BEYOND REDEMPTION

Kora's POV

Today is our third anniversary. The hall is filled with people pack members, allies, and guests. Everyone is smiling, offering their congratulations.

But there's one question that lingers in my mind, heavy and painful: Where is my husband?

Since I married Alpha Aaron, happiness has become nothing but a distant memory. He never once saw me as his Luna. I hold the title in name only never in my heart. I thought every Luna was to be cherished by their mate, but my own case was different.

I was so happy when Alpha Aaron marked me, i thought i have the best Alpha in the world but i was completely wrong when everything he did is to caused me pain, he even make it clear to me that he didn't love me, he just accepted me as his Luna because of what my father gave him, i can never forget that world but is still better than being rejected.

Is it really better? I thought about asking myself questions, I know the answer already, but I refused to accept it.

"Happy anniversary, Luna Kora!"

I heard a voice behind me, which made me turn around, only to see Alpha Edward stepping forward, his men flanking him like shadows. A chill runs down my spine.

Why is he here this year? Alpha Edward, the most powerful and wealthiest Alpha alive. People fear him. Even Aaron, with all his arrogance, is nothing compared to him.

He stares at me with that unreadable look cold, intense. My heart skips a beat.

"Thank you, Alpha," I murmur, bowing my head respectfully. Every woman in the kingdom would kill for a glance from him, but he's never shown interest in anyone. I wondered why he had not marked his Luna since this year, but he refused to.

Then he asks, "Where is Alpha Aaron?"

The question stings. I force a polite smile. "I'll go get him for you," I reply, turning away though the truth is, I have no idea where my husband is.

I climbed the stairs with a heavy heart. Honestly, I had no idea what I was walking into.

Something felt wrong. Ever since I stood in the hall, my body had been aching every nerve on edge. That kind of pain only comes when your mate is being unfaithful. But I didn't want to believe it. Not tonight. Not on our anniversary.

I continued up, heading toward our bedroom, hoping to find him there... but the room was empty.

My chest tightened as I turned back into the hallway. I started checking every door, searching for him, trying to hold on to hope.

Then I stopped.

There was a sound a faint noise coming from behind the door to his study.

Slowly, I walked toward it. My hands trembled as I reached for the handle. I paused when I heard it moaning.

My breath caught in my throat.

No. Please no, I whispered in my mind, praying it wasn't what it sounded like.

With shaking fingers, I turned the knob and pushed the door open.

The sight before me knocked the air out of my lungs.

There they were. Naked. Twisted in the sheets of the couch my husband and my best friend.

I stood frozen as they turned to face me. Their eyes were wide. Caught.

Tears spilled from my eyes, hot and silent. My knees almost gave out beneath me.

My heart didn't just break it shattered.

I stood there, unable to move. My hands dropped to my sides, trembling. My voice caught in my throat, but somehow, I managed to speak.

"How... how could you?"

Why would both of you do this to me? I trust both of you with my life.

Aaron, I know you don't respect me as your Luna, but how can you do this to me, Lana? I shouted.

Aaron didn't flinch. He sat up slowly, dragging the sheet around his waist, not out of shame, but boredom. His cold eyes met mine like I was nothing more than an unwanted guest.

"You should've knocked," he said casually, like I had walked in on a meeting, not a betrayal.

Beside him, my best friend Lana smirked. She didn't bother to cover herself. Instead, she leaned against him, running her fingers over his chest.

"What did you expect, Kora?" she said with a mocking tone. "A fairy tale? You're Luna by name, not by heart."

My stomach turned. I looked at Aaron, searching his face for even a flicker of regret. I found nothing.

"You planned this... on our anniversary?"

He shrugged. "You should've known your place. I never wanted a weak Luna."

I never wanted to celebrate this anniversary after all, but you keep wanting more.

The words hit harder than a slap. I wanted to scream, to cry, to tear the whole room apart-but my body refused to move. "Anie," my wolf shifted weakly, but I tried to control it. I have never used my wolf to fight before, and I don't think this is the right moment.

"And you," I turned to Lana, my voice cracking. "You were supposed to be my sister, my friend "

She laughed. "I was tired of playing second to you. Now I have everything. Power, status... and your mate."

What do you think? That you could have everything, Lana said with a smirk, then placed her hand on her tummy.

It would be bad if you heard this outside, that I'm carrying Alpha Aaron's heir.

My vision blurred with tears, but I blinked them away. I refused to let them see me fall. Not here. Not now.

"You think you've won?" I whispered and ran towards Lana, but before I could reach where she was, Aaron pushed me away, making me hit my back on the wall.

Don't you dare touch the mother of my son," he said, staring at me with disgust.

I stood up, ignoring the pain in my body, and tried to leave, but before I could reach the door, Aaron's voice rang out-cold and commanding.

"Guards."

Two large wolves appeared instantly at the entrance, blocking my way.

"What are you doing?" I demanded, my heart pounding.

Aaron stood, wrapping himself in his robe with the air of someone in control. "You weren't supposed to see this. And you certainly weren't supposed to live long enough to speak of it."

My breath caught. "What?"

"You think I'd let you ruin everything I've built just because your little heart got broken?" His lips curled into a cruel smile. "Take her to the lower chamber. The one no one dares enter."

What are you planning to do? I shouted, trying to break free from the guards.

Since you want to know, I will tell you, I'm going to kill you and make it look like you took your own life after all, no one would ask of you, your family didn't consider you their daughter, which will make my plan work perfectly," he said.

"No!" I backed away, but the guards grabbed me by both arms.

"Let me go!" I screamed, struggling against their grip. "You can't do this to me!"

"I already did," Aaron replied smoothly. "Goodbye, Kora."

They dragged me through the halls like a prisoner, no, worse than a prisoner. No one dared meet my eyes as we passed. The once-proud Luna, now being dragged through the dirt by the very pack she once served on my anniversary day.

The torture room was deep underground. Damp, dark, and reeking of blood and fear. They shoved me inside without a word. I hit the ground hard, my wrist twisting beneath me.

The door slammed. The lock turned. And silence followed.

I sat up slowly, breathing hard. The pain in my wrist was nothing compared to the ache in my chest. But I couldn't stay here. I wouldn't die here. Not like this.

I scanned the room. One small window-too high to reach. Chains are bolted to the walls. A loose rock in the corner caught my eye. I crawled toward it and pulled it free, revealing a gap in the stone floor.

Was it a tunnel? A drain? I didn't know-but it was my only chance.

With every ounce of strength, I squeezed through. The space was tight, the air stale, but I kept going. Dirt scraped my skin. Cobwebs tangled in my hair. But I kept crawling.

Finally, I emerged into the woods behind the pack house, hidden by nightfall.

I ran. Barefoot. Bleeding. Cold wind lashed against my skin, but I didn't stop. I didn't even know where I was going-I just knew I had to get away.

But Aaron wasn't done with me.

Not yet.

I heard them before I saw them-wolves approaching, fast and angry. I ducked behind a tree, heart racing, then bolted in the opposite direction.

"Find her!" a voice barked. "Alpha said she doesn't leave the forest alive!"

Tears streamed down my face as I stumbled through the trees. My legs ached. My body screamed for rest. But I couldn't stop. I wouldn't let them win. I continue running, this is not the life I dreamed of, I couldn't take it anymore before I knew it, I was already on my knees.

Suddenly, they were on me. One grabbed my arm, throwing me to the ground.

"This is the end, Luna," he sneered, raising his claws.

If this is how it's going to end, I will accept that after all I have gone through enough. I braced myself, expecting pain, expecting death_

But it never came.

A blur of black tore through the trees like a storm. A growl ripped through the night-deep, furious, and inhuman.

The guard flew backward, slamming into a tree with a sickening crack. The second tried to run, but the shadow moved faster. In seconds, he was on the ground, unconscious.

And then, silence.

I looked up, dazed. My eyes widened.

Alpha Edward stood there, blood on his knuckles, eyes glowing with power. His presence filled the woods like a force of nature.

He looked at me-really looked-and for a moment, something soft flickered in his gaze.

"You're safe now," he said, his voice calm but firm. "No one will hurt you again."

Before I could speak-or even ask why he saved me-darkness pulled me under. I collapsed, unconscious, in his arms.

Soft sheets. The scent of clean linen. Warm sunlight filtered through silk curtains.

My eyes fluttered open, confusion settling over me like a heavy fog.

Where... am I?

I sat up slowly, my body aching. The room was nothing like I'd ever seen before-elegant, quiet, and massive. Cream-colored walls, polished floors, and a window that overlooked a private garden. It was beautiful... and unfamiliar.

Panic rose in my chest. My heart raced.

What is this place?

Then the memories hit me like a crashing wave-the betrayal, the coldness in Aaron's eyes, the torture room, the forest... and then-

Alpha Edward.

He saved me.

I gasped and looked around, fear rushing back in. What if

Aaron finds out? What if he comes here to finish what he started?

As if he had heard my thoughts, the door opened.

Alpha Edward stepped inside, dressed in a black suit that somehow made him look even more powerful. His expression was unreadable, but his presence filled the room. I keep staring at him, I still can't believe he saved me.

"You're awake," he said simply, his voice deep and calm.

I clutched the blanket tighter around me, my voice shaky. "Why did you save me?"

He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to the window and stared outside for a moment, as if choosing his words carefully.

I thought the question should be, Are you okay? He said, looking at me.

Why should I ask that? I thought of avoiding his gaze on my body.

"No one will touch you here," he said finally, turning back. "Not even Aaron. Not anyone."

After all! He didn't know you were here.

I blinked, confused. "He'll come. He won't stop-" until he gets what he wants.

"Let him try," Edward cut in, voice sharper now. "But if you want true protection... you'll need more than my word."

He reached into his coat and pulled out a folder, placing it on the table beside me.

I stared at it, then at him. "What's that?"

"A marriage contract," he said casually, as though he hadn't just flipped my entire world upside down. "Marry me, give me an heir, and you'll be under my full protection. As my Luna, no Alpha will dare come near you."

I stared at the folder like it might explode.

"Marriage and child? I whispered. "You don't even know me."

"I don't need to," he replied. "This is business. I don't want a Luna for love, Kora. I need a shield from the Council. You need safety. We both gain something."

I looked down at the contract, my hands trembling.

Was I really about to sign away my future... again?

But then I remembered Aaron's cold eyes. Lana's smirk. The empty glances from my own family-how they never truly loved me, only tolerated me.

I had no home. No pack. No one.

Maybe this wasn't love, but it was a chance. A new beginning. A way to rise.

I picked up the pen with trembling fingers.

And signed my name.

The moment my name touched the paper, something inside me shifted.

Fear, yes-but also something else. Something I hadn't felt in a long time.

Hope.

Alpha Edward watched me with his usual calm, then closed the folder with a quiet click. "It's done."

Before I could ask what happened next, he turned toward the door. "Maia," he called.

A maid appeared almost instantly, bowing her head with respect.

"Get her cleaned up. Dressed properly. She's about to meet the pack."

My eyes widened. "What? Now?"

Edward glanced at me. "You're their Luna now, Kora. They need to see who you are."

As the door closed behind him, I felt my chest tighten. I wasn't ready. What if they hated me? What if they saw through me-saw the broken, discarded woman underneath?

But Maia smiled gently and guided me toward the wardrobe. "You'll look stunning, Luna. Don't worry."

She bathed me carefully, treating me like I was made of glass. My bruises were still fresh, my soul even more fragile. But the way she moved, the way she handled me with such care... it soothed something deep inside.

She dressed me in a soft cream gown with silver embroidery, simple yet elegant. My hair was brushed and pinned delicately, a few curls left to frame my face.

When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the girl staring back.

Was that really me?

By the time Edward returned, I was standing awkwardly in the middle of the room, unsure if I could take another step.

He offered me his arm, his expression unreadable but steady. "Ready?"

No. Not even close. But I nodded anyway.

We walked out together, down the long marble hallway that led to the grand balcony overlooking the training field. Dozens-no, hundreds-of wolves stood below, waiting.

My heart beat like a drum in my chest.

Edward stepped forward, his voice calm and strong. "My people, today I present to you your new Luna-Kora."

I held my breath.

Silence.

Then, to my utter shock, the crowd bowed their heads in unison. The silence gave way to applause, cheers even.

"She's beautiful."

"She looks kind."

"A perfect Luna."

I blinked rapidly, stunned. Was this real?

I felt a warm hand slip into mine. A girl about my age, with Edward's sharp eyes but a much softer smile.

"I'm Alina," she said, grinning. "Edward's sister. And finally, someone I actually like around here."

I let out a shaky laugh. "You don't even know me."

She squeezed my hand. "I don't have to. You've already survived more than most. That's enough for me."

I smiled-truly smiled.

Maybe this place wouldn't be so bad. Maybe... this was where I was meant to be all along.

Alina guided me to a seat beside Edward. "Don't be shy," she encouraged, offering me a goblet of berry wine. "Tell me about your journey here."

I took a cautious sip, the sweet tang easing my tension. "It was... terrifying. But then he rescued me, and everything changed."

She nodded thoughtfully. "Edward's pack is family. You'll see-people here look after one another."

As the meal progressed, I found myself relaxing. Wolves from distant territories exchanged stories. Children laughed as they chased each other between tables. I caught Edward's eye across the room; he gave me a small, approving nod.

Later, when the flames dimmed and the last guests departed, Edward stood and raised his goblet. Silence fell.

"To Luna Kora," he proclaimed, "whose courage and spirit already guide us."

Glasses clinked in unison. A warmth spread through me, a feeling I hadn't known in years: belonging.

That night, as I lay in a soft featherbed, I thought of Aaron's betrayal, of loneliness, of homes I'd lost. But under Edward's protection, I had a purpose again.

Tomorrow, I will begin learning the duties of a Luna: council meetings, ceremonies, perhaps even leading a hunt. Challenges awaited, yes-but for the first time, I believed I could meet them.

And in the back of my mind, one promise took shape: when the time was right, I would face Aaron and Lana... and I would be stronger than ever.

One Week Later

It had been a week since I signed the contract. A week since I entered a world I never expected to find comfort in.

Alpha Edward had surprised me. I thought he would treat me coldly, like a stranger or a burden. After all, our marriage was nothing but an agreement. A trade-my safety for his image.

But instead, he treated me with respect. He didn't force conversation, yet he was always there. He didn't touch me, but his presence made me feel protected.

Somehow, he made me forget about Alpha Aaron and Lana, even if just for a little while.

I was sitting quietly in the sunroom that morning, lost in thought, when the door opened and Edward stepped inside.

"You're dressed casually," he said, looking at me with a slight smirk. "Did you forget we're going to the hospital today?"

My eyes widened. "Oh! That's right..." I stood quickly. "Today's the procedure."

He nodded once. "Let's go. The doctor's expecting us."

In this dress? I asked, staring at him, but quickly turned around and headed straight to my room to get changed. When I was done changing into a simple gown, I headed towards the park where he was waiting for me.

He opened the car for me, before he also entered and then ignited the engine. The drive to the hospital was quiet.

You can tell me if you are not ready," he said, trying to enter a big building.

I'm ready! I replied, getting down without waiting for him to open the door for me.

The hospital wing of the mansion was pristine, almost too clean. The walls were white, the air faintly smelled of antiseptic. I walked beside Edward in silence, nerves creeping into my chest.

This wasn't something I ever imagined doing.

I was about to carry a child, not out of love, but out of agreement. A medical pregnancy, using his sperm, just as written in the contract.

A Luna to give him an heir.

We entered the private examination room. Dr. Helin, the same kind-eyed woman I met during my first check-up, greeted us. "Luna Kora, Alpha Edward," she said with a nod. "Everything is ready."

I tried to smile, but my hands trembled slightly. Edward noticed. He stepped closer, lowering his voice.

"You don't have to be afraid," he said gently. "Nothing will happen that you don't agree to."

I looked up at him. "It's not fear... not exactly. It just feels strange. All of this."

He gave a slow nod. "It is. But you're not alone."

Dr. Helin gave me a moment to change and lie down. As the procedure began, I closed my eyes and tried to steady my breathing.

It was painless, clinical. But I knew what it meant.

If it worked... I'd be carrying his child soon.

After the procedure, I sat in the recovery room, wrapped in a soft blanket. Edward waited nearby, sitting calmly in the chair beside me.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low.

I nodded slowly. "It's just... strange to think I might be a mother soon."

He looked at me with that unreadable expression again. "If this works, the child will be ours. But I won't force you to feel anything. All I ask is that you let me protect you."

His words sank into me, deep and steady.

There were no romantic promises between us. No sweet lies. But there was something else.

Trust.

And that, I was learning, was more powerful than anything.

The door opened quietly, and Dr. Helin stepped into the room with a soft smile playing on her lips.

She held a folder in her hands and looked between the two of us before speaking.

"It's successful," she announced warmly. "Congratulations, Alpha Edward... you're going to be a father."

For a moment, the room was completely still.

I turned to Edward, unsure of what to expect-cold silence, a formal nod, maybe nothing at all. But instead, I saw something I hadn't seen before.

He smiled.

It wasn't forced or guarded. It was real. Subtle, yes-but it reached his eyes.

"You did well," he said gently, his gaze locked with mine. "Thank you, Kora."

A strange warmth bloomed in my chest, quiet and unfamiliar.

For the first time since this contract began... it didn't feel like just an agreement anymore.

It felt like the beginning of something neither of us could name yet.

I placed my hand on my tummy! So there is a life inside me.

Alpha Edward's POV

For the first time in a long while, I smiled.

Not the usual cold, calculated smirk my pack was used to. No-this was real. Genuine. It came from deep inside me, the moment I looked into her soft, innocent eyes.

Kora.

She had always been the one I admired from a distance. The woman I could never have, because fate had already tied her to another Alpha, Aaron. When I learned she'd been marked by him, I forced myself to step back. I buried the feelings and moved on. Or so I thought.

But the years did nothing to erase her from my memory.

So when I saw her again at their anniversary, standing alone, dressed in grace and pain, it was as if time hadn't moved at all.

She hadn't changed. Her beauty is still quiet and powerful. Her eyes still held a fire she had forgotten.

And when I saw that flicker of sadness in her gaze, I knew something was wrong. I saw everything that happened that night-the way she disappeared from the hall, the tension in her steps. I could've asked her then. Demanded the truth.

But I didn't want to pressure her. Not when she was already breaking inside.

Now, she's here. My Luna.

The title suits her more than she realizes. And I'm not going to lose her to anyone, even if it means raising a war for her.

I parked the car in the lot outside the mansion and stepped out quickly, walking over to her side. She was silent, but I could tell her mind was racing. She had just agreed to carry my child... and I had no intention of letting her face it alone.

I helped her out of the car, guiding her inside.

Once we stepped into the foyer, I turned to the waiting maids.

"Move all of Luna Kora's belongings to my room," I said firmly.

I felt her freeze beside me, and when I looked at her, surprise was written all over her face.

"Why?" she asked, her voice quiet.

I turned to her and met her gaze. "I can't allow you to sleep alone. Not now. I want to be close. I've never been a father before... and I don't want to miss a moment of this. I need to be there, every step of the way."

Her eyes widened, and I caught the way she looked away, almost flustered. She didn't expect this. She thought I would be cold. That I'd treat her like a contract.

But she doesn't know the truth.

The contract was just an excuse... a desperate move to finally keep her close.

She chuckled softly and let me guide her to the couch. I noticed how she looked around the mansion, probably searching for my sister.

"She's not home," I said. "Alina went to the eastern border with her Friend. She'll be back tomorrow."

Kora sighed dramatically and leaned her cheek against her palm. "Now I'm bored," she muttered like a child.

I chuckled. The sound surprised even me. I couldn't remember the last time I laughed like that.

"You're bored already?" I teased. "Should I cancel all my Alpha duties to keep you entertained?"

She gave me a playful glare. "Yes, actually. You should."

I smirked. "Very well. As you wish, Luna."

She smiled, and for a moment, the heavy silence that always followed me... disappeared.

Later that evening, I stood in the hallway, watching as the maids carefully placed her things in my room. The room felt different already. Lighter.

I leaned against the wall, arms folded.

She didn't know it yet, but I meant every word I said. I wasn't going to leave her side. Not through this. Not ever.

Soon, she would start noticing the changes in her body. The morning sickness. The cravings. The fatigue. I wanted to be the one she leaned on.

And more than anything, I wanted her to heal. To find peace here.

Even if it wasn't love yet... I would give her everything she needed to feel safe again.

Because this time, fate gave me a second chance.

And I wasn't going to waste it.

After making sure all her things were arranged in my room, I returned downstairs.

Kora was sitting on the couch, legs tucked beneath her, staring at nothing in particular. There was a calmness in her face, but also a quiet storm just behind her eyes.

I stepped closer. "Still bored?" I asked, hands in my pockets.

She glanced up at me, a tiny smirk tugging at her lips. "Very."

I walked to the center table and picked up a deck of cards, one of the maids had left behind. "Ever played 'Truth or Dare'-the Alpha's version?"

She raised a brow. "The Alpha's version?"

I shrugged, sitting beside her. "Same rules. But if you lie, I'll know. And if you try to dodge a dare... I make it worse."

Kora chuckled. "You're making that up."

"Maybe," I said with a grin. "But it got your attention."

She agreed, and we began. At first, the questions were light, teasing-favourite color, childhood memories, harmless dares like doing a spin or humming a song.

But then the silence between rounds grew slower. Heavier. More intimate.

I leaned a little closer. "Truth or Dare, Luna."

She rolled her eyes. "Truth."

I looked her dead in the eyes. "Do you regret signing that contract?"

She blinked. Her lips parted, but no words came out at first. Then slowly, she whispered, "No."

I felt something shift. Something fragile but important.

I moved even closer. "Truth or Dare?" she asked this time, voice low.

"Truth," I replied.

She swallowed. "Why did you want me to carry your child?"

Silence stretched between us.

I looked at her-not just at her beauty, but her pain, her courage, her strength.

"I didn't just want a child, Kora," I thought quietly. But didn't say anything

You will know very soon," I said.

She gasped slightly, stunned.

Neither of us moved for a long moment.

Then, as if the air between us pulled us closer, I leaned in. So did she.

And we kissed.

It was soft at first, testing, gentle, like a question. But the moment her fingers brushed my jaw, it deepened. Months of tension melted into that kiss.

I'd kissed before. But this... this was something else.

When we finally pulled apart, her face was flushed, and my heart was racing.

I was about to speak when my phone buzzed in my pocket. Reluctantly, I reached for it, expecting a pack update.

Instead, my entire body went cold.

Message from Alpha Aaron:

"I know she's with you. Kora belongs to me. I want her back. Now."

I stared at the screen, jaw tightening.

"Kora," I said, trying to keep my voice steady, "go upstairs and get some rest."

She frowned. "Why? What's wrong?"

I stood, slipping the phone into my pocket. "Nothing you need to worry about."

But as she walked away, something inside me shifted again-only this time, it wasn't warmth.

It was rage.

Alpha Aaron thought he could lose her, betray her, nearly kill her, and now demand her back?

Not while I'm breathing.

But a deeper worry clawed at the back of my mind.

Kora was unmarked.

And that meant if Alpha Aaron tried to claim her again, through force or manipulation, it would be easier for him. He might still have a chance to take her back... unless I did something about it.

I stood up and made my way upstairs.

She needed to be protected. Not just by walls or guards, but by the strongest bond our kind knew.

When I entered the room, I found her standing in front of the mirror. She was brushing her hair absentmindedly, lost in thought.

She turned when she saw me, her expression soft but slightly confused.

I walked toward her without a word.

"Kora," I said quietly.

Her brows furrowed as I came closer. "Edward...? Is something wrong?"

Instead of answering, I gently pulled her into my arms. She stiffened at first, clearly startled by the sudden closeness. Her hands pressed lightly against my chest as if to create distance.

"Wait," she whispered, "what's going on?"

"Just trust me," I murmured, holding her tighter.

She stilled. I could feel the tension leave her slowly, her breathing growing steady against me.

When I felt her relax completely, I bent down and lowered my head to the curve of her neck. My lips brushed her skin.

And then I sank my canines into her.

She gasped sharply, her nails digging into my shirt as pain rippled through her.

I pulled back immediately, watching as she winced and brought her fingers to her neck.

A thin trickle of blood slid down her collarbone, but already the mark was glowing faintly-proof of the bond now sealed.

"I'm sorry," I said softly, cupping her cheek. "I had to. He sent a message. He wants you back."

Her eyes widened. "Aaron...?"

I nodded. "But he can't have you anymore. You're mine now. Fully. Completely."

She didn't answer right away.

She reached up to touch the mark, her eyes locked with mine.

There was no fear in them anymore. Just acceptance.

And something else.

Something that felt a lot like hope.

Can you do something for me? She asked.

What? I asked

I want revenge," she said, her eyes looking into mine.