Two

Raven's POV

The next morning came over quicker than I had expected, but the knock on my room's door told me that reality was still more in store for me.

I opened the door, only to see Marcus dressed to the top like he was getting married.

“I am going to pick Sienna. Make sure everything is ready and you stand outside to welcome us. You still need to act your duties as Luna.”

Luna.

That name now sounded like a curse.

If I wanted to, I would go back in time, and wished I rejected Marcus.

Despite my thought, I simply nodded, closing the door soon after he left.

Looking around, I spotted Lily's small form on the bed. She slept soundly, probably still exhausted from crying herself to sleep.

Yesterday had been a lot for both of us, but there was more to come.

My wolf had gone silent. Just like how numb my heart was from everything.

How much could I take before I truly broke?

I was sure by now the only reason I was still alive was because of Lily.

I stared at my dressing mirror, taking a deep breath.

No matter what, I had to move on.

Quickly, I got myself ready, waking Lily up too.

When it was time to welcome Marcus, I simply got out to stand in front of the house.

I ignored the pack members who stood waiting in watch, their eyes flashing in shock, before it turned into a sneer.

Truly if it were before, I would have cheerfully greeted everyone trying to act like the virtuous Luna they all wanted, but things were different now.

Soon, more and more people gathered, all throwing glances at me, but I paid them no mind.

“Look at her, she's so pitiful. The alpha left her and even asked her to welcome a new mistress.”

“She's really going to stand there?”

“What can she do? Alpha Marcus is the one in control here, not her.”

“Soothes her right! She's always proving like she's the only Luna or person Alpha Marcus could love!”

….

The whispers floated to my ears as I stood patiently at the door of the pack house, the action low and humiliating, but I held my head up, clinging to the last shed of pride in me.

Marcus was officially bringing Sienna home, and since he was now “free” from cheating, he had publicly announced it to the pack.

He made his actions so grand, it made me question all the years I had been with him.

A wry smile crept on my face.

I had been truly blind before.

Standing in the hot sun for what felt like hours, I looked at the time, thankful I kept my daughter home.

Lily was supposed to stay with me, as Marcus had put it this morning, stating it was to show the pack we were harmonious, but I refused to let my daughter be subjected to this.

Just then, a person from the side suddenly exclaimed. “They are here!”

The shout was loud, causing the small crowd that had gathered to go crazy, stretching their necks as a car pulled up.

Watching the scene was ridiculous.

The alpha's house was located at the heart of the pack, so it was huge enough to accommodate hundreds if not thousands even.

But the fact that they were all acting like this just to spite me was heartbreaking in a way.

It made something in me crack. Again.

I lowered my head, letting my hair fall over my face.

The moon goddess must truly despise me.

“Welcome Alpha Marcus.” The pack greeted, smiles on their faces.

I looked up, meeting this, feeling another stab where it shouldn't have hurt.

When Marcus and I became mates, was I treated like this?

Why was there such a huge margin?

I clenched my fists, forcing the feeling away.

I couldn't let it bother me. Instead, my eyes landed on Marcus.

Marcus wrapped his arms around Sienna, an equal grin that topped his pack members by ten percent.

“Hello everyone. Thank you for welcoming me and Sienna. I hope you treat her right!”

“Don't worry alpha Marcus.” one boasted, hitting his chest. “I'll see to it that no one bullies her and her son.”

His words sparked the crowd, and even a few gloating looks were thrown my way.

Indeed, there was a boy standing beside Sienna, roughly Lily's age.

I narrowed my eyes.

Who was he?

The way Marcus treated the boy had me suspicious.

I didn't want to think that child was Marcus's. Moon goddess forbids that happen!

My faith in her was already crumbling to dust. Another blow, and I didn't know what was going to happen.

“Miss Sienna this way,” the beta’s mate, Joan, stepped forward, plastering a smile on her face. “I am sure you have met the Luna of our pack.”

Marcus and Sienna were now in front of me, various gazes landing on me, each one filled with either ridicule or amusement.

“Yes, we have met.” Sienna spoke for the first time, her voice light, but carrying a hint of disdain. “But that time we weren't introduced properly.”

Sienna lightly tapped Marcus, giving him a smile. “Right babe?”

“Yes.” Marcus, like a lovestruck fool answered. “Raven, let me introduce Sienna again. This is the love of my life, and partner Sienna.”

I choked.

How could he do this to me?

Why was he hurting me this much knowing how much my wolf was pained?

I looked straight at Marcus, but he ignored me entirely, staring only at Sienna as the pack cheered.

I thought my wolf had been silent.

I thought I had gone numb, but clearly I wasn't.

My wolf howled. I felt it. We were still connected to Marcus, but while he lived, I died everyday.

Tears threatened to spill, but I held them.

I stiffly nodded, fearing my words would betray me.

“Isn’t that a bit rude Luna Raven?” Joan frowned, her eyes darting between mine and Marcus. “A simple welcome isn't too much is it? Or do you think Miss Sienna is beneath you?”

The look on Marcus' face turned ugly. “Raven.”

His voice was low, but his alpha tone lunched at me with full force.

I let out a whimper, my tears falling uncontrollably.

A submissive wolf like myself found it hard to breathe.

Alpha's had much control over their pack members, but because of their dominant abilities, they could force submission onto other wolves.

Since I have known Marcus, this was the first time he had done this to me.

He had sworn never to do so, but look at us now.

I felt the walls closing in on my throat, the air leaving me, making it almost unbearable.

“Don't be too harsh on her.” Sienna interjected, quickly dispelling the hostility that had gathered in the air.

“I am sure Raven is happy about my arrival and simply overwhelmed to have someone like me who alpha Marcus loves by his side. After all, I am the real Luna, and as my stand-in all these years it must have been hard.”

I gritted my teeth, angry tears pouring out of my eyes, glaring at her.

She just turned me into a thief who stole her position!

I refuse to accept it!

“I did no such.” I refuted, but that only earned me respite from the pack.

“Isn't it true? Why are you denying it?”

“I knew alpha Marcus couldn't have brought someone like her as his mate! Something had been fishy!”

“Who knows if she had seduced the alpha and got pregnant. She did get pregnant with Lily in less than a year after marriage.”

“You all can't accuse me of things!” I gritted, tears streaming down my cheeks.

No matter how hard I glared, I couldn't stop every one of them.

I looked over at Marcus, but he looked away. Again.

Like this was none if his concern.

Just when my hopes were about to be dashed—

“Mommy?” I heard Lily's voice come from the back. “Stop hurting my mommy!”