Bound Heart

ARIANNA

"No, I do not accept you as my husband and mate," I uttered again, just in case he thought he misheard me. I meant every word.

"Arianna, what are you doing?" my mum whispered, tugging on the hem of my wedding dress. But my eyes, calm and focused, stayed locked on Logan's confused ones.

Dressed like a Barbie, I had just rejected my mate in front of the entire pack, and to be honest, I loved the way gasps rippled through the hall. It was music to my ears, healing for my already broken soul.

"Ari, what do you mean?" Logan stepped closer and grabbed my hands, clearly wondering what had triggered this sudden outburst.

"I mean I’m not marrying you, Logan. In fact, I have another surprise." I stepped off the altar and walked over to an empty seat where I had placed my purse.

Pulling out an envelope, I returned to the altar and pressed it into his hands.

"I think it’s best if you open your present now." He raised a skeptical brow but took the envelope. I gave him a reassuring smile as he began to unseal it.

"I hope this is a joke, Ari. My heart is racing right now." What a fucking liar. It's quite pathetic watching him stand in front of me and lie to my face.

Now that I knew everything he was up to, it felt like scales had fallen off my eyes and I could see him for who he truly is.

A conniving little bastard!

I bet he’ll really feel his heart race once he sees what’s inside.

"Ari, we can talk about this." The moment he caught a glimpse of the contents, he shifted uncomfortably and quickly closed the envelope.

He glanced behind him immediately to make sure no one was standing over him close enough to see the contents of the letter.

Of course. Who wants the entire pack to know the Alpha's son had a one night stand just days before his wedding—with my cousin, no less?

I bet I could tell what was going through his mind right now.

How to appease me. How to make sure no one finds this out. How to make sure I keep my mouth shut but what would be even better is when he realizes that I didn't intend to do any of that.

I intended, however, to wash his dirty linens in public.

When I caught them a few days ago, my entire world came crashing down. But instead of breaking, I pulled myself together and took action.

They were so engrossed in their little act that they didn’t even realize I had caught them. I ran back, grabbed my camera—something I usually used for leisure—and snapped a few pictures.

Imagine his surprise, seeing a photo of his naked self on top of my cousin.

"Actually, Logan, I don’t think we have anything to talk about." He stepped forward, and I took a step back.

"I do not accept you, Logan Silverstone, next in line Alpha of the Red Oak Pack," I announced loudly from the podium, making sure the entire hall heard me.

"Sis, why are you doing this? He’s the Alpha’s son!" my cousin shouted, running toward me. I raised a hand to block her.

"Did you think of that when you were sleeping with him?" Gasps filled the hall again, and from the corner of my eye, I saw the Alpha rise abruptly from his seat.

Exactly the reaction I was looking for.

"Yes, your next Alpha slept with the cousin of his betrothed. I mean, how bleak is that?" I said, placing my hands on my waist, enjoying the chaos until I felt a sharp sting on my cheek.

"How dare you insult the Alpha’s house in this manner?" The Luna shouted. Another slap followed. She was actually supporting her cheating son.

I had once respected her, saw her as a mother figure. That respect shattered the moment she raised her hand against me.

"How dare you humiliate my son like this?" she yelled and raised her hand again. This time, I turned my face and she hit the air, staggering slightly.

"I didn’t humiliate your son—he did that all by himself by being a lying, cheating bastard." I whimpered, keeping my head down. It was considered treason to meet the Luna's eyes.

"You dare talk back to me? Guards, give her thirty lashes of the whip!"

Before I could react, two guards seized me, forcing me to my knees and chaining my hands behind my back.

"Why? I didn’t do anything!" I cried out as the first lash struck my back.

No one moved. Not even my parents. They all stood in silence as I was punished for telling the truth, that their precious next Alpha was a punk who couldn’t keep his dick in his pants.

Whoops!

The second lash tore into me. I gritted my teeth. The pain was overwhelming, numbing. I didn’t scream. I didn’t cry out. I just let the tears fall, silently, as blood oozed from each seared stripe on my back.

After the thirtieth lash, the guards unchained me and I collapsed onto the floor.

Logan approached and crouched beside me. Leaning close, he whispered, "I didn’t even want to be mated with you in the first place. I don’t know why the Moon Goddess thought you were fit to be my Luna. You look like a pig suffering from obesity."

His words hit me harder than the lashes. My heart clenched and fresh tears welled in my eyes.

So that was it? My weight?

He cheated on me… because I was fat?

"All those times... since we found out we were mates. The 'I love yous' they were all lies, weren’t they?" I asked quietly.

He smirked, tilting his head.

"Actually—"

"I don’t need an explanation. It doesn’t matter anymore." I tried to stand but failed. No one moved to help me.

No one wanted to be on the wrong side of the royal house.

I turned to my parents. My mum took a hesitant step forward, but I shook my head. If she helped me, they’d punish her too. I couldn’t let that happen.

"By the order of the Alpha," a voice rang out, "Arianna Nor is hereby banished from the Red Oak Pack. She is never to step foot in this t

erritory until the expiration of four years."

My eyes widened as I turned to face the Alpha.