Chapter 2 002

Chapter Two

His words pierce more sharply than they should. Destroying my heart cruelly. The space suddenly feels too small as I stare at Nathan, wondering if he is still the man who held me close on many nights, whispering promises to my ears.

“Nathan, it’s me. Isolde, your…”

“What is the commotion, darling?” A feminine voice cut me off.

A tall, elegant woman appeared behind Nathan, slipping a hand into his. Clad in a fine wedding dress, she smiles at me.

Beth?

My half-sister?

Beth throws a disgusted look at me. “Why are you here? My mother made sure you never heard of my wedding with Nathan.”

“You’re getting married to her?” I ask, pain and betrayal filling my voice. I look at Nathan. His eyes are full of love as he looks at Beth.

“Yes,” Nathan replies, voice flat. “The wedding between Beth and me had been planned for a while now. I’m getting married, and the last time I checked, I didn’t invite a mad person.”

The pang in my heart stings harder than the wounds and scratches. Nathan is denying me, and I’m standing like a lost pup watching him talk about marrying Beth.

This has to be a dream. Nathan won’t do this. I gave this male my all, remained faithful, and even gave him my innocence. I trusted him, not knowing that all this time, he was planning to marry my half-sister.

My father and men burst in. Five hefty ones.

They march forward with mean determination, gràb and p.î.n me to the ground. I struggle with all the strength I have left, but none of them budge.

I groan as one twists my arm, almost breaking it.

“No, no, no. This has to be a prank! You promised me, Nathan. You promised to marry me! Don’t let them take me away!”

“Marry you?” Nathan scoffs. Disgust fills his eyes. “An Alpha like me will never downgrade myself to a repugnant level like you. My love is for your sister.”

A sharp needle pierces my neck before I can speak. The burn is excruciating for a few seconds. I cry out from the pain and the betrayal shredding through my system until my throat is sore.

Then the world begins to fade, and the last thing I see is Nathan, spinning to leave with an arm around my half-sister’s waist.

~~~~~~~~~

I’m in a pitch-black cell. Cold against my delicate skin, scary and haunting.

I’ve been here before.

The night I had stabbed the Beta’s hand for trying to have his way with me.

I was dragged to court in shackles, bruised and shaking.

Father didn’t think twice to give his Beta a cue to punish me himself, even as my mother cried herself to the floor.

I was tortured, the kind you won’t imagine for an eighteen-year-old girl. I still carry the scars and burns from that night.

After four days, Mother managed to get me out. While she treated my wounds with heavy hearts, I asked how she had managed to save me from the Beta, who is equally wicked as my father, maybe even more.

But Mom brushed it off with, ‘I plead with him.’ I wanted to ask further, but I was afraid of what that answer might bring.

She had faced a lot because of me. Unlike every mother who would give up their child the moment they are born on the red moon, mine never left. Never stop fighting even as she lost her right as a Luna.

I need to be strong. At least for her.

Days pass without food and water. I don’t know how many.

I feel dead, yet somehow, I’m still breathing, mind fogged, hope distant.

All I’m occupied with is my father’s cruel intention and Nathan’s betrayal burning through my chest.

Finally, the gates groan open, footsteps echo, and I don't have the strength to look up.

“Oh dear.” A voice echoes, aged.

It’s Elara, Mom’s assistant.

Elara is another person who secretly didn’t hate me, and it was all due to her love for my mother. They were good friends.

Elara crouches with a panicked look, checking my pulse, and then orders the guards to carry me out. She gives me water before giving me a bath. Food had already been made, waiting in my small chamber.

After eating a little, I ask about Mom, but Elara shakes her head that she has no idea what happened to her.

My heart drops. Could Mom be in torture too?

Is she still àlive?

I notice the pity in Elara's eyes, but I don’t have the strength to ask. The medicine she gave me is making my head spin. She urges me to lie on the bed, and as I do, it doesn't take a minute before I slip into darkness.

Opening my eyes again, I feel a bit of strength washing through my system. But the betrayal still stays fresh, haunting me like the echo of a scream in an empty wall.

I roll over, only to meet Dad’s thick gaze. He is sitting across the room. Elara stands behind him, head lowered and hands clutching the hem of her dress.

I sit up, out of breath, my voice weak but heavy. I stare at him, feeling every blood running through my veins boil.

I recall how he stabbed Mom without hesitation and still couldn't believe he would do that to his own mate.

"You're awake. I was about to lose my patience and ask the guard to pour a bucket of water over you."

My jaw ticks. "Where is Mom?”

“Alive,” he says flatly. “For now”

Something between rage and fear explodes in my chest. “Why do you hate us so much when we did nothing wrong? Why are you doing this to us?”

“Can’t you tell? I’m trying to save the pack, but you and your mother are so stubborn it riles me up. How could you two be ungrateful? I let you both live in the pack after your sickening acts, yet you can’t do a tiny little favor.”

He is still hung up on the fact that I will marry Drogo.

And that is a tiny little favor?

“I would rather die than marry him.”

“Then you shall watch your mother sûffer,” he says, and my heart plummets. “She’s also agreed that you marry Drogo so she won’t watch you die.”

My heart skips a beat. I scramble off the bed and crawl hastily to his leg. My shoulder shakes, and tears blur my vision as I look up to him.

“Please. Please don’t do this. Don't do this to Mom; she is your mate for the moon's sake!" I cry. "I’ll do anything. Just let Mother go.”

I hate the way my voice cracks before him. I hate the way his gaze makes me feel so small. Pathetic and useless.

“Then marry Drogo,” he says, heartlessly.

Tears flowed down my chest. I have no choice. I can’t take it if Mom dies. She is all I have left.

“I will," I say, the words heavy in my throat. "Just promise to let her go.”

His lips curl in a cruel smile, like he'd won a great treasure.

It weighs on my chest. I'd just agreed to marry a monster to save a pack that treated my mother and me like trash.

“That is not all, little Runt.” He says, leaning forward, hatred etching every line of his weathered face. “Drogo had been a pain in the ass of many. Once you are married to him. You are going to find his weakness. One that will take him down for good. Only then will I release your mother.”