JONAS POV“Lisa, are you listening?” I asked, my voice icy and authoritative. “These are the rules you must adhere to if you wish to survive. Acknowledge with a nod if you understand.”Lisa nodded, her eyes brimming with tears. “Yes, I understand,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. She understood and accepted her fate as my mate. She accepted that she was Kiara, and above all, she accepted her insignificance.I felt a surge of triumph surge through me as I watched Lisa nod her head obediently to my rules. It was akin to a hot wave of adrenaline coursing through my veins, a victorious roar echoing in the depths of my chest.Finally, I had something in my grasp—a weapon, a tool, not of steel or stone but of raw, unadulterated truth—that could truly torment Asher. A weapon that could sear him with the same burning pain that had been gnawing at my soul, my constant, relentless companion all this time.All my life, our father, Alpha King Regan, has consistently favored Asher

ASHERS’S POVI was engulfed by a whirlwind of emotions as I found Lisa in Jonas’s room. She was the spitting image of Kiara, my lost mate. How could this be possible? She had the same freckles on her cheeks and the same curve on her lips, but her eyes were a different color. Instead of the haunting emerald green of my dreams, they were a deep blue that pierced my soul.Was she just a coincidence, as Jonas insisted? Or could she be connected to Kiara, the love of my life? I found myself torn between hope and doubt, longing and fear. I yearned to believe that she was somehow linked to Kiara and that she could fill the void in my heart. Yet, I also knew that it might be too good to be true—that she was merely a human girl who bore a striking resemblance to my mate. Despite holding her in my arms, I felt no bond, no spark of recognition.She was neither my other half nor my soulmate. She was not Kiara—brave and fierce, a warrior who had fought by my side and ignited a spark of life within

LISA’S POVAs dawn broke, I stirred from my uneasy slumber. The chill of the stone floor still clung painfully to my skin. Jonas was already awake; his mood was surprisingly cheerful compared to the previous night.His voice, usually as cold as the floor I slept on, had a warmth to it that morning. I found myself questioning if this was a newfound kindness or just another one of his twisted games.“Did you sleep well?” Jonas asked, his eyes meeting mine on the floor. I nodded in response, but my heart echoed a different emotion.How could one sleep peacefully on a bed of cold, hard stone? The memory of my soft bed back in the village seemed like a distant dream.My gaze traveled through the open window and towards the clear sky. I found myself wondering how Jax and Max were faring and if they missed me as much as I missed them.Tears threaten to spill from my eyes. I blink them away, quietly swearing to myself to escape this tangled mess named Jonas.“Are you hungry?” His eyes narrowe

ASHER’S POVI returned to the pack house. The familiar faces of my pack members, already immersed in their daily tasks, greeted me. Their presence was a comforting constant in the whirlwind of emotions that was my life.I nodded at them, acknowledging their respect and loyalty, and then made my way to my room. I needed some time to myself to sort out the mess in my head and heart.I hoped that a shower and a change of clothes would wash away the traces of the night, the memories of Lisa, and the doubts of Jonas.My footsteps echoed in the hallway, a hurried rhythm that matched the pounding of my heart. As I neared my room, Scarlett appeared, her sudden presence catching me off guard. The moment Scarlett saw me coming, she walked towards me.I had no intention of stopping, but her hand reached out to take hold of my wrist, stopping me in my tracks.“What is it, Scarlett?” I ask myself, trying to pry her hands that are tightly wrapped around my wrist.“Please don’t push me away. I under

ASHER’S POV"Lisa, wait!" I called out as I watched her run away from me. She didn't stop or look back. She vanished through the door, leaving me alone and confused.We had just kissed, and it had been the most amazing kiss of my life. Her lips were soft and sweet, and her tongue was playful and teasing. She had kissed me back with passion and fervor, as if she felt the same way I did. But then she had pulled away, her eyes wide and scared, and she had fled from me without a word.Why? What had I done wrong? Was it that she didn’t want me? Or was it that she didn’t feel the connection between us? I could have sworn she had responded to every singe one of my demands.I couldn’t let her go. I had to find her, talk to her, and make her understand. I pushed my way through the door, following the trail of her scent and the glint of her golden hair. I caught a glimpse of her as she turned a corner, only to be met by the sight of Scarlett.Scarlett. I am certain that she despised Kiara and d