Chapter 2

“W-what?” I croaked, my knees wobbling. “Sophie…? What are you saying?” My voice trembled, barely escaping my throat. I stared at her like I was looking at a stranger wearing my sister’s face.

Sophie didn’t respond at first, just stood there with a pitiful expression, her arms folded tightly across her chest like she was trying to protect herself. Like she was the victim.

“No, no, no,” I shook my head, unable to bring myself to believe what was happening. If it was all an act or a sick prank. But, I still forced myself to speak. “Y-you know I didn’t do it. You know how much I loved them. Sophie, please…why are you doing this?!”

My sister suddenly snapped, her voice rising as fake tears pooled in her eyes. “Enough, Sara! Just stop! How can you still lie when there is enough evidence?!” She pointed an accusing finger at me, her voice growing sharper. “I tried to keep quiet. I wanted to protect you because you’re my sister, and I love you! But I can’t do it anymore. I can’t keep hiding the truth.”

“You tampered with the brakes, Sara! You caused the crash! You murdered our parents! You killed them just because they joked about me marrying Adrian!”

My entire world tilted. My heart slammed painfully against my chest and then just… stopped. I forgot how to breathe.

The walls of the hall seemed to close in around me, the lights blurring through my tears. My wolf whimpered inside me, folding in on herself. My body trembled violently, not from the cold, but from the betrayal.

Hot tears streamed down my face as I stared at her, struggling to accept what I was hearing. My own blood. My twin. Standing there, condemning me like I was nothing but a stranger in her way.

And then she moved.

Sophie walked up to the stage with slow, graceful steps, like she was stepping into a role she’d rehearsed all her life. She gave a small, respectful bow to Adrian, my mate, and reached for the microphone.

Her voice was soft, trembling just enough to sound sincere.

“First of all, I want to apologize on behalf of my sister,” she said, turning to the crowd with tear-filled eyes. “She must have lost her mind when she did it. Saraphina… she wasn't always like this.” She paused dramatically, blinking as if to hold back tears. “I also want to apologize for hiding the truth. For staying silent. That makes me a monster too, and I’ll carry that guilt forever.”

“If this bitch is a murderer then she should be banished!” Someone in the crowd suddenly yelled and I flinched. 

“No, she should be killed! The former Beta was a great man!” 

“She's insane! She should die!”

“Ungrateful bitch!”

“It's always the beautiful ones!” 

And just like that, the people who once cherished me saw me as a monster. They all turned their backs on me, including the ones I thought were my friends. 

“Silence!” Adrian ordered and the room fell quiet. 

“Before I give Saraphina her deserved punishment, I want you all to witness how I claim someone more befitting as my mate and Luna.” 

Before I could process what Adrian meant, he walked over to my sister and pierced his fangs into her neck, marking her on the spot and instantly breaking our mate bond. 

My legs gave up and I fell to the ground, my body convulsing as a sharp, burning pain tore through my chest. The agony of a broken bond left me gasping for air, clutching at my heart as the weight of his betrayal crushed me.

“All hail Sophie Nightshade, the new Luna of ShadowClaw Pack!” Adrian announced as he pulled my sister close to him. 

“All hail the Luna!” The crowd cheered, clapping and howling. 

“Now, as for this traitor’s punishment,” Adrian said coldly, his eyes void of any emotion as he looked down at me, “After much consideration, I have decided she will be dragged to the dungeons where I’ll personally carry out the ritual to sever her bond with the Moon Goddess and strip her of her wolf. And once she’s nothing but a powerless disgrace, she will be burned alive at the stake, as a warning to anyone who dares betray this pack.”

“No!” I screamed, crawling toward him on trembling limbs, tears still streaming down my face. “Adrian, please, don’t do this. I know you love me, plea…”

I couldn’t finish my sentence as Adrian forcefully kicked me to the side, not hard enough to knock me out, but enough to silence me. I whimpered, clutching my ribs, yet still found the strength to crawl. This time toward my sister. “S-sophie please tell the truth, you know I didn't do it. Please.” I cried, holding her ankle like my life depended on it. 

She didn't spare me a glance, hiding her face between Adrian’s chest. 

“Take her away!”

***

By the time I woke up, months had already passed, and so had the girl I used to be.

The pain, the betrayal, the endless torment in the dungeons—everything had stripped me down to nothing. My wolf was gone and my heart was shattered. He stood there, no, they stood in the dungeon watching the warriors pump me full with wolfsbane until I lost my wolf, and then they left like I was nothing. They just left like they'd never been part of my life. 

The dungeon's gate creaked open and I didn't fight it when the warriors started to drag me out. I had already given up on life and accepted that I was going to be burned alive. I closed my eyes, awaiting the end, praying it would be quick. 

However, when I opened my eyes again, I was shocked to see that I wasn't being led to the execution grounds; instead, I was being dragged through the familiar halls of Adrian's pack. 

I shrieked when the warriors pushed me into a room, and before I could ask a question, some omegas surrounded me and dragged me into the bathroom, forcefully bathing me, and then they dressed me up in a nice gown. Did they want me to look my best before burning me alive? 

Without saying a single word, they left me alone in the room. However, almost immediately, the door c

licked open, and the familiar voice of my sister came. “Hello, bitch!”