Chapter 13
In this chapter, Alexander is overwhelmed by turmoil and disbelief as he grapples with the shocking reality that Roana, the Lycan King’s mate, has betrayed him by aligning herself with another. His anger and sense of possession clash with his inability to control her newfound independence. Despite his fury, he hides the truth from his pack, fearing the loss of their privileges and the collapse of his carefully built future.
Emily, Alexander’s true mate, is introduced as a fragile figure carrying his child but facing a grim prognosis. Her presence brings a mix of hope and despair, as she worries about her child’s acceptance and her limited time left. The family’s concern about their fragile future is palpable, underscoring the tension between loyalty, survival, and the harsh realities they face.
Alexander’s internal conflict deepens as he recalls meeting Emily and succumbing to the primal pull of his true mate, despite his commitment to Roana. His guilt is tempered by pragmatism, as he plans to keep Roana as Luna while securing his lineage through Emily’s child. This plan, however, is threatened by Roana’s defiance and public humiliation, which fuels Alexander’s rage and desire for control.
The chapter culminates in a sudden crisis as Emily goes into labor, her fear and desperation intensifying the chaos. The family scrambles to assist her, but suspicion arises when Alexander’s mother detects another man’s scent on Emily, casting doubt on the child’s paternity. Despite the confusion, Alexander instinctively affirms the child is his, leaving the situation charged with uncertainty and emotional tension.
Chapter 13
Alexander,
How did everything spiral into this chaos? Roana, the Lycan King’s mate? What on earth was unfolding before my eyes? That woman—useless and pitiful, with nothing to offer—had suddenly become his mate? It was unbelievable.
I refused to accept it.
A fierce, burning rage surged through my veins, pounding relentlessly. I had believed she would never abandon me. I was certain she would understand, despite all that had happened. After all, it was she who failed to bear my child. If only she had been slimmer, more alluring, I would never have sought comfort in another woman’s arms.
And now, she had the audacity to insult me in front of His Majesty? How dare she!
She was mine—mine to control, mine to possess like a mere pet. I had always assumed she would remain silent, obedient, and submissive, just as she had in the past. But who could have guessed she had wings to soar? I should have clipped them the moment she entered my life. I should have locked her away so deep that even the thought of escape would never cross her mind.
“Alexander! She didn’t come?” Alpha Milestones’ voice cut sharply through my dark thoughts as I stood in my private chamber. The pack healer was carefully applying a healing ointment to the wound on my back. The bitter scent of herbs and iron filled the room, and the healer’s skilled fingers moved with the practiced ease of someone who had tended to countless scars. The pain on my back was nothing compared to the burning weight pressing on my chest.
“No. But don’t worry—I’ll bring her back. As soon as possible.” I said firmly, though they had no idea she was with the Lycan King.
If they discovered the truth, not only would they rejoice, but all the privileges we had gained from that pack would be stripped away. I could not afford to lose those advantages, nor the future inheritance they promised. Without them, the carefully constructed foundation I had built would collapse. The mere thought twisted my stomach into knots.
“That ungrateful girl! How dare she defy us!” Luna Milestones stormed into the room, her face taut with wounded pride. Behind her, Emily followed, cradling her swollen belly with deliberate care, as if holding herself together had become a sacred ritual.
“It’s all my fault, Luna Milestones. If I hadn’t come here, I would never have known my mate was here,” Emily’s voice trembled, small and raw with fear, yet tinged with a weary resignation that made her words sting even more.
“It’s not your fault!” my mother snapped, her voice sharp and cracking like a whip. “If you hadn’t come, we would have assumed my son was the one who couldn’t father children. And now look at you—you’re carrying our grandson p>
Tears shimmered in Emily’s eyes as she nodded quietly. “But what do I do now? You all know I won’t survive more than a few months. My doctor told me I might have six months at best. Once the baby is born, I want him to be accepted by his true mother. If Luna Roana refuses to acknowledge my child, what will happen? I don’t want my son to grow up as an illegitimate child p>
She broke down in sobs while Luna Milestones and my mother tried to comfort her. Their hands rested gently on her shoulders, shawls were draped over her trembling form, and their murmured reassurances sounded more like commands disguised as consolation.
They fussed because the family’s future had become fragile, delicate as glass, and every shaky breath Emily took carried a weight of consequences.
I first met Emily last year at the hunting festival. Shortly after Roana excused herself to attend an official meeting, I found Emily lying on the grass. Her scent struck me like an invisible tether, a magnetic pull I couldn’t resist. Her wolf was in rut, and I was helplessly addicted to that intoxicating aroma.
At first, my mind tried to resist. Though I hadn’t wanted to marry Roana initially, she had grown into someone I respected deeply. But the more I saw Emily—my mate—wrapped in that raw, seductive scent, the more my wolf howled for her.
I could not deny myself the chance to be with my true mate. By some ancient, primal law, she was mine. My wolf demanded her, and I surrendered, pushing aside the gnawing guilt that clawed at my conscience.
After that night, Roana began talking about children. She spoke softly of nurseries, names, and quiet mornings filled with hope. But to me, those words felt like cruel taunts, overshadowed by the vivid memory of Emily’s scent. I started to resent the ordinary dreams Roana held, as if they were impossible compared to the undeniable proof that a child might be growing inside another woman.
Though I felt guilty for betraying Roana, who had given me so much, I couldn’t shake the pull of Emily. Before long, I found her staying in a small, modest hotel nearby. That place became the sanctuary where my wolf’s hunger was sated, where my weakness turned into habit.
While Roana’s attempts to conceive failed and the doctors declared me infertile, Emily brought me the best news of my life—she was carrying my child.
I told myself it would be fine once the baby was born. But humiliation gnawed at me every time the doctors insisted I was incapable of fathering children, while Emily, with her rounded belly and confident lies, seemed perfectly healthy.
Why was I less of a man while she appeared normal? It felt like a personal insult. Perhaps she was manipulating the healers to blame me for her failure. The thought festered inside me until every whispered word felt like an accusation and every glance a sneer.
Still, out of a cold sense of pragmatism, I wanted to keep Roana as my Luna. Emily’s diagnosis was grim—she wouldn’t survive long. That made it easier to consider taking the child without endangering Luna’s position. I could maintain the public facade while securing the lineage in secret. It was a practical solution. What others called cruelty, I called necessary sacrifice.
But that ungrateful woman had the nerve to humiliate me, turning me into the villain before His Majesty.
“Don’t worry! We’re all here. I’ll send people to bring her back. This time, I’ll break her legs so she never escapes again! How dare she disgrace us like this!” Alpha Milestones growled, his voice a low rasp that hinted at violence. The room seemed to shrink under the weight of his fury. Power was a blunt weapon when it needed to be.
I remained silent. As long as they didn’t learn the truth about Roana, I would continue to use them for my own ends. They were tools—useful, loyal, and foolish enough to believe the lies I fed them. I had mastered the art of hiding the deeper truths, dressing them in half-truths that kept the pack content with the illusion of order.
Lying flat on my stomach, I suddenly heard Emily whimper.
Everyone’s attention snapped to her. Her face had turned as pale as milk.
“What’s wrong? Emily! Are you hurt?” my mother demanded, her voice sharp with concern.
Emily clutched her belly, but her expression was more terrified than pained. Her lips trembled, breaths coming fast and shallow, like a cornered animal ready to flee.
“Oh my God! She’s in labor! Servants, get her to the guest room!” my mother shouted. The healer moved swiftly, as if a bell had rung.
Within minutes, blankets were brought, water poured into cups. The chaos transformed into a careful, efficient rhythm of care.
But Emily’s panic grew. She seemed terrified of giving birth at that moment.
“No! Call my sister. Please, don’t enter the room. Only my sister!” Emily cried out, unable to stand. Her voice broke, as if she had exhausted her strength. She pressed her legs together, desperate to hold the baby in just a little longer, waiting for her sister.
I tried to move but couldn’t feel my back. It was as if my ribs were shattered.
As I struggled, a horrified gasp escaped my mother, who nearly let go of Emily’s hand. She searched Emily’s face, whose water had broken before they could even reach the guest room.
Luna Milestones and my mother exchanged a glance.
My mother looked at me, then back at Emily, who was now kneeling.
“Why do I smell another man on you, Emily?” Her hand flew to her mouth, her face pale as death. “It’s a different scent—not yours, son. Are you sure she’s carrying your child p>
Her words hung heavy in the air like a curse. Confusion and doubt flooded through me before my eyes met Emily’s, who was trembling as she turned toward me.
“She’s lying! You can feel it, right? The scent of your child!” she whispered, her voice soft and haunting, shattering my heart.
“Yes. It’s my scent,” I whispered back before I could even think it through. But why? I couldn’t detect anything from her. Why had I answered yes?
The tangled emotions that grip Alexander reveal the fragile and volatile nature of love, loyalty, and power within this world. His internal struggle between duty and desire, control and vulnerability, underscores the profound complexity of his relationships with Roana and Emily. The chapter poignantly captures the clash between appearances and hidden truths, as well as the painful consequences of secrets kept and betrayals endured. Through Alexander’s turmoil, the narrative explores how love can both bind and unravel, leaving characters caught between hope and despair.
As Emily’s labor begins and the weight of uncertain parentage looms, the chapter closes on a note of raw tension and fragile hope. The characters are left grappling with their fears and the uncertain future of the child that symbolizes both a new beginning and the fragile ties that hold them together. In this moment, the story delicately balances the promise of life with the shadows of doubt, setting the stage for the emotional reckonings yet to come.
Tensions reach a breaking point as Alexander grapples with the tangled web of loyalty, betrayal, and desperation that binds him to Roana and Emily. The fragile balance he’s maintained is on the verge of collapse, and the emotional stakes have never been higher. The coming chapter promises to delve deeper into the raw vulnerabilities of these characters, exposing the cracks in their relationships and the true cost of secrets kept too long.
Expect a surge of emotional turmoil as the characters confront the consequences of their choices and the looming threat of exposure. The delicate threads holding their world together may unravel, forcing painful decisions that could redefine their futures. As the lines between love, duty, and survival blur, the next chapter will challenge their resolve and reveal whether redemption or ruin awaits.
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.