Semua Bab The Alpha's Cruel Trial: Bab 1 - Bab 8

"Get in."The guard's voice was as cold as the iron gate he opened.I stepped into a massive, underground arena.The stands were already packed with werewolves from across the continent, their gloating faces illuminated by giant screens overhead, broadcasting my humiliation to the world.The live comments scrolled by, a torrent of contempt."Some Luna. Can't even save her own pack member.""I'll bet 100 gold she doesn't last five minutes.""Is Alpha Ethan finally getting a new Luna? It's about time."The words echoed in my head.A tidal wave of shame and rage washed over me.I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms, hard enough to draw blood.If I wasn't worthy of being Luna, was Bella?I looked up at the VIP box.Bella had draped herself "weakly" over Ethan, accepting his comfort.Her mother had just died a horrible death, yet I saw no real grief in her eyes—only the vicious, gleeful anticipation of revenge.She'd already cast aside her mother's death, hungry only for my to

Gabriel's words sent a shockwave of silence through the arena.Join the trial? An outside Alpha wanted to interfere with a pack's sacred ritual?Ethan shot to his feet, his face livid. "Gabriel, this is an internal matter of the Shadowmoon Pack. You have no right to interfere.""Internal?" Gabriel descended the stairs, his aura so powerful it felt like the air itself was bowing to him. "The moment you broadcast it to the world for entertainment and profit, you made it everyone's business."His voice was terrifyingly calm, but each word landed like a sledgehammer."If we're playing a game, we play by the rules," Gabriel said, stopping at the edge of the trial floor. "I placed a bet. I have the right to protect my investment."So the fifty million was from him.Ethan's fists clenched. "What do you want?""Simple." Gabriel's gaze flickered to Bella, who shrank back involuntarily. "If your Luna must prove herself in a trial, shouldn't you, her Alpha, have to prove your judgment?""What are

Leaving the arena, I didn't spare Ethan a single glance.All the love, hate, and disappointment had turned to ash the moment I discovered the fake mark.All I wanted now was to leave this suffocating place."Sophia, where are you going?" Ethan jumped off the stretcher.He started after me, a hint of panic in his voice.I stopped but didn't turn around."Anywhere you're not." My voice was as still and dead as a frozen lake.Just then, Gabriel came to my side.He spoke to me with a tone of respect and equality. "Sophia, perhaps you remember. Three years ago, at the Continental Alpha Summit, the Shadowmoon Pack's territory was challenged. You were the one who stood up and defused the entire dispute with your intelligence and diplomacy. I've remembered you ever since. A light like yours shouldn't be dimmed by such foolish plots and betrayal."He paused, his deep eyes looking at me with genuine sincerity."My pack, the Northern Spire, will always be open to you. I ask for nothing in return,

Sophia's POV"Sophia! Die!"Bella's shriek ripped through the sacred silence.The silver dagger flashed, a harbinger of death aimed straight for my heart.Everyone was frozen, stunned by the sudden attack.The guards were too slow. Gabriel was three steps away.In that split second, a body slammed into mine, shoving me out of the dagger's path.It was Ethan."No!"The silver dagger plunged deep into his chest."Ethan!" I gasped.He used the last of his strength to wrap his arms around the crazed Bella. "Why… why would you save her?" Bella stared at him in disbelief. "She's not yours anymore!"Blood trickled from his lips, but his eyes, fixed on me, were clearer than they had been in years. "Because…" he coughed, his voice a hoarse whisper. "I failed you, Sophia. Let this… let this be the one right thing I do."Bella finally snapped, her face twisting in a mask of triumph and madness. "You're insane! For her, you'd actually…" With a final surge of strength, she shoved the dagger deeper.