PRELUDE

KATARINA

“What the hell!”

The shriek tore through the room just as I stumbled into my husband’s bedroom, and everything inside my chest collapsed at the sight that welcomed me, my right-hand woman… my friend, in my husband’s bed with the sheets tangled around her bare legs, her hair wild. For a moment, I couldn’t breathe as my organs rushed to my throat.

"Wha-wha-t..." My words tripped over each other as I stumbled forward. “What's going on? Why are you here? Why are you in my husband’s bed? WHAT IS THIS?”

The answer was obvious as my eyes darted around the room, but I couldn't let myself believe it. Her clothes lay strewn all over the room, undergarments tangled and scattered as though I had walked in after a reunion between two long-lost lovers.

My stomach clenched so hard that I thought I might be sick. And her eyes met mine, resentful as they held them, before she burst out laughing, just as cruel and mocking.

Spitting coldly, she asked. “What does it look like I’m doing?” Before adding. “I just finished sucking your husband's dick. I swallowed too, if you must know.”

My hands flew to my stomach, and memories flooded in all at once—our memories. I remembered her whispered reassurances, how I never wanted to talk about my marriage until she kept telling me I could trust her, that she was on my side, and that she cared.

But all along, she had been sleeping with him behind my back. My vision blurred as I stumbled backward, my heart pounding in my ears. And just then, she spoke again, snapping the thread that held me together.

“Oh, please don't act so innocent! You're fucking his brother too! You're the disgusting whore.”

“You sick bitch!” I screamed. “You pretended to be my friend! I trusted you!” I couldn't remember crossing the room. One moment I stood frozen, the next I was on the bed, throwing myself at her, rage bursting from my chest.

“Get off me!” she shrieked. “You stupid whore! Who the fuck do you think you are laying hands on me?” We tumbled off the bed in a violent tangle of thrashing arms and legs, landing hard on the floor.

But I barely felt the blow, determined to gouge her eyes out before rough hands grabbed me from behind. Greyson yanked me back, screaming at us to stop, but the room dissolved into chaos as she screamed, words spilling from her mouth about how I knew exactly what I was, how I needed to remember my place, and how my husband needed to put me in my place.

But her voice came and went. I was floating somewhere far away until a blow to the face sent me falling on my side. Pain cracked across my face, blinding as I crumpled to the floor with a gasp before warmth slid down my neck… blood.

Hands fisted into my collar, but we were quickly ripped apart, and I was dragged upright just as I heard a thud on the opposite side of the wall.

I looked up to see his face twisted with rage as he growled once more for me to stop, but I was not listening. I tore myself away from him, grabbed a vase, and threw it at the snake bitch. “Katarina! Stop it! What the hell do you think you’re doing?” My husband's hands found me again, and I didn't even register the impact as I fell.

The dizziness returned in waves as I tried to crawl back up, and I barely heard him yelling for help, even as his voice boomed through the room. The next thing I felt were softer hands on my back, trembling and desperate, followed by an equally desperate voice.

“Come, Luna. Please,” the old woman pleaded. “Come with me.”

But my rage hadn't subsided, and I tore myself away from her, lunging forward again as I screamed his name, demanding answers, and asking him what I had done to deserve this. Why would he hurt me like this? Humiliate like this? Why would he do this to me?

“I never asked for my bloodline! The gods made me what I am! Why do you punish me, Greyson Thornfield?!”

But he looked away. “Get her out,” he snapped. “Now!” he turned to the old woman. “Get her out before I lose it.” The old woman clung to me, crying now as she begged, “Please, Luna. Think of the baby.”

“Stop calling me that!” I screamed, thrashing against her hold. “I’m not your Luna! I never was!” My throat ached as the words flowed from my mouth. “Just end it! Take my life so you can be free!”

I attempted to run back to him, but hotel security rushed in and grabbed me from all sides, lifting me off the floor as I screamed his name. He did not look at me as he told them to take me back to our suite. People stood just outside the door, delegates from the summit, looking at me as I was dragged out screaming and kicking.

Lunas clutched their Alphas, some with tears in their eyes, others in shock, as I collapsed in the guard's hands, staring up at the gods who cursed me. “Please kill me. Please!”