Chapter 3: His Enemy

I ran, the mocking eyes of the crowd followed me. My feet pounded against the earth as if the rhythm could drown out my humiliation. By the time I reached Selene’s temple, I was breathless and broken. Collapsing onto the cold floor, I curled into myself, ignoring my dirt smeared dress.

“Why was I so stupid?” I sobbed into the silence. “Why did I think he’d be different? Why did I confront him in front of everyone?”

The memory of Prince Eamon’s rejection replayed in my mind: the cold disdain in his eyes, the way he held her as if I didn’t exist. “Why can’t he look at me like that?” I whispered to the goddess’s statue.

Tears streaked my face as I cried out, “Why did you make him my mate, Selene? What have I done to deserve this? No one wants me—why was I even born?”

The pain of the rejection clawed at my heart until it dulled into an ache. Hours passed, the temple’s silence mocking me. Then, guilt twisted in my gut—I’d ignored Maya’s calls as I fled. My best friend wasn’t strong, her weak heart a constant worry.

I scrambled to my feet, wiping my tears, but froze at the shadow flickering across the temple walls.

“Who’s there?” I demanded, forcing strength into my voice. When no answer came, my unease deepened, but my concern for Maya won out. Turning toward the exit, I nearly collided with Luna Ivy.

“Hannah!” she exclaimed, pulling me into a motherly embrace. “My dear girl, you’ve suffered so much.”

I stiffened before melting into her warmth. Luna Ivy had been my only comfort after my parents’ deaths, though her kindness had drawn the ire of Alpha Rowan, who warned her that favoring me would bring trouble.

“What do I do now?” I whispered, tears pooling again. “No one wants me.”

“That’s not true,” she soothed. “You are loved, and one day you’ll see it.”

“How can you say that when my mate rejected me?” I pulled away, staring at her, desperate for answers.

“Did you reject him back?” she asked.

I shook my head. “He declared his mate to the entire pack—someone else. It’s over.”

“The bond isn’t so easily severed,” she said, her tone firm. “Even rejection doesn’t always break it. There are stories of mates finding their way back to each other despite everything. Don’t lose hope yet.”

I wanted to believe her, but the memory of Eamon’s tender gaze toward Vivian burned in my mind. “He loves her, Luna. There’s no chance for me.”

Luna Ivy’s face darkened as she stepped closer. “Hannah, listen carefully. There’s something wrong with that girl—something dangerous. I think Eamon is in trouble.”

“What do you mean?” I asked, my stomach twisting.

She hesitated, wringing her hands. “You must swear not to speak of this to anyone. Swear it on Selene.”

Her urgency terrified me, but I nodded. “I swear.”

Taking a deep breath, she began. “Earlier today, when Eamon introduced Vivian as his mate, I went to prepare food for them. She insisted on helping, which I thought was sweet at first. But when I turned my back, I caught her slipping something into his meal.”

My breath hitched. “And?”

“She brushed it off, claiming it was a special herb from her village, but after Eamon ate, he…changed. He became more enamored with her, almost unnatural. At first, I dismissed it, but now I’m certain she’s bewitched him.”

Anger and disbelief surged through me. “She’s manipulating him?”

Luna Ivy nodded. “Yes. And we must act quickly. I’ve spoken to a trusted friend who knows how to break the spell, but it requires someone with a bond to Eamon. That person is you.”

Fear prickled my skin. “What if…what if he truly doesn’t want me? What if this is just wishful thinking?”

“Don’t let doubt cloud your purpose,” she urged. “The bond is stronger than any spell. You are his mate, Hannah. Selene chose you for a reason.”

Her conviction sparked a flicker of hope in me. “What do I need to do?”

Luna Ivy explained the plan, placing a small vial in my hand. “Slip this potion into his food. It will break the spell and free him from her influence.”

***

That evening, I stood outside Eamon’s quarters, trembling as I balanced a tray of fruit. The vial weighed heavily in my pocket. Luna Ivy had secured me a position as a temporary maid to ensure I had access to him.

I pushed the door open, my heart lurching at the sight before me. Vivian sat on Eamon’s lap, her arms draped possessively around his shoulders. He smiled at her, the warmth in his gaze cutting me like a blade.

Steeling myself, I stepped inside and bowed. “Your meal, Prince Eamon.”

He barely glanced at me. “Set it down and leave.”

“I also wanted to apologize for my behavior earlier,” I said, my voice trembling. “I overstepped. Please forgive me.”

“Forget it,” he said dismissively. “It’s done.”

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I arranged the plates, placing the laced mangoes on Eamon’s tray. I retreated to the corner, silently urging him to eat.

He reached for the mango, but before he could take a bite, Vivian giggled and plucked it from his hand. “Let me feed you, my love.”

“No!” I blurted, panic seizing me.

Eamon frowned. “What’s your problem?”

“Nothing,” I stammered, stepping back as Vivian took a bite. My heart stopped as she chewed and swallowed. Seconds later, she clutched her throat, her face turning pale before she collapsed, convulsing.

Chaos erupted. Eamon leapt to his feet, shouting for help. Guards stormed in, pinning me to the ground as Eamon loomed over me, his face twisted with rage.

“What did you do?” he snarled.

“I didn’t—she wasn’t supposed to—” My words tangled as fear overwhelmed me.

One of the guards handed Eamon the half-empty vial from my pocket. He sniffed it, his expression darkening.

“You tried to poison me,” he growled. “I’ll deal with you myself.”

As the guards dragged me away, I couldn’t stop the tears streaming down my face. This wasn’t how it was supposed to end. I had wanted to save him, to prove myself worthy of his love.

But instead, I had become his enemy.