Chapter 5

WINTER

"That's my clothes and my jewelry you're wearing! Take them off!" My voice rose.

I was failing to keep my composure. Since I caught them together two days ago I’d been trying to stay rational and wait for the right moment to confront them. I didn’t want to explode and make a fool of myself. But now I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

"Hell! Get your hands off me! Are you insane?" Crystal snapped, shoving me away. "And what did you just say, Winter? Your clothes? Your jewelry? As if Kallias didn’t give these to me himself. Ask him if you don’t believe it!"

The moment the words left her mouth, my eyes widened even more.

I remembered the night Kallias gave me that jewelry. He had kissed my hand, whispering to the Goddess how deeply he loved me, how grateful he was to have me as his Luna.

And now, I find out he gave the same damn thing to Crystal. I didn’t even want to imagine if he whispered those to her too.

My mate and my friend, all this time, behind my back...

"Why, Crystal? I considered you my sister but you’ve..." My voice trembled "let yourself be Kallias' whore all this time?

"Whore?" She barked, fists curling at her sides. "You’re the whore. I mean so much more to him. So much more than you ever have and than you ever could."

I shook my head, heartbreak colliding in my chest.

What Kallias said to her that night in his room came rushing back to me. He told Crystal he wanted a pup from her, he never said that to me. Not even once.

A devil in the back of my mind whispered that Crystal might be telling the truth.

"And I want you to remember this," Crystal said, stepping closer, "What happened between Kallias and me has been going on far longer than you think. You were the one who came between us. But Selene has proven that what’s truly mine will never be taken away. So accept it, Winter. Accept that your mate was never truly yours all this time."

A slow, cruel smile curved across her lips as she watched the color drain from my face.

Then she stepped back. The staircase loomed behind her.

My eyes shot wide open.

“Cryst-” I began,

But it was too late.

Her sharp gasp pierced the air just before her body slipped and then tumbled down the stairs.

-----

The pack’s healer had left about half an hour ago. After a thorough check, she assured us that Crystal was fine. There are no serious injuries that could threaten her life. I allowed myself a small breath of relief.

The news of her fall spread through the castle so quickly. I didn’t know how it reached Kallias so fast, but somehow it did. He came rushing home not long after despite being at the border. Then again I remember it was about Crystal, he would find a way to be here quickly.

“Open your eyes, Crystal. Please,” Kallias whispered gently.

Pain arose inside my chest as I watched my husband clutch Crystal’s hand and bring it slowly to his lips.

“Kallias,” I finally found my voice, hoarse and raw with unshed tears. “She needs to rest for now. She’ll wake up soon. If you don't mind i need a moment of your time to talk-"

He looked up and our eyes met.

The softness in his expression vanished.

In a flash, Kallias was in front of me. I barely had time to process before he slammed me hard against the wall. His hand gripped my shoulders, pinning me in place.

“I-It hurts, Kallias,” I whispered.

“You heartless woman,” The man who always looks into my eyes with warmth and love now shows nothing but a disgusted look. “What did Crystal ever do to you that made you shove her down the stairs?!”

“I didn’t-"

“Shut the fuck up, Winter!” He roared, cutting me off. “Every eyewitness heard you screaming at her just before it happened. And one of my guards saw you stumbling back into the pack drunk out of your mind!”

He pressed me harder into the wall and my breath hitched.

“What kind of Luna does that? Drinking outside, causing a scene, acting like a lunatic bitch? I’m ashamed of you, Winter. Not just as your Alpha but as your husband.”

For a moment, I could only stare at him. My chest is rising and falling.

Then, everything I’d been holding in since two days ago burst to the surface.

I shoved Kallias back with all the strength I had. He staggered, caught off guard.

“You’re ashamed of me because I drank to cope?" I snarled back, "Then tell me, what the hell should I feel when my mate has been screwing around with my maid behind my back? When he tells her he wants a pup from her?"

His eyes widened, mouth parting as if to deny it. Before he realized it was too late.

“You know about that…” Kallias breathed, his voice faltering.

“You’re a disgusting piece of shit!” The words flew out of me before I could stop them. I didn’t regret it.

His expression twisted, eyes darkening. A low growl I recognize too well rumbled in his chest as his pupils changed color. His wolf had heard my insult and now it was furious.

Kallias took a step toward me, his claws elongated. Toward me, his mate.

“Kallias?”

Crystal’s voice sliced through the tension.

He froze mid-step.

I saw his claws retracted slowly and the wildness in his eyes began to fade. Her voice soothed him, pulling his human side back from the edge. On the bed, Crystal had woken. She pushed herself up carefully and slid down.

“What happened?” Crystal asked with her fragile voice as her gaze flicked between the two of us, wide and innocent.

“Crystal?” Kallias rushed to her side like he’d been summoned by a spell. “Goddess! You’ve regained consciousness? Thank you, Selene.”

I stood frozen watching as he pulled her delicate form against his chest. Then Kallias moved to lift her, his arms curling around her waist like she was something precious,

Crystal reached up and touched his face gently, “I’m alright, Kallias.”

“No, Crystal. You need to lie still."

The door creaked open and our pack’s healer entered the room. She glanced at Kallias and Crystal then turned to me with a soft, almost pitying smile.

My stomach twisted. I knew something that would break me all over again was coming.

“Lady Crystal, please lie back down,” Gretta said gently, “You need more rest after what happened. It’s not good for the baby if you're on your feet so soon.”

Baby?

“What?” Kallias breathed, “What did you say, Gretta? B-baby?”

Beside him, Crystal blinked in surprise.

I stood there, feeling like the ceiling had caved in on me.

Crystal is pregnant?

Kallias' smile hit like a blade straight to my chest.

Gretta nodded solemnly, “Yes, Alpha Kallias. Congratulations.”