Just last night, Cedar had the little bitch occupied in one of the quarters on their floor. She refrained from questioning him when he relocated to that dreadful room, not even when she detected the muffled sounds of pleasure emanating from it. After all, she had decided to leave him for good, to give him the freedom he seemed to desire.
A cough interrupted her thoughts, and she turned sharply to see Cedar standing by the doorframe. The man she had loved for so long was now a stranger she barely recognized.
"I need to talk to you," he said.
"I don't think we have anything to say," Lavender replied. She could feel her wolf’s low growl vibrating in her chest.
His expression softened, but only slightly. "I know this isn’t easy, but I need you to understand. This is the way it has to be."
Lavender’s eyes narrowed. "And why is that? Because Fern is your true mate? Because I was never enough for you?"
Cedar flinched but quickly masked it with a deep breath. "You are enough, Lavender. But this isn’t just about us. It’s about the pack, the future of Shadowpelt. Fern and I have a bond that can’t be denied. She's my fated mate, the one the moon goddess has paired me with, so I have to honor that connection."
She gulped down the lump in her throat. "So what now? You plan on making her your Luna, replacing me like I was never even here?"
Cedar hesitated, seemingly taken aback by the question. "I want us to stay united. I’m asking you to accept her, Lavender."
His words only ignited the fire in her chest. "And what if I don’t accept it? What if I refuse to bow down to your decisions?"
Cedar’s eyes darkened. "You don’t have a choice. I’m the alpha. You’ll do as I say, like everyone else in this pack."
Lavender felt her anger boiling in her veins as his alpha aura crashed over her. It was a suffocating presence that demanded submission, and even though she was his Luna, she couldn't resist the command.
"I refuse to do it," she uttered through clenched teeth. "I won’t let you do this to me, Cedar. You know I'll die in pain if you continue to sleep with her!"
"Then you leave me no choice." Cedar’s voice was cold now, distant. "I’ve made arrangements. You’ll have to participate in the bonding ritual."
Lavender blinked, confusion sweeping over her. "The bonding ritual? What are you—"