CLARA
You should have seen Logan's face when he saw us standing there.
The shock.
The pause.
That split second when his eyes widened before he hid it.
Oh yes.
I saw it.
And I knew right then—he guessed it was me.
He probably knew I told his parents.
And honestly?
I did not care.
But let me rewind a little.
Because betrayals like this never begin at the end.
Earlier that day, one of the pack maids—my most loyal little spy—slipped quietly into my chambers. She was pale, shaking, terrified to be the bearer of such news.
She told me a guard had whispered something dangerous.
Something disgraceful.
Logan had been seen bathing in the royal baths… with a strange woman.
Not a noble.
Not a guest of status.
A woman no one recognized.
According to the guard, the source was solid—one of Logan's closest security men.
That information didn't just hurt.
It nearly killed me.
Before you accuse me of overreacting, let me paint the picture clearly.
I have loved Logan since we were children. What began as a silly crush grew into something deep, obsessive, consuming. I loved him with every fiber of my being—and I never hid it. Logan knew. Everyone knew.
The love was impossible, of course.
First, because he didn't return it.
Second… because we were related.
But impossible things only excite me.
I didn't give up. I planned. I waited. I schemed.
And eventually, I won.
I became his fiancée.
So yes—receiving news like that? It took the full grace of the Moon Goddess to keep me from collapsing where I stood.
I didn't waste time crying. Tears solve nothing.
I went to confront him.
Not just for myself—but because rumors like that could damage his image.
And what's his is mine.
I was only a few steps away from Logan's chambers when soldiers appeared, dragging a woman through the corridor like a criminal.
At first, I felt nothing. I assumed she was a witch suspect. The entire pack had been hunting the witch who tried to kill Logan.
But then the woman shouted—
"I'm Logan's guest!"
I stopped breathing.
My chest tightened.
I knew.
I knew instantly.
She was the one.
The woman from the bath.
Still, I smiled.
I acted confused.
Polite.
Calm.
Inside, I was burning.
Then she made it so easy.
She claimed she was Logan's fiancée.
That word hit me like poison.
Fiancée.
I wanted to rip her apart.
And I would have.
In the punishment hall.
I had the whip in my hand.
I had power.
Then Logan came.
And ruined everything.
Not only did he stop it—
He destroyed me.
He called her his mate.
His mate.
And just like that, he replaced me.
In front of everyone.
That was when I knew I was in serious trouble.
So I ran.
Straight to my father.
Logan's uncle.
The man who never needed much encouragement to hate me.
The second I told him about the witch—about Logan bringing some unknown woman into the royal baths—he exploded.
Literally.
The vase flew before I even finished my sentence.
If you had seen the way I ran for the door… Goddess. I tripped, crashed to the floor, and scraped my knee so badly tears sprang to my eyes. Pain shot up my leg, sharp and humiliating.
"Useless girl!" he roared. "I regret ever fathering something as worthless as you. Your mother couldn't even give me a son before she died!"
He paced like a madman. "I fed you. Clothed you. Raised you. I handed Logan to you on a platter of gold—and you lost him to some unidentified woman!"
I swallowed hard and forced my voice to stay calm. Soft. Respectful.
"Father, calm down. All is not lost," I said gently. "All you need to do is bribe the Elders. Have them oppose the engagement. This doesn't warrant you taking my head off."
That was my mistake.
The scissors came out of nowhere.
I didn't even have time to dodge.
They struck my forehead with a sickening thud, and for a moment, I swear I saw little birds dancing in my vision.
Fuck.
Who throws scissors at their own child?
Bleeding, dizzy, furious—I ran.
That was how I fled my father's chambers.
But give up?
Never.
Because I still had another weapon.
My uncle—Robert Lockwood.
Logan's father.
That man adored me. Far more than my own father ever did. If anyone would stand by me, protect my position, and tear Logan apart for humiliating me—it was him.
His wife, however, was another story. She cared about two things: herself and Logan. In that order.
So when the party began, I was ready.
I stayed close to them.
I whispered.
I sighed.
I planted doubt.
I painted Logan as reckless.
And that strange woman as dangerous.
And it worked.
Because when they walked into his room—
And Logan saw them—
He froze.
He thought he won.
But the battle?
It had only just begun.
And I was not done yet.
Not even close.
LOGAN — FIRST PERSON
The moment I saw them standing there with Clara, I knew.
I didn't need anyone to explain it to me.
Clara had spoken.
And if I knew Clara—and I did—her version of the story was probably painted in blood and disaster.
Jack stirred in my head, uneasy.
She told them everything… and not the good parts.
I straightened my shoulders anyway.
Convincing them was going to be hard. I already knew that.
But honestly?
I didn't care.
My mind was made up.
"Dad. Mom. Clara," I said calmly, forcing a light tone. "Why aren't you at the party?"
I walked past them like nothing was wrong, headed straight to my shelf. I picked up a bottle of whiskey, poured myself a glass, slow and steady.
If they were here to fight, I was not going to panic.
"Who is that girl?" my father demanded.
His voice was sharp. Tight with anger.
Jack growled low.
Careful.
"Robert," my mother said softly, touching his arm. "Calm down."
She turned to me then, her eyes softening. "We haven't seen our son in years."
She walked toward me and opened her arms.
I didn't hesitate.
I hugged her, whiskey glass and all.
Yes.
I'm a mama's boy.
Sue me.
My father scoffed behind us, turning his face away.
When I pulled back, I smiled and lifted the glass slightly toward my mother. "Drink?"
She shook her head gently. "No."
I turned to my father. "What about you, Dad?"
He shot me a look. "Do you think I came here to drink?"
I shrugged, took a long sip, and dropped into my sofa like a man with zero regrets.
"You both look fine," I said casually. "I thought you said you wouldn't make it to the engagement party."
"And is that why you pulled this childish stunt?" my father snapped. "Switching fiancées like clothes?"
Jack bristled.
He does not get to speak of her like that.
"Dad, calm down," I sighed. "It's not like that. And who even told you?" I asked, already knowing the answer.
My eyes slid to Clara.
She sat on my bed, hands folded neatly, eyes lowered.
Silent.
Innocent.
Jack hissed.
Snake.
"That's not the issue," my mother said quickly. "This is a big decision, Logan."
Her voice trembled. "I don't want to lose my son. The high priest said time is running out. I'm scared for you."
I stood up at once and walked to her.
"Mom," I said gently. "It's okay. You don't need to be afraid."
"This isn't only about you!" my father barked. "You are the Alpha. Your choices affect the whole pack."
I rubbed my face.
I was tired of that sentence.
"Please," I said calmly. "Sit down. Both of you."
They hesitated.
"Sit," I repeated. "Or I won't say anything else."
My father scoffed but adjusted his suit and sat. My mother followed.
I took a breath.
"The girl you saw," I said clearly, "is my mate."
Jack lifted his head proudly.
Ours.
"She is not some random commoner," I continued. "And she is the right one. The one who can break the curse."
My mother's lips parted. "How can you be sure? Do you even love each other? I heard you just met."
I frowned slightly. "Let me guess. Whoever talked also shared details."
My eyes flicked to Clara again.
She avoided my gaze.
"It doesn't matter who told us," my father said. "What matters is that this is serious."
"I know," I said firmly. "Better than anyone."
I stepped forward.
"I am the Alpha. I understand the weight of every choice I make. I know how my actions affect the pack and the kingdom. I have led this land for years."
Jack stood tall inside me.
We have earned this.
"I won't brag," I added lightly, "but I think I've done a decent job."
Silence.
"So all I ask," I said softly, "as your son… is that you trust me."
My father sighed deeply.
"You know your uncle won't take this well. And Clara is hurt."
"Uncle Malcolm is one of my favorite people," I said with a small smile. "He's reasonable. He'll understand."
Jack snorted.
Eventually.
"And Clara," I continued, calmer now. "She is my cousin. My friend. We will be fine."
Clara's fingers tightened in her lap.
"Now," I said, straightening, "you should go back to the party. Keep the guests busy before they think I ditched my own engagement."
My mother stood and walked to me. She kissed my cheek.
"I really hope you know what you're doing," she whispered. "I don't want to lose you."
I smiled softly. "You won't."
My father stood too, exhaling heavily.
"You know the elders will fight this," he said. "Are you ready?"
I smiled.
"Yes."
Jack growled, strong and sure.
Always.
My father nodded once. "Then have it your way."
They turned and walked out.
I turned to Clara.
"Aren't you going with them?"
She shook her head slowly. "No. I have something to say." Her voice cracked. "Close the door."
I let out a soft breath and glanced at the wall clock. My chest felt tight.
"No," I said gently. "I'll leave it open." I looked back at her. "Go on. I don't have much time. Bella will be here any moment."
Clara stood up. She walked toward me, slow and careful, like each step hurt. She wrapped her arms around herself and took a deep breath before speaking.
"Logan…" Her voice broke. "Are you really going to choose someone you just met over me?"
My heart sank.
"After everything we've been through?" Tears filled her eyes. "Why do you want to hurt me like this?"
She wiped her cheeks fast, like she hated being seen that way.
I moved closer and placed both my hands on her shoulders. My voice stayed soft, even though my chest hurt.
"Clara, you know I care about you. You know I hate seeing you cry." I searched her face. "But I truly thought you would understand me more than anyone. You always said you wanted me happy. You always supported me."
She nodded, tears slipping free. "You know I always have your back."
"Then I need that now," I said quietly. "Don't stand against me. Too many people already are." I squeezed her shoulders. "Just stand with me. I promise nothing will change between us."
She forced a smile and nodded. "I can."
She stepped forward and hugged me.
I hugged her back, gentle, careful.
"I don't like this," Jack growled in my head. "She feels wrong."
I sighed inwardly. Jack never liked Clara. I never understood why.
Then he went still.
"MATE IS CLOSE."
My breath caught.
It wasn't a sound. It was a pull. A sudden heat in my chest. My heart beat faster. My skin tingled. The air felt heavy and sweet at the same time.
She's here.
I tried to pull away from Clara.
She tightened her arms. "Wait, Logan. Just one more minute."
My body went stiff.
This felt wrong.
Jack growled low, restless. "You should not be holding another woman."
Shit. Unease crawled through me. I didn't want Bella to see this. Even though there was nothing going on between us, it still felt wrong—deeply, painfully wrong.
Too late.
"What the hell is going on?" a familiar voice cut in, laced with anger."
I turned.
It was Bella.