Danica’s POV
I froze when another knock came to the door and Beta asked the person to come in, like he knew who was at the door.
My heart pounded as the door swung open, revealing a figure I had hoped never to see again in such a situation.
Celeste stepped forward gracefully, her chin lifted, her eyes gleaming with triumph, as if she belonged here, as if this was her rightful place.
The air between us thickened, charged with an unspoken challenge.
“You didn’t know?” she cooed, tilting her head with feigned sympathy. Then, her lips curled into a smirk. “Oh, darling, you thought you were special?”
Her words sliced through me like a dagger.
I clenched my fists, my breathing sharp and uneven. “What are you talking about?” I managed to say, though my voice was barely above a whisper.
Celeste let out a soft chuckle, brushing her fingers over the hem of her flowing gown as if she had all the time in the world.
“Nicholas and I…” She paused for dramatic effect, watching me with amusement. “We were arranged from the very beginning. It was always meant to be. I am his rightful mate. The Pack’s future Luna.”
I shook my head, willing her words away. “You’re lying,” I whispered, but even as I said it, a terrible weight settled in my chest.
“I don’t need to lie.” Celeste stepped closer, her voice dripping with condescension. “You are nothing more than a momentary distraction. A little game to him. But don’t get too attached, darling. He will always choose duty over you.”
The world seemed to blur around me.
Was this true? Was I just a game to him?
Doris.
His silence made realization hit me like a slap, and my gaze snapped back toward him who had been standing quietly in the shadows. His expression was unreadable, but his silence was damning.
“Is this true?” I demanded, my voice trembling.
Doris hesitated before exhaling a sigh. “I couldn’t watch you sink too deep, Danica,” he admitted, his voice laced with regret. “I had to tell you the truth before it was too late.”
Too late?
Wasn’t it already too late?
A lump formed in my throat, my emotions spiraling into a storm of heartbreak, anger, and betrayal.
Just when I thought I had a chance with him. Just when I thought we have a chance.
“So this was all just a game?” I murmured, my voice barely audible.
Neither of them answered.
That silence was my confirmation.
Something inside me snapped. I couldn’t stay here. Not another second.
Without another word, I spun on my heels and stormed out of the hall, ignoring the burning pain in my chest. My vision blurred, but I didn’t care. I needed to get away.
My feet carried me to the one place where I could unleash the fury building inside me, the training grounds.
I needed to hit something. To break something.
The moment I stepped onto the battlefield, my eyes locked onto the punching bag hanging from the post. My hands ached to strike it, to pour out all the emotions tearing me apart.
But then I stopped dead.
Someone was already there, waiting.
Alpha Kendrick.
His dark eyes met mine, unreadable yet piercing. A slow smirk tugged at his lips.