I stood there as they kissed like nothing else in the world existed. Owen finally pulled away, but his gaze slid past Cynthia to land on me. The torchlight from the corridor left dancing shadows on his face, making his expression even more sinister.
"Why?" My fingers now wrapped around the metal bars trembled as I whispered the word. The bars were the only thing keeping me upright. "I gave you everything, Owen. My trust, my loyalty, my heart. You were the only one I told about my wolf..."
"Exactly," Owen cut in as he stepped closer to my cell. "The only one who knew what a threat you really are."
Cynthia's eyes widened slightly, and I realized even she hadn't known this part of the truth.
"What are you talking about?" I demanded.
Owen laughed loudly. "Did you think I actually loved you? The daughter of James Darkwood, the most powerful Alpha our territory had ever seen? The same bloodline that produced wolves strong enough to challenge the Moon Goddess herself?" He shook his head. "I kept you close because I needed to know what I was dealing with."
"But I never..." I started.
"Never what? Never planned to challenge me?" He slammed his hands on the bars making me jump. The sound echoed through the cell block and somewhere in the distance, a prisoner screamed.
"Your father's power runs through your veins, Ariana. I saw you that day in the training grounds, pretending to be weak while your wolf vibrated with strength. The same strength that made your father unstoppable."
The pieces started falling into place. "So everything... every moment between us..."
"Was me making sure you stayed exactly where I needed you - powerless, hated and alone. The perfect plan, until Mara had to complicate things."
"Mara?" My knees felt weak.
"She saw you shifting in the woods," He leaned forward, close enough that I could smell the wine on his breath from the celebration. "Came to me all excited about defending your honor, about telling the pack they were wrong about you. She didn't understand what a threat you really are."
I wrapped my hands around myself as the final piece clicked into place.
"So you killed her," I whispered. "And made me take the blame."
“Two birds, one stone. It worked out better than I could have planned." he smirked, spreading his arms wide. "The pack's hatred for you grew even stronger, and now..." He gestured to his Alpha robes with a flourish. "I have everything I want."
Cynthia pressed closer to him even as she traced a finger along his chest. "And I get to be Luna. The position you thought was yours."
My fingers shook as anger flowed through my veins. "You spineless coward! You murdered an innocent woman and let me rot in here because you were afraid? Some Alpha you'll make—"
The air rushed from my lungs as his arm shot through the bars. His fingers dug into my throat and I could feel him crushing my windpipe. "Watch what you say. I'm your Alpha now." His grip tightened as he pulled me closer to the bars. "Your life belongs to me."
I clawed desperately at his hand, black spots dancing in my vision. My nails drew blood but he didn't even flinch. "What..." I wheezed as I struggled for each word. "What happened to...your promise?" I kicked weakly at the bars. "You said... you'd release me when you become Alpha."
He left my throat, and I collapsed against the floor, coughing.
"Oh, I'll release you as promised," he paced around. "But I promise you this—the release will be worse than staying in these cells."
"What do you mean?" I whispered.
"You'll see tomorrow. Consider it my final gift to you, my dear mate." He spat the last word like it was poison.
They turned to leave, but Cynthia paused as she looked back. "You know what's truly pathetic, Ariana? How eagerly you took the blame. The perfect little martyr, right until the end."
I listened as their footsteps grew fainter along the corridor. I crumpled to the cold floor, my heart feeling like it was being squeezed in my chest. The truth hit me then, I hadn't been cursed by the Moon Goddess.
I'd been cursed by my own foolish heart.
—--------------
“Ariana James, you stand before the pack to face judgment for your crimes,” one of the werewolf council declared loudly across the pack clearing. "Tonight, the Moon Goddess shall bear witness to your punishment."
The crowd shouted both happy and angry sounds, and I could feel how much they hated me.
I kept my gaze fixed on Owen, silently pleading for him to keep his promise. But when our eyes met, I saw no love or regret. I only saw emptiness, it was obvious he didn't care at all.
Owen raised his hand and the crowd fell silent. "Stop the execution," he commanded firmly. The murmurs died down as everyone turned to him in confusion.
"Owen," one of the council members said cautiously, "the judgment has been passed. Execution is—"
"I have a different punishment in mind," Owen cut in, smiling in a way that made me feel cold all over.
"What are you suggesting?" The council members looked at each other nervously, but Owen’s eyes gleamed as he stepped forward.
“Death is too merciful for her. She deserves something far worse.” He stared at me intensely. “A punishment fitting the crime… and the betrayal.”
My stomach dropped and for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. What could be worse than death?
The pack members also shifted nervously in their seats clearly confused.
“Speak plainly, Alpha Owen. Go straight to the point.” another elder said.
Owen looked at the council members and then right at me. His cold stare made me feel completely exposed. “Sell her… as a slave.”
Both the crowd, the councils and I gasped collectively.
“Slavery is hardly a punishment fitting such a crime!” one elder protested. “If anything, it’s too easy a fate—”
“You didn’t let me finish,” Owen interrupted in a cold voice. “She will be sold as a slave… to the Night Walker Pack.”
