Chapter 3

Chapter 3

"If this evidence is genuine, the trial three days from now will change everything for our pack."

The Great Elder examined the two crystals and the sealed packet, then returned them to me with a solemn expression.

"I have to remind you, once the Elder Council's trial begins, there is no turning back."

"Are you sure you're prepared to face the consequences?"

I nodded without hesitation. "I'm prepared for everything."

By the time I left the council hall, night had fallen, and only a few scattered lights flickered in the pack territory.

After returning to my residence, I packed a few necessities and left the pack.

I had intended to stay in a hotel in the human city, but my pack card was declined at the front desk. I called the treasury's night line from the lobby, and the werewolf clerk who answered sounded cautious.

"Luna, the Alpha ordered a suspension of all your financial privileges this evening."

"He said it was to protect the pack's assets and prevent you from making any impulsive decisions."

My heart clenched tightly. So Declan's revenge had come this quickly.

As Luna, I should have had the right to allocate half of the pack's resources. Now, I couldn't even afford a hotel room.

For years, I had entrusted Declan with managing my assets, keeping very little for myself.

I had worked day and night handling pack affairs, partly because it was my duty as Luna, but more importantly, because I thought I was building a life with Declan.

I had believed that one day Declan would see all I had done for us, that I would have a happy family of my own, with pups that belonged to us.

I never imagined it was all just a farce. I had been alone from the very beginning.

After borrowing money from a friend to check into a hotel, I opened my phone and saw a recording of our argument from  earlier that day.

.The conflict at the festival had been spread throughout the entire werewolf community by pack members.

Now I was the laughingstock of the werewolf world, a vicious Luna.

The comment sections on social media were filled with curses aimed at me, and some werewolves even threatened over the mind-link to ruin my reputation completely.

"The Alpha was just caring for her own adopted sister's pup, and this cold-hearted Luna wants to tear up a sacred bond over it!"

"I bet she found a rogue lover and is using this ridiculous excuse to betray the Alpha. What a disgrace to all werewolves!"

By midnight, the rumors had crossed half the werewolf community. Even the hotel staff recognized me and watched me with open contempt.

But when I activated the Truth Crystal, a sharp pain pierced my heart.

This was the hard evidence I had asked my old friend, a witch from a neighboring pack named Tessa, to obtain for me.

She was the only one who knew I was secretly gathering evidence.

Now I summoned all my courage to watch the recordings.

Whenever Declan thought I was fast asleep, he would sneak off to the nursery.

The images in the crystal showed him holding that pup with an expression of immense tenderness, even lightly kissing Selene's forehead.

Through the scenes recorded by the magic crystal, I witnessed their nightly trysts.

The look in Declan's eyes when he gazed at Selene was a different kind of gentle, a deep affection I had never seen in all my years with him.

Although he acted perfectly in front of the pack, only I knew how cold he was to me.

After we were bonded, he had told me in no uncertain terms that he didn't want to pass on his bloodline, ordering me not to have any fantasies about it.

Years ago, I had conceived despite his orders. I begged him to let me keep our pup. Declan did not listen. A healer acting under his Alpha command gave me an injection that ended the pregnancy.

The pack was told it had been a natural loss. I carried the truth alone, and the wound never healed.

After that night, he rarely let me near him, and I stopped hoping for another pup. Then the Goddess blessed me again, just as he began slipping away to the nursery.

But now, right under my nose, he was tenderly caring for another she-wolf and her child, night after night.

The next morning, I received a mind-link message from my assistant. The pressure from the rumors was causing our allies to question my abilities.

I had to return to the pack to handle my daily duties as Luna.

As soon as I reached the pack hall, I saw Declan and Selene already waiting there.

Declan stood at the entrance to the hall, saying in front of many werewolves, "Aria, calm down. The people inside are just here for the drama."

"Let's talk."

"There's nothing to talk about." I walked straight into the hall without lifting my head.

He stepped in front of me, his voice trembling. "I know you're still angry, but the pup is innocent."

"How can you treat your own family this way?"

The surrounding pack members began to whisper, their sympathy for Declan flowing through the mind-link.

Selene then approached, holding the pup, tears streaming down her face. "Sister, I never wanted to come between you and Declan. It's all my fault."

"If I had never come to this pack, you wouldn't be having these conflicts."

"I only ask that you forgive the Alpha for his kindness. I'll do anything."

She took one careful step toward me, caught her heel on nothing, and dropped to the floor in full view of the hall.

Declan immediately rushed to help her up, his face full of concern and panic.

The loud sound instantly drew the attention of the onlookers, who began to condemn my arrogance and cruelty on the mind-link.

"Look how the Luna has frightened poor Selene!"

"Such a gentle Omega, and the Luna won't even show her mercy."

But at that moment, I stood up.

"That's enough. Stop the act."

Selene immediately looked up at me with tearful eyes, "Sister, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to fall. Please don't be angry."

"I was careless myself. Please don't blame the Luna."

Her performance was flawless, making me look like the heartless villain who had caused her to stumble in fear.

Was this the effect she wanted?

I turned my head away, refusing to watch her performance.

Seeing my reaction, Declan looked at me. "Aria, don't you feel any sympathy at all?"

"Your sister has apologized so sincerely, and you won't even look at her. How cold-hearted can you be?"

Selene stood up and immediately bowed deeply, making herself appear even more pitiful.

The performance was so practiced that defending myself here would only feed it. Pain tightened around my ribs, but I saved my answer for the council.

Declan stepped forward, his voice booming across the hall as he positioned himself protectively in front of Selene.

"Aria, you're going too far!" His eyes blazed with righteous anger. "How can you be so cruel to someone who's done nothing but try to apologize to you?"

"Selene has been nothing but respectful and humble, and you won't even show her basic decency. This jealousy has consumed you completely."

I said nothing. Not yet.