Mates at War: A Battle of Hearts

Beyond Deception

Jade Nightshade

Nine months had passed, almost a year, and life has settled into something that feels almost perfect, just like it was before. I still got sick sometimes, the lingering effect of the blood oath, but it was nothing like before. Now, it was just a dull ache that would come and go, something I had learnt to live with. It was my secret, one I would take to my grave.

Rowon, as always, was by my side. More loving than ever, in fact. We were nineteen now, and he had recently taken over as Beta after his father came back injured from that skirmish with the neighbouring pack. Rowon had stepped up in ways that made me proud beyond words.

At the moment, he was in a meeting with my father, which meant I had the house to myself. Our house. It was still strange, thinking of it as ours, but it was a good strange. I was in the kitchen, preparing dinner for when he’d return, humming softly as I stirred the pot of stew. The warmth of the stove and the smell of spices filled the small room, making it feel cosy despite the growing chill outside.

As I chopped vegetables, I thought back to how things almost fell apart that night, all because of my stupid jealousy. I had been so foolish, letting that brief moment of doubt cloud everything I knew about Rowon. He was the most loyal, faithful man I could ever ask for, and I had nearly thrown it all away. I sighed, shaking my head at the memory. I had let my insecurities get the better of me.

Kassandra.

The redhead from that night had vanished like a ghost, leaving no trace behind like she'd never even existed. Rowon had never mentioned her again, and honestly, I was glad. What mattered was that after that night, he came back the next day, wrapped me in his arms, and had never let go since. I had no reason to worry, no reason to doubt him. He had proven himself time and time again, especially in the months since. After all, that night had only brought us closer.

Rowon wasn’t just my partner—he was my rock. Every time I fell sick, he was there, comforting me, holding me, and making sure I was okay. He never complained about my health or the fact that the sickness hadn’t entirely gone away. He had proven himself to me over and over again.

The oven dinged, pulling me out of my thoughts. I wiped my hands on a towel, smiling to myself as I ladled the stew into a container. He’s going to love this, I thought, knowing it was his favourite dish. After a long day, this would be just what he needed.

As I reached for the lid, a sudden knock at the door caught my attention. My heart lifted—Rowon must have finished his meeting early. With lightness in my step, I set the container down and hurried to the door.

The moment I swung it open, my breath caught in my throat as the world seemed to tilt under my feet.

It wasn’t Rowon standing there. It was *her*.

Kassandra stood there, her copper hair catching the late afternoon light, but it wasn’t just her hair that made me stop. It was the heavy swell of her belly. She was pregnant—very pregnant. My stomach dropped, and I had to grip the doorframe for support.

She smiled, but it wasn’t a warm smile. It was cold, knowing. “Remember me?” she asked, her voice smooth, almost mocking. “We met before, though we didn’t talk much.” Her eyes dropped to her rounded belly, and she placed a hand on it, lifting her gaze to meet mine. “I’m Kassandra. Rowon’s mate. And I’m carrying his child.”

Mate? Child?

Like she wasn't his cousin? She was pregnant with his child? Does that mean the night he had left me, he went back to lay with her, leaving me in pain?

He lied? No...no

I felt the air leave my lungs, and for a moment, my legs felt stiff. The loud sound of my heartbeat reached my ears, and it was a miracle I didn't collapse on the spot.

“No,” I breathed, shaking my head as if that could somehow change what was happening. “No… That’s impossible.”

Kassandra gave a bitter laugh. “Oh, he didn’t tell you? Of course he wouldn’t. He gave me enough money to disappear—sent me away far so I wouldn’t ruin his reputation. Or his chances of becoming Alpha.”

I shook my head, refusing to believe what I was hearing. Rowon had been by my side these past nine months. He had reassured me, loved me, and held me close. Just like the day we made the oath, he said he wouldn't leave me to be with another woman, even if she was his mate. There was no way this could be true.

“No, you’re lying,” I whispered through gritted teeth. “Rowon wouldn’t... he wouldn’t do this. Rowon would never—”

But Kassandra only stepped closer, forcing me back into the house. “Believe what you want,” she said coldly. “But he slept with me the night we found out we were mates. The bond was too strong for him to resist. And now, here I am, carrying his child while he plays house with you, parading you around like his perfect Luna.”

I staggered back, my chest tight with the weight of her words. “No, Rowon would never—he said we would be together, even if we never found our mates. He swore…” My voice cracked, the words crumbling under the weight of my disbelief.

"He swore?” Kassandra laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "That's a good one. He thought he could have it all—me hidden away, you, his perfect pretty little Luna by his side. But I can't stay hidden anymore. My child deserves more than that. He deserves to know his father.”

I could feel the fragile trust I had in Rowon shattering. I opened my mouth to say something, anything, but my throat closed up, the betrayal tightening its grip around my heart. The pain was too much to bear, too much to comprehend. My heart was breaking in ways I didn’t think were possible.

Kassandra took another step forward, her hand resting on her swollen belly. “I didn’t want to come back,” she said, her voice softening slightly. “But I don’t have a choice. My child needs a father, and I won’t let him be born into a world where he’s nothing but a secret.”

I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t think. Rowon had lied. For months, he had lied to me, kept this secret, and now... now there was a child. His child.

Kassandra’s eyes flickered with a mixture of pity and something darker as she turned to leave. “I’ll be in touch,” she said over her shoulder, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “Rowon will hear from me soon.”

The door clicked shut behind her, and I was left standing there, staring at the empty space where she had been. My entire body trembled as I tried to make sense of it all. Everything I thought I had—everything Rowon and I had built—lay shattered at my feet. The love I once believed in so fiercely was now nothing but a lie, a cruel illusion.

I glanced at the clock; its ticking only heightening my sense of doom. Each second that passed felt like a countdown to the moment when Rowon would walk through that door—when the truth would finally be laid bare before me.

No, I couldn’t wait for him to come to me. I had to confront him first.