Love Vs. Vengeance

Betrayal

At exactly midnight, the pack's air was filled with howls as people began shifting into their wolf forms. Even those who had never shifted before was transforming for the first time, but I was standing there, human like

My eyes gleamed with unshed tears as my hope slowly dwindled. I looked away from the shifting wolves and turned my gaze to my mate. He sat in the place of honour with his parents—the former Alpha and Luna of the pack. Alongside the elders of the council and some other dignitaries who were seated with their wives and Luna's.

If I were his Luna I'd have been sitting with him, but Athena had specifically instructed that I sit with regular pack members. Though, she had allowed me to sit in front to save the little dignity I had left. I couldn't help but think that Orion was ashamed of me. He felt embarrassed by my person. I couldn't blame him. Who would proudly display a weak Luna to his Alpha friends?

His eyes collided with mine, but then he quickly looked away. My breath hitched in my throat, and a sharp pain pierced my chest, as if someone had twisted a knife inside me.

As the night wore on, I saw people pointing at me, giggling, and whispering things that were clearly meant to mock me.

I gripped my dress tightly as shame washed over me, leaving me feeling cold and exposed.

My fists clenched at my sides, holding back tears and rage. Around me, the pack celebrated while I stood frozen, a statue among the merriment.

Everything lost its humour.I felt like I was dying inside. As dawn approached, the pack had one final toast, and people started dispersing.

By 6 AM, most of them were gone, leaving only the royals and the palace workers.

I trudged back to the wing I shared with my husband and went to my bedroom. “There has to be something I can do,” I tried to reassure myself. I refuse to accept that I would be childless forever. I freshened up and walked to my wardrobe. I wore a black, woollen hoodie, black trousers, and black sneakers. There was only one place I could go for a solution—the priestess of the Crimson Tide Pack.

I needed answers about what was happening to me. She was my last option. Years ago, I had run away from home after overhearing my father worrying about my omega status and who would take over when he was no longer able to lead. I couldn't tell how disappointed he was; Fortunately or unfortunately, I met Orion, I ran away with him, and now I'm paying the price.

I took my car key and left the building through the back door. Orion had gotten me the car, so I still had access to it. I quietly drove out the pack without letting anyone know. The guards couldn't stop me; technically, I was still Orion's wife.

I had not called her to tell her of my coming or to set an appointment. She had also not come for the Howling Dusk ceremony for reasons best known to her.

“Please let the priestess know that I'm waiting for her.” i told her help who was in the sitting room.

Soon, the help returned with the priestess, Nyx, who began her descent down the stairs; she was in a white, flowing dress. I was told she was the youngest lady to ever hold that position in the pack. She was in her early thirties, but none the matter; she was very efficient in her divine duty. Little wonder why I confided in her about the problems I had in my marriage.

I bowed a little toward her to show my honor. “My apologies for coming at this hour and for not calling earlier to set an appointment. I just needed to see you.”

“I already know why you are here.” She spoke immediately as she descended the last staircase, “You did not meet your wolf, did you?” she asked, and I shook my head in distress. She gestured that I take a seat while she sat on the opposite sofa in the room.

I sank into the sofa with a soft sigh, “How would I conceive for Orion? You said that would only happen once I shift to my wolf form.”

“Yes, I said that,” she dragged in a deep breath, “I know how this can be, but you have to bear it, daughter. I have no hand in this. The best we could do at the moment is to leave everything in the hands of the moon goddess.”

“No!” I yelled, I can't accept that reality. “I'm not accepting that. I'm sure that there is something you can do about it. Do something!” I barked with tears filling my eyes. I calmed myself down after I realised I wasn't doing the right thing, shouting.

“I'm…I'm sorry, Nyx,” I stuttered, choked up by tears. “I'm sorry, but try and understand: I can't live this way.” I went on my knees, “You are a priestess, a powerful one. Please.” I rubbed my palms together. “Please do something. Appease the moon goddess. Do anything.” I begged, as the never-ending streams flowed down my flushed cheeks. I saw her eyes soften. She stood to her feet and walked toward me with outstretched arms. “Stand,” she commanded, and I obeyed. “I understand how you feel daughter,” she gave my hand a firm squeeze, “You know what? Go home and rest; I'll see what I can do about it.”

Wiping away the cascade of tears, mucus, and sweat that had streamed down my face with a crumpled handkerchief, I thanked her. I was done here. I turned towards the door, trusting her judgement. I would wait a few days to see what solution she could conjure.

The cool morning air hit my face as I reached my car, my hand automatically reaching for keys that weren't there. My stomach dropped. In my emotional state, I'd left them inside the priestess's house. I swiped at my nose, trying to compose myself. Without bothering to knock again, I quietly walked back into the house.

“She just left. Learn to keep your dog under a leash. It's hard enough that I have to deal with her tears and pleas. I'm not her mother, am I? It's high time you got rid of her. She is getting overbearing. Come to think of it, she is not even part of us.” I heard Nyx speaking over the phone.

Her betrayal felt like a fist slamming into my gut, knocking the breath from me. She backed the entrance so she didn't see me. My fingers trembled as I snatched up my keys. I backed away from her voice, careful to keep my footsteps silent.

Once In the car, instead of crying, I forced back the tears and focused on getting back to the pack house safely. I knew this was what it was about—not being part of them. I have refused to disclose my pack's identity to them, not wanting to go back to my father's pack, not after what I have done. The only person I thought I could trust apart from my husband also wanted me out of their life.

The steering wheel felt cold under my white-knuckled grip. Three years in this pack, and what had I brought to it besides shame? No wolf, no heir, not even a contribution to the family business. Just a burden wearing the title of Luna.

I got to the pack house but couldn't get in through the backdoor again. I parked in the front yard and I rushed inside the house evading the bloodsucking Athena.

“My lady?” I jumped and turned to see Jane. I released a deep breath I didn't know I was holding.

“What is it?”

“You were not in your bedroom?” She asked, looking a little surprised, and I shook my head.

“I went out for some fresh air.” I lied and she suddenly looked uneasy.

“Is that where you are heading now?” She bit her lower lip, and I raised my brows.

“That's quite a question, Jane. Where else should I go?” I asked and attempted to walk past her when she blocked my path and my eyes narrowed.

“W…Would you like... like to take some coffee? Maybe ice cream? Or…”

“No, thank you.” I answered I had bigger issues on my

mind.

“How about some games before you go upstairs?”Her persistence was getting frustrating, and I had to assert myself.

“Move out of my way right now,” I said firmly and she moved.

Jane's strange behavior nagged at the edges of my mind, but I pushed the thought away. My shoulders already ached with enough burdens for one day.

As I walked towards our bedroom, I began to hear strange sounds. At first, they were unclear, but as I got closer, I became more confused. My mind whirled with so many thoughts. It almost drove me crazy.

I held the icy knob and pushed the door open.

The scene before me froze my blood mid-pulse. My vision tunnelled, narrowing to the tangle of sheets and limbs on our marriage bed. A high-pitched ringing filled my ears as my fingers dug crescents into my palms. The taste of copper filled my mouth—I had bitten my cheek without realising it.

At first I couldn't see her face, but when they noticed me and stopped, I saw it was one of the pack's maids.

“Orion,” I whispered, torn apart. Hot tears streamed down my numb cheeks.

“Darling,” he responded, and I raised my gaze to him and immediately saw regret in his eyes. But I refused to believe that it was sincere. He regretted it all too fast and too soon for me to believe that they were real. It was all a show. He was so shameless to sleep with the pack's maid. That maid was under Jane.

She didn't even seem fazed, merely pulling the sheets over herself with a smug smirk. I had no business with her, so I turned to Orion. “I can't believe you could do this to me.”

“Leave,” Orion ordered the maid, and she dragged her feet before she finally decided to leave. I was not surprised when she brushed her shoulders against mine when she walked past me.

I scoffed and looked away from my husband, then looked back at him again. “I'm so disappointed.” I told him and left before he could scamper out of bed. I just needed somewhere I could sit alone.

It dawned on me that my peace was not forthcoming when I saw Athena addressing the maids working directly under me. She had no right to tell my maids what to do when I was around.

“What is going on here?” I asked, keeping my emotions in check.

Athena turned to look at me scornfully, but I did not care; what else could hurt me more than what just happened?

"I trust you won't need help packing." Athena's lips curved into a cold smile. "The servants can have your things out within the hour."

“The party just ended, Mother, and I'm exhausted. Maybe we could do this next time,” I urged her softly. I just wished I could somehow walk out, but I found myself standing because of the respect I had for her.

“Do you think I care?! You are just a good for nothing barren wolf!” She barked and I clenched my fists tightly at my sides, biting back the scalding retort that was just at the tip of my tongue.

“You have grown too many wings for a weak and powerless runt.” Athena continued and the bridle on my tongue slipped.

“Take some breaks, will you?!” I hollered. “This is my home and you have absolutely no right, no right to control my workers,” I said that immediately and walked out on her.

I didn't expect that to come out, but it just did, and I'm not sorry. All she ever did was get on my nerves. Maybe she needed to be put in her place, even for once.

I strode down to the lakeside far from the pack premises to get my shattered self together.