LOGININARA'S POVThe kitchen suddenly felt too small, the morning light that had felt warm just moments ago now sharp and unforgiving. Liora stood in the doorway with that calculated, innocent expression on her face, but her eyes held something colder. My heart hammered in my chest as I set my cup down carefully, trying to keep my breathing steady. The uneasy feeling I’d had all morning made sudden, horrible sense.“Well, well… who do we have here?” she repeated, stepping further into the kitchen like she owned the space. Her hand rested lightly on her stomach in that deliberate way that made my skin crawl. “The little substitute Luna, all alone. How fitting.”I didn’t respond. I wouldn’t give her the satisfaction. Grayson’s words from the pack address replayed in my mind, do not listen to her lies. I turned slightly, intending to leave calmly, but Liora wasn’t done.“Oh, come on, Inara. No need to run away like a scared little pup. We both know the truth. You’re nothing but a placeholde
INARA'S POVSomething felt wrong the next morning. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, a strange, uneasy feeling twisting in my chest that had nothing to do with my occasional stomach pains. The bond with Grayson hummed steadily, warm and reassuring as always, but there was a shadow at the edges of my mind I couldn’t shake. Liora’s arrival on pack lands had changed the air. Even though Grayson had addressed the pack so strongly, her presence felt like a dark cloud hovering just out of sight.I tried to ignore it as I slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Grayson. He had finally fallen into a deeper sleep after the long night, his face peaceful despite the lingering fever. I pressed a soft kiss to his forehead and quietly left our chambers, hoping a glass of water would help settle the odd restlessness inside me.The pack house kitchen was quiet at this hour, the early morning light filtering through the windows.I filled a cup with cool water from the pitcher and took a long si
INARA'S POVThe next day dawned with a heavy tension hanging over the pack like storm clouds. Word had spread quickly, thanks to the elders’ decision that Liora would be allowed temporary shelter on our lands. Not as a welcomed member, but as a “protected guest” under strict conditions. My stomach twisted every time I thought about it. The woman who had caused so much pain was going to be here, breathing the same air as us, spinning her lies.I stood beside Grayson on the raised platform in the main gathering square, my hand tightly clasped in his. The pack had assembled in large numbers, warriors, omegas, families with pups clinging to their parents. Whispers rippled through the crowd as Liora was brought forward under guard, looking every bit the picture of fragile innocence with her hand resting lightly on her stomach.I felt Grayson’s grip tighten on mine, his thumb stroking soothing circles even as his jaw clenched.My mate stepped forward, his powerful presence immediately sile
GRAYSON'S POVThe lakeside felt like our own little world, far away from the council’s demands and Liora’s lies. Inara was still curled in my lap on the smooth rock, her fingers playing lazily with the collar of my shirt as the water lapped gently nearby. I could have stayed here forever, holding my mate, breathing in her scent, letting the fever and frustration melt away under her touch.She shifted suddenly in my arms, turning to face me more fully with a playful glint in her eyes. Her hands pressed against my chest as she “tossed” lightly, pretending to struggle free while laughing. “Grayson… aren’t you supposed to be somewhere important right now? With the pack? Handling all those serious Alpha things instead of hiding here with me by the lake?”I tightened my hold around her waist, not letting her escape even an inch. A deep sigh escaped me as I pressed a soft peck to her lips, lingering just long enough to taste her sweetness. “I’d rather be with you than anywhere else in the w
GRAYSON'S POVThe question landed like a slap across the face. Elder Thorne’s words resounded in the council hall, casual but loaded with implication. Will she be allowed to spend time in your chambers?My blood boiled instantly. The fever that had been simmering all day flared hotter, feeding the rage already churning inside me.I shot to my feet, the chair scraping loudly against the stone floor. “How dare you ask me such a disgusting question?” My voice came out as a low, dangerous growl that made several elders shift uncomfortably.“Liora abandoned this pack. She attacked us. She spread lies about carrying my child. And you have the audacity to suggest I let her anywhere near my private chambers? Near my mate’s home?”Thorne tried to speak, but I cut him off with a sharp gesture. “Never. Not in a thousand years. I will never allow that woman anywhere near my personal life or my Luna. This shelter arrangement is already pushing every limit I have. Do not test me further on this.”T
GRAYSON'S POVThe morning had slipped away too quickly, wrapped up in soft kisses and quiet laughter with my mate. Inara was still flushed and beautiful, sitting on the edge of our bed as I finished dressing for the day. My fever had eased a little thanks to her care, but the pull to stay with her was stronger than ever. I never wanted to leave this room when she was looking at me like that, like I was her whole world.I crossed the room and pulled her up into my arms one last time, cupping her face gently. "I really have to go now, baby," I murmured against her lips, stealing another slow kiss. She melted into it immediately, her hands fisting in my shirt. I deepened it just enough to leave her breathless, my tongue brushing hers in that way I knew made her knees weak.When I pulled back, her lips were swollen and her eyes were dazed. I grinned, brushing my thumb over her bottom lip. "Look at you... all flushed and pretty because of me. How am I supposed to focus on pack business w
INARA'S POV I tossed and turned in the big, unfamiliar bed until the sheets felt like they were strangling me. The moon was hanging high outside my window, casting silvery light across the room that only made my wolf more restless. Every little sound in the Alpha’s residence had me sitting up— a
GRAYSON'S POV I held Inara close, her soft, warm body curled against my chest as our breathing slowly evened out. My cock was still buried deep inside her, softening in the warm, slick heat of her pussy. Cum leaked out around us, mixing with her wetness, but I didn’t pull out yet. I couldn’t. I w
INARA'S POV The morning light filtering through the tall windows of the Alpha’s residence felt way too bright for the knot twisting in my stomach. I’d barely slept, replaying Grayson’s cold words on loop until my wolf wanted to howl in frustration. ‘Don’t make me regret this any more than I alrea
INARA'S POVI never thought I’d be standing in Alpha Grayson Ansel’s private chambers wearing my sister’s wedding gown.The silk still carried a faint trace of Liora’s favorite jasmine perfume, but it felt wrong on my skin—like I was sliding into someone else’s life and hoping no one would notice t







