Chapter 3 of Forsaken by My Mate, Chosen by the Beast

I stood motionless, unable to look away as their lips met. They were lost in their own world, oblivious to my presence—until Owen finally pulled back and his gaze flickered past Cynthia to land on me. The torchlight in the corridor cast eerie shadows on his face, sharpening the cruel glint in his eyes.

"Why?" My fingers tightened around the icy iron bars, my whole body trembling. My voice barely made it past my lips. "I gave you everything, Owen—my love, my trust, my loyalty. You were the only one I ever confided in about my wolf."

"Exactly," he interrupted smoothly, stepping closer to my cell. "I was the only one who knew how much of a threat you really are."

Cynthia’s expression shifted, the slight widening of her eyes revealing that even she hadn’t known this part of his scheme.

"What are you talking about?" I demanded, my pulse roaring in my ears.

A cold laugh escaped Owen’s lips. "Did you really think I loved you?" He scoffed. "You're James Darkwood’s daughter—born from the bloodline of the most dominant Alpha this region has ever seen. Your lineage alone could challenge the power of the Moon Goddess herself." His smirk deepened. "I had to keep you close. I needed to understand what I was dealing with."

"But I never—" I tried to argue, but he cut me off with a mocking shake of his head.

"Never what? Never planned to overthrow me?" His palm slammed against the bars, making the metal shudder violently. I flinched at the sound, my breath hitching. Somewhere in the depths of the prison, a distant scream echoed.

"That day at the training grounds," he continued, voice low and venomous, "you played the weakling, but I saw the truth. Your wolf was anything but fragile—it carried the same power that made your father unstoppable."

The puzzle pieces started falling into place. My stomach twisted. "So every moment between us…"

"Was nothing more than a way to keep you under control," he confirmed without hesitation. "I had to ensure you stayed where I wanted you—despised, powerless, and completely alone." His lips curled in satisfaction. "And then Mara became a problem."

A shudder ran through me. "Mara?"

"She caught you shifting in the forest." Owen leaned in, his breath laced with the scent of wine from the earlier festivities. "She came to me, eager to defend you, desperate to clear your name. Poor thing never realized the danger you posed."

My arms wrapped around myself as his words sank in.

"You killed her," I murmured, the accusation tasting like poison on my tongue. "And you made sure I took the blame."

His smile was slow and sinister. "Two birds, one stone," he said, spreading his hands as if this had all been a grand performance. "With Mara gone, the pack’s hatred for you only grew. And now…" He gestured toward the Alpha insignia on his chest. "I have everything I ever wanted."

Cynthia let out a soft, smug laugh as she traced her fingers over his chest. "And I get to be Luna—the title you naively thought would be yours."

A surge of fury burned through my veins, making my vision blur. My grip on the bars tightened. "You’re a coward!" I spat. "You betrayed me. You let an innocent woman die just to fuel your own ambitions!"

Before I could react, his hand shot between the bars, fingers locking around my throat like a vice. The world tilted as I gasped for air, his grip crushing my windpipe with terrifying ease.

"Watch your tone," he warned, his voice soft but laced with menace. He yanked me forward, bringing my face inches from his. "I am your Alpha now. Your life belongs to me."

I clawed at his wrist, nails sinking into his skin, but he didn’t even flinch. Darkness crept into my vision as my body fought for oxygen.

"You promised…" I wheezed, my strength failing. "You said… once you became Alpha… you’d let me go."

Abruptly, he released me, and I crumpled to the cold stone floor, coughing violently.

"Oh, I will," he murmured, pacing in slow, deliberate steps. "But your release won’t be freedom. It’ll be something far worse."

A chill ran through me. "What does that mean?" I forced out, dread curling around my heart.

"You’ll see tomorrow," he said casually, his lips curving into a smirk. "Consider it my final gift to you, my dear mate." He spat the last word as if it disgusted him.

Cynthia lingered at the cell door, tilting her head as she regarded me with amusement. "The saddest part?" she said mockingly. "You willingly took the fall. The perfect little martyr, right to the bitter end."

Their footsteps faded down the corridor, leaving me alone in the suffocating silence. My body curled against the cold, unforgiving ground, my chest heaving with silent sobs.

And that was when the truth finally settled in.

I hadn’t been cursed by the Moon Goddess.

I had been cursed by my own blind heart.

—------------

"Ariana James, you stand before this pack to face your judgment," the elder announced, his voice echoing through the clearing. "Tonight, the Moon Goddess herself will bear witness to your punishment."

The gathered wolves roared with outrage, their anger pressing down on me like a crushing weight.

I barely heard them. My gaze locked onto Owen, silently begging him to keep his word. But when our eyes met, all I saw was icy detachment—like I had never meant anything to him at all.

Then he raised a hand, silencing the crowd. "Stop the execution," he commanded.

Murmurs of confusion rippled through the pack.

"Owen," one of the council members hesitated, "the decision has been made. Execution is—"

"I have a better punishment in mind," he interrupted smoothly, his lips curling in satisfaction.

A chill crept down my spine.

"What exactly do you propose?" an elder asked cautiously. The other council members exchanged uncertain glances, sensing the shift in the air.

Owen turned to me, his expression unreadable, yet the malice in his gaze was unmistakable.

"Death is too easy for her," he said, his voice calm and measured. "She deserves something far worse."

The crowd stirred uneasily.

"Speak plainly, Alpha Owen," an elder pressed.

Owen exhaled, like he was savoring the moment, then delivered his verdict.

"Sell her," he said.