Chapter 98

Lisa’s POV

I couldn’t believe my body had betrayed me.

After everything Angus had done—the pain, the humiliation—I had let my head rest against his chest, let him hold me as I cried.

I could hear the low rumble of his wolf, a soothing purr, as though he thought he could comfort me.

I jerked back, shoving him away so hard he stumbled.

His eyes flickered with hurt, but he remained silent.

"Angus," I hissed, wiping my face. "I told you to leave. What are you doing here?"

He took a step forward and—to my utter shock—knelt.

"Lisa, I can’t explain how broken I’ve been since you left," his voice was raw, desperate. "It hasn’t been easy for me. Not just because I saw Feeler’s true self—no, I realized the moment you left. The moment I couldn’t find you."

I crossed my arms, refusing to let his words shake me.

"While you were gone, Delta Slate did an investigation. Lisa, they framed you for everything. Noah wanted to overthrow me, and Feeler… she lied to me about everything. She was pregnant with another man’s child—her mate’s child—and she made me believe I was the father."

He exhaled shakily.

"I was blind, Lisa. Blind and foolish. And you paid the price for it."

I stared at him, my throat burning.

"Lisa," he whispered. "The only thing I ask of you is forgiveness."

Forgiveness?

Forgiveness?

He thought one apology, one plea, could erase the years of suffering? Did he know what it felt like to be cast out, to be hated by the people who were supposed to protect you?

I laughed bitterly, but the sound was hollow.

"Forgive you?" My voice cracked. "Did you ever think about how your actions broke me? How I begged and pleaded, and you never listened?"

His jaw clenched. "I know—"

"Where’s Feeler, your precious Luna?" I spat. "Or have you finally seen her for what she is?"

His face twisted with regret. "Me and her are over . We have no relationship again." He said with his shoulders sagged.

I wiped my face with the back of my hand, pushing past him.

A knock sounded at the door, and Luke’s voice came from the other side.

"Lisa, the ritual for Father will be tonight. After that, we’ll set the day for the funeral. Be ready when it’s time."

I didn’t answer. I heard his footsteps retreating, leaving me alone with Angus.

"How will you go about it?" Angus asked.

I shot him a glare. "That’s none of your business."

He exhaled but didn’t press further. Instead, he moved to sit on the far end of the bed, watching me.

I paced the room, frustration curling in my gut. I didn’t want to be here. I didn’t want to be part of this pack.

Why had the Moon Goddess cursed me with this bloodline?

The same man they wanted me to honor had let me suffer. If I had died out there, alone and forgotten, would they have even cared?

"Lisa," Angus murmured. "I’m here for you. Whenever you need me."

I paused, my back to him.

I wanted to scream at him to leave. I wanted to curse him for the pain he had caused.

But I couldn’t find the words.

Because the truth was… I was tired of fighting.

**The Sacred Ritual **

The night air was thick with smoke and whispered prayers.

The Ceremony of Passage was about to begin.

The entire Red Moon Pack gathered in the sacred clearing, standing in silent rows under the watchful gaze of the full moon. The ancient stone altar stood at the center, bathed in silver light.

The scent of burning sage filled my lungs, and my stomach twisted.

Beta Giovanni’s body lay upon the altar, dressed in ceremonial black robes, his chest adorned with silver wolf emblems. His face looked peaceful in a way it never had in life.

I stood before him, draped in deep blue robes—the color of mourning.

The Elders surrounded us, their wrinkled faces solemn as they chanted in the old language.

In the center of the altar, a bronze fire bowl burned with sacred herbs, the flames curling toward the sky, carrying whispers to the Moon Goddess.

My hands trembled as the golden ceremonial dagger was placed in my palms.

"A daughter’s blood must flow, so her father’s spirit may rise."

I could feel the weight of the pack’s stares.

Waiting.

Expecting.

I hesitated.

I didn’t know if I wanted to free him.

I had loved him once. But love had not saved me.

Love had not kept me from being cast aside.

Love had not given me a home.

Was I truly meant to give my blood for a man who had given me nothing?

The wind howled through the clearing, and the fire crackled wildly.

The Moon Goddess was watching.

I took a deep breath, tightened my grip on the dagger, and pressed the blade to my palm.

The sharp sting of pain made my breath hitch, but I didn’t stop.

A single drop of red splattered onto his chest.

Then another.

Then another.

I swallowed hard, my voice steady as I spoke the sacred words.

"May the sins of the past be buried with the body. May the soul rise unchained, free of regret, free of pain."

The fire bowl roared to life.

The blue flames shot into the air, twisting like a serpent before vanishing into the night sky.

A hush fell over the crowd.

The Elders bowed their heads.

It was done.

My father’s soul had been freed.

But as I stood there, watching the smoke fade into the stars, I realized something.

The one still bound in chains… was me.

After everything, the pack slowly dispersed, leaving me standing alone at the altar.

I felt a presence behind me, the heat of his body warming my back.

"Lisa," Angus’s voice was quiet, hesitant.

I didn’t turn around.

He exhaled. "I watched you tonight. You were… strong."

I let out a bitter laugh. "You call this strength?"

"You didn’t run," he said simply. "Even when you wanted to."

Silence stretched between us.

"You don’t have to stay in this pack," he murmured. "Come back with me."

I turned, my eyes burning. "Why would I ever do that?"

"Because…" he hesitated, raking a hand through his hair. "Because I need you, Lisa. I don’t care about rank or mates or traditions. I just… I need you. I'm a change person now. "

I shook my head. "You needed me when you had the chance. And you let me go."

Pain flickered across his face. "I know. And I will spend the rest of my life making up for it if you let me."

I studied him, searching for lies, for deception.

But all I saw was a broken man.

A man who had lost just as much as I had.

A man who, despite everything, was still kneeling before me.

I exhaled.

Right now I don't know what to do.

Hunter’s POV

After speaking with my parents, I needed space. I made my way to my study, hoping to find some semblance of peace, but the moment I stepped inside, I sensed I wasn’t alone.

Mark, Beta Joe, and Andrew had followed me, their presence filling the room before I even turned around.

"Hey, man, how are you?" Mark asked, his voice light, oblivious to the war raging inside me.

I didn’t answer immediately. Instead, I turned to face them, forcing a neutral expression. Mark, as always, was grinning, his excitement radiating off him.

"So, tell me," I deflected, "what’s the good news?"

Mark’s grin widened, and he practically beamed. "My mate just gave birth to a cute little boy."

For the first time in what felt like forever, a genuine smile tugged at my lips. "Congratulations, man." I stepped forward, clapping him on the shoulder. "That’s amazing."

Mark’s joy was infectious, but only for a fleeting moment. The reality of my own situation loomed over me like a storm cloud.

Beta Joe, ever the observant one, frowned. "Alpha, are you alright?"

I hesitated, but these men—these brothers—had been by my side through everything. Hiding the truth from them would be pointless.

"And where is Lisa?" Mark’s question cut through me like a blade.

I clenched my jaw. He must have noticed the sadness creeping into my expression because his own excitement dimmed.

"It’s a long story," I admitted, my voice quieter than I intended. "But I’ll cut it short."

They watched me intently, waiting.

"I found out that Lisa and I… we’re siblings."

The silence that followed was thick and heavy, like the air had been sucked out of the room.

Mark’s brows furrowed in confusion. "What?"

"How is that possible?" Andrew’s voice was sharp with disbelief.

I exhaled, raking a hand through my hair. "My biological father impregnated my mother, a human, and abandoned her. Since I'm a werewolf also she to give me to Alpha Grady and Joyce my mother, so took me in as their own."

Mark shook his head, disbelief clear on his face. "This is bad," he muttered.

Beta Joe remained silent, his expression unreadable. Andrew, however, voiced what was on everyone’s mind.

"Lisa will not be able to heal from this so quickly," Mark continued. "Unless a miracle happens."

I laughed bitterly. A miracle? Lisa deserved one, but I wasn’t sure the Moon Goddess was feeling merciful.

"So, the engagement is canceled?" Andrew asked, his voice cautious.

I didn’t answer.

Instead, I turned to the window, staring at the vast expanse of the pack lands beyond. The engagement was the least of my concerns now.

Lisa was my mate. My wolf had chosen her. Our bond had been strong—undeniable.

And now…

She was my sister.

My stomach twisted, a sickening mix of emotions battling inside me. Love. Loss. Anger at the cruel twist of fate.

"What did Lisa say?" Beta Joe finally spoke, his voice steady, controlled.

I swallowed hard. "What can she say. Is not in her hands is fate and the moon goddess."

I turned back to face them, my fists clenching at my sides. " I don't know what the hell I'm supposed to do now?"

No one had an answer.

And that terrified me the most.

The slience of the room became so suffocating, the air thick with unspoken thoughts.

"Lisa must be devastated," Mark muttered.

I nodded, my throat tight. Devastated was an understatement.

Lisa had been through so much already—banished, betrayed, tossed aside like she was nothing. And now, this.

The one person she had started to trust… the one person she believed in… was her own blood.

"I should have known," I whispered, more to myself than anyone else. "Something always felt… strange. The connection was there, but it wasn’t just the mate bond. It was something deeper. My blood was running through her veins also."

"You can’t blame yourself for this, Alpha," Beta Joe said. "This isn’t your fault."

But it felt like it was.

I had promised Lisa a future. Promised to stand by her side, to fight for her, to love her.

Now?

That future was shattered.

"How do I even begin to fix this?" My voice cracked, frustration seeping into every word.

"You can’t fix it," Andrew said bluntly. "Not right now. You need to give her time."

I hated that answer.

I hated that there was nothing I could do and there is nothing time will do here.

I gritted my teeth. "And what if time isn’t enough?"

Beta Joe met my gaze. "Then you wait."

I turned away again, staring out at the darkness beyond the window.

Wait?

There is no waiting, because I have to accept reality.