Prologue - The Traitor (Part 2)

The Pack's judgmental look threatened to destabilize her, but Deborah sought comfort in her mate, knowing that none of it would matter, as long as Iron was with her.

He had made her happier in that last year than she had ever been in her entire life, after all. Deborah trusted her mate to help her face the challenges of being a queen. The contempt of those wolves was just an obstacle on the path to the happy life they would build together.

As the mating ceremony etiquette dictated, Iron turned her toward him, holding her hand in front of all those witnesses, making her chest swell with that warm joy that Deborah could never have imagined would be bestowed upon someone like her, who had not been considered by the Goddess as worthy of having more than one form.

However, Iron did not return her smile or appear to notice the caress of her thumb on his palm, when he began to speak.

“It is my duty as Alpha, once I have found my fated mate, to stand before the four packs, as your Alpha and your King, to make it clear to everyone who will be your queen, the other wolf responsible for protecting and honoring the Kingdom.” Iron said, his commanding voice reverberating around, as his eyes remained fixed on Deborah and her emotional smile “That is why, Deborah Atkins, I, Iron Aster...” his fangs peeked out from between his lips in a menacing manner “Reject you as my mate.”

A second passed. Two. Everything seemed to freeze around her, but somehow, Deborah was still able to mutter, the shock making her feel weak.

“What?”

“You didn't really think I would take the wolfless woman like you, did you? Your existence in our pack is shameful enough. I would never put something as precious as the crown on your head. From now on, you will only serve to appease the heat of my wolf, when strictly necessary.” Iron proclaimed, his expression hardened with hatred, very different from the man she had fallen in love with "As the one who will stand by my side to produce an heir..." he left her side, walking over to Evangeline, who Deborah didn't even realized that had approached “I choose you, Evangeline Atkins. The female wolf with the purest bloodline in this kingdom. You shall treat her as my partner...” his hand cupped Evangeline’s chin roughly “And as my wife.”

A part of Deborah even considered that this could be a nightmare, but the moment Iron pulled her cousin close and crushed his lips against hers, she realized it wasn't. This was all very real. And, when that rough kiss between the two finally ended, Evangeline looked up in his direction, with a small smile on her flushed face.

“I’m sorry, Debbie. But, these are the King's orders. What can I do?”

“No ceremonies will take place today, but everyone can eat and celebrate as much as they want.” Iron, or rather, that cruel man that Deborah didn't recognize, turned to her, disdainful “You, follow us. And don't you dare try to escape. From today onwards, you are one of my possessions and you will not go anywhere without my orders.” He growled, placing Evangeline’s hand on his arm “You’re no good for anything else, anyway.”

Without another word, Iron began to walk away, with a smiling Evangeline leaning against him. And, as the wolves there began to sneer at her and laugh at the great show the Alpha had planned for them, Deborah felt tears streaming down her cheeks, so hot and painful that they felt like were trying to cut through her skin. Turn it into pieces, just like her heart was, at that moment.

No, it was silly to say that her heart was broken.

She just didn't have a heart anymore.