Cestia’s POV
“WHERE IS JACQUES?”
The meal proceeded downstairs, its joyful hum of discussion and music providing a strong contrast to the turmoil that was developing within me. Jacques had vanished not long after Fayre's spectacular arrival, leaving me alone among the murmurs and curious looks of the crowd.
I faked a grin at others who approached me, like nothing was wrong. But as the minutes passed into an hour, his absence grew more difficult to ignore. My heart tightened with uneasiness.
“Excuse me,” I muttered to the Beta, Hale Roberts, who had been standing nearby.
“Is everything alright, Luna?” he asked, his tone laced with concern.
I nodded quickly, unwilling to show weakness. “I just need some air.”
Without waiting for an answer, I slipped out of the hall and headed towards the grand staircase.
My footsteps resonated in the silence as I ascended, leaving the joyous commotion behind. The more I proceeded, the darker and quieter it became, with the luxurious corridors now cloaked in shade.
“Jack? Where are you?” I called, my voice trembling slightly.
The silence that followed just added to the discomfort in my chest. My fingers brushed against the wall as I moved, the low light from the sconces forming flickering shadows.
I turned a corner and saw it: a little ajar door with gentle light flowing into the corridor. My pulse accelerated.
I paused, my senses telling me to turn back. But then I heard his voice: low and familiar.
“I don’t love her, Fayre. You are the one that I love.”
The words hit me like a physical blow, the air rushing from my lungs.
I stepped closer, unable to stop myself. My trembling hand pushed the door open a fraction more, allowing me to see inside.
“I am just keeping her as my Luna because she's my mate,” he said.
Standing there, Jacques leant towards Fayre with his towering body. Unquestionably intimate, her hands were on his chest as their lips locked in a passionate kiss.
The world seemed to have paused. Tears clouded my eyes, and it felt like the walls were closing in on me.
My dearest mate...
Here was the man who had vowed to keep me safe and to uphold our relationship—betraying me with another woman.
“I hate him...” I whispered.
I wanted to yell, to stand up to him, to ask him questions. But I couldn't get my body to move. With each second that went by, my heart broke and my legs felt like lead.
“I only did it to gain the elders’ trust,” Jacques continued, his voice dripping with conviction as he pulled away from Fayre slightly. “They needed to see stability, a Luna at my side. But she’s just a human, Fayre. I could never love her.”
I pressed a hand to my mouth to stifle the sob threatening to escape.
How could he? After everything, after asking me to make the pact, after standing beside me and introducing me as his Luna—how could it all have been a lie?
I backed away from the door, my movements careful and silent. The last thing I wanted was for them to know I’d overheard. My tears blurred my vision as I stumbled down the hallway, the once-beautiful estate now feeling like a prison.
When I reached the grand staircase, I paused, wiping my face. I needed to leave. Staying here, pretending this was my life, was no longer an option.
“This is over now,” I whispered to myself, my voice steady despite the chaos inside me.
I descended the staircase, ignoring the curious glances of the pack members who noticed my pale face and red-rimmed eyes. I didn’t care what they thought. I didn’t care about the banquet or the titles or the expectations.
Right now... I need a plan.
I just needed to escape this hell!
