CHAPTER FOUR
1506 Words
The hall fell into stunned silence. Gasps echoed off the walls as Lady Aurora’s hand came down sharply across Sofia’s cheek. The maid had shown her the video—Sofia and Julian, tangled in a passionate, scheming confession. They had orchestrated Eva and Mateo’s encounter, leaked the private footage, and the video didn’t hold back—the tearing of Sofia’s dress, Julian’s ruthless kisses, and the push onto the bed.
Lady Aurora’s eyes blazed. “Text this to everyone here,” she commanded, her voice cold as ice.
From the crowd, whispers ran wild. “This wedding is turning into a soap opera,” one guest muttered, smirking. Another said, “I’ve never seen so much drama at a wedding before.” Someone else added, “Sofia had that coming.”
Lady Aurora turned her sharp gaze on the culprits. “According to Werewolf Conduct, violating the bond mate principle carries only one sentence… death.”
Sofia’s voice trembled. “No! Please! We’re mates! We didn’t do anything wrong!”
Julian dropped to his knees beside her, pleading. “Please… have mercy. Spare our lives. We’re truly sorry!”
Mateo’s gaze was ice. “You thought you could escape the consequences?” he snapped, stepping closer.
Eva’s voice was steady, sharp. “Even if you’re mates, trying to ruin our wedding with false accusations deserves punishment.”
Julian’s knees hit the floor. “But—why”
Eva cut him off, eyes blazing. “You tried to lie and tarnish our ceremony with lies and rumors!”
Lady Aurora’s command was absolute. “Guards! Take them away. Imprison them. I do not want them in my presence.”
The guards seized them, dragging them off as the crowd murmured, stunned. Lady Aurora sank into her chair, composed once more. “Pastor, you may continue.”
The pastor’s voice trembled slightly as he repeated, “Do you take Alpha Mateo as your mate?”
Eva froze. “I… I… I need to speak to Alpha Mateo alone first. Please.”
From the crowd, a guest muttered, “Is this wedding ever going to happen?”
Lady Aurora’s voice was calm but firm. “Eva, dear, you’ll have your whole life to speak to Alpha Mateo. Let’s finish the wedding.”
Mateo stretched out his hand. “Come. We can talk in private, quickly.”
Eva took it, and they walked a few steps away, tension crackling between them.
“Alpha Mateo… I just found out you were the man from that night. You knew and kept it from me. Now there’s an issue with our contract—regarding your child.”
Mateo’s brow furrowed. “What clause? What do you need clarified?”
Eva’s jaw tightened. “The clause says we’ll divorce in three years with custody as you decided. That needs to change.”
Mateo’s expression hardened. “Nothing changes. That clause stands.”
“How could you do this?” she shouted. “It needs reconsideration!”
“Impossible,” Mateo growled, gripping her arm. “Nothing changes.”
Eva twisted away. “Let me go!”
“Watch your tone,” he warned, eyes dark. “You’re mine, and I won’t allow changes.”
Her chest heaved. “I’m pregnant with your child. Think twice before treating me this way. Your mother will answer if you hurt me.”
Mateo’s expression softened briefly, then hardened. “You’re the first to defile me. Let’s renegotiate. I have no plans on taking a true mate. Our contract continues for three years. You will fulfill your obligations as Luna. After that… we’ll finalize the divorce as planned.”
He released his arm and strode away. Eva stood frozen, muttering under her breath. *He thinks too highly of himself… warning me like this when he’s the reason I’m here. He knew about our child and let everyone insult me. Why is he acting this way?*
Forcing herself forward, she returned to the altar, faking a smile. The pastor continued, “Will you, Eva, take Mateo as your mate?”
She swallowed hard. “Now… Yes, I do.”
“Finally,” the pastor said, producing the rings.
They exchanged them—Mateo first slipping the ring onto her finger, then Eva onto his. She did it without feeling, her heart heavy.
“Now… you may kiss,” the pastor said.
Their lips met. The kiss lingered unnaturally long, then broke. Mateo’s expression was unreadable. Eva’s head spun, a wave of dizziness washing over her. The rose in her hand slipped to the floor.
*What’s happening to me?* she thought, clutching her temples. A strange scent filled her senses—sharp, familiar, intoxicating. She froze. *Is that… Alex?*
Across the hall, Alex’s eyes widened as he caught the same scent. My mate… he whispered.
Eva’s heart raced. My mate…
A guest grumbled, “What now? I’m starving—we’ve been stuck here all day.”
“Shh,” another whispered, “who cares about food when life is happening right here?”
Alex’s gaze lifted toward the sky. “Thank you, sweet Moon Goddess,” he murmured before stepping forward.
Eva’s wolf instincts surged—her body ached to move toward him. “Alex…” she cried, trying to break free of Mateo’s grip.
Mateo’s eyes snapped, and his hands tightened around her. “She’s not going anywhere,” he growled.
“Why?” Eva struggled, her senses drawn irresistibly toward Alex.
Mateo barked an order, sending his guards along with Lady Aurora to drag her inside. Eva screamed, “Alex! Alex!”
Alex lunged, but Mateo pivoted and kicked him back. Alex slammed against the floor, gripping it as pain surged through him. Guests gasped. “Did you see that?” someone muttered. “What a disgrace for the Cancer Pack!”
Alex rose slowly, golden eyes blazing. A low roar rumbled from his chest, the kind that shook the room. “You will pay for this!” he growled, every word dripping fury. “The Cancer Pack and the New Moon Pack… are enemies now!”
He turned to Mateo one last time, teeth bared. “I’ll return… and my Lunar will be mine.”
With a final groan, Alex stormed away, leaving a tense, stunned silence in his walk.
****
Screams echoed through the cold, stone-walled chamber. Sofia writhed against the ropes that bound her to the wooden post, her skin raw from the lashes. Julian, barely conscious, flinched as another whip cracked against his back. Lady Aurora stood just a few feet away, her eyes glowing with hatred and amusement.
“You think you’re clever, Eva,” she hissed through clenched teeth, her voice dripping venom. “But I know your secrets. All of them.”
Sofia sobbed as blood soaked into her torn dress. “You’ll pay… I swear, Eva… one day, you will pay for this.”
Her voice cracked, but her hatred was sharp and clear. “And when your world crumbles, I’ll be the one watching it fall.”
***
Eva jolted awake, breath shallow, heart pounding. The room was dimly lit by a flickering candle, and the first thing she saw was Mateo, sitting beside the bed, his eyes fixed on her like a predator watching prey.
How long have I been out?” she mumbled, throat dry.
Mateo stood, slowly, the chair creaking behind him. He leaned forward, brushing a hand against her cheek, his fingers curling behind her neck.
Too close.
His lips descended toward hers.
“Stop”, Eva snapped, pushing against his chest. “What are you doing? Get off me!”
He didn’t listen. He gripped her harder, forcing her down. Panic surged through her, and without thinking, she slapped him across the face.
His head jerked to the side.
When he looked back at her, there was something dark in his eyes — possessive, twisted hunger.
"You weren’t saying stop that night," he growled, voice low. His shirt was half unbuttoned. “You were all over me, Eva. I didn’t force you. Hell, I even got you pregnant.”
Eva's blood turned to ice. She scrambled backward on the bed, wrapping the blanket tighter around her trembling legs.
“What happened? Am I not good enough for you anymore?” Mateo snapped, his voice rising. “You came to my office, *you* looked for me. But now you’ve found your mate and suddenly I disgust you?”
Tears filled her eyes as she looked away.
"Look at me!" he snarled, grabbing her chin and forcing her face toward him.
I’m drawn to Alex, she whispered in her mind. Since my wolf awakened… I know. He’s my true mate.
Mateo let go of her, breathing hard. A shadow passed over his expression — pain, confusion… and something else.
Eva exhaled, her tears slowing. The pain didn’t vanish, but for the first time, it didn’t feel unbearable. With Ory by her side — within her — she could breathe again.
For now… that was enough.
- Writer
