Chapter 2

‘He’s crazy!’ My wolf growled.

“Don’t pretend, Auretta.” Andrew stared at me even more sharply as if his gaze could bore a hole through my head.

“I know what you’ve been doing with your warrior!” Andrew raised his voice as his chest heaved with emotion.

“Why are you accusing me of betraying you?” I asked in confusion. I didn’t understand why he suddenly said such a ridiculous thing.

“I have proof.” His voice was as cold as his gaze.

“I swear to the Moon Goddess, I did not betray you.”

“Don’t lie!” Andrew growled.

Trembling, I put my hand on my chest, trying to gain his trust. “Ask my wolf. She wouldn’t lie.”

I struggled to stand on my shaking legs as I hugged Alaric tightly. I swallowed hard several times.

Andrew was terrifying. I summoned Beta Duncan via mind link to protect me from Andrew, who could go on a rampage anytime.

“Your wolf could have covered up your lie.” Andrew hissed sharply.

“I know I’m rarely home. My wolf is often busy training and attacking enemies.” I could see a glimpse of guilt in his black eyes.

“But why did you cheat on me? Why did you seek comfort with another man behind my back?!” The veins on his neck stood out, and Andrew’s face grew redder as if the fire of anger that enveloped him was ready to devour me.

I wanted to speak, but the words were choked in my throat. My breath was short as if my heart had stopped working.

“Tell me if you need me by your side.” Andrew lowered his voice, looked at me with teary, disappointed eyes, and gripped my shoulders tightly until I winced in pain.

“Do you want revenge on me? Can’t you ever trust that I won’t betray you again?” A look of accusation burned in his black eyes.

"Let go of me," I bravely attempted to release myself from his hold. "That hurts, Andrew. Can't you see Alaric in my arms?"

Andrew was taken aback and removed his hand from my tightly gripped shoulder.

“While you were away, I spent more time with Beta Lyra.” I was still able to say calmly. “Why are you so sure I betrayed you?”

“I’ve called all the leaders of my pack and yours.” Andrew ignored me and looked at me triumphantly.

My heart stopped beating, and my body stiffened. I must be dreaming. It really felt like a dream.

I didn't understand why Andrew believed that I betrayed him.

What really happened, and who made the rumor?

“Is it true that you betrayed Alpha, Luna?” asked one of the elders from the River Oval Pack.

Beta, Gamma, Delta, and the five elders from the River Oval Pack and Mountain Volcano Pack filled our house's living room, which was well-lit so that I could see their faces and gazes, demanding an honest answer from me.

“I swear on the Moon Goddess, I didn’t do it,” I said seriously. “I promised the Moon Goddess I would only love my mate until I die.”

Andrew sat on the single sofa, and I sat across from him. Nothing prevented us from looking at each other.

He put both his hands on the arm of the sofa. My heart was hurt, and my body trembled seeing his eyes staring at me with hatred.

“Then what about these photos?” another elder from the River Oval Pack asked.

I choked, unable to breathe momentarily, with an angry gaze fixed on the five photos on the table. “Those photos are a hoax. Why did you just believe them?”

“Those five photos clearly show your unusual interactions with your warrior,” Andrew said.

“He has been guarding me since I was in high school. You were the one who ordered him to return as my bodyguard. I already consider him as my older brother,” I said honestly.

“Since you don’t want to admit your actions, I will ask him.” Andrew ignored me again. He approached Warrior Johan, who was standing stiffly next to his sofa.

“Is the news true?” Andrew asked Warrior Johan. I could feel his very intimidating aura.

“Answer honestly if you don’t want to die. If you tell the truth, I will imprison you for 40 years and whip you 100 times a day.” Andrew patted Warrior Johan’s trembling shoulder.

“Why don’t you believe me? I love you so much even after you betrayed me,” I said desperately.

Everyone in the living room was shocked, looking at me and expecting me to explain in detail.

I had never told anyone that Andrew had betrayed me since the beginning of my stay with him.

Andrew and Tabitha, his cousins, like each other even though they realize they are relatives.

I found out about it five months ago. At that time, I caught them kissing in Tabitha's room. I kicked Tabitha out of the house after I fought with Andrew.

Andrew promised me that he would forget Tabitha and love me.

However, now, someone was slandering me and making Andrew believe I betrayed him.

“I didn’t betray you any more, and now you did,” Andrew growled with his jaw clenched, and his fists clenched until his knuckles turned white.

“Why don’t you believe how much I love you, Andrew?” I shed tears. Sadness and annoyance rumbled in my chest.

‘Who slandered you?’ my wolf asked in confusion and anger.

“Tell me honestly.” Andrew turned his attention back to Warrior Johan.

Warrior Johan looked at me with the look he often gave me when he made a mistake and begged me for forgiveness. His face radiated fear and the heavy burden he was carrying. Why did he make that face?

“I apologize, Alpha.” Warrior Johan lowered his head, and his hands clenched tightly as if holding back something boiling in his chest.

I was in deep shock, my eyes widened, and my heart stopped beating.

No. No. I must be having a nightmare.

I need to wake up soon.

“He admitted that you two have a special relationship.”

Andrew stared at me with hatred and sadness, and his hands gripped Warrior Johan’s neck.

“Why did you lie, Warrior Johan?” I asked in a hoarse voice. “You were so mean to me. What did I do wrong?”

Warrior Johan was silent. My heart felt like a thousand needles were stabbing it. Someone I trusted betrayed me.

With teary eyes, I looked at Beta, Gamma, Delta, and the five elders of my pack.

They didn’t say anything and just stared at me as if they wanted to believe me, but the five photos and Warrior Johan’s confession made them doubt me.

Beta, Gamma, Delta, and the five elders of the River Oval Pack also stared at me in disbelief that I had betrayed their Alpha.

I was shivering in fear. No one was on my side.

It seemed as if I was on a cliff, and they were pressuring me to take further steps back until I dropped into the abyss.

“Please, believe me, Andrew.” Tears streamed down my cheeks, and my hands clenched tightly to gather all my energy because I was afraid I would break down.

“I can’t accept your betrayal. I can’t forgive you.” Andrew shook his head with a disappointed face.

My breath hitched in panic and fear as Andrew walked towards me with his eyes locked on mine after he threw Warrior Johan to the floor.

Andrew stood one step in front of me. I shook my head, begging him not to say the things I never wanted to hear.

I could see a flicker of doubt flash across his black eyes. He closed his eyes and took a sharp breath, his jaw clenched, and his hands clenched tightly.

When he opened them, determination shone through, and he spoke the words firmly.

"I, Andrew Fenorov, Alpha of the River Oval Pack, reject you, Auretta Dawson, Luna of the River Oval Pack and Alpha of the Mountain Volcano Pack, as my mate."

My world collapsed. My heart shattered into pieces like glass that had been thrown to the floor. Tears flowed like a waterfall down my cheeks and neck.

‘Why is he so cruel to us?’ My wolf said weakly. ‘He’s selfish.’

“No!” I shook my head. Tears prevented me from seeing Andrew clearly. “Why did you reject me? Why didn’t you trust me? What about Alaric?”

Andrew stared at me for so long that I thought he’d changed his mind. He would take his words back and trust me, but he said something different than I expected. “This is what’s best for us.”

I hit my chest, trying to get rid of the tightness. Then, a burning determination appeared in my chest. I wouldn’t stay silent; I would prove the rumors wrong.