Chapter 2

Keva-

“Natalie Black.” Ethan announced with a voice of pride.

My head snapped around so fast that it cracked. My body went numb when my eyes landed on another female in the crowd, illuminated by a bright spotlight. I couldn’t say or do anything as I watched the female smile sweetly at everyone as she walked forward.

Once the female stood beside Ethan, he wrapped his arm around her, hugging her to his side. Staggering back, I barely managed to keep myself upright. In my wildest dreams, I never expected this.

“This is Princess Natalie Black. She has been the one helping me improve the pack. With her and the help of her family, we have even received an invitation to attend a banquet held in my honor. With this banquet, Stark Growlers will be a recognized pack in the community.”

My mind stalled as I remembered my brother telling me that my father was planning to hold a ceremony. But why did Ethan think it was because of Natalie? Still unable to move, I stared at the man I had loved and sacrificed for as he hugged another woman.

“When my father, the Alpha King, knew I had fallen in love, he couldn’t be happier.” Natalie smiled as she snuggled against Ethan.

Wait… My mind slowly started catching up. Natalie was a fake. Not only was she using my last name, but she was claiming to be me. My eyes widened as I couldn’t believe that my identity had been stolen. It is not only my identity but also my credit for helping Ethan.

“Don’t worry. I will make sure that you receive the best. Even if I am not as wealthy as your family or as strong, I promise to work hard and make sure you aren’t embarrassed.” Ethan smiled at Natalie, just as he had once smiled at me.

“I believe in you.” Natalie stood on the tips of her toes and kissed Ethan on the cheek.

“But, there is something I must do first.” Ethan’s voice lowered as his eyes moved to me. “I, Alpha Ethan Lewis, reject you as my mate, Keva Black.”

Pain exploded through my chest as I stumbled forward with my hand over my heart. This time, I couldn’t keep myself upright. Dropping to one knee, unable to withstand the pain, I dropped my other hand to the ground to brace myself.

“This is her?” Natalie asked as they both moved toward me.

“Yes. She is the one who tricked me into becoming her mate. I tried to refuse, but she must have drugged me.”

I was too stunned to say anything as Ethan spoke. Murmurs moved through the crowd. Many called me shameless and a slut. Many accused me of seducing the Princess’s man. Others didn’t speak but could feel their disdainful gaze upon me.

“I was too ashamed to be tricked by someone like her, so I tried to hide it.” Ethan’s expression became pitiful.

“Everyone knows we are together and have been for almost a year. No one will blame you for falling into her trap. I know you have been faithful because you are with me in our home every night.” Natalie rubbed Ethan’s arm, which she clung to.

I gasped at hearing her words. A year? Ethan has been with her for almost a year? I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. It was like ice-cold water suddenly poured over my head. The pain in my chest dissipated, as did the fog in my brain. Slowly standing, my eyes narrowed on Ethan.

“Are you kidding me?” I couldn’t stop myself from yelling.

“I didn’t want to do this in front of everyone, but I didn’t know how else to get you to understand that the one that I love is Natalie, not you. Whenever I tried to do this privately, you would cling to me and try to force my hand with the mate bond. I thought the best way to get you to leave me alone was to reject you so that the bond could break. Now, you can’t try to use the mate bond against me.”

More gossip spread through everyone gathered. I didn’t let the gossip get to me, but I couldn’t deny that I was humiliated—not by him rejecting me but by his lies. Shaking my head, I dropped my hand from my chest. Clenching my hands into fists, I took a step forward.

“I will accept the rejection, but first, you must explain why you have forsaken our two years together. Not just two years, but longer. I admit that I fell in love with you when I saved you from those rogues, but you were the one to initiate the mate bond.” My teeth ground together as I saw a smug look cross over Natalie’s face.

“For over two years, I sacrificed everything for you. I worked endlessly to raise money for the pack. I trained you so you could join the warriors and start rising through the ranks. Everything I did for you was so you could reach the pinnacle of life and accomplish the man you aspired to be.” I continued.

“I admit you helped me train, but Natalie has been the one helping me. The resources she provided for me are more than you can ever accomplish. You are nothing more than a runaway that I took in.” Ethan’s gaze turned cold and deadly.

“Do you really think she,” I lifted my arm and pointed at Natalie. “Is capable of all of that? Do you seriously believe that she is the Alpha King’s daughter?”

“If not me, who?” Natalie scoffed. “Wait, don’t tell me that you are claiming to be the daughter of the Alpha King.” She laughed.

I opened my mouth to respond but shut it as I looked around. I had planned to tell him my identity in private, but as I looked around, I decided that it no longer mattered. It was clear that Ethan had made his choice, so I wanted him to understand that he was wrong and regret it.

“I don’t claim to be. I am.” I folded my arms over my chest and stared them down.

Many people started laughing, but I didn’t bat an eye as I looked at the two before me.

“Just because we have the same last name doesn’t mean you can claim to be me.” Natalie rolled her eyes. “When my brother gets here, you will regret it pretending to be me.”

“Your brother?” My brows lifted and arched.

“Yes, my brother Silas, the future Alpha King, is on his way to deliver gifts for my mate.” Natalie huffed as she lifted her chin proudly in the air.

My brows pulled together as I tried to understand how Natalie was so well-informed. I just learned what my brother was planning a little over an hour ago. So, how did Natalie know what my brother and I talked about?

“Is that so?” I asked.

“It is. He should be here any minute.” Natalie’s smug attitude was really getting on my nerves.

“Considering, I told my brother I planned to tell Ethan my identity in private. I asked him not to bring any gifts. So, hate to tell you this, but there won’t be any gifts today from Silas.” I huffed.

“Enough!” Ethan growled. “Don’t think that just because we were mated, I will allow you to disrespect Natalie. You are just upset and trying to make her look bad so that I will return to you.”

“Do you seriously believe that I have any interest in you after this? From this moment forward, I, Keva Black, accept your rejection. I will never return to the mate bond between me and Ethan, or I shall die a painful death.” As soon as I spoke the words, I was filled with satisfaction when Ethan crumbled to the ground in agonizing pain.

“Ethan!” Natalie screamed as she knelt beside Ethan as he rolled on the ground and cried out.

“For an Alpha, you take the breaking of a mate bond like a wimp.” I sneered.

“How dare you attack your Alpha!” Natalie yelled as she shot to her feet and slapped me across the face.

I didn’t allow myself to lose my cool. Touching my face, which was warm to the touch and stung a little, I smirked. This was the woman Ethan chose over me? She looked okay, but at best, she was a little over average. She also had a terrible attitude and couldn’t keep her composure. This was the Luna the pack wanted.

“You two are perfect for each other.” I chuckled as I dropped my hand from my face. “I don’t know what I ever seen in Ethan. He isn’t worthy of being an Alpha.” My gaze fell on Ethan, who was still writhing in pain on the ground. “Besides, he was the one who wanted to break the mate bond, so he will need to face the consequences of his actions.”

“You must have done something to him. When your bond broke, you weren’t in much pain.” Someone said from behind me.

“That is because your beloved Alpha is weak. I, on the other hand, am not.” I shrugged.

“Bitch!” Ethan roared as he struggled to get to his feet. “I will make you pay for this!”

“What are you going to do?” I crossed my arms once more.

“I will make you suffer.” Ethan spoke through clenched teeth, obviously still in immense pain.

“You aren’t capable of it.”

“I made you suffer six months ago and plenty of other times.”

“Oh?” I tilted my head to the side as I glanced him over from head to toe. “How so?”

“Aren’t you curious how your perfectly healthy child was suddenly lost?” Ethan’s voice sounded clearer, and he didn’t seem to be in as much pain.

His words were like needles under my flesh, bringing every nerve into overdrive. “It was you?”

I already knew why I miscarried, but I never in my wildest dreams would have suspected that it was Ethan. I never even told him how I lost the child, as I was afraid he would be worried. After I miscarried, I went to the doctor and learned that I had been drugged, which caused me to lose the baby. I had begged the doctor not to reveal how it happened, but I did become more careful after that.

“When I met Natalie, I understood that she was the one I was meant to be with. Since we were still mated, I knew I had to end things with you. Since I was on the fast track to becoming Alpha, I couldn’t risk letting you have my child and ruin everything. So I had your pregnancy terminated.”

Anger surged through me to the point that I could barely keep myself from attacking Ethan. As much as I wanted to, I knew now wasn’t the time. Right now, I am surrounded by him and his members. Glancing at the others, I hoped to turn things around.

“Do you hear this?” I asked everyone. “This is your Alpha. If he is willing to turn against his own flesh and blood, he will eventually turn against everyone.”

Looking from face to face, I thought someone would be appalled by Ethan’s actions, but I was wrong.

“Do you think anyone will side with you? I am their Alpha.” Ethan chuckled. “Actually, some were even in on it. Think about it: the doctor you went to see told you that you had complications from the miscarriage, and that is why you still experience pain. When have you ever heard of a womb not healing after six months?”

“But…” I began, but Natalie cut me off.

“The pain you experienced was from your mate not being faithful.” Natalie wrapped her arms around Ethan’s waist.

I did think about it for a long minute. I tried to remember the first time I felt the pain, which happened to be well before I became pregnant. When I miscarried, I had been nearing my due date. When I first felt an unbearable pain in my stomach, I had went to the doctor but couldn’t find out what the problem was.

Considering the first time I noticed the pain had been over a year ago. At that time, I thought Ethan and I were still doing good. He hadn’t stayed home throughout the night but often returned home randomly. We had sex regularly, and I never noticed signs of him cheating.

Only after I became pregnant did he stop touching me. My eyes widened as reality dawned on me. The entire time, I thought he was under stress and had changed. It was because he was outside fucking someone else.

“You will all regret this.” I gritted my teeth.

What happened next happened so fast that I barely registered it. My hand moved to cover my stinging cheek as I stared at the man I once loved.

“You hit me?” I asked an obvious question, but I was too stunned to care.

“So what if I hit you? As Alpha, I can do whatever I want.” Ethan shrugged.

“Is this the Alpha you have chosen?” I looked over at the previous Alpha.

“As long as he can help the pack grow and bring us benefits, he is the best choice.” The previous Alpha gave a one-shoulder shrug as he continued sipping his wine.

“I promise you that he won’t be able to bring any benefits to the pack. Since he has cut ties with me, I will no longer help him.” I turned my glare onto Ethan.

“You aren’t the one who helped the pack, my new mate, the daughter of the Alpha King, did.”

“She is lying! She isn’t his daughter!” I yelled.

Needing to release some anger, I stepped forward to backhand Ethan for his betrayal. Before my hand could connect with his face, Natalie reacted and kicked me in the stomach. I hadn’t prepared and was so blinded by rage that I stumbled backward.

I tried to catch myself, but someone behind me stuck out their leg, and I tripped over it. Before I could get up, someone grabbed me by my hair and pulled me back, preventing me from standing. I tried to break free of the hold, but I was struck across the stomach.

It didn’t stop there. Repeatedly, someone hit me in the stomach. The person who was grabbing my hair had a tight grip, forcing my head back so I couldn’t see who was hitting me. The hits were relentless, and I couldn’t catch my breath.

When they finally released me, I rushed forward to get away from them, but then Natalie backhanded me across the face. I flew sideways, tripping over a stone ledge where one of the serving tables was set up.

Losing my balance, I hit my head against the table's edge. Sagging to the ground, I attempted to get up but was too weak. After long periods without proper nourishment, I no longer possessed the strength I once had. Feeling dizzy, my vision blurred, and before I knew it, I was falling over onto the ground. Darkness engulfed me, taking me under until I was completely submerged in a deep state of unconsciousness.