CHAPTER 4: FORGOTTEN BY THE MOON GODDESS

I should have gone straight back to work.

I should have kept my head down, finished my shift, and gone to bed.

But one of the other servants—a younger girl named Tessa—stopped me as I was carrying a tray of empty glasses.

“Did you see that?” she whispered, her eyes wide. “The Alpha King actually stopped for you.”

I shifted uncomfortably. “He didn’t stop for me. He just…”

“He told Garrett to leave. He never does that.” She grinned. “Maybe you’re not as cursed as everyone says.”

I wanted to argue, but Killian’s voice cut through the crowd.

“Elysia.”

My stomach dropped. He was standing near the edge of the hall, his arms crossed, his expression hard. When our eyes met, he jerked his head toward the side corridor.

Tessa’s grin faded. “Good luck,” she muttered.

I set the tray down and followed him, my heart pounding.

He didn’t say anything until we were alone, and when he did, his voice was low and sharp. “What the hell was that?”

I blinked. “What?”

“You know what.” He stepped closer, his amber eyes blazing. “The Alpha King. You made a scene.”

“I didn’t…”

“You drew attention to yourself.” His jaw tightened. “Do you have any idea how that reflects on me?”

My chest tightened. “Killian, I didn’t ask for his help. Garrett was…”

“I don’t care what Garrett was doing.” He grabbed my arm, his grip hard enough to bruise. “You embarrass me every time you breathe, Elysia. The least you could do is stay out of sight.”

I stared at him, my throat burning. “You’re my mate.”

“And you’re nothing,” he hissed. “Do you understand? You’re a scentless, worthless omega, and the only reason I haven’t rejected you is because it would make me look weak.”

The words hit me like a punch to the gut.

“So do us both a favor,” he continued, releasing my arm. “Stay. Out. Of. Sight.” He turned and walked away, leaving me standing there, shaking.

My wolf whimpered. *Why does he hate us?* I still didn’t have an answer.

The feast went on for hours.

By the time the guests were drunk and laughing and the music was too loud, I was done. My body ached, my hands were raw, and I wanted nothing more than to collapse.

I slipped away from the hall, heading toward my tent. It was small and drafty and smelled like mildew, but it was mine. Except tonight, it wasn’t.

I heard the moaning before I reached the entrance. I stopped, my stomach twisting.

No.

The sounds were unmistakable. A man’s low grunts. A woman’s high, breathy gasps.

My hands curled into fists. Who the hell would dare—

I pulled the flap back just enough to see inside. And my world shattered.

Killian was on top of her, his hips driving forward, his hands gripping her thighs. And she…she…was arched beneath him, her head thrown back, her long black hair spilling over the furs.

Sabrina.

The Alpha King’s daughter.

I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move.

Killian’s head turned slightly, his eyes meeting mine, and for a second, I thought he’d stop. But he didn’t. He held my gaze as he thrust into her one last time, his jaw clenching, and then he groaned, his body shuddering.

Sabrina’s laugh was breathless, satisfied. “God, Killian. You’re incredible.”

He pulled out slowly, his eyes still on me, and smirked.

“Killian,” I whispered, my voice cracking.

He stood, pulling his pants up, completely unbothered. “What?”

“What…what are you…”

Sabrina sat up, her ice-blue eyes locking on me, and she smiled. “Oh. It’s you.”

“Get out,” Killian said, his tone bored.

“You…” My voice broke. “You’re my mate Killian, how could you do this?”

He laughed. Actually laughed. “And? You think that means I owe you something?”

“We’re bonded…”

“We’re not bonded, Elysia.” He stepped closer, his expression hard. “I never bit you. I never claimed you. The only reason I didn’t reject you is because it would make me look bad. So get a grip.”

Tears burned my eyes. “How could you…”

“How could I what? Fuck someone better than you?” He tilted his head, his smile cruel. “Look at yourself Elysia. You’re scentless. You’re weak. You’re nothing. Sabrina is everything.”

Sabrina laughed, wrapping a fur around herself. “Aww. Poor little scentless bitch. Did you actually think you mattered to him?”

Something inside me snapped. I couldn't keep living like this, I couldn't keep watching my mate ... .my own mate hurt and abuse me. So I did what I thought was best.

“I reject you,” I said, my voice shaking but firm. “I, Elysia Belrose, reject you, Killian Lockwood, as my mate.”

The air seemed to still. Killian’s eyes darkened, and before I could move, he was on me. He slammed me against the wooden post, his hand around my throat, and I gasped, clawing at his arm.

“How dare you,” he snarled. “You think you can reject me? You’re nothing without me. You’re dead without me.”

“Killian…”

His fist connected with my ribs, and I cried out, pain exploding through my chest.

“You don’t get to walk away,” he hissed. “Do you understand? If you say one word about me and Sabrina, I’ll make sure you disappear. Permanently.”

He hit me again, and I tasted blood. “Killian, please…”

But he wasn’t listening. His hands were everywhere—my throat, my hair, my arms—and I felt something crack.

Sabrina’s voice drifted from behind him, lazy and amused. “Don’t kill her, babe. That would get messy.”

He paused, his chest heaving, and then he shoved me to the ground.

I hit the dirt hard, pain radiating through my body.

“Get out of my sight,” he said.

I didn’t need to be told twice.

I ran.

I didn’t know where I was going. I just ran, my vision blurring, my body screaming in protest.

Blood dripped from my nose, my lip, my side. My ribs felt like they were on fire.

But I didn’t stop.

I couldn’t.

Because if I stopped, I’d fall apart.

My wolf was silent. Not whimpering. Not howling. Just… silent.

And that scared me more than anything.

I stumbled into the forest, my legs giving out, and I collapsed against a tree.

The bond was gone. I’d severed it.

But instead of relief, all I felt was empty.

You’re nothing without me.

Maybe he was right.

Maybe I was nothing.

I closed my eyes, letting the darkness pull me under, and for the first time in my life, I didn’t fight it.

Because what was the point?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​