Knotting His Rejected Breeder

SONIA’S POV

When I woke up in that dark room with only a single ray of light falling across my body, I never thought I would see or hear from my family today. The cold floor pressed against my bare skin. My wrists still ached from the chains that had been removed only moments ago. I sat there, hugging my knees, wondering what fresh humiliation Alpha Ramon had planned for me next.

I cursed him in my head. I cursed the day our paths crossed. I cursed the moment he decided to turn his revenge against my father into my personal nightmare. Yet, in the same breath, a small part of me still hoped his heart would soften. I had seen a tiny glimpse of kindness in him, even if it was buried deep under layers of hate.

The mix of feelings made my head throb. One moment I wanted him destroyed. The next, my wolf whispered that he was ours. The contradiction hurt more than the chains ever did.

I never expected to see my family this closely.

But when I opened the door and stepped outside, the familiar scent of home hit me like a warm wave. It smelled of pine trees, fresh earth after rain, and the faint smoke from our pack’s kitchens. My heart leaped.

"Seth!" I cried out.

I ran straight to him and jumped into his arms. He caught me easily, his strong arms wrapping around me like they used to when I was little.

"I missed you so much," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion. His hand rubbed slow circles on my back. The warmth of his body chased away the chill that had settled in my bones for days.

I closed my eyes and let myself sink into the hug. Memories flooded in. Seth teaching me how to fish by the quiet river behind the castle. Father never knew about those secret trips. If he had, Seth would have been punished. I could never have forgiven myself for getting him in trouble because of my curiosity.

We finally pulled apart. My eyes moved to Cade. Everyone always feared Wolf because of his massive size and scary presence. But for me, Cade had always been the most intimidating. As the eldest, he carried so much responsibility. Growing up, he had been cold and distant. I used to think he didn’t care about me at all.

But now, seeing him stand there with barely controlled anger burning in his eyes as he stared at Ramon from the corner of his vision, something inside me broke. I ran to him too.

"Cade!"

"Princess," he whispered.

His arms came around me, firm and protective. I used to think he called me "princess" to mock me. With older ears now, I heard the real affection in that word. He wasn’t being mean as a kid. He was just trying to keep me safe in his own way.

"Are you okay?" He pulled back but kept his hands on my shoulders. His grip was warm and steady. "Did that monster hurt you? If he touched so much as a hair on your body, so help me—"

"No, he didn’t!" The words burst out of me before I could stop them.

I didn’t know where that came from. I had planned to tell them everything. To beg them to take me home. But the moment I opened my mouth, the only thing my brain could form was a defense for Ramon.

My wolf was working overtime. He was my mate. I couldn’t put him in a position where he could get hurt.

"But he hurts you all the time," my sanity screamed inside my head.

My body agreed. My back still remembered the hard floor. My skin still carried the memory of ropes. But my wolf fought fiercely against that truth.

"Are you sure, princess? Don’t lie to me." Cade’s eyes searched mine. His voice was low, but I could feel the tension in his fingers on my shoulders.

"It’s the truth. He can’t hurt me. I’m his mate."

"So it’s true?" His grip tightened slightly.

I nodded slowly. "It’s true. I’m his fated mate."

He let go of me then and strode toward Ramon’s table with heavy steps.

"Why have you not come to us when you know she’s your fated mate? How come you’ve not crowned her your Luna yet? Something doesn’t seem right, and you’re going to explain it to me!" Cade leaned forward, staring directly into Ramon’s eyes. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Fear gripped my chest. I turned to Seth for help. One wrong move and a fight could break out right here.

I prayed silently to the moon goddess. I prayed harder than I had ever prayed before because I couldn’t bear to watch them fight.

"I don’t need to explain anything to you. You don’t get to come into my pack and demand answers. Whatever it is you want to hear so badly, you can hear it when your father sets up a proper meeting. In that meeting, he must surrender!"

"Nonsense!" Cade straightened up with force. His legs spread apart in a predatory stance. His teeth clenched tight, and fresh rage danced in his eyes.

"Cade please."

"Stay out of this, princess. You’re unfortunate enough to be tied to a man who thinks the world owes him something. News flash, bastard — no one owes you anything."

I bit my lip hard as I saw the darkness swallow Ramon’s eyes. I was sure he wouldn’t take being called a bastard lightly. It was useless. My prayer felt useless. They were going to fight, and it would be brutal.

"I think we should all calm down before things get out of hand. Cade, apologise to Ramon. You went too far," Seth said.

I looked up at him with gratitude shining in my eyes. My thumping heart began to settle. It surged again when Cade turned toward us, and I could see the storm still raging in his expression.

"He took our sister. It will be a cold day in hell before I apologise to him. He wants dad to surrender?" Cade scoffed. "He started this senseless war!"

"No, your father did! Your father started this senseless war. If you want your sister back, if you want access to her, you will apologise and surrender!" Ramon growled, matching his tone.

My heart jumped into my throat as I stared from one man to the other. Their eyes locked in a fierce battle. Shudders ran through my body again and again.

"Can we just stop this madness? It’s not worth it. Please!" Seth pleaded.

I ran to Cade, hoping I could talk some sense into him. "Cade, I’m truly fine. I was the one who told him not to tell daddy yet. I’m not ready to become a Luna. I just want to enjoy the alpha alone for as long as I can. Can you understand me please?"

"Princess—"

"Please, Cade."

He sighed deeply and brought a hand to my hair, stroking it gently. "When did you grow so big?" he asked. His voice softened, and his eyes widened with disbelief.

"Oh Cade!" I hugged him tightly again. My heart bled for all the lies I had to tell just to protect the man who wanted me destroyed.