Chapter 3

Deborah’s sudden presence couldn’t have come at a worse time. I was still reeling from the shocking events that had unfolded, and now she was aggravating the wound. I attempted to slip away, hoping to escape to the solace of the stairs, but her grip on my wrist halted my progress. Anger surged through me, unable to comprehend her insensitivity. Despite her carrying the next in line, I was still the Luna, and she should have displayed more respect.

Her eyes widened with surprise at my reaction, and she swiftly released my hand, tears welling up in her eyes. “Katie, I’m deeply sorry,” she whimpered. “I never intended for things to turn out this way.” Deborah always disregarded our sisterhood, dismissing the fact that I was the Luna and she was involved with my mate. “He’s the Alpha. How could I refuse him?” she pleaded, tears streaming down her face. “You know I never wanted it to escalate to this point, but I love him, and I care for this pack just as much as you do. Please, don’t hate me or our child.” She gently placed a hand on her belly, emphasizing her plea.

Suddenly, a blaze of fury consumed me. My heart pounded in my ears, muffling all other sounds. Every fiber of my being yearned to lash out at her. How dare she portray herself as the victim in this situation? It was I who had endured suffering and sacrifices for years, long before our official mating.

I had relinquished everything to be with him, enduring his cold demeanor day after day. And now, she had the audacity to approach me, seeking empathy through her tears. As the Beta’s daughter, everyone had assumed Dan and I would be mates. I had dedicated myself to my Luna responsibilities long before we even discovered our true bond. I had given up years of my life for him. Deborah was merely a passing fling, an affair that people predicted would end once I matured and felt the mate bond. But it never ended.

Typically, I would have ignored her, donning a mask of false smiles, uttering a few polite words, and exiting to maintain peace. But not today. Not when she invaded my personal space, shattering any remaining hope I had of salvaging my relationship with Dan.

“Compose yourself, you pitiful creature,” I snapped, my eyes narrowing. “You carry the future of this pack, yet you behave like a child. Did you truly expect me to sympathize with you? Did you believe I would console you? What did you hope to accomplish by approaching me now? Did you want to flaunt the fact that you’re pregnant with my mate’s child in my face?”

The eyes of our pack members bore down upon us, witnessing the unfolding drama. Their expressions mirrored a mixture of sadness, anger, and empathy, yet it was difficult to determine whether their sympathy was directed at me or Deborah.

Deborah crumbled before me, her body convulsing with deep sobs, her legs giving way. However, instead of disgust, I felt a pang of sympathy. I couldn’t bring myself to remain motionless while she suffered. “Deborah!” someone from the crowd called out, rushing to her aid.

Drake, the Gamma and fifth in command of the pack, hurriedly approached Deborah, casting me a glare filled with anger and resentment. I met his gaze with a mix of remorse and indifference. “She’s pregnant, Luna,” Drake said, his voice laced with anger. “With the Alpha’s heir, no less. How could you say such cruel things when all she wanted was to make amends?”

Despite his lower rank, Drake had the audacity to speak to me like that, his Luna. The urge to lash out at him surged within me, but I suppressed it. I had already caused enough upheaval. “I will retire for the evening and wish not to be disturbed. Ensure that my area in the packhouse remains undisturbed,” I commanded Drake, choosing to disregard his outburst considering the circumstances and the prying eyes observing us.

His jaw tightened in anger, but he lowered his head obediently. “As you wish,” he grumbled.

That’s right, I thought bitterly. At least someone feels compelled to show me the respect I deserve, even if it’s forced.

Normally, I carried myself with grace, adhering to the expectations placed upon a Luna. But this girl deserved no courtesy. She was just as contemptible as the treatment I endured from my mate. I ascended the stairs swiftly, reaching the top floor where my quarters awaited. It was my sanctuary, furnished with a private kitchen, dining area, and bedroom. Here, I could find solace away from disruptions. Only Diamond, my attendant, and Dan, if he so desired, were granted access to this domain. Although his presence was barely felt here anymore.

“I’m back!” I called out, slipping off my shoes at the entrance. A somber-faced Diamond emerged from the kitchen, her eyes brimming with compassion. She had clearly heard the news. I averted my gaze, not wanting to witness her expression, while my own tears welled up uncontrollably.

“Oh, my dear,” she murmured, rushing to my side and enfolding me in a comforting embrace. Instantly, I began to weep softly against her, clinging to her as if she were my lifeline.

***

“Did you hear the news?” Diamond abruptly entered my secluded chamber, interrupting my peaceful slumber.

“What news?” I inquired groggily.

“Your step-sister, Deborah, is going to marry your friend, Dan, in just two days.”

Stunned, I froze for a moment, struggling to comprehend the situation unfolding before me.

The next thing I knew, I found myself at an auto repair shop, urging a stranger named Jonathan to fix my car.

Once Jonathan finished repairing my vehicle, I offered him a staggering sum of fifty thousand dollars, driven by a wave of emotions beyond frustration.

Recognition flickered in Jonathan’s eyes as he wiped his greasy hands. “You’re the one who’s mated to Alpha Dan but faced injustice from your step-sister because you cannot conceive a child.”

His words pierced me with shame, as if I were burdened with an eternal curse.

“I apologize,” Jonathan continued sincerely, “but I cannot accept the money you’re offering. Take care of yourself and remain strong.”

***

Two days later, I reluctantly readied myself for my step-sister’s wedding, against my own desires.

Feeling weakened, I observed my mate, Dan, holding my step-sister as if she were his entire world, all because I couldn’t bear a child for him.

“As a gesture of respect,” Dan declared to me, “you will drive behind Deborah and me as we make our way to the wedding venue. Do you understand?”

I remained silent, unable to respond.

***

Trailing behind my mate and step-sister on the drive to their wedding felt like swallowing poison.

Gripping the steering wheel, I witnessed my entire life shattering before my eyes.

Diamond glanced at me, noticing the anguish in my gaze. “Are you okay?” she asked softly.

“I’m fine,” I muttered, attempting to conceal the tears welling up within me.

“I think it would be better if we drive ahead of them,” Diamond suggested. “It might ease your pain.”

Recognizing the wisdom in her words, I complied, knowing it would be healthier for me to be in front rather than behind them.

Within moments, I found myself leading the way, and seeing the open road ahead provided some solace, free from the sight of Dan and Deborah side by side.

“Everything will be alright,” Diamond tried to uplift my spirits, gently squeezing my hand.

I managed a smile, trying to embrace a positive outlook for the future.

“Everything will be alright,” Diamond repeated, her words echoing in my mind.

Just as I was about to echo her sentiment, a loud crash erupted from behind.

Dan and Deborah’s car had collided with a tree.

***

[Present]

“Your time to bid farewell has arrived,” the man declared, leading me silently towards my fate of being hanged.

I followed him wordlessly, devoid of any farewell to offer. In my mind, except for Diamond, everyone believed I was guilty of attempting to murder Dan and Deborah. There was no one I was prepared to say goodbye to.

“Is there anyone you wish to speak with before your demise?” the man inquired, and I pondered whether he believed in my guilt.

But it didn’t matter. At this point, I cared little about the man’s opinion of me.

I stood before the crowd, the noose hanging before me.

The onlookers cheered while the man placed the rope around my neck.

Dan and Deborah were nowhere in sight. However, right in front of me, I spotted Diamond, tears streaming down her face as she clutched the hem of her dress.

“Any last words?” the man asked, delivering the final query of my life.

I remained silent, closing my eyes.

Before I could fathom the impending impact of dangling meters above the ground, the rope was released.

***

“Katie!”

In a sudden rush, my life flashed before my eyes—past, present, and future intermingling in my mind’s eye.

I saw myself submerged in the depths of a river, on the verge of drowning. Yet, just as I was about to succumb, I heard someone call out my name.

“Katie! You must awaken from your slumber.”

Struggling to grasp the situation, I sought to understand if I had entered the realm of the dead or if life still coursed through my veins.

As I gradually opened my eyes, a young man unknown to me stood before me. His striking appearance exuded sincerity and kindness.

“I did it!” he exclaimed, his voice reverberating as he gazed at the darkened skies. “I have successfully resurrected a non-human being!”