Chapter 5

A trace of reluctance flashed in Fred's eyes. But Sophia immediately started crying, pulling his arm with a face full of self-blame.

"Fred, blame me if you have to. I didn't hold it securely."

Sam provoked from the sidelines.

"Are you satisfied? You've practically driven my cousin to death!"

Fred shook off my hand. I lost my balance and hit my head on the corner of the coffee table. The palm of my hand was slashed deeply by a moonstone shard.

"You are the one at fault here. If I don't teach you a lesson, you'll always just shirk your responsibilities ." He spoke coldly, giving the order into the phone. "Bulldoze that ruined cabin at the edge of the territory entirely. Do not leave a single piece of wood."

The roar of machinery and the loud crash of a collapsing house came through the phone.

My mind went blank. I suddenly remembered how, just days ago, Fred had held me in his arms, patiently teaching me how to repair the cabin. He stayed up with me for three nights, drawing blueprint after blueprint. He had vowed that once it was fixed, he would go to my dad's grave, kneel, and ask him to comfortably entrust his daughter to him.

Liar! A complete and utter liar!

The Warriors held me down, forcing me to kneel on the broken stones for five hours. My knees were torn up, hurting with every slight movement. They wiped the fingers that had touched me with disgusted gestures, tossing me aside like garbage. I collapsed on the floor, listening to their insults.

"Screwed by the Alpha for nine years, and she's still just a shameful outlet for his lust?"

My phone vibrated frantically; it was messages from Sophia. In the photos, she was wearing the white gown I had stayed up all night picking out. On her finger was the pink diamond ring Fred had specially flown to Paris to have custom-made for her.

"Thank you for getting all this ready for me; Fred has already promised me that he will make me the Pack Luna."

She was lying on the marriage bed Fred and I had picked out together. Her neck and collarbones were covered in glaring hickeys.

The next second, a Pack news pop-up notified everyone of Fred and Sophia's upcoming engagement.

The entire Pack was laughing at me. They said I followed the Alpha around like a female dog for nine years, only to end up with no title at all. Some even said Fred never had his eye on me, and that I was the one stripping naked and throwing myself at him.

The phone rang again; it was Fred.

"Sophia's ex-husband is bothering her again; the engagement ceremony is just a formality ." "Once Sophia's situation stabilizes, I will marry you as my Luna."