Chapter one

Chapter 1: The Betrayal

Olivia’s POV

“Long live The Luna.”

The words cut into me. Each cheer twisted the pain deeper, leaving me trembling where I stood. My fingers dug into the fabric of my dress, bitterness churning violently in my stomach. Breathing became difficult.

I turned sharply, my eyes locking onto the stage where Damien stood, deliberately refusing to meet my gaze. Beside him was Brielle, dressed in the ceremonial Luna robes, her smile radiant and victorious. My legs shook beneath me.

This is not happening. This cannot be real. Just last night, Damien had held me close, whispering promises into my hair while he slept beside me. “You are mine, Olivia. I will make you my Luna. Only you.” I had believed every word, given him everything I had, my body, my heart, my trust.

Now, in front of the entire pack, he was giving the title that belonged to me to another woman. The betrayal was unbearable. A bitter cry tore from my throat as I stepped forward.

“Damien.”

My voice rose above the music, drawing everyone’s attention. The celebration halted. Laughter faded. Every face turned toward me. My body shook, but I refused to retreat.

“Damien,” I said again, my voice trembling. “You promised I would be your Luna. You promised me when you took me to your bed.”

Gasps rippled through the hall. Brielle stiffened beside him, surprise flashing briefly in her eyes before she masked it with a smug smile.

“Did you truly believe that?” Damien asked coldly. His tone dripped with mockery as he tilted his head, studying me with cruel amusement. My stomach twisted painfully.

“Did you think I would make you my Luna?” A harsh laugh escaped him. “An Omega?”

Whispers erupted around us. My vision blurred, my heartbeat roaring in my ears.

“You swore to me.” My voice broke as the words escaped. “You gave me your word. An Alpha’s word.”

Damien did not flinch. “I was simply being generous,” he said calmly. “I gave you attention when no one else would. I allowed you into my bed and let you believe you mattered.”

His gaze darkened. “But do not confuse my kindness for something more.”

Cold spread through my body.

“You were nothing but a distraction,” he continued. “You are weak, Olivia. You are not even a full wolf. What kind of Alpha would burden his Luna with such a curse?”

A sharp, painful breath left my lips.

It felt like a brutal blow to my stomach. He knew how deeply those words would wound me, yet he stood there, tearing open an already bleeding scar.

I could not breathe. My throat tightened as pain crushed my chest. I searched his face for anything, any sign that this was some cruel lie. There was nothing.

Tears burned my eyes as I turned away, walking out without waiting for the ceremony to end. I did not look back. I could barely see through my tears as I reached the back of the palace.

My legs finally gave out, and I collapsed onto the ground, betrayal shaking my entire body. He had been my world, and he had destroyed me.

A soft, mocking laugh pierced through my sobs.

“Pathetic.”

I froze. I did not need to look up to know who it was.

Brielle stepped closer, her voice dripping with contempt. “Pathetic,” she repeated smugly. “You actually thought he loved you? You were nothing more than a convenient body to him.”

I clenched my fists, fighting to contain my emotions. Brielle continued, her words slicing deeper. “You should show respect to your Luna,” she sneered. “Without Damien’s protection, you are nothing.”

Anger surged through me, forcing me to my feet. “You are not my Luna,” I snapped, my nails biting into my palms.

Brielle’s eyes flashed with fury. “Kneel before me, Olivia.”

“Never,” I shouted, my eyes burning. “You are not my Luna, and I will never kneel to you. Go find respect from someone foolish enough to give it.”

Her face twisted with rage. “If you refuse, I will make you kneel.”

She lunged, grabbing my arm, but instinctively I pulled away. Brielle lost her balance and fell to the floor.

Before I could react, Damien appeared, his gaze narrowing as he assessed the scene. Brielle was quick to cry out, “She attacked me. She pushed me down and tried to hurt me. If you had not come, she would have assaulted me.”

Her accusation hung heavily in the air. I knew the truth, but would Damien?

I was not shocked by Brielle’s lies. She had always wanted me gone. What shattered me was that he chose her over me.

Damien looked at me, his expression dark and unreadable. He believed her.

“You are not truly believing her, are you?” I asked softly, a bitter laugh escaping me. Part of me hoped I was wrong.

His answer crushed that hope. “You understand the punishment for harming royalty,” he said evenly. “It is treason, and it is punishable by death.”

He stepped closer. “Consider this my final act of mercy. Leave the pack and never return.”

My heart stopped.

“Did I hear you correctly?”

“What?”

“You are banished,” Damien said sharply.

Guards moved forward, seizing me roughly. I struggled against them, my breath coming out in broken sobs.

“Take her to her quarters,” Damien ordered, his eyes turning away from me.

As they dragged me off, I pleaded, “Damien, please. You cannot do this.”

He watched in silence, his expression empty.