Chapter 56
I didn’t wait for Tristan’s reaction. The moment the words left my mouth, I caught the flash of red bleeding into his eyes his wolf pushing against control. For once, I didn’t care. I was done cowering.
Without another glance, I strode from the dining room, my spine ramrod straight even as every Instinct screamed to run. The heavy silence behind me pressed against my back like a physical weight, but I refused to turn.
The second I rounded the corner, safely out of sight, my carefully constructed facade crumbled. My breath came in shallow gasps as I leaned against the wall, my body suddenly too heavy to hold upright.
“Fuck,” I whispered, blinking rapidly to dispel the moisture gathering in my eyes. My hands trembled as I pushed away from the wall, refusing to break down in a place where anyone could find me.
Why does he keep doing this? The thought clawed at my insides. After all this time, all the pain he caused, he still manages to wound me. I thought I was stronger now, but clearly, I’m more fragile around him than I want to admit.
Astrid paced restlessly within me, her energy chaotic and conflicted. She longed for our mate even as she raged at his cruelty.
We need to leave, I decided abruptly. My one–week commitment be damned – staying here would only result in more pain.
I pulled out my phone, fingers flying across the screen as I messaged my driver. I’d apologize to Fenris later, explain that I couldn’t remain in this toxic environment, even for his sake.
The late morning sun hit my face as I pushed through the side door, stepping into the manicured garden that surrounded Moon Sanctuary. I filled my lungs with clean air, willing it to wash away the anger and humiliation.
How had Selene obtained those screenshots? My adoptive father was the only other person with access. Had he been helping her all along? The possibility of yet another betrayal twisted like a knife
in my gut.
The sharp click of heels on stone broke my reverie. I didn’t need to turn to know who approached her citrus–and–vanilla perfume carried on the breeze, sickly sweet and immediately recognizable.
“Stupid bitch,” Selene spat, her voice dripping with venom. “What do you think you’re doing? You thought you could expose me with one text message?”
I didn’t bother turning around, just rolled my eyes and continued walking.
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The sinking denis querénea, toldwing me across the contyard. A hind landed on my shoulder. hibistrared nelle digging Slightly into my flach, th vine si mition, I grabbed her wrist and yanked
Sotrar’s Blos Syre widened, gleaming with raniice we the regained her Malance. How did it feel when
Tristan chose me out you? When will you understand that he’ll always pick me, never you?–
Rage boiled in my blond, s het, living thing that threatened to consume me. I clenched my jaw so
hard my teeth ached
Soon enough, your stupid Alpha will see right through you, I said, my voice dangerously quiet.
She laughed, the sound grating and artificial. With uncomfortable familiarity, she reached up and
brushed a strand of hair from my face.
“Oh, you stupid woman,” she purred, her tone almost intimate. “You don’t understand how much he
loves me. I could make him rip out your throat right now if I wanted. But…”
Her fingers suddenly tangled in my hair, yanking hard enough to bring tears to my eyes.
“Don’t even think about getting close to him,” she hissed, her sweet facade evaporating. “He’s not
yours. He never will be. Remember, he’s your ex–husband. The Alpha who saw you as nothing but a wolfless waste. After all the humiliation, what still drives you to help his father? You’re just a
pathetic, useless Luna who can’t fit into any pack.”
Something inside me snapped. With lightning speed, I grabbed her wrist, twisting it behind her back
in one fluid motion.
Selene’s eyes went wide with shock, her mouth forming a perfect ‘O‘ of surprise. This wasn’t the same
Lysandra who had once yielded to her every barb, who had stayed silent while she poisoned my marriage. This Lysandra fought back.
“Let go of me!” she shrieked, struggling against my grip.
Astrid surged within me, her energy crackling through my veins. I felt my eyes shift, green giving way to purple as my wolf pushed forward, lending me her strength. Selene’s struggles intensified as she caught the unnatural glow, fear replacing her arrogance.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted guards rushing toward us, drawn by Selene’s screams. They slowed their approach when they recognized me – confusion evident in their expressions. I was no longer their Luna, but Selene wasn’t officially their future Luna either. Their loyalties were divided.
I tightened my grip on Selene’s wrist, bending it further. Suddenly, she went limp in my hold, no longer fighting back. The abrupt change made me hesitate. Why isn’t she fighting?
“You called me what?” I leaned closer, my voice low enough that only she could hear. “Let me tell
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you what I’ve wanted to say for five years. You’re a homewrecking whore who destroyed my marriage. But I don’t think you’re solely to blame. That so–called noble ex–husband of mine is a cold–blooded
bastard who couldn’t focus on his wife, who was with you while we still had a mate bond. I think you
two ileserve each other. So don’t you dare try to intimidate me, and you’d better warn him to stay
away too.
“Tris–Tristan.” Selene whimpered, her voice barely audible.
I turned toward the main entrance of Moon Sanctuary and froze. Tristan stood in the doorway, his
face contorted with a fury.
Let. Her. Go. Each word vibrated with Alpha command, the air itself seeming to tremble.
Instead of submitting, I twisted Selene’s arm further. She let out a piercing scream, as if I’d snapped the bone. Looking down, I saw angry red marks forming on her pale skin where my fingers gripped
her.
“My–my hand, Tris–Tristan,” she sobbed, tears streaming down her face.
Tristan moved with inhuman speed, crossing the distance between us in seconds. I shoved Selene
toward him, watching as he caught her with surprising gentleness, cradling her arm as if it were
made of glass.
His murderous gaze lifted from Selene to pin me in place, then shifted to the guards who had stood
by watching.
“You saw this happening and did nothing?” he snarled. “You’re all banished from the pack.”
“A–Alpha!” one of the guards stammered, face pale with shock.
“Silence! And you!” He turned back to me, fury radiating from every pore. “How dare you hurt her?”
I met his gaze unflinchingly, all my fear burned away by righteous anger. “You heard what I just told her, didn’t you? So, Alpha Tristan, go to hell.”
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