Chapter 4

Beatrice’s POV

Cassandra moved into the packhouse the following morning. Alpha Logan announced it as though there were no other option.

“She needs to be monitored closely,” he said while standing at the head of the dining table. His voice was calm, but there was still a coldness beneath it that made every word feel deliberate. “The healer says her pregnancy is sensitive. Her life could be in danger if she isn’t properly cared for.”

I sat across from him, my hands wrapped around a cup of tea I hadn’t touched. Cassandra sat beside him. She looked fragile.

“I’ve already spoken to the healers,” Logan continued. “They’ll be checking on her regularly.”

I nodded. “Good.”

His eyes settled on me. “You’ll take care of her.”

I looked up. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

I placed the cup down. “There are omegas assigned to the packhouse. They can take care of Cassandra.”

“She needs someone she trusts. You’re going to help her.”

I almost laughed. “Why?”

He leaned back in his chair. “Because after everything that happened, you owe her an apology.”

The room became quiet. I felt my fingers curl against my palm.

After everything he had done to me, somehow I was the one who owed an apology.

“I want you to personally oversee her meals, her appointments, and anything else she needs.”

Cassandra looked at me. Her lips trembled.

Alpha Logan immediately noticed. “Cassandra?”

She lowered her head. “I don’t want to cause trouble between you two.”

Her voice was barely above a whisper.

I nearly rolled my eyes. Of course.

Cassandra looked at me with watery eyes. “I just don’t want Beatrice to hate me.”

Alpha Logan reached for her hand. “You don’t have to worry about that.”

I looked away. There was something almost painful about watching how naturally he comforted her. He didn’t even have to think about it. His thumb brushed over the back of her hand.

Then he turned toward me. “There’s something else.”

I looked back.

“The gender reveal. Cassandra’s pregnancy is important to the entire pack. The elders are already preparing for the celebration. And I want you to help organize it.”

I stared at him.

“You want me to organize her baby’s gender reveal?”

“Yes.”

I let out a slow breath. “You really don’t hear yourself when you speak, do you?”

His eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”

“You want me to take care of the woman you claimed was carrying your pup, organize the celebration for her child, and apologize for something I didn’t do.”

“Watch your tone.”

I laughed softly. There was no humor in it. “And what about my pup?”

The room fell silent. Logan’s expression changed.

His eyes darkened. “Is that even mine? You’re still refusing to tell me the truth.”

I looked away.

He continued speaking as though he hadn’t noticed the change in my expression. “Your pregnancy will be handled separately. Until the child’s parentage is confirmed, there won’t be a public celebration.”

I swallowed. He had already decided my pup was suspicious. Now he was preparing a celebration for Cassandra while keeping mine hidden.

I suddenly remembered another time. A different room. A different Logan. I had been upset after an argument with one of the elders, and I had cried in his arms for nearly an hour.

He had held my face between his hands.

“You’re the only woman I want.”

I had laughed through my tears.

He had kissed my forehead. “I’d burn the entire world before I let anyone hurt you.”

I had believed him. I had believed every word.

Now I stood in the same room while he held another woman and promised her that everything would be okay. The world hadn’t needed to burn. Logan had simply learned how to burn me instead.

My throat tightened. I turned away. I couldn’t watch anymore.

“Show Cassandra her room,” I said quietly.

Alpha Logan glanced at me. Then he nodded.

He took Cassandra’s hand. “Come on.”

I watched them disappear down the hallway.

Their footsteps slowly faded. I remained standing there long after they were gone.

That night, I couldn’t sleep. The packhouse felt different with Cassandra inside it.

Her scent lingered everywhere. Her presence seemed to follow me through every hallway.

Around midnight, I finally left my room. I needed to speak with one of the elders. I needed the mateship severed.

I walked quietly down the hallway toward Elder Marcus’s quarters. I was almost there when I heard something.

I stopped. A sound came from one of the rooms. A soft moan.

I froze.

My heart immediately began beating faster. I knew that room. Cassandra was staying there.

I should have kept walking. I should have looked away. But then I heard Logan’s voice.

“Shh.” My entire body went cold. “I’ll take care of you.”

I stood completely still. His voice was low. Gentle. The same voice he used to use when he spoke to me late at night.

“I’ll take care of you and your pup.”

My fingers tightened around the fabric of my dress.

He continued. “I’ll protect your dignity.”

I couldn’t breathe. Then Cassandra spoke. “I love you, Alpha.” Her voice was soft. Emotional.

“You’re my everything.”

I closed my eyes.

“Please…” There was a pause. “You promised me you would marry me.”

My chest tightened so violently that I had to press a hand against it.

Then Logan answered. “Of course.”

I opened my eyes.

“You will be my second Luna.”

Second. The word struck me harder than anything else.

“Always next to me.”

I felt something inside me shatter. Second Luna. Years ago, Logan had stood before the entire pack. He had taken my hand. He had looked into my eyes and promised everyone that I would be the only woman beside him.

His only Luna. The only woman in his life besides the mother of his future children. He had promised me that there would never be another. And now he was promising another woman a place beside him.

A second Luna.

I took a step backward. My vision blurred.

I remembered our mating ceremony. The silver flowers. The moonlit courtyard. The way Alpha Logan had looked at me as though I were the only person in the entire world.

“I choose you,” he had whispered.

I had believed that choice was permanent. I had believed the Moon Goddess had chosen us because we were meant to stay together. But maybe the Moon Goddess hadn’t promised me Logan forever.

I wiped my tears. Then I continued walking. Elder Marcus was still awake when I arrived at his quarters.

He looked surprised to see me.

“Luna Beatrice?”

“I need your help.”

He immediately stood. “What happened?”

“I want the mateship severed.”

His expression changed. “Are you certain?”

I nodded.

“I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life.”

Before leaving, I glanced back at him. “Elder Marcus?”

“Yes?”

“Please don’t tell Alpha Logan yet.”

His eyes softened.

I walked back toward my room. The hallway was silent. For the first time in years, I didn’t feel afraid of what would happen after leaving Logan.

I was afraid of many things. Leaving my home. Facing my family. Starting over. Living without the man I had once believed was my entire world.

But none of those fears were stronger than the certainty growing inside me.