Chapter: 14

“Alpha, what did you find?” Brian asked as he reached the clearing, his voice laced with urgency.

Knox turned his head slowly, his expression unreadable. His piercing green eyes landed on his Beta, who stood panting beside John—the Gamma—both of them in their shifted, naked human forms. The smell of sweat, blood, and wolf fur clung to the air.

“I clearly told you to come alone, didn’t I?” Knox said, his voice dangerously low.

Brian scoffed but didn’t flinch. “Yes, you did. But since you crossed the pack border into rogue territory—or what do I even call it? A human-watched zone? It’s dangerous. I had to bring backup.”

Knox’s gaze sharpened. “So you think I need help if things go south?”

Brian met his Alpha’s stare without fear. “That’s not what I said.”

It was more than just words. It was a memory—a lifetime of brotherhood between them. Knox wasn’t just his Alpha. He was his friend, his comrade from academy days, the boy who had once ripped through a sparring circle with such ferocity that they’d named his wolf The Black Beast. Kai was no ordinary wolf, and Knox was no ordinary man. The world saw his calm strength, but only Brian had seen him vulnerable—haunted by his past, hardened by the expectations of leadership.

“You know my answer already,” Brian added, his voice softening. John stood quietly, letting the moment pass between them. They’d all seen it before.

“Ride or die, remember?” Brian said. “You’re my Alpha—but first, you’re my brother. I’ll protect you. Always.”

Knox’s jaw tightened, but he didn’t argue. The moon had risen higher now, casting silver shadows across the blood-stained earth. The stench of a dead rogue wolf still lingered in the clearing, and the wind whispered warnings. The longer they stayed, the more likely another rogue would sniff them out—and start a fight.

“We’re heading back,” Knox ordered, turning toward the woods without another word.

Brian and Knox shifted effortlessly, bones cracking, fur erupting over skin. Two massive Lycans sprinted through the trees like living shadows. John and the Gamma remained in human form to drag the rogue’s corpse, clenching the lifeless wolf’s limbs in their jaws and pulling it between them.

They crossed the border back into their territory quickly, speed blurring the forest around them. The pack lake greeted them under moonlight, and they plunged in, washing away blood and rogue scent. When they emerged, Knox shifted first, steam rising from his bare chest. He retrieved his folded clothes from a hidden nook behind a tree. Brian did the same.

“Take the body to the observatory room,” Knox commanded, buttoning his shirt. “We’ll deal with it in the morning.”

“Yes, Alpha,” John said. The Gamma nodded, and together, they disappeared into the darkness with their burden.

Knox exhaled, then turned toward the pack house.

“Taking the front door now, huh?” Brian teased, catching up beside him.

“You know I always take the front,” Knox said flatly.

“Not when you’re sneaking off on solo missions. You usually slip in through the back like a thief.”

“That depends.”

The pack house stood like a fortress in the night—tall, commanding, lit only by the warm glow of lanterns at its edges. Knox pushed through the heavy wooden doors and climbed the grand staircase. There was no elevator in the building—by design. Wolves didn’t need such luxuries. Still, he regretted that choice now. His legs ached more than he liked to admit.

At the fourth floor, Brian gave him a lazy salute. “I’m off to my den. Night, Alpha.”

Knox offered a nod and climbed the final staircase to the fifth floor. The corridor was quiet, lined with portraits of past Alphas and Lunas. His door was the last on the right.

He entered his room, unbuttoned his shirt, and made for the bathroom. But Kai stirred in his mind, his growl low and steady.

We should check on Lydia, Kai said.

Knox sighed. “She’s probably asleep. We’d be disturbing her. She’s had a long day.”

I don’t think she’d mind. Just look in and make sure she’s alright.

Knox growled. “You’re the same one who said she isn’t our mate, remember? You warned me to keep distance. Don’t get attached.”

Maybe I changed my mind.

Kai’s presence swelled in his chest—hot, insistent, powerful. Knox rarely lost arguments with his wolf, but tonight, he was tired, and Kai was relentless.

“Fine. Just a quick check,” Knox muttered.

He stepped out into the hallway. Lydia’s room was right beside his. The door looked untouched, lights inside dim. He knocked once. No response. Twice. Still silence.

“Told you,” Knox whispered. “She’s asleep.”

No. Open the door, Kai insisted.

“This is crazy…”

Open it.

Knox twisted the knob and pushed the door open with a quiet creak. The room greeted him with soft pink hues, delicate decor, and a scent that was uniquely Lydia—lavender, warm pine, and something he couldn't quite place.

His heart squeezed.

This was once her childhood room. He hadn’t stepped foot in here since the incident. Emily had redesigned it into a Luna’s suite—elegant, royal, and nostalgic. His eyes moved to the bed.

Empty.

“Where is she?” Kai asked, concern rising.

Knox’s pulse spiked. “She’s supposed to be in bed…”

He scanned the room. The closet was closed, the window shut. Panic flared in his chest.

Then—he heard it. A moan.

His head whipped toward the bathroom. Without hesitation, he rushed in.

Lydia sat curled on the tiled floor, head resting against the wall, her breath ragged. She was still in her bathrobe, damp and clinging to her frame, revealing soft curves that stole Knox’s breath for a second—but only for a second. He forced the thought away and rushed to her side.

“Lydia! What happened?” he asked, pressing a hand to her forehead. She burned like fire.

“Not again,” he whispered harshly, lifting her carefully into his arms. She sagged against him, her breathing shallow.

He knew exactly what was happening. Somewhere in the pack house, Thalia and Harold were… connected. Their mate bond wasn’t fully severed from Lydia, and now she was feeling every touch, every wave of pleasure—as pain.

It enraged him. Not Thalia, not Harold—but the goddess. The cruelty of fate. To give someone a mate only to rip them away and leave the scars behind.

“It’s not fair,” he muttered, clutching Lydia close.

She trembled in his arms, but slowly, her breathing settled. He laid her gently on the bed, covering her with the soft quilt. He stayed beside her, one hand on her arm, watching the fever fade from her skin.

Her eyes fluttered open. She met his gaze.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

Knox gave a small smile. “It was Kai. He wouldn’t stop until I came to check.”

She chuckled softly. “Thank you, Kai. I owe you.”

Owe me? Then kick his ass next time, Kai growled with amusement, his voice vibrating through Knox.

Knox laughed.

“What did he say?” Lydia asked, eyebrows raised.

“Something about kicking my ass.”

“I’ll repay him with that. Someday,” she said with a tired smile.

Knox grew serious. “You know what this is, don’t you?”

Lydia’s face fell. Her voice was a whisper. “Yeah. It’s them. Harold and Thalia…”

Knox turned away, his jaw clenching. “I hate this. I hate what the goddess did. Giving you a mate… then replacing it with someone else. Swapped scents. Swapped hearts. It’s torture.”

“Don’t blame her,” Lydia said gently. “Maybe it’s a mistake. Or… it’s for a reason.”

“A mistake? A reason?” Knox repeated bitterly. “Who makes a mistake like that? You think scent swapping has happened before? I’ve read every scroll in our archives. No record. This… this has never happened before.”

Lydia grew quiet, her thoughts drifting. Her fingers clenched the blanket.

“You thought I was sleeping,” she murmured.

Knox nodded. “But the pain—”

“It wasn’t just the pain,” she interrupted. “There’s something I need to tell you. If we’re going to work together… you deserve to know.”

Knox looked at her, confused. “What are you talking about?”

Her eyes locked with his. The way they shimmered in the dark made his chest tighten.

“I don’t have a wolf.”

Knox blinked. “What?”

“I don’t,” she repeated. “I was born with one—her name is Circe. But she’s gone.”

He helped her sit up, adjusting the pillows behind her.

“She was with me my whole life. But the night of the ball… when I went to comfort Thalia, I fainted. I woke up with no scent, no voice in my head. Just silence. She was… gone.”

Knox’s expression turned grave.

“I met Harold and caught his scent. That’s when Circe spoke. Just once. Then when you hugged me… she said, ‘trust him.’ And that was the last time I heard her voice.”

Lydia’s voice cracked. “And then I had the worst dream. I saw her—chained, caged, tortured. There was a man in a cloak. I couldn’t see his face. He was made of shadows. Circe told me he’s coming for me. But I don’t know how to help her. I don’t know how to save her…”

Tears spilled down her cheeks.

Knox gathered her into his arms again. “We’ll bring her back. Your wolf. Your scent. Your strength. I swear it.”

Lydia lifted her gaze to him, surprised by the promise in his voice.

“Circe told you to trust me for a reason,” Knox whispered. “She’s still with you. Watching. Guiding. From the shadows.”

She smiled softly.

Then, before he could stop her, she leaned forward and pressed her lips to his.

It wasn’t desperate. It wasn’t hungry.

It was… thankful.

“Thank you,” she whispered again.

Knox's heartbeat stuttered in his chest. And for a moment, the bond they didn't share still felt real.