Chapter 4

Drums thundered like a heartbeat. The Luna Ceremony had begun.

The plaza was packed with Alphas and nobles from every territory. They were here to see a new Luna crowned. And to watch me, the forsaken mate, take my final, pathetic bow.

Ethan stood on the altar in his perfectly tailored black Alpha suit, radiating power. Bella was beside him, her face veiled, but her eyes gleaming with the thrill of her victory.

"Let's welcome the former mate, Harper, to the stage to complete the final rites!" the Elder announced.

The gates opened, and I walked out in a drab, gray robe of submission.

I kept my head down, my steps slow, hiding every bit of my fire beneath its humiliating folds.

A wave of hushed snickers and cruel whispers rolled through the crowd.

"Look at her. That's what she deserves to be wearing."

"Pathetic. Dumped and still has to show up to this."

"Serves her right. Too weak for our Alpha."

The words were like needles, but I forced myself to endure them.

My plan was simple.

I wouldn't step down. I would expose the truth.

I would reject Ethan in front of everyone. And I would watch the backlash tear his power away, leaving him in agony.

And then I would wait for Rogan to arrive. For the real celebration to begin.

I could feel his power drawing near.

I walked up the altar steps and pulled the cold Moon Stone from my robe. The moon climbed the sky, bathing everything in silver light.

The window for the ritual was about to close, and Bella was getting impatient. She strode up to me, holding out her hand. "What are you waiting for?" she snarled through our mind link. "Hand over the Moon Stone and kneel!"

Just then, she snatched a black wooden box from an attendant and waved it in my face.

"Look what I have," her mental voice dripped with sick excitement. "Look familiar? Ethan just made empty threats yesterday. But me? I follow through."

My blood ran cold.

It was Lily's urn.

His threat from last night… I never thought she'd actually do it.

"Don't you touch her!" My mind screamed with rage. "Bella, I swear to you, don't you touch her!"

"Oh? Are you scared now?" Her mental laugh was gleeful. "Then give me the stone. Or I can't promise I won't 'accidentally' drop this."

Her threat was a blade to my throat. I looked at the urn, and my entire plan teetered on the edge of chaos.

"Fine… I'll give it to you," I forced the words out, slowly extending the Moon Stone.

The moment Bella's fingers closed around the stone, I reached for the urn.

But she "casually" tilted her wrist.

Clatter.

The black box slipped from her grasp and hit the cold stone altar. The lid popped open.

A gust of wind swept across the stage.

Gray-white ashes… a cloud of hopeless dust… lifted into the cold night air and scattered.

"NO—!"

A raw scream tore from my throat. I lunged forward, my hands shaking, desperately trying to catch the last fading specks.

But my fingers closed on nothing.

My only family. The sister I swore I'd protect. And now, even her ashes were gone, scattered in this filthy place.

Lily's bright smile, her last terrified cries… they flooded my mind.

Why did I stay in this hell for a mate who didn't love me? Why couldn't I even protect her last shred of dignity?

Regret and agony crashed over me like a tidal wave.

Ethan frowned. He clearly had no idea what just happened. He looked at the empty box and the dissipating dust. "What is that?" he asked Bella, confused.

It seemed Bella had used some kind of dark magic. No one but me could sense Lily's presence.

"Just some ceremonial moonlight dust," Bella answered dismissively. She turned to the crowd, raising the Moon Stone high. "My beloved pack, from this day forward, I will—"

"Wait."

A voice that was cold, raw, and clawed its way up from hell cut her off.

I slowly pushed myself up from the ground.

All my tears were gone. All that was left was a dead, raging calm.

Ethan's eyes narrowed with impatience. "Harper, stop making a scene. The ceremony is not over."

"You're right," I smiled, a chilling, soulless smile. "It's not over."

In that instant, the Royal blood in my veins erupted.

RRRRIP—!

The gray robe of submission was torn to shreds by an invisible force, fluttering away like dead leaves.

And beneath it was a flash of blinding, blood-red silk.

"You…" Bella stared at me in horror, like she was looking at a ghost that had clawed its way out of the grave.

I walked toward her, my eyes empty of everything but a burning fire.

"I told you not to touch her. Now, it's your turn."

I raised my foot and slammed it into her knee.

"Ah!"

Bella shrieked, tumbling down the altar steps. The expensive Luna Tiara clattered to the ground, shattering.

"Bella!" Ethan roared, lunging to help her, but my next words froze him in place.

"Is this your chosen Luna? A manipulative murderer who'd do anything for power?"

I turned to the stunned crowd.

"You all want to know the truth? Then open your eyes and watch!"

（卡）