Chapter 1 The end of blind trust

VALENTINA

The mood around the pack's court is extremely tense. With doubtful gazes and smug faces bore into me like salt in my fresh wounds, I, Luna Valentina Rodriguez, sat in the middle of the questionnaire of the council.

“Luna Valentina, do you have anything to say in your defence?” The stern voice of the council minister resonated in the grand hall, drawing my lowered eyes toward him.

"There's nothing for her to say. I, Alpha of the Shadow Crust pack, have decided already.” My husband, Atlas, said firmly. “She's here for the formalities only.”

I looked up at him. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I felt a wave of warmth within my pierced heart. Even after everything, he still chose me.

“But Alpha, you must realize that she is no longer a worthy Luna after—”

"Enough, Minister," Atlas's voice boomed in the court hall, silencing the place like a graveyard. “Valentina is my mate and wife. She may not be in a condition to perform as a proper Luna now, but we must not forget her selfless contributions for over two years. Now, when she has suffered a great loss, both physically and mentally, for which we are all somewhat responsible, you are raising fingers at her? This is absolutely unacceptable.”

His words were a resilient shield to me. Under his protection, I felt most secure and loved.

“Alpha, we understand your concerns. We can probably overlook other things, but we must remember that she is unable to bear children, and unfortunately, you remain heirless.” The minister rebuked Atlas, and the ache in my heart intensified violently at the reminder of the harsh reality.

"Without an heir, your position as Alpha is at stake." The minister's words echoed in my ears like sharp darts as anguish overwhelmed my soul.

"Everything isn't finished yet; I'll find a way," Atlas growled. "The questionnaire ends here," he barked at the minister, took my hand, and almost dragged me from the hall.

My gaze fell on his tense back. It hurts me so much to see him so worried and at risk because of me, yet his unwavering support fills me with hope to live and move on.

Nothing was his fault, nor mine, yet we both are suffering.

It was just the curse of my fate…

Two days ago, while patrolling the border, an unexpected attack by rogues left me infertile and facially disfigured.

For some reason, I couldn't fight against those beasts as though I had fallen numb and paralyzed.

I almost died that night, but Atlas and other warriors arrived quickly and saved me. When I woke up in the hospital, I discovered that I had also lost my wolf spirit in the attack. It broke me severely, and I feared that maybe—maybe I'd lose Atlas as well.

However, my husband didn't change; he accepted me for who I am, and the way he defended me before the minister—I'm truly the luckiest woman on Earth.

Slowly, I touched his shoulder and felt him tensing under my palm. I caressed his back carefully and heard him sigh. Turning to me, Atlas held my hand and kissed it softly. “I am so sorry, baby; you’ve been through such bizarre things. I wish I had been there instead of you that night,” he whispered. His tone sounded so tired and laden with extreme guilt.

“Please don’t say that; you’re the only one I have in life.” I shook my head vigorously. “I no longer feel hopeless with your unconditional love and support, Atlas. Just never leave my side.”

He cupped my cheeks and dropped a peck on my lips. "I will not," he promised softly. "Now, go back to the pack house; I have to finish some work, okay?”

Although I did not want him to live, I nodded, suppressing my desire. He had already done so much for me; I could not hold him back any longer.

With a heavy heart, I nodded slowly and watched him leave…

Back in our room, I was tossing and turning in bed, feeling a little strange and lonely. I am still adjusting to life without my wolf, Kira. Perhaps that is the reason.

I glanced at the clock for the umpteenth time. It was past midnight, and Atlas hadn't arrived yet.

Sighing, I sat up on the bed and dragged my knees to my chest. Atlas never explains much about his work and mostly returns late at night. Sometimes he even stays out for work.

I never question him much, though; he gets annoyed. After all, he's a proud alpha. Also, I believe he doesn't want me to worry much about workloads and takes care of the home like a proper Luna.

Though it wasn't who I truly was, I still tried my best to not let my wildness take over and disrespect him. After all, he had accepted me without questioning my background.

Two years have passed, yet he still doesn't know who I truly am. I also don't want to explain it; after all, two years ago, I left my father's home with a broken heart and embraced this new life, and I am more than happy with it…

After a few more rounds of tossing and turning, I decided to visit Atlas in his office. I don't usually do that, but I miss him so badly tonight. Therefore, without a second thought, I left my bed and went to the west wing of the pack house, to his office.

However, my feet froze in the dimly lit, empty hallway, where suspicious sounds echoed. I blinked, looked around, and then again at his office door. Those sounds are coming from there.

A frown creased my brow as I moved forward cautiously. The door was slightly ajar, revealing a faint light emanating from within along with those sounds.

My heart tightened against the ribcage as I recognised the sounds. Those were—moans of pleasure.

Approaching the door, I slowly pushed it open, and I wished I hadn't…

What greeted me and froze the blood in my veins was—Atlas's half-naked broad back bent over a slender naked figure, their lips locked in what looked like desperate passion. The woman's manicured fingers were tangled in his hair, clutching him as if he were her last hope of survival.

Then reality hit me like a thunderbolt in an open field.

Sienna…

The woman I considered my best friend, after Atlas, the woman who is Luna to another pack and always demanded Atlas as her brother, had her legs wrapped around his waist.

I heard their laughter that taunted my ears, their passionate moans that pricked my eardrums with thousands of needles. I felt like I was falling into a cavern of ice as I watched them so engrossed in each other, with no trace of shame.

But hold on, the worst is yet to come—

“Mmm—baby, tell me I'm better than her.” Sienna moaned out. “Come on, tell me I am better than that idiot Valentina! Say it Atlas! Mmmm—fucking say!”

“No one can be compared to your love! You're fucking best—aagh! Yes, go on my baby momma.” Atlas moaned with a passion I've yet to hear.

"Mm-hm, tell me, Atlas, I am the only one! Tell me!" Sienna screamed. "Tell me it's only our son for you!”

Spinning her beneath him, Atlas grabbed her by the neck and chuckled loudly. “No fucking doubt! I have only one heir baby, our son and he'll take my throne—Aaggh—yes!— I'll make her babysit our son. She's worth nothing more than a maid now.”

Their cruel laughter rumbled in my ears. My mind spiralled, and I felt I was floating in the worst ordeal of my life.

“You're one evil man huh?—mmhm—that rogue attack was perfect! Mmmm! And the drug you used to numb her limbs s-so- OGH! So she couldn’t fight! Ohhh— And then silver poison to destroy her wolf, haha—Aahh, mmm—you're so bad…Ufff” Sienna cried out when he pounced wildly within her.

“As if you didn't demand, huh?” Atlas chuckled darkly before picking her up and throwing her on the sofa. “And tonight I'll fucking ruin you so bad…”

I slipped away, my pants heavy, unable to see or hear them anymore. I rushed away, covering my mouth tightly. Tears poured endlessly from my eyes as I fell onto my knees.

Two years— what have I not done to please him, my Alpha, my mate and my husband? Even though he had a proud attitude, I accepted him as he was and loved him with every particle of my being, but in the end, I found out that it had no value.

For the first time, I have realized that the people I loved and trusted with all my heart ruined me in the worst possible way.

A weak smile touched my lips as I recalled my life from the beginning.

Is it because of what I did two years ago, Goddess? Is this your punishment for my disobedience to my father?

Yet—no answer…