001: In the Beginning!
Rhea’s POV
I stood in front of the mirror, studying my reflection for any sign of any flaw. Everything needed to be perfect.
The last thing I wanted to happen was my husband, Alpha Armond getting mad at me.
Adjusting the transparent red veil over my face, I sucked in a sharp breath.
“It will be fine.” I tried hard to assure myself.
Today was my Luna Initiation Ceremony, which consisted of two rites- the intimacy rites, where we officially consummate our mate bond under the blessings of the Mood Goddess. Then, the Luna Coronation which was a huge bonfire gathering, with the attendance of all pack members.
Last night, Armond had barged in, his expression domineering and cold. “If you dare slip up, or make any single mistake tomorrow? I’m going to make you regret it!”
The sharp glint in his eyes sent shivers down my spine, right before he stormed off.
I was left with a panicky expression, racking my brains on what to wear, how to look, and what shade of lipstick wouldn’t piss him off.
I discovered my mate was Armond during my coming-of-age ceremony 6 months ago, after which we got married, consummated our bond and he became Alpha, next in line to my father.
Back then, Armond was the leader of the small neighboring Debauch Pack, a group of bandits who later became legalized wolfs. In return, they were subjected to paying tribute to my Pack, DoomsFall.
Armond had been sweet, loving and kind to me, right after we met till he had to take over when my father went missing.
His behavior switched up when I asked him when I’m going to be officially crowned his Luna.
That day, he stormed off in the middle of dinner, cursing me wildly and refusing to see me for 7 days.
Since then, everything I did seemed to piss him off.
I tried speaking to him on several occasions to understand the genesis of his anger, but it was to no avail.
I’d been unable to sleep, my wolf Shayla restless, aggressive and always on edge.
A short rasp sounded on the door, jolting the make-up brush out of my trembling hands. I straightened as my personal maid rushed in, panting. “What’s wrong, Celine?”
I’d just asked her to get a white veil for me, but here she was looking like she’d seen a ghost.
“There’s trouble, Luna.” Celine gasped in between breaths. “A. . .Alpha Armond, he’s. He’s-”
My heart skipped at the thought of Armond already furious that I was late.
I quickly checked the wall-clock. “But the ceremony begins in 30 mins, why is my husband annoyed?”
“Not that, Luna.” Celine grabbed both my shoulders in panic. “Rumors have been flying that Alpha Armond had a mistress, but I didn’t expect-”
“Expect what?” My head twirled, terror and panic twirling through me.
I’d kept brushing off the rumors, affirming that Armond would never betray our sacred bond. But-
“Alpha Armond is currently initiating another-”
I was out the door before Celine could finish. My heart skipped several beats, Shayla coming awake with trepidation. “Our mate is doing what?” She asked, voice strangled.
“No. No. It can’t be true!” I dismissed the thought, dashing down the stairs to my husband’s chambers.
His guard, Kayden intercepted before I got to the door. “Alpha Armond wouldn’t like to be disturbed.” He held the royal specter in my way, stopping me.
A sharp pain shot through my chest, sending me numb for a second. I panicked. I have to see Armond right now!
“What’s he busy with when my Coronation is holding in a few minutes?” I bit back the pain, staring defiantly at Kayden. “Your Luna commands you to step back!”
Then, I heard the sneers behind me.
I twirled, coming face to face with a group of wolves I do not like- Armond’s loyal subjects from the Debauch Pack.
After taking over my father’s position, he replaced most of the royal staffs. His courtiers, advisors, maids, chefs and even down to Kayden, leader of his personal bodyguards do not like me either.
“Alpha Armond’s order applies to everyone, Luna-to-be or not!” His closest advisor, Jacob sneered.
It was right then I heard the moan. A low, sensual sound that sent pain spasms shooting through my body.
“Armond! What the hell are you doing?” I banged hard on the door.
“Armond, open this door and stop whatever you’re doing right away!” Kayden tried to stop me, but I kept banging furiously.
The moans came louder, as well as the pain rushing through my body.
“No!” I struggled to force air into my lungs, pangs of agony tearing through me. Shayla was having a mental breakdown, adding to my torment.
“Armond, please stop!” I collapsed to the floor, intense stabbing pains in my chest, stomach and pelvic regions. “Please!” I pleaded weakly, tears rolling down my cheeks.
I didn’t need anyone to tell me what was happening.
Armond was severing our mate bond by having s*x with another woman.
“Alpha Armond is carrying out the intimacy ritual with his Luna-to-be.” My pack’s Sage spoke up. “Do not incur the wrath of the Alpha and the Moon Goddess!”
“Damn the Moon Goddess.” I swore in a whisper. Her doctrines were useless if she could watch my mate betray our bond while I’m left in agony.
“Blasphemy!” The Sage shouted incredulously. “How dare you?”
“I’m the Alpha’s true mate, why should he be allowed to initiate someone else?” I shot back at him.
Curses went up behind me. “Get out of your head, Rhea. You’re not fit to be the Alpha’s Luna!” His pack members hissed.
“You deserve every bit of pain you’re passing through, bitch.” Jacob laughed cruelly. “Your bastard father hijacked and polluted the royal bloodline. It’s high time we had a thorough cleansing!”
“So pathetic! Now that you’ve lost your position, I can’t wait to see you join your mother among the field laborers!”
I snapped my head up in shock. My mother had been sent to the fields?
Anger flooded my veins and head, bursting rage in their wake. My family was my most treasured knit, and Armond knew this.
How dare he lie that she was on a faraway vacation? How dare he make her work among slave laborers?
My head spun, thinking of all the horrors my mother must have faced if this was true.
“Luna!” I heard Celine yell from the stairs.
She was beside me in an instant, placing a tablet in my mouth. “It helps with the pain.”
I swallowed, the pangs reducing drastically. “Are you okay?” She asked, worry visible on her face.
Before I could reply, a loud giggle emanated from the chambers, my husband’s laughter coming right after. My heart stinged with betrayal.
“Armond?” Hot tears burned my eyes, but I got on my feet, banging on the door.
The doors opened, revealing Armond and a woman clad with white towels.
“I can’t believe this!” I gasped.
Azura, commander of the Debauch’s military forces. The same woman I often enquired about, but Armond kept accusing me of being paranoid.
“Didn’t I order that I wanted no disturbance?” Armond’s cold expression landed on Kayden, ignoring the anguish in my eyes.
“What did you do, Armond?” I took a step forward, shoving down the fear in my heart. “How could you betray our bond over this woman?” Shayla was going berserk in my head, wanting to claw at the other woman’s neck, and I could slowly feel my control slipping.
“What bond?” Armond finally looked me in the eyes.
What I saw made me stagger back in shock.
Hatred. Raw, pure and undiluted.
“You-” I suddenly couldn’t breathe.
“Whatever we shared was built on lies and deceit, Rhea. I was never mated to you.” Armond continued with the same cruel, earth-shattering demeanor. “You were simply a tool to regain my position as Alpha of the DoomsFall Pack!”
“We were never mated?” The confession sent shockwaves through my body.
“It was all in your head.” He chuckled. “You’re not even fit to serve me as a slave. How could you be my Luna?”
I staggered back, everything suddenly falling into place.
The way Armond spoke of my missing father.
The disgust with which he interacted with my mother.
How he exiled all of my brother’s loyal subordinates.
The signs had always been there, but our mating bond kept me in denial.
“Now. It’s time for you and your family to pay back for every sin you’ve committed against the royal bloodline!” Armond suddenly snapped his fingers, and suddenly three guards aimed their swords at my neck.
In that moment, I realized just how much of an accomplice I’d been to the enemy.
My father’s throne has been usurped by bandits.
And now, even my life was in grave danger!
