2
1445 Kata
"Miss Yversen."
A soft tap on the balcony door made me jump. My heart lurched in my chest, body tensing instinctively for another punishment.
"I'm here, just like you asked."
Leila. Sweet, loyal Leila—the only servant who still looked at me like I was human.
"Leila? You have the key?" I whispered, crawling toward the glass doors. Every movement sent fresh pain through my battered body, but I pushed through it. I'd gotten good at pushing through pain.
"Yeah."
"The party's already started," she said quietly through the glass.
I could hear it now. Music drifting up from below, laughter echoing through the halls, the clinking of crystal glasses. The sound of people celebrating while I bled in a locked room.
Very on-brand for my life.
"Open it. Now. I need to get down there."
My voice came out stronger than I felt. Steadier. Because for the first time in three years, I had a plan that didn't involve just surviving another day.
"Those guests need to see what their precious Alpha-wannabe really is."
I knew now was the right time to end it all. To save myself from this damned hellhole. Three years of misery was more than enough. Three years of being called barren, worthless, a disgrace. Three years of torture and isolation and blame for things beyond my control.
I was done.
The lock clicked. Leila pushed the door open carefully.
"Use the rope. I'll take your place in the room," she said, pressing the coiled rope into my hands.
"Thank you so much, Leila."
I took it gratefully. We'd planned this days ago, knowing Rhys would punish me again after finding out about the miscarriage. My third one in three years. Another failure to add to my growing list of inadequacies.
I climbed down slowly, my bloody back screaming with each movement. The white dress I wore—the one I'd picked out so carefully this morning—was now stained red. Good. Let them see. Let everyone see what their future Alpha did to the daughter of the Beta who died saving his life.
I hobbled through the dark path beside the pack's garden, each step agony. The music grew louder as I approached the main hall. Laughter. Conversation. The clinking of glasses raised in celebration.
They were having such a good time.
My dad had so many friends in the pack. Surely one of them would recognize me. Surely someone would want to help the daughter of their fallen Beta.
Surely someone would care.
I slipped through the unguarded side entrance, staying in the shadows. My eyes immediately went to the front stage where Rhys stood, tall and proud, raising a crystal glass of champagne.
"Welcome, all my honored guests. It is a great honor for me, Rhys Glomarian, to host you on this blissful evening."
His voice carried across the hall—smooth, charming, full of warmth he never showed me behind closed doors.
Then I saw her.
Standing beside him. Cradled on his arm like she belonged there.
A gorgeous young blonde in a black mermaid dress that hugged every curve. Her hair cascaded down her back in perfect waves. Her smile was radiant as she looked up at Rhys with adoration.
"Virgie..."
The name came out as a hiss. My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms until I felt blood.
Virginia Paraguz. My stepsister. The girl who'd stolen my father's love. The girl who'd gotten everything while I got nothing.
And now she was stealing my husband too.
"This can't be..."
But it was. Of course it was. Why should I be surprised? Everyone I'd ever loved had chosen someone else over me.
"So… I guess you all already know... my beloved wife, Summer, is very sick now."
Rhys's voice cut through my shock. I watched him wipe away fake tears, his face the picture of a devoted, suffering husband.
Liar.
"After my father-in-law's departure, she suffered from severe depression. I can say she was mentally unstable, and from that day on, I, as her husband, had to try my best to find a treatment for her..."
Whispers rippled through the crowd.
"Rhys is truly meant to be the leader of the Fang Forest Pack. Just look at the noble heart beating within him!"
I wanted to scream. I wanted to tear through the crowd and rip that noble heart right out of his chest.
"I've spared no effort in seeking out the best doctors and psychiatrists for her physical and mental well-being. But alas, I have... failed..."
Luna Jocelyn stepped forward then, dabbing delicately at her dry eyes with a handkerchief.
"My daughter-in-law, already in critical condition, continues to inflict harm upon herself. She has made numerous attempts at taking her own life..."
Her voice trembled with false sorrow. I'd heard that voice before—the same one she used when ordering guards to beat me.
"We are at our wits' end..."
"Lord knows the trials Luna Jocelyn and her son have endured. It has caused a significant delay in Alpha Rhys' long-awaited coronation as leader..."
Sympathetic murmurs filled the hall. They believed every word. Every single lie.
"But I know I have more important duties than being sad because the Fang Forest Pack needs a leader!"
Rhys's voice grew stronger, more passionate.
"For the sake of Fang Forest Pack's survival, I have taken my fated mate by my side, Virginia Paraguz!"
Applause erupted. Glasses raised. Virgie smiled shyly, pressing close to Rhys's side.
My vision blurred red.
"She will soon become Fang Forest Pack's future Luna. And the other happy news is..."
He paused, looking down at Virgie with such tenderness it made me want to vomit.
"She is currently pregnant with our first pups."
The words hit me like a physical blow. Pregnant. She was pregnant with his child. While I'd suffered three miscarriages and endless torture for my failure.
"So you can all congratulate us."
More applause. More celebration. More proof that I'd never mattered at all.
"Let us toast to the recovery of my wife, too..."
"LIAR!!"
My voice tore through the party noise. Every head turned toward me. I stepped into the light, bloody and broken and done pretending.
"He and his mother are f*****g liars!"
I pointed at Rhys with a shaking hand.
"You all look at me. Look what they did to me! They're torturing me and planning to get rid of me! I need your help!"
I spun around, meeting the eyes of my father's old friends. The Alphas and Betas he'd served alongside. Surely they would help. Surely—
But they stepped back. Every single one of them. Looking at me with disgust, with pity, with contempt.
"Oh, my Goddess!"
Luna Jocelyn ran toward me, gripping my arm so hard I felt bones grind.
"I'm so sorry, my daughter-in-law, she...she...is unstable."
Her voice was soft, gentle for the crowd. But her nails dug into my skin like claws.
"Darling, let's go back to your room, okay? You have to rest, sweetheart."
"I don't want to!" I tried to break free.
"You must," she hissed into my ear, her breath hot against my skin. "Or I'll make your life more than hell."
The guests stared. Some giggled behind their hands. Others shook their heads sadly.
Not one of them moved to help me.
"Please enjoy the party, everyone. I will take my daughter-in-law back to her bedroom."
Luna Jocelyn's smile was poisonous sweet as she dragged me away.
"I think you should tie her up, Luna. It's not very good to let someone mentally unstable wander around."
"Yes! If I were you, I would've sent her to the Asylum already!"
Laughter followed us out. Mocking, cruel laughter that echoed in my ears long after we left the hall.
I'd expected help. I'd gotten ridicule instead.
Luna Jocelyn dragged me down dark hallways, past my bedroom, deeper into the parts of the house I'd only heard whispers about.
"You think they'll take pity and help you, huh?"
She laughed—a sound like breaking glass.
"I'll ensure you never get to enjoy the fresh air up there again. Didn't you hear earlier that I've been too kind to you?"
The smell hit me first. Moss and wet earth and decay. Then the squeaking of rats echoing off stone walls.
The isolation room.
"Guards!"
Two men appeared from the shadows.
"Open the door! Take this b***h and put her in!"
"Luna, please don't..."
I grabbed at her feet, begging, all pride gone.
"Don't touch me with your filthy hands!"
She kicked me away. The guards grabbed my arms, dragging me toward the open door.
- Penulis
