Chapter 6. My worst nightmare

* Zeina *

When I heard that Alpha Robert and Celine were going out for the day, I stayed locked in my room, wrapped in the suffocating silence that echoed louder than any scream. My heart felt like it was shattering into a thousand sharp pieces, each one slicing deeper into my soul. I cried silently, the tears soaking into my pillow as I bit my lip to keep from sobbing aloud. I couldn't accept it, how had we fallen so far? How had our love, once a blazing fire that warmed me through every storm, turned into cold ash?

Evening had crept in by the time I summoned the strength to leave my room. I moved like a ghost, my feet heavy as if each step dragged behind it the weight of my broken heart. As I descended the stairs, I was caught off guard by the sound of laughter, light and carefree, and the scent of roasted turkey and rich, savory spices filling the air. It should have felt like home. It used to feel like home.

But now, every sound, every smell felt like a cruel reminder that I was no longer part of that joy.

"Darling, have a taste of this, it's my favorite," I heard her say.

Her voice was sugar-coated, sickeningly sweet, and it twisted something inside me. She called him darling so casually. The same name I once whispered into his ear. The same name he used to call me.

"Oh, yeah. This hits the spot. Listen, my lovely Celine, you knew the rogue leader, didn't you?" came Robert's voice curious, relaxed, nothing like the man who used to whisper my name with reverence.

I moved slowly, careful not to be seen, hiding in the shadows just beyond the dining room. I didn't want them to know I was there. I didn't want to breathe the same air, yet I needed to hear more. Some masochistic part of me wanted to tear open the wound, just to feel the pain again.

"Yes, darling, of course I knew him. Cerberus, you mean. He's a monster! A wolf who stole most of my warriors. I despised him. He's the one you should have fought with, not me or my wolves."

Robert chuckled softly. The sound made bile rise in my throat.

"But you were right there, in plain sight. As an ally to the Alpha King, I had to take out your group first. But that's over now, we're together, and you're safe. Isn't that what matters?"

"I'm more than safe, darling. I can't wait to be your mate tonight," she replied with a giddy giggle that clawed at my insides.

He laughed again, low and pleased. "Yes. I'll mark you tonight. But we'll have to use the guestroom. Zeina's still in the master's bedroom."

And then her words, sharp as daggers wrapped in velvet.

"Hmm, why don't we just kick her out of there?"

I gasped before I could stop myself, clamping my hand over my mouth, praying they hadn't heard me.

"Not so fast, Celine. We'll take it slow, one step at a time. I'm tired of her drama and her power. She's the Alpha King's sister, but that won't protect her for long. I've got bigger plans now. I want to take down Cerberus, and we need to train my warriors. Tell me everything, his weaknesses, where to find him."

Silence.

Then, her voice again, a little more serious.

"That won't be easy, love. Cerberus isn't just a wolf, he's part witch too. A deadly combination. He commands both wolves and humans. He's immune to silver. I don't know what his weakness is."

Robert groaned in frustration. "Damn it!"

She soothed him like a lover would. "We'll find a way. He's not indestructible. We'll make your army strong enough to kill him. I promise."

Then I heard it the sound of their kisses, wet and unashamed. I flinched like I'd been slapped. My jaw tightened until I thought my teeth would crack. I turned away, stumbling back to the master bedroom, my legs weak beneath me.

I loved him. Spirits help me, I still loved Robert. He is still my mate. My partner. But that love was tearing me apart now. I didn't want to run away. Leaving wouldn't solve anything. I didn't want freedom, I wanted her gone. I wanted Celine out of my life, out of our home. I wanted to tear her apart with my bare hands. But I couldn't. Not without a brutal fight. She was a rogue warrior, fierce and unafraid. And I... I had been locked away in this house for too long, growing soft while she grew stronger.

A soft knock at the door startled me.

"Your Majesty?"

It was Donna. She stepped in with a small tray and a steaming cup of tea.

"I heard you skipped dinner, Your Majesty. Please drink this... it might ease some of your pain."

I managed a broken smile, accepting the tea with shaking hands. "Thank you, Donna."

"If you need anything, anything at all... I'm here."

I looked into her eyes filled with sympathy, concern, and something like loyalty and I nodded. "Thank you, Donna. This... this is enough for now. Good night."

She bowed slightly and left. I closed the door behind her, retreating to the bed, curling into a shell of who I used to be. I sipped the tea slowly, willing it to warm the ice inside me, but nothing could chase the chill away.

I knew he wouldn't sleep beside me tonight. The bed felt ten times bigger, a void too vast to bear. The silence was unbearable. And so I cried. I cried until my body shook, until my tears soaked the sheets. I cried until I had nothing left, then forced myself to sleep because if I didn't, I'd hear them. And I couldn't bear to hear them.

But even sleep did not protect me. I was jolted awake by the sound of moaning loud, constant, shameless. From the guestroom. My heart screamed. My soul bled. That was supposed to be us. That was my life. My mate. My love.

I couldn't stay. I wouldn't.

I dressed quickly, rage fueling my every move. I stormed down to the garage, got in my BMW, and drove toward the gate. But the warriors stationed there didn't move.

"Open the gate!" I yelled, rolling down the window.

A warrior guard stepped closer. "Forgive me, Luna Zeina. We can't. Alpha Robert gave orders. No one in or out after his return."

"What?!"

I flung the door open, stepping out, my fury radiating. "Then which one of you will fight me? Because I will leave!"

One of them mind-linked him, I saw it in his eyes.

The rest stood like statues, loyal to him. Not to me. Not to their Luna.

"Move!" I screamed. "Get out of my way!"

And then I heard it, his footsteps. Heavy. Furious. His eyes fastened at me, with danger and dominance because he is my Alpha.

"What are you doing, Zeina? You're becoming a damn nuisance!"

He stood there in a robe and boxers, his chest bare, reeking of betrayal. I shook with rage. Looks like I have interrupted his lovely night!

"I want out! Stay with her if that's what you want, but don't forget everything you have is because of me Robert! This house, your title, me. It was mine before I gave then to you!"

He glared, unmoved. "Then let's see who they follow, Zeina."

He lifted his hand. Two warriors seized me fast.

"No! Don't touch me! How dare you lay hands on your Luna!"

But they didn't stop. They held me firm, facing Robert and his arrogant face.

"Take her to the dungeons," he said coldly. "Put her in Celine's old cell. Let her feel what it's like. And don't let her out until I say so."

"No! Robert! Please, don't do this!"

But my cries fell on deaf ears. I kicked, fought, screamed but it didn't matter. Three warriors dragged me through the gate of my own home like a prisoner and then into the dark path.

And all I could feel, beneath the rage, the heartbreak, the humiliation, was the unbearable truth. He was no longer mine. And maybe... he never truly was. This is what I got for giving him my heart, for giving him my everything!