Bound by Fate, Freed by Love

My phone buzzed, the unknown number glaring at me from the screen.

My heart pounded as I read the message.

[Your pack—East Northwood—was attacked last night.]

My breath hitched. The world tilted.

My body went numb, my ears ringing.

“Who—who did this?” I choked out.

A sharp knock on the door startled me, and I flinched. I stared at my phone, my body trembling uncontrollably.

This couldn’t be real. I needed answers. I needed to find Alpha Ivan.

I stormed through the hallways, my heartbeat echoing in my ears. When I reached his study, I raised my fist to knock.

Then I heard them.

A soft moan. A low growl. My stomach clenched.

I knew that voice. Beta Helena.

The door was slightly ajar, just enough for me to see them tangled together. Ivan’s hands on her waist. Her lips at his throat.

The betrayal burned through me like wildfire. But it was her next words that made my blood freeze.

“Did you take care of it?” Helena murmured, fingers tracing his chest.

Ivan chuckled darkly. “I already ruined her pack. Just like I promised you.”

My knees buckled.

Helena let out a pleased hum. “Mmm, and what about her?”

“She won’t be a problem for much longer,” Ivan said. “I’ll divorce her soon.”

I pressed a hand over my mouth to stop the cry that threatened to escape.

My pack. My parents. It was him.

I stumbled back, the weight of my own stupidity crushing me.

I had married and trusted the wrong man.

And now my pack was paying the price.

That evening, I forced myself to act normal, to keep my mask in place even as my world crumbled.

I had to know more. I had to survive.

Dinner was set. The dining hall was quiet except for the clinking of silverware. Ivan sat at the head of the table, his cold gaze sweeping over me like I was an object, not a person.

Helena sat beside him, smirking.

I wanted to rip that smirk off her face.

But I couldn’t. Not yet.

I focused on serving the food, my hands trembling. The plate slipped from my fingers, crashing onto Helena’s lap, sauce staining her dress.

Silence.

Then a sharp sting across my cheek.

The force sent me stumbling back. Ivan had slapped me.

I sucked in a breath, my head snapping to the side. The room spun, the humiliation burning deep.

“Stupid girl,” Ivan growled. “You can’t even do something as simple as serve food.”

Helena snickered.

I clenched my fists, rage bubbling beneath my skin. But I swallowed it down and turned away, storming out of the dining hall before I lost control. I needed air. I needed out.

Outside, the night air was sharp against my burning skin.

I didn’t know where I was going, but I kept walking until a hand grabbed my wrist, yanking me into the shadows.

I gasped, struggling—

“Cynthia, it’s me.”

Damon. Ivan’s stepbrother. A powerful Alpha in his own right.

“What—” My voice was raw, my throat tight. “What are you doing?”

His expression was unreadable in the dim light. “I sent the message.”

I froze. My pulse thundered.

“You?”

He nodded.

My world tilted again. “But why?”

Damon exhaled. “Because Ivan is a monster. And if you don’t leave soon, you’ll end up just like your pack.”

The words felt like a slap.

Terror clawed at my throat. “Why is he doing this? Why my pack?”

Damon hesitated. “It’s a long story.”

I shook my head. “Tell me now.”

He ran a hand through his hair, glancing around as if making sure no one could hear. “Ivan has always hated your pack. But now he has more reason to destroy it. And you.”

I swallowed hard. “And you’re just telling me this now?”

“Because I couldn’t before,” he hissed. “But now, you need to trust me. If you stay here, you won’t make it out alive.”

My breath came in sharp gasps.

I wasn’t just a pawn. I was a target.

And I had been sleeping next to the enemy all this time.

A rustling behind us made me stiffen.

Footsteps.

“What are you two talking about?”

Ivan’s voice was calm. Too calm.

I turned slowly, my stomach twisting.

He stood there, his golden eyes unreadable, a tight smile playing at his lips.

Damon straightened, his grip tightening on my wrist for just a second before letting go. “Just comforting Cynthia,” he said smoothly. “She seemed upset.”

Ivan’s expression darkened. Jealousy.

His eyes flicked between us before locking onto me.

His mate. His property.

I shivered under the weight of his gaze.

Ivan smirked, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Damon, I appreciate your concern.” His tone was clipped, laced with something dangerous. “But my wife doesn’t need your comfort.”

Damon’s jaw clenched. “She’s hurting, Ivan.”

Ivan’s smirk vanished.

“And that’s not your problem.”

The tension crackled like lightning. I barely breathed.

Then, Ivan turned to me, stepping closer until I could feel the heat of his body. He tilted my chin up with a single finger, his grip deceptively gentle.

“Isn’t that right, my love?”

My stomach churned. He was warning me.

Reminding me exactly who I belonged to.

I forced a smile, my heart hammering.

“Yes,” I whispered.

Ivan grinned, satisfied.

“Good girl.”

And just like that, I knew. I had to get out. Sooner.