Chapter 3 "I have had your mate wrapped around my fingers, Selene. All those nights you waited for him beneath the Moon, believing he was on patrol-Adrian was with me." Cassandra's voice was low, poisonous. "If not for the wards around the Alpha's lodge, I would already be carrying his heir. Unlike you, barren as the wasteland." "What did you say?" Selene whispered, her tears spilling freely. "You can never give him an heir, can you?" Cassandra stepped closer, her gaze cruel. "Adrian is tired of your useless, barren body. He is Alpha-born, destined to sire strong pups. How could he not want children?" She forced a smile and seized Selene's hand, feigning comfort. "Do not worry, sister. When I bear Adrian's pups, you will be the first to know." "Cassandra!" Selene cried, her voice breaking. Each word was a dagger twisting in her chest. "You are shameless! You ruined my life-are you still not satisfied?" Selene swatted Cassandra's hand away. Cassandra let herself fall, the chalice crashing to the ground, and cried out in feigned pain. "Selene!" Heavy footsteps thundered across the stone. Adrian stormed in, his aura crackling with Alpha command. "What is going on?" His glare sliced through the chamber, contempt hardening his features until Selene's breath caught. "I-It's all right, Adrian. Selene was angry. Do not blame her. I am fine," Cassandra whimpered, clutching her arm and filling her eyes with tears. "Selene!" Adrian's voice cracked like a whip. "Why did you harm your sister?" "I didn't... I never pushed her," Selene whispered, trembling. Around her, warriors and packmates had already gathered, watching with cold disdain. Adrian swept Cassandra into his arms, shielding her as though Selene were the threat. The sight tore through Selene's chest like claws. "Let's go," Cassandra sobbed pitifully. "Selene has always been stubborn. Do not make a scene." She tried to lead him away, her voice perfectly pitched for sympathy. But Adrian turned on Selene, fury spilling from his eyes. "Selene, come with me now." Instead of carrying Cassandra to her lavish chamber, he dragged Selene to the old storage den- a place where she had once shivered through winters alone, the small room now filled with Cassandra's cast-off gowns and jewels. "Fetch the healer's kit," Cassandra ordered sweetly from Adrian's embrace, her voice still trembling. Selene's heart broke. "Why are you so gentle with her? She ruined your feast. I should never have come." Adrian's shoulders tensed, but he said nothing. Even knowing the betrayal, Selene's body still obeyed out of habit. She moved as if her limbs belonged to him. In Cassandra's chamber, the golden sister reclined on the bed, Adrian at her 9:36 pm PD side, while Selene stood in silence like a servant. Adrian's voice was sharp as he seized Selene's wrist. "Massage Cassandra's feet. Now. This is your fault. Do you know how much you hurt her?" Cassandra watched, a satisfied glimmer in her eyes. "I will not," Selene whispered, her heart breaking. "What did you say?" "I will not do it." Her second refusal cracked the air like a snapped bone. Snarling, Adrian shoved her down at Cassandra's feet. Selene's knee struck stone, and she clutched her belly in terror for the lives within her. "Do you even know how to behave?" Adrian's roar filled the chamber. "How dare you accuse Cassandra of taking what is hers when you are nothing? Even if given everything, you would still be unloved." "Adrian!" Selene's cry was raw, her tears streaking down her face. She wanted to believe the mate-bond meant something-but all she saw was cruelty. "Selene is my sister," Cassandra murmured sweetly, brushing her hair back. "Please forgive her, Adrian. She only misunderstands me." "Stop it!" Selene burst out, her voice hoarse. "Enough with the lies!" Adrian's palm cracked across her cheek. The sound echoed through the room. The sting burned, but it was nothing compared to the agony of betrayal. Selene touched the heated mark, her eyes wide, her soul breaking. For the first time, she understood: she was not his Luna. She was only the fool who loved him. 9:36 pm P Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!