Chapter Four

Aria's POV

I was trying to comprehend Jasmine's lifestyle when a man accosted me in the corridor. He looked suspiciously natural, with a curious look that was both friendly and interrupting. As he approached, there was something possessive in his stance.

"Jasmine." His voice was a whisper and heart-achingly familiar. "I was worried about you."

I forced a polite smile, but his eyes made me uneasy. "Thank you, but… I'm fine. Things have just been… complicated."

"Complicated?" He scowled. "Jasmine, you tried to kill yourself instead of being with Adam. You should have told me if things were that bad."

I gasped in surprise. That was what they believed?

"Aadam is my fiancé," I said carefully. "We… we need to keep things… professional."

His eyebrows creased in confusion and annoyance. "Jasmine, don't you remember what we agreed? This temporary marriage with Adam was the plan."

Temporary? My mind reeled, though I couldn't show my confusion. I swallowed hard, trying to talk like Jasmine.

"David, I… I need some time to think." I looked away, hoping he'd drop this discussion.

"Time?" He stepped nearer, his voice low. "We can't afford the time. Adam is my brother, Jasmine, and if he catches wind of what we're doing…"

I was stunned. David was Adam's brother? This was not as simple as I'd thought. Here I was, pretending to be Jasmine, when she'd been in a relationship with her fiancé's brother. I needed to cut this conversation off before it became even more disastrous.

"I'm sorry, David. I. I have to concentrate on the wedding. Perhaps we can discuss it later. Hoping he would get it, I put on a forced smile.

His eyes were a combination of anger and hurt as he glared at me. At last, he moved back and nodded. "Okay. We'll discuss it later.".

I was about to breathe out when I heard a scornful voice.

"Well, isn't this cozy?"

There was a young woman there with her arms crossed and glowering at me furiously when I turned around. Amy. Jasmine's sister. Her face set in a look of contempt as she looked me up and down.

"Playing games again, Jasmine?" Amy sneered. "I thought you'd had enough of that with Adam."

"Amy, I do not understand," I protested, attempting to sound impartial.

She scolded, "Oh, please," "I quite well know who you are and what you did in the past. Don't imagine people are unaware of this behavior.".

I was left with David's lingering gaze as Amy stormed off. I was shaken from within, but I ensured that I maintained a level head. I was barely getting started, and there was plenty of bitterness and hatred.

Before I had time to drink it all in, a guard showed up and told me I was to be at a family gathering. The guard walked alongside me through the hallways while my mind churned, twisting my stomach inside out. They must have overheard about the alleged suicide attempt, and I was now looking at the very people who dictated my and Jasmine's destiny.

I could feel the tension of all these eyes upon me as I stepped into that room. Adam sat at the front of the room with his arms crossed and a sulky expression for the duration. David stood next to Amy, his face so dramatically hidden, and Amy stood by herself across the room with a self-satisfied smug expression on her face. Adam's pack and family members occupied the room, each with very individualized degrees of distrust and disapproval.

I swallowed hard, my heart pounding, but I remained steady. If I were to survive this, I had to do my part justice.

Taking a deep breath, I approached to address the crowd. "I know I behaved. I did something wrong and caused trouble, and I regret having caused trouble. I've learned through experience and. and wish to be good enough for this family and become Luna." I looked at Adam in the hope that he would realize what I was trying to tell him.

A tense silence filled the room, and I believed my apology was taking its toll. Then Adam turned away, a grin spreading across his face.

He nodded, and an older man beside him stepped forward. Someone in authority stood before the room with a booming voice.

"Having given due consideration, it has been resolved that Jasmine is no longer to be considered for the position of Luna."

The words hit me like a punch, but I struggled to keep my cool. But the elder wasn't finished.

"Instead, she will be Adam's companion," he continued, "and will remain a member of his family until there is a new Luna chosen."

There was a susurration in the room, a mixture of hushed whispers and accusatory stares. My face flushed with shame. A "companion" was no more than an euphemistic mistress, a position meant to be observed but not valued. It was revenge to shame me publicly, and it succeeded.

I looked at Adam for a flash of pity, but his eyes were icy and unsympathetic. He seemed not to recognize me, and the pain of rejection pierced me sharply. But I recognized that I had to let it not break me.

I seethed inwardly. How did they do this to me? How could he humiliate me like this in public? But outwardly, I gritted a nod, suppressing my anger. I had to stay with him. This shame, this humiliation…if I was going to get back at him, I would have to endure it.

"Thank you," I grumbled loudly enough for the elder to hear, lowering my head in submission. The motion was bitter but had to be made.

"Good," replied the elder. "You are released."

The group was let go, but not before accusatory stares and whispers. I could feel their scorn and hatred but held myself to continue steadily, keeping my head held high even as my heart thudded with rage.

As I proceeded to my room, I could not help but let the dissatisfaction brew under the surface. Adam believed he was able to do this to me and escape without punishment, believing he could demote me to nothing. He was wrong.