01~ The Betrayal

Avery's Point Of View

The rough hands of Sophia’s minions dug into my arms, their fingers bruising as they hauled me forward. My feet dragged against the dirt, my breath coming in ragged gasps. The pack’s training grounds were empty except for us... Sophia, her loyal followers, and me, the outcast. The girl who didn’t belong.

“Hold her up properly!” Sophia’s voice sliced through the air, sharp as a blade. Her minions tightened their grip, their laughter ringing in my ears like a death knell. I had spent my entire life wondering what I’d done to deserve this. What sin had I committed to be treated like a stain on the pack’s perfect image?

Sophia had everything... the pack’s adoration, our parents’ love, the title of the golden princess. She was beautiful, graceful, the daughter our mother had always wanted. And me? I was the shadow no one acknowledged. The girl with hair like corpse-light, eyes too pale, too strange. The one they whispered about in the dark.

“Sophia, please,” I choked out, my voice breaking. “I’m your sister. Your blood. What did I do? Why do you hate me so much?” Tears streamed down my face, but I didn’t bother wiping them away. Let her see me cry. Let her see what she’d done to me.

Sophia’s lips curled into a sneer. She stepped closer, her perfect face twisting with disgust. “Sister?” she spat. “I’m no sister to a witch.”

Her hand lashed out, slapping me so hard my head snapped to the side. Pain exploded across my cheek, but I forced myself to meet her gaze. “Look at you,” she hissed. “That hair, like something out of a nightmare. Those eyes, who even has eyes like that? You’re not one of us. You’re a freak.”

She leaned in, her voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “Do you know why Mom will never accept you? Because you’re not hers. She found you in the woods, half-dead, and took you in out of pity. But you were never supposed to be one of us. You were never supposed to be anything.”

The words hit me like a physical blow. I stumbled, but her minions held me upright, their grins widening at my shock.

Something inside me snapped.

“So what if I look different?” I shot back, my voice trembling but my resolve hardening. “I know you’re just jealous because I’m more beautiful than you’ll ever be.”

Sophia’s face twisted with rage. Her hand flew out again, this time a punch that sent me crashing to the ground. The copper taste of blood filled my mouth, but I laughed through it. “You know it’s true.”

“Beat this witch up!” Sophia screamed, her minions lunging forward.

“What’s going on here?!”

The voice cut through the chaos like a whip. The crowd parted instantly, and there he was—Julian. My savior. My mate.

The air shifted the moment he stepped into view. Julian didn’t just walk... he moved, like a storm given human form. His presence alone made the ground tremble beneath my feet. The golden glow of the setting sun caught the sharp angles of his jaw, casting shadows that made his blue eyes gleam like ice over steel. His broad shoulders filled the space around him, his every step radiating power, dominance, the kind of strength that made even the bravest wolves lower their gazes.

Sophia paled, her bravado evaporating like mist under the sun. “Alpha!” she squeaked, her voice trembling.

Julian’s gaze flicked to her, his expression darkening like a thundercloud. “Don’t make me repeat myself.”

Sophia stuttered, “Sh-she was caught stealing, Alpha. I was just... just punishing her.”

Julian’s eyes narrowed, his voice a low growl. “Leave her to me.”

Sophia shot me one last venomous glare before slinking away with her minions. The moment they were out of sight, I collapsed into Julian’s arms, my tears soaking into his shirt.

“There, there, princess,” he murmured, his voice a soothing rumble as he stroked my hair. “I’m here.”

I pulled back, my voice breaking. “Julian… why? Why are you hiding us? It’s been three years. Am I nothing but a secret to you?”

His expression softened, his thumb brushing away my tears. “Never, Avery,” he murmured. “I’m only waiting to protect you. When I announce you as Luna, no one will ever dare hurt you again. No one will ever look at you the way they do now.”

I wanted to believe him. I needed to believe him. But the doubt gnawed at me, a persistent ache in my chest.

**********

Later that evening, the pack’s hall was a spectacle... flowers cascading from the ceilings, golden lights casting everything in an ethereal glow. I stood near the flower arrangements, my heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears. Tonight was the night. Tonight, Julian would finally claim me in front of everyone.

I adjusted my dress... a knee-length floral pattern with delicate stones, a dress I’d saved for a special occasion. It was the first time I’d ever worn something so beautiful, something that made me feel like I belonged. Sophia and Mark approached, their smirks making my stomach twist.

“Would you look at who we have here,” Mark sneered, his eyes raking over me. “Avery, in a dress that almost looks passable. Almost.”

Sophia plucked at the fabric, her nails grazing my wrist. “But we both know you didn’t pay for it,” she purred, her voice dripping with false sweetness. “Did you dig it out of the donation bin, or just wait for me to throw it away?”

I yanked my arm back, my voice trembling with fury. “One day, Sophia, you’ll regret every single time you looked down on me.”

She laughed, sipping her wine. “Oh, I’m terrified.” Her eyes glinted with malice. “Remember, Avery, you’re nothing but trash. A witch. And no matter what happens tonight, that won’t change.”

I forced a smirk, raising my chin. “We’ll see.”

Then Julian walked in.

The room seemed to hold its breath. He was stunning... tall, powerful, his presence alone commanding the attention of every wolf in the room. The golden light caught the contours of his face, highlighting the sharpness of his jaw, the intensity of his blue eyes. His broad shoulders filled the space around him, his every movement exuding confidence, dominance, the kind of strength that made my heart race.

But when his eyes landed on me, they slid right past, as if I didn’t exist. My stomach dropped.

He stepped onto the stage, his voice ringing out, deep and commanding. “Good evening,” he began, his gaze sweeping over the crowd. “Tonight, I call forth my future queen... your future Luna.”

My heart raced. This was it. The moment I’d waited for, dreamed of. Finally, I would be seen. Finally, I would belong.

I pictured their faces... the disbelief, the shame, the way they’d finally look at me as more than just an outcast. For the first time, I would truly belong. And Sophia… oh, she would choke on her own arrogance.

Julian’s voice cut through my thoughts like a blade.

“Please welcome… Sophia Smith.”

The world tilted.

My glass slipped from my fingers, shattering on the floor. Julian’s voice echoed in my skull, but all I could see was Sophia’s face... her smug, triumphant smile, as the pack erupted into cheers.

“No,” I whispered.

But no one heard me. No one ever did.