BETRAYED BY THE MOON

NEVER GOING TO BE

Lila's POV

I lifted my chin, refusing to be intimidated. "I’m Lila. I’m Rowan’s mate."

The woman, whoever she was, let out a cruel laugh. "You mean his w***e. But never his mate."

I clenched my fists. "Whatever," I said coolly. "I’ll be his Luna after we complete our claiming ceremony."

I tried to walk past her, but she suddenly shoved me against the wall, her nails digging into my arm.

"Rowan will never have a mate!" she hissed.

Before I could react, she raised a steaming cup and threw hot tea all over me.

The scalding liquid burned my skin, and a sharp scream tore from my throat.

Within seconds, I heard movement from the bedroom.

Rowan stormed out, his eyes blazing with fury.

"Nadia!" he growled, his voice shaking the walls. "What the hell do you think you’re doing?"

She turned to him with a fake pout. "Rowan, I…"

"You will respect my mate!" His voice was dangerously low, his entire body radiating power.

He rushed to my side, his arms wrapping protectively around me. His touch was gentle, but his rage was unmistakable.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his voice softer now, filled with concern.

I swallowed, ignoring the burning pain on my skin. I met his gaze and gave a small nod.

"I’m okay."

As I stood in Rowan’s arms, the burning pain from Nadia’s attack was nothing compared to the heat of his touch. His hands roamed my body with possessive tenderness, his fingers tracing soft patterns on my skin.

"Are you leaving already?" he murmured, his breath warm against my ear.

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to focus. "I have something to take care of," I whispered. "But I’ll be back. I promise."

Rowan’s grip tightened slightly as he pulled me even closer. His dark eyes locked onto mine, filled with a dangerous mix of desire and warning. "You better be back," he said huskily. "You’re mine, Lila."

A playful smile tugged at my lips as I let my fingers trail slowly down his bare back. "And what if I don’t come back?" I teased. "Are you going to punish me?"

His lips crashed against mine in response, stealing my breath and making my heart pound. The kiss was deep, claiming, filled with the kind of hunger that made my knees weak. I melted into him, my body pressing against his, wanting nothing more than to stay wrapped in his warmth forever.

But then, a sharp, bitter sound broke through the moment, Nadia clearing her throat.

I had almost forgotten she was still standing there.

Rowan and I didn’t even bother looking at her. She could see in her jealousy all she wanted.

I slowly pulled away from Rowan, breathing heavily, my lips tingling from his kiss.

"Okay," I said, my voice slightly shaky. "I really have to go now."

His eyes darkened with reluctance, but he let me go.

I picked up my clothes, quickly pulling them on, my body still flushed from his touch. As I turned to leave, I could feel Nadia’s furious glare burning into my back.

As I glared at Rowan, my patience wore thin. My voice was sharp, leaving no room for argument.

"End it. Now."

Rowan’s jaw tightened, his muscles tensing. "I can’t," he said, his voice firm. "She’s my mate."

I felt a surge of anger rush through me. How dare he defy me after everything? Stepping closer, I let my fury show. "You killed my mate," I hissed, my words dripping with venom. "And I kept it a secret, as long as you agreed to marry me."

Rowan’s expression darkened, his fists clenching. "I don’t remember! My memory of that night is gone!"

I let out a cold, humorless laugh. "I don’t care," I said, tilting my head as I studied him. "Reject Lila, or I will tell the world what a monster you are. And when you’re locked away in a prison cell, I’ll make sure Lila doesn’t live to see another day."

His reaction was immediate. He grabbed my wrist, his grip tight and threatening. His wolf was close to the surface, but I refused to show fear.

"You’ll do no such thing," he growled, his voice thick with rage.

I yanked my hand free, smoothing down my dress as a smirk curled my lips. "Then you know what to do."

Stepping forward, I let my fingers trail slowly down his bare chest, feeling the tension in his body. "But for now," I whispered, my voice mocking, "get dressed. You’ve been invited to a wedding."

I stepped into the grand hall of the Silver Claw mansion, my heart hammering in my chest. All eyes turned toward me, waiting for me to walk down the aisle in a perfect white gown. But I wasn’t wearing a wedding dress, I had shown up in a simple dress, nothing elegant, nothing meant for a bride.

The moment my father laid eyes on me, his face twisted in fury.

“What the hell are you wearing?” His voice thundered across the room, silencing the murmurs. He stormed toward me, his eyes blazing with rage. “Get in your wedding dress now!”

Before I could react, he grabbed my sleeve and tore part of my dress with a harsh yank. Gasps filled the hall.

I clenched my jaw and met his glare. “No! I won’t change. I’m not getting married.”

Cole moved toward me, his cold smirk making my skin crawl. He didn’t even look surprised by my defiance. If anything, he was amused.

“Enough of this,” he said, grabbing my wrist tightly. “We’re getting married. Now.”

I yanked my arm away, standing my ground. “I said no!”

Cole’s smirk deepened, his voice lowering as he leaned in closer. “I’m doing you a favor,” he sneered. “Do you really think anyone else would want you? Who would even f**k a pathetic little virgin like you?” He laughed cruelly. “You don’t even have your wolf.”

My blood boiled. Did he think humiliating me would break me? That I would surrender?

We’ll see about that.

I lifted the hem of my dress slightly, just enough for him to see the mark on my skin. “I’m not pathetic,” I said, my voice firm, eyes locked on him. “And I’m not a virgin.”

Cole’s smirk vanished instantly. His expression darkened, his jaw clenching as he yanked me closer, inhaling sharply.

His face twisted with pure rage.

“You w***e,” he growled under his breath. “You’re not a virgin.”

Cole's grip tightened on my wrist before he shoved me roughly toward my father. I stumbled, barely catching myself before I felt a sharp sting across my cheek.

My father had slapped me.

The force of it sent me crashing to the floor. My vision blurred, and my skin burned from the impact. I barely had time to react before I saw his hand rising again, ready to strike me once more.

But before his palm could reach me, another hand grabbed his wrist mid-air.

“Don’t you dare,” a deep voice growled.