Chapter 2
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The living room of the pack house is packed tonight, humming with the warm buzz of celebration.
The chandeliers cast golden light over the crowd, their laughteringing like bells as waiters in crisp black uniforms walk around with trays of sparkling wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Tonight is perfect. I’ve been perfecting this for the last few months.
My gown hugs me perfectly, the deep emerald green matching the shade of Wade’s tie. His favorite color–or so he used to
say.
I can’t help the grin tugging at my lips as I glance at him across the room, standing tall and proud in his tailored suit, exuding confidence as though he owns the damn world.
Maybe he does. Maybe he owns my world.
He catches my eye, and for a fleeting moment, I see the man I fell in love with–his smile is soft and genuine. Fuck, my stomach is flipping with hope.
This is it. This is the night he finally announces our wedding.
Eight months ago, he’d promised me this day would come. No more delays, no more excuses about the pack’s safety or his duties as Alpha. Tonight, it’s our time.
Wade raises his glass, his voice cutting through the noise of the ballroom. “Ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention p>
The room begins to shut up, all eyes turning to him. My pulse quickens and I step closer, my heels clicking softly against the marble floor.
Fuck, calm your horses down, Sorin!
“As you all know, tonight is a celebration of our pack’s victory.” He smiles and everyone immediately shouts in appreciation. We defeated another threat to the pack because of him.
“But,” he suddenly mutters, his tone dropping lower, more serious, “it’s also a night for revelations p>
The crowd murmurs as they are intrigued. Wade extends his hand towards me. “Sorin, my Luna. Join me p>
Hell yes.
This is it, he’s going to announce our marriage!
My heart leaps into my throat.
The spotlight shifts, literally, as everyone’s gaze lands on me. I swallow hard, willing my legs to move as I walk over to his side. My small hand slips into his, rough and warm, and for a second, I’m dizzy with anticipation.
He’s going to announce it. Our wedding!
“My Luna,” he starts off, laced with affection that only fuels my excitement. He smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “She has been by my side for years, a pillar of all my strength and a symbol of loyalty p>
Waiters move through the crowd again, this time with red, bloody wine glasses on silver trays. Wade takes one from the nearest tray, his fingers brushing against the glass stem with a deliberate slowness that suddenly feels off.
W–what is happening? He’s going to announce our wedding, right?
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Chapter 2
“And tonight,” he continues, his grip on my hand tightening, it time to reveal the truth p>
Truth? Is it the announcement?
What tru-
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Before I can process the word. Wade turns toward me, his gaze darkens. He raises the glass, and for a split second, I think he’s about to toast–to us, to our future. So I raise my glass too.
But instead, cold liquid drenches my face.
“Ah” I gasp, the tang of red wine sharp is in my nostrils as it seeps into my hair and gown. Oh Goddess
The crowd collectively inhales as a stunned silence spreads like wildfire. My hand shoots up to my face, trembling and wiping at the dripping wine as I gape at him in disbelief.
“Wade,” I choke out, now barely audible. “W–what are you doing?
He looks down at me. Like I’m filth. Like I disgust him.
He steps back, his jaw clenched as those blue eyes seethe at me with loathing. “My Luna, he sneers, cutting like dagger. “My traitor.
Shock immediately erupts in the entire room.
“T–traitor p>
“No.” I whisper, shaking my head. “What are you talking about?
He can’t be serious.
He signals to someone in the crowd and a pack warrior strides forward, carrying a wooden box. My stomach plummets as the warrior sets the box on a table and opens it, revealing a wine bottle. The bottle I’d sent with Wade when he led the pack
to war.
I know that bottle. I packed that bottle.
Eight months ago. When I was preparing their supplies, sending them off to war, making sure they had everything they needed.
Recognition dawns, cold and heavy in my gut. “What is this?” I breathe, stepping forward. “That’s not p>
“Enough!” Wade snaps, silencing me. “This bottle,” he says, lifting it for everyone to see, “was sent by my Luna, supposedly a gift of good faith for my return. But,” he sneers, “its contents tell a different story p>
I freeze, my mind racing. What is he talking about? That was just wine. I checked it myself—
Wade nods to the warrior, who brings out a small cage. Inside, a bird chirps nervously.
“Watch,” Wade commands.
One of the elders takes the bottle and pours its contents into a small dish.
Another warrior steps forward, holding a tiny bird–a fragile thing, feathers quivering as it’s placed before the dish. The moment it drinks, its body convulses. Twitches. Then drops.
Within seconds, it collapses.
Dead.
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Chapter 2
What… the fuck?
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“That.” Wade says, turning it for the room to see, “was sent to me by my loving Luna.” He sneers, the word dripping in mockery. “It’s what she used to poison me. To poison my men p>
My stomach drops.
No. No, no, no.
A collective gasp ripples through the crowd.
“Why, Sorin?” He mutters.
I stagger back, my heart pounding in my ears. “No, no, no,” I stammer. “That’s not true! I didn’t p>
“Lies,” Wade hisses. “You plotted my assassination, Sorin. You, the woman I fucking trusted most p>
Tears blur my vision as I clutch his arm. “Please, Wade, you have to believe me! I didn’t do this! Someone’s framing me- ah p>
The slap comes so fast I barely process it, my head snaps to the side, my cheek stinging–burning. The crowd gasps collectively once more, the sound cutting through my skull sharper than any physical blow.
“Lies again,” Wade spits, the venom in his voice is making my chest ache.
My knees buckle, and I hit the ground hard, my palms scraping against the rough stone. I try to steady myself, but everything inside feels like it’s crumbling. What–how, I don’t know what he’s talking about!
“Please,” I whisper. My voice is so small, so pathetic, but I don’t care. I need him to listen. I need him to understand. “Wade, I swear to you, I—I didn’t do this p>
For a moment, everything goes quiet except for the ringing in my ears.
Then the whispers start.
“She’s a murderer? ”
“Who would’ve thought? She seemed so… perfect p>
“Poor Alpha Wade falling in love with her p>
No, no, no! I didn’t do anything wrong!
I crawl towards him, my knees scraping against the polished floor and blood draws from it. The gown I wore–chosen with
so much care for tonight–feels as tight as a suffocating trap, the delicate fabric is tearing up as I move.
“Please,” I choke out, clutching at the hem of his pants. My voice finally cracks as tears spill freely down my face. “Wade, look at me. You know me. I could never p>
“Enough!” His roar silences the whispers, and I freeze, my finger gripping his trousers.
No, this can’t be happening.
“Wade…” My voice is barely audible now. “I swear on the Moon Goddess, I didn’t do this. You know I didn’t p>
A soft, tinkling whimper interrupts me, light as air but definitely dripping with malice.
“Oh, Wade p>
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Chapter 2
I glance up through the blur of my tears, and there she is–Ariel
The Grand temple’s saintess.
What is she doing here?
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Her golden hair cascades down her shoulders, her gown flowing with the grace of someone who knows they’ve won
She glides forward with graceful steps before looping her arm around Wade’s so familiar, it feels as if it’s been hers all along
“Don’t be so harsh,” she murmurs, her voice lilting with mock concern. She tilts her head, looking down at me the perfen picture of fucking pity.
I want to rip the expression off her face.
Why is she looking at me like that?
But then she smirks.
It’s subtle—just the tiniest curve of her lips, her head angled in such a way that only I catch it.
What in the world?
The crowd doesn’t see. Wade doesn’t see.
But I do.
And that smirk feels like a knife stabbed in my ribs.
“She’s been through enough,” Ariel says louder now, meant for everyone to hear. Her fingers tighten on Wade’s arm, her nails digging into his sleeve. “I’m sure Luna Sorin is already regretting her actions p>
Fucking hell…
My blood boils, even through the haze of despair. “My actions?” rasp, my throat raw. My body shakes as I push myself to my knees, my voice is louder now as I begin to tremble with rage.
I move even closer to Wade, about to reach for him. “Wade, she’s lying p>
“I fucking said enough, Sorin!” Wade snarls loudly. I freeze, my hands hovering mid–air as if they’re stuck there uselessly
He turns away from me, his eyes now on her. Those ocean orbs begin to soften in a way that makes me want to wretch.
He pushes a strand of hair off her face. “Thank you, Ariel,” he whispers, almost tenderly. “I don’t you to be worried about this
Why… why are they treating each other like that?
She pouts, her lashes fluttering. “It concerns all of us, Wade. The back deserves a Luna who is pure and true p>
Pure and true.
The irony nearly chokes me.
I want to scream–to claw my way out of this nightmare–but my body betrays me. I just stand there, frozen, my mind looping over the last few months.
The preparations for the war.
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The careful packing of every crate.
The bottle.
The fucking bottle.
“I checked everything.” I whisper, more to myself than to anyone “I checked it all p>
No one listens.
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The room around me dissolves into murmurs again, the crowd taking her words as gospel. Hours ago, I was being served at. And like bubbles, all of a sudden, I’m not their Luna anymore.
I’m a traitor, a murderer, a poisoner.
And she’s won.
I see it in the way Ariel stands, basking in the glow of their favor, her head now held high.
I feel it in the way Wade won’t look at me anymore, his jaw tight as he keeps his gaze forward, away from the wreckage he’s made of me.
The whispers grow louder, and I realize something that sends a cold shiver down my spine.
This isn’t just betrayal.
It’s exile.
And I’m not walking away from this.
They’re dragging me.
And fuck, I’ll drag them down too if I have to.
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AD
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