Chapter 2: Betrayal

For a split second, my mind stutters, and my eyes take in more light than I expected; every part of me comes to a standstill as my thoughts catch up with my actions and words. When I saw Alpha Derrick hoist Mona's hand into the air, everything came to a screeching stop in an instant.

Suddenly, my body became numb and an overwhelming sensation of pain invaded my soul. My heart was throbbing so violently that it sounded as if it were about to burst. I couldn't stop myself from staring blankly at his warm smile as he hailed Mona as his "Future Luna!" I was left dumbfounded, but It brought him enormous delight.

My chest tightens at the sight of Alpha Derrick squeezing Mona's hand. I get the distinct impression that I've had an excessive amount of coffee... Then it starts to embed itself further deeper.

What I feared the most has now shown itself. REJECTION! What disturbs me is not that I was rejected by him, but the ramifications of that rejection. I'm filled with a want to run, escape, and conceal myself.

It's the same as when I was a child and was frightened of being rejected by my mate when I become eighteen. The brain is incapable of recognizing time passing; it has no idea when the trauma happened or how old I am.

In my youth, I imagined that adults had it all out in their brains, but this is not the case. I am the same person that I was before, except that I now have a bit more time on my hands. As I continue to stare at him, my anxiety intensifies.

As part of Moon Stone tradition, an Alpha must never reject any of the pack's she-wolves. If this happens, they will forcefully remove her from the pack.

After that, she will serve as a slave to the Alpha who repudiated her. The rejected wolf would have to sever all ties with her family, swearing she would never recognize any of them if their paths crossed again.

Ten years ago, a similar incident happened. In broad daylight, I saw Miss Laura being dragged from the gathering. She was taken away by the Alpha, who had previously refused her as his mate.

Miss Laura lived for little than a year before taking her own life. Her melancholy was really out of control. I can't believe I'm about to face such agony.

The whole crowd erupted in cheers, which resurrected me. They were all paying homage to Alpha Derrick and Mona, his future Luna.

I took a little detour. My attention was pulled to my father's face. He moved his sight away from me, his cheeks reddened. His discontent was plain to see in his eyes. He seems to be more resentful than I am, yet he is speechless.

"Would you choose Mona to be your future Luna over Kimberly?" Luna Catherine questioned, a gleam in her eye.

"Yes, and that is my final verdict!"

I threw my hair back as soon as I heard Alpha Derrick's comments, anticipating Mona's reaction. I'm sure she'd be displeased with everything. She may find herself in trouble if she tells anything absurd to Alpha Derrick. I devised a plan inwardly, to calm her down in case she commits any mistake.

However, what I saw crushed my heart. Mona couldn't resist smiling as she firmly grasped his hand. She seemed to be more at ease and content when she was in his company. When I stare at her, she never plans my path.

"Is that--really--Mona?" I murmured quietly, my gaze fixed on her. I'm perplexed as to what's happening. She was ecstatic for me just moments before, but she has morphed into someone entirely different now. I was deafeningly silent, having nothing to say but to stare blankly at everyone.

"Alpha Derrick, I'd want to remind you that you were the one who first selected Kimberly." Everyone was taken aback when the sound of my father's voice came through the door.

"Believe it or not, I did... Nonetheless, at this moment, I'm rejecting her!" Alpha Derrick remarked firmly, even though he was still holding Mona's hand.

"That is just intolerable!" My father gazed at him, wrath welling up in his eyes. "We had already reached an agreement! I sincerely hope you recognize and respect it!"

"And have I violated the terms of our contract?" Alpha Derrick smiled and for the second time, he raises Mona's hand to the air. "Isn't this lovely lady beside me also your daughter?"

"She is, but she has not yet completed her first shift." My father responded angrily.

Alpha Derrick immediately lets go of Mona's hand and goes over to the area where my father is waiting. "So?" 

My father answered with a contemptuous face when he questioned. "She may be bonded to her real mate by that time, which might create big complications!"

"I would never allow her to go, regardless of what might transpire after her first shift! She has been and will continue to be my lifelong companion from this point forward!"

As I listened to Alpha Derrick's caustic remarks, my heart began to bleed. I've already abandoned anything that contains the term "mate!"

When my father heard Alpha Derrick's statement, he was speechless. Given his strong affections for Mona and his assertion that she would be his future Luna, I no longer see a way forward for me.

"Please, both of you, calm down," Luna Catherine implored as she hurried to their centre. Whether it is Mona or Kimberly, the two packs' alliance would continue. As a result, I see no need to engage in this dispute."

My father gave her a frown and a piercing glare. He rushed out of the hall, outraged that he was unable to stop the whole thing. I could tell he was disappointed with himself by the expression on his face.

I am in no way angry with him. He tried all he could, but he was unable to sway Alpha Derrick's mind with words alone. As I continue to gaze at Mona, she seems to be much happier with the way things are unfolding.

"I suppose we can resume arrangements for your engagement to Mona now that you have selected her." Luna Catherine's cheeks were flushed with a grin as she turned to face him and enquired.

"All right, then, let the planning begin! In three days, we will tie the knot!"

The whole assembly erupted in cheers as Alpha Derrick delivered the wonderful news. In three days, on the night of my beloved stepsister's engagement, I would also become his slave. It would be a nightmare to have to go through this.

I was unable to exit the hall due to my embarrassment at being the centre of attention. I buried my face in my hands, fearful of raising my head at all.

Everyone quickly shifted their focus away from me and back to the task at hand before my arrival. Luna Catherine's attention was diverted by her need to apologize to the other Alphas for my father's sudden absence.

Alpha Derrick was instructing a group of people in the hallway, and I was left alone to consider my options of staying in there or leaving.

"Were you surprised by how things ended?" Mona sprints up to me, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. I lifted my head gingerly to meet her gaze...

"How did—you?" I stumbled. I was at a loss for words as she grinned and glowed with delight.

She scoffs at my statements and pushes an inch closer to me. "Alpha Derrick will never propose to you! He has always been mine!"

"Yours?" I let out an amazing scream as my eyes continue to flicker incessantly.

"Of course, he is mine!" Mona responded emphatically and with a feeling of ownership.

This is the first time in our years of being sisters, that I've felt this way about Mona. This experience makes me feel uneasy since it requires me to transform into another person.

"What enables this to be true? Why haven't you spoken with me in such a lengthy period? What are you attempting to communicate to me at the moment?" It was impossible to contain my rage, so I squeezed my hand even closer.

"Because I'm curious as to how Alpha Derrick would reject you!" She burst out laughing as soon as she completed her sentence.

I froze when I heard her say that. Attempting to digest everything concurrently was difficult for me. So, even though she is completely aware of the consequences of rejection in our pack, Mona actively wishes for my rejection? Putting me through this ordeal is a cruel act on her part.

"S-so you want me to become his slave?" I'd want to learn more, so I asked. Even though tears welled up in my eyes, I was able to contain them and keep them from streaming down my cheeks. Whatever happens, I must maintain my composure in front of her.

"What you say is accurate, and it goes beyond. We will not allow your ongoing presence in our life under any circumstances." Mona said this with a tiny forward tilt of her head toward my ear. "Do you believe you'll ever have a shot at Alpha Derrick? Of course, Kimberley, you don't have any! I had a game plan in place to get rid of you!" She speaks gently into my ear, her face lit up with a little grin.

I was perplexed as tears streamed down my face as I listened to her demeaning statements. The dizziness is making me feel as if I'm about to pass out. Not only that, but when I got a glimpse of her grin as she shifted her head away from my ear, I thought my chest would catch fire.

She chuckles slightly as she wraps her arms around each other and looks at me. "Oh my goodness! I'm in disbelief! You are crying... Put an end to this madness, Kim! You should hold back your tears for now, as this is only the beginning of your agony!"

"Y-you are my sister; how could you be so harsh to me?"

"Is it OK if I inquire once again who your sister is? Have you forgotten you just got rejected? Kindly understand that you are no longer considered a family member!"

As soon as I realized I couldn't contain my wrath any longer, I pulled her away from me violently. "You dare to say that? You are a treacherous sister!"

Mona feigns misery as she falls to the floor and deliberately screams out in pain. I was aware of her behavior, but I said nothing since I am innocent. My attention was drawn instead to the drama queen, who was sprawling on the floor.

Our presence grabbed everyone's attention, and they were taken aback when they saw Mona on the floor, weeping.

"Mona!" Luna Catherine raced over to her daughter's side, her face flushed with anxiousness, and tried to lift her on her own.

I was taken aback when I felt a hard pounding on my face, which I couldn't put my finger on since I hadn't done anything to aggravate Mona.

My cheeks flush instantly, and I turn to the side to determine who had just smacked me across the face...