Chapter 18. The Substitute

Kaden’s heart ached, his body heavy, his mind numb as he staggered down the dimly lit corridor, his footsteps echoing through the empty hall.

His mother was gone… his pack was mourning… his throne was cold… his soul was hollow.

All because of her…

His fists tightened, his jaw clenching as anger flared within him, his vision blurring with hatred, with pain, with betrayal.

Ella had destroyed him… she had ruined everything… she had taken his mother… she had left him empty… broken… lost.

He stumbled, his shoulders sagging as his body trembled, as his chest tightened, as his breath hitched. He was Alpha… he was supposed to be strong… he wasn’t supposed to feel pain… he wasn’t supposed to feel anything.

But he was drowning.

A soft voice broke through the darkness, sweet and gentle, soothing and warm. “Alpha… are you alright?”

He looked up, his eyes landing on a figure standing in the shadows, her long black hair cascading down her back, her