Chapter 2 2: Broken

How else can someone define true pain, if not by hearing her own husband call her a whore because of her sister? The moment the word left his mouth, something inside me tore, something I'm not sure will ever heal again.

I don't think I can hold this in any longer. I tried so hard not to cry in front of Modrich and Veriel. I tried to keep my dignity, to stay composed, but the weight of it all crushed any strength I had left.

By now, Veriel's sobbing has quieted, reduced to small, delicate sniffles that almost seem rehearsed. Pretend tears, and pretend innocence. I see through all of it... through every lie she tells so effortlessly.

I never saw this betrayal coming. I never imagined Veriel would desire Alpha Modrich... my husband. But when I look back, maybe I should have known.

Growing up, she always reached for what was mine. She always wanted whatever I wanted, whatever I chose, whatever made me smile.

I remember when Father brought home chocolate and strawberry candies. I never cared for strawberries, but I adored chocolate. Yet Veriel demanded both, simply because I wanted one.

Veriel had cried for mine, even though she already had the strawberry candy in her hand. I remember standing there, confused and hurt, while she sobbed as if the world had ended simply because I held the chocolate.

And I remember my parents telling me to be the bigger sister... to hand everything over to her.

So I did, again and again. That became my role... giving, surrendering, sacrificing because I was the oldest. Because keeping the peace always seemed more important than keeping what was mine. But my husband? That was something I never imagined I would have to hand over.

That was something I never believed she would dare touch. Yet here we are.

"I already told my parents. They said they're on their way," I said quietly.

Their reactions were instant. Shock flashed across both of their faces undeniable, as if I had summoned ghosts into the room.

"You called Mom and Dad?" Veriel sputtered, with her eyes wide, her voice trembling in disbelief. For once, she looked genuinely rattled.

I guess I beat her to it. I guess she didn't expect me to report this.

"I never thought you would be so selfish. Veriel was supposed to be the one to break the news to your parents, not you," Modrich snapped, his voice filled with anger.

Selfish?He called me selfish? The words stung more than I expected, paining deeper than any insult he had thrown before. If anyone in this room was selfish, it was him. How dare he? But I forced myself to stay calm. I swallowed the pain, burying it the same way I had been taught to bury every emotion.

"You're so cold," he added, frowning when my expression didn't change.

Of course I looked cold. I had been trained from the age of fifteen to master my emotions, to maintain control at all costs. A Luna does not break, a Luna does not tremble. But beneath that icy exterior, I was nothing but a soft, wounded girl. A girl whose heart was bleeding, cracking, shattering piece by piece.

Veriel suddenly burst into another round of dramatic sobs. She rose from the floor where she had been kneeling, her tears flowing like she was the one wronged, and then she turned and ran out of the living room.

Running... always running, and never facing what she destroys.

Modrich looked me directly in the eyes, his stare cold enough to freeze liquid water. I refused to look away, holding his gaze with quiet defiance. That alone seemed to enrage him... my calm, my silence, my refusal to break. His jaw tightened, and I could almost hear the unspoken words behind his clenched teeth: How dare you?

Without another word to me, he turned quickly and followed Veriel, calling her name as if she were the wounded one. I let out a slow, exhausted sigh before standing and walking to my room.

Inside, I went straight into the bathroom. My maids hurried in behind me, their hands already reaching to undress me for the evening bath.

"I want to be alone," I said quietly. They bowed and left immediately.

When I stepped into the warm bathtub, the heat did nothing to stop the trembling in my chest. The tears came instantly, spilling over my cheeks as if they had been waiting for permission. Even my silent sobs echoed softly against the marble walls.

I let myself cry, though Lunas are not supposed to cry. Love was never meant to be part of this position. An Alpha can always take new concubines...

But I never imagined Modrich would turn his eyes away from me, and toward my sister.