chapter 1

Neriah

I was jolted awake by loud banging on the door. My head ached, my body was so heavy as if they chained me to the bed. The light in the room was dim and cold, filtering through the window side.  My head spun and it took time  before I knew I wasn't in my room.

The ceiling was low, almost like it was hanging on my head, the wooden furniture rough and left unfinished. It has stone walls, damp and black instead of the grey wall of my hotel suite. 

The truth hit me hard. 

I was naked.  

My breath caught. My heart raced so much I panicked as I quickly pulled the bedsheet on myself. The memory of the precoronation party last night flashed through my memory – I danced, laughed and drank, the wine burning my throat, then…..nothing. Everything was blank. 

I perceived an odour and I felt like vomiting.   

I didn’t notice it at first, but it became stronger, raw and wild, like something untamed. My lungs seized as the realization hit me. 

Rogue.

I quickly sat up, my body shaking. The odour was very strong on me, my clothes and the man’s shirt and underwear beside it on the ground.

“No…they can’t see me here,” I mumbled, almost losing my mind as the pounding increased,  people running down the hallway. 

Scared of getting caught, I grabbed the robe by the bedside with shaking hands and wear it. But before I collect myself, the pounding turned hammering, each strike louder than the last, until the lock twists and the door bursts open. 

Warriors trooped in, their movements sharp and rehearsed, positioning themselves differently, ready to attack the rogue inside, but they froze when they saw me.

Alpha Callen entered, his eyes locked on me and went wide in shock. he didn't talk at first, but the shock in his eyes quickly turned into something darker – hurt, anger, and betrayal. 

“Neriah….” His voice cracked, caught between pain and fury. Disappointment was written on  his face, he shook his head like something just struck him, as if I just killed everything he thought we were. 

“N…no, Callen, please,” I stammered. “I don't know how…what happened. I swear it’s not what it looks like. I didn’t…” 

“Enough!” He cut me off sharply, his voice devoid of the warmth I was used to, replaced by cold, merciless glare. 

“Take her to the pack square,” he ordered.

“No,” I cried, desperately trying to touch him, but he slapped my hand away. “Callen you have to believe me…. please” 

He didn't listen, his eyes flashed with pain and fury and didn’t let me talk before he went out, slamming the door shut.

Two rough hands grabbed me and I fell as they dragged me out on the cold stone, barefooted. 

“Please, I don't remember anything,” I choke out, tears rolling on my cheeks.

I shook so much that my teeth chattered as rough stones hurt my legs. 

Today was supposed to be the best day of my life. The day my mate, Callen Blackworne, would be crowned Alpha of RedMoon pack and would announce me as his Luna. But instead of standing beside him, dressed like a queen, they are dragging me like a criminal, bruised and covered in shame.

I met Callen two years ago, at the secret place I usually hide to avoid my father's wrath. He taught me how to fight and defend myself and vowed to protect me all his life. Two weeks ago, on my 18th birthday, the moon goddess made us mates and he mated and marked me on the same day, under the moonlight. He said the timing was perfect, that it was fate. He even turned down the arranged marriage his father proposed when he couldn’t find his mate earlier.

So how can everything crumble in one night? 

How can I explain what I don’t understand? How do I tell him I have nothing to do with rogues when the major attacks on the pack are rogues. I even heard Alpha Zach, his father once lost half of his pack to rogues after he took over from his father. But despite how hard they had fought, they still haven’t conquered. 

“Neriah,” a familiar voice called.

Turning, Alina, my stepsister, was standing in the corridor, her face pale with shock. “What's happening?” She froze, nose flaring. Then her eyes darkened. “W…why are you smelling like this?”

“You know I'll never do it, Alina.” I gasped, reaching to touch her, but the guards didn't allow me. “I don't know how it happened. I didn't sleep with rogue.” 

“Don't worry, Neriah. I will talk to Dad and Mom. We will fix this.” She promised, but it feels like a lie. 

I know my father won't help me. If anything, he’ll add to my offence and make sure I'm punished, if not killed. 

My father, Austin Montclair, has done nothing but hate me all his life. I was nothing but a curse, a murderer who killed his wife, my mother while giving birth to me. I spent my lifetrying to earn his love. He never allowed me any luxury, I worked as the pack’s slave and lived from hand to mouth for as long as I remember until he married Lorelei, my stepmother, who has been nothing but good to me, alongside Alina. 

But now…even Alina’s promise felt like smoke slipping from my hands. 

My wolf, Rhea, whimpered as the guards held me down in the pack square. I could barely feel her through the confusion.  

Hours later, drums rolled in the pack square, snapping my reverie, silencing the noise of the crowd that gathered for the coronation. 

I saw Callen entering for his coronation. He wore a black tuxedo with gold designs, looking more handsome and powerful even though he frowned his face. The smile I so admire about him was missing. 

I even think he’ll look at me and give me chance to speak, but he didn’t even spare me a glance. 

The crowd shouted, clapping as another figure emerged behind him. 

She wore a golden gown with petals and diamond designs on it. Her makeup was flawless, her chestnut hair curled in waves fell on her shoulder, with a matching red lipstick. A black and gold diamond necklace shining on her neck, matching her clutch pulse and shoes as she walked beside him.

The gown. 

It’s mine, the one I wanted to wear for the coronation. 

I looked at the woman's face and my heart stopped. 

Alina.

What’s happening?

My breath hitched as Callen offered her a hand and she took it gracefully, stepping up beside him like she belonged there. 

People shouted again, but their disgusted glare and annoyance towards me didn't go unnoticed. The people who used to love and respect me now looked at me with hatred – as if I’m nothing but a shameless whore. 

“No…. Callen is mine….” I yelled and everything quiet for a moment. 

Alina smirked. Victory shone in her eyes as she leaned closer to Callen, whose glare cut like ice before he turned to face his father. Alpha Zach and his wife, Luna Selene, also rolled their eyes on me before reaching out to grab Alina’s hand.

I could barely breathe as I watched Callen take his oath and was crowned, then every wolf took turns, pledging their loyalty to him. 

After everything, Callen took the mic and turned to face me.

“Neriah Montclair has committed an unforgivable sin against the pack and she deserves to…..” he began, but I didn’t let him finish because I knew what would follow. 

He’s going to kill me. No one has ever survived betraying the pack and mine won’t be exception. But I'd rather be burnished and be a rogue than be killed for what I didn’t do. At least, I'll be out of here and won't see them loving each other in my place. 

“No….” the words came out before he could finish. My body trembled as I forced the words out of my mouth, “I, Neriah Montclair, reject you, Callen Hartworne….” 

“How dare you?” he thundered, his anger shaking everywhere. “How dare you try to reject me after what you’ve done? You think I’ll reject and watch you walk free after committing such a grave offence. No, I want to watch you suffer till you crumble, breaking you piece by piece until you confess to every evil thing you have done.” 

“I didn’t do it.…” I sobbed.

“I, Alpha Callen Blackworne,” he roared. “reject your rejection. And hereby announce Alina Montclair as my fiance and Luna.” 

Rhea howled inside me, her voice filled with rage. ‘That’s our mate.’

My vision blurred, knees getting weak as pain hit my chest so hard it felt like I was breaking apart as my heart shattered over and over again.

Before I collect myself, Callen grabbed Alina’s waist, pulled her closer, and met my gaze – holding it still, he slowly lowered his mouth to Alina's lips and kissed her till the last piece of me shattered beyond repair.