3. Reality Check

AQUAMARINE'S POV

I stumbled backwards, my eyes moving away from the window. The scene branded itself into my mind, refusing to fade.

No, no, no... This can't be!

I ran away from the tavern; I didn't even know where I was running to, but I couldn't stop.

“It must be Clifford," I told myself, desperate for denial. "Yes, Clinton's twin. That's why…..why it looked like him.”

But the memory of Fiona's sly smile and Clinton's closed eyes lost in pleasure, destroyed my attempts at denial. Maybe Fiona seduced him. She's always been manipulative and seductive.

Or perhaps... Perhaps Clinton only did it because I'd pushed him away last night.

But deep down, I felt Clinton had chosen Fiona.

Tears streamed down my face. The mate bond within me wailed, a mournful cry echoing through my soul. How could he? Why Fiona?

I recalled what Fiona said last night: ‘You need a reality check, and I know just how to give it to you.’

I didn't realize I ran to the outskirts of the pack's territory. Close to the waterfall. But Clinton and Fiona's image was still in my mind even though I tried to forget it.

Almost immediately, I heard someone whispering my name in a low, urgent tone. "Aquamarine."

I didn't even move; I felt dead. But a figure stepped forward, revealing Katherine, our maid's daughter.

"Aquamarine, I've been searching for you," Katherine said, placing a cold, wet cloth on my swollen bruised cheek.

"What do you want?" I asked, looking away from her. I felt ashamed that she saw me like this, I hated that she felt pity for me because if she was caught taking care of me, the pack members wouldn't spare her.

"I saw what Beta Liam and Clinton did," she said. "I'm sorry," she continued, her voice heavy as she wiped away the tears from my face.

That was it. I broke down crying. Wailing like a baby in her arms. I just wanted to stay like that forever, with her. Alone.

"But you must listen, Aquamarine. You have to leave immediately. Don't go back home, Beta Liam and Fiona are planning something, and it has to do with you.” she said, trembling.

“What?” I asked, confused, blinking away tears. “I don't understand.” It was weird, I'd never seen Kath so scared like this ever since the day I called Beta Liam Father.

Kath looked around as if someone was watching; beads of sweat forming on her head, “T-they are going to…”

Before she could go on, we heard people shouting my name, their footsteps growing as they ran in our direction.

"Run, Aquamarine," she whispered urgently, forcing something in my pocket and pushing me off her body, past the trees.

But it was too late.

Strong hands grabbed me, carrying me to where I didn't know. As I struggled, a voice growled in my ear. "Stop moving whore! The Alpha awaits."

Whore? The Alpha?

When we got to the palace, I was thrown into the centre of the hall. Pack members were seated, watching as if they were waiting for my death sentence.

Alpha Felix's voice echoed. "You've been accused of seducing Clinton. People have witnessed how you've shamelessly thrown yourself at him and how you've stalked him relentlessly."

What? Me? Seduction?

I stammered, despite the fear clawing at my heart.

"Y-your Majesty. It's not true, I never seduced Clinton. I never threw myself at him. C-Clifford saw what....."

The Alpha's expression darkened further. "How dare you drag my other son into this!" he thundered. "Clifford is on assignment, serving our pack, and you dare tell lies about him?"

“N-no, ” I shook my head violently and fell on my knees. “Y-your Majesty. C-Clinton is my mate, he told me himself…”

"I assure you her claims of an affair between us are nothing more than a fabrication," Clinton stepped forward, interrupting me.

My eyes widened in shock, “Clinton you..”

"I've tried to be kind to you, to treat you like a normal person despite your... cursed fate, but you just won't leave me alone." Clinton continued, looking at me with pity.

My heart sank. I couldn't believe what I heard. Wasn't cheating on me enough? Why would he go this far? I tried to reach out to him, but the pack Gamma shifted and charged at me, pinning me to the floor.

"With the council's approval, I'm honoured to announce my mate, the future Luna of our pack... Fiona!"

It was then I remembered what Clinton said last night: ‘I'll announce my mate.’

Not: 'I'll announce you as my mate.’

Fiona stepped forward with a radiant smile on her face, and Clinton took her hand, his eyes locked on hers, his expression filled with adoration. He never looked at me that way before.

Never.

"Fiona embodies the qualities that make a true leader, the qualities that will help our pack thrive and prosper; she is my partner, my friend, and my mate."

Alpha Felix nodded in approval, his face glowing with happiness. "My son has chosen wisely," he declared. "Fiona, welcome to our family; you will make a magnificent Luna."

Fiona's gaze met mine, and she smirked as if to say she had won. Sarah did the same, and Beta Liam was busy talking with Alpha Felix.

“D-did you ever love me?” I stammered, tears threatening to fall. I wanted him to say something, that this was only a test, to prove my loyalty to him or a prank.

"I have no idea why you came up with this nonsense believing that you're my mate, but I'll do you a big favour by rejecting you, perhaps then you'll finally snap out of this delusional dream world you've created," Clinton replied.

I was wrong.

He raised his hands. "I, Clinton Felix, hereby formally sever all ties that bind you to me, cutting off any lingering hopes or expectations you may have created.”

His words struck like a dagger, piercing deep into my body and soul.

A searing pain ripped through my chest as if my heart was being torn apart. The bond I thought existed between us, the bond I had clung to with desperate hope, snapped violently.

I gasped, struggling to breathe, but the words I heard next made my body still, and I swore my heart stopped for a moment.

"Punishment! Death!" Alpha Felix growled. "Effective immediately.”