REJECTED ALPHA'S LUNA

Chapter 5: Condemned

On the day of the wedding, Catherine did not leave her room immediately. She waited until noon, staring out the window as she realized the ceremony was already nearing its end.

“My Lady, it is already dusk. If you do not make it to the venue within twenty minutes, the newlyweds will already have left for their honeymoon,” the head maid reminded her.

Although Catherine was reluctant to attend, she knew she could not avoid this responsibility. No matter what, she had to go. After getting dressed, she finally stepped out of her room.

She traveled to the groom’s home accompanied by two bodyguards and a maid. The moment she entered the courtyard, the festive atmosphere shifted strangely.

Even the music playing from the speakers came to an abrupt stop. Her eyes swept over the tables, lanterns, balloons, and decorations scattered across the courtyard. Though everything looked impressive, what truly unsettled her were the stares directed at her.

Catherine began to fidget, lowering her gaze. Every step she took toward the main entrance hall made her heart pound wildly.

Then she heard a loud voice announce, “The Luna has arrived!”

As she stepped into the main hall, everyone rose to their feet. They may not have liked Catherine, but they had no choice except to respect her as the Luna of the pack and the representative of the Moon Goddess’s goodwill.

Catherine turned her eyes toward the couple seated on two ornate armchairs placed side by side. Both were dressed so glamorously that she could barely recognize them.

“The blessing of the Moon Goddess has arrived. This marriage will last forever,” a man in the corner of the hall proclaimed. Thick beads adorned his neck, his eyebrows were heavy, and what made him especially distinctive was the mole at the corner of his lips and the rings covering his fingers.

Catherine walked forward with practiced ease and stopped before the newlyweds. Then, in a voice that sounded almost automatic, she recited, “Your marriage is blessed.”

It was clear she had performed this ritual so many times that she had grown numb to it. Just then, a group of dancers began their performance, and a band took over the makeshift stage.

“My Lady, you have gone out of your way to be here. Please, come with me. I have already prepared drinks and food for you,” the groom’s father said with a smile.

Catherine hesitated. Ever since she had stepped into the hall, a bad premonition had lingered in her heart. She did not want to stay there; every second only made her more tense. But even though she wanted to refuse, she could not bring herself to do so.

“Alright,” she said curtly.

“Come with me to the room.” The groom’s father led Catherine to a private room.

She followed him, remaining highly vigilant. When she saw the dishes that had been prepared, she had no appetite. She only took a few small bites before gesturing for the guards and maid accompanying her to eat as well.

By the time dark clouds gathered in the sky, she left the wedding venue. Yet she still did not feel relieved. Something felt terribly wrong, though she could not quite pinpoint it. Her brows furrowed in deep contemplation.

Suddenly, she was surrounded by enforcement warriors.

Catherine’s heart skipped a beat.

The enforcement chief looked at her with an expressionless face. His bald head, towering height, and squinted eyes gave him an overbearing aura, while his tightly packed, exposed muscles radiated a natural wildness.

“My Lady, a theft has been reported at the wedding venue. Everyone has been searched, but no one was found with the missing item. I am sorry, but we need to conduct a thorough investigation. You should know how difficult our work is—we cannot overlook any possibility,” he said sternly.

Catherine knew he was spouting nonsense about everyone being searched. If that were true, they would not have come after her so quickly.

Her heart pounded when she suddenly saw the maid and bodyguards who had accompanied her all day step back.

She had never expected to be accused of theft.

“My Lady, please,” one of the female enforcement agents said calmly.

Catherine stood still as they searched her. In less than a minute, a gold ring was found on her.

Her expression did not change, nor did she look shocked. She knew her fate had already been sealed.

She was taken to the palace.

Alpha Silas sat quietly as the elders sprang up in condemnation. Many demanded all kinds of harsh punishment, yet no one spoke up for Catherine.

He looked at her as she stood there with tears rolling down her face. At that moment, he knew he would not be able to protect her.

“What do you have to say concerning this matter?” Alpha Silas asked.

Catherine looked at him in anger. She had not seen her husband for weeks, yet he knew her character best. She was certain he was also aware that they were plotting against her. Instead of protecting her, he stood there and questioned her.

His words chilled her heart completely.

With cold eyes, she stubbornly replied, “Guilty, as they say.”

Alpha Silas looked at Catherine with an expressionless face. Then, word by word, he announced, “The office of the Luna cannot be occupied by a petty thief. She will be stripped of the position of Luna, and our marriage will be dissolved. She will be made to break the bond between us. This is my judgment.”

Everyone fell silent. No one dared breathe too loudly. They had not expected Alpha Silas to pronounce such a harsh punishment.

Then, suddenly, the once-quiet hall erupted into noise. Everyone clamored in shock; the blow was too great.

Catherine looked at Alpha Silas with eyes full of disappointment, but he merely waved his hand and instructed, “Take her away and put her in prison.”

Catherine was immediately dragged away.

Alpha Silas left as well, with Lucky following close behind. Lucky’s expression was grim.

“Find a way and send her out of the pack house,” Alpha Silas told Lucky.

Lucky frowned and furrowed his brows. “Why?”

“Do not ask questions,” Alpha Silas retorted coldly.

Catherine did not cry or make a scene. She quietly allowed them to lock her up. Then she sat down, because she knew the ring had been stitched into the dress she wore to the wedding venue.