Chapter 1

The first fall

Nyx's Pov

Keira looked my way, a sly grin playing at the edge of her lips as she raised a DNA test mockingly. ‘’So sister, your child is a bastard?’’

Murmurs erupted in the room as they looked at me accusingly.

“Keira! What are you saying?! Liam is Zade’s and my son. What are you talking about?’’ I whisper-yelled, trying to brush away the attention of the crowd.

“Oh Pleasee.. Do you think we are stupid?! Every single one of these people have trusted you to uphold your duty as Luna. But instead, you gave the Alpha a bastard for a son’’

I chuckled nervously. “Stop creating a scene, Keira. Zade knows Liam is his son. And this is not the time for this. We are here to celebrate your return not question the paternity of my son.’’

“Keira is right!’’ A deep guttural voice bloomed, bringing the murmurs to a halt. Everyone's head whipped in the direction of the door where Zade walked in, a glass of wine curled up in his hands.

My ears rang painfully as I stared at him in shock. “Zade, how could you say that? Liam is your son and you know it!’’

I rubbed at the hem of my dress, nervousness sipping in. Some of the guests pointed mocking fingers at me, each questioning my fidelity. But Zade’s opinion was the only one that mattered.

I ran towards him, hoping he’d at least believe me. “Pleasee’’ I pleaded with wide eyes, searching for any hint of doubt, even if it was the tiniest bit.

“Liam is your son. You know it. You were there when I gave birth to him 2 months ago. You can’t believe any of this’’

He stared down at me irritation marring his features. For the first time since he stepped into the room, he stared at me. And he wasn’t the man I remembered. This man standing before me was devoid of any emotion.

His dark eyes left mine and faced the room instead. “She gave birth to a bastard for the Crescent moon pack. And according to the elders, it’s against the rule.’’

“Please Zade. You have to believe me. Please…’’ I whispered, tears trickling down my eyes like a dam had broken.

“You are nothing but filth Nyx. I’m ashamed to call you my sister. Look how you’ve disgraced Alpha Zade’s reputation. For what? You can’t keep your legs closed?’’ Keira mocked.

I ignored her and turned to zade who was now staring at me.

For a moment, I thought his gaze softened. I thought somewhere in his heart, he believed me. We had been married for a year and I carried and delivered his child safely. I thought his silence meant that he was considering his own intuition.

But then his gaze hardened again and he turned back to the crowd. “I hereby denounce Nyx as the Luna of Crescent moon pack. She has brought shame to me and to the entire pack members and I’m afraid she can no longer bear the position of my Luna anymore. As tradition calls for, I am to find a new Luna and mate to bear the responsibility of the pack.’’ He paused and pulled Keira closer.

I held my breath awaiting his next words as I stared at them acting all intimate in my presence. After Keira’s arrival, she was only allowed in the pack house strictly by my invitation. How did she get so close to Zade in minutes?

I wasn’t sure if I was missing something or I was just overthinking things.

I carefully rose to my feet, my ears straining to hear the next words that’d drop from Zade’s mouth.

“Meet your new Luna, Keira.’’

I froze, my heart racing. How could he discard me and take her in so fast?

The thoughts that this wasn’t about me bearing a child for someone else starts to creep in and the tears I so badly wanted to hold in fell.

Was this all planned? Has Zade been having an affair with Keira behind my back?

He had promised to make me his Luna a year ago to keep his position and keep me by his side too.

I watched the love I had for him before and after our marriage, crumble to the ground.

He solely confessed to Keira right in front of everyone. “And, she has been the one I fell in love with from the moment I was born a leader. She's my true mate and your Luna.”

I fell to the ground. Realization hitting harder than I could take.

“So to you Nyx…” he knelt to the ground and lifted my chin “You're no longer needed. Considering your stupidity all these years to think I'd actually love you? Tch! In your dreams.” Tears slowly dropped from my eyes, his words crushing my bone and cutting my heart in pieces.

“You were only married to me because Keira needed her college certification, and you? You just wanted to be a house wife but you failed. So Liam is indeed mine and that's why I'm going to keep him.” He grinned.

“What?” My voice was barely audible. “You...you can't take my son, he's mine too.” I protested.

I reached for his tunic but he shoved me to the ground. Pain shot through my ankle as I landed hard. Gasps echoed around us, but no one moved to help.

“You touch me again, and I'll have you hanged.” His voice was cold, it was nothing short of disapproval.

Tears burned down my cheeks. Zade never loved me, he only needed an heir and I provided one. And now his true love is back and I was disposable.

I looked up to Keira, her smile wide enough to show how excited she was. The last time we spoke over the phone before she arrived was when I gave birth. She said and I quote, “I'm so happy for you, Nyx. At least letting go of college does pay off. You've got a man that loves you and now you have a child”

She said those words and I believed she was there for me. I believed every action of Zade and the love he showed, perhaps the one he pretended to show.

The man I once loved, betrayed me.

Anger coursed through my veins. I lunged towards them, yelling and screaming. “You…bastard.” I smacked and bit hard on them, as much as I could.

Keira shoved me to the ground after she managed to pull my hand away from her hair. I was held too tight to be satisfied.

I was far too broken now. It was petty and foolish, but it was the only thing I could control.

“Lock her up! She doesn't deserve to be among us anymore.” Zade ordered.

The guards seized me instantly, yanking me away as I screamed, kicked and begged “Zade! Give me back my son.”

My screams echoed through the pack compound. I was dragged like a criminal and thrown into a cold lightless room. A cage for low ranked rogues.