Chapter 11 Rephyrine " I should go home , " I said at last , compelling Dessyn to stare at me in confusion . " Why are you accepting this humiliation , Zephyr ? Why ? Finished I looked away toward the small window of the carriage , exhaling , Kaela had insulted me gravely , and I watched her walk away . She's respected in the Empire for her contributions to peace , but a woman like me . I am above her . Still , I allowed her to trample all over me . " Is this because of the mate bond ? Because of Nyroth ? " Dessyn asked , and I sighed , I turned to her gently . " He's my mate . " " A mate who never cares about you , Zephyr . You deserve more than him . He doesn't even touch you , or .. " She paused , then asked softly . " Has he ever kissed you ? " At that question , I swallowed hard and looked away . Come to think of it . Nyroth has never kissed my lips . All he's ever done is kiss my temple, and that only happens when he's trying to apologize for something We never had any romantic time together . There's never been any lust between us . Once , we hugged , and I tried to take it further but he gave excuses , Said we should save it for our wedding night . I believed him until now . Now I know the truth . He's saving himself for his crush . He's never once felt attracted to me in a romantic way . He only kept me by his side because I helped him build his pack . Nothing more . The carriage stopped before Hue Pack , and I turned to Dessyn , who was clearly annoyed by my tolerance . " I'll come meet you at home . We promised Princess Mearez I'd come by later tomorrow ," I said , and she nodded . When I alighted , I could feel her gaze on me . At last , the carriage rode on toward White Pack . For a long while , I stood at the gate of Hue Pack before I walked in . The hall was unusually silent today . When I pushed the door and stepped into the living room , the first person I saw was Kaela , seated calmly in a chair and Pamela , Nyroth's mother , patting her back . At once , Olivia , who seemed to have been waiting for my arrival , charged forward . " The harlot is here . Was it true you told lies just so you could make your friend the host ? Was it true ? " I stood there , my eyes on her for a brief moment before I shifted my gaze . Nyroth stood ahead beside the window , saying nothing which meant one thing . He believed it . I bypassed Olivia and headed toward my chamber , but Pamela blocked my way . 173 Chapter 11 Finished " I heard what you did , Zeph . How you spread lies about that friend of yours hosting a festival in Ash Pack . Have you chosen death , lying to the Lycan heir about a pack so sacred and respected ? " My gaze fell on her . I pulled back , trying to suppress the anger that threatened to rise . It's best I left the house for now , I made to bypass her . Then it came . " shows she's a whore . She must have inherited that trait from her dead mother . Spreading legs and fucking with strangers ! " I went cold at that claim . Slowly , I turned back to stare at her , stunned she had crossed a line of no return . " What did you say ? " I asked . " You heard me , you harlot ! " she shouted . That exclamation came with a slap that tilted my head to the side . A hard slap across my face . I went colder stillas she spat , the spit landing on my feet . " I curse the day my son brought you home . You never deserved him . Barren ." That was it . 1 fisted my hands and turned toward my chamber , dashing in just to breathe . My own mother being called a harlot ? I was still seething when the sound of my door opening came . I turned to see Nyroth standing there in the doorway , his eyes fixed on mine . " Was it true ? " he asked . Zeph .. is it true you had a thing with Apex ? " I went cold . An assumption and he believed it at once . That meant one thing . There's no love between us . No trust . After everything that just happened in the living room .. this is all he could ask me I didn't respond and he seemed to understand the message . He sighed in frustration . " Zeph , you know what the rumors say about Apex . He doesn't care about anyone but his two sisters . But today . he stared at no one but you . Spoke to no one but you which means one thing . " " That I slept with him ? I asked quietly . He swallowed hard when he saw the tears welling in my eyes . " That last night , when I was chased like a dog from my mate's pack in the rain , with my parents ' ashes , I went ahead and lay with a stranger . Is that it ?! " Silence descended at my yell . He searched my eyes . At last , he let out a sigh and took a step forward , his fingers reaching to hold me but I took a step back . Zeph , I'm sorry . Let's just .. " His fingers reached again , trying to wrap around my arm and I stopped him with one deadly glare . Chapter 11 " Touch me . Nyroth , and I swear on the Moon Goddess we worship . I will slit your throat . " It wasn't a threat . It was a promise . He went still at once , stunned by my words . I wiped the tears off my face and stepped back , arriving at a decision of no return . Finished " I tried , Nyroth . Despite all I've done and all the endurance I've shown the love and trust just isn't there between us . " Zeph " Let's break up . " I cut him off . " I want rejection . Fix the date and time . Let's complete the ritual and go our separate ways . You can marry and mark Kaela , as you've always wanted . He went totally pale at my words but I didn't give him time to recover . I turned and left the pack , heading straight for White Pack Title: Crown of Vengeance In "Crown of Vengeance" by CrushReel, delve into a gripping tale of betrayal and redemption. Unravel the intricate web of deceit as a woman's life is shattered by family secrets and a tragic twist of fate. Amid themes of revenge, family dynamics, and dark revelations, this ongoing drama unfolds within the walls of a mysterious mansion where past wrongs resurface to haunt the present. Discover the depths of human emotion as our protagonist navigates a world filled with deception and hidden agendas. What sets "Crown of Vengeance" apart is its nuanced exploration of complex relationships and the quest for justice in the face of overwhelming odds. Available to read at CrushReel, this story promises a riveting journey through the shadows of the past towards a future where truth may ultimately prevail.