The next day crawled by. Every footstep made my heart race, wondering if it was Owen coming to release me. Finally, as evening approached I heard multiple sets of footsteps.
Owen appeared at my cell door, looking magnificent in his new Alpha robes. My heart swelled with pride and love.
"You did it?" I asked, though I could feel the power radiating from him. "You're Alpha now?"
"Thanks to you, my love. I couldn't have done this without your sacrifice." He smiled.
"When can I leave?" I tried to hide my eagerness. "Are you going to release me now?"
"Tomorrow," he said. "There's just one more thing I need to show you first."
My heart sank a little but I managed to whisper. "What's that?"
Before he could answer, more footsteps approached. Cynthia appeared beside him and my spirits lifted. She must have brought the surprise she promised. But the way they looked at each other made my stomach turn. Owen then reached out and pulled Cynthia to him, his hand settling possessively on her waist.
"No," I whispered.
He looked at me and smiled cruelly, before he kissed my best friend. Passionately, right in front of me.
A deep kiss that shattered my world into a million pieces.
I stood there as they kissed like nothing else in the world existed. Owen finally pulled away, but his gaze slid past Cynthia to land on me. The torchlight from the corridor left dancing shadows on his face, making his expression even more sinister.
"Why?" My fingers now wrapped around the metal bars trembled as I whispered the word. The bars were the only thing keeping me upright. "I gave you everything, Owen. My trust, my loyalty, my heart. You were the only one I told about my wolf..."
"Exactly," Owen cut in as he stepped closer to my cell. "The only one who knew what a threat you really are."
Cynthia's eyes widened slightly, and I realized even she hadn't known this part of the truth.
"What are you talking about?" I demanded.
Owen laughed loudly. "Did you think I actually loved you? The daughter of James Darkwood, the most powerful Alpha our territory had ever seen? The same bloodline that produced wolves strong enough to challenge the Moon Goddess herself?" He shook his head. "I kept you close because I needed to know what I was dealing with."
"But I never..." I started.