Chapter 4
682words
One afternoon, Rosie cornered me as I walked alone through the pine grove.
"Stay away from Ryan," she snarled, blocking my path. "He doesn't love you. He's just using you until you've served your purpose."
I let my eyes fill with tears, my voice trembling. "W-what are you saying? Ryan loves me. We're getting married in two weeks."
Rosie laughed—a harsh, cruel sound. "God, you're pathetic. Ryan and I have been promised to each other since we were cubs. He's always loved me. You're just a political convenience, a bridge to the human settlement. Once you've served that purpose, he'll toss you aside like garbage."
I let my lower lip quiver, tears spilling down my cheeks. "I don't believe you... Ryan wouldn't... he couldn't..."
"Don't believe me? Fine. See for yourself." She grabbed my wrist, dragging me to a hidden cave in the hillside. Inside was a bed strewn with furs, wine cups, and intimate items. "This is where we meet. Just last night, he promised that after your wedding, he'd find a way to 'remove the human problem' and make me his true Luna."
Looking at the evidence of their affair, I suppressed a smile. This was exactly what I needed.
"No... no!" I wailed, covering my face and fleeing the cave, leaving Rosie smirking in triumph.
Instead of returning home, I ran straight to where I knew Damian would be training.
"Damian!" I cried, bursting into the training grounds with tears streaming down my face. "Please, I need your help. Ryan has been lying to me all along. He and Rosie are lovers..."
Damian listened to my story, his expression darkening with each word. "That dishonorable bastard," he growled, his hands clenching into fists. "He doesn't deserve to be Alpha, and he sure as hell doesn't deserve you."
I collapsed against his chest, sobbing. "I don't know what to do... the wedding is in two weeks..."
Damian gently lifted my chin, his eyes fierce with determination. "Don't be afraid. I'll protect you. If you want to leave, I'll help you escape somewhere Ryan can never find you."
I gazed up at him, vulnerability and gratitude shining in my eyes. "Thank you, Damian. You're the only person who's ever truly cared about me."
As he leaned down, his lips inches from mine, a cold voice cut through the moment like a blade.
"Well, isn't this cozy." Ryan stood at the edge of the clearing, his eyes glacial.
I jerked away from Damian, feigning shock and terror. "Ryan! How... how did you find me?"
"I've been tracking you all day," Ryan snarled, stalking toward us. "I never thought my own cousin would try to steal my mate right under my nose."
Damian stepped in front of me protectively. "You betrayed her first, Ryan! She knows everything about you and Rosie!"
Ryan's mask slipped for just a moment before he regained control. "That's absurd. Rosie is just a pack member, nothing more."
"Then explain the love nest in the hillside cave!" I cried, my voice breaking. "Rosie showed me everything! She told me you've been promised to each other since childhood, that you're only marrying me for political gain!"
Ryan's lip curled. "Rosie is jealous and delusional. She's been obsessed with me for years. I can't believe you'd fall for such obvious lies and throw yourself at my cousin like a common whore."
I shook my head frantically. "No, I saw it with my own eyes. Your scent was everywhere in that cave..."
"ENOUGH!" Ryan roared, his eyes flashing dangerously. "The wedding is canceled! You're not worthy to be my mate, you treacherous bitch!"
With that, he stormed away, leaving Damian and me in stunned silence.
On the surface, I appeared devastated, but inside I was exultant. I had no desire to marry Ryan—I wanted him to feel the sting of betrayal, the humiliation of rejection.
