Chapter 5 Shattered Vows

[Araya's POV]

Morning light filters through the window, pale and cold. Araya sits on the edge of the bed, still wrapped in the fur from the night before. Her body aches. Her eyes burn from crying. The chamber is silent, empty except for her.

Jasper never returned.

Araya stares at the door, waiting. But the longer she waits, the clearer it becomes. He is not coming back. Not to apologize. Not to explain. Not even to acknowledge what happened.

Her chest tightens, anger sparking beneath the pain.

Araya stands, dropping the fur onto the bed. She crosses to the wardrobe and pulls out a simple dress, dark green wool that hangs loose on her slender frame. She dresses quickly, her hands trembling as she fastens the laces.

She cannot stay in this room. She cannot wait anymore.

Araya opens the door and steps into the corridor. The keep is stirring now, wolves moving through the halls, their voices low and murmured. They glance at her as she passes, their eyes sliding away quickly, whispering behind their hands.

Araya lifts her chin and keeps walking.

She knows where Jasper will be. The Alpha's office, a stone chamber on the second floor overlooking the courtyard. He spends his mornings there, dealing with pack business, issuing orders, hearing complaints.

Araya climbs the stairs, her bare feet silent on the stone. She reaches the heavy wooden door and pauses, her hand hovering over the handle.

She hears voices inside. Low. Clipped.

Araya pushes the door open.

Jasper stands behind a large oak desk, papers spread out before him. His storm-gray eyes lift as the door opens, narrowing when he sees her.

Serenya sits in a chair near the window, legs crossed, her honey-blonde hair gleaming in the morning light. She smiles when Araya enters, the expression sharp and satisfied.

"Araya," Jasper says, his voice flat. "I'm busy."

"I need to speak with you," Araya says.

Jasper's jaw tightens. "Not now."

"Yes, now."

Serenya's smile widens. "How bold. I didn't think you had it in you."

Araya ignores her, keeping her gaze fixed on Jasper. "We need to talk. Alone."

Jasper sets down the paper in his hand, his movements deliberate and slow. "Anything you need to say, you can say in front of Serenya."

"No," Araya says. "I can't."

Jasper's eyes flash with irritation. "Then you can wait."

"I've waited long enough."

Serenya laughs, the sound light and mocking. "Oh, this is entertaining."

Jasper's gaze shifts to Serenya, then back to Araya. "Leave."

"No," Araya says.

Jasper's expression darkens. He steps around the desk, moving toward her. "I said, leave."

"Not until you tell me why," Araya says, her voice trembling but firm. "Why did you marry me if you hate me so much?"

Jasper stops in front of her, close enough that Araya has to tilt her head back to meet his gaze. "I don't hate you, Araya. I just don't care about you."

The words hit like a slap.

Araya's breath catches. "Then why take me to your bed? Why bind me to you?"

"Because it was expected," Jasper says coldly. "Because the bond needed to be consummated. Because your father owed me, and this was the price."

"That's all I am to you?" Araya's voice cracks. "A debt paid?"

Jasper's expression does not change. "Yes."

Araya's hands curl into fists at her sides. "And her? What is she to you?"

Jasper's gaze flicks to Serenya, who watches with barely concealed amusement.

"She's none of your concern," Jasper says.

"She's my sister," Araya says, her voice rising. "And you're my mate. You vowed before the moon. You bound yourself to me."

Jasper's jaw tightens. "I vowed to take you as Luna. I never vowed to love you."

Araya's vision blurs. "You could at least try to respect me."

"Respect?" Jasper's voice hardens. "You want respect? Earn it."

"How?" Araya demands. "By staying silent while you humiliate me? By pretending I don't see you with her?"

Jasper's eyes narrow. "You were spying."

"I was looking for my husband," Araya says. "The man who was supposed to be with me on our wedding night."

Serenya rises from her chair, crossing the room with slow, deliberate steps. She stops beside Jasper, her hand resting lightly on his arm.

"You're making a scene, Araya," Serenya says sweetly. "It's unbecoming of a Luna."

Araya's gaze snaps to Serenya. "Stay out of this."

"Why should I?" Serenya tilts her head, her green eyes glittering. "You're the one barging in here, demanding things you have no right to demand."

"I have every right," Araya says. "I'm his mate."

"In name only," Serenya says. "Everyone knows it. You're wolf-less. Weak. Unworthy of standing beside an Alpha."

Araya's chest tightens, fury and pain twisting together. "And you think you're worthy?"

Serenya's smile widens. "I know I am."

Jasper's hand moves to Serenya's waist, a small, possessive gesture that makes Araya's stomach turn.

"Enough," Jasper says, his voice cold and sharp. "Araya, you will return to your chamber. You will not cause a scene. You will not question me again."

"Or what?" Araya asks, her voice trembling.

Jasper's storm-gray eyes lock onto hers, and for a moment, Araya sees something dark and dangerous flicker in their depths.

"Or I will reject you," Jasper says.

The words hang in the air, heavy and final.

Araya's breath stops. Her heart hammers in her chest, the sound loud in her ears.

"You're weak," Jasper continues, his voice cutting. "You're unworthy. You should be grateful I even went through with the ceremony. Grateful I didn't cast you out the moment I saw you."

Araya's hands shake. "Jasper..."

"If you cause trouble," Jasper says, his voice dropping low and dangerous, "if you embarrass me in front of the pack, I will sever the bond. I will reject you publicly, and you will have nothing. No mate. No pack. No family. Do you understand?"

Araya stares at him, her vision blurring with unshed tears.

Serenya leans into Jasper, her smile triumphant. "She understands. Don't you, Araya?"

Araya's throat tightens. She cannot speak. Cannot breathe.

Jasper turns away, dismissing her with the movement. "Go."

Araya stands frozen, her body trembling.

"I said, go," Jasper repeats, his voice harder.

Araya takes a step back, then another. Her legs feel weak, unsteady.

She turns and walks toward the door, her vision swimming.

Behind her, Serenya's laughter rings out, soft and cruel.

Araya steps into the corridor and pulls the door closed behind her.

The sound echoes in the empty hall.

Araya presses her back against the wall, her chest heaving. Her hands shake. Her knees buckle, and she slides down to the floor, wrapping her arms around herself.

The threat lingers in her mind, sharp and unforgiving.

If she causes trouble, he will reject her.

And she will have nothing.