“This,” the healer stated, raising the purple bottle, “is a potion that suppresses an inner wolf, keeping it from surfacing.” “What?” I cried, shaking my head vehemently as I tried to explain. “That’s not true! I—” but was cut off by Liam's cold voice. “Did you use this potion, Nina?”“It’s not what you think, I—” “Yes. Or. No.”“Yes, but—” “That’s all I needed to know,” Liam said, turning his back to me as the crowd erupted into murmurs. The doctor raised the red aphrodisiac next, “This contains herbs commonly used by witches to tamper with bonds—to forge or conceal them.” “Lies!” my voice cracked. “It’s just an aphrodisiac! Luna Lisa gave it to me!” The crowd roared with laughter, the sound cruel and mocking. Liam’s gaze bore into me, his disappointment cutting deeper than any blade. “So now you’re blaming the Mother Luna?” I shook my head frantically, tears streaming down my face. “No! She gave them to help me. Please, call her. She’ll explain!” “Enough!” Liam’s voice boomed, silencing the room. “I almost made the mistake of crowning someone as ungrateful and spiteful as you my Luna.”I watched as he moved closer to the girl, the imposter, his attitude becoming gentler as he assisted her in standing up. “I apologize for all that you’ve suffered,” he said, his tone soothing. "I promise, I will get revenge for you." She nodded, tears streaming down her face. “Start by rejecting her,” she said, her voice trembling but resolute. "Comsider it done.""Please, Liam, don't do this." I pleaded as he turned back to me, his expression hardening once more. “I, Alpha Liam, Alpha of the Lycan pack, reject you, Nina Hawthorne, as my mate and Luna.” Agony pierced me, burning and relentless. I fell to my knees, holding my chest as tears shook my body. Liam didn’t look at me as he placed a crown on the imposter, finishing it with a kiss. The sight burned into me, each second carving a deeper wound in my soul. As the crowd cheered, I made a vow, silent and cold. *I will make her pay.*

Pheromones. Suffocating the air, clogging to my skin, trapped in the mysterious dark room. I was supposed to make my grand escape, instead I was caught in the day that supposed to be my happiest day turned all red, by the blood of my yet-to-be-new-mate. “I told you,” his murderer grits my jaw as he spells his words to me one after another, “you, are, mine!” Looking into the eyes that I once loved, I feel desperation filling me.