Chapter Three: Imprisoned!
1080 Words
Ivy’s POV
“We'd begin the wedding preparations!” He said happily, but I had a plan: I would make him near his success and then bring him down; he would never become the alpha, not on my watch.
The days blurred together, a carefully crafted illusion of devotion. I played my part perfectly—smiling when needed, nodding at the right moments, feigning admiration for a man I secretly loathed. No one suspected a thing. Not even Austin.
I watched him closely, memorizing his patterns. The way his gaze lingered on Claire when he thought I wasn’t looking. The subtle smirks, the whispers between them. Every touch, every glance, was another dagger to my chest. But I didn’t let it show. Not yet.
Because my moment was coming.
I had set everything in place. Arranged meetings, smoothed political tensions, and made Austin look like the perfect leader. I stood by his side, supporting him, feeding into his ambition. He thought he had me wrapped around his finger. He thought I was his loyal Luna.
He was wrong.
Tonight was the coronation—the night Austin would be officially recognized as Alpha. The night I had been waiting for. The night I would secure my plans and make him pay for all he did to me.
Claire fastened the final clasp at my neck, her fingers trembling slightly. Her expression was warm, admiring. “You look beautiful,” she said softly.
I returned her gaze, a knowing smile playing on my lips. She had no idea, did she? No idea what I knew. No idea that I had seen everything.
“Thank you,” I murmured, keeping my voice light. Then, unable to resist, I added, “I hope you find someone loyal one day. Someone who values you.”
Her smile faltered, confusion flashing in her eyes. “What do you mean?”
I let the silence stretch between us. Let the weight of my words settle. I wanted her to think. To wonder. To feel the first traces of fear creep into her chest.
Before she could push further, the door creaked open.
“It’s time, Luna,” a voice announced.
I turned without another glance at Claire, my gown sweeping the floor as I walked out. My heartbeat was steady. My mind was sharp.
“I'll go now!” I said with a smile.
Tonight, everything will change.
I walked into the hall, and I was welcomed by the chattering of the crowd.
The ceremony hall was packed. The air buzzed with anticipation. The elders sat like statues, their expressions unreadable. The entire pack was watching, waiting.
Austin stood at the center, awaiting his bride before his coronation.
The elder raised his hand, signaling for silence. “You're all welcome to the coronation and wedding of Austin and Ivy.” And then everyone clapped.
“After the wedding vows, Austin will automatically become the Alpha.” The elder said, and I smirked.
“Let's start with the drinking of holy water; each one will drink it.” And I smiled, collecting the water, while nodding to the maid that helped bring it.
This would be his downfall, an alpha who got paralyzed on his coronation day; that's amazing.
I felt Austin’s gaze on me, expectant, confident.
“Ivy,” the elder continued, “do you accept this man as your Alpha? Do you accept him as your mate?”
I inhaled slowly, locking eyes with Austin.
I had played my part perfectly up until now. But was this truly my moment? Or did I need to wait just a little longer?
Just as I opened my mouth, Austin beat me to it.
“No,” he said, his voice firm.
The hall fell into stunned silence.
My breath caught in my throat. I stared at him, trying to process what had just happened.
No? I wasn't surprised, but I didn't know he'd do this.
Whispers spread like wildfire through the crowd. My pulse thundered in my ears.
And then, as if the night couldn’t twist the knife any deeper, the doors swung open.
Claire walked in.
Her heels clicked against the polished floor, her confidence a mockery of everything I had once believed in. She was glowing, radiating satisfaction.
I knew what was coming before she even spoke.
“I’m pregnant,” she announced.
A collective gasp rippled through the room. My stomach lurched.
Austin didn’t react. He didn’t even glance at me. Instead, his lips curled into a smirk, as if he had expected this all along.
“She’s nothing,” he said coldly, dismissing Claire without a second thought. “Not my Luna.”
Claire’s triumphant expression faltered for a split second, but she quickly masked it with another sweet smile.
But I wasn’t looking at her anymore. My gaze was locked onto Austin.
I had thought I could play this game. Thought I could control my emotions.
But the rage bubbling inside me was stronger than I anticipated.
“You think I’ll stand here and accept this?” My voice shook, but not with weakness. With fury. “After everything?”
Austin barely spared me a glance. “I know what you tried to do today. I've been monitoring you. You knew about my affair with Claire, and you planned to make me paralyzed with that water you wanted me to drink. Why paralyzed? For trying to kill the alpha, you're hereby sentenced to prison. Get her out of here.”
Guards grabbed my arms before I could react.
“No—!” I struggled, but their grip was firm. The murmurs of the crowd grew louder, some in shock, others in amusement.
I had been played.
They dragged me through the hall, my vision blurring, my mind racing. The betrayal burned hotter than ever before.
I hit the stone floor with a dull thud. The dungeon door slammed shut behind me.
Darkness. Overwhelmed, I pressed my back against the damp wall, my breath coming in ragged gasps.
How did it come to this?
I had planned. I had calculated every move.
Yet, I had underestimated him.
Austin had struck first.
Tears threatened to spill, but I blinked them back.
I pressed my palm against the rough stone, grounding myself.
Austin thought he had won.
But he didn’t realize tha
t he had just created his worst enemy.
I would rise again.
And when I did—
He would regret ever betraying me.
- Writer
