When I opened my eyes, I was back on the soft furs of my own bed. Turning my head, I saw Zael resting beside me.
Noticing I was awake, he opened his eyes and pulled me into his embrace. His voice was thick with guilt. "Aletta, you have returned to us. Do you wish to rest for a few more hours?"
Feeling the warmth of his chest, a sharp pain pierced my heart and I pushed him away.
"Zael, why do you continue this play?"
He went still for a moment, then whispered, "I am sorry. I believed Mother was only trying to frighten you. I did not think those two sentinels would truly lock you in the stone cellar."
"Mother went too far this time, but you must remember that you were the one who harmed Moira."
Even now, he was weaving excuses. I looked down and let out a cold, hollow laugh. "If you had not given the command, would they have ever dared to imprison your Luna?"
I paused, then added, "Since your mother already treats Moira like the true Luna of this pack, why do I not simply leave? Then you and Moira can be together and your mother will not have to suffer the sight of me."
With those words, I stood up to walk away.
Zael quickly lunged forward and pulled me into a tight hug, his voice trembling. "Aletta, after three years of being bonded, I will never let you go."
"Are you still pained because of Moira? I will tell her to leave the territory. I will not look upon her face again."
Such words might have fooled a young wolf, but I would not fall for his lies again.
I shoved him off me. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, Moira suddenly threw open the chamber door.
She froze, her eyes wide with shock. Tears spilled down her cheeks as she looked at Zael.
"There is no need to exile me. I will take Aelin and leave these lands right now."
With that, she turned and fled. Zael looked panicked and leaped from the bed to chase after her, not even sparing me a second glance.
Watching him run down the stone hallway, I could not help but follow.
Moira stood on the high balcony of the second floor, looking down at the deep water of the stone pool below. Her eyes were red with false grief as she gazed at Zael.
"Zael, if even you do not want me anymore, I shall simply return my soul to the Moon. I know you and Aletta are the true mates, but I cannot stop the jealousy in my heart."
"Please protect Aelin after I am gone. And do not try to stop my fall."
She moved toward the edge of the railing.
Zael rushed forward and pulled Moira into a fierce embrace, his eyes full of agony.
"I am sorry. It was my failing. I should never have said those things. The one I truly love is you. We still have our pup. If you jump, what will become of her? What will become of me?"
He looked at Moira with deep devotion. Watching their little drama unfold, I stepped out from the shadows and slowly clapped my hands.
The moment Zael saw me, his face turned to stone.
He opened his mouth, then finally said with great effort, "Aletta, I will explain everything tonight, do you understand?"
I shook my head and looked at him with a calm heart. "No need, Zael. I will depart on my own soon. I will no longer stand in the way of your great love."
I turned to walk away, but Zael reached out to seize me.
Before he could touch me, Moira stepped between us.
"Aletta, please do not leave Zael because of my presence. This is all my fault. I should not have brought the pup here and I should not have grown so close to your mate. I am the one who must go."
Seeing Moira’s fake sorrow made me feel physically ill.
I said coldly, "Are you finished? if you are, then move out of my path."
But instead of stepping aside, Moira grabbed my arm. "Aletta, you and Zael must remain well. That way, my heart will be at peace even if I leave the pack..."
I gave her a mocking smile and pulled my arm free from her grasp.
But in the next heartbeat, Moira screamed, threw up her arm and fell backward toward the edge.
Zael, looking terrified, pushed me aside with all his strength and rushed to catch her.
He held her tightly by the waist, his voice full of relief. "Thank the Moon you are safe. I would have never forgiven myself if something happened to you."
But he did not see that his push had sent me over the edge. I fell from the second floor balcony and crashed into the cold water of the pool below.
