Losing my child was already unbearable, but Kaid took it a step further by ordering the guards to confine me in an underground cell for three days, denying me food and water as punishment for raising my hands against Lylah.
For those long days, I wept over the betrayal. The two individuals I had trusted most turned on me, showing a level of cruelty I never expected.
On the third day, when he finally let me out, I learned that the news had spread throughout the pack like wildfire: the new Luna was pregnant, expecting an heir.
It became clear that Kaid had been unfaithful with Lylah while we were still together.
Ignoring the bruises on my body and the gnawing pain of hunger, I grabbed my bag and began to pack my belongings.
I was finished with this farce of love. Once I regained my strength as the Alpha of the Moon Stone pack, I would return for my revenge.
Just as I was about to complete my packing, Kaid stormed into the room, his expression shifting to one of fury upon seeing me.
“Where do you think you're going?” he demanded, his voice laced with anger.
“What does it look like? I'm leaving, Kaid! I’m done!” I shot back defiantly.
“You’re not done unless I say so. We are officially mated, and you belong to me!” he retorted, gripping my arm with a force that made my skin ache. Yet, the emotional turmoil I felt far outweighed the physical pain.
Tears streamed down my face as I stood there, feeling his nails dig into my skin.
“Kaid, look at what you've done to me! You've turned me into a joke! I gave everything for you, and what did I receive in return? Betrayal! You chose an ordinary Omega over me—my own maid!”
“You're missing the bigger picture, Astrid. She's a moon wolf and…”
“Save your breath, Kaid. Your intentions are crystal clear, and it's time I made my stance known. I've sacrificed too much for you, but that ends now!”
“What are you saying? You can't just walk away because of Lylah! Just give it two years… two years, and once I get what I need from her, I’ll come back to you,” he said, pulling his hand away from me, revealing the blood that was seeping from the wound.
“You're the most self-centered person I've ever known, Kaid. We lost our child, and you had the audacity to announce Lylah's pregnancy to everyone!”
“Lylah forced my hand! She's Luna now…”
“We're saying the same thing, Kaid,” I cut in sharply.
“You can't have two Lunas, which is why I, Astrid Dawn, Alpha of the Moonstone pack, reject you, Kaid Rylan, as my fated mate and Alpha!”
“No!” he shouted, clutching his chest as the pain of rejection washed over him, his words coming out in desperate gasps.
“What have… you done?” he cried out, and I let out a dark chuckle.
“I’ve done exactly what you did to me, Kaid! I despise you! I hate you so deeply!”
“I still love you, Astrid… d… don’t do this,” he pleaded, and in a fit of rage, I spat on him and stomped my foot on his chest, watching as he coughed up blood.
In those fleeting moments, I harnessed my strength, initiating the rejection and leaving Kaid vulnerable to my wrath.
“This is only the start, Kaid! I will return for revenge, and you will all experience my fury!” I shouted as I stormed out of the pack house, where a taxi was already waiting for me.
***
Twelve hours later, I found myself back in my pack.
As anticipated, my family and friends greeted me with a frosty reception, but I was determined to make things right.
To begin, I used my healing abilities to cast a spell on my father.
I watched as his bones realigned with a painful snap, and he let out a growl before gradually regaining his strength.
My mother attempted to reach out to me afterward, but I had no interest in anyone's sympathy.
I simply asked her for the address of the devil Lycan and set off to his pack, which was only a two-hour drive away.
The devil Lycans are descendants of both vampires and werewolves, making them the most formidable and malevolent of all immortal beings.
There are whispers that King Charles offers his wives as sacrifices to their god, Dracula, in exchange for power after their demise.
I was prepared to face that brutal destiny just to liberate my people from his control and reclaim my title.
But if I were to perish, I would ensure that Lylah and Kaid followed me to the depths of hell for all they had done to me.
As soon as I reached the entrance of the pack, the guards seized me roughly and dragged me directly to the king upon catching my wolf scent.
They thrust me into the throne room, and the moment our eyes locked, my wolf snarled within me.
“Mate,” King Charles growled, and I collapsed.
