The Scorned Luna Lives Again!

Chapter Five

**Triggers of violence, strong language**

Another month of solitude passed. Ashlyn could feel the lingering tendrils of their bond, a sign Marcus was refusing to accept her rejection and with her locked away she couldn't petition the council to sever it. She was stuck feeling empty inside but connected to her worthless mate.

Her bond with the pack was easily severed, that she had the final say in but a mate bond? It was far deeper and more complex. It had to be done by both parties and it could lead to madness and in some instances death. It was this way to ensure the next generation would be easily conceived as fated pairs were far more fertile.

Ashlyn touched her flat belly remembering the loss of her child. Her heart heavy. After everything she's lost and everything she endured, why couldn't he just set her free? She'd have a better chance as a rogue. Anything was better than this. Still he was stubborn. She was his possession. His to have and utilize. She was at his mercy and it filled her with dread.

One afternoon she was reading quietly when the all too sickeningly familiar scent filled her nose. Lily. She growled quietly to herself. Unsure what was going to happen Ashlyn got into a defensive position, trying to be ready for anything but she wasn't ready for Lily to strut it, visibly pregnant. Her manicured claws rubbing her swelling belly with a proud grin on her face.

"Hello sister dear! You look good, so thin! You've got to tell me your secrets" Lily smirked knowing Ashlyn was fed scraps, sometimes scraps laced with Wolfsbane. It all depended on Lily's mood that day.

Ashlyn looked at Lily's belly. The time frame matched well. A few months along, she had been keeping Marcus company. There was a strong possibility Ashlyn knew who the father was but she didn't want to believe it.

Ashlyn licked her dry lips, the words stuck in her throat. "I..Is it..." The words trailed off as Lily gave a big grin.

"Marcus was a wild beast! After all...with you here, he needs someone to keep him company" Lily smiled at Ashlyn's crushed expression.

Why hold onto their bond but Imoregnate another? Ashlyn couldn't understand anything. It was barbaric. Cruel. Selfish. How could someone do this to their mate?

Ashlyn teared up. She felt ready to let go of it all but there was a fire in her soul. A small flame that dried up Ashlyn's tears as she face Lily coldly. Her tone icy and detached.

"Congratulations Omega. You've climbed the ladder, just like your mother did."

Lily stiffened, her face contorting with disgust at the mere mention of her, humble start. She hated being reminded of her mother. "How dare you!" She shrieked in a rage, lunging at Ashlyn who simply moved out of the way.

Lily's mother was a renowned rogue omega prostitute. She used her looks and charm to seduce men, her last catch being a strong alpha who happened to be close with Ashlyn's late father.

He was like an uncle to the Rose kids and none were happier for him when he married Lily's mother than Ashlyn's parents but the happiness turned to worry as he fell ill shortly after his matrimony. Ashlyn's mother, a talented detective, uncovered a cruel scheme. Lily's mother planned to kill her new husband for a hefty life insurance but was luckily thwarted. She was put to death and Lily was adopted by the strong alpha out of a sense of duty. However, the pain of the betrayal followed the new father daughter pair and he refused to show her affection like he had before her mother's schemes. He took care of her but didn't spend any time with her, leaving her in the hands of the maids.

He was so distant with her that he was quick to give her away when Ashlyn's older brother Marcus casually mentioned seeking a companion for Ashlyn after the death of their parents. The alpha signed her over to Marcus and that's how Lily came to join the Rose family as an adopted sister. Her omega nature made her seem fragile and she was talented at acting cute to escape punishment, it was easy for her as she took after her mother.

Lily started destroying Ashlyn's life slowly, taking toys and clothes. Then it came to jewelry and even her bedroom. With time she managed to systematically turn everyone against Ashlyn leaving her looking like a troublesome, spoiled girl with behavioral problems. Ashlyn couldn't understand the reason. She had once loved Lily greatly, treating her with care and love only to be repaid with constant cruelty and betrayal.

Even into adulthood Lily couldn't help taking everything from Ashlyn. Unfortunately for Lily, it no longer mattered to Ashlyn. There was nothing left to take a d soon Lily would be exposed. Ashlyn just hoped to live long enough to see that day.

Lily was still red in the face, trying desperately to attack Ashlyn but she was swift and nimble. Ashlyn had long since gotten used to her frail form and learned how to move easily despite the lack of nutrition. She didn't have her alpha strength but her body compensated to make her fast and agile.

This only infuriated Lily more. She screamed, getting sloppier and sloppier until she made a mistake, causing her to land on her belly. She let out a pained howl. Almost magically summoning Marcus who had come with flowers to apologize to Ashlyn but was met with the sight of his pregnant lover on the floor in tears and his mate looking colder than ever.

He reacted instinctively and shoved Ashlyn harshly away, not taking a moment to ask what was going on he immediately ran to Lily. Lifting her with such gentle care you'd think they were fated partners.

Without a word he carried Lily away, leaving Ashlyn standing there. The now scatter flowers at her feet. She sighed and threw them in the trash before returning to her book. Trying to ignore the migraine forming in her head.

A week passed, since Marcus hadn't come to kill her Ashlyn assumed Lily and her baby were fine. Not that she really cared at this point, the only thing she wanted was freedom, rather in this life or the next.

A heavy knock causes Ashlyn to break from her wishful thoughts and turn towards the door only to see Lily strut in, wearing a high end wedding dress. It was over the top, soaked in the most expensive crystals it clinked with every movement. Ashlyn wasn't impressed but Lily was glowing as she showed it off with such pride.

"Look sister dear, Marcus bought it for me! You know...he can't have his pup being deemed a bastard, you understand don't you?" Lily said with a dark smile.

Ashlyn sighed softly. "He can do what he wants. I don't care anymore. As for you, well...you've always enjoyed my hand-me-downs haven't you?"

Lily growled. Ready to tear Ashlyn apart but she just smiled cruelly. "Are you just upset your pup died unwanted, in some remote area, while mine will be treated like a little prince?"

Ashlyn froze. She hadn't told anyone about how her pup was found. Hardly anyone even knew he was gone, while Lily knew about the death it was another for her to release a detail like that. "H..how did you know...?"

Lily gasped, covering her mouth to hide a delighted giggle. "Whoopsie, my bad!" She giggled more as she slowly walked towards Ashlyn, her crystal heels clicking on the hard wood floor. "I guess I should tell you...i know that because, dear sister, I put him there." She was delighted to see Ashlyn's shocked expression and continued, her voice almost bored "I forced the wolfsbane down his throat and tried to smother him,that damn thing was a daughter though so I had Bel shake him until he was quiet and left him for the wild things to devour."

"H..how could you..." Ashlyn whispered, stunned by Lily's callousness. Lily simply shrugged.

"He was in my way to happiness." Her tone was casual and dismissive, as if she mentioned taking out trash or the weather, not murdering an innocent child and dumping its body for the vultures.

Ashlyn was quick to lunge as Lily. Knocking her back. She tore into Lily, so lost in her rage she hadn't noticed Belial who had come in. He punched Ashlyn hard enough to stunn her and took the opportunity to inject her with concentrated wolfsbane. Enough to knock her out.

Belial helped Lily up who was bloody and huffing from the altercation. She hissed at Ashlyn. "Go join your baby and parents, you crazy worthless b***h!" She spat before storming out of the room, leaving Ashlyn there barely able to breath.