“I’ll come back to the pack, but under one condition—stay out of my life,” I said, my voice hollow but firm.
“Fine,” the voice on the other end of the mind-link replied. “As long as you return, the pack is yours to lead.”
I cut the connection, my chest heaving. The shredded black fabric near the edge of the bed caught my eye—a familiar scent clinging to it. Britney Cooper’s perfume. The one I had begged Aztec to buy for me.
He never did. But for her? He had moved mountains.
My fists clenched, trembling. She had been here. My mate, Aztec, had betrayed me. Again.
And this time, it wasn’t just my pride that was shattered—it was my very being.
Pain flared from my bandaged arm, grounding me in the moment. The rogues, the attack, the blood... all of it had been a catalyst to this. The ultimate humiliation came when Aztec drove past me as I lay in the dirt, beaten and bleeding, with Britney by his side. Her laughter still echoed in my mind.
Bastards!
I clutched my abdomen reflexively, Seren, my wolf, whimpering. The healer’s words haunted me. “You were about a month along… The trauma was too much. I’m so sorry.”
A pup. My pup. Gone.
And Aztec didn’t even care. He didn’t even ask what happened.
When I finally dragged myself home, I found him sprawled on the couch, his shirt rumpled, faint scratch marks trailing down his neck. Marks that weren’t mine.
“Did you eat?” he asked lazily, swirling whiskey in his glass.
I held up my injured arm, the blood-stained bandage glaring under the light. “The healer said to avoid certain foods.”
“Then make something that suits you,” he muttered, dismissing me.
I wanted to scream. To throw something. But I didn’t. Not yet. Rage burned through me, but I forced it down.
That night, as I lay in bed, the scent of Britney’s perfume still lingered on the sheets. Seren growled softly, her voice filled with determination.
“This isn’t over,” she said.
And she was right.
The next morning, I walked into the pack council meeting, my head held high despite the whispers. My bandaged arm and bruised face spoke volumes, but I refused to let them see me falter.
Aztec sat at the head of the table, his expression smug. Britney sat beside him, her golden hair glowing like a crown of thorns.
“Luna,” one of the elders said, concern etched into his face. “Do you need time to recover?”
“I’m fine,” I replied, my voice steady. “Let’s proceed.”
Aztec smirked. “The Luna is stronger than she looks,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery.
I forced a smile, my nails digging into my palms under the table. “Very soon, you’ll see just how strong this Luna can be.”
The room went silent. Aztec’s smirk faltered, but he quickly masked it, turning his attention back to the elders.
“So lately the Rogues have been trespassing, what measures do you suggest we take this time?”Aztec asked the council.
Soon the hallroom was filled with murmurs, everyone with their opinion. Aztec was saving face already —manipulation comes naturally to him. Britney taking my place as Luna was not new; each time, it gets better than the last that my presence goes unnoticed . And truth be told, they looked perfect. Like they were meant for each other. A bond made by the Moon Goddess.
“While we discuss this, there's a need for refreshment. Someone is bringing it” Britney's voice came, soft like she couldn't harm a fly. The facade she puts on effortlessly. It was glaring that I was not needed again. Aztec never cared. It was time to leave, I shouldn't be staying in the shadow of Britney anymore.
After the meeting, I cornered Britney in the hallway. She didn’t even flinch. Her lips curled into a cruel smile, her eyes gleaming with triumph.
“What do you want?” she asked, her tone sickeningly sweet.
“My mate adores you, doesn’t he?” I said, my voice ice-cold.
She laughed, the sound grating on my ears. “Mate? Is that what he told you? Sweetheart, Aztec has been mine long before you came along.”
I stepped closer, my smile widening. “Enjoy it while it lasts, Britney. Because soon, you’ll learn what happens to people who take what’s mine.”
“You are pathetic Veronica ... .Don't you see the disrespect? But you still won't leave” Britney's voice came, it was a slap in the face.
“I will leave ... .But you and Aztec will regret crossing me soon. From this moment onward, I Veronica will leave but will hunt you down till nothing is left of the both of you”
Her laughter stopped.
This isn’t over, Seren whispered again.
And this time, I knew it wasn’t just a promise. It was a war cry.
