Two.

/-Crystal-/

I could barely contain my excitement as I raced to my room. My heart felt like it might burst, my cheeks aching from the smile I couldn’t suppress. 

I could still feel his lips against mine. Soft, demanding and totally mind-blowing. 

Those beautiful green eyes were all I could think about. I didn't even remember all about my duty. I was so focused on getting to my room to prepare for the engagement party. 

One that I wasn't invited to, of course, but I guess that was going to change since I was about to become the future Luna.

Margret, the head maid, trailed after me, her stern voice cutting through my thoughts. “Crystal! Where are you running off to? There’s still work to be done—”

I stopped in my tracks, whipping my head around to face her, “I'm sorry, ma'am, but I will have to skip today. The Alpha asked me to get ready for our engagement party.”

At first, shock clouded her expression then she laughed. A long, taunting, wicked laughter and it pissed me off.

“Let's see if you will be laughing this hard when I become Luna,” I said coldly.

The shock on her face was immensely satisfying. She backed off, muttering under her breath as I shut the door to my room with finality.

The shower water was cold, but it didn’t bother me. I felt invincible, glowing from the inside out. It felt like I was living a dream. All my years of suffering were finally going to come to an end. I slipped into the gown I’d carefully chosen—a soft blue dress that hugged my curves and sparkled faintly under the light. 

It was the only dress I could afford to get for myself. Not entirely befitting for the future Luna but it was going to do just fine.

As the minutes ticked by, I could hear the hum of the engagement ceremony below. My pulse quickened as I smoothed out my dress and took one last look in the mirror. I was nervous but it was expected. I mean, a slave like me was going to be announced as the Alpha’s mate before everyone. 

“You’ve got this, Crystal. Go out there and wow then with your confidence and beauty,” I gave myself a little pep talk. 

I couldn't wait to hear him compliment me. He will be so stunned to see my little glow-up. At least, other servants were. 

“Isn’t that Crystal?”

“Did she hit her head somewhere? Why is she walking like she owns the place?”

“Is he hoping to catch a man at the party to take her home? Cleaning is just not enough, she wants to be a slut too.”

I ignored the whispers and focused on going downstairs. They would certainly eat their words when Dane engages me. 

However, when I descended the stairs into the grand hall, the sight that greeted me made me stop dead in my tracks.

It was Dane and Ellie. On his lap.

Their lips locked, oblivious to the world around them. What is going on here? Why was he kissing her?

 The announcer’s voice rang out, a cruel echo in my ears.

“Alpha Dane is officially engaged to Ellie.”

I couldn’t breathe. My chest tightened as the world tilted beneath my feet. My vision blurred, tears threatening to spill as the crowd erupted into applause.

Engaged to her? How? Why? What about me? What about earlier?

“Dane!” I screamed, my voice cracking as it carried through the hall. All eyes snapped to me, but I didn’t care. “What are you you doing? You are supposed to be engaged to me.”

Gasps followed my words.

“What is this lunatic talking about?” The Luna's harsh words started me, but I was more focused on the man who crushed my heart to a thousand pieces. 

He looked up at me, unbothered, his green eyes cold and distant. The warmth I’d seen in them just hours ago was gone.

“Crystal,” he said with a mocking lilt, brushing Ellie’s hair aside as she giggled. “Don’t make a scene. It’s embarrassing.”

I stepped closer, trembling with fury. “Embarrassing? What about the promises you made? What about our bond? You can't just do this to me?!”

An amused expression crossed his face. “Promises? You seriously didn't believe all that did you? What made you think a mere slave like you could be my Luna?” 

“Dane, you don’t mean that,” I whispered, my voice breaking. I was on the verge of bursting into tears. This had to be a cruel dream. An imagination!

“I do,” he said coldly. “Accept it, Crystal. Move on.”

“But our bond…”

“What useless bond?” Alpha Bennett snapped and I flinched. He had been watching the scenes silently until now. 

“Don't work yourself up, father. Especially not over such a worthless thing. Let's focus on the most important things,” Dane said. 

“Oh come on, baby, don't be too harsh on her,” Elle said with mock sweetness. She liked to pretend to be this sweet, innocent one before everyone when she was, in fact, a demon to me.

Danes cold eyes locked with mine, “For the record, I, Dane stonewood, reject you, Crystal whatever-your-last-name-is, as my mate!” 

The wave of pain that hit me at that moment had me crashing to the ground and whimpering. My wolf howled out in pain, but no one cared. 

So I ran. The humiliation, the pain—it was unbearable. I ran up the stairs, past the curious stares and hushed mocking whispers, slamming my bedroom door shut.

The tears came fast and hard, my sobs muffled by the pillow I clutched. I felt like a fool—used, discarded, and humiliated in front of everyone.

How could he do this to me? Why was I not good enough for him? Why? I don't know how long I cried, but my eyes were hurting me so bad that I was certain they were swollen.

A knock at the door startled me, but before I could respond, it swung open. Ellie sauntered in, her perfect smile twisted into a cruel sneer, and Margaret followed close behind.

“What do you want?” I managed, my voice hoarse. Couldn't I just have a few minutes to myself to vent and cry myself to sleep? Did they have to add to my pain?

Ellie leaned against the doorframe, twirling a syringe between her fingers. “Oh, poor little Crystal. Did you really think you had a chance?”

A wave of shame hit me and I avoided her eyes. 

“You really thought you could steal my man, didn't you? You were already going round the palace telling everyone you would be Luna,’’ Ellie laughed. “How pathetic is that?”

Margret chimed in, her voice dripping with contempt. “I told you, didn’t I? A slave like you should never forget her place.”

My chest tightened as I fought back the tears. I already learnt my lesson, they didn't have to rub in my face. 

“I… I'm sorry…” I apologized because there was simply nothing else I could do or say to them. I just wanted the ground to open up and swallow me. Anything to escape this humiliating moment.

Ellie stepped closer, her smile widening. “You see, Dane can only belong to one woman, Crystal and that is me! Don’t worry, dear, he told me all about your encounter in the forest and I thought it was cute, until of course you decided to cause a scene at my engagement party.”

My breath caught my throat. She knew about everything? Did they plan it? Oh goddess! 

“We’ll make sure you don’t ruin the ceremony any further,” Ellie said suddenly, snapping me out of my miserable thoughts. 

Before I could ask what she meant or even react, she lunged, jabbing the needle into my arm. The sharp pain was nothing compared to the cold that spread through my veins. I tried to struggle but my mistress grabbed me, holding me in place. 

“No…” I gasped, my vision fading as I slumped to the floor.

Their laughter was the last thing I heard before darkness swallowed me whole.