His voice was sharp as a blade. "Why is she out of the basement?"
Vander stepped forward, his grip tightening protectively around my fingers. "Why the hell did you lock up your own mate? Left her to die in hunger and cold?" His voice was low, dangerous.
Luther scoffed. "She hurt Catherine—her own sister. And now she wants to harm the baby that will strengthen our bond."
I yanked my hand from Vander’s, stepping past him. "Enough!" My voice echoed through the grand hall. "I want a divorce, Luther."
His eyes flashed. "No."
The word was final, dismissive. As if my choice didn’t matter. As if I was nothing.
Days passed. I was trapped within these walls, unable to leave, unable to see Vander. Luther had barred him from entering the mansion, and the guards made sure I couldn’t sneak out either. I was a prisoner in my own home, suffocating in a golden cage.
I spent most of my time staring out the window, my mind racing for a way out. I couldn’t simply leave; it would damage my pack. A divorce wasn’t just between two people—it was political, a shift in alliances. Timing was everything.
Then, one evening, Luther came to my room. I didn’t look at him, but I felt his presence looming behind me.
"Catherine’s birthday is coming up," he said. "You’ll help prepare for it. It’s your only chance to apologize."
I turned slowly, my hands clenching into fists. "Apologize? For what?"
His gaze was cold. "For your jealousy. For making things difficult. This is your chance to prove you still have a place here."
I let out a bitter laugh. "A place? Do I look like a fool to you?"
He didn’t answer. He didn’t need to. The answer was clear.
Catherine would always come first.
The night of Catherine’s birthday party arrived, and the mansion was unrecognizable. Elegant decorations adorned the walls, expensive wines flowed endlessly, and the grand ballroom sparkled with golden chandeliers. It was a celebration fit for Luna.
But Catherine wasn’t the Luna. I was.
I stood near the back of the room, unnoticed, watching as Luther paraded her around like she was his queen. The way he looked at her, the way he held her waist, it was something I had never received from him.