The Sacrificed Luna’s Redemption

Chapter 4 - Sacrificial Announcement

Elara’s POV.

“Marcus and Vanessa will officially announce their engagement!”

My ears rang. “What…?” The sound slipped out before I could stop myself.

My eyes darted to Marcus. He stiffened and avoided my gaze. A flicker of guilt flashed across his face, but it was gone in an instant. Vanessa stood on her tiptoes, pressing a sweet kiss to his cheek. Marcus didn’t resist. He didn’t say no. He didn’t even flinch.

“They’re perfect for each other!” Mother exclaimed, clapping her hands.

“The alpha’s daughter and the strongest pack warrior… it’s a match made in heaven!” Father added.

I stood there, frozen, as if the world had tilted beneath my feet. They all knew. Everyone— except me. The sting of their betrayal and disrespect slithered through my veins.

Marcus reached into his coat and took out a small velvet box. My breath was caught in my throat. I recognized it instantly. I had seen that box countless times before in my own foolish dreams.

“Vanessa, I had this prepared for you,” Marcus said, opening it. Inside was a moonstone bracelet.

Vanessa gasped, covering her mouth. “Marcus… It’s beautiful! I love it so much! Thank you!”

My hands curled into fists, nails digging into my palms. That bracelet was something I had mentioned casually years ago. I had said I liked it. I had never asked for it. I had never dared to… and now, it was in her hands.

My heart, which had already been cracked, turned so cold it felt numb. It was as if someone had poured ice into my chest and sealed it shut.

“Marcus really knows how to spoil his fiancée.”

“They suit each other so well.”

“Congratulations, Vanessa! You deserve it!”

My brothers gathered around Vanessa, offering congratulations and teasing her. Father and Mother beamed proudly, completely ignoring me.

I couldn’t stand feeling invisible for another second. I forced myself to move. I walked up to Marcus and grabbed his sleeve. He stiffened, but he followed me a few steps away, out of their hearing range.

“What is this?” I demanded, finally letting my voice shake. “You owe me an explanation.”

He hesitated. “Elara… now isn’t the right time.”

“When will it be right? After your wedding?”

He frowned slightly. “Before we talk about anything else, you should apologize to Vanessa for what just happened.”

I blinked in disbelief. “Excuse me?!”

“You hurt her earlier. She’s kind enough not to hold it against you.”

I let out a short, dry laugh. “So, that’s how you see it too. Convenient, isn’t it?”

He sighed, rubbing his forehead. “Elara, listen. About the engagement… I’m sorry you had to find out this way. But this was always the plan. My family and the alpha family agreed long ago. I’m meant to marry the alpha’s daughter.”

I scoffed. “And what was I, then? What about me, Marcus? Where do I fit in your perfect plan?”

He swallowed. “It’s not that I don’t care about you,” he added quickly. “I do. I really do. I’ll make it up to you.”

“Make it up to me?” I mocked him.

“Yes,” he nodded, as if convincing himself. “At the feast six months from now. I’ll do what you’ve always wanted. We’ll talk then. I promise.”

I almost laughed out loud. “Are you serious? You think six months later will fix this? After keeping me in the dark, after letting them parade her in front of me?”

“Elara, don’t be so unreasonable. You’re just emotional right now. Are you jealous?”

I stared at him, and for the first time, he felt like a stranger. I instinctively took a step back, distancing myself from him.

“Jealous?” I repeated slowly. “No, Marcus. I’m insulted. I’m embarrassed for ever trusting you.”

“Vanessa is pure and kind. She would never lie. But you… even your brothers say you’ve changed. Have you really become this vicious?”

I stared at him, stunned by how easily those words left his mouth. From the man who once swore to protect me.

I shook my head, smiling faintly. “Your taste is terrible.”

He stiffened. “What did you say?”

“I said your taste is terrible,” I repeated calmly. “And your excuses are worse.”

I bent down and picked up the box I had dropped earlier. The food inside was messy, but still usable. The flowers the orphans had given me were crushed, but I held them carefully.

“These matter more to me than your promises,” I said, turning away from him.

Unfortunately, my words didn’t fade into the air the way I had expected. They had been heard. The moment I turned back, I felt the sudden change in the atmosphere. Every pair of eyes was on me.

My brothers’ gazes flicked toward me, filled with disgust. My parents’ smiles disappeared, replaced with resentment. They looked at me as if I were nothing more than a disgraceful, shameful wolfless.

Julian sneered. “Did you hear her?” he said to Sebastian. “She dares insult Marcus after everything.”

Sebastian shot me a glare. “So shameless… A wolfless with no self-awareness.”

Before I could react, Vanessa’s voice echoed inside my head. She was sending a mindlink.

“Did you really think you could beat me? Look at yourself. Pathetic, weak, and worthless. You lost, Elara. You’ve lost everything.”

I lifted my head slowly, meeting her eyes. She grinned victoriously that only I could see. I clenched my fists so hard. Without a wolf, without any power, I couldn’t respond to her. I could only endure the pain that bloomed in my chest.

They didn’t need to know the truth. It didn’t matter. I only had one month left anyway, and none of them deserved to know what I was about to give up.

Suddenly, the doors were thrown open. A servant rushed into the hall. Sweat soaked through his clothes as he stumbled forward, nearly falling to his knees.

“Alpha!” he called. “Alpha— urgent news!”

Father turned sharply. “What is it?”

The servant swallowed hard, catching his own breath. His voice trembled as he spoke.

“Someone has volunteered to be the sacrifice!”