Leaving My Fated Mate, Discovering My True Love

Samantha’s POV

"I wanted to be mated with Alpha Ethan from the Shadow Claw Pack..."

"WWhat?" Mother was shaken to the core as she stood from her seat. "You mean...?"

I nodded, my whole body trembling. "I don’t want to be mated with Alexander..."

"Samantha, what do you mean you won’t agree to be Alexander’s Luna? The official mate ceremony is tomorrow!" my mother demanded, her voice laced with disbelief.

I had expected this reaction. I had spent days preparing myself for this conversation, but now that it was happening, my throat felt tight, and my heart pounded against my ribs. I had already told my mother—I didn’t want to be a Luna anymore. I didn’t want to be his Luna.

I didn't respond immediately. Instead, I met her gaze, my eyes reflecting the turmoil within me. I bit my lower lip, fighting back the tears threatening to spill.

She studied me for a long moment, searching for an answer I wasn't ready to voice.

Her face softened with realization. A deep sigh escaped her lips before she turned away, shaking her head. "Fine. If that's what you want, then so be it. But understand this, Samantha—if you refuse to be Alexander's Luna, then you will have to marry Alpha Ethan. You need this. The pack needs this. Do you understand?"

Her words echoed in my head, but I barely registered them. My mind was elsewhere, reliving the moment that had shattered my heart. I could still see them, Alexander, my supposed mate, the man who was meant to be mine, tangled in an intimate embrace with someone else.

His hands… the way they roamed, tracing familiar patterns as if he had done it a hundred times before. Her fingers curled into his hair, pulling him closer, their bodies pressed together in a way that left no room for doubt. Then, I heard it—the whispered promise that shattered everything.

"I love you, not her."

I closed my eyes, trying to erase the burning memories from my mind, like a nightmare that haunts me.

And it’s not just anyone… my own sister.

I can’t tell them who it is or the reason why… not to my parents. They won’t believe me.

The betrayal had been swift and brutal, slicing through me like a blade. It was a wound that refused to heal, and now, standing here before my mother, being forced into another decision that wasn’t mine to make, that wound burned anew.

"I understand," I whispered, though the words felt hollow.

"Good, think about this first," my mother replied, her tone devoid of warmth. Without another word, she turned on her heel and walked away, leaving me standing there, my world crumbling around me.

The mating ceremony was set to take place tomorrow. And yet, everything I thought I knew about Alexander, everything I had believed in, was suddenly different.

I met Alexander because of the alliance between our packs, mine, the Phantom Crescent Pack, and his, the Stormborn Wolves Pack. Since the moment we were betrothed, our bond had remained strong, our relationship thriving under the circumstances.

Alexander was the Alpha, born into a distinguished bloodline. He had taken over as leader when his father, the ancient Alpha, stepped down. He was powerful, commanding, and enigmatic. His presence alone demanded respect. And with his towering height, chiseled features, and magnetic aura, he was undeniably captivating.

For five years, we had been together, and never once did we fight. He treated me with love, devotion, and assurance, making me believe he was my destiny. I had thought our love was unbreakable. But that night, what should have been the pinnacle of my happiness, the realization of my dream, everything shattered.

During the announcement of our mating ceremony, I felt an unease creeping in. Then, my worst fear unfolded.

Alexander had invited someone to our ceremony, before the official mating bond was to be sealed the following day. And that someone was my sister, Cassandra.

The moment I saw her, my chest tightened. Memories of all the pain she had inflicted on me came rushing back.

The way she would yank my hair, dragging me across the floor as I screamed. The cruel insults she hurled at me, telling me I was worthless, that no one would ever love me. The slaps that left my skin burning, the bruises I had to hide. I could still hear her mocking laughter the night she locked me outside in the freezing cold, forcing me to beg to be let in. All of it still haunted me.

But what truly broke me was that she destroyed something precious to me, my necklace, the one Alexander gave me.

And now, here she was, standing in the middle of what was supposed to be my happiest moment.

My heart pounded as I turned to Alexander, pleading with him. "Why did you invite Cassandra? You know what she’s done to me! You were there! You saw everything! Please, Alexander!"

But instead of the comforting reassurance I had always received from him, I was met with something else entirely.

His expression hardened, his eyes cold and unrecognizable. Then, without warning, he shoved me. Hard.

I gasped as I stumbled backward, the force of his push sending me crashing onto the floor. Pain shot through my body as I lay there, stunned.

His voice exploded with rage, sharp and venomous. "You don’t get to tell me what to do, Samantha! I will invite whoever the hell I want, and you will deal with it!"

At that moment, I realized, something was terribly wrong.

The man I loved, the man I had trusted for years, was no longer the same. Something had changed, and I was about to find out just how much.

Samantha’s POV

"I'm not going to listen to you! Why don’t you contribute something instead of complaining?! I can do whatever I want. If I want to invite your sister, then I will invite her!"

His words sliced through me like a dagger. Before I could even process them, he turned his back on me and walked away, leaving me standing there—confused, hurt, and humiliated. I bit my lip, willing myself not to cry, but the tears welled up anyway. My hands trembled as I clenched them into fists at my sides.

Alexander never treated me like this before. Why now? What changed?

Determined to get answers, I started to follow him, but before I could reach him, the ceremony began. The grand celebration filled the room with laughter, music, and lively chatter. Everyone around me was having the time of their lives, yet I felt completely out of place. My heart pounded as I searched for Alexander, weaving through the crowd in desperation.

"Have you seen Alexander?" I asked Dante, his Beta, barely able to mask my anxiety.

Dante glanced at me, then pointed toward the dance floor. "I think I saw Alpha over there."

I turned in the direction he indicated, and my world shattered into pieces.

There he was. In the middle of the dance floor. With her.

Cassandra.

She was in his arms, her laughter light and carefree. They swayed to the rhythm, completely lost in each other. The way Alexander looked at her, so warm, so full of something I hadn’t seen in his eyes for me in a long time, was enough to tear me apart. He held her close, their fingers entwined, and for a moment, it was as if I no longer existed.

A sob caught in my throat, but I swallowed it down.

Why? Why are they dancing? Why do they look so happy together?

I moved forward, unable to stop myself. "AAlexander?" My voice came out shakier than I intended.

He stopped midspin, his gaze locking onto mine. But there was no guilt. No regret. Just irritation.

"What is it? Can't you see I’m in the middle of something?" he snapped.

I turned to Cassandra, who met my eyes without a trace of shame. She knew. She knew I was supposed to be Luna. And yet, here she was, in his arms as if I never mattered.

"AAlexander, please," I whispered. "Let’s talk."

He exhaled sharply, his patience clearly running thin. "No. There's nothing we need to talk about."

And then, I snapped.

"Please stop dancing with her! She ruined my life!" My voice rang out, louder than I intended. I couldn’t stop myself. I had to say it!

The entire area fell silent. All eyes turned to me, some in shock, others in amusement. A wave of humiliation crashed over me, but I stood my ground. Cassandra, however, only smirked, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction.

And then, Alexander looked at me. The moment our gazes met, I saw it, the irritation, the disbelief.

"What the hell are you doing?!" he asked, his tone laced with annoyance.

Before I could answer, my father stormed toward me. His face twisted with anger, his fists clenched so tightly I thought he might strike me right then and there.

"Samantha!" he hissed. "What do you think you’re doing?!"

I swallowed the lump in my throat, trying to find the right words. "Father… Cassandra….she's stealing Alexander from me!" My voice broke, my desperation clear.

"What?" My father scoffed, shaking his head. "Cassandra would never do such a thing. Stop being foolish! They are just dancing. Why are you making such a big deal out of this?!"

My heart pounded against my chest. "But—"

"Samantha, you’re always overthinking things," Cassandra interrupted, her voice sickly sweet. "In fact, I haven’t done anything wrong." She took a step toward me, her expression shifting to one of mock concern. "You know what? You’re just being delusional at this point."

A murmur rippled through the crowd. Pack members whispered among themselves, their judgmental gazes piercing through me. I felt small, humiliated, my dignity slipping away by the second.

"No," I whispered, shaking my head, refusing to accept this. "That’s not the case. Please, Alexander." I turned to him, my last hope. I needed him to see me, to defend me.

But instead, his expression hardened. And then, to my absolute horror—

He slapped me.

The force sent me crashing to the floor, pain exploding across my cheek. Gasps filled the room. My mother screamed my name, trying to rush toward me, but my father stopped her, his grip firm.

"You will do nothing," he said coldly. "Let her learn her place!"

I could barely breathe. My hands trembled as I touched my burning cheek, the sting of his palm still fresh.

And then, Alexander spoke. "You need to understand where you stand in this life. We were just dancing, there was no need for this outburst." His voice was devoid of emotion, completely detached. "Don’t humiliate your sister. You needed me, and that’s why we are all here. Do you understand?"

Tears welled up in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I lifted my gaze to meet his, my entire body shaking. Slowly, painfully, I pushed myself to my feet.

I let out a bitter laugh, shaking my head. "You’ve changed." My voice was barely above a whisper, but the weight of my words was undeniable. My gaze shifted to Cassandra. "Because of her."

And just like that, I ran. Away from the stares. Away from the whispers. Away from him!

I will get out of here… no matter what it takes. I won’t let them break me. I will fight, I will survive, and I will make sure of it!

Samantha’s POV

When I finally reached my house, I covered my face. Everything around me blurred. My vision was hazy, my breath shallow. I felt as if everything was falling apart. Nothing seemed stable anymore.

And then, as if out of nowhere, Mom appeared. She rushed to my side, her voice soft but firm, “Samantha, you need to calm down. I know this hurts. I know it feels unbearable. But please, just breathe. It will be okay.”

Her arms wrapped around me, trying to comfort me, but I couldn’t find peace in her embrace. It wasn’t the warmth of her hug that I needed; it was something else. My mind was screaming, and my heart was fractured. Before she could say anything more, I stopped her. My voice cracked, filled with pain, and my words spilled out without thinking.

“I want to cancel the mating bond. I don’t want to give it to Alexander, Mom.”

I didn’t even know if she could understand the weight of what I was saying. I was desperate to stop it all, to halt the ceremony before it could happen, before I had to face him again.

She looked at me, her face shifting into concern. “Samantha, I understand. But you need to think this through. There are consequences to these actions. Things won’t be easy if you go through with this. You need to consider everything.”

But at that moment, I couldn’t care less about the consequences. They seemed so insignificant compared to the storm raging inside me. Nothing else mattered except stopping the pain, stopping what felt like my life spiraling out of control.

I shook my head, trying to push the thoughts away. I couldn’t make sense of it. Alexander and I had been fine. We had been okay—at least, that’s what I had thought. So why had everything turned upside down? Why did it feel like I was caught in a trap? Something wasn’t right, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that Cassandra was somehow behind it all. She had always been manipulative, and now, it seemed, she had twisted things even further.

I couldn’t understand how she had pulled Alexander in, how she had turned him against me.

The next morning, a sense of dread washed over me. I knew I had to tell my father what was happening, but how could I? Tonight was the night of the ceremony with Alexander, and I had no idea how to face him. How could I walk into that room, knowing everything that had happened, knowing how betrayed I felt?

And then, as if the universe had other plans, Alexander called me.

“The Alpha is looking for you,” said one of the servants.

He summoned me to the pack house, and despite everything, I couldn’t refuse. I had to go. I didn’t know why, but something in me urged me to answer his call, even if it terrified me.

When I arrived, the servants were already busy preparing for the ceremony. They were arranging everything, setting up the decorations, and making sure everything was in place. It was all so carefully orchestrated, yet I couldn’t escape the feeling that it was a show—a performance for everyone else.

“Samantha, come here,” I heard Alexander’s voice. It cut through the tension like a knife.

I walked towards him, each step feeling heavier than the last. When I finally stood in front of him, I couldn’t look him in the eye. My gaze dropped, my heart pounding in my chest. He wasn’t the Alexander I had known; he was someone else now, someone I couldn’t trust.

“What is it?” I managed to whisper. My voice was shaky, betraying the fear I felt inside.

I wanted to scream, to ask him why everything had changed. Why he was doing this to me. But instead, I stood there, frozen, unable to move. My anger boiled beneath the surface, but I didn’t know how to express it. I couldn’t understand him anymore. He had hurt me, betrayed me, and now, he was here, standing in front of me, like nothing had happened.

One swift motion, and he was closer. It was almost as if I was caught in his sway, unable to escape, even though every fiber of my being screamed for me to run. He reached out to me, and I recoiled, my heart racing in panic. The air around us felt thick, suffocating. My breath caught in my throat, but I said nothing. I had no words left.

Even though he had hurt me, even though his touch now felt like a threat, I couldn’t walk away. I was trapped, not just by him, but by my own heart, torn between the person he once was and the person he had become.

Suddenly, every memory we shared came rushing back, the warmth of his touch, the way my heart raced whenever he was near, the moments that once felt like forever.

I had loved him with all my heart... yet, why did it all lead to this?

He grabbed my wrist, pulling me closer to him. "Look, I'm sorry for what happened. It wasn’t intentional. Maybe I just got carried away with what I was feeling because you yelled at me. It felt like you were accusing me of doing something with your sister behind your back."

His words left me stunned.

“Of course, she’s your sister, and she deserves to see the ceremony. She’s part of the family that’s why I invited her.”

I couldn’t understand why Alexander was saying these things. It felt as though he was manipulating me, like he was gaslighting me. I wasn’t angry when I confronted him that night. I simply wanted answers. Yet somehow, it felt like all the blame was being placed on me.

“I wasn’t mad at you that night,” I said, trying to steady my breath. “I just wanted to understand why you invited her, even though you know everything she’s done to me.”

He reached out, gently adjusting a strand of hair that had fallen across my face, his touch sending a shiver down my spine. “Well, the past is the past. You need to move on,” he said, his voice soft yet firm.

His words were like a slap to my soul. How could he say something so cold? I wanted to argue with him, to tell him it wasn’t that simple. That the pain he caused wasn’t something I could just forget. But I bit my lip, swallowing my anger. I wasn’t ready for a fight, not now.

“And our mating ceremony is about to begin. I want you to prepare,” he continued, his voice now more commanding. “We’ll see each other later, and I can’t wait for you to be my Luna.”

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, but my thoughts were a whirlwind. I had so many questions, so much anger, yet I was supposed to let it all go.

“Okay.”

“Good,” he said, turning to leave.

I stood there for a moment, stunned, before I walked away, trying to collect myself. This ceremony was supposed to bring us together.

For a brief moment, the heaviness in my chest eased. Maybe he was right. Maybe I had overreacted. It wasn’t like him to hurt me on purpose. But no matter how I tried to convince myself, the doubt lingered.

I needed to focus, to prepare for what was coming. The ceremony wasn’t something I could just avoid.

As I finished getting ready for the ceremony, I looked around for Alexander. I needed to speak to him again, to see where his mind was at.

“Samantha!” I heard my father’s voice calling out from behind me. “It’s time. Remember, you’re doing this for our tribe. For our future.”

I nodded, trying to gather my thoughts. “Yes, Father. I’m just looking for Alexander.”

“Alright, we’ll wait for you,” he said, walking away to join the others.

I asked around, hoping someone could point me to him. “Have you seen Alexander?”

“He’s in his office,” someone replied.

I nodded, heading toward the packhouse. But as I approached the door, I paused. I heard muffled voices—moans that sent a chill through me.

“Alex,” a voice moaned, soft and seductive. My stomach churned as I recognized the voice.

It was Cassandra.

And then I heard Alexander’s voice, low and gruff. “Ohh, baby…”

My heart froze.

My legs felt like they might give way beneath me.

I knew what was happening, and I couldn’t bring myself to open the door to confront them.

The world around me seemed to shatter, piece by piece. The worst possible thing had happened, on the very night of the mating ceremony.

Samantha’s POV

I covered my mouth with both hands, my entire body trembling as I fought the urge to scream.

The door was slightly ajar, giving me a clear view of the scene unfolding before me. Cassandra’s legs were spread open, her body arching against Alexander. His movements between her thighs were unmistakable. It was a sight so painful, so utterly soulcrushing, that I felt as if I had been punched in the chest.

“Fuck, I’m cumming!”

“Oh, baby! Yes!”

How could they?! How could Alexander do this to me on the night before our mating ceremony?!

I had done everything to prepare for this ceremony. My makeup was flawless, my white gown draped over my body like a symbol of purity, of devotion. Ritual marks had been drawn onto my skin, marking me as his mate. But now… now I didn’t know if I could go through with it. My heart was breaking, shattering into a million jagged pieces.

But what would happen if I didn’t go through with the ceremony? I could already hear my father’s voice in my head, laced with anger and disappointment.

And then there was Alexander—Alexander, the man I had loved with everything I had. I had given him my heart, my trust, my entire being. I had sacrificed for him, for our tribe. I had done everything in my power to make this work.

And yet, this was my reward.

My body moved on its own, my feet carrying me away from that wretched scene. I was running—running away from the betrayal, from the pain, from the man who had broken me beyond repair.

Suddenly, I bumped into someone, and it was my mother.

“Samantha, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”

My body shook uncontrollably as I held onto her, my sobs muffled against her shoulder.

“II want to leave,” I choked out. “I want to get out of this tribe. I don’t want to be here anymore.”

Mom stiffened in shock. “Samantha, what are you talking about?!” She pulled back slightly, her hands gripping my arms as she searched my tearstreaked face. “Where would you even go?”

“II don’t care!” My voice cracked, filled with raw pain. “I saw them, Mom. I saw Alexander having sex with Cassandra… the night before our mating ceremony.” I shook my head, fresh tears spilling down my cheeks. “I can’t do this. I can’t pretend like everything is fine. Not after this!”

Mom’s eyes widened, her lips parting in silent horror. She looked as though she wanted to say something, to offer some sort of comfort or reasoning. But what could she say? There were no words that could fix this, no words that could undo the damage that had already been done.

I didn’t wait for her to respond. My body moved on instinct, pushing past her as I ran towards the edge of the tribe’s grounds.

“Samantha!”

I had to get out. I had to escape before I suffocated under the weight of my pain.

Then, suddenly, as I stepped outside, I heard something unexpected—cheers.

“She’s here! Our future Luna!”

The crowd erupted in cheers, their voices echoing through the ceremonial grounds.

I wanted to escape.

I wanted to scream at them, tell them that I couldn’t go through with this mating ceremony! That I didn’t want this anymore! But then, as my gaze swept across the crowd, I saw the hope in their eyes. The unwavering expectation. They were looking at me as if I was their salvation, the Luna who would lead them beside Alexander.

Suddenly, a figure stepped forward—my father.

“Samantha,” his voice rang with authority. “The Moon Goddess will now unite you with Alexander.”

I froze. My entire body locked in place, refusing to move. My pulse pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else. I turned my head slightly, my desperate eyes searching for my mother. She was standing there at the edge of the gathering, her face pale, her hands clasped together. Our gazes met.

Help me.

I silently begged her, pleading for her to step in, to stop this. To tell my father that I couldn’t do it!

But she didn’t move. She didn’t speak. She just stood there, letting my heart break into a million pieces.

I sucked in a breath, the sharp pain in my chest making it difficult to breathe. Still, I forced my feet forward, each step feeling heavier than the last. My legs felt like lead as I walked toward the sacred ceremonial grounds at the heart of the village—the place where my fate was about to be sealed.

Then, as I reached the altar, Alexander arrived.

He stood before me, his expression calm, composed, as if nothing had happened. As if he hadn’t slept with my sister. As if he hadn’t betrayed me in the worst possible way.

I wanted to slap him. I wanted to scream at him, ask him how he could do this to me. How he could stand there and pretend that everything was fine. But the cheers of our people, the Elders waiting in silence, and the crushing expectations left me paralyzed.

I swallowed back the bile rising in my throat, my entire body trembling. Alexander reached for my hands, his touch warm. But all I felt was disgust. Those very hands had been all over Cassandra just moments ago, touching her, claiming her. And now they were on me.

“Samantha,” he said, his voice steady. “This is the moment we’ve been waiting for.”

I looked away, my stomach twisting. My gaze wandered through the crowd, and then—I saw her.

Cassandra.

She stood among the people, her lips curled into a satisfied smirk, her eyes gleaming with triumph. When our eyes met, she scoffed, rolling her eyes before flipping her hair over her shoulder.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. But before I could even react, Alexander spoke again.

“I can’t wait for us to finally be united,” he continued, his voice sickeningly smooth. “The Moon Goddess will bless us.”

I said nothing. I couldn’t.

The ceremony began. My heartbeat thundered in my chest, each second feeling like a countdown to my own destruction.

Every instinct in my body screamed at me to stop this, to run. I didn’t want to be mated to him! I didn’t want to be his Luna anymore! I didn’t want to be bound to a man who had already chosen someone else over me!

“I love you, Samantha.”

I bit my bottom lip, trying to stop the tears from falling. And then, everything shattered. All the emotional pain I had been carrying came crashing down in that moment, because of those three words—the same ones that made my heart race for him, time and time again.

“AAlexander…”

But before I could finish, the world around us exploded into chaos.

“Princess Cassandra collapsed!”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. My eyes widened in shock as I watched her body go limp, her head lolling to the side. People rushed toward her, but before I could even process what was happening, I felt a sudden force shove me aside.

Alexander.

He pushed past me without a second thought, his entire focus locked on Cassandra. Panic twisted his features as he knelt beside her, his hands cupping her face with such tenderness it made my stomach churn.

“She needs help!” His voice cracked with urgency. “Call the healers! We need to stop the ceremony—Cassandra needs immediate attention!”

Silence fell over the crowd. And in that moment, I realized the truth I had been so desperately trying to ignore.

He would always choose her over me.

Always.

Samantha’s POV

“The mating ceremony will continue tomorrow, according to Alpha Alexander.”

Father’s words echoed in my mind, but instead of responding, I stared blankly into the distance. My heart felt numb, my thoughts scattered like leaves in the wind.

"Samantha, are you listening?"

I nodded, my voice as lifeless as a machine. "Yes."

"Good. We expect your sister, Cassandra, to recover soon. Once she does, the ceremony will proceed as planned tomorrow."

With that, Father left the house—our house. The home that Alexander and I were supposed to share. But at this moment, it felt anything but warm.

I lowered my gaze to the white dress I wore last night. It was meant to symbolize unity and purity, a reminder of the bond that should have been sacred. But now, it felt meaningless. The innocence it represented was long gone, tainted by the pain and betrayal that clouded my heart.

I had made my decision. I was leaving.

After everything that had happened… after everything Alexander had made me feel… I could not stay.

Silently, I began packing my clothes, careful not to make a sound. I had to make sure neither my mother nor my father would catch me. My hands trembled as I folded each piece of fabric, the weight of my choice pressing heavily on my chest.

When I was done, I reached for a piece of paper. If I was going to leave, I had to at least say goodbye.

Tears welled up in my eyes as I wrote the letter. My heart ached with every word, my emotions spilling onto the page.

But just as I was about to finish, the door suddenly swung open.

I gasped and quickly hid the letter beneath a stack of clothes before turning to face the intruder.

Alexander.

"Samantha," he said, his voice softer than I expected. "I'm sorry for what happened last night."

I remained silent, my fingers clenching the fabric of my dress.

"I was just shocked when Cassandra suddenly collapsed," he continued. "I didn’t mean to ignore you. And… she told me she was sorry for everything she did to you."

His words felt empty. They barely grazed the surface of the pain he had caused me.

"Samantha," he said again, stepping closer. "Are you even listening?"

I turned away, unable to meet his gaze. My hands instinctively pressed against the hidden letter, ensuring it remained unseen. If he found it, he would know. And I wasn’t ready for that.

"I need some air," I said, standing up.

His sharp eyes narrowed at me. "Go where?" His voice was laced with suspicion.

"I just... need to clear my mind," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. "Tomorrow is our official ceremony, and I understand you were only trying to help my sister."

He studied me for a long moment, his expression unreadable. The silence stretched on, thick with unspoken words. Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he nodded slowly.

"Okay," he said, his voice flat. "If that's what you want."

He turned to leave, but something stopped me, a surge of doubt that I couldn’t ignore.

“Wait…” My voice trembled, and I hated how weak I sounded.

He stopped and turned back, his gaze sharp. "What?"

I bit my lower lip, fighting the overwhelming uncertainty that clawed at me. Should I really follow through with my plan to leave? I had no idea where I would go, and I was being reckless.

"Are you really honest with me?" The question slipped out before I could stop it.

He stiffened, a flash of defensiveness in his eyes. "What? Why are you saying this? Of course, I’m honest with you."

I took a shaky breath, the weight of the moment crashing down on me. "I just want to make sure... before I become your Luna."

He exhaled sharply, irritation flickering across his face. "Stop overthinking things, okay? I’m faithful to you. Now, I need to go. There’s something I have to do."

And then, without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, alone with the silence and the uncertainty that seemed to echo in the space between us.

I didn’t know what to do. I needed to talk to him, to confront him. He’s lying to me! I could feel it deep in my gut—I needed answers.

“Alexander, wait!”

But before I could even step out, I overheard voices from outside, cutting through the thick silence.

“Have you heard? Princess Cassandra is pregnant. That’s why she lost consciousness.”

I froze.

My whole body went cold, and I felt the ground beneath me tremble.

No. This can’t be… could it be… he’s the father?

The thought of it sent a wave of terror, anxiety, and unbearable pain through me. I didn’t even realize the tears that had started streaming down my face. My hands gripped my hair, tugging at it in sheer agony, trying to make sense of the twisted nightmare I was waking up to.

I didn’t notice that Alexander hadn’t come home until I found myself slumped in front of the door, exhausted, my body too numb to move.

When I finally woke, everything felt like a haze—my eyes dull and heavy with dread. As I glanced outside, I saw the mating ceremony was about to begin again. But this time… I couldn’t. I couldn’t go through with it anymore.

With quiet, calculated steps, I snuck out, ensuring that no one would see me. No one could know that I was leaving…

When I successfully made it past the entrance without a single soul noticing, I paused. My eyes swept over the village, staring in its familiar sight.

This place… it held the foundation of everything Alexander and I had shared.

From the moment I arrived here, years ago, in his pack’s territory, I felt something, a connection that pulled me toward him. He had made me fall for him, not just with words, but with the way he made me feel. And for years, I truly believed that he loved me in return.

I had let go of my pride for him. I had allowed myself to be bound to this place, to him.

But everything changed the moment he invited Cassandra here. That was when things started to unravel. That was when I saw it—his true nature. No matter what I did, Cassandra would always come first.

I couldn’t let that continue.

I refused to live in her shadow any longer.

I no longer cared what my father thought. I knew he wouldn’t approve of me leaving, but his opinion no longer mattered.

And my mother? She would never help me. Even if I told her about my suffering, she wouldn’t lift a finger. In the end, she would simply obey my father’s wishes, just like always.

As for Cassandra… she would never change.

She had spent her life finding ways to hurt me, and now, she was slowly taking Alexander from me too. She wouldn’t stop until she had everything.

And Alexander… I finally understood where I stood in his life.

He didn’t love me.

He hurt me.

He raised his hand against me.

And I could no longer endure it.

This needed to end.

With one last deep breath, I made my way to the borders, ensuring that no one saw me. My heart pounded as I moved quickly through the shadows. I was almost free.

But then—

A sharp, searing pain pierced through my lower abdomen.

I gasped, my steps faltering as my breath hitched in my throat. My hands instinctively clutched my stomach as I winced.

“Ahh…!” A soft cry of pain escaped my lips.

My gaze dropped downward, and my heart stopped.

Blood.

A crimson stain spread across my dress. My hands trembled as I touched the damp fabric, realization crashing over me like a tidal wave.

No…

Not now.

Not when I was finally leaving. Not when I had made up my mind to walk away from this life, from Alexander!

And yet, in this very moment, when I was ready to abandon everything—

I discovered the truth.

I was carrying his child.

Alexander’s POV

"Where is Samantha?! The mating ceremony is about to start! Where is she?!"

I couldn't stop myself from shouting. My voice thundered through the entire hall, shaking the very walls around us. Fear gripped everyone in the room, their eyes widened, their bodies stiffened, and their breaths hitched. They were terrified of me.

"WWe’re looking for her, Alpha. We’re doing everything we can, but we can't find her. We don't even know where she is."

Damn it!

I cursed loudly and threw a punch at the wall beside me, the sharp sting spreading through my knuckles. But the pain was nothing compared to the frustration boiling inside me. My mind was spinning, struggling to make sense of the chaos.

Tonight was supposed to be the night, our official union.

The moment I would finally claim Samantha as mine. It should have happened before, but the ceremony had been interrupted when Cassandra collapsed.

The instant she hit the ground, I rushed her to the healer, who tended to her wounds. She had fallen hard, her body scraping against the rough ground, leaving cuts and bruises across her pale skin. Thankfully, nothing seemed too severe—at least, that’s what I had thought. But then the truth surfaced.

She was pregnant.

And the child she was carrying was mine.

My entire world tilted in that moment. The weight of responsibility crashed over me, suffocating and relentless. As much as I knew this would stir problems within the pack, I had no choice but to keep it a secret. No one could know. No one should ever find out! Because if they do… the alliance will break.

Cassandra and I… we had something, a bond deeper than mere desire. She was the one I truly loved. She was the one I wanted to be with. But duty dictated otherwise.

My union to Samantha wasn’t about love. It was about power, about securing an alliance that would strengthen my hold, my legacy in the pack.

And now, she was missing!

Just when I needed her to be here the most, she had vanished without a trace!

"Alpha, we checked the house. We searched every room. Princess Samantha is gone. And… her belongings are missing too."

“What?!”

Without another thought, I bolted out of the hall, my heart pounding with each step as I rushed toward our home. The air around me was thick with tension, my lungs burning as I pushed forward.

The moment I reached our bedroom, my worst fears solidified into reality. The room was stripped of her presence. Her clothes, her personal belongings—everything was gone.

I stood there, frozen, my hands clenching into fists at my sides. My breathing was heavy, ragged.

No. This couldn't be happening!

She couldn’t be gone. She had to be here! Without her, the alliance wouldn't happen. Without her, this entire arrangement would fall apart!

The other pack might take this as an insult. And worse… her father might find out.

My thoughts were spinning so fast that I barely registered the presence of someone approaching. It wasn’t until I heard the voice of Samantha’s mother that I snapped back to reality.

"Alexander, is it true? Did you… were you seeing Cassandra?!" Her voice was sharp, demanding. "Do you have any idea what a disgrace this is?! What a shame this brings to our pack?"

I didn't answer. I couldn't. My jaw tightened, and I avoided her piercing gaze.

Samantha must have told her everything.

So, that’s why she left…

I felt my stomach drop. No. I couldn’t let this end like this. I had to find her!

"Search for her!" I roared, my voice echoing through the room. "We need to bring her back!"

Before I could storm out, Dante, my beta, suddenly appeared before me, his expression grim and his body tense.

"Alpha…" He hesitated, and that hesitation made my blood run cold. "I have terrible news."

I turned to him sharply. "What is it? Did you find Samantha?!"

He swallowed hard, his gaze flickering with uncertainty. "Someone saw her. She was ambushed… by a rogue wolf."

My entire body went still. "WWhat?"

"She… she disappeared. And some say… she might be dead. No one knows where her body is."

The moment those words reached my ears, my entire world stopped spinning.

No…