"That’s what he promised, right?" Cynthia’s tone was hesitant. "Ariana… are you sure about this? Something feels… off."
"He loves me," I insisted. "I’m his mate. Once he’s Alpha, they’ll have to accept me."
She was silent for a moment. "I hope you’re right." Then she forced a small smile. "Tomorrow, I’ll bring you something special. We should celebrate your last night in here."
"You're the best," I murmured, squeezing her hand through the bars.
After she left, sleep refused to come. My mind raced with dreams of freedom, of finally standing beside Owen, of the pack seeing me as their Luna.
The next day crept by, every footstep outside my cell making my heart pound with anticipation. And then, as the sun dipped below the horizon, multiple sets of footsteps approached.
Owen appeared before my cell, dressed in his Alpha robes, exuding power. My heart swelled with pride.
"You did it?" I asked, barely containing my excitement. "You're Alpha now?"
"Yes," he said smoothly, a smile playing on his lips. "And it's all thanks to you, my love."
Relief flooded through me. "So… you’ll let me out now?"
"Tomorrow," he replied. "But first, I have something to show you."
Confusion flickered inside me. "What is it?"
Before he could answer, more footsteps echoed down the corridor. Cynthia stepped into view, and for a brief moment, my heart lifted—until I saw the way Owen looked at her. The way his hand settled possessively on her waist.
No.
The world tilted beneath me.
Before I could find my voice, Owen turned to Cynthia, pulling her closer. Then, right in front of me, he kissed her. Deeply.
The breath left my lungs.
It wasn’t a mistake. It wasn’t a ploy.
He kissed her with passion, with intent. And as their lips met, my world shattered into pieces.
I stood motionless, unable to look away as their lips met. They were lost in their own world, oblivious to my presence—until Owen finally pulled back and his gaze flickered past Cynthia to land on me. The torchlight in the corridor cast eerie shadows on his face, sharpening the cruel glint in his eyes.
"Why?" My fingers tightened around the icy iron bars, my whole body trembling. My voice barely made it past my lips. "I gave you everything, Owen—my love, my trust, my loyalty. You were the only one I ever confided in about my wolf."