Chapter 4 That night three years ago

Caesar's POV

It was after the pack's adult transformation ceremony-a rite every wolf must endure.The moment the ritual ended, I caught her scent and knew-she was my mate.

But the bond felt weak, nothing like the overwhelming connection legends described between true mates,and that confirmed what Olsen had suspected for years-I wasn't her destined mate.

The night she'd come to my suite, she'd thrown herself at me, begging me to touch her, to take her.

I resisted at first. I'd always known about her feelings for me, had seen the longing in her eyes.

But I'd held back, paralyzed by the fear that she'd abandon me the second she found her real destined mate.

But her scent-crisp mint and cedar mingled with bitter herbs-had driven me wild with need.

I'd finally allowed myself to touch what I'd forbidden myself from wanting.

I took her against the wall first, ripping her panties off as she wrapped those gorgeous legs around my waist.

"Fuck me, daddy," she'd moaned, her pussy clenching around my cock as I thrust into her with brutal force.

"You're mine," I growled against her neck, pounding into her tight heat. "Say it, little wolf."

"Yours," she gasped, her nails digging into my shoulders. "Only yours."

I carried her to the desk next, bending her over the polished wood. Her ass looked perfect with my handprints on it, her cunt dripping with my cum as I took her from behind.

"Look at your greedy little hole," I snarled, slapping her ass hard enough to make her cry out in pleasure. "Taking daddy's cock so well."

When I finally took her to my bed, I spread her wide open, tasting every inch of her sweet pussy until she was sobbing with need.

"Please, I need you inside me," she begged, her eyes glazed with something I couldn't quite place.

When we joined completely, something miraculous happened-that pathetic thread of connection blazed into life. The bond crystallized, real and burning between us. Olsen howled in triumph, finally feeling Serena clearly.

*"She's ours,"he insisted."She belongs to us."*

For the first time in years, I dared to hope.

But morning brought an emergency call. Pack crisis. I had to leave immediately, but my heart was singing as I kissed her goodbye.

I would come back and claim her properly. Make her my mate, my wife, my everything.

Instead, I came back to find she'd already given hers to Lucius-her real destined mate. I had never meant anything to her.

The betrayal nearly destroyed me. In my rage and heartbreak, I severed our connection, cut myself off from her completely.

But even in my rage and heartbreak, I couldn't stop myself from watching her from the shadows, drawn to her like a moth to flame.

Now, though, something seemed terribly wrong.She looked... hollow. Broken.

"Caesar?"Olsen cut through my brooding, his voice urgent in my mind. "Did you notice? Her wolf seems wrong."

I froze, glass halfway to my lips. He was right. Throughout our entire interaction, I hadn't felt the powerful connection to her wolf that I used to.

Cold dread washed over me. What the hell had happened to her?

"Marcus," I said, my voice deadly calm as I set down my glass. "I need you to find out what's going on with Luna Wilde. Discreetly. Start with her medical records."

"Sir?" He looked confused by the sudden shift.

I didn't explain, concern overriding my earlier resolve to stay away. "Find out why. Now."

As Marcus nodded and stepped away to make calls, I stared at the door through which Viya had disappeared.

If Lucius had harmed her wolf-I would tear his throat out with my bare hands.

Some lines should never be crossed.

---

Viya's POV

I woke to the sound of my phone buzzing incessantly on Sophia's nightstand. My head throbbed mercilessly, a reminder of last night's epic poor decisions.

Fragments of memories flashed through my mind-the bar, the drinking, and... oh God, Alpha Caesar Blackwood.

I groaned, burying my face in the pillow. Had I really thrown myself at my former guardian? The man who'd raised me?

Heat flooded my cheeks as I remembered pressing myself against him, the feel of his hard body against mine, the momentary surrender to his kiss before he pushed me away.

"Rise and shine, lightweight," Sophia chirped, sweeping into the guest room with two mugs of coffee. Despite her cheerful tone, concern etched her features. "You remember anything from last night?"

"Unfortunately," I mumbled, accepting the steaming cup gratefully. "Please tell me I didn't actually launch myself at Alpha Caesar in the middle of Moonlight Bar."

"You absolutely did," she confirmed, settling at the edge of the bed. "And it was spectacular. I've never seen the mighty Alpha so rattled."

I groaned again. "I was supposed to be celebrating my impending freedom, not creating fresh disasters."

"Speaking of freedom..." Sophia reached for her briefcase and pulled out a manila folder with a flourish.

"Divorce papers, as requested. Standard division of assets, maintaining your medical practice independently, and full separation from Wilde Pack territory."

My heart skipped a beat as I set aside my coffee to accept the folder.

Inside were the divorce papers, already prepared with all the necessary legal language that would dissolve my three-year sham of a marriage to Lucius Wilde.

"Thank you," I whispered, clutching the papers to my chest.

"Don't thank me until it's done," Sophia warned. "Now, shower and get dressed. You need to get these signed before he changes his mind."

An hour later, feeling somewhat human again after a shower and fresh clothes, I applied perfume carefully. Without my wolf, I had no scent, and I couldn't let anyone realize what had happened.

Then I drove to the mansion Lucius and I had shared for the past three years.

The place I'd never once felt at home in, despite my best efforts.

As I pulled into the circular driveway, I noticed something strange. My belongings-clothes, books, even my medical journals-were scattered across the front lawn like trash.

My shock quickly turned to fury as I stepped out of the car. Miranda stood on the porch, arms crossed, a satisfied smirk on her face.

"What the hell is this?" I demanded, storming toward her.

"Spring cleaning," she replied sweetly. "Just getting rid of unwanted items."

I clenched my fists, fighting to maintain control. "Those are my things. You had no right-"

"I have every right," she cut in, her honey-blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight. "This is our home now-Lucius and I."

The casual way she said it-Lucius and I-made my blood boil. Not because I wanted him, but because of the utter disrespect.

"You may be his favorite, Miranda, but I am still his Luna," I reminded her, my voice deadly coldly.

Her perfect facade cracked, just for a second, revealing the venom beneath. "You think you matter to him? To anyone in this pack? You're nothing but a convenient placeholder, a pretty little puppet he parades around at pack functions."

I stepped closer, refusing to be intimidated. "At least I had the decency to marry him before trying to sleep with him. Can you say the same?"

"You little bitch," she hissed. "Don't pretend you're some innocent victim. Everyone knows why he married you-to secure the alliance with Blackwood Pack. You were a business transaction, nothing more."

Then her hand lashed out, but I intercepted it effortlessly, gripping her wrist and holding it in place .

My eyes narrowed dangerously."Touch me again, and I'll break every bone in your pretty hand. Doctor's promise."

Something flickered in her eyes-fear, perhaps-before she masked it with contempt.

She wrenched her hand free from my grip, stumbling back slightly."I'd be careful if I were you, Viya. You may think you're protected because of your connection to the Blackwood Pack, but even they won't be able to help you once I'm Luna."

"Is that a threat?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"It's a promise," she purred, her voice honey-sweet again. "When I'm done, that little herbal clinic of yours will be nothing but ashes. Lucius listens to me, after all. He always has."

The sound of the front door opening interrupted our standoff.