Chapter 1: The betrayal

Olivia’s POV

"Long live The Luna" I was hurt badly by what I heard, each cheer twisting the knife deeper. I trembled, clutching my dress beside me, my stomach churning with bitterness. I couldn't breathe properly.

I spun around, staring at the stage where Damien stood, his gaze avoiding mine. Beside him, Brielle wore the ceremonial robes of Luna, her smile bright and victorious. My legs shook beneath me.

This is not real. It can’t be real. Last night, Damien had held me close, whispering promises against my hair as he slept with me. "You are mine, Olivia. I will make you my Luna, only you." I had believed him, given him everything — my body, my heart, my trust.

But now, in front of the entire pack, he’s giving the title that should have been mine to someone else. The betrayal was too much to bear. A  bitter scream rose from my throat, and I stepped forward.

"Damien," my voice was loud enough to be heard amidst the music gaining everyone's attention. The music stopped, and laughter died. Every head turned towards me. My body trembled, but I didn't back down.

"Damien," I whispered, my voice shaking. "You promised I’ll be your Luna. You promised me while taking me passionately!”. A ripple of gasps spread through the hall. Brielle stiffened beside him, a flicker of surprise in her eyes before she hid it behind a smirk.

"Did you believe that?" Damien's voice was sharp and mocking. He tilted his head, watching me with amusement. My stomach twisted violently.

"Did you think I would make you my Luna?" A cruel chuckle escaped his lips. "An Omega?" The murmurs around us grew louder. My vision blurred, my pulse roaring in my ears.

"You swore to me!You gave me your word!An alpha’s word!”  I shouted heartbreakingly, the words barely escaping my lips. Damien's expression didn't change. "I was being kind to you," he said smoothly. "I gave you attention when no one else would. I let you into my bed, let you believe you were special."

He paused, his eyes darkening. "But don't mistake my kindness for something more." My entire body went cold.

"You were nothing but a distraction," he continued. "You are weak, Olivia, you are not even a full wolf. What kind of alpha would curse His Luna?" A sharp painful gasp slipped from my lips.

I felt like I'd been punched in the stomach. Did he just call me a weak omega? He knew how much the words hurt, and still, he stood in front of me, piercing a blade into my already swollen wound.

I couldn't breathe. My throat felt tight. My chest ached as I struggled to make sense of what was happening. I searched his face for something, anything that could give me hope, but there was nothing.

Tears burned my eyes. I turned and walked away, not waiting for the ceremony to end. I didn't stop to see their reaction. I couldn't see through my tears as I made my way to the back of the palace.

My legs gave out, and I sank to the ground, betrayal racking through my body. It hurt, he was my world, and he destroyed me.

As I stood there, a soft chuckle broke through my cries. "Pathetic!" I froze. I didn't have to look up to know who it was. 

Brielle approached me, her voice dripping with mockery. "Pathetic!" she taunted, her tone grinning smugly. “You thought he loved you? You were nothing but a warm body to him."

I tightened my fists, trying to hold my emotions. Brielle continued to mock me, her words cutting deep. "You should show respect to your Luna," she sneered. "You are nothing without Damien's protection."

In a surge of anger, I stood up, my eyes locked on hers. "You are not my Luna," I replied angrily, my nails digging into my skin.  Brielle's eyes flashed with anger, and she ordered, "Kneel before me, Olivia."

"Never!" I bellowed defiantly, my eyes bloodshot, a storm raging inside me. "You are not my Luna and I'll never kneel to you! Go seek that respect from whoever cares to offer it!"

Brielle's face twisted with rage. "If you won't kneel then I'll force you!" She lunged at me, grabbing my arm, but I instinctively yanked it back.  Brielle stumbled and fell.

Before I could react, Damien appeared, his eyes narrowing as he took in the scene. Brielle, quick to manipulate the situation, cried out, "She pushed me to the floor and tried to beat me up! If you hadn't intervened, she would have climbed on top of me and assaulted me!"

Her accusation hung in the air. I knew the truth, but would Damien believe me?

I wasn’t surprised by Brielle’s accusation. She has always wanted me dead, but what shatters my heart is he betrayed me because of her.

Damien's gaze swung towards me, a deep frown showing in his face. He believed her. Damien believed I would try to do such a thing?. 

“You aren’t believing her, are you?” A sad chuckle rolls off my throat. A part of me wishes I’m the one misinterpreting the look on his face.

But Damien’s response was more like a decree hitting me like a brutal punch, "You do know the consequences of harming a royalty, don't you?" he said, his voice calm but grave.

"It's treason, and it's punishable by death..." He stepped closer, his eyes holding a mix of emotions. "But consider this my last act of kindness towards you, Olivia. Leave the Pack and never return."

My pulse stopped. Damien’s declaration felt like a blow, leaving me breathless.

“Did I just hear wrong?”

“What?”

"You are banished," Damien declared, his voice sharper this time.

The guards stepped forward, grabbing me with rough hands. I thrashed against them, my breath coming out in sharp agony.

"Take her to her quarters," Damien ordered, his gaze withdrawn from me.

As the guard dragged me away, I begged, "Damien, please...you can't do this." But Damien watched me in silence, his expression unreadable