05. The Hit Of Betrayal

ERIN

I stood there, staring blankly ahead as Anexa's and Magnus' words echoed in my mind, their unfeeling smirks etched at the back of my mind.

"Anexa... Magnus..." I whispered, my voice shrunken from the well of emotions deep in me as I stood motionless.

I couldn't believe it. My best friend and the man I loved were together? How was that even possible? When did it happen?

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I thought back to all the times Magnus had said he loved me, promised to be there for me, and take care of me.

All the times Magnus had hit me, apologized and said he wouldn't do it again, only to do something worse the next time. Yet I still forgave him, and all the while, he was with my best friend, someone I trusted with my life.

A wave of confusion washed over me. I had dealt with all of Magnus's abuse and toxicity, hoping that he would change someday. But now, it all seemed like a cruel joke.

As I stood there, lost in my thoughts, I subconsciously touched my belly, feeling the child that we both created and hoped to become one big family someday.

But there here he was, with my best friend, the ultimate betrayal.

I felt a lump form in my throat as I tried to hold back my sobs. How could my best friend do this to me? How could Magnus be so heartless and cruel?

I wiped away my tears and faced Magnus, my voice shaking with disbelief. "I thought you loved me," I said.

Magnus laughed and walked towards me. "Love? I have never loved you, Erin. All I wanted was your kingdom," he said, his tone dripping with malice.

My eyes widened in shock, his words reverberating through my veins and shattering me as it shot daggers to my heart. It crumbled me.

All those sweet nothings he whispered in my ears, all the promises he made - were they all just lies to get what he wanted?

"You'll never get the kingdom," I said, my voice firm with determination, despite the fact that my heart was cracking at the seams. "Over my dead body, Magnus"

He smiled wickedly. "Oh, but Erin, I already have the kingdom," he said, pointing to my amulet.

I looked down at the lavender amulet that hung around my neck. But something was off. The amulet was no longer lavender. It was pitch black, with green dots flowing in it.

"What have you done?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Immediately, I tried to yank the amulet from my neck, but it didn't budge. It was like something was holding it in place.

I grunted, looking up at Magnus with confusion and annoyance. Then, he erupted another evil laughter and Anexa joined in.

I clenched my fists, "What have you done to me?" I asked, through gritted teeth, my voice trembling with anger.

Anexa stepped forward, her disdain conveyed in her expression; narrowed eyes and an icy gaze directed at me. "That amulet you wear, Erin, was not a gift of love. It was created by a powerful coven of witches, and it was always meant to be a facilitator for our plans," she said, her voice dripping with malice.

I felt sick to my stomach. All this time, I had been wearing something that was never meant for me.

It was just a tool to be used against me. I saw it as some kind of hope that Magnus would turn a new leaf, but now it was all for naught.

"Magnus has been using it to keep watch over you," Anexa continued, her tone filled with venom. "And once your blood touches it, a spell will be activated that will weaken everyone in the pack - except me of course, and you as well. So you can witness the ruin." Her lips slied into a smug smirk as she leaned her head unto Magnus' Shoulder.

I looked at Magnus in shock and he gave a wicked grin. "With your kingdom and pack weakened, we can take over and rule with an iron fist," he said, his tone cold and calculating.

Tears filled my eyes as I realized the full extent of their treachery. I had trusted them, and they had used me for their own gain.

"I won't let you do this," I said, my voice filled with determination.

But Magnus just laughed. "You don't have a choice, Erin. You're already under our control," he said.

I growled, seething in rage and launched myself at Magnus with an intent to kill, drawing out a small dagger that was slotted underneath my ball gown.

But before I could reach him, he made a sudden and shocking move. With an almost inhuman agility, he picked up my mother with one hand and drew a knife from his pocket.

Before I could even process what was happening, he had driven the knife deep into her chest.

I stopped abruptly, my body going numb with shock and horror. My mother let out a choked gasp, her eyes widening in disbelief and pain as blood gushed from the wound. My heart pounded in my chest as I watched helplessly, unable to move or speak.

Magnus stood there, a wicked grin on his face as he pulled the knife out of my mother's body and let her fall to the ground.

I wanted to scream, to attack him with everything I had, but my body refused to move. All I could do was stare at him with a mixture of fear and loathing.

As Magnus stood before me, I felt a primal urge to fight or flee, but I was frozen in place, my mind reeling from the shock of what had just occurred.

My eyes raced between my mother's lifeless body, blood oozing out of her body profusely, and Magnus, a complacent glower on his face and a bloodied knife in his hands.

I looked at Magnus, hatred and disgust filling me to the brim. "How could you do this?" I yelled, my voice cracking with emotion. "What have we ever done to you?"

Magnus just laughed, a cold and heartless sound that made my blood run cold. "Oh, Sweetheart," he said, his eyes glinting with malice. "You and your pack are in my way. And I won't stop until I have what I want."

And then he looked at Anexa. "Would you do the honors?"

Anexa chuckled in response, her eyes flashing in a sinister glow. "Gladly," she replied, drawing out a sword from its scabbard.

"Father!" I yelled, tears streaming down my face. I ran towards him, but Magnus grabbed me by the arm, holding me back.

"Let me go!" I struggled against his grip, but he was too strong and I felt considerably powerless - probably because of the amulet.

I could feel his hot breath on my neck as he whispered in my ear. "Don't worry, Sweetheart, just enjoy the show."

I watched in horror as Anexa walked over to my father and raised the sword high above her head.

I screamed, my hands grabbing my head as I shook it vigorously, watching as Anexa plunged the sword into my father's chest.

Tears streamed down my face as I watched my father scream out his last. The screams of agony mixed with the laughing of Anexa and Magnus, creating a sickening cacophony of sound that echoed through the clearing.

As I looked up at Magnus, I could see the gleeful expression on his face as he watched my father cough out blood, his life slowly slipping away.

The satisfaction he felt at destroying everything I loved. It was then that I realized that he was never the man I thought he was. He was a monster, pure and simple, and I was trapped in his grasp.

"Why?" I croaked, my voice barely above a whisper as I looked up at Magnus. "Why are you doing this?"

Magnus chuckled, his eyes cold and calculating. "Oh, Erin," he said, shaking his head. "It was never about you. It was always about power. And now that we have it, we can do whatever we want."

I sniffled, tears streaming down my face. "But I love you, Magnus. I loved you. Despite all you did to me, I loved you more than words could express. I took all your anger, all your fury and insanity without a complaint! How can you do this?" I asked, my voice breaking with emotion.

Magnus rolled his eyes, a sneer on his face. "Your love was shallow, Erin," he said dismissively. "You loved me because of what I could give you. You loved the power and the wealth, but you never loved me for who I am."

His words struck me deep. My love for him had never been shallow. I loved him despite all his imperfections, even when he hit and hurt me. But now I realized that he had never truly loved me back.

Magnus continued, his voice dripping with venom. "And don't think I didn't know, Erin. I knew you were developing feelings for Alpha Axel. If he had asked you to fuck him at that moment, you would've agreed."

I gasped as Magnus spoke, shock and fear filling me. "How did you know about Alpha Axel?" I asked, my mind racing as I remembered that I hadn't even told Magnus that I was even going to the ball in the first place.

Magnus laughed, a cruel and twisted sound. "Through the amulet, Erin," he said, his eyes glinting with malice. "I can see everything."

My heart sank as I realized that Magnus had been spying on me, watching my every move.

Magnus smirked, "Anyways, I've already sent my guards to take care of that little problem," he said, his possessive tone sending shivers down Erin's spine.

"No, no, no," I protested, my heart beating faster with fear. I couldn't bear the thought of Alpha Axel being hurt or killed because of me.

Magnus just chuckled, his cold eyes fixed on me. "They're already on their way, Erin. He's going to die, and there's nothing you can do about it."

I felt sick to my stomach as I realized that my vision was true. A sense of guilt and despair washed over me, and I knew that I could never forgive myself for what was about to happen.

I took a deep breath, my mind racing as I tried to come up with a way to save myself from Magnus. I knew he was going to kill me.

He wanted my kingdom and he would stop at nothing to get it. And then, as if out of nowhere, one desperate thought came to my mind.

"I'm carrying your child," I blurted out, hoping against hope that it would stop him.

Magnus paused for a moment, his eyes narrowing as he looked at me with suspicion. "What are you talking about?" he demanded.

"I'm pregnant," I said, my voice shaking. "It's your child."

Magnus smirked, his eyes glowing red. I recognized that look from the times when he was possessed by a demon. "To hell with you, Erin. And the bastard in your womb," he spat.

And then, without a second thought, the worst thing happened as my life flashed before my eyes.

Magnus launched himself at me, driving his sword into my stomach. I gasped, feeling the sword pierce through my flesh and bone. Pain shot through my body as I fell to the ground, my vision fading to black.

"I, Alpha Magnus Kyrenia, hereby reject you, Luna Erin Zestan as my mate!"