My Game, My Rules

Stab of Betrayal

HENRIETTA

Losing my family at a very young age plunged me to a reality I never imagined for myself. As an orphan, I lived with some rogues for a while before I moved into Devon’s pack three years ago. I had resumed to work at the pack as a maid when Devon and I met for the first time.

It was a beautiful moment and we stared at each other for a couple of seconds, unable to get our eyes off each other. It was love at first sight for us both and then, we discovered we were mates. A few days later, we announced our union to everyone and we became a couple.

“She is Lucas’ daughter.” The woman let out a mischievous grin. Eyes converged on me, confusion swimming in the air. Devon’s impassive stare and deafening silence threw me off balance. He really couldn’t believe her, could he?

“Who are you and what are you saying? How dare you......”

“Tell me this isn’t true.” Devon’s gaze rose, locking onto mine, fury and hurt simmering. “Tell me this isn’t true, Henrietta!” Devon roared. A shiver ran through my spine, stealing my breath as I took a step backward, my eyes widened.

“I..... I do not know what is happening. You.. you know... me .... i...” I struggled to speak, trying to form the words. Murmurs rose and my eyes became teary. Never did I imagine this type of pain on a beautiful evening like this.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please.... excuse us.” Luna Roselyn grasped my arm, steering me away from the crowd. Devon and his father trailed behind me, Devon’s eyes locked to mine and all I could see was anger and pain. Pain coursed through me as I was shoved forward, landing on the floor in an empty room.

“I swear, mother.... I know nothing of what he is saying. I did not....”

“I knew it!” Sophie burst into the room, her brows arching. Of course, I knew she never liked me. She never wanted me to be with her brother for reasons best known to her. “I knew there was more to her sudden presence and appearance.

I told you I did not believe neither do I trust this woman. I knew she had ulterior motives. I just could not figure out what it is. I am glad the truth is out now.” She scoffed.

My gaze darted up, searching for a glimmer of mercy in their eyes. Instead, I only saw burning anger etched in their eyes.

“We have to meet the guests. We cannot let them get worried. I will give the full moon blessing.” Luna Roselyn shared, passing each one of us a stare before heading out. Devon’s father did not utter a word and instead, walked after his wife. Sophie scoffed before walking out of the room as well.

“You have to believe me, Devon. I do not know what they are talking about. I do not know any Lucas or whoever his name is. You know my parents are dead. I do not even know anything about them. i......”

“You knew how much this night meant to me, Hettie...” Devon started with a calm voice, slowly raising his gaze to meet mine. “You knew how much I prepared for this night. I told you about the implications of fake mates being in this party.

You took advantage of my love, you took advantage of my feelings and emotions and as though that wasn’t enough, you wanted to bring pain and sorrow to the lives of the people that have accommodated you for the past three years?”

My heart broke. How could the one who was supposed to support and understand me, oppose me?

“I love my people, Devon. You know me. You know I would never do anything like this. You know me....”

“I thought I did.” He cut me short, briskly and let out a sigh before reaching for the door. “I thought I knew you... but I guess I have been fooled. I do not know who you are.” He spat before walking out of the door.

It felt like a terrible nightmare. I tried to nudge myself back to reality. It felt like a cruel joke but every moment made me realize it wasn’t just a dream but reality. Minutes rolled into hours and no one came to check on me, not even Devon.

I had a lot of questions yet no answers. Who is Lucas? Who was that woman? How is this even happening? I pinched myself to be sure I wasn’t dreaming. I heard people rejoice and jubilate yet I couldn’t go out there to witness any of this.

I couldn’t figure if this was some sort of test or something. I sat alone in the cold desolate space, surrounded by emptiness. Cold seeped into my bones, chilling me to the marrow. My stomach growled, protesting the hunger that gnawed at me. I scanned the empty room. There was no bed, no chair, no comfort.

Just cold, hard stone beneath my feet. My eyelids were heavy but there was nowhere to rest. I sank to the floor, the chill of the stone seeping further into my skin. Tears pricked at the corner of my eyes as I wrapped my arms around myself. How did it come to this?

Abandoned, forgotten, left to wither away.

I curled into a ball, my body shaking with sobs. The floor beneath me felt like ice. After hours of weeping, sleep claimed me.

**

I stirred, my limbs heavy as lead. Last night’s ordeal replayed in my mind, making my head spin and my muscles scream in protest as I struggled to sit. I felt fragile like one wrong move would shatter me.

Suddenly, I heard clatter of keys accompanied by heavy footsteps. The door was slowly pushed opened.

“You have to come with us....” One of the guards spoke. Their faces were expressionless but their eyes bore a thousand questions. Did they think I was guilty too? I nodded and walked right after them as they led me to ..... the hall. Everyone had gathered and my heart skipped a beat.

Alpha Jonas, Luna Roselyn, Sophie as well as Devon, all stood at the podium; frowns etched to their faces.

I took a deep breath and began the long walk to judgment. Every step felt like a betrayal of my own body, as if my legs were carrying me to my doom. The crowd’s murmurs receded into the background, replaced by the pounding in my chest.

“We are thankful for the success of the ceremony we had last night. We are glad danger was averted just in time else we would have been in trouble. “The Luna started, looking at everyone but me. Suddenly, she diverted her gaze to me and her gaze pierced into mine.

“As we all know, the woman whom she took as our own and accepted as our Luna has only been deceiving us for the past three years. I am glad the truth has come to light and havoc has been averted.” She continued and halted.

“All we have done for you, Henrietta, was love you and accept you as our Luna but since you have decided to pay us back with this evil,......” She halted. My heart began to race faster, threatening to fall out of my chest. “You are hereby.... banished from the pack

with immediate effect, to never return for the day you set foot on this land, you shall be killed.” She pronounced.

My heart sank and I felt the floor give way for me. My eyes darted to Devon, pleading for intervention and mercy. I needed him to understand that I can never do this. I can never try to cause havoc. A stab of betrayal pierced my heart and my world crumbled further as he turned his back to me and headed inside.

“Guards!” Luna Roselyn yelled. “Take her away.”