Chapter 05
970 Words
POV: Sarina
"The banquet is over."
Everyone looked at me as if I had lost my mind, but I swallowed my tears and rage, lifted my chin, and spoke even louder:
"Orders from your Luna. Disperse and return to your clans. There is nothing more for you to see here."
A murmur of shock rippled through the hall. Some warriors exchanged glances as if expecting Zander to intervene, but he remained still, rigid, without saying a single word.
No one dared to challenge me.
Slowly, the guests began to disperse. Even the most reluctant ones, those who wanted to keep witnessing the humiliation of the night, eventually left.
Still on the floor, playing her pathetic yet convincing role as the victim, was Lillian. I walked toward her slowly, and she flinched.
"Which part didn't you understand?" I stared deep into her eyes, promising pure violence within them.
She looked at me, frightened, then quickly glanced at Zander, only to realize he wouldn’t come to her aid. She gave a small nod and ran away.
Smart girl.
As soon as Lillian was just a distant figure on the horizon, I turned to Zander.
He was watching me, his dark eyes heavy with something I couldn’t decipher.
"Come with me," I ordered, my voice low and sharp.
He hesitated for a moment but then stepped forward, following me down the hall to our chambers.
As soon as the door shut behind us, I couldn’t hold back any longer.
"How could you?! How dare you do this to me?!"
"Sarina—"
"No, Zander! There is no way you can defend yourself from this. You stood there… frozen, motionless. There was doubt in your eyes. DOUBT, for the love of the Goddess! How could you just stand there? Worse, you were actually believing her!"
He ran a hand through his hair, frustrated.
"I didn’t know what to think."
"You didn’t know what to think?" I laughed, but the sound was bitter. "Your wife says one thing, a stranger says another, and you just hesitate?"
"It’s not that simple—"
"Isn’t it?" I crossed my arms. "What more has to happen for you to realize that Lillian is manipulating you? You’re the Alpha of this pack, but you’re acting like an inexperienced pup."
He closed his eyes for a moment before taking a deep breath and looking at me.
"Sarina, I was wrong. I know that."
I was at the limit of my patience. I let out another laugh, dripping with irony.
"Oh, really? You know?"
"Yes!" His voice rose, and he took a step forward, trying to touch me, but I stepped back.
"What now? Are you going to hit me too?"
"Sarina—"
I let out a loud growl, making it clear that I was ready for a physical fight. Some things could only be settled with claws and strength.
Calm, completely placid and submissive, my mate raised both hands in surrender.
"I will reject her."
"You told me the same thing before falling for her pathetic tricks."
"I will reject her tomorrow." His expression was firm. "I will make it clear to everyone that you are my wife, my only bond. Lillian means nothing to me."
My throat tightened.
"Do you promise? You won’t let yourself be fooled again?"
"I swear." Zander stepped closer, wanting to touch my face, but I turned away.
"Good," I replied coldly, turning my back on him. "Now go to sleep."
He hesitated as if wanting to say more, but in the end, he stepped away.
. . .
I should have felt relieved.
But something inside me was still unsettled.
When Zander approached for breakfast, I barely lifted my eyes to him.
"Sarina…" He sighed. "About last night…"
"We already talked about it."
He pulled out a chair and sat beside me.
"I want you to know that… I really am sorry. I should have believed you from the beginning. I don’t want there to be any misunderstanding between us. And more than anything, I don’t want to hurt you."
I took a deep breath but didn’t respond immediately.
"And what about Lillian?"
He straightened his posture.
"I will reject her. I told you before, and that’s what I will do."
Before I could reply, one of the guards rushed into the hall.
"Alpha, an urgent message has arrived from the Healingwood Pack."
My senses went on high alert.
Zander took the envelope and quickly opened it. His eyes scanned the letter, his expression shifting from surprise to hesitation.
"What is it?" I asked, crossing my arms.
He looked at me before letting out a long sigh.
"The Alpha of Healingwood is sending Lillian to stay here."
My blood ran cold.
"What?"
"He wants her to remain under our protection."
"And you’re going to agree to that?"
He didn’t answer right away.
That silence told me everything I needed to know.
Immediately, I set down the glass of juice I was drinking, making a conscious effort not to throw it in Zander’s face.
"So it was all a lie?"
"Darling, please, listen… it’s not like that—"
"Not like that?! Zander! You promised me you would reject her! And now she’s going to stay here?"
Zander ran a hand over his face and stood up.
"It’s not that simple. Healingwood is an allied pack. I can’t just refuse without causing conflict."
"Wait a second. Healingwood… Their Alpha is Edgar, isn’t he?"
He gave me a small nod.
"Perfect. That explains why he was enjoying himself so much. So my pain means nothing, does it?"
He flinched but said nothing.
"I see. Well, I hope you two are very happy together."
I left the hall before he could stop me.
But deep inside, I knew…
This war between us was far from over.
- Writer
