2

The sight before me made my stomach churn. Rowan’s head snapped toward me, his growl low and guttural. 

“Who the fuck…” His voice trailed off, his eyes widening when he recognized me.

Lydia rolled her eyes, unwrapping her bare legs from around him as if she’d merely been inconvenienced. She didn’t bother covering herself until Rowan shifted, pulling himself away from her. He stood, sweaty and disheveled, lipstick smeared across his skin like a brand of shame.

“Goodness, your mama didn’t teach you manners before she passed on?” he grumbled, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. “That’s annoying.”

Manners? My mind reeled. He dared to lecture me on manners while standing there, shamelessly clad in nothing but his briefs, drenched in sweat from screwing my cousin.

Lydia sat up on the bed, casually wrapping herself in the duvet, though her eyes gleamed with amusement. She peeled a strand of damp hair from her glistening shoulder, her demeanor unbothered.

I couldn’t find my voice. The betrayal, the disbelief, it clawed at my chest until it hurt to breathe. “What do you want, Alina?!” Rowan’s sudden yell jolted me.

I laughed bitterly, my voice trembling. “What do I want? I walked in on you… with her, and you’re asking me what I want?”

“Yes,” he said coldly, his tone devoid of the warmth I once knew. “You seem to have forgotten your manners for your Alpha.”

I stared at him, horrified. “I’m your soon-to-be Luna! Our mating ceremony is tomorrow!”

“Screw the mating ceremony,” he said, his voice venomous. “Now that you’ve caught us, you should know your place.”

My stomach twisted painfully. “All these years, the professions of love, the affection… were they all false?”

He shrugged, his expression unrepentant. “Why ask again? You’ve heard the truth.”

Lydia smirked, her voice dripping with mockery. “What, Alina? Don’t give me that creepy accusing look. It’s not my fault Rowan prefers me to… a vulture like you.”

I turned to her, my voice icy. “Lydia, I used to think you were perfect, kind, even. You were the last person I’d expect to stab me in the back. But now? I see you for the snake you are.”

She stood, the duvet slipping slightly, and sauntered over to Rowan. “Oh, don’t be so dramatic.” She ran her fingers down his chest. “Rowan, darling, don’t let her ruin this beautiful morning.”

He smirked, leaning into her touch as if I weren’t there.

I couldn’t stand it anymore. “How dare you mention my mother?” I hissed, the words escaping before I could stop them. I slapped her, the sound echoing in the room, but Rowan grabbed my wrist mid-swing.

“You want to hit her?” he sneered, his grip tightening as Lydia cowered behind him in mock fear.

“Alpha, I think she wants to ruin my face so I’ll end up like her,” Lydia whined, clutching his arm.

Rowan laughed coldly. “You’ve always thrown yourself at me, Alina. I know you’ve been crushing on me since you were twelve. You even risked your life in that fire to save me, didn’t you? But I’ve never seen you as a woman.” He shrugged. “Sorry, but not sorry.”

My eyes stung with tears, but Lydia’s sickeningly sweet voice cut through. “Rowan, don’t be too harsh. Poor Alina’s just confused.”

Her pity made my stomach turn. I wiped away the single tear that slipped down my cheek, my movements deliberate.

“You’ll pay for this, Lydia,” I spat, my voice low and steady. Then I turned to Rowan, my glare piercing. “Both of you.”

Without another word, I walked out, refusing to give them the satisfaction of seeing me crumble. Each step felt heavy, and though I fought to keep my tears at bay, the sting in my chest was impossible to ignore. I reached the end of the hallway, my fingers trembling as I wiped my cheeks. That was when I heard Rowan growl my name, his voice sharp and laced with authority.

"Alina," he called again, louder this time.

I ignored him, quickening my pace, unwilling to spare him another glance. My anger and pain fueled my determination.

"Stop." His Alpha tone reverberated through the hall like a command that tightened every muscle in my body. I froze, my breath catching as fear mingled with my rage.

He was fast—too fast. In a blur, Rowan grabbed my arm, forcing me to turn. I yanked free, my head whipping up to glare at him. He stood there, his bare chest rising and falling, his hair disheveled, and his pants hanging low on his hips. His smug expression made my stomach churn.

"You think you can just walk away?" His tone was mocking.

“Let me go, Rowan.” My voice wavered but held firm.

His lips curled into a sneer. “I think it’s time you know your place.”

“What are you talking about?”

He stepped closer, his presence oppressive. “I think now that you know what you are to me, it’s only fair I make it official. I, Alpha Rowan of the Silverstone Pack, hereby reject you, Alina, as my fated mate.”

The words struck me like a blade, sharp and merciless. My heart raced, a mixture of disbelief and excruciating pain tearing through me.

“What?” My voice barely rose above a whisper.

Rowan smirked, his eyes gleaming with twisted satisfaction.

I clenched my fists, willing myself to stay composed even as my chest felt like it was caving in. My lips trembled as I locked eyes with him, defiance sparking through the haze of despair.

“I, Alina Liera,” I began, my voice steady despite the tears welling in my eyes, “accept your rejection.” I felt a thud in my chest, forcing my lips to press.

But shock flickered across his face, momentarily breaking his composure. “I see,” he said, his tone skeptical. “You won’t beg?”

“You wish,” I snapped. “You’ll regret this, Rowan. Woefully.”

His sneer returned, but I didn’t care.

“Bold words,” he drawled, his gaze condescending. “I expected better from you, but then again, disappointment seems to follow you around, doesn’t it?”

I lifted my chin. “And betrayal follows you. You’ll fall harder than you think, Rowan.”

The fury in his eyes was evident, but I didn’t wait for his response. I turned on my heel and marched away, refusing to let him see the tears that burned my eyes.

Back at the house, I slammed my door shut and stumbled to my bed. My resolve shattered, and I crumbled, burying my face in the pillow. My sobs wracked through me as I clawed at the dress he had given me, tearing it off in my anguish. My nails bit into my skin, leaving angry red marks.

Through the haze of pain, memories of that night surfaced—the night I risked everything for him. The fire had roared like a beast, consuming everything in its path. A burning beam had fallen on my arm, scalding my skin, but I had ignored the pain to pull him to safety. And for what? For this betrayal? 

I didn’t know how long I lay there crying, but the sound of a voice jolted me.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Poor Alina.”

I snapped upright, my vision blurry from tears. At the door stood Lydia, her lips curled into a mocking smile.

“What do you want?” I demanded, wiping my cheeks and standing to face her.

She stepped inside, her posture oozing false sympathy. “I’m sorry for your loss.”

“To heck with it. Get out,” I sneered, turning away.

But her laugh stopped me in my tracks. “If I knew Rowan never liked you, I wouldn’t have bothered putting in all that effort to take him away.”

I whirled around, my fists clenched. “What are you talking about?”

Lydia smirked, leaning casually against the bedpost. “I never really wanted him, you know. I just wanted you to lose him. He was precious to you, wasn’t he?”

Tears pricked my eyes again, but I held them back, glaring at her.

“Poor Alina,” she mocked, mimicking a pitiful expression. “You always had it all. You were everyone’s favorite after your parents died. Even my parents adored you more than me.”

I stared at her, realization dawning.

“I’ve hated you for so long,” she hissed, her tone venomous. “You were happy despite losing everything. And when you had Rowan, it made me sick.”

My mind reeled. I had thought her actions were born of infatuation, but it was something darker, rooted in jealousy and spite.

As if reading my thoughts, she clapped her hands mockingly. “You’re right. I envied you. I’ve always envied you. You thought I was your friend, didn’t you? You thought I’d let you become Luna at the ceremony tomorrow?” She laughed, the sound chilling. “Never. I had plans to ruin you completely.”

“You’re despicable,” I spat.

Her lips curled into a sinister smile. “And now I’ll live up to that name.”

Before I could react, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a knife. The blade glinted in the dim light, sending a chill down my spine.

“Lydia…” I warned, my fists balling.

But before I could move, she sliced her wrist, her blood spilling onto the floor.

“Lydia!” I gasped, horrified as she held her bleeding arm aloft and screamed.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, and before I could comprehend what was happening, she shoved the knife into my hand and crumpled to the ground.

The door burst open, and Aunt Betty’s shrill cry filled the room. “No!”

Uncle John followed, his face pale as he rushed to Lydia’s side.

“What did you do to her?!”Aunt Betty screamed, her eyes blazing with fury as she turned to me.

I stood there, frozen, the blood-streaked knife trembling in my hand.