Crowned By Betrayal

Chapter 4

I returned to the pack house the moment I made my decision.

Every step I took toward the building felt heavier than the last, like the walls themselves knew what I was about to do. The moment my foot crossed the threshold, I didn’t hesitate—I went straight to my room and began packing. Not that there was much to pack.

Everything I owned could barely fill a single duffel bag. A couple of faded clothes, an old blanket, and a worn-out book that once belonged to my mother. That was all I had to my name. All the rest had been either taken, destroyed, or never given to me in the first place.

Still, I carefully folded each item, placing it into the bag like they were a precious gem. My ears stayed sharp the entire time, twitching at every creak of the old house. Even though I knew most of the pack would still be at the Blood Moon Festival—celebrating their fated mates or grieving rejections like mine—I couldn't afford to get caught. If It would be a disaster, anyone found out what I was planning, no. A death sentence.

I zipped the duffel bag shut when I was done packing nd slid it under my bed. My heart pounded against my ribs, but not from fear. From something else. Hope. The tiniest sliver of it.

Then came the next step—I had to tell Liora. She was the only one I trusted. The only one who had stood by me all these years, even when it put her at risk. If I left without a word, it would break both our hearts.

And despite everything… I couldn’t do that to her.

I found her shortly after the festival ended. The cleanup had already begun, and I used the excuse of gathering leftover decorations to make my exit. Before leaving, I had whispered to Liora earlier to meet me in the woods, under the big willow tree. The one we used to hide behind as pups when the world felt too cruel.

I worked fast, not wanting to keep her waiting.

By the time I reached the woods, the air had grown colder, and the moonlight streamed through the trees in soft, silver beams. There she was—Liora—standing under the willow tree, her arms crossed against her chest as she scanned the darkness. Her head snapped up the moment she heard my footsteps. And the moment our eyes met, I rushed forward.

Without a word, I threw my arms around her, clinging to her like she was my last anchor in a stormy sea. She hugged me back just as tightly, and that’s when the tears came. Silent, heavy sobs that wracked my body. I buried my face in her shoulder and cried for everything—for the rejection, for the years of abuse, for the fact that this was goodbye.

“I’m so sorry, Aria,” she whispered, her voice shaking. “I wish I could take you with me. If it were up to me—”

“I know,” I interrupted gently, pulling back just enough to see her face. “I know, Liora. That’s why I have to go.”

Her brows furrowed. “Go?”

I nodded, brushing away the tears from my cheeks. “I’m leaving the pack. Tomorrow. When everyone’s busy sending off those who’ve found their mates… I’ll slip away.”

Shock flashed across her face. “Aria… you can’t. That’s… that’s forbidden. If they catch you…”

“I know,” I said quietly, but firmly. “If I’m caught, the Alpha will have me executed. No questions asked.”

Liora’s eyes welled with tears. “Then don’t do it. Please.”

“I have to.” I looked down at my hands, bruised and calloused from years of servitude. “There’s nothing left for me here, Liora. Kael made sure of that. And with you gone…” My voice broke. “I’ll have no one.”

She was silent for a long moment. Then she grabbed my hands and squeezed them. “Have you thought this through? Are you ready to face the worst… if it comes to that?”

“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “For once, I want to choose myself.”

Liora hugged me again. “Then I won’t stop you. I’ll pray the Moon Goddess protects you. You deserve a life, Aria. A real one.”

We stood there for a few more moments before she sighed and said, “We should go. If anyone notices we’re both missing, it might raise suspicion.”

I nodded. The last thing I needed was extra attention.

As we neared the pack house, a bitter chill crawled down my spine. I said goodnight to Liora quietly, knowing she’d be staying with her mate tonight. I watched her disappear down the hall before I stepped through the main entrance of the pack house.

And there they were.

Kael and Lisa.

Sitting casually on the worn-down couch in the foyer, like they’d been expecting me. Kael’s eyes narrowed the moment he saw me. Lisa, of course, wore that same smug smile she always did—the one that made my skin crawl.

Kael rose to his feet and stepped in front of me. “Who the hell do you think you are to be my mate?” he barked, eyes blazing. “You? An omega nobody? Are you trying to curse me?”

I didn’t respond.

Because I knew any word from me would only make it worse.

And that silence… that was what enraged him the most.

Without warning, his fist flew forward and slammed into my stomach. I crumpled to the floor, gasping for air. Blow after blow rained down—kicks to my sides, fists to my back and shoulders. I curled into a tight ball, doing everything I could to protect my head.

I didn’t scream.

I didn’t cry.

I just prayed. Prayed it would end soon.

Lisa watched the whole thing like she was witnessing a performance. She laughed softly, swinging her legs like a child on a playground. “Stomp on her hand, Kael,” she said sweetly. “Let’s see if she can still scrub floors tomorrow.”

He obeyed.

A sickening c***k echoed in the air as pain shot through my fingers. I bit down on my lip so hard, I tasted blood. But I didn’t give them the satisfaction of hearing me cry out.

Eventually, Kael grew tired. He stepped back, shaking out his fists. “You make me sick,” he spat. Lisa just hummed in agreement.

They left me there, broken on the floor.

After what felt like an eternity, I began to crawl—one limb at a time—back to my room. My body screamed in protest, every bruise and fracture a painful reminder of what I’d endured. But I made it.

And once I was inside, I locked the door behind me and collapsed on my bed.

I didn’t have the energy to cry anymore. My vision blurred, my body ached, and still… I held on to one thought.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I will leave this place behind.

But before I did, I had one surprise to leave behind for Kael. A gift. A parting message he’d never forget.

He thought he had broken me tonight.

But he didn’t know I’d already let him go.

And tomorrow… I would rise.