Betrayed By My Fated Mate

I wasn’t dead.

Malakai had saved me.

After setting Nicole down, he came back for me, pulling me out of the wreckage.

Half-conscious, I faintly heard him talking to Aliyah.

“The plan ends here,” he said. “We’ll find another way to make Nicole the Luna.”

Aliyah was frantic. “We’re so close. Once Nicole becomes Luna, we can bring her back to the Lycan King and secure your position as the next in line. And Madelyn—she’ll still be by your side.”

“This pain is temporary. I’ll make sure Madelyn is safe.”

Malakai didn’t respond, but I felt the soft brush of his lips against my forehead.

“Madelyn, just wait a little longer.”

A single tear slipped down my cheek.

So this was why he hurt me, why he kept telling me to wait.

When I woke, Malakai was gone.

Instead, Nicole stood before me, draped in the ceremonial robes of the Luna, my pack insignia clutched in her hand.

She looked down at me, broken and helpless on the bed, and smiled.

“Sister, the Luna title belongs to me now.”

I closed my eyes, refusing to acknowledge her.

Her voice turned sharp, and she pressed hard against my wounds, making me gasp.

“Why won’t you scream? I hate how calm you always are.”

I opened my eyes, meeting her furious gaze.

“You hate me for this?”

“For more than that!”

Her expression twisted with madness.

“We’re both daughters of the Alpha, yet he always favored you, grooming you to be Luna. I’ll prove to him—to everyone—that I’m the true Luna.”

She calmed herself, her voice dripping with disdain.

“It doesn’t matter. In four days, I’ll be crowned Luna.”

I laughed—softly at first, then louder.

“You really think you can be Luna?”

Nicole grabbed my chin, her nails digging into my skin. “I will!”

I stared into her eyes. “You won’t.”

She stormed out, slamming the door behind her.

Outside, the packhouse was decorated with banners and lights, the air buzzing with anticipation.

Servants whispered as they passed by, their voices carrying through the halls.

“Nicole hasn’t left her room in three days.”

“Watch your tongue, she’s the Luna now.”

“She’s preparing for the coronation ceremony tomorrow.”

“It’s a shame—Madelyn was the true heir.”

A scream cut through the chatter.

They dragged me out into the snow, where a pool of blood stained the ground.

“Disrespect the Luna, and this is your fate,” they said, their voices cold.

It was a warning—to the servants, and to me.

They hauled me into Nicole’s room, where Alpha Michael sat at the head of the table, Malakai standing beside him. Elders filled the room, their eyes boring into me like I was a traitor.

A woven doll was thrown at my feet.

Alpha Michael’s voice was furious. “Wretch! How dare you curse your sister?”

I picked up the doll, my vision blurring with tears.

It was a charm I’d made for Nicole when we were children—one for every member of the family.

But Alpha Michael didn’t remember.

The pack healer rushed in from the adjoining room.

“The Luna is in critical condition. The Alpha’s blood transfusion failed. She might not survive.”

Alpha Michael’s voice was urgent. “Is there no way to save her?”

“If we use the Alpha’s blood, we can stabilize her.”

Without hesitation, Alpha Michael ordered the ritual to begin.

I was dragged to the altar, my wrists bound.

The first cut severed the tendons in my arm, blood pooling beneath me.

Malakai’s face turned pale. “Stop!”

Alpha Michael glared at him.

Malakai quickly composed himself, taking the knife. “I’ll do it.”

He knelt beside me, his hand covering my eyes as I writhed in pain.

“Bring her some sedative,” he said, his voice trembling.

They forced the liquid down my throat, but I didn’t lose consciousness.

I felt every cut as Malakai severed my other arm’s tendons, rendering me powerless.

When it was over, his hands shook as he cupped my face.

A tear fell onto my lips, bitter and hot.

“Madelyn, tomorrow will be better.”

But Malakai, tomorrow might be better—but we would never be.