2. Betrayed & Framed.

Zarelia's POV: 

“Don't we, ‘sister?’” She laughed a little. 

I felt my face flame in anger. My fists clenched at my sides.

She dares mock me… in my own home?

I pushed off the floor, rising to my feet. I wiped wetness from my cheeks.

“Yes, we do,” I said tightly, jaws clenched. 

She blinked, surprised by my reply but quickly hid it behind a smirk.

Lurien looked from her to me and then back to her. “I don't see why you'd waste your time speaking to her. But if you insist…” 

Adelia rested a hand on his chest. “You worry too much about me, darling,” she giggled, a sickening sound that had bile rising to my throat. “I’ll be fine, it's just sister’s talk…” 

“Fine. Meet me at our spot later.”  He kissed her cheek before walking away. He didn't even look at me. 

And… Spot? 

They had a—

 Goddess. Pain twisted at my insides. 

As soon as he disappeared into a corner, I snapped. “Get your things and leave my home.”

She turned slowly, her eyes dancing with amusement. “Your home?” She scoffed. “Did you hit your head? This castle belonged to our father. I have every right to be here.” 

Her words tightened the knots in my stomach. 

She wasn't wrong but I wanted her gone. She'd hurt me in ways I didn't think were even possible. 

“Sisters share blood and we do not,” I said through clenched teeth. “You said so yourself! So get out of this Pack, you were never from here to begin with!!” 

She threw her head back and laughed. 

My nails dug painfully into my palms. “Don't make me call the gammas to throw you out, Adelia,” I warned.

Her laughter died down, her eyes narrowed. “Don't tell me you still think you're in charge here?” She asked, her voice soft and cruel, fake pity glinting in her eyes.

 “You poor thing… Lurien would kill you if you dare lay a finger on me. I'm the one with his child, the one who has given him a future. Surely you didn't think for a second that he would let you throw me out?” 

My chest felt so tight with rage, I couldn't breathe freely. Internally, I begged the goddess for strength, strength to overcome this overwhelming pain within me…

Her finger traced my cheek, slow and mocking. I slapped it away without hesitation.

She didn't flinch, she just smiled.

“He'll announce me as Luna and you know what? The pack? The council of elders? They'll embrace me with open arms…”  

“W-why are you doing this?” I whispered, feeling my heart shatter because she was right.

They will all choose her, I know that. 

Even though my father was the late Alpha and Grand Duke. Even though I was his rightful successor… Nothing beats having an heir—Adelia could give them that.

“How could you do this to me?” Hot tears fell down my cheeks before I could stop them and I hated myself for it. “I've been nothing but good to you. I loved you in the same way I love my blood brother, Zayan. You never lacked anything—” 

“Oh, please, Zarelia!” She snapped, voice rising. “Spare me your pathetic tears and sermons!  Why am I doing this? You dare ask me why?!” 

I flinched, surprised by her outburst. The angry look in her eyes could melt an iron.

“You've never had to suffer. You've never gone without food and water!” Her eyes were wild with unshed tears, veins popping on her face. “I had to live with parents who hated me! They left me to die in the woods and I was only thirteen for fuck's sake!”

My brows drew together, a lump formed in my throat. “A-and that's my fault? Adelia I—” 

“I hate you!” She screamed, eyes wild with pain and anger. “I still remember that day when you found me… took me into your luxurious home like I didn't smell like a decaying animal. You always smiled like the world was a bed of roses, you didn't even appreciate the life you had—a life I'd dreamed of for thirteen years. I wanted to snatch it all from you.”  

I was shocked and hurt by her words… 

I knew she had a rough life considering I saw her in the woods, broken, too skinny and fighting for her life but…

“But… we gave you everything.…” My voice broke as I blinked back tears staring like I was seeing her for the first time. And maybe, I was. This woman before me was nothing like the sweet girl I grew to love.

“Everything?” She mocked with a bitter laugh. “That meant nothing. I wanted you to know what it's like to be casted aside. To be unloved,” her smile was cruel even as tears rolled down her face. 

My chest twisted. “You're insane,” I whispered in disbelief. “Incredibly selfish! You're a monster with a heart so black nothing could ever cleanse it! Maybe that is why your own family hated you and left you to die.” 

My words hit her. Hard. But she masked it.

I stepped closer, trembling with so much rage. “If someone helps you, cares for you, loves you—the least you could do was appreciate it, Adelia.” 

Her face remained expressionless as she wiped angrily at her tears. 

“...I wasn't wrong for helping you, ungrateful wretch! You're just so undeserving of love and I won't let you get away with any of this!” 

My body was trembling now from barely contained rage as I tightened my fist to ground myself. 

“Oh, I've already gotten away with what I want.” Her face was stoic, eyes deadly and cold as she spoke, “Look around you, sister. I've already taken everything from you. Your mate, your title, your people, your home, your life… They all belong to me now.”

I loved her but not anymore. Not when her heart was so ugly and she hated me this much. Since she's decided to make me her enemy, I won't back down until I get back what's mine.

“You think you've won?” I gritted, glaring daggers at her. 

Her smile faltered.

“Don't rejoice just yet, I'll have you crawling at my feet for mercy soon.” 

With that, I pushed past her, storming out of the room. I had one goal in mind—revenge.

~   ~   ~

“Luna… I'm really sorry but it's the same as always,” The healer sighed heavily. “You're barren. There's no way you could have children.” 

I clutched my garment, pressing one hand to my abdomen as I sobbed quietly. 

Why did I even hope?

I don't know why I thought things would change. I shouldn't have sent for the healer.

But I was desperate. 

Desperate for a solution. For revenge. 

The past week has been hell. 

Watching my sister cuddle up with my husband. Watching as they kissed. Watching him treat her with so much love. It was devastating as it was aggravating. I've avoided them as much as possible but the the murmurs and whispers around the palace weren't helping. The pity stares from maids made me want to pull my hair.

How could the stray I gave a family and a man I gave status and riches join forces to betray me? 

The fact that they were happier by the day and I was more miserable tore my heart in pieces. 

I'd spent nights since the incident crying. Deluding myself into thinking Lurien would come crawling back to me, begging—he did not. 

If anything, he's been so cruel. I loved him so much it hurts and I never want to see him again.

I want him out of my life for good!

But a Luna couldn't rule without an Alpha.

When an Alpha dies, his oldest son takes over but when he has an older daughter instead, she has to choose a husband who could help her rule the pack. 

Which is why I'd summoned for the healer, I needed to know if there was any sliver of hope that I could conceive. 

If I was to convince the Elders to dethrone Lurien and get me another Alpha, I needed to at least be capable of giving the pack an heir…

But as always for the past nine years, the healer's answer was the same. Barren. 

But I won't give up. 

I won't let those two traitors fuck me over.

I wiped my tears, climbing off my bed, dismissing the healer.

“Maliah,” I called out to my handmaiden who rushed to my side in an instance. “Get me a parchment and inkpot.” 

She bowed in response before rushing off to fetch the items. 

Moments later, I scribbled the message I wanted to pass to the head of elders… Informing him of an impromptu meeting. When I was done, I rolled the parchment up and handed it back to Maliah.

“Give this to Elder Varian,” I insisted. “Make sure he understands the urgency of my letter.” 

“Yes, my lady.” And then she was gone.

If I couldn't conceive. I could adopt a child or get a breeder for my new husband—we didn't have to love each other as long as he performed his duty.

Love didn't favor me anyway…

The next morning, I woke up to Lurien's loud growl. “Get that cheap harlot off that bed!!” 

I jolted upright on my bed, dizzy and disoriented.

My vision blurred, my head pounding but I could clearly see the rage in Lurien's eyes.  

I looked around and found two gammas beside him. My handmaiden, Maliah, on her knees trembling like a leaf in a brutal wind.

What was going on? 

I didn't have to wait long to find out when I heard a groan coming from beside me and I turned just in time to see a younger male naked beside me.

My eyes grew wide. My heart slammed.

“Oh heavens!” I scrambled off the bed so fast, that my backside landed on the cold, hard floor, and to my utter horror—I was naked. 

My arms flew to my bosom. Too late. 

Then Maliah spoke, “That's the young man, Alpha Lurien,” she pointed at the naked stranger, avoiding my eyes. “He is the young man Lady Zarelia has been sleeping with for two summers now.”

“What the fuck!?”