Betrayal
two
*ROSEA*
Iam not feeling hungry, yet I try to take a couple of bites, just out of respect for the friendly gesture of the young omega she-wolf.
It’s rare nowadays that pack members meet me with kindness.
Jordan is good at what he does. He looks handsome, always smiles and can be incredibly charming.
He knows how to talk with older pack members, to sway them to his side; he knows how to charm female pack members, and is able to handle the warriors.
I was swayed by him, too. After all, we all were, minus Rory. Rory once told me that there was something off about Jordan’s eyes, that if you cover his mouth and just look at his eyes, he looks cold and vile.
Back then, I was mad at Rory, but now I know he was right.
If I could go back in time, I would undo so many choices I made when I was young and inexperienced.
I would warn my younger self the way only I could warn her.
When I started to see through him, it was already too late.
Neither my education nor my intelligence was of any help, and they still aren’t of help right now.
I might be able to slowly convince certain pack members that something is off, that I am being mistreated, and that Jordan is a wolf in sheep’s skin.
My father still has old friends in this pack, and as the young omega showed me, some of them know. But there is no use in doing so. Right now, from a position of zero power, I can’t do much.
We need to leave, Alora says.
Previously, I was hesitant to give up the pack my father handed to me on a silver platter, but now things look different. I have hidden money and documents. I am just not sure how and when to leave. We need a plan.
You are ready to go? she asks. You kept saying we can’t leave the pack for those innocents still in there.
I still believe we can’t leave them behind. I am not planning to do that, I frown. But I can’t do anything from here.
A sudden pain in my stomach almost makes me double over. I can’t fucking believe it! He is at it again?! I ball my hands into fists. I feel him with someone else. I hate him! I snarl. I hate him so much. I want to see him burn!
Finally! Alora exclaims. I was waiting for you to get angry. We are going to leave, regather our strength, have a plan and then rip that asshole to shreds.
You would kill your mate? I ask her.
I wouldn’t hesitate a moment, she tells me coldly.
Good! Now, I just need to come up with an idea on how to leave, one that won’t get me killed. Jordan watches all my steps, he tracks my phone, he has warriors watch and spy on me; it will be difficult to just disappear.
Maybe if he is the one tossing me aside? But would he do it…
One glance at my watch tells me I need to go to the dreadful meeting with the elders.
Hidden behind a small opening in my wardrobe, I have a stash of pills.
They are hidden behind meaningless documents and papers from my former high school, and I have made sure to label them as pills for migraine and stomachache.
One time, Beta Clemmens saw me take one, and I told him I was suffering from uncommon stomach pains.
It was enough to stop him from questioning me.
They all know Jordan is a cheat; obviously, they will always try to protect him.
However, it makes it easier for me to take the pills.
Rory’s best friend, Marie, the girl he was said to be dating, is our pack nurse, and she keeps secretly giving the pills to me—even after Rory’s presumed death, she’s stayed loyal to me.
She was devastated when he suddenly disappeared.
From the outside, she might look like a scorned woman, but like me, she doesn’t believe his disappearance was a coincidence.
And then, months after his disappearance, he was suddenly pronounced dead and branded as a traitor.
Not that she and I ever talk about it. We don’t talk much at all. Jordan doesn’t like me chatting with anyone in the pack.
I take one of the pills before putting them back in their place.
Alora has healed most of the marks around my neck by now, so I don’t need to wear the scarf anymore.
It’s the ups and downs of having a wolf and its healing abilities.
On the upside, the pain doesn’t last, and wounds heal; on the downside, there is never proof on my body about what Jordan does to me.
I am sure some of his warriors and ranked members are aware, but it’s easier to look away when my bruises fade so fast. As for the few remaining bruises… no one really minds them anyway.
With that, I make it out of my room and into the corridor. I always make sure to keep a calm, dignified demeanor. It’s the last thing I have. If I break down, I will lose the last ounce of respect my pack has for me.
“Luna.”
I don’t stop to look back to see who is behind me. It’s Beta Clemmens, formerly known as ‘Rory’s best friend’. His betrayal hurt the most.
“I came to pick you up,” he says.
I continue walking down the corridor. “Well, as you can see, I was on my way already.”
Clemmens walks behind me quietly. “Did you eat something?” he finally asks.
“Yes,” I say.
“You looked a bit pale this morning,” he adds.
The audacity! To pretend like he cares and worries, after all the time and the many ways he’s supported Jordan. There was a time after Rory disappeared that he promised me he would support me and protect me, but it was short-lived; he soon joined Jordan’s team.
“Luna—”
I halt in my steps, turning my head slightly to toss him a look. “Clemmens, it is as it is, and things are that way for a reason. Let’s not pretend it’s otherwise.”
His gaze goes from my face to my neck, lingering there for a moment. He swallows thickly, but I don’t give him time to say anything, just proceed to walk down the corridor and up the stairs to Jordan’s office.
Before opening the door, I turn around to Clemmens once more. “I wonder what Rory would say,” I say before disappearing through the door and closing it behind me.
Inside, I am greeted by the sight of our three elders, seated around the table in Jordan’s office. At the head of the table, there is Jordan. He is talking with one of the elders, a smile on his lips, which completely vanishes when he sees me.
“You are here,” he says. “We have been waiting.”
I don’t tell him that I am right on time. It doesn’t matter to them anyway.
The elders get up to greet me. It’s just for show. I know they don’t respect me, and they certainly don’t value me or my position. “Good afternoon, Luna.”
“Good afternoon, to you, too.” I take the seat they offer me and sit down.
“Luna, we have summoned you here to talk about the most pressing issue concerning this pack and its future.”
We have had more attacks than usual, and we also have a lack of investment in education; the nursery and infirmary could need some upgrades, too, but I am well aware they don’t care about any of that.
“And what is that?” I ask, deciding to play along. “If there is a way for me to help, I will do so.”
One of the elders has the decency to look uncomfortable. He is an older guy named Arthur, almost a bit grandfatherly. He was around when my father still reigned; the other two joined later and were picked by Jordan for their position.
“Rosea—” Jordan folds his hands in a thoughtful gesture. He looks worried that way, and as if he is hurt. It gives me a twinge in my chest to see him like that, because once more I realize how well he plays this game. “You know we need an heir to the pack.”
“The alpha is correct,” an elder says. “Without an heir, no one will be able to take over. You need to secure the future of this pack.”
It’s bullshit! There are other packs with no heirs, who choose someone from their other ranked members or from the extended alpha families. “You know, it’s out of my power to get pregnant,” I simply say.
“It’s your main duty,” one of the elders continues as if he didn’t hear me. “The luna’s duty is to produce an heir, or she is worthless.”
Elder Arthur looks even more uncomfortable at these words. “Isn’t this a bit harsh, Frank?”
“No, if she can’t produce an heir, she is worthless,” Elder Frank snarls. “What is she here for if she can’t even do that?!”
“As the luna, that’s her only task,” the other man agrees.
Hot fury fills me at his words. This is not the luna’s only duty! My mother was a luna, a fantastic one, and through her, I know more than one thing about a luna’s duty. Being reduced to a womb and baby machine is not one of them!
Elder Arthur still looks displeased, but apparently, he isn’t upset enough to voice his concerns further.
It takes me all my willpower not to lash out at the other two men.
The only reason I manage to keep my cool is that I know it ticks Jordan off.
“I apologize,” I say. “I will try everything in my power to fulfill the luna’s duty. ”
Elder Arthur’s discomfort seems to grow, while the other three, Jordan included, look equal parts annoyed and pissed.
“Then maybe you should stick to your words, Rosea,” Elder Frank snarls. He is leaving out my title, obviously on purpose, as a sign of clear disrespect. That’s how little I, or rather my existence, means to him. “And don’t waste your time with excuses.”
What is he talking about? Jordan has successfully isolated me from everyone, so there is not much I can do throughout the day. True, I have found my own ways to sneak around, covering them as fulfilling my duties, such as luna meetings that I can’t miss or running errands.
“Please elaborate,” I tell him.
“We have photos, which are a huge concern to us. The alpha’s already seen them.”
I make sure not to look at Jordan when he says that.
Photos? Goddess! Did Jordan spot me sneaking around?
I barely do that anyway, but sometimes I need to prepare for my exit plan.
I try to continue playing dumb. “I’d need you to be clearer.
I don’t know what kind of photos you are talking about, Frank. ”
He furrows his brows when I only use his first name, but I pretend not to see it. Instead, he tosses Elder Arthur a gaze. “But we aren’t sure—” Elder Arthur starts.
“Just show her,” Frank hisses.
Elder Arthur sighs, rummaging in his pocket and revealing an envelope.
He hands it to me. True to Frank’s words, there are photos in them of a woman with brown hair and a man I recognize as a pack warrior.
They are hugging. The woman is wearing one of my dresses, but it’s impossible to see her face.
Who’s that?
“It’s not me,” I say.
“But it certainly looks like you.” Jordan pushes, looking upset all of a sudden. “How could you?! You know how much I love you. How can you go behind my back like this, Rosy?”
Rosy. That fucker! The only times he called me like that were when he was still courting me and pretending to be that wonderful mate.
“Clemmens saw you, too,” he adds.
Of course he did. Is this the reason he was tailing me today, looking a tad more guilty than usual? “He must have made a mistake,” I say calmly. “From a distance, it’s hard to tell. There are many women looking like me. Also, she looks to be smaller than I am.”
“She has a point,” Elder Arthur mutters.
“No, she doesn’t,” the third man finally says. “It can’t just be an optical illusion. The woman in the picture looks exactly like Luna Rosea.”
“Is this all the proof you have?” I ask. “The woman might look like me, but this is all a little thin for accusing my integrity, don’t you think?”
Elder Arthur nods quietly while Jordan tosses me a seething gaze. “I guess that’s all for today.”
Thank the goddess. I am not sure how much longer I’d have been able to hold my cool in this room. “Thank you, Elders,” I say while standing up. “See you later, Jordan.”
Before I can leave, Jordan grabs me, wordlessly pulling me closer and smashing his lips against mine.
To the others, it might look passionate, but I can feel his cold eyes resting on me, my own stomach revolting at his touch.
“Wait for me in your room,” he says. “We should make sure to fulfill our duty.”
My chest clenches, my stomach squeezing. It’s only been two days since he came to me and demanded sex. Normally, he only does so once a month, but twice a week… He doesn’t even like me! He has plenty of women on their hands and knees waiting for him.
Why does he need to torment me?
I can’t bring myself to say anything, just nod. With that, he finally lets me go.
Clemmens is still waiting for me outside, apparently, Jordan told him to guard me. I don’t spare him a look, let alone a word. I don’t know if it’s true that he pretended to have seen me with another man or if Jordan just made it up.
But it doesn’t really matter anymore.