Chapter 9
Luna Jade quickly pulled Vlanche closer, her face lighting up with an almost unnatural happiness.
“My daughter,” she exclaimed, her voice brimming with misplaced affection. “Is that…”
Her words blurred in my mind, fading into the static of my anger. She looked at me as if I was nothing, as if my presence here was inconsequential. They had no idea who I truly was, and yet they judged me so easily.
I clenched my fists under the table, fighting the ache in my chest. I didn’t want to feel like a burden to this family, but how could I not when they constantly reduced me to
one?
All their attention was on her. Vlanche- the very ex who had betrayed Lucian by sleeping with someone else while they were together. And now, here she was
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again, flaunting herself shamelessly, her presence a mockery of my place as Lucian’s mate.
My heart pounded, anger bubbling to the surface. They spoke so highly of her, completely ignoring the fact that she had broken his trust once before. And now, she was back, parading her supposed redemption while they trampled on my feelings, as if I didn’t even exist.
The heat in my chest was unbearable as I reached for the tarnished silver wolf–head
ring on my finger–the one Mrs. Winterpelt had given me.
“This ring will strengthen your bond, your power,” she had said when she handed it to me. But it was a lie. The ring was fake, its luster dulled with age and deceit.
I let the ring slide off my finger, holding it between my fingers with disdain. It was meaningless, just like their empty gestures. of acceptance. My true silver wolf–head ring was safe with my mother, waiting for
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the day I ascended the throne as Luna Queen of my own pack.
This trinket–this counterfeit–would never touch my skin again. Let them choose another candidate to wear it. Someone they deemed worthy of their hollow expectations.
For me, this ring was no symbol of power. It was a reminder of their hypocrisy–and my resolve to rise above it all.
Lucian’s eyes glinted under the moonlight, his tone sharp with frustration.
“Freya, can you stop stirring up chaos? This pendant” -he held up the silver wolf- headed necklace etched with ancient werewolf runes- “was my mother‘ s legacy. You can wear it if you want or toss it to the wind for all I care. Who do you think you are?”
I bared my teeth slightly, a growl rising in my throat. “I think you take yourself far too seriously. You‘ re not as loyal or wise as Vlanche. If you leave this pack today,
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you‘ re no longer part of the Winterpelt lineage. Do as you please!”
For a moment, I froze, the weight of his words sinking in. Then, without a word, turned on my heel, my claws scratching faintly against the wooden floor as I
stormed out of the den.
I
A snide voice from behind broke the silence. “Oh, Freya looks upset. You brought Vlanche into the pack and made her angry. Are you going to chase after her now? After all, you‘ ve shared eight full moons together, survived rogue attacks, and fought for the pack when others. wouldn’t. Back when the territory was on the verge of collapse, Freya sold everything. she owned to raise the funds to keep us afloat.”
Aunt May at the table rumbled in agreement, their tone pointed.
Lucian curled his lips into a mocking smile, shaking his head. “I’ve never
denied her anything. I’ve just spoiled her
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far too much. Her temper has become unbearable. She’s nothing like Vlanche- gentle, obedient, perfect.”
“She’s a lone wolf now,” someone murmured, but Lucian only scoffed.
“Where else would she go? Let her run. She’ll come back when the world proves it’s no safer than here.”
But he’s wrong. I’ll never be a lone wolf -and his so–called greatest ally might be the one to ruin everything.
I stormed out, my anger burning hotter with every step. The air outside felt heavy, oppressive, as if reflecting the weight of my
emotions.
Before I could get far, I felt his hand grab mine, pulling me back sharply.
“Are you serious right now?” Lucian growled, his voice low but trembling with anger. “You‘ ve just disrespected my family–and Vlanche–like that?”
I yanked my hand away but kept my voice
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calm, controlled. “I didn‘ t say anything, Lucian. It was your family who
disrespected me. And you…you didn’t say a word to defend me.”
“They were just telling the truth!” he shot back, his voice rising. “Why can’t you accept the facts? This is what’s so hard. about you, Freya. You can’t handle the truth.”
I laughed bitterly, the sound hollow in the tense night air. “The truth? You mean the part where I’m made to feel like I’m nothing? That I’m some weak wolf they can stomp on? And all for the sake of your precious Vlanche–the same woman who betrayed you without a second thought-”
“Enough!” he snapped, his voice cutting through the air like a whip. “Just shut up, Freya! You always make it about Vlanche. I knew it. When will you stop with your insecurities?”
I flinched at his words, but he wasn’t
done.
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“You‘ re already the Luna, despite being completely incapable of fulfilling that role. Isn’t that enough for you? What more do you want, huh?”
My chest tightened, the anger giving way to something sharper, more painful.
“Let me go, Lucian,” I said, shoving him away with all the strength I could muster.
His lips curled into a cruel smile, dripping with mockery. “Fine. Go home. I don‘ t care if the rogues get you on the way. Just don’t come crying to me for help like you always do.”
The words hung in the air, a final blow that left me frozen.
He didn’t wait for a response, turning on his heel and walking away. I stood there, trembling, the weight of his betrayal pressing down on me.
This was no longer about love or loyalty. This was war–and I wouldn’t let him or
anyone else break me.
