Chapter 2

"You, of all people, should be thrilled. So why the act?"

I sneered at Jaxon, trying to wrench my arm from his grip.

This man had been tormenting me for years.

At every pack meeting, he publicly questioned my decisions.

Every time I tried to bond with Leo, he would "happen" to show up, making some snide remark to turn my son against me.

Every time Ridley and I argued about Yolia, he would be there to mock me.

He never missed a chance to say I wasn't fit to be Luna.

"You think I want you to die?" Jaxon's voice trembled. "Christine, you really don't think..."

"Stop the act!" I shoved him hard. "You've always hated me. You think I'm standing in the way of Yolia becoming Luna. This is your perfect chance, so why are you stopping me?"

Jaxon’s face grew even paler.

"You think I hate you?" he whispered. "Christine, you really don't know anything, do you?"

I made another break for the cliff's edge.

This time, he didn't grab my arm. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me hard against his chest.

"Let me go!" I struggled.

"No!" Jaxon’s voice was hoarse. "I won't let you go! Never!"

We wrestled, tumbling to the ground.

He was so much stronger than me; I couldn't break free.

"Christine, listen to me!" He pinned my hands down. "You're not faking this, are you? You really want to die?"

I stopped fighting and stared at him coldly.

"Yes. I want to die. Are you happy now?"

Jaxon's composure shattered.

He let go of my hands but stayed straddling me, keeping me on the ground.

"Why?" His voice was laced with pain. "For my bastard brother?"

"What's it to you?"

"Of course it's something to me!" Jaxon suddenly blurted out. "Christine, why won't you ever look at me? Why are you so focused on a man who doesn't love you?"

I froze.

He blushed, looking like a flustered teenager.

"He's not the only wolf in this pack," Jaxon mumbled, his gaze dropping to the ground. "There are… other choices."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm saying I…" He took a deep breath. "Damn it, I shouldn't be doing this right now..."

"Shouldn't be doing what?" I stared into his eyes.

Jaxon looked like he was about to suffocate.

He opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"Forget it." I pushed him off. "Take me back. I won't jump again."

At least, not tonight.

Dying in his presence… did the witch mean I just had to be near him? Or did he have to be watching?

Jaxon let out a long sigh of relief.

He stood up and offered me a hand.

I ignored it and got up on my own.

The walk back to the pack house was silent.

It wasn't until we were almost at the entrance that Jaxon spoke. "You need to know," he said, his voice low and tight.

"What is it?"

"Ridley already spun his version of tonight's events to the elders. He's claiming you abandoned your post, and that's why you were captured by the Red Fangs."

I stopped in my tracks.

"He said what?"

"He told the elders you failed your duty as Luna, that you ran from danger and abandoned your pack members," Jaxon said, his voice full of rage. "He said you had it coming."

I couldn't help but laugh.

A laugh that turned into a sob.

"Christine?" Jaxon looked at me, worried.

"I'm fine," I wiped my tears. "I just find it funny."

Funny that it took me this long to see Ridley for who he truly was.

We walked into the pack house.

Soft voices drifted from the living room.

"Yolia, does your arm still hurt?" Ridley’s voice was full of concern.

"Much better, thank you for finding this blood moon herb," Yolia’s voice was sweet and delicate. "It's so rare, you shouldn't have wasted it on me..."

"It's not a waste," Ridley cut her off. "You're the most precious member of our pack."

Leo's voice piped up, "Auntie Yolia, that smells so good! Mama never uses nice stuff like that on me."

"That's because your mother doesn't love you the way she should," Yolia cooed. "But don't worry, sweet boy. Your Auntie Yolia will always take care of you."

Jaxon and I stood in the doorway, taking in the cozy scene.

Ridley was kneeling in front of the sofa, carefully applying the blood moon herb to the shallow scratch on Yolia's arm.

That herb was worth at least a hundred thousand dollars, if you could even find it.

Leo sat beside Yolia, dutifully pouring her a cup of tea.

And I, their Luna and mother, stood in the doorway of my own home with a bloody scab on my face and tattered clothes, looking like a beggar.

Ridley looked up and saw us.

His expression changed instantly. The tenderness vanished, replaced by cold disgust.

"Christine." He stood up and pulled a document from his suit pocket. "You're just in time."

He threw the papers at me. They hit my face, the edge of the paper cutting my lip.

"Read it," Ridley's voice was ice. "The elders' report on your conduct tonight."

I picked up the document and scanned it.

It was full of accusations: dereliction of duty, desertion in the face of the enemy, endangering the pack…

Every single one was a lie.

"Who are these witnesses?" I asked.

"Pack members who saw you run," Ridley pointed to the signatures at the bottom. "Thirteen of them testified."

I looked at the names. They were all Yolia’s supporters.

"What a coincidence." I tore the document in half.

Ridley's eyes flashed gold.

"Christine! How dare you…"

"Dare what?" I met his gaze. "Dare to tear up a stack of lies? Or dare to question the coward who threw his own mate to the wolves?"

The air in the room went still.

Yolia covered her mouth in mock horror. "Christine, how could you say that? Ridley was only trying to protect Leo..."

"Shut up," I turned to her. "It's not your place to tell me how to speak to my husband."

Leo suddenly shot to his feet, his little face red with anger. "Don't you yell at Auntie Yolia!"

Ridley strode over to me, looming over me.

He pointed a finger in my face, his voice low and furious. "Christine! Is this fun for you? Humiliating the entire pack just to get attention? If this little stunt of yours affects Yolia's performance as my Beta, I swear you'll answer to the elders!"