Kane’s POV

Fuck.

If it weren’t for the Alpha King, I would never have been here. But the King values tradition just as much as he admires me.

It’s a blessing, or I always saw it as one. The Alpha King doesn’t hand out his favor to just any one.

Only, this whole arranged marriage is fucking stupid.

I’ve never had a Luna and I don’t need one. I’m fine on my own and I can rely on my own strength. But the Alpha King insists on this marriage.

He chose a bride for me who is supposedly the descendant of a Silver Wolf. He believes in tradition, that this union will provide a powerful offspring.

What a bunch of bullshit.

Those customs are outdated remnants of the werewolf world. Plus, my bride is nothing more than a trembling, weak disgrace - how could she possess Silver blood?

I’ve done my research. I know her pack is weak, just as she is weak. A Luna like her could only drag my own pack down.

Still, as much as I want to decline this marriage, I can’t. My open refusal would anger the Alpha King. I would be damned.

So fine. I’d go through with this fucking union. But I told myself I would never truly accept this woman - Evelyn - as my wife. She is nothing but a tool for bearing my child.

Or so that’s what I thought. Only, my wolf thrashing with excitement inside of me proves otherwise. As I stare into Evelyn’s big, hazel eyes, I know she has come to the same realization as I have.

Again, fuck.

She’s my fucking fated mate.

My heart violently races as my wolf’s eagerness grows. At this rate, I could lose control of him, causing me to clench my jaw tightly and tense my shoulders.

“Kane?”

I blink as I realize Evelyn has said my name. My wolf pathetically pants at the sound of her voice.

“It’s time for you to…mark me,” she whispers and I rush out a breath through my nose. Feeling everyone’s eyes on me, I’m the epitome of stiff as I lean toward her. I’m too busy trying to hold it together to possibly refuse her.

She’s so much smaller than me, so frail. My lips brush over her skin - right where her neck meets her shoulder. She shudders at my touch.

Not wasting another second, I sink my teeth into her skin and both hear and feel her gasp. I try to pay her no mind, though, as I finish sealing our union with my mark.

As I pull away from her, I can hear the whispers of the crowd, feel their eyes. However, I keep my eyes level with Evelyn’s.

“We may be married now,” I say, dangerously low. “But this is nothing more than an arranged marriage, so don't expect me to treat you like my true Luna. Not. Happening.”

Evelyn’s eyes go wide in response, but says nothing. She just keeps holding my gaze.

It’s unnerving - her stare and her silence. But I turn around anyways.

“How can you just leave her behind?” my wolf snaps angrily. “She’s our fated mate!”

“She’s weak,” I press. “Someone as weak as her can and will not ever be my fated mate.”

~

This day has been a fucking disaster. But thank fuck it’s almost over.

The union is done and we made it through the painful ceremony. Which means all I have to do is go the fuck to sleep.

However, it’s hard to even get myself into bed as I pace through my room, annoyed by the betraying images in my head. Somehow my mind keeps lingering back to Evelyn and this strange desire I have to go to her.

That’s not happening, though. I meant what I said - I’m keeping her at a distance.

I keep repeating that to myself as I move to sit on the edge of my bed, running my hands over my face as I let out a groan.

Only, a sudden knock on my door causes me to lift my head. The person on the other end doesn’t wait for me to respond as they push the door open, causing me to stand.

I watch as Bianca slips inside, giving me a sexy smile as she closes the door. I can’t help but let out a sigh in relief.

“Oh, it’s you,” I say, sitting back down.

Biance tilts her head to the side. “Were you suspecting someone else? Your wife?”

I roll my eyes. It’s strange to hear those words coming off of Bianca’s lips. She’s our Beta’s daughter and a long-time friend.

We’ve also been fucking for years. A casual sexual relationship, nothing more.

Bianca walks forward, pouting out her lower lip as she grows closer.

“It was hard just sitting by while you stood up there with her,” she comes to stand between my legs, fiddling with my collar. “Especially because you look so good in a suit.”

“Not as good as you look in this dress,” I reply, my fingertips beginning to brush the red fabric.

She hums, a hint of sadness still in her eyes. “You’re married now, and then there’s me. Do you even still want me now that you have the Silver Wolf’s daughter?”

In response, I grab her by the waist and pull her down to my lap. She gasps, melting into me as I brush a strand of blonde hair from her face.

“Of course I do,” I say. “I’m just using Evelyn - she’s nothing.”

And before she can say anything else, I crash my lips into hers.

Evelyn’s POV

Not to sound dramatic. But this - without a doubt - has to be one of the worst days of my life.

The ceremony was humiliating. Oh, and my mate absolutely loathes me. Not to mention that my reputation is now in ruins.

I’m so humiliated. How can Kane be so cold and treat me like this after discovering that we’re mates?

And even Kane’s parents had been so cold to me. The only thing they said was that I needed to get pregnant as soon as possible since that’s my only purpose. As if I need reminding.

I sigh as I let my head fall into my hands, still fighting back tears. However, I then hear a knock on the door. Looking toward it, I watch as a maid enters.

“The Alpha will not be joining you tonight…ma’am,” the maid informs me. I can tell that her calling me “ma’am” is practically painful for her.

“What?” I ask. “Why?”

Again, the maid seems to hold back her annoyance, but only slightly. She doesn’t allow herself to roll her eyes, but she does sigh impatiently. As if she’s saying, “Isn’t it obvious?”

“He has his own room at the end of the hall,” she explains. “And he doesn’t wish to share a bed with you.”

This last sentence pleases her and she tries to hide a smile from her lips before she scurries off – without me having dismissed her. Anger floods through me as my door slams shut, but I know it’s not her that I’m necessarily mad at.

I’m mad at Kane.

Goddess, he seems to enjoy humiliating me. I know that the anger I feel right now would only satisfy him. However, alongside my anger, I can’t help but be disappointed.

Had I really expected that we’d share a bed? I’m so delusional.

A sob shakes through my body, making me tremble. However, as another cry tries to escape me, a gasp suddenly jumps from my throat.

My whole body convulses, shaking as a sharp sensation runs through me. It originates from the mark at my shoulder, which is currently burning.

I pant as sweat collects on my forehead, my brows pulling together in confusion. The sensation strikes again, this time pinching tightly at the spot between my legs and making me moan.

I continue to whine as I struggle against a sudden need flooding through my body. That’s when I whisper a curse.

I’ve heard about this. How a female wolf will go into heat from their mating mark.

I have no idea what to do, how to satiate this desire. I’m still scrambling for a resolution when another sensation runs through me - but this one is different.

It's painful. A sharp stab hits me so intensely that I nearly dry heave. What is going on?

The pain rushes through me again, just before my wolf’s angry voice fills my head.

“Kane is with someone else.”

Evelyn’s POV

I wake up the next morning feeling like hell. I’ve hardly slept between the excruciating pain repeatedly surging through my body and the knowledge that Kane was with another woman. Just another way for him to embarrass me.

Forcing myself up, I start by taking a shower in order to slowly put myself back together. Then, I decide some breakfast might do me some good.

Leaving my room, I follow the smell of food to the pack’s dining hall. The room is grand, decorated with beautiful dark wood and a few long tables where other wolves already sit.

I walk forward to join them, grabbing a tray from the stack and placing a blueberry muffin on top of it. As I try to move on to the eggs, someone suddenly steps in my way.

I pause, staring at the woman a few inches taller than me. She’s beautiful and sharp with her shining blonde hair, red lips, and crystal blue eyes.

However, her stunning features are curled in a sneer. “So the weak little bride actually decided to show her face,” she mocks.

“Excuse me?” I ask, raising a brow. “Do I know you?”

“Oh, no. But you should,” she says with a growing smirk. “I’m Bianca. The one who fucked your husband last night.”

My throat grows tight as her words set in. This is who Kane was with last night?

“What? Did you really think he’d want to sleep with you?” Bianca says with a laugh. “You may have Alpha blood, but you have no wolf. You’re unworthy of Kane. You’re nothing more than a decorate breeder.”

My hands clench the tray in my hands, my teeth pressing tightly together.

“He needed to spend the night with a woman who could truly satisfy him,” she brags, flipping her blonde hair. “And, Goddess, it was perfect.”

She’s just trying to get a rise out of me - I know it. But I can’t just stand here and take it. Instead, I merely ignore her as I start to walk away.

I only manage a few steps before her hand suddenly wraps around my wrist and she yanks me back. As I face Bianca again, anger is evident in her features as she knocks the tray out of my hands.

“How dare you ignore me! Who the fuck do you think you are?” she practically yells in my face.

My own anger comes flooding in as she still holds tightly to my wrist. There’s slight pricks of pain where her nails dig into me, but it’s nothing compared to the pain that she caused me last night.

I want to shake her off or tell her exactly who I am - Kane’s wife, whether she liked it or not. Only, before I can say anything, someone enters the room.

I scent him before I see him and Bianca must notice my shift. She releases my arm and leaves me shocked and confused as she suddenly bursts into tears. She then turns and runs.

Runs right into Kane’s arm.

“Oh, Kane. She’s crazy! She found out about our relationship and tried to attack me!” Bianca whines, pushing hysterics. “She was trying to act like a Luna!”

I can hardly believe what I’m seeing. If anyone is crazy then it’s her, she’s practically psycho. I want to plead my case and point out the marks on my wrist, my breakfast soiled on the floor, but I can’t get the words out as I notice Kane’s stare.

It’s cold, deadly. He looks at me with pure anger and I can hardly breathe under the weight.

He squeezes Bianca’s shoulders, but leaves her so he can walk toward me. He stands a foot away and I can feel his body heat as he scowls down at me.

“You are not a real Luna, little wolf,” Kane clips out. “And you also have no say in who I sleep with.”

Despite my mind screaming out in danger, I can’t help but glare at him.

But before I could say anything back, he goes back to Bianca, scoops her up in his arms and carries her away.

After that, every night is the same.

I writhe and cry in my bed as I endure the pain of betrayal. I envision Kane and Bianca elated with the idea of my pain, getting off on knowing that I’m suffering.

It goes on for hours, tearing me up inside. Some nights, I’m even left emptying all of my stomach’s contents into the toilet.

Tonight, Kane and Bianca must have finally finished as the pain has dulled and I’m left a panting mess on my bed. I close my eyes, hoping sleep will overtake me, when my cellphone begins to chime from my side table.

Noting the caller ID, I’m quick to answer.

“Hello,” I say, my voice weak.

“What is wrong with you?” my father asks harshly. “Why do you sound sick?”

I clear my throat. “N-nothing, I was just about to go to sleep.”

“Sleep?” he presses. “Don’t you have better things to be doing? Like sleeping with your husband.”

“Well, I…,” I trail off, thinking of Kane and Bianca.

“Need I remind you that you need to get pregnant as soon as possible? The Alpha King is waiting,” my father states.

“I know,” I begin. “But Kane is -”

“Don't blame Kane!” he snaps. “It’s not his fault that you’re incapable of seducing him. Don’t be so useless and figure it out!”

The line goes silent as he hangs up on me. I throw my phone down to the mattress, closing my eyes. This whole thing feels like a nightmare.

And maybe it is, as just as I feel myself drifting off to sleep, that jolt pain overcomes me once again. I groan as I roll from side to side, the pain quickly becoming unbearable.

I don’t know how much more of this I can endure. I’m desperate to take this pain away.

So desperate that I drag myself up and stumble to the hall. As I reach the main entryway, I find a male wolf standing by the door who regards me with wide eyes.

I shudder with another wave of pain. “Please. Can you take me to the hospital?”

He shakes his head, looking so young and innocent. “I can’t leave my post, but I can call a car for you.”

I accept his offer and can do nothing but double over in agony as I wait. When the car arrives, I somehow manage to get inside. It’s not until halfway to the hospital that my suffering finally subsides.

Kane and Bianca must have finished again, allowing me some peace as I walk into the hospital. Thankfully, the ER isn’t too busy and I’m brought to a room to meet with a Dr. Borsheim.

He clicks his tongue after hearing of my symptoms. “Unfortunately, there’s no medication to ease the pain caused by a mating bond,” he informs me. Disappointment is quick to rush through me.

“It’s strange, though,” he continues. “Your wolf is weak, so your heat and this pain shouldn’t be so severe. I’ve never seen anything like it. Do you have any other health issues or are you taking any medications?”

“I do take medication,” I reply. “Just one. I’ve been taking it for years and it was prescribed by my father’s doctor. It’s meant to strengthen my wolf.”

“Hmmm,” the doctor begins. “Do you have this medication with you?”

“Yes,” I say, grabbing my handbag. I pull it out and hand it to him.

“Why don’t you let me hang on to this for now? I’ll scan its ingredients and see what it’s meant to do. I think it would be best if you stopped taking it until we know more,” he advises.

I nod.

The whole ride back from the hospital, my mind is getting the best of me.

I’m silently fuming as I think of Kane, of how he was the reason I had to visit the hospital in the middle of the night. Now the sun has risen and a new day is upon us.

A new day that is perfect for confronting Kane. I can’t keep going through this pain while he relishes in the pleasure. He clearly doesn’t want me so we need to end this - refuse each other and end the bond.

I figure he’ll be fine with that as I storm down the hallway, on my way to his room. When I reach the end of the hall, I waste no time knocking and throw his door open. However, I don’t find Kane alone.

Bianca is with him and they’re currently in a moment of passion. She staddles his lap, writhing over him as she moans with pleasure. As her eyes meet mine, I expect them to stop.

Instead, that devilish smirk slips onto Bianca’s face as she takes Kane inside of her again and again, seeming to exaggerate her pleasure as she screams his name.

The sound is like a knife to my chest, stabbing straight into my heart as I gasp.

Oh no.

Seeing your fated mate having sex with someone else in front of your eyes usually causes the next level deadly pain, even if I technically have no wolf.

I’ve never experienced pain like this before - my vision dots with black as I begin to wobble.

Finally, the agony overcomes me and I collapse to the floor, the feeling of betrayal prickling my skin.

My consciousness is slipping through my fingers.

However, before my world goes completely black, I faintly sense myself being lifted by a strong pair of arms.

Kane’s POV

Evelyn is light as I feather as I lift her into my arms. I study the fullness of her lips, the small dusting of freckles over her pale nose. Her eyes are closed as she’s lost consciousness.

“Once again, she proves just how weak she is,” Bianca mocks as she comes up to my side. She wraps her hands around my arm, rubbing my bicep. “Come on, Kane. Forget about her. Let's finish what we started.”

I brush her off, making her eyes widen. Perhaps I even mirror her shock as I don’t even understand my own actions.

“Get your clothes and go,” I tell her. Bianca’s jaw immediately snaps open. However, she soon closes it, evidently hurt as she grabs her things and storms out, not caring that she’s still naked.

As she slams the door behind her, my attention goes back to the woman in my arms. Once more, I drag my gaze over her face and down her frail body. She seems thinner, more fragile than she had on our wedding day.

That realization fills me with unease, only confusing me more. Why should I care if she’s lost weight? I’m the one who's been keen on keeping my distance.

But still…this strange feeling won’t leave my chest. Like a tug in her direction that I force myself to ignore, turning endlessly to Bianca instead. But it’s all in vain.

My wolf is constantly demanding Evelyn.

It’s just the mating bond, I tell myself as I make my way out of the room. I walk down the long hall, going to Evelyn’s room. Upon entering, I lay her down in her bed, ensuring she’s comfortable enough before I take my leave.

After, my head is filled with questions that only one person can answer. I go to the dining room, finding exactly who I’m looking for - my Beta, Henri. I’ve tasked him to keep tabs on Evelyn.

“Care to tell me why Evelyn came to my room this morning?” I ask, joining him at his table.

“Good morning to you too,” Henri replies, earning him a scowl. Getting the point, he moves on. “She’s been struggling. It was reported that she went to the hospital in the middle of the night. The wolf that helped get her a car said she seemed to be in immense pain.”

My jaw tightened at this.

“Figure out which doctor treated Evelyn and have them brought to the packhouse,” I fire out the order to him, waiting for his nod before I move on. “Anything else I should know?”

“There’s the bullying from the others,” Henri states. “Other members of the pack have been mocking Evelyn. She’s being treated like an outcast.”

Damn. A wave of anger rolls through me, causing my hands to ball up into fists, my knuckles turning white.

“What did you expect?” my wolf chews out. “You’ve been nothing but cruel to her. They all follow your lead.”

I shake my head, annoyed with his words despite knowing they’re true.

Henri looks at me, his features plain. “How do you want to proceed? Should we take any measures?”

He means, should we intervene and punish those tormenting Evelyn? I roll the idea around in my mind, hearing my wolf growling out his “yes.” However, my own stubbornness causes me to shake my head.

“No,” I state, feeling my wolf’s disapproval. “Her weakness is her own problem. It’s a sin only she can bear.”

Henri stares at me for a moment before he nods. “Alright, if that’s what you want…”

~

I stand by as Dr. Borsheim does a check up on Evelyn. He’s quick but efficient, making sure he leaves no stone unturned as he notes her current state. Finally, he turns to me.

“She’s fine – stable. However, she will be in a coma for a while. Perhaps the next few days,” he states.

“A coma?” I ask, raising an annoyed brow.

The doctor nods. “Her body is trying to take care of itself. Evelyn is in an immense amount of pain due to the heat from your mark and you having sex with another woman,” he explains. “Forgive my boldness, Alpha. But I would suggest your try not to be unfaithful to Evelyn while she is weak and in a coma. It could cause further issues.”

See, this is all your fault, my wolf scolds. Now we’ve put her in danger!

Ignoring him, I clear my throat and offer a nod to the doctor. He seems pleased with my subtle response, allowing him to pack up to leave. Meanwhile, I quickly glance toward Evelyn, watching her peacefully rest.

It’s the complete opposite to the way her features distorted with pain the last time I saw her. If she really is in that much danger, then I suppose I can take a break from sleeping with Bianca while Evelyn is healing.

Even if I don’t understand why she’s in so much pain from my mark if her wolf is so weak.

Evelyn’s POV

I’ve spent the last few days in and out of consciousness. Every time I tried to open my eyes, my body protested, insisting that I needed more sleep.

I had no choice but to oblige, but I was relieved that I was able to sleep for days without feeling any pain. It’s as if it just suddenly disappeared. I’m not sure why, but I’m grateful for its absence nonetheless.

As I open my eyes this morning, I find that my head feels lighter, my eyes clear. I yawn as I sit up, running a hand through my tangled hair.

I can’t believe I slept for days, but perhaps it was my body’s way of protecting me. The scene between Kane and Biance flashes through my mind again and I have to shake it away.

If one thing has become abundantly clear it’s that this marriage isn’t going to work. I can’t go on living like this while Kane gets off.

If he’s really that bothered by my existence then there’s really only one answer. We need to get a divorce. We have to.

Just as I come to the conclusion, my phone suddenly begins to ring. I see it’s my father calling, making my stomach sour as I answer.

“Where have you been?” he instantly yells. “I haven’t heard from you in days.”

I swallow the knot forming in my throat. “I’ve been…sick.”

It’s not technically a lie. Still, he sighs as if I’m a disappointment.

“You don’t have time to be sick - you have other priorities,” he scolds. “Are you pregnant yet?”

His questions hit me hard in the chest, reminding me again how little I matter to him. How little I seem to matter to everyone.

“No, I’m not,” I state, keeping the pain from my voice. “I…I’m thinking of asking Kane for a divorce.”

“What!?” he yells. “You foolish, ungrateful girl! You will not disgrace our family because you do not know how to attract a man.”

“No, father. I -“

“I should have known you wouldn’t be able to handle this simple task,” he continues. “You’ve always proven yourself useless. Your wolf is weak, you’re weak, you’re incapable of being an Alpha, and now you can’t even produce a child. Useless.”

Useless.

The word echoes in my mind. And if that one word is not enough to tear me up inside, his next statement seals the deal.

“I’m ashamed of you.”

I can’t take it anymore. I tear the phone from my ear and hang up. I then throw it further down the bed before I pull my knees to my chest, placing my forehead to my knee.

This is all too much. I’m emotionally and physically drained. My father’s words stay with me no matter how much I try to brush them away.

I wish my mother was here, that she was still alive. If she was then none of this would have ever happened.

My thoughts are interrupted as I hear a knock at my door, causing me to straighten in bed before I call out for the person to enter. I’m surprised to see it’s Dr. Borsheim who comes through the door.

“Dr. Borsheim, what are you doing here?” I ask.

“Happy to see you’re finally awake,” he tells me. “I’ve been staying at the packhouse the last few days while you’ve been in a coma. Kane asked me to keep an eye on you and closely monitor your health.”

Kane requested the doctor’s presence? Really? I find that hard to believe.

“It’s good he asked me to stay, especially seeing as I finally received some information regarding your medication like I’d like to share,” Dr. Borsheim states.

“Oh!” I pop out. “Yes, I’d love to know any updates.”

He nods. “The data I’ve found is quite…peculiar,” he admits.

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Well, there’s no easy way of putting this, Evelyn,” he starts. “But it seems that whoever prescribed you this medication was mistaken about its purpose. It’s not meant to strengthen your wolf but actually stunt its growth.”

“W-What?” I brush out.

“It has seriously hindered the development of your wolf, which is why you can’t shift,” he explains. “My advice is to stop taking the drug altogether, if you haven’t already.”

“O-Of course. I will,” I say, my head spinning. Why would my medication be purposely hurting my wolf? My father is the one who gave me those meds - did he know?

A burning feeling in my gut tells me that he did.

He probably never liked being the first supportive male wolf leader and always want to be the Alpha in control.

There might be more between him and my mom that I didn’t know, but I don’t have time to think deeper into that. There are more urgent things.

“But,” I begin. “Is it possible for my wolf to still be saved?”

“That’s a more difficult question to answer,” he admits. “Because you’ve been taking the medication for so long, it’s hard to say if the damages it caused are irreversible.”

His words hit me hard, causing my heart to drop and eyes to glaze over. I don’t fully remember him leaving or even getting out of bed. I’m a mess of disappointment and loss over these new discoveries.

But what’s so strange are the other sensations vibrating through me. I feel…different. However, I’m probably only kidding myself as these sensations seem tied to my wolf.

It’s almost as if she feels…stronger.

I shake my head. I must be making it all up in my mind, trying to raise my own spirits. That’s what I keep telling myself as I manage to shower and get dressed. And even as I leave my room and walk toward the dining hall.

I’m so lost in my own thoughts that I don’t notice the person sneaking up on me until their hand takes a handful of my hair.

I wince as they tug at my scalp. The person turns me so they can shove their face right in my own, bringing me nose to nose with Bianca.

Her cheeks are flushed, her teeth beared. “You piece of slutty trash!” she screams.”What did you tell him!?”

I shake my head, grunting. “What are you talking about?” I ask.

“Don’t play innocent. I know you said something to him!” she screeches, pulling harder. “What did you do to make him stop seeing me!?”