The heartbreaking betrayal

EVE’s POV 

5 years ago.

"Ma'am Eve!" 

I could hear my personal maid yelling my name as she burst into my room. I tried so hard to open my eyes, and a throbbing ache pierced through my skull when they finally flickered open and met the light. 

Micah was standing by my bedside, looking anxious and worried. "The election is set to commence in 40 minutes. I thought you'd be ready by now. Remember, you have to rehearse your speech before you go out there." 

Shit! The election. How could I have forgotten? Today is the long-awaited D-day. The day I'll finally get to prove my worth against Seraphina, golden princess of the Clawstone pack and be crowned the guardian of the bloomstone. A title that comes with wealth, respect, and affluence. Even the Supreme Alpha would get to acknowledge you when you hold the title of the guardian. It is something everyone would give a fortune to acquire, but unfortunately, one has to be selected by the moon goddess. 

I let out a tired yawn as I got off the bed. "Where's Kade?" I asked, blushing shyly as I headed toward the bathroom. Last night was wild. Kade and I returned very late after having hot sex at the hotel. The wine at the bar last night was exotic and after having a sip, I lost control. We couldn't wait to get back home. We crashed at a hotel and I rode my handsome husband carelessly. Even my wolf, Sky, took part in the fun and was satisfied.

"He left very early. But I'm sure your prince charming will be back soon. Let's get you ready to become the next guardian." She chidded with a rush of excitement.  

Kade.... my stallion. I could have sworn he wouldn't be able to get out of bed just yet after last night's rigorous exercise. I turned to Micah, who seemed even more excited about this day, and I wished I could be half as confident in myself as she was. 'Micah, are you sure I can do this?" 

"I'm very confident in your abilities, ma'am. You've practised so hard with Mr. Kade, who is very grounded in politics. I know you'll win." She stepped closer and held my hand with a reassuring gaze that calmed me surprisingly. 

"Hurry so you don't run late. I heard the Supreme Alpha will be present.” She had a mischievous smile on her lips, and I felt my cheeks heating up. 

Years ago, in high school, he was just Dominic. Hot, popular, I-don’t-give-a-fuck Dominic. The first time I met him, I could barely breathe. He stole the air from my lungs without even trying. I slowly became obsessed, and that led to me stalking him on all socials. Due to his insane popularity, I didn’t have to dig to figure out who he was. He was the son of the supreme Alpha, and also the leader of a biker gang. 

I knew then that I couldn’t get someone like him. Even as an Alpha’s daughter. 

But I tried. 

I did silly things I’d never done before. Like singing during prom, making eye contact, volunteering to be in the same group project with him. I even sneaked into his private party once. 

But he didn’t even notice my existence. 

And after his father’s death? He became way out of my league. Dominic ascended the throne of the Supreme Alpha. The youngest Supreme Alpha. For his age, he was doing exceptionally well. 

“I can't wait for you to return and tell me how he looks, I was told he looks breathtaking." Micah’s voice dragged me back to reality. 

Enough about Dominic. I belong to Kade now. 

I shook my head. "Kade is gonna go berserk if he catches me staring at another man.. even if it's the Supreme Alpha." 

"But still, just steal side glances." She insisted with a cute pout and I chuckled. 

Before Micah would make me promise the impossible, I dashed into the bathroom to have a bath. Micah has always been like a sister to me. Back in the packhouse, she was the only maid my father trusted to handle my meals and get much closer to me. After having my bath, I returned to see my dress and accessories already set. 

"My husband didn't drop a message before leaving?" I was getting pretty worried because it's unlike Kade to be absent at a crucial moment like this. 

"No, Ma'am." She responded, and I picked my phone to send a quick text before leaning into the seat as Micah fixed my hair accessories with the aid of the stylist she invited. 

I played with my fingers to get rid of the nervousness slowly creeping in. After the death of the last guardian, Seraphina and I were the only eligible princesses to contest for the position. The arrogant and boastful princess of the Clawstone pack has been quite confident she'd win because of her father's influence, and that alone made me scared. My father died a mysterious death just when I was happy he'd guide me through this process and my uncle, Blair, whom I thought I could turn to, is even more interested in taking over my father's throne than helping out. But I'm glad I have Kade. My ever loving and doting mate who does everything within his capacity to support and make me happy. 

I don't think I'd be able to come this far without Kade... and every day, I'm grateful for the gift of him. 

"Ma'am, are you crying?" Micah asked when I got quite emotional. 

"No, I'm not." I rubbed off the tear stain on my cheek as they finished their work on my hair. The final look was dashing, and I was glad I could put on the last dress my dad gifted me on my birthday for this event. 

"Since you've texted Mr. Kade, why don't you head to the venue and wait for him? Time is ticking." Micah suggested. 

I held my phone and paced back and forth, feeling unsettled. This was very unusual. Where could he have gone this early? And on a day very important to me? I decided to take deep breaths and remain calm while dialling his contact, but each call went unanswered, and I became worried.  

By the time I arrived at the hall, the event had already commenced, and I seemed lost in the crowd. Dignitaries were present. Alphas, Lunas, Betas, Gammas, and even some prestigious human associates. But the Supreme Alpha? He wasn't. His beta occupied the seat reserved for him. 

Sorry, Michah... I tried my best.

The hall screamed luxury, and everyone moved in pairs— A gentleman and his lady, which made Kade's absence take a huge toll on me. 

I felt there were loose ends, and to make things worse, Seraphina was already on stage, confidently holding the mic as she spoke with her head high. She was putting on a silk red dress that hugged her body like a second skin, and her blonde hair was styled to perfection.  

I was so focused on what she had on that I didn't pay attention to what she was saying— till I did, and my breath hitched.

She wasn't improvising. She was delivering my speech, word for word. My stomach dropped as her eyes found mine, a wicked smile curving on her lips. How's this possible? How do I go on stage and give the exact speech she just gave without seeming stupid? 

The only ones who were present when I rehearsed my speech were Kade and Micah. None of them could have possibly sold me off to the enemy. Am I dreaming? My jaw was still hung low from the shock when I was called upon to give my speech.  

I felt chills run down my spine as everyone's eager gazes landed on me. I remained glued to my seat, at a complete loss for what to do. The spacious hall suddenly seemed too small and I felt the air tighten around my lungs.  

The organisers of the event called upon me again and this time, meeting my gaze. I had to get off my seat before they noticed something was off. My steps were heavy as I made my way to the stage, and the mic felt like a log in my hands. 

I held the mic and greeted the crowd with a shaky breath, rubbing my clammy hand against my dress. I thought of ways to get rid of the awkwardness... Give a random speech? Run off the stage? Hide behind the podium. None of them were making sense. Impatience lurked behind every eye in the room and I was on the verge of peeing my undies till my eyes landed on those sea blue pair that could calm me in the most tumultuous storm. Kade was in the crowd, he finally came and then, he was striding towards the stage in a tailored blue suit. I thought he would miss this event, but now that he was here, I couldn't be happier. He must have noticed something was wrong and was coming to save my ass, at least, so I thought till he climbed the stage. 

"Babe," I ran to his side like a lost pup, worry etched on my face. "Where have you been? She gave my speech... I have nothing to say—" I reeled off and paused when I noticed the cold and distant look in his eyes. 

He withdrew his arm from my grasp and grabbed the mic from my shaky hands. My brows knitted suddenly. What's going on? Kade's attitude is so off, and it's alarming. This wasn't how I planned for this day... Kade and I hadn't had an argument in a while. We were intensely intimate last night, which is why his cold countenance doesn't sit well with me now. 

I watched his broad back as he walked to the podium and greeted the audience. Is he pulling a fast one on me? What is he doing? My thought was a mess, till he proceeded and my heart beat seized momentarily. "I, Kade Fang, reject Eve Moore as my mate before every distinguished guest in this gathering. This is just to make things official because our mate bond was never properly sealed. She coerced and blackmailed me into marrying her even when there wasn't a significant bond." 

He continued. "You all must think I'm a villain for doing this here... but before you judge me, wait till you see this." 

From the back stage, two men emerged with technical equipment. The hall went a bit dark, and images were projected on the screen. Explicit Images of me in the hotel room, barely covered and sprawled on Kade— No... A strange man with brunette hair. 

My brain suddenly went numb, unable to process what was going on. Judgemental gasps erupted from the audience.

"After seeing these images of a wife cheating on her supposed husband in a random hotel, just last night, it's now left for you all to decide if this same woman is fit to run against virtuous Seraphina here or even become the guardian of the sacred Bloomstone." 

My chest caved in and I blinked, clueless and helpless. I was with Kade last night, not with that man. I have never met him in my 23 years of existence.... Kade jokingly asked me to rehearse how I'd celebrate after winning today, and he offered me that nice smelling strange wine— 

Does that mean? 

Kade planned this? But why? To humiliate me and help Seraphina win? He has always hated her....

I trusted him, I loved and respected him.. more than anything in this world, and he did this to me? 

By the time I could lift my head, the crowd was already revolting against me. Everyone was calling on me to be punished, and Seraphina? She was grinning from ear to ear.

Everything started crashing in, and I could barely breathe. It felt like a dream, a terrible nightmare I wanted to badly wake up from. But reality was like a slap to my face. It was real, and I couldn’t even think of a way to survive this.

“Whore!” Someone shouted from the crowd. “She’s a damn disgrace to the moon goddess, what is she still doing there?!”

A tingling sensation swept the back of my neck as the security, men from my own pack, marched toward the stage. I could barely hold the tears now. Recognizing only Kade in the sea of people with questioning gazes, I ran to him because my life really depended on him. 

“Please don’t do this.” I went down on my knees as tears soaked my dress. “Kade, tell them the truth. Help me by telling them the truth.”

He stared down at me like a stranger. 

Like last night meant nothing. 

Like the vow on our wedding day was nothing but empty words, then kicked my hands from his feet. “Drag her away,” he referred to the security, and the two men hauled me up. I screamed on top of my lungs, my heart twisting in agony. 

How could my entire life shatter in one day?

How could I lose everything I’ve worked for in a single day? 

“I'm innocent, please!” I kept screaming, hoping someone—anyone—would give an explanation to this insanity. But no one came. I saw the look of triumph in Seraphina's eyes, and I have never felt so defeated. 

The security dropped me outside the whole building. “Leave the pack before dawn, or you’ll be killed before the whole pack for your infidelity.”

“But I didn’t do it.” I shook my head, wailing because I had nowhere else to go. No family. No friends. My whole life is in the Redhood pack. “I need one more minute with my husband, this must be a misunderstanding. He knows I'm not that kind of person, he just needs me to—” 

“Leave right now and never return.”

Tears wracked through my body as I picked up my broken self, then walked away, hoping that one day I would wake up from this traumatizing nightmare. 

Even when my chest ached and my legs trembled, I kept walking without turning back. By the time the Redhood pack was far behind me, I understood one thing clearly. 

I had lost everything I ever had.