CHAPTER 05: The Bond and the Betrayal

Lily’s POV

Midnight had long settled over the pack lands, wrapping everything in a thick, quiet darkness. The hustle of the day had finally died down, leaving only the soft rustle of leaves and the distant hoot of an owl. I sat on the cold ground just outside the small shed they called my quarters, my knees pulled tight against my chest, letting the silence swallow me whole.

This was the only time I had to myself. The only time no one was yelling orders, no one was throwing insults or garbage, no one was pushing me around like I was less than dirt. During the day, I had to keep my head down, keep my mouth shut, and work until my hands were raw and my back ached so bad I could barely stand straight. But here, in the dark, I could let it all out.

Sometimes I whispered my feelings to the wind how tired I was, how much I missed my parents, how heavy it felt to be treated like I didn’t deserve to breathe just because I was born an Omega, just because my wolf hadn’t shown itself yet. I told the stars how it hurt to walk past people who looked at me like I was a criminal, like I was something dirty they wanted to wipe off their shoes. Most days, I wondered if this was all my life would ever be: scrubbing floors, eating scraps, and waiting for a kindness that never came.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm the tightness in my throat, when something drifted through the air.

It was a scent warm, fresh, and so nice it made me pause mid-sigh. It smelled like cool peppermint mixed with rich, deep wood, like walking through a quiet forest after rain. It was clean and strong and strangely comforting, wrapping around me like a soft blanket. I’d never smelled anything like it before.

I lifted my head, looking around. The darkness was thick, but the scent was getting stronger, pulling me in like a thread. Curiosity mixed with something else something I couldn’t quite name made me stand up. I followed it slowly, stepping carefully over roots and stones, moving away from the pack houses and toward the edge of the woods.

Before long, I saw it: the shimmer of water under the moonlight. A small, clear lake sat nestled between the trees, its surface so still it looked like glass. And standing right at the edge, looking out over the water, was a man.

His back was turned to me, but even from here, I could tell he was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in dark clothes that blended almost perfectly with the night. The scent was strongest right here, wrapping around me completely, making my heart beat faster in a way that didn’t feel like fear.

Then, a voice soft, but clear as a bell echoed inside my own head.

Mate.

My breath caught in my throat. I froze, my eyes going wide. Did I hear that right? It sounded like a woman’s voice, gentle but sure, speaking right inside my mind. And then, something stirred deep within my chest a warmth I’d never felt before, a presence that had been sleeping for as long as I could remember suddenly waking up.

Mate, the voice said again, clearer this time, filled with joy and recognition.

My wolf. After all these years, after everyone saying I was broken or useless, my wolf had finally appeared. And she was telling me that the man standing a few feet away was…

“Mate?” I whispered out loud, my voice shaking.

At the sound of my voice, the man turned around.

The moonlight hit his face, and my blood ran cold even as my heart raced. It was Jazzen.

His handsome face was usually so composed, but right now, shock was written all over it. His dark eyes went wide, staring at me like he was seeing a ghost. Then, just as quickly as it came, the shock melted away, replaced by something much colder hard, sharp hatred.

He stepped toward me in two long strides, closing the distance fast, and before I could even take a step back, his hands shot out and grabbed my shoulders. His grip was tight, almost painful, his fingers digging into my skin through my thin tunic.

“You can’t be my mate,” he said, his voice low and rough, like he was forcing the words out through gritted teeth. There was no warmth in it, no trace of the bond that was singing inside my chest. Only disgust.

I stared up into his raven-dark eyes, confused and hurting. “But… I felt it. My wolf just woke up, and she said ”

“Quiet!” he snapped, shaking me slightly. “Listen to me carefully. I don’t want anyone else knowing this. Do you understand? No one can ever find out that an Omega like you is my mate.”

“An Omega?” I repeated, my voice trembling. “But it’s the bond. The Moon Goddess chose”

“I don’t care what it is!” He cut me off sharply, his face twisting into a scowl. “I don’t want this. I have plans for this pack. I am going to be Alpha, and I will not be tied down to someone like you.”

My chest felt like it was being squeezed tight. It hurt so bad, this sharp, stabbing ache right over my heart, like something was breaking inside me. “But… you are my mate. Doesn’t that mean anything?”

He leaned closer, his eyes burning into mine, and his voice dropped to a dangerous growl. “Let me make this clear. If I hear even one word from anyone tomorrow if I so much as hear a rumor that you’re running around saying you’re my mate I will make sure you regret ever being born. I will banish you from this pack, or worse. Do not test me.”

He let go of my shoulders so suddenly I stumbled back a step. He looked at me one last time with pure disdain, then turned and walked away, disappearing into the shadows as quickly as he had come.

I stood there by the lake, alone again, my arms wrapped around myself. The scent was still in the air, but it no longer felt comforting it felt like a cruel joke. Tears burned my eyes, but I refused to let them fall just yet. I turned and ran, not back to my quarters, but deeper into the forest, until I found a big tree to lean against. And there, I finally let myself cry silent, shaking sobs that hurt more than any slap or kick ever could. My mate. The one person the Moon Goddess had made for me… hated me before he even knew me.

 

When the sun peeked over the treetops, I dragged myself back to the pack house. My eyes were puffy, but I splashed cold water on my face and tried to look as invisible as possible. Today was the big day Jazzen’s twenty first birthday, the day he officially became Alpha, and the day everyone was waiting to find out who his mate would be.

The whole place was already buzzing with activity. Everyone was moving fast, talking loud, carrying decorations and boxes of food. As Omegas, we were the first ones up, long before the sun was even fully up. We were the ones who did all the heavy lifting, all the cooking, all the cleaning, while everyone else got ready to dress up and enjoy the feast.

“Hey! You with the light hair! Stop standing there daydreaming and move!”

I looked up to see Mara, another Omega, her clothes worn and patched, her face lined with exhaustion. She wasn’t cruel, exactly just tired and scared of getting in trouble herself.

“Sorry,” I mumbled, bending down to pick up a pile of trash left near the kitchen entrance.

“Finish sweeping the main hall first, then start setting the plates. And don’t even think about taking a break until everything is perfect. If we mess up, none of us eat tonight,” she said, walking off to yell at someone else.

I nodded and got to work. My hands moved automatically sweeping, wiping, arranging, polishing while my mind was somewhere else. I kept thinking about last night, about the bond I felt, about the way Jazzen had looked at me like I was something he wanted to scrape off his boots. But then I thought about Catherine, and how she had hurt my parents, how she had framed me, how she was clinging to him like a leech.

She’s lying, I told myself firmly as I arranged silverware on the long wooden tables. She’s tricking him somehow. The Moon Goddess wouldn’t pair him with someone like her. She wouldn’t do that to me.

I clenched my jaw, my fingers tightening around the cloth I was using. The old anger started bubbling up inside me the anger I kept buried deep down. Catherine had taken everything from me: my parents, my home, my reputation. She wanted to take my mate too. I wasn’t going to let her win so easily.

“Look at this! Is the little Omega trying to act like she belongs here?”

That voice. I knew that voice better than my own.

I turned around slowly. There she was, standing in the doorway, looking like she owned the entire world. Catherine was wearing a stunning white ball gown, the fabric flowing down to her feet, with a huge silky ribbon tied right across her chest. She tossed her hair over her shoulder, walking in like she was already the Queen of the pack, swinging her hips exaggeratedly. She looked me up and down, from my worn-out clothes to my messy hair, and laughed a sharp, mean sound.

“Here you are, scrubbing floors and arranging plates,” she said, stepping closer. “I heard you’ve been praying or something. Hoping the Moon Goddess will make you Luna? Oh, that’s rich. You were born to serve, Lily. That’s all you’ll ever be. A servant. Don’t ever forget your place.”

I wiped my hands on my apron and stood up straight, looking her right in the eye. “We’ll see about that later. When the time comes, everyone will know the truth.”

Her smile dropped instantly. Her eyes narrowed, flashing with anger. “You! How dare you speak to me like that? You worthless little rat!”

Before I could react, she raised her hand and swung it hard across my face. Her nails were long and painted bright red, and they scratched against my skin as she hit me. The sting was sharp and hot, making my head snap to the side. I stumbled back a little, my hand flying up to cup my cheek, which was already throbbing.

I looked back at her, my eyes burning with a mix of pain and rage. “You can hit me all you want, Catherine. But it won’t change anything. I’m telling you—you’ll regret everything you’ve done.”

Her face twisted into something ugly. She stepped forward like she was going to hit me again, her hand raised, but then she stopped. She looked around, probably realizing there were other Omegas watching, and let her hand fall back to her side. A cold, fake smile spread across her face again.

“We’ll see who regrets what,” she hissed. “Enjoy cleaning while you can. Soon enough, you’ll be begging me for scraps.”

With that, she turned and walked away, her dress swishing behind her.

“Psychotic woman,” I muttered under my breath, touching my cheek gently. It was already starting to swell a little.

Once everything in the hall was arranged perfectly tables set, food prepared, decorations hung we were told we could go back to our quarters to rest, but we weren’t allowed anywhere near the main celebration. I walked slowly toward my small shed, my feet aching, and passed the empty spot where my old family home used to stand. A sharp pang hit my chest. I wished my mom and dad were here. They would have told me to be brave, to stand up for myself.

Somewhere deep in the woods, far away from the pack house, two figures stood hidden behind thick bushes. They were tall, their eyes glowing with a faint golden light even in the shadows. They watched everything happening down below, their faces serious and unreadable. They didn’t move, didn’t make a sound, just observed every single thing that went on.

 

Back at the pack grounds, the sun began to set, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple. Guests started arriving wolves from neighboring packs, dressed in their finest clothes, wearing jewelry and medals that showed off their status. They walked around laughing and talking, looking at the decorations, admiring the gold and silver streamers that hung from the ceiling of the grand hall.

We Omegas were ordered to stay away, hidden in the back areas. But I couldn’t just sit there. Not after what happened last night.

I waited until the noise got louder, until everyone was inside and the guards were busy greeting guests. Then I slipped around the side of the building, found a stack of extra servant uniforms, and changed into one. I pulled a simple mask over my face, covering my nose and mouth, and tucked my hair up under a cap. If I kept my head down and acted like I belonged, maybe no one would notice.

I slipped into the back of the hall, blending in with the other servers carrying trays of drinks. The room was huge, lit by hundreds of candles, looking even more beautiful than it had when I was cleaning it. The air smelled like flowers and expensive perfume.

“Can you believe it?” A voice said nearby. I glanced over to see a she-wolf in a tight red dress, laughing with her friends. It was Georgia Smith, the Gamma’s daughter another one who had been trying to get close to Jazzen for months. “I’m sure I’m the one meant for him. I’ve known him since we were kids.”

I ignored her and moved closer, staying near the wall. My heart was pounding hard against my ribs. What if he’s right? a small voice in my head whispered. What if I’m just making a fool of myself? But then I remembered the way Catherine had hit me, the way she had talked about my parents, the way she had lied to everyone. I shook my head. No. I couldn’t just stand back and let her take everything. I had to try.

“May I have everyone’s attention, please!”

A loud voice boomed through the hall, making everyone quiet down. An older wolf, the pack’s Beta, stood at the front near the stage. “It is my honor to introduce to you all the future Alpha of our pack, celebrating his twenty first birthday today! Please welcome… Jazzen Winter!”

Everyone clapped and cheered loudly. The doors at the back opened, and Jazzen walked in. He looked breathtaking in his dark suit, his hair neat, his posture proud and strong. Everyone’s eyes were on him.

I stood there, my hands clenched into fists, watching him. Today is my birthday too, I realized suddenly. I had completely forgotten. All the pain and trouble had made me lose track of time. But right now, that didn’t matter.

Jazzen walked up to the front and turned to face the crowd. He raised a hand, and the noise slowly died down.

“Thank you all for coming,” he said, his voice deep and confident, carrying easily across the room. “This day is important to me. Not just because I come of age, but because I have something very special to share with everyone.”

He paused, looking out over the crowd, and a small, cold smile touched his lips. “I have felt the bond. I know who the Moon Goddess has chosen for me. I am proud to introduce to you all… my mate, and the future Luna of this pack Catherine Lee!”

The room erupted in cheers again. My blood turned to ice in my veins. I watched as Catherine stepped forward, her white dress glowing in the candlelight. She walked right up to Jazzen, smiling like she had just won the biggest prize in the world.

“Oh, Jazzen,” she said, her voice sweet and fake, loud enough for everyone to hear. “I am so happy. I always knew it was meant to be. I promise I will be the best Luna for this pack, and I will love you forever.”

She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down into a deep, passionate kiss, right there in front of everyone.

A sharp, burning pain shot through my chest so strong it made me gasp and grab onto the wall for support. It felt like someone had driven a knife straight through my heart. I stared at them, my vision blurring with tears. No. This can’t be happening. It’s a lie.

I couldn’t just stand there and watch. If I didn’t say anything now, she would win. She would get everything she wanted, and no one would ever know the truth.

I pushed off the wall and walked straight toward the center of the room. People turned to look at me, whispering as I moved past them. I stopped right in front of Jazzen and Catherine, my hands shaking but my voice as loud and clear as I could make it.

“Stop this! I am the real mate!” I shouted. “Jazzen, why are you lying? Did she threaten you? Did she blackmail you? You know I’m telling the truth! I felt it last night! Why are you doing this?”

The whole room went dead silent. Everyone stared at me, shocked. Catherine pulled away from Jazzen, her face turning red with rage.

“You!” she screamed, pointing a shaking finger at me. “You lying little thief! How dare you interrupt this? You think anyone would believe you? You’re just an Omega with no family, no status, and you can’t even shift properly! You tried to kill Jazzen everyone knows that! Why are you making up such stupid lies?”

“I’m not lying!” I yelled back, looking around at all the confused faces. “I swear on the Moon Goddess herself! Last night, my wolf woke up, and I felt the bond. I know it’s real. Someone is tricking him! Someone is making him think it’s you!”

Murmurs started spreading through the crowd. Some looked confused, others looked angry, some looked like they didn’t know what to believe.

Jazzen stepped forward, his face dark with fury. He looked down at me like I was something disgusting. “You are completely delusional,” he said coldly. “There is no bond between us. You are just making this up to get attention. Look at yourself. You think you are worthy of standing beside me? You are nothing but an Omega. You don’t even have a wolf. You are useless.”

His words were like daggers, cutting deep into my heart. But I didn’t back down. “But I felt it! It’s real! How can you deny it? Aren’t you afraid of angering the Moon Goddess by lying like this?”

“I am not lying,” he snapped. “You are just a foolish girl who has lost her mind. Get out of here before you cause more trouble.”

Catherine laughed, a high, cruel sound. “Hear that? You’re just imagining things. Now get out of my sight before I have you thrown in the dungeons again.”

She stepped closer, her face twisted with hatred, and raised her hand. Before I could move, she slapped me hard across the other cheek. It stung just as bad as the first one, making my head ring.

“How many times do I have to tell you?” she hissed. “You are nothing! Stop ruining my moment, you little bitch!”

Tears spilled over, but I wiped them away quickly, my voice cracking but still strong. “I will not leave! I am his mate! You are the one who’s lying! You planned everything you hurt my parents, you shot Jazzen, you framed me! You’re the one who doesn’t belong here!”

The whispering got louder. Jazzen’s face turned into a mask of pure rage. He stepped forward and grabbed a handful of my hair, yanking my head back painfully. I cried out, grabbing at his wrist, but his grip was too strong.

“Enough of this nonsense,” he growled. He raised his leg and kicked me hard in the stomach. The force sent me flying backward, and I hit the stone floor with a heavy thud. I heard a sharp cracking sound maybe my ribs, maybe something else and the air was knocked right out of my lungs. I gasped, curling up on my side, the pain spreading through my whole body.

Jazzen stood over me, looking down without a single trace of pity. “Take her away,” he ordered coldly. “Throw her in the cells. She is a danger to the pack.”

Two large guards stepped forward, grabbing my arms roughly and dragging me away as the crowd stared. I looked back one last time, seeing Catherine standing there with a victorious smile, and Jazzen looking away like I didn’t even exist.

But as they dragged me out of the hall, I felt that strange, warm tingle again right on my arm, where the golden crown mark lay hidden. And somewhere deep in the darkness, those two pairs of golden eyes watched, and waited.