Chapter Four

Kaia’s POV

I was stunned when my father bowed to the man who approached us. My father — the proud Alpha Summer — had never lowered his head to anyone. If he did, it meant only one thing: trouble.

“Beta Alex, we’ve caught the Luna. The wedding can still take place.”

The respect in his tone made my stomach twist. My father had never spoken like that before.

I froze, still clinging to the stranger’s hand. There was a pause, a silent exchange between the man and Beta Alex. I couldn’t hear their thoughts, but I could feel the tension buzzing in the air.

Then Beta Alex’s voice cut sharp. “Sir, what are you doing with our Luna-to-be? Do you even know whose Luna this is?”

Before I could breathe, the stranger pulled me closer. His arm wrapped tight around my waist, staking a claim that sent a shiver through me.

“Hey! Stop touching her that way! Have some respect for a Luna!” one of the guards snapped, fury lacing his words.

But the stranger only smirked, his expression taunting, as if he were enjoying the chaos.

“Thank the Moon you got here in time, Beta Alex!” my father shouted, his anger vibrating through every word. “Only the Moon knows what he did to my daughter. He must have used a spell on her! She’s never been reckless like this. She would never let any man touch her!”

The stranger’s eyes glinted dangerously as his smirk deepened. His voice rang cold, cutting the night like a blade.

“She’s my mate. She carries my pup. Not your Alpha’s so-called Luna.”

My breath caught. For a heartbeat, I almost believed it. He played the part so convincingly, his words like fire and shield all at once. I wanted to laugh — no, I wanted to cheer. He deserved an award for this performance.

Beta Alex’s face darkened with shock. His entire posture stiffened as his gaze whipped to my father.

“Carrying his pup?” His tone was laced with betrayal. “Summer, how could you deceive us like this? You want Alpha Caleb to marry someone already pregnant with another man’s child?”

The air crackled with fury. My father’s face drained of color, and for the first time, I saw Alpha Summer falter.

Before my father could answer, I cut in. “Yes, Beta Alex. I don’t want to marry your Alpha. I want to live with my mate. I told Father, but he won’t let me.” I kept my voice steady, careful to reveal as little as possible—Grandma’s life still hung by a thread. If I said too much, they’d find her.

My father’s hand closed on my wrist and dragged me closer, voice hard enough to bruise. “Tell them it’s a lie, Selena. How could you want to spend your life with a lowlife? Look at him—do you know the honor of being a Luna? Respect, duty—these mean more than your whims.”

A hot flash of panic hit me. I let out a loud, practiced groan. “Ahh—” I doubled over, clutching my stomach. The man at my side moved forward without hesitation.

“I will not tolerate this,” the stranger said, jaw tight. “Father-in-law, I don’t doubt your care for your daughter, but I care for her more.” He sounded calm, but there was steel under the words. I forced a small, grateful smile.

Beta Alex voice thundered. “You will pay for betraying Alpha Caleb’s trust.” His eyes burned with fury; the whole court seemed to hold its breath.

“Selena,” my father snapped, voice sharp with accusation, “are you trying to ruin my name? If he forced you into anything, tell me now and I’ll make them answer for it. I’ll make you regret this, girl.”

For a second I thought he meant it—the threat in his tone was real. I pictured beating men and threats, and my throat tightened. Before the fear could swallow me, the stranger stepped forward and spoke for me.

“Beta Alex,” he said, voice low and controlled, “ask yourself this—who is forcing who? If a father pressures his daughter like this, who’s truly guilty? Selena is my mate.” His words landed like a verdict.

Even after I’d told him I was Selena’s twin, he didn’t crumble. He held the act—authentic and dangerous. I watched the men around us shift, some skeptical, some angry. The stranger’s hand stayed possessive at my waist; the heat of it steadied me.

Father stepped forward and shoved the stranger’s hand away. The man stumbled, then caught himself. I moved closer and leaned in, my voice low and sharp.

“You want me to blow everything,” I whispered, forcing the words out, “tell Beta Alex I'm Selena’s twin — Imagine what he’d think of you then.”

My father’s smile went hard, cruel. “What are you saying, daughter?” he asked, slow and soft, as if humoring a child. Then he leaned in, his voice a knife. “Remember—your grandmother is in our hands. Say one more word and you'll regret this”

He straightened, and before I could gather myself he called out in a loud, theatrical voice. “Beta Alex! My daughter’s been hypnotized—she’s babbling. She keeps talking nonsense about being someone else. Her Twins that has been dead many years ago”

He twisted my words into a story so smooth it made my skin crawl. Around us the men shifted, uncertain; some faces closed like shutters, some eyes softened with pity. My throat burned, but I forced a laugh that tasted like bile.

What a dramatist, I thought. I should have known better.