Charlotte's POV
Lydia had her arms wrapped around Michael as she kissed him passionately, their lips locked together. They were so absorbed in each other that they didn't even notice I was there. It wasn't until I screamed Michael's name that they finally pulled apart.
"What are you doing in here?" he snapped, sitting up in bed.
Lydia quickly pulled the duvet up to her chest.
"Uh... I need to talk to you," I replied, struggling to keep my voice calm despite the anger boiling inside me.
I just had to convince him to stop this madness and come back to me.
"Go ahead," he said indifferently.
"Not with her here," I insisted. "The sight of that omega bitch disgusts me. I mean, why would you choose an omega over me? God, it's unbelievable!"
Lydia looked ready to argue, but Michael told her to give us a moment alone. She climbed out of bed, leaned down to kiss his forehead, and flashed him a seductive smile.
"You wore me out," she purred. "Now you've got me wanting more. Too bad someone's about to ruin the rest of our night."
She turned and smirked at me with unhidden contempt before walking out of the room.
I glared at her until she disappeared down the hallway. It struck me as odd that she was still fully dressed, when I'd been convinced they were having sex only moments earlier.
Still, I pushed the thought aside. Right now, all I wanted was an explanation for Michael's sudden change in attitude.
"Michael, why are you doing this to me?" I asked bitterly. "It's my birthday, and you didn't even bother to spend time with me or wish me a happy birthday. Instead, you chose to betray me?"
"Look, Charlotte, I didn't betray you," he replied coldly as he stood up and pulled on his shirt. "I just did what I should've done a long time ago. What Alpha stays with a girl who doesn't even have a wolf? If no one else would, neither will I."
"So that's why you chose an omega over me?" I let out a hollow laugh. "What's the difference?"
"The difference is that she has a wolf, and you don't." His voice was sharp and aggressive. "I'm sorry, Charlotte, but we were never meant to be mates. Now get out of my room, pack your things, and leave."
"Please, Michael, just listen to me," I pleaded. "Stop... you're hurting me."
Without another word, he shoved me out of the room and slammed the door in my face.
Feeling dejected and heartbroken, I dragged myself back to my room, only to find Lydia standing in front of my vanity mirror. It looked like she had been admiring the necklace Michael had given me, when he asked that I become his girlfriend.
"What are you doing in my room?" I demanded, glaring at her. "That's my necklace you're holding, so put it down right now."
Lydia slowly turned to face me, a scornful smile curling the corner of her lips.
"You know," she sneered, absentmindedly twirling the necklace between her fingers, "a whore like you doesn't deserve something this expensive."
"Listen, I'm not going to stand here and let you insult me in my own room," I shot back. "Give me my necklace and get out of my sight before I do something we'll both regret."
She burst into laughter.
I had no idea what she found so funny.
After what felt like forever, Lydia's laughter finally died down, and the same mocking smile returned to her face.
"And what exactly are you going to do to me?" she taunted. "Nothing. Because you're nothing more than a wolfless slut."
She slowly circled me, her smug expression never leaving her face.
"Let's be honest. You were nothing but Michael's bed warmer, and now you're completely useless to him. Oh, and there's something else you should know." She rested a hand on her stomach with a proud smile. "I'm pregnant with the future Alpha's child, so you have no place here anymore, bitch."
Every word she said cut deeper than the last. As painful as it was, I couldn't deny the possibility that she was telling the truth. Michael had already gotten her pregnant.
What a cheating bastard!
Her insults finally pushed me over the edge. I took a step toward her, my fists clenched at my sides.
"I think it's time for you to leave," I said through gritted teeth. "But before you do, give me back my necklace."
I proceeded to retrieve the jewelry, but Lydia swiftly took it out of my reach.
"Oh, you mean this?" she asked, holding it up with a mocking grin. "Watch this."
Before I could stop her, she grabbed the necklace with both hands, yanked it apart, and scattered the pearls across the floor.
That single act fueled my anger to its peak.
Without thinking, I lunged at her. My hand shot into her hair, and the moment I got a firm grip, I yanked it hard.
"You want to know what I can do?" I shouted. "You filthy whore!"
The next moment, the room erupted into grunts and struggles as Lydia fought to free her hair from my grip, but she wasn't strong enough. Before I knew it, we were locked in a full blown fight. In the heat of the struggle, Lydia unknowingly backed toward the edge of the staircase.
The last thing I remembered was shoving her. She lost her balance and tumbled down the stairs, rolling from one step to the next until she crashed hard onto the floor below.
A piercing scream of pain escaped her lips.
Almost immediately, Michael came dashing out of the bedroom. The instant he saw his new Luna sprawling helplessly on the floor, his face twisted with horror. Her legs were bent at unnatural angles, and the severity of her injuries made it look as though she might never walk again.
The sight of her sent Michael into a state of unbridled anger. His eyes glowed like burning coals as he threw back his head, and let out a deafening howl. Within seconds, answering cries echoed through the night, shattering the moonlit silence.
It wasn't long before the entire pack gathered to witness the horrifying scene.
After Michael told them that I had attacked the future Luna, every member of the pack turned against me. None of them wanted to hear my side of the story. Their Alpha had spoken, so why would they question his word?
Right there, in front of every shifter in the pack, Michael said the words no she-wolf ever wanted to hear.
"I, Alpha Michaelson Logan Argent, reject you, Charlotte Anderson, as my mate. You are hereby banished from the Winter Moon Pack, never to return or set foot on these lands again." he uttered, his voice cold as the grave and as heavy as lead.
The rejection struck me like a crushing blow. It was a pain that could bring any she-wolf down to her knees, and I had no idea how I was supposed to survive it.
Heartbroken, I broke down in tears.
"No... please! I didn't mean to hurt her. Please, don't send me away! I have nowhere else to go," I pleaded, falling to my knees.
But the Alpha who promised me eternal love turned his back on me without a second glance.
Tears streamed down my face as I slowly dragged my weary feet away from the only home I had ever known, uncertain of what kind of life awaited me without my pack.
