Chapter 3- THE WARNING

The moment Alpha Gideon spoke, the warmth between Rhett and me disappeared. “What the hell do you think you are doing Rhett? Come with me.”

His voice was calm, but something cold sat under it.

Rhett looked at me first. For one second I thought he might refuse. Instead he lowered his hand and nodded.

“Yes, Father.”

He walked past me without another word. I watched his back disappear between the trees. My stomach twisted tighter with every step he took.

Then the forest went quiet.

“So…” Cassia’s voice broke the silence.

I closed my eyes for a second before turning around. She stood with her arms folded, wearing the same sweet smile she used whenever she humiliates me. “I never thought you’d be this shameless.”

I didn’t answer.

She walked around me slowly, looking me up and down like I was dirt on her shoes. “Don't tell me you actually think a wolfless girl like you can be together with the future alpha.”

“I didn’t.”

“No?” She laughed. “Funny. Because I could see how you were trying.”

My cheeks burned. “It wasn’t like that.”

“Oh, it wasn’t?” She tilted her head. “Then tell me… What were you guys doing here together?”

“We were just—”

“Exactly.” Cassia smiled wider.

I looked away. “I wasn’t trying to steal him.”

“You don’t have to steal what’s already above you.” Her voice turned sharp. “You’re a wolfless nobody, Nora. You should know your place.”

She stepped closer until we were almost face to face. “You really thought someone like Rhett would choose you?”

“I never said that.”

“You didn’t have to.” Her eyes narrowed. “The entire pack knows he and I are meant to be together. It's been like that because tradition demands it. The strongest Alpha. The strongest she-wolf. That’s how our future has always been.”

She looked me straight in the eyes. “And then you came along, you don't even have a form. And you think you can be with the Alpha?”

I swallowed hard. “I wasn’t trying to—”

“You were. You smiled around him.” She laughed bitterly. “You actually smiled, you are trying to bewitch him into falling for you.”

Something inside me cracked. “He was only being kind.”

“Kind?” she repeated with disgust.

I couldn’t answer.

Cassia saw the guilt on my face. “Oh, don’t worry.” She brushed an invisible speck of dust from her dress. “I’ll make sure everyone hears about this.”

My heart dropped. “No…please don't.”

She actually looked surprised. “You’re begging me?”

“I don’t want people talking about Rhett that way because of me.”

“Oh, that’s what you’re worried about?” She laughed again. “Not yourself but Him?”

I nodded slowly. “He’ll get into trouble.”

“He should.” She leaned close enough for me to hear her whisper. “And when Father hears the whole story… he’ll make sure Rhett never looks at you again.”

She turned and walked away. “You’ll always be nothing, Nora. I hope you finally remember that.”

I stood there long after she disappeared. The trees blurred. My chest hurt so much I could barely breathe. I wanted to cry. I wanted to scream. Instead I stood perfectly still until my legs finally moved.

I had to know what Rhett's father was going to say to him. Would he punish him? Would he take away his future because of me?

The thought alone made me sick. Quietly I followed the path they had taken. I knew these woods better than anyone. Keeping behind the trees, I moved without making a sound.

A few minutes later I heard voices. I crouched behind a thick oak and peeped. The Alpha stood with his back toward me. Rhett faced him in silence.

“What were you thinking?” Alpha Gideon’s voice rolled through the trees.

“I—” Rhett tried to talk.

“Quiet!”

Rhett stopped talking at once.

The Alpha paced. “You are the future Alpha of this pack. Do you not understand what that means?”

“Father… I—”

“I told you to be silent! How can you be alone with a wolfless girl?”

Rhett lifted his head but didn't say a word. The forest echoed with the words. I pressed myself harder against the tree.

“I’ve ignored the rumors for months. I heard people talking. I heard the whispers. I chose to believe my son knew better. But today I saw it with my own eyes.”

Rhett clenched his fists. “There is nothing wrong with Nora.”

The Alpha gave a short, hard laugh.“There is everything wrong with her. It isn’t about whether she’s kind. It isn’t about whether she’s polite. It isn’t even about her. It’s about you.”

He stepped closer. “You are the strongest Alpha this pack has produced in generations. You represent every wolf inside these borders. Your mate cannot be a wolfless girl.”

Rhett’s jaw tightened. “Father but I—”

“No. You are destined for Cassia. The strongest she-wolf. The future Luna. That is the future this pack deserves.”

Rhett looked away. “I don’t choose destiny.”

“You don’t have to. The Moon goddess has already chosen your path. You should be spending your time with Cassia. Training together. Leading together. Let the pack see you beside the woman who will stand next to you one day.”

He folded his arms and continued. “Instead I hear stories about you walking with Nora. Helping her. Talking to her. Defending her. I ignored all of it. But that ends today.”

Silence followed. Then came the words that shattered something inside me. “You will never be seen with Nora again. You will not walk with her. You will not seek her out. You will not speak to her unless duty demands it. Do you understand?”

Rhett didn’t answer at once.

His father's voice came out louder this time. “I asked if you understand.”

“…Yes.” His voice sounded empty.

The Alpha nodded once. “Good. Because if I ever catch you with that girl again, there will be consequences for her.”

He turned and walked away. Rhett stayed where he was. His shoulders were stiff. For the first time since I had known him, he was hurt.

I couldn’t stay any longer. If he saw me… if he knew I had heard everything… it would only make things worse. I turned and ran. The wind hit my face as I rushed through the forest. Every word echoed inside my head.

You will never be seen with Nora again.

Maybe the father was right. Maybe everyone was. I was only dragging Rhett down. If I had been born with a wolf, none of this would have happened.

By the time I reached the edge of the village, people were already whispering. Conversations stopped when I walked past. Then started again the moment I was gone.

“That’s her.”

“The wolfless girl.”

“I heard she tried to seduce the future Alpha.”

“Poor Cassia, her wolfless sister is wanting to steal her mate.”

My feet slowed. Cassia had wasted no time. The story had already spread. Except now I was the villain. Nobody cared what had really happened. Nobody ever did. I lowered my head and kept walking. Every stare felt heavier than the last. By the time I reached our house, my hands were shaking. I pushed the door open.

My father was already waiting. Mother stood beside him. Cassia leaned against the wall with fake tears in her eyes. “There she is,” Mother snapped.

Father’s face was dark with anger. “You’ve embarrassed this family enough.”

I tried to talk. “I didn’t—”

“Silence!” he roared.

His voice made me flinch. Cassia sniffled dramatically. “I saw them together mom,” she whispered.

Mother looked at me with pure disgust. "You actually tried to steal your sister’s future?”

“I never did.”

Father slammed his fist onto the table. “Liar! You’ve brought shame into this house. You’ll stay in your room until we decide what to do with you.”

He grabbed my arm so hard it hurt and dragged me down the hallway.

“Please… listen to me.” I tried to beg.

He ignored every word. The bedroom door flew open. Then he shoved me inside. Before I could turn around, he slammed the door shut. A key turned in the lock.

Then my mother’s voice came through the door. “Maybe a few days alone will remind you exactly who you are.”

Their footsteps faded. I stood frozen in the darkness.

Outside my small window a low wolf howl rose beneath the night sky. I looked through the window and saw my mates shifted under the moonlight.

I bent down and cursed my life.