Return of the Ruined Mate

Eleven days. That is how long I have been in this dungeon — forgotten and betrayed. The cold cobblestone bites through my skin as I curl up on the floor, knees hugged to my chest to at least keep me warm. Even with blurry eyes, I could still see the bruises and cuts on my skin. Above me, there was a small barred window that lets in just enough light to remind me that I am still alive — but not for long. Any day now, someone would come and take me, someone would drag my chains all the way to the town square, and parade me as the kingdom’s shame. Because I am a human who deserves to die. At least that is what everyone in this kingdom thinks, for harming Roisa Mondevelle who is with child, the Queen who carries the son of Tedros Fernore, the Lycan King. That was supposed to be me, I was supposed to be the Queen who stands next to Tedros. I was born for that. Thinking about my stolen position, tears unknowingly spill from my eyes again. I didn’t think I had any left. For eleven days, I’ve cried, screamed, begged the Moon Goddess for justice. Silence. Just a painful silence that spoke a lot of things. That I was abandoned… by my people, the goddess, and my mate. “Larissa Loveryk!” The clang of metal slashes through my thoughts. A guard slams his sword against the bars to gain my attention, his eyes full of contempt and fury. Of course, I was labeled as a criminal after all. “It’s time.” I did not move despite their loud voices calling for me. So the door swings open, two more guards storms in, and roughly yanked me upright. I shut my eyes tight, wondering what they would do to me this time. Yesterday they burned my wrists, the other day they slashed my back hundreds of times, I even lost count how often they submerged my head in water, only pulling me up for air to ask the same question again and again. “Why did you attempt to kill the Queen?” They were trying to force a confession from me, a confession I will never give… because I am innocent. Finally, one shoves my head forward, the other grabs a fistful of hair and: Shk—shk—shk! Ruthless blades hack off the long black strands I once wore with pride. In our kingdom, a woman’s hair is her honor, the longer they are, the more noble they are. While mine now lies scattered on the filthy floor like dead petals and I just know that Roisa was the one who ordered this to be done, her one last wish to see me lose everything I hold dear. “Get up! It’s time to go.” I walked barefoot, with torn clothes, chopped hair, and no crown on my head. I was stripped of my dignity. The guards march me out, and I stumble through stone corridors and into the blinding sun — something I have not seen for so long. The streets were overflowing with wolves, humans, children. They were all gathered for a show — my execution. “Traitor!” “Hang her!” “You’re not our Queen!” They all scream the same cruel words over and over again while throwing stones at my direction, pelting my already broken skin. One stone in particular, landed on my head and I could feel blood trickling from my temple. But none of it compares to the blow that lands when I look up at the palace balcony. She’s there. Roisa Mondevelle. The new Queen. The replacement. A she-wolf no one had heard of until she appeared along with the oracle and claimed to be the true queen chosen by the goddess. Her hand lovingly clutches the arm of the man standing beside her. The man I loved. The one I gave everything for. Tedros Fernore. The Lycan King. My mate and also my executioner. He doesn’t even flinch when our eyes meet. No flicker of guilt. No memory of the girl who stood beside him since childhood. No ounce of love for the girl who sacrificed everything for him. He only looks at Roisa — eyes soft, jaw relaxed — as if she’s the only thing that matters in this world. As if he didn’t just sentence me to die. Once I reached the elevated platform in the heart of the square, a hard shove forces me to my knees. Seeing this, the crowd roars and threw their angry fists in the air. A scroll is unrolled beside me. The verdict is read loudly for everyone to hear. “Larissa Loveryk is hereby sentenced for treason, attempted assassination of Queen Roisa Mondevelle, and conspiracy against the crown!” I don’t hear the rest, especially when my pulse was deafening. I was slowly being consumed by fear as I look up at the two — Roisa and Tedros. “She shall be stripped of all titles, wealth, and rights… and executed before the people!” My heart clenches. My gaze searched for Tedros one last time, hoping he would change his mind, hoping he would raise his hand to stop the executioner, hoping that our bond was enough to keep me alive… but instead, He’s smiling. And that’s when I finally understand. He never loved me. I was never his mate. I was never even his choice. Just a symbol. A tool. A human pawn to bridge the gap between species. I stare at him as the rope is tightened around my neck. “My only sin,” I whisper, a lone tear trickling down my cheeks, “was loving you.” The platform creaks beneath my feet. And as the crowd cheers for my death, I make one final wish: If I ever get a second chance… I’ll never love you again, Tedros Fernore