I stood in the corner of the great hall, my hands raw and trembling from scrubbing the marble floors all morning. Beta Caleb had made sure I wouldn't forget my new place in the pack hierarchy—not that anyone would let me.
The hall buzzed with excitement as pack members gathered for what Marcus had called an "important announcement." I kept my head down, trying to make myself invisible, but the phantom pain from my torn mate mark throbbed with every heartbeat, a constant reminder of my shame.
"Attention, everyone!" Marcus's voice boomed across the hall as he strode to the center with Diana clinging to his arm. She wore a flowing white dress that accentuated her slender figure, her head held high with pride.
My stomach twisted as I watched them. The sight of her hand possessively on his arm—where mine used to rest—sent a fresh wave of pain through my chest.
"I have wonderful news to share with our pack," Marcus announced, his face alight with an excitement I'd rarely seen. "My Luna, Diana, is carrying the future heir of our kingdom!"
The hall erupted in cheers and howls of celebration. I pressed myself further into the shadows, willing the floor to swallow me whole.
"A worthy mate bears worthy fruit," Marcus continued, placing his hand proudly on Diana's still-flat stomach. "Unlike some who failed in their most basic duty."
His eyes found mine in the crowd, his gaze cold and cutting. The pack's attention followed, and suddenly dozens of hostile stares were fixed on me.
"Serve the wine," Beta Caleb hissed from behind me, shoving a heavy silver tray into my hands. "And don't spill a drop."
I moved mechanically through the crowd, offering the goblets to pack members who had once bowed to me. Now they either ignored me completely or took the opportunity to whisper insults as they took their drinks.
"I always knew she was barren," an older she-wolf murmured to her companion. "Poor Alpha King, wasting years on her."
"Did you see how quickly he took to Diana?" her friend replied. "Like he was waiting for an excuse to get rid of her."
Each word was a dagger to my heart, but I forced myself to keep moving, keep serving, keep breathing.
Later that afternoon, Beta Caleb found me in the kitchen corridor.
"The Alpha King wants the ceremonial hall cleaned for tomorrow's full moon ritual," he announced, his lips curling into a cruel smile. "Every inch of it."
I nodded silently, knowing better than to protest.
"On your hands and knees," he added. "No brushes or cloths."
Hours later, my fingers were cracked and bleeding as I scrubbed at the stone floor. Caleb sat on a chair nearby, watching my progress with obvious enjoyment.
"Faster," he commanded. "A pack of wild dogs could do better work."
I bit my lip and scrubbed harder, ignoring the sting as my raw skin scraped against the rough stone.
"You know what your problem is, Elena?" Caleb leaned forward, his voice dropping to a mocking whisper. "You always thought you were better than everyone. The perfect Luna with her perfect manners and perfect smile." He spat on the floor in front of me. "Scrub that too."
Tears burned behind my eyes, but I refused to let them fall. I would not give him the satisfaction.
That night, I slipped out to the stables where Seraphina, the pack's aging Healer, had secretly arranged to meet me.
"These will help with the pain," she murmured, pressing a small pouch of herbs into my palm. "For the mate bond."
Her weathered hands gently examined my raw fingers, applying a salve that smelled of pine and something older, more primal.
"There are powers stirring in you," she whispered, her eyes darting nervously toward the main house. "Old blood. Ancient lines. I felt it when your mark was torn."
"I don't understand," I whispered back.
Seraphina's eyes gleamed in the dim light. "The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes, child. When a mate bond is broken so violently..." She trailed off, seemingly afraid to finish her thought.
"What is it?" I pressed.
"Sleeping powers awaken," she finally said. "But we must be careful. They're watching you."
Before I could ask more, voices approached from outside. Seraphina quickly packed away her supplies.
"Come," she urged me. "We must go."
The next evening, Marcus summoned me to his study. The room where I had once sat beside him as his equal now felt foreign and threatening.
"Elena," he said coldly as I entered and immediately lowered my eyes as protocol demanded. "You've brought shame upon this pack."
I remained silent, knowing any defense would only fuel his anger.
"Therefore," he continued, "you will undergo a purification ritual to cleanse your sins."
My heart sank. Purification rituals were rarely performed and were said to be excruciating.
"You will be offered to every unmated male in our territory," Marcus announced, his voice devoid of emotion. "They may take turns with you for as long as they wish. Perhaps then you'll learn what it means to serve this pack properly."
I gasped, my eyes flying up to meet his in shock and horror.
"This is your punishment for failing as a Luna," he said with a cruel smile. "And perhaps afterward, you'll finally understand your true worth."
