CHAPTER 2: SENT AWAY.

Alpha Annik sat with his council, attending to the matters of his pack. Today was his mating ceremony, and he was already dressed, looking astonishing as always. He had women worship the ground that he walked on due to the wealth, power, and glory he harbored. To add to that, he was very handsome. Despite the attention of eager women, one held his heart, and it wasn't the mate the moon goddess had 'forced' on him.

Lana shouldn't struggle much to communicate with him. He could hear the slightest thing as the shallow air he took. But, he chose to ignore the growling of his disturbed wolf.

“Kaiser, if you don't sit still and allow me to work, I'll shut you out. I get that today you're getting your mate, but can you tame yourself!” he scolded his wolf.

Kaiser didn't listen. He tried to communicate with Alpha Annik harsher than before, but Alpha Annik shut him out like he had threatened, continuing with his council.

Rapidly, Marina rushed in, breathing heavily.

“You know slaves are not allowed in when I'm having a council!” Alpha Annik roared, causing the place to shake.

Out of breath, “it's the Luna! I…mean, Lady Lana!” she babbled.

“What about her?”

Before Marina could speak, Kaiser forced himself to open his link with Alpha Annik, and he heard screams and cries of Lana. “No one leaves. Marina follow me. The rest, prepare for the ceremony, it's almost time!” he gave orders. Before taking powerful strides with Marina toward Lana's chambers.

When he got there, the door was locked. Without reluctance, he gave a powerful blow to the door, causing the pathetic obstacle to disconnect from its hinges, landing on the floor with a thud.

His eyes almost popped out of their sockets at the sight that befell him. His mouth dropped open.

Lana was hurdling herself into a corner like a scared kitten. Immediately she saw Alpha Annik, she tried to rush to him, but he put up his palm, which was a sign that she wasn't to near him. Her face looked swollen, and her body was damaged. She barely managed to cover herself with a sheet that was stained with blood, as were the rest of her shredded clothes, laying evidently on the floor.

Scott had tucked his pants, dressed his body, and resumed to look like the Delta that commanded a battalion of soldiers which killed mercilessly instead of the thoughtful best friend that Lana had once felt safe with.

Seeing Alpha Annik, he bowed and moved away from the bed. Something was again off. Scott didn't look a bit dazed or frightened with the presence of Alpha Annik.

Lana was still sobbing, whimpering as blood gushed from her legs, soaking the sheets further. Her body was bruised. Her cheeks were dented with hand marks. Scott must have manhandled her while pleasuring himself.

“Clean yourself. You look pitiful,” Alpha Annik spat. “No one is to speak of this!” he ordered. “Marina, fix her. The ceremony starts in twenty minutes, and we can't be late for our mating ritual,” he said, directing the information to Lana.

“But. . .” Lana tried to speak but met the cold stares of Alpha Annik.

“Don't even dare to speak,” he warned. “Delta Scott, with me. Now!” he roared.

Scott with Alpha Annik left the room without glancing at Lana as she slumped to the floor, wincing in pain.

Her body was aching, and so was her stomach. She felt something had ruptured within her. Not to mention that her heart had shattered at the broken trust caused by someone she found comfort within.

Marina scrambled to her side. “Lady Lana, we must get you prepared.”

With no choice, “yes,” she managed to croak, her voice hoarse and wounded from all the crying.

* * *

The Pure Crescent pack had gathered to witness the day that most have been waiting for. Most, because not all, supported the union. Many were against the fact that the Alpha would have, for a Luna, someone from the low class. A commoner who was fragile, poor, and uneducated. She only had her beauty to show and a kind heart to give. That wasn't enough. They wanted someone who could strengthen their territory and build more allies. Perhaps an Alpha, too.

Others rejoiced and cheered because a change was about to occur. For the first time, someone who understood the commoners and had access to speak to the Alpha was ascending the throne.

Music, dances, chattering, and merriment filled the air. As Alpha Annik and Lady Lana approached, the entire place burst into loud cheers. Some still murmured and sneered, especially the wealthy.

Lana had managed to cover her bruised face with heavy makeup. The smile on her face made everything look normal. Only the piercing, throbbing pain in-between her legs that came with each step she took, reminded her it wasn't okay.

They reached their throne and the pack's witch approached. It was time for the ritual. As obligated, they were to speak certain words before her blood would be drawn by Alpha Annik marking Lady Lana by biting her neck with his visible fangs.

Lana spoke her words without delay. Only tension was heard in her voice, which many ruled out as anxiety. Who wouldn't have a shaky voice when you were about to become a Luna to one of the most powerful Alphas?

When it got to Alpha Annik's turn, a silent pause followed. Overwhelming and deafening the moment was, he finally spoke. As he was meant to say, “I, Alpha Annik, Alpha of the Pure Crescent pack,” another pause, followed by the unexpected. “Reject Lady Lana as my mate!”

The entire crowd divided, murmuring and wondering. Some, again, were happy, but others were disappointed.

Lana's heart sank into a deep pit, burning with pain.

“The Reason is that,” Alpha Annik began, “this commoner, who henceforth has been stripped of the lady title and shall be effectively banished from the Pure Crescent pack, committed an atrocity. An unforgivable abomination. She seduced and slept with my Delta before our mating ceremony. Therefore, I have nothing to do with her, and she has become a lone wolf. To support what I have said, a witness who was present would speak up. I'm doing this to appear fair and transparent, as I could have had her beheaded. But, as the merciful Alpha that I am, I'll spare her. Marina speak up!”

Lana looked from Alpha Annik to Marina back to Scott, wailing and pleading. “That's not what happened,” she cried out.

“Silence that whore!” ordered Alpha Annik.

“We had finished getting ready when Lady Lana sent me to call Delta Scott,” Marina began, as she took a stand next to the Alpha. “It was surprising that she would want to see another man before she saw her mate. But, I didn't question her orders. When Delta Scott entered the room, she began to loosen her gown, exposing her cleavage. . .”

Lana fought against the strong hands that grabbed her, while another soldier clamped her mouth with his palm. She screamed and tried to defend herself, but her voice was shut out.

Marina continued, “when I saw what she was doing, she ordered me out of the room. Before I left, I saw out of the corner of my eyes that she had forced herself on Delta Scott, kissing and rubbing herself against him while he resisted and fought her off. Seduction has a great power that can weaken any man and I guess Delta Scott, who has flesh and blood, gave in. As the Moon goddess will have it, Alpha Annik who was about to visit his beautiful Luna to walk to the ceremony with her, caught her. That's what happened.”

The crowd began to chant and throw things at Lana. “Whore! We don't want a seductress as our Luna. She should be killed and not banished!” they said in different voices.

“To this extent, my decision stands.” Turning to his left, “as the throne won't be empty, and the occasion has been fixed. Nothing would ruin it. Not even the sins of a commoner. In her place, I, Alpha Annik, Alpha of the Pure Crescent pack, take Alpha Scarlet, Alpha of the Nightwalker pack to be my Luna.”

The crowd began to cheer as a beautiful blonde who wore the same apparel as Lana walked towards Alpha Annik, sitting beside him.

The guards began to drag her towards the gate as the crowds who cared continued to throw things at her and spite in her direction. Weakened by all the struggling and fighting, she went limp. It was easier for the guards to cast her out, shutting the gates behind her.

Lana was left in the cold hands of darkness and emptiness with no idea of what next to do or where to go. Just she and her pains and the streaks of blood still trailing down her legs.

With her last strength, one foot in front of the other, she managed to drag until she came to a stop. Finally, an area that had an illumination. Maybe she could seek refuge there until she figured out what next to do. If only she knew, she would have turned back and run for her dear life