Craig nodded approvingly at that. Sonya lifted her hand and slapped me twice across the cheek, her nails digging into my skin, leaving sharp, burning lines.
She glanced at Craig, conflicted. “Alpha, I hurt Kristen. What should I do now?”
Craig’s reply was icy and dismissive. “She had it coming. You’re too soft, worrying about her after she hurt you first.”
The guards finally stepped back, releasing me, and I crumpled awkwardly onto the floor. Craig’s gaze remained cold and unyielding as he looked down at me. “You owe Sonya an apology.”
Owe her an apology? Sonya was the one who insulted my son, accusing my baby of lying! Dustin would never deceive anyone! Yet this worthless Alpha always sided with her, no matter the truth.
I glared up at him, my voice thick with bitter resentment. “In your wildest dreams.”
“I hate you, Alpha!” I yelled, the words ripping from my throat.
As I fixed my eyes on Alpha Craig, there wasn’t a single flicker of affection left—only a raging, burning hatred simmering beneath the surface. His brow drew together tightly, clearly unsettled by the fierce intensity of my stare.
“Kristen,” he said, trying to sound calm and reasonable, “just do as I say, and you’ll get whatever you want. We can hold the celebration for your son’s birthday—just like you wished.”
But his words rang hollow, bitter, and mocking. What was the point of celebrating now that Dustin was gone? My mate had already made his priorities clear—Sonya came first, while our son was pushed aside. Everyone in the pack knew it; Craig had always favored my sister’s presence at every banquet and public event, leaving me alone and disrespected in my role as Luna of Moonridge.
Now, with Dustin dead, Craig was using the promise of a birthday celebration as a manipulative tool to bend me to his will. It was a cruel, disgusting tactic—playing on my grief just to force me back under his control.
I fought hard to keep the anguish from breaking through my expression as I met his gaze without flinching. “No need, Alpha. It’s over. I’m leaving this place—the nightmare you wanted me trapped in. Enjoy your perfect little world with Sonya.”
Craig’s reaction showed he couldn’t believe what I was saying. A sneer twisted his lips in contempt. “What? You’re not coming to me? Pretending you still need me to care for your son?”