Chapter 1: Betrayal

~ Kate ~

"Mate!" Xander, Kate's husband, said.

Unfortunately for Kate, her husband wasn't referring to her but to the woman seated at the end of their dining table.

Silence fell upon the room as the unknown woman rose from her seat and said back to Xander, "Mate."

Kate stiffened, and her eyes followed her husband's gaze. She looked at the woman and acknowledged her beauty. Her heart sank altogether. What made it even worse was how the woman was Alpha Denzel's daughter from the Red Wood Pack.

What a slap on Kate's face!

Kate was the Luna of the South Moon Pack. Xander, the alpha, was her husband of one year. She met Xander by chance while she was running away from her past. He brought her to his pack, and immediately, they formed a bond like no other.

They were not fated mates but fell in love and chose their fates. Xander had claimed Kate, and they had marked each other.

On that day, they were celebrating Kate's 25th birthday. For Xander to find his fated mate on Kate's special day was a sick joke of a gift!

Kate wanted a simple gathering, just between her and her husband. However, Xander insisted they invite their neighboring packs. A few days ago, he said, "Sweetheart, I want to show you to the world. Let them see what a beautiful and great Luna I have. Please, let's have this party. Alpha Maximo, Alpha Rick, and the old Alpha Denzel have been asking about you, and I'm dying to flaunt you around!"

That was because Kate was behind the success of the pack's Water Utility Company, which serviced five neighboring packs. With her added contribution to the community, Xander was the proudest alpha of having Kate as his wife and Luna. However, with how everything unfolded now, would everything remain the same?

The dining hall had high-profile guests: alphas, lunas, and betas from the neighboring packs. With this in mind, Kate's face reddened in embarrassment as they all turned to her, waiting for her reaction.

"Well, this is awkward," Alpha Denzel said while looking at Kate and then back to his daughter.

The food was still warm and freshly served. Everyone had just settled in, but by the looks of it, no one would enjoy Kate's birthday dinner that night.

"Well." Kate rose from her seat. She grabbed her husband's hand and said, "Xander and I are married. We have been for a year. We had vowed to reject our fated mates."

She gulped and told Alpha Denzel, "I'm sorry, but it has to be done." Turning to her husband, she asked, "Right, Xander?"

Xander did not respond. Instead, he asked to speak with Kate in private. Needless to say, the celebration ended before it even began. Xander took Kate to his office, and from there, he said, "To show respect to Alpha Denzel and his daughter, I would rather reject her in private. You understand, right, Kate?"

Kate wanted to come along, but Xander convinced her otherwise. He left her at the packhouse that night and went with Alpha Denzel to the Red Wood Pack.

Hours passed, but Kate's husband didn't return. The sun had already risen, but there was no word of Xander. The news of the alpha, finding his true mate had already spread at the packhouse, and Kate would not be surprised if the same information had also leaked to the rest of the pack.

Kate did not sleep at all. She had repeatedly called her husband, but sadly, he was out of reach.

To get her mind off things, she made a run for it in her wolf form. She inspected the southern border and sought out the beta. However, even Beta Jacob had no answer for her, and he dared not look Kate in the eye. The gammas on patrol averted her gaze as if they knew something she did not.

Fear had already crept into her heart, but as she returned to the packhouse, she tried to convince herself, "He promised me. He would do right by me. Xander would reject her, and everything will be fine."

Yet, despite assuring herself, Kate sensed the heaviness in her chest that the moment she returned to the master bedroom, tears streamed down her cheeks.

"He would not leave me. He loves me so much." Her hands were trembling as she wiped the stain on her face. She said, "That's right. Xander loves me."

A knock on the door interrupted her thoughts. Kate opened it and saw her maid walk in. She said, "Luna. I heard. I'm sorry -"

"It's okay, Adri. Xander will reject her. Go back to your work. I'll be fine," Kate assured her maid, but she wasn't convinced herself.

More hours passed, and Kate still had not heard of her husband. She did not eat, nor was she in the mood to leave her room. She kept muttering, "Xander, fuck! Please give me a sign!"

When afternoon came, Kate finally got the sign she requested, but it wasn't what she hoped.

Her heart was suddenly aching!

Kate felt like a knife was stabbing her! She clenched her hand against her chest, and she could barely breathe. Worst, her entire body felt like it was turned into a punching bag! She fell on the floor, taking in various positions in an attempt to endure the torture.

"Aahhh -" Her screams muffled into her hand as she covered it. The last thing she needed right now was pity.

When it all stopped, Kate cried her heart out. "No. No. Not my Xander. Why? Xander, you promised!"

Her face was awash with tears because she knew the ordeal she had just undergone meant Xander had been intimate with another woman.

Kate and her husband had marked each other. They were one. Because of this, Xander’s betrayal had left Kate battered. It was the curse of the mate bond, a way for the Moon Goddess to enforce loyalty between mates. If Kate were to betray Xander similarly, he would feel the same excruciating pain.

Xander knew this, but he hurt her altogether.

***

It was already nighttime when Xander returned to the packhouse. He entered the master bedroom and saw the pack doctor wrapping bandages and herbal leaves around Kate's stomach. It was meant to compress the bruises on her body.

Seeing Xander, the doctor quickened his work and pulled Kate's blouse down. The doctor greeted Xander, "Alpha."

"Leave us," Xander instructed, and the doctor left quickly.

Kate did not look at Xander. She just leaned on the headboard and stared angrily into nothing.

"I'm sorry, Kate. I could not resist it," Xander explained. "The pull was too strong."

Experiencing it was one thing, but Kate realized his admittance was far more heartbreaking. This man had promised to love her all her life. How could a year full of love be easily forgotten?

Yet again, she found it hard to breathe. Tears rolled down her face as she asked bitterly, "So what happens now?"

"You are my wife. You will still be the pack's luna -"

"But?" Kate interrupted, knowing what was coming.

"But I must bring Delilah here since she is my fated mate, and I have claimed her. I have to take responsibility," Xander said in a deep voice. “We must make it work - the three of us.”

‘Delilah, so that’s her name,’ Kate made a mental note.

The truth stung. Kate shut her eyes, taking deep breaths. When she fluttered her eyes open, she said, emphasizing each word that rolled off her tongue, "What if I say no? I'd rather you reject me and set me free than endure the pain of your betrayal."

"No, Kate! You have no choice." His voice echoed crisply in the air. He said, "You are my wife and Luna. You are mine as much as she is. I need you as much as I need her."

Xander turned away, heading for the door. Before leaving, he clarified exactly what he wanted. He looked into her eyes and ordered, "Kate, you must learn... to share. As your alpha, I command you."

"No," Kate muttered under her breath. Her eyes grew wide. 'He did not just use his alpha command on me!'

"Do you hear me, Kate? Submit!" Xander firmly said, his eyes glowing.

Kate used every ounce of her energy to resist. Her back stiffened, but the power of Xander's alpha command forced her chin up. Her breathing became labored, feeling his aura suffocating her and forcing her to yield.

"I cannot hear you, Kate. Submit!" Xander ordered.

Tears stung Kate's eyes as her mouth trembled in response, "Y - yes, Alpha."

Chapter 2: Under Attack

~Kate~

A woman’s loud moans reached Kate’s room, alarming the maid and medical staff attending to her. Xander and his fated, Delilah, were doing it in the other room without bothering to be discreet!

While lying in bed, Kate felt the pain surge in her body. Tears rolled down her cheeks, but she clenched her jaws not to show any weakness, her hands balled into fists.

“Hurry!” Kate’s maid, Adriana, urged the doctor and nurse. She also cried with Kate. “Hurry, can’t you see she is in pain?”

The needle pricked Kate’s arm, and the morphine slowly did its magic, tricking her brain to feel no pain.

Delilah moved into the packhouse four months ago, and everything turned from bad to worse for Kate.

Delilah, Alpha Denzel’s daughter, was no innocent woman. She frequently created drama in the packhouse. Often, she would turn Kate into a villain by acting like a white lotus.

On the first day, Delilah joined them for breakfast. She gave an apologetic look and said, “I’m sorry, Luna Kate. This is not what I had wanted for myself. I did not mean to get in between your marriage -”

At that time, Kate was still resentful and directly retorted, “Really? Then why did you spread your legs for a married man?”

“That’s enough, Kate!” Xander scolded her. “Can’t you see how Delilah meant no harm? Show respect because she is also my mate, my destined.”

Kate did not know how it happened, but Delilah earned points that day. She started gaining sympathy from a few of the packhouse’s workers and selected warriors, especially from Xander.

Moving to the room next to the master’s bedroom was also Delilah’s assertion. Kate’s bed had long turned cold, and she knew Delilah wanted to shove it up in her face by moaning like a whale each time Xander touched her. It wasn’t enough for Delilah that Kate was battered each time it happened.

The most notable occurrence, however, was how Delilah slipped on the floor on purpose after walking past Kate. Back then, Delilah cried, “Xander, I might have lost our baby! Kate walked past me too fast by accident!”

First of all, Kate was shocked that Delilah was pregnant. After a year of trying to get pregnant herself, Kate and Xander were never blessed with a pup, while Delilah got pregnant in just two months! Second, Kate did nothing to Delilah. She was simply walking!

Although Delilah did not lose the baby, that incident completely changed how Xander treated Kate. He hit her for the first time and sent Kate to the dungeons for five days. Kate officially became the evildoer in Xander’s eyes.

Kate could go on and on and make a book of Delilah’s schemes. However, no matter how she tried to expose Delilah, Xander could not see through her lies. He was utterly blinded by the true mate’s bond.

And as for Xander’s solution of making things work for Kate? He decided that the pack’s doctor would give Kate painkillers whenever he wanted to bed his mistress. This was also why the doctor and nurse were already living in the packhouse, so they could attend to Kate whenever possible.

It started with simple painkillers, but as each week passed, Xander and Delilah’s appetite for intimacy grew stronger, and giving Kate a tranquilizer became necessary.

Unfortunately, the medications could only stop the pain, but they did nothing to prevent the damage to Kate’s body. Each time, Kate would be covered in bruises, taking a week at most for Kate’s body to heal.

The moans fired up again in the other room, suggesting Xander and Delilah were up for another round. The doctors regretably gave Kate a tranquilizer this time around.

“This cannot go on. How much more can Luna Kate take if Alpha Xander cannot help himself? He should just reject Luna Kate,” the nurse said faintly.

“But he is our alpha,” the doctor reminded the nurse. “If you want to live, keep your opinions to yourself.”

When Xander finally addressed all his desires in the other room, the doctor and nurse left Kate’s quarters. Kate’s maid remained inside, crying for her. She held Kate’s hand and said, “This isn’t right. My dearest Luna. We must leave here soon.”

Kate was still awake. She wept again, not for her, but how Adriana felt sorry for her. She gripped Adriana’s hand and ordered, “We must find Glinda.”

Adriana nodded. She replied, “I am trying my best, my Luna. Soon, I will find Glinda for you.”

Because of her current state, Kate was determined to leave, but Xander had warriors guarding the pack, and worst, his alpha command was above her. Defying him meant facing a greater deal of torture.

Time and time again, Xander had refused Kate’s request to be rejected. If Kate wanted to be free from her husband, Kate’s only hope was Glinda, the witch who did her a favor, a favor which turned out to be a disadvantage to her now.

Who would have thought that she would suffer at the hands of her husband? Regret consumed her. Kate gave up everything for Xander, and look where it got her.

‘I swear on my life. Once I find Glinda, Xander, Delilah, I will make you pay,’ Kate said in her head before finally surrendering to her medication and falling into a deep slumber.

***

“We love you, Luna Kate!” the children said in unison after Kate handed bags of food by the north border of their pack. This part of their territory had less fortunate families, so Kate organized a gift-giving for them.

During breaks, and by breaks, Kate meant when her husband wasn’t screwing his mistress, Kate performed her luna duties. Working and meeting the pack members was therapeutic to her. The people gave her a sense of belongingness that she no longer felt with Xander.

“Thank you, Luna. You have been so kind and considerate,” one mother said with tears.

“We are lucky you are our Luna,” another child exclaimed.

Another elderly woman looked at her with sympathy. She approached Kate and whispered, “I am sorry about what you are going through. You are such a strong Luna to have to withstand this. My heart goes out to you.”

The elderly woman kissed her forehead and mindlinked, ‘We know you love us, but whatever you choose, we will understand. Don’t stay on our account.’

Tears trickled from her eyes, touched by the older woman’s words. Kate may have lost the love of her husband, but the pack still loved her. It was something that Delilah could never have. To Kate, this was why Xander held on to her as the luna of the pack.

Kate was the perfect luna. She had contributed so much for the pack in just a year, whether in business, giving security strategies, or simply being the people-serving luna that she was.

On the other hand, Delilah was a pampered alpha’s daughter. She was quite the opposite of Kate. She had blonde hair, whereas Kate had light brown hair. Kate was taller and more masculine, but Delilah had a delicate-looking body.

Delilah focused more on fashion and arts growing up, whereas Kate - well, Kate, had probably done it all. Of course, no one in the pack knew this about her. It was her biggest secret. Not even Xander knew.

Kate and her group resumed carrying out the gift-giving activity. As they did, Adriana updated Kate through mindlink, ‘Our contacts outside have traced the witch, Glinda. It won’t be long now.’

‘Good.’ Kate said in her head while waving at the children who called her name.

Kate happily distributed more bags to the children who approached, when a warrior in a panic suddenly called Kate’s attention, “Luna! Our scouts on this border have been attacked. They said over a hundred men are coming this way!”

“What?” Alarmed, Kate snapped in the warrior’s direction, wide-eyed. “Are they rogues?”

The warrior showed a hint of fear as he conveyed, “Luna, the scouts who reached out to me - I - I think they are dead. I can’t feel them anymore. They failed to identify the coming intruders. The enemies are about a kilometer away.”

Kate took a moment to let it all in. She studied the surroundings. The north border was their weakest boundary. Strengthening its fences was supposed to be Xander’s project had he not been so busy fucking Delilah these past four months!

“Arrgh! There is no time!” Kate said. She ordered the warrior, “Bring all the people to the shelter as fast as you can! Hurry! Women and children first!”

She ordered the same, mindlinking to closeby warriors and gammas.

With several warriors, Kate and Adriana led as many pack members to the shelter. By the time Kate arrived, Xander and Delilah were already there too. Xander was clearly mindlinking with his warriors who were on patrol. He barely noticed Kate’s arrival.

Not too far, Kate saw Xander’s beta running towards them in his wolf form. The beta shifted into his human form and reported, “Alpha, Xander. They are almost at the border!”

“Who the hell has the nerve to attack my pack?” Xander angrily growled. “Why has no one given me a name yet?”

Beta Jacob braced himself. His face appeared burdened as he revealed, “It’s the cursed alpha, Sebastian Armstrong. He is the one attacking us.”

The entire time, Kate was behind Xander. At the mention of the cursed alpha’s name, Chills ran down her spine, and she froze on the spot.

Kate did not know how long she stood there in a daze. Barely a whisper, she said under her breath, “The cursed alpha?”

More than a year ago, she fled from this man. Now, it would seem as though her past was chasing after her. She mused, ‘Did - did he finally find me? Was -was he here for me?’

Chapter 3: The Masked Man

~ Kate ~

“What? We have no choice. We have to fight!” Xander announced. “Jacob, gather all the men who can fight!”

While Xander and Jacob were rallying the men, Kate remained still, feeling her heart race. She had a hand on her chest, fearful for the reason of the cursed alpha’s attack.

“Kate? Kate!” Xander’s domineering voice distracted her thoughts. He said, “Are you just going to stand there? I need you now. I need you to fight with me!”

She was so lost in her thoughts that she did not even notice how Xander was already standing before her and holding her arms. Xander suggested, “Alpha Sebastian might be after our water utility business, one we have worked so hard for!”

Kate nodded, but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to fight.

“I’ll fight too!” Delilah offered, making Kate return to her senses. Kate and Xander looked at Delilah in surprise because getting dirty wasn’t her style.

“No, you are pregnant,” Xander pointed out. “You stay here in the shelter. Protect our child.”

Xander glanced at Kate, ordering her, “Let’s go, Kate.”

Xander had already made a run for it, leading the warriors to the said location. His cinammon brown wolf glanced back at her, and he mind linked, ‘Kate, are you coming?’

‘Okay,’ that was all she said, mindlinking back.

“Luna Kate.” Adriana pulled Kate away from the crowd. When they were alone, Adriana mindlinked, ‘This is our chance. While Alpha is fighting, we can flee. His alpha command won’t be able to reach you once we have crossed a kilometer outside the border.’

Kate gulped. The idea of escaping while the people she had grown to love were attacked made her feel like a traitor. She was second-guessing, but Beta Jacob’s report fired up the luna in her.

“What? What did you say?” Beta Jacob was obviously mindlinking with whoever was out there, fighting. He turned to Kate, saying, “Luna, our eastern borders have fallen. Over fifty of the cursed alpha’s warriors had also infiltrated that location! They have captured women and children.”

“Copy, Beta Jacob,” Kate replied. “I’ll take the east.”

“Luna,” Adriana called.

Kate, however, turned to Adriana and mindlinked, ‘I can’t, Adri. The pack needs help. We can’t just leave them like this. There will be another opportunity.’

Adriana did not get a chance to speak because Kate immediately shifted into her wolf, tearing her clothes.

Kate had grey and stripes of black coat on her back and a white fur on her belly. Her size and speed made her wolf form stand out the most, so she was easily identified by the rest of the pack.

The warriors who ran with her howled confidently, knowing their luna was with them.

When Kate reached the eastern boundary of their pack, she saw a group of women and children being rounded up by giant werewolves. There were six of them. Two growled and flaunted their teeth at the hostages, while four guarded anyone from breaking their barrier.

Around them were fifty unknown werewolves, all robust and fearless, fighting their warriors. Then, judging by the screams behind the trees and the thundering paws that rumbled against the ground, more of the enemies were coming.

Kate began to fight back. She lunged on a werewolf that was fighting one of the gammas. With her speed and precise moves, she toppled down the opponent and bit him in the leg.

Jumping from one enemy to another, Kate managed to take down four fighters in half an hour, making her catch the attention of the surrounding enemies.

Kate could feel eyes on her. Very quickly, five rival werewolves surrounded her, but she remained calm. All of them had their fangs out, their saliva dripping in anger.

“She is mine.”

“No, she is mine.”

“I like the challenge. Let me fight her.”

“I like a feisty lady.”

Each of the werewolves in that circle wanted to try out her skills. Repeatedly, they growled and attempted to lunge at her. Unexpectedly, a loud and authoritative tone snarled, “No, I will fight her!”

Whoever that was, Kate noticed all five werewolves retreated. One opposing warrior panned from Kate to that man twice and hissed before leaving her alone.

While the struggle continued around Kate, she turned to the voice that ordered the five werewolves away. She was surprised that the man did not shift into his wolf. Instead, he stood tall, wearing bronze chest armor. His cut was so imposing that Kate felt threatened just by his looks. He also had a bronze mask covering his face. His hair was long, and he walked lazily in her direction like he owned time.

A distinct and primal scent permeated the air when this masked man closed in on Kate. It was an intoxicating mixture of wild, untamed elements. He smelled of deep, earthy musk with the hints of falling leaves.

Kate was sure this man was a high-ranking werewolf, and he was about to fight her? In his human form? She mused, ‘Does this man have a death wish?’

“What’s the matter? Already scared of me?” the mysterious man asked in a deep voice.

Narrowing her eyes, Kate growled. Then, she advanced, leaping from where she stood, hoping to defeat the man sooner. To her shock, however, the man was fast in his human form!

Kate began to attack without holding back. She was striking with her claws and attempted to bite at him, but all her efforts were in vain. The man dodged them all. Kate also tried to fight in her human form. When she managed to punch him in the face, she received the pain instead.

“Fuck your mask!” Kate barked. “You are a coward, hiding behind your armor! Fight like a man!”

That probably hit his ego because the man started fighting back without hold. He punched her, grabbed her arms, and flipped her over. Then, the man quickly restrained her to the ground like she was feather-light.

Kate could not believe what had just happened! Her heart drummed against her ribcage, and for the first time, she feared for the outcome of that fight. Kate tried to wiggle free, but the man was far stronger. She screamed for help, but no one came either.

“Are you ready to die?” the man said behind her. “Do you even know who you are fighting? Foolish woman!”

Just as Kate was struggling, she saw Delilah rush in her direction. She said, “I’ll help you, Luna Kate!”

Sadly for Delilah, a rival werewolf spotted her. The enemy quickly mauled her to the ground, and Delilah bled! She screamed, “Help! Xander, help!”

Surprisingly, Xander wasn’t too far away. He appeared out of nowhere in his wolf form, fuming. Xander easily killed the werewolf who attacked Delilah.

While Kate was watching everything unfold, the man who was holding her down grazed his claw against her neck. In a raspy voice, he suggested, “Time to die.”

“No!” Kate looked at Xander and also called for help, “Xander! Please help me! Help me!”

Kate saw how Xander ignored her. As he scooped Delilah in his arms, Xander mindlinked with Kate, ‘Why would I save you when you called Delilah out to help you? You knew she was pregnant! You did this on purpose to hurt her and our child! I did not think you could be this cruel, Kate!’

‘What?’ Kate protested. ‘I did not do such a thing! Whatever she said, she is lying! Help me!’

As Kate called for help, the man sat on her back, forcing the earth to mold against her chest. Her entire body ached because of the weight above her. Next, the man pulled her hair, forced her face up, pressed his claw deeper against her skin, and made a small cut.

“This is it for you, dearest Luna,” the man concluded. “Say your goodbyes!”

“Xander, please!” At that point, Kate voiced her thoughts. “If you don’t believe me, fine! But at least, help me for the sake that you once loved me! I am still your wife!”

Unfortunately for Kate, Xander chose to flee with Delilah. Kate saw how Delilah smirked. She looked at Kate mischievously as if having won the battle. Instantly, Kate knew it was another one of Delilah’s ploy to get rid of her.

“Aaahhh!” Again, rage surged in her heart, seeing Xander abandon her for Delilah’s lies.

“Hahaha!” Out of nowhere, the man behind laughed as if mocking her! Only then did it dawn on Kate that he allowed her to watch the entire scene. He did not kill her. He wanted her to witness her husband’s abandonment, but why?

The attack on the South Moon Pack continued for hours. All Kate could hear were their people’s cries and screams of horror. She felt many of their warriors lose the bond to the pack, meaning they lost their lives.

Guilt consumed Kate, but there was nothing she could do. Like them, she was now a prisoner to the cursed alpha. She could only wish that the cursed alpha would not recognize her.

Kate remained facing the ground but now had silver cuffs and chains around her torso. The man still sat on her like she was a couch, and damn, he was heavy.

Finally, the attack ended two hours before sunset. The opponents gloated in their conquest in words and laughter.

Another powerful man walked in Kate’s direction. He had red hair and a scar on his forehead going down his right eye. He stood before the man who remained to sit on Kate and said, “Alpha, we have now gathered all prisoners in front of the packhouse. We are ready for you.”

Kate’s eyes grew wide. She muttered under her breath, “Alpha?”

When the man got up from her, Kate flipped her body to lie on her back. She instantly locked eyes with those blue orbs beneath the bronze mask. Shivering, Kate asked, “Are - are you the cursed alpha?”

The masked man scoffed and lazily answered, “The one and only.”

Chapter 4: Forced Rejection

~ Kate ~

'Thank you, Moon Goddess, for giving me a little bit of justice,' Kate mused after seeing Xander and Delilah across from her. They were also captured. No one escaped the cursed alpha's forces.

Like every high-ranking werewolf from the South Moon Pack, Xander was on his knees with silver chains and cuffs. Delilah was beside him, weeping.

Around Kate, the pack members were wailing, seeking answers from anyone who could answer what would become of their fates.

"Silence!" Kate heard Alpha Sebastian call everyone's attention. "All of you, look at me!"

In a menacing tone, he added, "I, Alpha Sebastian Armstrong, leader of the Wind Walker Pack, command you to look at me!"

Then, Sebastian let out his alpha aura. It was like a wave of electricity that suddenly rolled out, reaching everyone in their pack.

Kate felt it too. In just seconds, she could barely move and was forced to look up to Sebastian. It certainly was far different than that of Xander's alpha command. Alpha Sebastian's alpha command was more potent.

She could hear the others screaming in pain before finally submitting to the cursed alpha's order. As for Kate, she had no more reason to defy this new alpha. She no longer respected Xander.

"Now that I have your attention!" Sebastian said. "I have conquered your pack. The South Moon Pack is officially mine!"

"Like all my conquests, this pack will pay taxes to my pack, The Wind Walker Pack. In return, you will be part of a strong alliance protecting you from rogues and other alliance packs," Sebastian described. "Your alpha, Xander Baros, can remain to lead, but note that I!"

He made his voice loud and clear, giving Kate goosebumps as he added, "I am above him. I am the supreme ruler of all my territories, including the South Moon Pack!"

Sebastian growled and threatened, "Defy me, and you will die. Create a rebellion, and you will find yourself six feet beneath the ground. Lie to me and my men, and you will suffer the same fate."

Suddenly, Sebastian growled. His body slightly expanded to the point that the veins in his arms and along his neck protruded from his skin. His claws lengthened. He emitted power similar to that of an alpha king that everyone, including Kate, was forced to firmly straighten their backs and bow their heads in respect to him. It surprised Kate completely that Sebastian had so much power!

"Am I clear?" Sebastian asked loudly. His words were enunciated with precision, and they resonated with a sense of uncompromising conviction.

No one. Absolutely no one could free themselves from that alpha command.

"Yes, Alpha Sebastian."

"Yes, Alpha."

"We submit, Alpha Sebastian!"

Words of compliance followed. Kate also heard the same from Xander. It meant that even Kate's husband failed to fight Alpha Sebastian's orders.

It took a while for the cursed alpha to be contented with everyone's submission. It was as if he was purposely making the South Moon Pack suffer by prolonging the powerful aura around them.

When he finally released them from his alpha command, all their shoulders fell. Kate, for one, took deep breaths. She could hear gasping and whimpering around her. Some murmured about how the rumors of the cursed alpha were true.

"He really is as powerful as they said he is."

"I can't believe what just happened."

"He is stronger than Alpha Xander."

"We never stood a chance to begin with."

Before those whispers could erupt into something more, Sebastian announced, "Now, some of you may not know this, but in every territory that I conquer, I take a prize."

He turned his head to the side, looking at Xander, and asked, "What is... your most prized possession, Xander?"

Kate was far to the right from where Xander was. She finally spared him a glance while listening to him name his material possessions.

"I - I have gold bars in my safe." He shook his head and added, "The - the water utility company -"

"Fool!" Sebastian exclaimed. "I have no interest in your money. I am... a thousand times richer than you, Xander Baros! They are not true prized possessions. Besides, you will be giving us taxes starting next month."

The cursed alpha suddenly leaned down to grip Xander's neck. He held Xander up in the air, leaving him fiddling to breathe. He asked, "Who is more important to you? Your fated mate, who you are fucking around with? Or, the great Luna of this pack?"

Murmurs flared. The townspeople were getting a bigger picture of the situation between Kate, Xander, and Delilah. Kate suddenly felt the pack member's sorry looks on her. As for Kate, she was shocked at how the cursed alpha knew!

"Can't talk?" Sebastian asked Xander. He hissed and said, "Then, let me decide."

The cursed alpha threw Xander to the ground, leaving him aching in pain.

Sebastian first picked up Delilah, grabbing her by the arm as she screamed, "Help! Xander, help me!"

The cursed alpha studied Delilah from head to toe. He remarked, "This one has no real value. I don't like this one!"

Sebastian also threw Delilah to the ground and paced toward Kate.

Kate's eyes rounded. Her heart was about ready to jump out of her chest. 'No. No. No! This can't be happening. Does he recognize me? It can't be. It can't be -"

"Put me down!" Kate tried to resist as Sebastian's strong arm pulled her up. He cupped her face, turned it side to side, and gripped her arm and thighs. He announced, "I want this one."

Sebastian turned to Xander and asked, "Isn't she your Luna? I commend you for your taste. And because you chose well, I want her too!"

"No. No, please," Kate begged while Sebastian returned his attention to her. She saw through his mask how his blue-colored eyes focused on the mark on her neck, Xander's mark, the mark that bound her to her husband.

"We have to get rid of that," Sebastian said. His voice showed a hint of irritation. He dragged Kate closer to Xander and commanded, "Reject her!"

Xander froze. He looked at Kate as if he was weighing the pros and cons.

It was probably because of his hesitation that Sebastian kicked Xander in the stomach and repeated, "She is the prize I want. Reject her now, or I will kill your mistress!"

The red-haired man, introduced as Sebastian’s beta earlier, grabbed Xander's shoulders and echoed, "Do as my alpha says! Reject her!"

Another of the cursed alpha's warriors grabbed Delilah, threatening to hurt her. When Xander saw this, he said, I, Xander Baros, alpha of the South Moon Pack, reject you, Kate Reed, as my mate and luna!"

Kate gritted her teeth as the hurt rushed inside of her. She was not even given the chance to soothe her pain when Sebastian grabbed her by the jaw and ordered, "Accept his rejection, now!"

"Now!" He snarled again.

Left with no choice, Kate braced herself for a more painful experience. The thing about marking another werewolf was that the bond was supposed to be unbreakable, that defying and damaging it would result in the most tremendous heartache.

Trembling in her response, Kate said while looking at her husband, "I, Kate Reed Stone, accept your rejection, Xander Baros! I renounce my position as your wife and being the Luna of the South Moon Pack!"

For a fleeting moment, Kate saw the puzzled expression that came from Xander. It was the first time Kate used her real name, but it had to be done. Otherwise, the rejection will fail.

Then, the pain kicked in, and Kate used all the energy left to withstand rejection.

Just like that, Kate was disconnected from the members of the South Moon Pack. Sebastian quickly grabbed Kate's arm. He stared into her eyes and declared, "Now, you are mine!"