Chapter 9 THEIR BETRAYAL

~JADE~

My body moved on autopilot as I walked into the wide expanse of the council hall. The hall was mostly used for large gatherings in the pack, for pack ceremonies, parties organised by the Alpha family, and sometimes rented at a discount for pack members who needed it for personal ceremonies, like birthday parties, or sometimes parties held after mating was completed.

Only a few select people celebrated their union, and Hunter and I were supposed to celebrate ours officially after his ascension ceremony.

I was told it was customary, although we already marked each other and were mated by common law, Hunter being of noble blood, even though he might not be a royal, being an Alpha heir made him of noble blood, and it was customary that after his ascension as Alpha, he ought to have an official mating ceremony during which his fated luna or chosen luna would be blessed by a high elder or priestess presiding over the ceremony, and the luna would be officially welcomed by every pack member who would come bearing gifts.

That was what I was told, and for the past two years, Hunter's mother has emphasized the importance of the mating ceremony in my ears. I had to meet up with her every day for several hours to learn about pack affairs and my expected duties when I became Luna.

She always said being a Luna was more than just being the pretty thing that hung off the side of an Alpha; there were affairs that only the Luna of the pack saw to. We may not dabble in pack politics, but when it came to being aware of the needs of the pack members, meeting those needs, being a listening ear, sometimes handling finances, being in charge of ceremonies, and hosting meaningful gatherings between other packs for prospective alliances, all those were Luna's duties. A pack's Luna may not have as much authority as the Alpha of the pack, but she has a significant role to play in supporting her Alpha.

All these things I had to learn because I wanted to be the best Luna for Hunter and this pack. I didn't want to lack knowledge when he finally completed his ascension; I wanted to do my best, and for two years I had learned diligently. While I thought this was my destined role, I had no idea that once upon a time my elder sister was also trained for the same role I thought I was destined for.

My eyes moved around the large hall, my gaze roaming over the faces of the people seated around the large acacia wood table in the far corner. I've been told that the council hall was occasionally used for important council meetings that couldn't be discussed in the Alpha's office, especially those meetings that included elders and Alphas from other packs.

Alpha Orion sat in the largest chair at the head of the table, with Luna to his left and Hunter to his right. A few unfamiliar faces sat around each side of the table-some elders I knew and some I didn't. My parents were seated side by side, and Arya stood a few feet behind them.

As I took in each face, my thoughts wandered to a few questions–Had they all known? Were they ever aware of Hunter and Arya's relationship? Had they been preparing her to take on the role of Luna? Had Hunter been planning to take her as his chosen mate before I arrived? How long were they together, and why did no one think it was necessary to share this piece of information with me?

My gaze landed on my mom, who immediately averted her eyes like she didn't want to be caught looking at me. I shifted my gaze to my dad, whose face looked stone cold, while his eyes trained to the empty chair on the other side of the table. Pressure built up on my chest, and my guts twisted. They knew about Hunter and Arya's history but never thought to tell me. Why? Their betrayal stung deep, and my stomach twisted in a knot as pain speared my heart. Why had they kept it a secret from me? Didn't I deserve to know that the man who was my mate shared a romantic history with my sister? If I had known, perhaps I could've known to attach that to the reason why Arya hates me, and I would've known to avoid her.

"Now that all parties are seated," An elder cleared his throat; the sound carried his voice to where I stood, breaking me out of my rigid state, and I withdrew my glance from my parents.

"Excuse me," I muttered before the elder could continue. "Pardon my manners." I apologised as sharp gazes cut to me like I wasn't expected to speak until they permitted it. But I continued either way; if that was a rule, I had already broken it, so I might as well get on with it. "Please, I would like an audience with my mate before we proceed with this."

I didn't miss the way all the attention in the room now centered on me: Alpha Orion's left brow quirked in a silent question, Hunter's mom narrowed her eyes, and the elders all shared a confused look amongst each other.

"I won't take more than a few minutes; I must speak to my mate in private. – If the elders will permit it, of course." I added the last bit so it would seem like I was making a polite request and not rudely making a demand.

"You have five minutes." The elder, who sat at the other end of the long table, spoke, and I nodded. "Alpha Hunter, please grant your mate's request." His gaze flicked to Hunter, and my mate rose from his seat, growling in disapproval as he marched towards me, and all I could see in those ocean blue eyes I once fancied was deep-seated loathing, all aimed at me.