3. I Still Love You.

Zarelia's POV:

“What the fuck?” I gasped, blinking as I grabbed the silk sheet and wrapped it around myself, my whole body shaking from shame and shock.

My face flamed as I risked a glance at the young man who was now kneeling beside my bed, his head bowed low as his shoulders trembled. 

My stomach twisted so hard I felt sick.

Who is he? 

What is going on?! 

My wide eyes snapped to Lurien’s cold, hard ones. “I-I-I don't know this man!” My voice cracked.

My heart was pounding wildly now.

Lurien barely blinked, instead, he grabbed Maliah's hair so tightly, a whimper escaped her. “Speak up, servant. Repeat what you said to me!” 

She gulped, still trembling.“I– I overhead, La…dy Zarelia and her lover… lover planning to kill you.” 

My eyes widened even more, and my jaw dropped.

“That's absurd!” I snapped, stumbling to my feet. The silk sheet slipped and I clutched it tighter, my hands clammy with sweat. “Why are you lying, Maliah? What is wrong with you?” I asked desperately.

But she didn't reply; she couldn't even look me in the eye. Dread pooled in my stomach as my  heartbeat thundered in my ears

How was this happening? Why was Maliah accusing me of adultery? 

No. The bigger question was: Why the hell was I naked in bed with a man I don't even recognize?!”

I feel lightheaded, like I'd had too much to drink but I clearly remember going to bed without touching a single cup of wine.

“Take the servant and the boy away!” Lurien barked before I could speak.

His gammas surged forward, dragging them out as I stood there, trembling in complete, utter shock and fear.

Something was wrong… So, so wrong.

The dizziness… The slight headache…  My heavy limbs… 

And why was I naked? I never sleep naked. Ever.

And then it clicked. My heart sank.

“Someone drugged me,” I whispered, then I repeated it louder, glaring at Lurien who approached me slowly. “You—” 

His palm connected with my cheek, hard. I tasted blood. Pain exploded on the skin, the flesh growing hot as tears sprang to my eyes. 

Before I could catch a breath, his hand shot out, wrapping tightly around my throat. He slammed me against the wall, the impact forcing the air from my lungs.

“Let–me–go–” I wheezed. My fingers clawed at his wrist, nails scraping his skin. “Y‐You're hu..hurting m– me!” 

My face stung. My eyes and lungs burned as I gasped for air, struggling to get his hand off my neck.

“Did you honestly think you could outsmart me?” He sneered, eyes blazing with anger. “You think you could get the elders to find you another husband so you could replace me as Alpha?”

I stilled, my spine stiffening.

How? 

My heart skipped a beat, tripping over itself.

How could he know that? It wasn't even included in the letter I sent to Elder Varian.

His lips curled at my reaction. “You didn't think I'd find out,” he stated. “I know everything that goes on in that little head of yours, Lia.” 

I recoiled at the nickname that used to give me butterflies. Before, that nickname was laced with fondness, now, it just had a mocking edge to it.

“And so you drugged and framed me,” I gritted, forcing the bitter truth past my lips while I fought for air, feeling my face flush.

“True, I did drug you,” He said with a cruel smile as his hand fell from my neck, finally. 

I sucked in a lungful of air, coughing and wheezing in the process as my eyes burned with tears from lack of air.

“And soon, you'll be facing a trial before the elders for adultery.” The smug satisfaction on his face as he said those words almost had me crumpling to the floor in pain.

“Did you ever love me?” I asked hoarsely. I couldn't help it even though I sounded desperate, pathetic… 

This was a man I loved since I was a teenager, a man I'd go to war for and give my life for him in a heartbeat. I loved him dearly—maybe I still do a little bit and a small part of me was holding on to that. 

“Did you?” I asked again, my voice small.

Lurien fixed his empty gaze on mine. “I never loved you, Zarelia.” 

His words sent a dagger through my already broken heart.

My chest squeezed so tight it felt like my ribs cracked. I couldn't breathe, the pain in my heart intensified. “Lurien—”

“I only married you for your title,” he cut me off, his voice flat. “I was only the son of your father's beta, and would only be given some mediocre political title. And a man like me deserves only the best—Grand Duke of Sylrune Pack.” 

My heart won't stop pounding.

My hands won't stop shaking.

Lurien never loved me and I'd spent nine years at his side. I'd given him everything. I was a fool.

My lips parted but no words came out. 

“...I could have endured you forever, perhaps even learned to love you but you were a hindrance to ‘WHAT’ I really wanted!”

Endured me?

I was a hindrance?

This couldn't be happening. 

But I could see the truth in his words, I could see the hatred etched into his features and a rage so blinding coursed through me.

“Shame on you!’ I cried, pain clawing at my insides. “You’d never be able to retain that title without me! Father said in his will—” 

“That I only get to be the Alpha and Grand Duke as long as I stay married to you?” He mocked. “Don't make me laugh, you didn't think I had carefully planned this?”

He laughed. “The elders are on my side now, they no longer owe any loyalty to you or your father.”

And I knew at that moment that I'd been defeated.

 I'd lost everything.

I’d lost my father’s legacy and Pack to a monster whom I once trusted with my life.

Hot tears rapidly rolled down my chin. “But I loved you,” My voice trembled but it was the truth.

Gods, I was so pathetic.

“And I still love you, Lurien—” 

“I Lurien Valcarian—”

I gasped. “W-what are you doing?”

“…Of Sylrune Pack reject you, Zarelia Drakonis, daughter of the late Alpha, Orion as my mate and Luna.” 

~   ~   ~ 

My wrist burned where the silver chains rubbed against my sore, raw flesh making me wince.

My prison cell reeked of piss, rust, blood, and what I suspected to be decaying bodies.

Every time I inhaled, I could taste the mixture of these horrid smells on my tongue and it made bile rise to my throat each time. 

You'd think one week of being locked up here would make me get used to it but it was quite the opposite.

And each time I moved, the raw injuries on my back rubbed irritability against the rags for clothes I had on my body.

I'd ended up here as soon as I was found guilty by the council of elders for adultery.

According to the laws of the Sylrune Pack, the punishment for adultery was 100 lashes with a silver whip and banishment to the Red Moon Forest. 

These rules didn't apply to men though.

Men were exempted from such rules. 

Men don't commit adultery. It didn't exist according to the law. They could fuck multiple women.

But every girl was taught to always stay faithful to her husband. No woman was exempted, not even those of noble born.

So I wasn't surprised when I heard my sentence. 

Elder Varian's words still echoed in my mind. 

“....You're hereby banished to the red moon forest, to spend the rest of your years living in solitude and a life of regret for your devious crimes.” 

I could remember the smug smile on Adelia's face as a soldier tore my back open with a silver whip while I screamed in pain… Or the way Lurien had proudly asked the Elders to acknowledge her as his Luna…

I was dozing off when the sound of footsteps reached my ears and I dragged my tired, aching body to a seated position, wincing as the chain dug deeper into my skin.

My nose wrinkled as a whiff of an unpleasant smell flooded my nostrils.

Fuck, I smell like a decaying corpse.

In seconds, Lurien and three guards came into view and panic crept in.

Fear crawled under my skin sending chills down my spine and I wish it wasn't so.

 I knew it was time.

Time to be tossed into the Red Moon Forest and be forgotten for good. No one would miss me except my younger brother, Zayan who was away—a small part of me thinks Lurien had intentionally sent Zayan off on a business trip so there'd be nothing standing in the way of his plans.

Lurien barely spared me a glance as he made a motion with his hand and one of the guards moved to unlock my cell. The guard grabbed me roughly, not minding my wounds or the restrictions the chains around my feet caused.

I wanted to speak, probably cursing at the guard but my tongue felt heavy also coupled with the fact that I'd barely had anything to eat or drink in over a week. 

I was exhausted. I could barely feel the ache in my heart. The physical wounds were a lot more painful.

I did not want to think about how devastated Zayan would be when he returned because I had a plan in mind once the soldiers dropped me at the entrance of the Red Moon Forest. I knew it was dangerous, but I had to try.

But they did not drag me to the gates—they took me back to my bedchamber with a scented bath prepared for me while some maids prepared my things.

 I turned to Lurien, confused. 

My throat hurts but I rasped, “What is this?”

He pinned me with a look. “Mercy.” 

Mercy? 

Why did that sound ominous?

“I… I don't understand.” 

A shiver ran down my spine as he grinned mischievously, crossing his arms. “You're part of this month’s offerings.” 

My blood turned ice cold and my heart stopped.

Gods. No. 

His eyes shone with amusement. “I think our Alpha King would be very pleased with an offering like you.”