Chapter 4: The Apology

I didn't know what to say to him or how to respond. My mind was trying to process this unexpected complication.

"We can leave tonight, Elena. I have horses waiting at the east gate. We don't need to wait for..." I pulled away from him, and he looked surprised.

"I'm not running away," I said carefully, watching his face fall. "I'm engaged to Alpha Kieran, and he's already furious about what happened yesterday."

I needed to be cautious. I didn't know how deep Thomas's relationship with Elena had been, but I couldn't afford to arouse suspicions or create more complications.

"But you've never cared about what that monster thought before. Why now?" Thomas asked, "Elena, you said you'd rather die than marry him. You nearly died rather than marry him."

Before I could answer, the door opened and my twin sister walked in. Her eyes darted between Thomas and me, and I caught something cold flash across her face before she smiled.

"Thomas, there you are," Lyra said sweetly, moving to stand beside him. "I've been looking everywhere for you. I wanted to tell you the good news about Elena's recovery, but I see you've already found out."

She placed a possessive hand on his arm, and I watched as his expression shifted. The desperate love he'd shown me moments before was replaced by a gentler affection as he looked at Lyra.

"I had to come as soon as I heard," he said, covering her hand with his. "I was worried sick."

My stomach turned. This was just like Damien all over, a man playing two sisters against each other.

Disgust rose in my chest. Men like this were all the same: liars, manipulators.

I walked past them toward my bed, needing distance from their toxic display. All I cared about was gaining enough power to destroy everyone who had wronged me in my past life.

"We should go," Lyra said to Thomas, her voice honey-sweet. "Elena needs her rest."

"Of course. Feel better, Elena," Thomas said, his eyes trying to communicate something I chose to ignore.

After they left, I closed my eyes and tried to process everything. Elena's life was more complicated than I'd realized. Not only did she have a secret lover, but that lover seemed to be involved with her twin sister as well. It all reminded me too much of my past.

I had barely dozed off when the door slammed open, making me jump. A stern-faced guard stood in the doorway, his expression harsh.

"The King demands your presence in the great hall immediately," he announced coldly. "The entire pack is waiting."

"I'll be there shortly," I started to say, but his expression grew darker.

"He said to bring you now," the guard stated firmly. "No delays."

Something in his tone suggested he wouldn't hesitate to drag me from the bed if I resisted. I didn't understand why he was being so hostile, but I got out of bed carefully, still weak from my injuries.

"Could you give me a moment to make myself presentable?" I asked.

"The Alpha doesn't like to be kept waiting," he snapped, and I bristled at his rudeness.

"Maybe if you showed some basic respect, I'd move faster," I retorted, brushing past him with as much dignity as I could muster.

He didn't respond, but I could feel his disapproval radiating behind me. When I realized I didn't know the way to the great hall, I slowed down until we were walking side by side. If he noticed my confusion, he didn't comment.

We stopped at massive double doors. The guards opened them, and the moment I stepped inside, a chill ran down my spine. The great hall was packed with pack members.

My steps faltered as dozens of eyes fixed on me. The silence was deafening, broken only by the sound of my heartbeat. I spotted my parents in the front row, along with Lyra and Thomas. Celia was there too, giving me an encouraging smile.

Alpha Kieran sat on a throne-like chair at the front of the hall, his dark eyes unreadable as I approached. Even seated, his presence dominated the room. Every wolf here feared him, and I could understand why.

The whispers started as I made my way down the center aisle. I forced myself to keep walking, to hold my head high despite feeling like prey surrounded by predators.

"Silence," commanded an elderly man I assumed was the pack's Beta. The murmuring stopped instantly. "We are gathered for an emergency assembly. The future Luna has something to say to the pack."

All eyes turned to me expectantly. My mouth went dry as I faced the crowd of hostile faces. I cleared my throat nervously.

"I... I hope you're all well," I began awkwardly, immediately regretting the weak opening.

Several pack members exchanged glances, clearly unimpressed. I could feel my confidence crumbling under their stares. I forced myself to focus on the speech I needed to give.

"I want to formally apologize for the disruption of yesterday's wedding ceremony," I said, my voice growing stronger. "I understand my actions caused embarrassment and inconvenience to the king and all of you. I take full responsibility and assure you that such behavior will not happen again. I humbly ask for your forgiveness and a second chance to prove myself worthy of being your Luna."

The silence that followed was deafening. I couldn't read the expressions of the pack members. I glanced toward Alpha Kieran, hoping for some sign of his reaction, but his face remained impassive and expressionless.

Please say something, I thought desperately. Accept my apology. Give me the chance I need.

Instead, he leaned toward the Beta and whispered something in his ear. My heart sank as I watched the private exchange, knowing it would determine my fate.

The Beta straightened and addressed the crowd. "Alpha Kieran has made his decision regarding Elena Ashford's future."

I held my breath, praying this would work out in my favor.

"There will be no second wedding," the Beta announced, his voice carrying clearly through the silent hall. "From this day forward, Elena Ashford shall serve as the Alpha's servant and will be placed among the pack's unmated females until a suitable Luna can be chosen."

The words hit me like a physical blow, and I felt my knees go weak. Did this man not ask that we have the wedding today?