Kaid turned his head sharply, his gaze locking onto mine. For a moment, there was tension in his eyes—an instinctive flicker of guilt, quickly masked by a calm, almost indifferent expression as he turned back to Ronan.

"What are you so flustered about? She couldn't have heard us. She is almost a human now, can't hear us from afar." he said coolly before walking up to me, his eyes showing feign concern and worry, "Sara, what are you doing here? You were supposed to be with the healer, recovering from your injuries."

His words twisted the knife already buried in my heart. Ronan relaxed visibly, even chuckling nervously as he stood and offered me a small bow before signing a polite greeting.

Kaid immediately reached for a shawl draped over a nearby chair and gently wrapped it around my shoulders. His fingers brushed against my skin, sending an involuntary shiver down my spine—not from the cold, but from the growing chasm between us. He signed to me with a concerned look, "Honey, why are you not saying anything? Why did you come back so early? You're not fully recovered yet."

His tenderness and concern over me reminded me of the days when I had been mocked for pronouncing our ancient word wrongly in the pack. He instantly stood up for me and later told me that he would teach me personally because no mentor had ever been successful in teaching me before.

“You don’t have to do this,” I’d told Kaid once, my voice soft in the dim light of our den. He was hunched over a pile of ancient scrolls, his brow furrowed in concentration as he painstakingly arranged the archaic werewolf dialect, only to teach me after finishing his job, “I understand. These texts are old, difficult. I should start teaching you the basic first.”

He’d looked up, his amber eyes, usually so warm, now clouded with a strange intensity. “All these years, you have been mocked merely for a language which is not very easy to learn. But, from now on, I won't allow it. I’m with you, Sara. Don't worry.”

I had always been mocked for not knowing ancient language. All my mentors who were brought to teach me, gave up. My parents always felt ashamed of me and never took me to any Alpha gatherings or ancient festivals as being the Alpha blood, it was mandatory for us to keep our ancient language alive and it was a rule that werewolves of higher ranks would speak only ancient language in the gathering.

Everyone felt ashamed of me, but no one ever thought of teaching me personally, not even my parents or Kalean, whose life I had saved, except Kaid. His words had resonated deep within me, touching a place I’d kept carefully guarded.

But now, as I watched Kaid effortlessly translate a passage of invitation, written in ancient language, thinking I hadn't mastered the language yet, I felt no gratitude. Only a bitter, stinging irony. His voice, once a source of comfort, now mocked me with its easy fluency. He used his knowledge, the very skill he’d promised to share with me, to exclude me, to keep secrets.

He looked up, his face carefully neutral. “Sara, It's an invitation from your sister, Sophie. It's her birthday. We should leave now. If we’re late, the other packs will talk.”

His eyes held a strange glint – not affection for me, but something else… anticipation? Excitement? It was directed somewhere beyond me.

A coldness spread through my chest, tightening with every beat of my heart. I forced a small smile and pulled my hand away. “Then give me a moment. I need to…prepare.” My voice was steady, but inside, a storm was brewing.

I turned and walked towards our private chambers with heavy steps. The moment the door closed behind me, the carefully constructed facade crumbled. My shoulders shook as tears began rolling down my cheeks.

When I finally regained control, I changed into a simple but practical tunic and leggings. I wouldn't give the other packs any reason to whisper.

As I headed out, a sliver of light caught my eye – it was coming from Kaid’s personal study, a room he’d always kept locked.

A strange compulsion pulled me towards it. In the two years we’d been mated, I’d never questioned his need for privacy. I’d respected it, believing it was simply his way of separating pack business from our personal life.

But today, something felt different.

I pushed the door open, just a crack, and peered inside.

My breath caught in my throat.

The walls were covered, not with maps or strategies as I’d imagined, but with sketches. Detailed, intricate drawings…of Sophie. The Alpha’s daughter. Every stage of her life was represented, from her playful youth to her blossoming womanhood. The air in the room crackled with an intensity that had nothing to do with pack business.

There wasn't a single image of me.

I stumbled forward, my legs weak, and reached the desk. Lying on the surface was a sheaf of parchment. My fingers trembled as I picked up the top sheet. It was a challenge declaration, addressed to Alpha Gareth.

Kaid was challenging the Alpha for leadership. For Sophie.

It hit me hard. I couldn't remember the last time Kaid had done an extravagant thing like this for me. Kaid hadn’t been courting me out of love. His whole life, he had been only taking those moves which could benefit Sophie in one way or another, even if it was clearing the way to let her marry the person she loved. The realization was like a gaping wound, tearing through the fragile remnants of my trust.

The scent of damp earth and pine needles was clinging to me as I slipped through the shadowed woods towards the Alpha’s compound. The air was filled with the energy of celebration. Laughter, deep and resonant, mixed with the rhythmic drumming that echoed through the trees.

Sophie, my twin sister, was standing at the center of the festivities, radiant in her hand-stitched elegant gown. The intricate beadwork shimmered in the moonlight, highlighting the graceful lines of her lean, powerful form. She looked every inch the future Luna of a Cascade pack, every inch the beloved child of Silver Moon Pack.

My parents were hovering near her, their faces etched with pride and a possessive affection that sent a pang of loneliness through me. Their hands were rested on her shoulders, their touch lingering, as though they still couldn't believe she was truly back with them. They had once looked at me that way, their eyes filled with warmth and unwavering love.

That was before. Before Sophie had returned.

Seven years ago, when she was found after vanishing during a rogue wolf attack, I’d dared to hope we could finally be a family again. But her first words upon her return had shattered that fragile hope.

“Sister, why did you throw me before the rogue wolves and ask them to take me as their slave?

Sophie’s accusation hung in the air, thick and heavy, poisoning the bond between me and my parents. Suddenly, I was no longer their daughter, their kin, but a villain, blamed for Sophie’s disappearance. The warmth I’d known was gone, replaced by a bitter frost that permeated every aspect of my life.

Even now, years later, their distrust lingered in their every glance, every word, every strained silence directed at me.

At the celebration, Sophie spotted Kaid and me entering the celebration. Her dress swirled around her as she moved, making her the undeniable focus of every eye.

Her smile was bright, almost too bright as she greeted us, “Sister, Kaid, you made it! I was worried you wouldn't come."

Then, as if remembering something, she placed a delicate hand to her throat, her expression shifting to one of exaggerated concern. “Oh, I’m sorry, sister. I forgot... you are still struggling with your wolf form after the Change. Did I just speak too loud? I should be more patient. It must be difficult for you to accommodate different tones of us, werewolves, especially with your… sensitivity.”

Her words were dripping with honeyed sweetness, but her eyes, sharp and intelligent, were gleaming with cruel amusement.

My mother, who had been watching from nearby, let out a low, guttural growl, her lips curling back to reveal her sharp canines as she said,“If it weren't for her, You wouldn't have been sold as a slave in the first place. How can she even blame you? If anyone's at fault, it's her. Now even losing her wolf, she is a disgrace to the pack.”

Her voice was laced with venom, tearing at me with the force of a physical blow. My father remained silent, but his gaze, hard and unforgiving, was mirroring her sentiment.

I lowered my eyes, my breath catching in my throat. It wasn't the first time they'd treated me this way. It wouldn't be the last. But the familiarity didn't lessen the pain—it only deepened it.

Before I could respond, Kaid stepped forward, his usually easy going demeanor hardening. He placed a protective hand on Sophie’s arm, his touch surprisingly firm and affectionate before he said in ancient language, not knowing that I had already mastered the ancient language just to surprise him on his birthday.

“Sophie, Sara isn’t like that. She will not mind, Don’t worry. Besides, she doesn't understand ancient language.”

“Oops…” Sophie grinned, her words filled with malice as she continued, “ I had almost forgotten how many times she brought shame to our family by her lack of knowledge. I hope my sister isn't holding you back, Kaid. I truly feel pity on you for having to get married to my sister.”

Kaid's silence on Sophie’s remark was another kind of heartbreak to me. So, even his discomfort while seeing me being mocked was a facade in the past or it was allowed to Sophie to treat me however she wanted?

He then presented Sophie with a small, intricately carved wooden box, his movements deliberate and reverent, as though offering a sacred artifact. “Sophie, this is for you.”

Sophie’s face lit up, her smile radiating pure joy as she accepted the gift. “Thank you, Kaid. You’re always so… thoughtful.”

As she opened the box, a glint of silver caught my eye. My heart clenched.

The claw pendant.

The Alpha’s ancestral claw pendant—a symbol of strength, leadership, and unwavering loyalty. The one that Kaid had told me was lost during the rogue attack, the same attack that took Sophie.

Now, the truth stared back at me, gleaming under the moonlight. The pendant wasn’t lost. It had never been meant for me. It was always hers.

"I need some air," I growled, the human words feeling clumsy in my throat. I made my way away from the crowd, staring at me for not speaking their ancient language, but I didn't care. I was accustomed to their whispers and stares.The backyard was a blessed relief, the crisp night air a stark contrast to the stifling atmosphere inside. The moon hung fat and low, casting long, skeletal shadows across the manicured lawn. The scent of damp earth and pine needles was intoxicating, a balm to my frayed nerves. I leaned against the rough bark of an ancient oak, trying to slow my racing heart. My reflection in the darkened window of the house seemed alien – too human, too constrained.

But, I didn't expect Sophie to chase after me

When she appeared, her face was no longer the picture of polite amusement she’d worn inside. The mask slipped, revealing the cruel satisfaction beneath. Her eyes, usually warm and hazel, glittered with something cold and predatory.

"I honestly don't know how you have the nerve to show your face here," she snapped, her voice low and menacing. "Can't you smell it? No one wants you here. Your weakness is truly pathetic."

“Mom and Dad are ashamed of you, and your mate, well he doesn't even care about your presence when I’m before his eyes. He only has me in his heart. Even a fool can see that but you,”

The words were like barbs, pricking at my control. I kept my gaze fixed on the moon, its silvery light bathing the world in stark contrast. I wouldn't give her the satisfaction of a reaction.

Her tone sharpened, laced with a feral edge. "You pathetic runt, did you actually think Kaid chose you? He only did it to clear my ways with Kalean. He explained everything to me. The night of the bonding ceremony, he left you in the wedding night chamber and came to see me. He shifted with me, under the full moon. He told me the one he truly desires is me.”

She stalked closer, her scent – a cloying mix of wildflowers and something musky, something wrong – filling my senses. "Didn't you see how tired he was the next morning? It's because we went all out that night. We slept under the full moon, our bodies rubbing against each other on the grasswoods.”

“Accept it, Sarah.You're a mistake. If I were you, I’d just run off into the woods and let the wilds claim you."

Every word was a claw, raking at the fragile control I struggled to maintain. My hands clenched, the urge to shift, to unleash the beast within, almost overwhelming.

Seeing my silence, Sophie lost her calm. She held my arms and shook me by force, saying, “I’m speaking in human language, not ancient, you dumbass illiterate! Can’t you hear me?”

She then let out a chilling laugh as she continued, "Oh, I guess you are taking all these as lies. I forgot how dumb you are. Let me help you see the truth, then?”

Before I could react, she lunged, throwing herself against me. I stumbled backward, surprised by her strength. I tried to defend myself and in haste a straps of Sophie's hair stuck to my nails. She immediately retreated. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she threw the pendant Kaid had given her and scratched her wrist, dripping blood.

"Help!" she shrieked, the sound jarringly human. "She attacked me! She wants to kill me!"

Her cries echoed through the night, a distorted melody of fear and accusation, while I stood frozen, the beast within me roaring to life, struggling against the leash of my human mind.

Sophie’s shriek ripped through the night, shattering the fragile peace of the pack gathering and drawing a crowd of anxious wolves to the garden, staring at us with puzzled eyes. The low growls and murmurs of greeting turned to snarls as they took in the scene.

Without hesitation, Kaid rushed to Sophie's side, his eyes widening in concern as he immediately pressed Sophie’s hands, the movement swift and decisive and asked, “What happened, honey? How come you are bleeding?”

In her response, Sophie turned to me, her eyes wet and her expression a mask of wounded innocence, causing everyone to glaring at me with suspicion.

“Sis, if you wanted that pendant, you could just ask for it from me. Why must you attack me for merely a pendant?” she whimpered, her voice trembling. "Why… Why did you attack me? You know I’m still weak after the Change…"

Listening to this, Kaid’s expression turned cold. I saw him clenching his fists as he turned to look at me before spitting, “Sarah! How could you be so narrow minded, going as far as to attack your little sister for a piece of jewelry? Don't you know she is pregnant?”

“I didn't know you could be this jealous, Sis, or else I wouldn't have accepted any gift from Kaid,” Sophie sobbed, turning to our mom, she said, “Mom, she even tore my gown to make me feel humiliated before everyone.”

“Sis, if our pack members mock you for your little knowledge of ancient language, how is that my fault? Why do you have to make me feel humiliated like this just to feel great about yourself?”

“Is that so?” My mom said, her voice laced with venom. Her face was contorted with rage, her eyes glowing with a dangerous light as she commanded the beta of our pack,“Lyra! I think I failed to discipline my elder daughter. That's why she acts on her will. Please help me discipline her so that she doesn't repeat her mistake again.”

Having been commanded by the Luna of the pack, Lyra instantly shifted to her huge wolf and charged at my weak human body. My wolf struggled to appear and protect herself, but I had her controlled, not letting it out. The result was that I was beaten to death in front of all the pack members, my parents and my husband, but no one moved to help me. They believed Sophie's lies. They always did. And Kaid…Kaid just watched, his expression unreadable, as I struggled, the Alpha I had chosen, the Alpha I had bonded with, doing nothing while I laid lifeless on the grassland, unable to move.