Chapter 8

It’s the night of the full moon.

The Moonlight Pack Temple has never been this crowded. Every single pack member is here, waiting for their Alpha, Domine Ashford, and the future Luna, Ella Whitmore, to complete their Mating Ceremony.

Silvermoon flowers cover the altar. Hundreds of them. It’s pathetic. These flowers were supposed to save my father’s life, but now they’re being used as mere decorations for Domine and Ella’s wedding.

I stand on the hillside outside the temple, watching the building glow with light from a distance. I’m clutching the small remote in my hand. The wind is freezing, whipping my hair across my face, but my heart is colder.

Music drifts out from the temple. The ceremony has begun.

I close my eyes, and the memories of that day flood back. Domine was lying in my arms, so weak he couldn't even open his eyes.

"What’s your name?" he asked.

"Halen Rhodes," I told him.

"Thank you for saving me, Halen."

Back then, his eyes looked so sincere. I actually thought I had found my fated mate. But it was all a lie.

I open my eyes and stare at the temple.

"Domine," I whisper. "I’m not coming to your ceremony. But I’m giving you a gift you’ll never forget."

---

Inside the temple, Domine stands at the altar. He’s dressed in formal Alpha robes, looking regal and commanding. Ella stands beside him in a pure white Luna gown. That twenty-million-gold necklace is draped around her neck, the Moon-Tear stones shimmering under the lights. She’s beaming.

The Head Elder stands up, his voice amplified by stones to reach every corner of the temple.

"We are gathered here today to witness the sacred union of Alpha Domine Ashford and Ella Whitmore. This is a blessing from the Moon Goddess. Let us celebrate these fated mates."

The room explodes into cheers and applause. Everyone is celebrating. Everyone is offering blessings.

Domine looks out at the crowd. There are so many people, but the one person he’s looking for isn't there. My absence is making him uneasy, but the ceremony has already started. He pushes his doubts aside.

The Elder continues, "Alpha Domine Ashford, do you take Ella Whitmore to be your Luna? Through thick and thin, for richer or poorer? Do you swear to protect her, cherish her, and love her forever?"

Domine looks at Ella. Her eyes are full of anticipation and love. He should say "I do," but for some reason, the words are stuck in his throat. He’s thinking of me. He remembers every meal I cooked, the songs I hummed while doing laundry, and the way I looked when I held him and said "I love you."

Suddenly, he feels empty inside, like a piece of him is missing.

"Alpha?" the Elder prompts.

Domine snaps out of it and takes a deep breath. "I do."

The Elder turns to Ella. "Ella Whitmore, do you take Domine Ashford to be your Alpha? In joy and sorrow, in health and sickness? Do you swear to support him, stay by his side, and love him forever?"

Tears stream down Ella’s face. "I do!" her voice rings out, loud enough for everyone to hear.

The Elder raises his hands. "Then, Alpha, complete the mark."

Domine walks toward Ella. He places his hands on her shoulders, leans down, and bites into her neck to leave his Alpha mark. The mate bond forms.

The crowd erupts in cheers, but Domine’s frown only deepens. The bond feels wrong. It’s fragile, like it could snap at any second. He looks at Ella. She’s smiling brightly, but suddenly, that smile feels strange to him. It feels fake.

The Elder announces, "I now pronounce Domine Ashford and Ella Whitmore as mates! Let us bless them!"

But right then—

The giant screens in the temple suddenly flicker to life. Everyone freezes. Domine turns to look at the screen.

The footage starts. It’s a cave. Ella is standing there, holding a small vial.

"A temporary wolf-suppressant," she says, holding up the bottle. "If I drink this, I can fake losing my wolf. Domine will be devastated. As for that idiot Halen..." Her eyes turn vicious. "She thinks she saved me, but I was never poisoned. I just ate some harmless berries to look weak. She actually thinks she’s a hero."

Ella downs the potion, her body shakes, and she falls to the ground. Then she climbs back up and checks herself over.

"Perfect. My wolf is suppressed," she laughs. "Now I’m just a 'poor, defenseless girl.' Domine will never leave me. And as for Halen..." Her smile gets even more cruel. "I won't let a low-life Delta’s daughter be better than me. I’m going to make her lose everything."

The video ends.

The room is dead silent as everyone stares at the screen, then at Ella. Ella’s face is ghost-white. She’s shaking. Domine is frozen, staring at the screen in total disbelief.

"No... that’s not... it’s not true..." Ella’s voice trembles. "It’s a fake!" she screams. "I never said those things!"

But nobody believes her, because the screen lights up again.

This time, it’s the pack border. In the woods, Ella is talking to a red-eyed Rogue.

"I gave you the stuff," Ella says. "Proceed as planned."

"Yes, Luna," the Rogue replies. "As soon as the old man shows up, I’ll take him out."

"Good," Ella smirks. "That bitch Halen has kept Domine from me for too long. It’s time she felt what it’s like to lose someone."

She hands over a small vial. "Drink this. It’ll hide your Rogue scent so you can sneak into the pack."

The Rogue takes the bottle and downs it. Then, my father is seen hiding behind a tree, filming. He snaps a branch. My father turns to run, and the Rogue lunges out of the brush and tackles him.

The screen goes black.

The temple explodes. People are screaming and roaring in rage.

"God! Ella was working with Rogues!"

"She murdered Rhodes!"

The Elders’ faces are livid. The Head Elder stands up and points at Ella.

"Ella Whitmore!" his voice shakes with rage. "You conspired with a Rogue! You murdered a pack member! This is a capital offense!"

Ella collapses to the floor, shivering, her lips turning white. "It wasn't me..."

But the screen isn't finished. A third video starts. It’s the medical center records. It clearly reads:

Patient: Domine Ashford

Injury: Silver burns, wolfsbane poisoning

Treating Healer: Halen Rhodes

Duration: 72 hours

My signature is right there at the bottom, followed by surveillance stills. The footage shows me bandaging Domine’s wounds. I stayed by his side for three days and nights without leaving for a second. Ella is nowhere to be found.

Domine stares at the records, looking like he’s been struck by lightning.

"So... it was Halen who saved me? Halen stayed with me for three days? And Ella... just took the credit?"

He turns to Ella, his eyes full of pure shock. "Ella, tell me this isn't real. Tell me you didn't lie to me."

Ella just shakes her head and cries. She can't say anything because the proof is undeniable.

The screen plays a fourth video. It’s high school. A montage of clips: Ella pressing a lit cigarette into my arm, locking me in a freezer, and rallying the class to isolate me.

The pack members start cursing.

"How could she do that?!"

"That poor girl..."

"Halen was bullied by her for three years! And we all believed Ella’s lies!"

The final video is my father’s last words. He’s lying in the hospital bed, his face pale and covered in Rogue bites. He uses his last bit of strength to speak.

"I saw it... Ella was with a Rogue... she gave him a potion... she’s trying to hurt Halen... Domine... don't believe Ella... she’s a liar... Halen is the one who saved you... it was always Halen..."

My father’s hand falls. His heart stops. The image freezes, then fades to black.

Finally, a line of text appears:

Domine, here’s a wedding gift for you and Ella. Enjoy your life together. — Halen Rhodes

The screen goes dark. The temple is deathly quiet as everyone processes what they just saw.

Then, Domine snaps.

"AAAAHHHHH!!!"

He lets out a primal roar. His eyes turn gold as his Alpha aura sweeps through the temple. Everyone drops to their knees, including the Elders. Only Ella remains upright because she’s already been marked; a Luna is immune to her Alpha’s aura.

Domine turns to Ella, his face twisted with pure rage.

"You lied to me," he says, his voice low and deadly. "You lied to me for years. You made me believe you were my savior. You made me believe Halen was the one hurting you. You let me torment her for three years."

He steps toward her. "I ruined her job. I destroyed her reputation. I’m the reason her father is dead. All because of you!"

Ella backs away. She sees the killing intent in Domine’s eyes. He really wants her dead.

"Domine... I..."

"You ruined everything!"

Domine lunges and grabs Ella by the throat, squeezing hard. Her face turns purple instantly. She struggles, but his grip is like iron.

"You destroyed Halen! You destroyed me! You destroyed everything we had!"

Domine’s grip gets tighter. Ella’s eyes start to roll back. She’s suffocating.

"Alpha Domine!" The Elders rush forward. "Stop! You’ve already completed the mark! Killing your own Luna is a high crime! The Alpha Council will execute you!"

But Domine isn't listening. He’s lost all reason. His wolf has taken over. He just wants to rip Ella apart and make her pay for everything.

"I don't care!" Domine roars. "She deserves to die!"

Four warriors rush in and struggle to pull him off. The Head Elder finally uses a calming spell. Domine freezes, his hand lets go, and Ella falls to the floor, coughing violently with bruises already forming on her neck.

Domine drops to his knees as the spell suppresses his wolf. He clutches his head, howling like a wounded animal. His wolf is screaming inside him: You lost our true mate! You idiot! You were blind! I despise you!

Domine struggles in agony. "I know... I know... it’s all my fault... it’s all my fault..."

He looks at Ella, his eyes filled with nothing but hate. "You ruined everything. I will never forgive you."

Ella lies on the ground, looking at Domine, and suddenly starts laughing hysterically.

"Hahaha—" Tears stream down her face as she laughs. "Domine, you really think this is all my fault? The one who truly hurt Halen was you!"

Domine freezes. Ella crawls up and points at him.

"It was you! You’re the one who accused her of bullying me! You’re the one who took away her job! You’re the one who wanted to drain her wolf! And while her father was dying, you were busy spending millions at an auction! You let her suffer through that loss all alone!"

Every word is a knife to Domine’s heart.

"I just gave you a nudge," she sneers. "But you’re the real killer! You’re the one who killed Halen’s father! You’re the one who hurt her the most!"

Ella laughs like a maniac. "Didn’t you enjoy everything I did? You watched her suffer for three years! You broke her with your own hands! What right do you have to hate me? You should hate yourself!"

Domine stands there, paralyzed. Ella’s words are like poison, eating away at his soul. Because she’s right. The person who hurt me the most was him. He’s the murderer. He’s the one who should die.

Domine tilts his head back and lets out a long, agonized scream that makes the entire temple tremble.

#