CHAPTER 2

The sun was setting, casting a warm glow as I made my way to the gates of the ancestral pack house. There was a portion in the eastern wing of this large manor that was turned over for my father and I to occupy ever since he became the beta. And since I was now the Luna of the pack, that particular part of the household remained occupied by my father.

I was overwhelmed with a whirlwind of feelings—anger, sadness, uncertainty—but more than anything, I desperately wanted to talk to my dad. He would definitely have an idea of what to do.  

I just couldn’t believe that Brittany, of all people, could really betray me. And it makes me wonder whether my dad was even aware of what she did to me. The sight of her entwined with Geoff in bed lingered in my thoughts, adding more soreness to the pain in my heart. 

Their betrayal hurt me tremendously, but it was Geoff’s harshness that made me feel empty inside.  

I opened the front door, and the familiar creak resonated through the grand hall. “Dad?” I called, my voice shaking a bit.

There was no single reply. The silence was unsettling. I ascended the grand staircase leading to his study, my footsteps muffled by the dense ambiance surrounding me.  

As I got closer, I could hear voices coming from the slightly ajar door. I halted abruptly, looking inside with care.  

“You are being requested to the tribunal for alleged treason against the pack,” a deep authoritative voice declared coldly.  

My breath got caught up. My father stood in the center of the room, his hands bound, flanked by two pack enforcers. His expression was defiant but weary, as if he had anticipated this moment.  

“This is absurd,” he said calmly. “I’ve served this pack with unwavering loyalty.”  

The enforcer sneered. “Save your breath. The evidence is clear, Juancho. Your allegiance to your daughter’s betrayal seals your fate.”  

“Betrayal?” My father’s voice rose. “Cassie has done nothing wrong!”  

But the enforcer silenced him with a harsh shove. “Save your excuses for the Alpha.”  

My chest tightened, and I stumbled back, my mind reeling. Treason? Betrayal? What are they talking about?

I had no time to think. As they dragged my father away, I slipped out of the house unnoticed, my mind racing. There was only one person who could stop this—Geoff, and it never crossed my mind that I would eventually have to go and seek his help, especially after what happened.  

The Alpha’s room stood before me, their intimidating presence feeling strange and unwelcoming. Earlier I came here all excited and thrilled, only to find out how my own cousin and husband had been cheating behind me. 

And now, as I paused at the entrance, my determination was wavering, wondering if I even had the slightest bravery to face him again after what he told me earlier. But then my father’s anguished face flashed in my mind, and I steeled myself.  

Geoff was lounging in the sitting room, a glass of whiskey in his hand. He looked up as I entered, a smirk tugging at his lips.  

“Well, if it isn’t my dear Luna,” he drawled, his tone laced with mockery.  

“Geoff, please,” I began, swallowing my pride. “You have to stop this. My father is innocent. You know he is.”  

He raised an eyebrow, taking a slow sip of his drink. “Do I? Because from where I’m standing, it looks like treason runs in the family.”  

I clenched my fists, forcing myself to stay calm. “You’re the Alpha. You have the power to investigate this properly. To see the truth. Please, Geoff, I’m begging you. Spare him.”  

Geoff’s smirk widened, his eyes gleaming with cruel amusement. “Begging suits you, Cassie. But tell me, why would I bother to save a traitor? Or his pathetic daughter?”  

His words were like a slap to the face, but I refused to back down. “He’s your Beta! He’s served this pack loyally for years—long before you even became Alpha!”  

Geoff stood, towering over me. His expression darkened, the amusement replaced by cold disdain. “And what has that loyalty earned him? A daughter who undermines her Alpha by scheming and whining. You’re not just wolfless, Cassie. You’re worthless.”  

Tears welled in my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. “If you ever loved me—”  

“Loved you?” Geoff cut me off with a harsh laugh. “Don’t flatter yourself. Our union was a necessity, a debt repaid to your father. But now, that debt is null. You’re nothing to me, Cassie. And to make that clear...”  

He reached into his desk and pulled out a stack of papers. Divorce papers.  

“You’re going to sign these,” he said, shoving them toward me. “And when you’re done, you’ll no longer be my Luna.”  

My hands trembled as I stared at the papers. “You’re doing this because of her, aren’t you? Brittany.”  

He shrugged, unbothered. “She’s twice the woman you’ll ever be. She’s strong, capable. Everything you’re not.”  

Anger boiled inside me, but it was no match for the overwhelming sense of betrayal. With trembling hands, I picked up the pen.  

“You’ll regret this, Geoff,” I whispered, tears slipping down my cheeks as I signed my name. “One day, you’ll see how wrong you were.”  

He snatched the papers away with a satisfied smirk. “Doubtful. Now, one last thing before you go.”  

I looked up at him, my heart sinking further.  

“You’re to be escorted to the dungeon,” he said coldly. “Consider it a mercy. If it were up to me, you’d face the same fate as your father.”  

My legs nearly gave out, but two enforcers appeared, gripping my arms tightly.  

“Take her away,” Geoff ordered.  

The dungeon was damp and cold, the air thick with despair. As the enforcers dragged me through the corridors, one of them whispered in my ear.  

“Keep quiet,” he said, his tone urgent. “I’m loyal to your father. I’ll help you escape, but you must leave the pack. It’s not safe here anymore.”  

I turned to him, hope flickering in my chest. “You’d do that for me?”  

“For your father,” he clarified. “And for the pack. Geoff’s leadership is tearing it apart.”  

He led me to a side passage, his grip firm but gentle. “There’s a path out of the territory to the north. Follow it until you reach the border. Don’t stop for anything.”  

I hesitated, looking back toward the direction of the house. “What about my father?”  

“There’s nothing you can do for him now,” the gamma said grimly. “But you can survive. And one day, you might be strong enough to return.”  

His words settled heavily in my chest. I nodded, swallowing my tears. “Thank you.”  

“Go,” he urged, shoving me gently toward the hidden exit.  

The forest was dark and silent as I ran, my heart pounding with every step. My thoughts were a whirlwind of pain, anger, and determination. Geoff and Brittany had taken everything from me—my home, my status, my family.  

But they hadn’t taken my will.  

As I crossed the border, I stopped to catch my breath, staring back at the territory that was no longer mine.  

“I’ll be back,” I whispered to the night. “And when I am, you’ll regret what you’ve done, Geoff.”  

With that vow burning in my chest, I turned and disappeared into the darkness, ready to forge a new path.