Renna's POV
“But father–”
“No buts!” he growled, snapping when his canines elongated, his eyes suddenly bloodshot. “You will unlink yourself from him and break the mate bond and you have just three days to do that. Do not test me on this, child!”
A wince left my lips and tears I hadn't even realized that I held back fell freely down my face in rivulets. I nodded, dragging my feet that had suddenly grown too heavy for me out of the room, noticing the look of triumph on Circe's face.
It was too much for me to handle, I couldn't think straight. I didn't know what to do, but–
“Renna!”
Leia's voice suddenly cut me out from my inner turmoil and my gaze snapped towards her direction. Mirroring my hate and pent-up anger towards her.
“What do you want?! What else do you want me to give up for you?”
“I swear it, I wish it didn't have to come to this. I wish I do not have to take him away from you.”
My voice rose several decibels and screams erupted from my mouth when I found her pretense riveting, “But you already did! You're trying to take Kieran from me! Why do you have to? Why?!”
“Because he's already mine!” she raked her fingers through her hair, gritting her teeth when a smirk formed on her face. “Kieran already belongs to me. You think he loves you? He doesn't. I'm the one he wants! Those times he's lied to you about going on pack business with his father, do you think he really did go with him?”
Blinking the tears away, I sniffled. My breath coming out in short pants. “What do you.....what do mean? Kieran would never lie to me.”
She chuckled, dragging her lip between her teeth, “Come on, Renna. You're not that dumb to actually believe that? Or do you?” she shrugged nonchalantly, “Well, if you don't believe me, you could come see for yourself. Tonight, at eight, I'll even leave the door open.”
She glanced at me one last time, strutting off and leaving me in a flurry of emotions. Dropping to the ground, I found myself wailing and screaming no matter how hard I tried to believe none of this was real and it had to be a joke of some sort.
†††
I joined the rest of the maids at the kitchen where we tried to shuffle through the meals that was being prepared for the pack. I went through my chores a ghost of myself.
I couldn't get Leia's words out of my mind no matter how hard I tried. I trusted my mate, or did I not? He wouldn't do that to me.
I tried several times to reach out to him through our mate bond, testing our link that tethered us together, the golden twigs wrapping around us like thick vines but I got nothing back from him. My chest tightened when that familiar sensation that I had been feeling hit me again.
I was already losing my mind from the wild thoughts that kept on taunting me, I decided that I had to see for myself to be sure. Dropping whatever it was that I was doing, I sauntered out of the kitchen, my feet having a mind of its own as it led me over to Leia's room.
I know stood right in front of the large mahogany doors, I attempted a knock but remembering her words, I gently pushed it open, walking in the room.
My eyes widened when moans filled the air and Leia continued to ride a male who held unto her like his life depended on it. They had been too caught up in what they were doing to notice my presence.
“Oh, god! Kieran!” she screamed out.
“Yes, baby.”
I gasped. Clasping a hand over my mouth to muffle the sounds that followed behind and that seemed to catch their attention when their heads turned towards my direction.
Kieran's expression was beyond appalled while Leia's held excitement, even as she tried to feign surprise.“Oh my god! Renna.” she exclaimed.
“Kieran." I panted. "What is.....going on here?”
“Baby...baby I can explain,"
He rasped out, his eyes hooded from the lust he felt for another woman. His golden-brown locks stuck to his forehead from all the sweating.
White-hot pain seared through me and all I wanted to do in that moment was to burrow into the ground. Kieran tried to get her off him in an attempt to come to him but she snarled at him, holding him still.
"There's no need to pretend now, Kieran.” she turned back to face me, “You want to know what's happening? We've been fucking and this isn't even the first time it's happened. We've been doing it behind your back.“
“Come on, Leia. Don't do this. Let me go.” he grunted when his eyes shifted to his wolf's.
She exclaimed, raising her hands in surrender while I watched the whole thing unravel right in front of me like it was some bad dream. Her breasts jiggled with each movement and she almost shoved it in his face.
"What?" She tutted. "You don't love her anyway. You've only been with her because you felt pity for her, right? I'm the one you've always loved me, right? No one would choose a loser like her over me unless you're a loser yourself. So tell me, who do you really want to be with?”
“Renna,” my name was a soft plea on his lips.
His gaze couldn't leave mine, I was too stunned to move from where I stood transfixed. “Go on, tell us. Tell me what excuse you have to make!“
Opening his mouth to speak, he struggled for words, a pained expression flashing through his irises. He groaned, raking his fingers through his hair.
“I'm sorry, Renna. But I do not love you.... it's Leia. It's always been Leia.”
Then and there, I watched my world shatter right in front of me. Nothing could ever prepare me for the pain and heartache I felt nothing could ever stop the hurt. I felt used, I felt betrayed!
Renna's POVThe whole, taking a new mate, and breaking of bonds were now over and I quietly left the study, wondering what was left for me out there. This was a whole new feeling for me, what I got from Kayden, the softness of his voice, the look of affection in his eyes, they were all new and it scared me.I had just lost a mate I had known my entire life! Now I was forced to be with another and he didn't mind our new bond that has just formed. Instinctively, I rubbed the spot where his mark had been on me but I tried to remind myself that this wasn't real, this was a sham, a fake mate that was pushed over to me because the other pair didn't find him worthy. Two wrong pairs, that was what we were. Even as I walked away, I didn't realize that someone followed behind me until his hands grabbed mine to halt me.“Renna! god, I've been trying to get to you but you just seem so distant.”I blinked, trying not to get lost in those beautiful cerulean eyes that called for my attention. Argh
Renna's POVI didn't understand what Leia meant by ‘ruining her plans’ until she dragged me by my hair out of my room towards the direction that led to father's study. No matter how hard I tried to break free from her hold, she was too strong for me and I was too powerless to do anything. I finally resigned to fate when we got in front of father's door and she tossed me inside. I nearly stumbled if it wasn't for the sturdy arms of Kieran that caught me in time, but I flinched from him, moving away as fast as I could like his touch burned me.I stood transfixed to a spot when I noticed that the study was filled with people. Not just anyone, but father, his Luna, Kieran and Kayden. I faltered when I realized that they were going to force me into breaking the mating bond! I thought Kieran said he'd let me know when it was time to break our link but I guess my opinion didn't really matter in this. I had no say when they chose to force me away from my mate to another, and I also had no s
Kayden's POV“The sentinels will take over from here, Reagan. This would be our last shift for tonight.”Reagan my closest companion nodded in agreement to what I had just said. Then we left for the path that led to the small pub at the end of the woods towards the path that led to the city.We took a much more secluded path out of the Crescent Moon Pack to avoid being seen by the others. Shifting to fur, we navigated the woods on sync, stopping to change only when we saw the pub in sight. Carrying the duffle bags that had our clothes between our jaws, we let it down, shifting back to skin and putting out clothes on.Pulling the glass doors open, we walked into the pub and several wary glances was sent in our direction. Some shifters, others human. I was already used to the scrutiny of others and didn't give two fucks if they thought I wasn't where I had to be.Leaving my pack behind to stick to the humiliation I got from the Crescent Moon Pack was something I had to do for the sake o
Renna's POVLeia shrugged, wearing an innocent look on her face like she hadn't intended to sleep with my mate! She suddenly wore a guilty look on her face, scrambling towards my direction frantically when she leaned down to pick a towel that barely managed to have her body covered while I stood there, a sobbing mess.“I am sorry, it had to get to this, Renna. We didn't intend to hurt you, we just thought you'd be happy for us! Can't you just look past this one like you always do? Huh? I'll make it up to you, whatever you want. I'll tell father and mother to let you have a place in the pack. You'll even be promoted if that's what you want.“Her words only infuriated me the more, making the tears cascading down my face in waves. I was hurt and here she was, acting like I hadn't just caught her in the act with the man that claimed to love me.“Look past this?! How?! Tell me. How exactly am I supposed to look past this, Leia?! You could have picked anyone else! Why did it have to be Kier
Renna's POV“But father–”“No buts!” he growled, snapping when his canines elongated, his eyes suddenly bloodshot. “You will unlink yourself from him and break the mate bond and you have just three days to do that. Do not test me on this, child!”A wince left my lips and tears I hadn't even realized that I held back fell freely down my face in rivulets. I nodded, dragging my feet that had suddenly grown too heavy for me out of the room, noticing the look of triumph on Circe's face.It was too much for me to handle, I couldn't think straight. I didn't know what to do, but–“Renna!”Leia's voice suddenly cut me out from my inner turmoil and my gaze snapped towards her direction. Mirroring my hate and pent-up anger towards her.“What do you want?! What else do you want me to give up for you?”“I swear it, I wish it didn't have to come to this. I wish I do not have to take him away from you.”My voice rose several decibels and screams erupted from my mouth when I found her pretense riveti
Renna's POVLife went on for me as usual, I continued to work the shifts on the pack house and the day after the winter solstice had been a very hectic one for us maids. I missed Kieran, but he'd gone on pack duties with his father to some neighbouring town and I felt utterly alone.Mother's words continued to echo inside my head even after I had awoken and it ate deep into me. Leia had been proclaimed the alpha while I on the other hand, got more shifts to fill in for.I was on my way to the maid mistress's quarter to begin my shift when my stepmom suddenly appeared in the hallway with her signature scowl on. She threaded the floor like the mere marbled tiles disgusted her. With shoulders high and nose raised up in the air.“Renna!”I faltered, my day could not get any more worse! I had to wake up to her face first thing in the morning, “Good....good morning mother,” I stuttered, muttering strings of incoherent words.”A frown graced her face and she clicked her tongue, “How splendid
Renna's POVTonight was the beginning of the winter solstice and it just so happened to be the day my sister got crowned as the Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack. The festivities were in full swing with the full moon starting to peak, casting its ethereal glow over the misty forest where our pack had made home. Dozens of people mingled about, the air filled with excitement as male and female shifters cheered my sister on, applauds ringing out from all directions while I gazed at the absurdity unraveling right in front me."Renna, make sure you attend to the guests and see to their needs.” the maid mistress ordered with a stern look on her face as I made my way out. “If I hear of any mistakes, I'd have you starved and punished for the week!”We stood outside the main pack halls that were a banquet was held in my sister's honour to bestow upon her the title of a leader. I wasn't even allowed to be a part of the occasion, all I could do was watch from the sides, where the maids were asked