ELENA'S POV
I sat at the edge of the bed, watching my son Lucas breathe. His small chest rose and fell so gently, but every breath sounded like it took all the strength he had left.
He was only seven… too young to suffer like this.
I slowly reached out and brushed my fingers across his warm forehead.
"You're gonna be okay, sweetie," I whispered, forcing a smile that didn't reach my eyes.
He didn't respond. He was already asleep.
I stood up quietly, trying not to let my sob escape, and walked out of the room. The moment I closed the door behind me, I leaned against it, wiping the tears from my face.
That's when I saw her.
Jennifer Brown.
Alpha Mathew's fiancée.
She stood there, arms crossed, eyes full of fake sympathy but lips curled in cold amusement.
"Well?" she asked. "Have you made up your mind yet?"
My heart sank.
"Is this really Mathew's idea?" I asked, barely able to speak.
Jennifer's eyes flashed with anger. "You call him Alpha Mathew, peasant. And of course it's his idea."
She stepped closer, invading my space.
"You're going to show that old Alpha a real good time tonight," she sneered. "And then maybe we'll help your little bastard son."
I clenched the fabric of my dress in my fists. The shame burned in my chest. I didn't want to do this. But Lucas needed help. And no one else was offering it.
"Okay…" I whispered. "I'll do it."
Jennifer smirked and handed me a tight red dress.
"Touching," she mocked. "You're so sweet to that little brat. What a good mommy."
"Don't talk about Lucas like that," I snapped, my voice trembling. "He means everything to me."
Jennifer leaned in and whispered in my ear, her words dripping with venom. "Then dress sexy. Especially for old alphas. Good luck."
She turned and walked away, heels clicking coldly against the floor.
I looked down at the dress. It wasn't meant for serving drinks—it was meant for seduction.
And I hated myself for what I was about to do.
HARRISON'S POV
I landed inside the guest room through the open window, shifting out of my wolf form before my paws hit the floor.
Blood splattered across the marble tiles. Not mine.
I grabbed a cloth and wiped it from my chest and arms. My wounds were already healing. Perks of being Alpha of the Black Flame Pack.
I walked over to the mirror, grabbed a glass of water, and barely had time to drink before my phone buzzed.
"Yeah?" I answered, rubbing the back of my neck. "Just hide the body in the forest or something, alright? This is Alpha Walter's charity banquet. All the other Alphas are here… especially my douchebag brother Mathew."
Before I could hang up, a knock echoed from the door.
A soft, nervous voice followed. "Hello? Hello…?"
I frowned.
Who was that?
I stepped quietly toward the door.
My hand reached for the handle.
I opened the door slowly.
And there she was.
A woman.
Beautiful didn't even begin to describe her.
She stood in the dim hallway light, her long dark hair falling past her shoulders, her skin glowing like moonlight. She wore a tight red dress, and her eyes… her eyes were full of fear.
For a second, I just stared.
Something about her… familiar.
She took a small step forward and whispered, "Elena. I'm a maid… from the Red Moon Pack. He… he sent me to you. As a gift."
My jaw tightened.
He?
Of course.
Mathew.
That sick bastard.
"A gift?" I asked coldly. "Do you even know what that means?"
She flinched. Her hands trembled.
I scanned her body. Not because I wanted to—but because I couldn't help it. She was stunning. Delicate. Soft. Broken.
God, you're gorgeous.
But I shook my head.
"No," I muttered. "I don't need a woman tonight. Get out."
Her eyes filled with tears instantly. "Please," she said. "I can't let you throw me out tonight."
ELENA'S POV
My baby is waiting for me to save him.
That thought echoed over and over in my head.
I didn't care what I had to do.
I couldn't leave without help. Without something to show for this shame.
I slowly reached up and removed the red ribbon that was tied around my eyes. Jennifer made me wear it, said it made me look more "seductive."
My hands shook.
And then—I leaned forward and kissed him.
It was soft. Scared. Desperate.
To my surprise… he kissed me back.
But only for a moment.
He suddenly pulled away and stared at me like I'd slapped him.
"What the hell are you doing?" he said, his voice sharp but confused.
Then he looked at me harder, almost like he was trying to remember something.
FLASHBACK – SEVEN YEARS AGO
The room was dark, lit only by candles. The air was thick with a strange, sweet scent.
I stumbled in, shirt half-ripped, eyes burning red. "What the hell…" I muttered.
A woman lay on the bed, her body flushed, her breath short.
She turned her head slightly. "Hey… who are you?" she asked, her voice dazed. "I can't see your face. What's… happening to me? I feel… so hot…"
I staggered forward and sat beside her. "We're drugged," I whispered, My voice raw. "They drugged us."
The woman's eyes rolled back slightly. "No… I can't get pregnant."
I leaned closer, unbuttoning My shirt. "Don't worry," I murmured, "I can't have kids…"
But even as we said the words, neither could stop.
The heat overtook both of us.
PRESENT – HARRISON'S POV
I blinked, staring at Elena as a chill ran through my chest.
Her scent.
Her face.
Those eyes.
No. It couldn't be.
"You're not even that old," she said suddenly, breaking the silence.
I gave a dry laugh, still dazed. "That's because I'm only twenty-nine."
She studied me for a moment, then whispered, "You're Alpha Harrison. From the Black Flame Pack. The savage Alpha…"
I smirked. "Why are you acting like you don't know who I am?"
She stepped closer and raised one hand, brushing it softly along my cheek.
"I just… I was expecting someone different."
Her touch sent fire through me.
I leaned down, lips inches from hers. "So now you're playing hard to get?"
"No," she said, her voice trembling. "Listen to me—"
"Oh, I'm listening," I said, my voice lower now.
We kissed.
It was slow. Hot. Confusing. Her lips tasted like something I'd known once but forgotten.
Then—BANG.
A sharp knock on the door cut through the silence.
We both froze.
She backed up, eyes wide.
I stood still, pulse racing.
The knock came again. Harder this time.
"Elena," I whispered, "Did anyone follow you?"
She shook her head. "I don't know…"
I turned to the door, heart pounding.