol of the pack. He'd return soon, he said. But my mind… my heart… it was not at peace.No amount of trying could keep out my thoughts of the baby.Cara's baby.A small, innocent child who hadn't wanted to be born into all this ugliness. A baby who didn't know about betrayal, or lying, or pain. A small life, less than six months old.My heart ached.I was supposed to be angry. I was supposed to despise Cara. She enticed me. She left me there in that darkness. She didn't care if I lived or died.But every time I recalled that child… I recalled those little fingers… that tender face…Tears filled my eyes.It wasn't the baby's fault.I stood up and walked cautiously towards Damon's study. I sat on his chair and bunched my fingers on the desk.That baby was outside. And even if I did not know what would occur next… I wanted
Chapter 163 The Day I Lost EverythingCara's POVI walked into the pack big room with a smile on my face.The big room were quiet, too quiet.I assumed Damon was in a meeting. Maybe sleeping.So I made my way straight to the living room.But then—I froze.My heart almost jumped out of my chest.I saw her.Sophia.Sitting on the couch beside Damon.Her body was weak, but her eyes… they were sharp. Alive.She wasn't supposed to be here.She was supposed to be incarcerated."No…" I whispered.Sophia turned her head slowly.Our eyes met.My breath caught in my throat.I was immobile. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak.She stood up."How are you…?" I stuttered, stepping back."I thought—""Leave," she said.One word, but it hurt."Please…" I whispered. "Please, Sophia… I didn't mean to hurt you. I was angry. I—I felt betrayed. I felt invisible."Her eyes didn't change. She just continued staring at me like I was nothing.Like I never mattered.I dropped to my knees."Please… for the sake
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