Chapter 5 No.5

Phillips' voice and expression changed from the usual indifference to disgust for the first time, and that disgust stung my heart.

I knew it. He knew the whole truth but wanted to seize this opportunity to remove my position as Luna.

"I, Phillips Aldington, the Alpha of the New Mars Pack, reject Ophelia. From today, she is no longer my mate. All werewolves no longer need to treat her with the rituals and respect befitting a Luna." He finished his words coldly and motioned for the warriors behind him to apprehend me.

The feeling of rejection tore through me, accompanied by a sense of emptiness. It was like something had forcibly stripped away from my life. I clenched my teeth, realizing for the first time that I was indeed the foolish woman Alyee and Ryan spoke of. I foolishly hoped that he would believe me and stand up for me!

The warriors who received the Alpha's command quickly surrounded me. Some even opened the silver collars and chains in their hands but hesitated. They were not sure whether they should approach me. I forced a bitter smile. Over the years, as the next Luna, I had worked hard to fulfill my responsibilities, leading them as Gamma and caring for their lives. I believed that I deserved the support of all pack members, especially the warriors. Faced with such a twist of fate, my poor pack members didn't know how to treat me.

I took a step forward, and the warriors instinctively stepped back.

"Luna... No, Ophelia, please, don't come any closer. I believe in you. I don't want to attack you..." The leading warrior hesitated before speaking but subconsciously stepped backward before finishing his sentence.

I almost hysterically laughed out loud. My fiancé, Alpha Phillips, whom I supported and loved unconditionally, treated me worse than these ordinary warriors. I was a lamentable person indeed.

"Let's go to the dungeon." I reached out and willingly put on the collars and chains they handed me, then glanced at Phillips one last time before turning around to walk toward the dungeon. I had spent ten years guarding that place, so no one was more familiar with the way there than me. The warriors hesitated for a moment before following me.

I had no choice, did I? If I resisted, it would only bring trouble to my warriors and invite repression and beatings from Alpha Phillips. After two battles and severe injuries, I didn't have the strength to struggle anymore, nor did I want to become someone else's laughingstock. It was better to accept the arrangement of fate.

I didn't care what awaited me there. I had already lost everything in my life, and I had lost Phillips completely.

No, I never had him.

****

Because of my weakness and despair, the journey to the dungeon, which usually took 40 minutes, took me an hour. I followed the warriors' instructions and put on the collar before entering the dungeon, then sat weakly on the ground.

"Welcome, Ophelia," Ryan's voice sounded young, with a hint of a gentle laugh. It was the first time in all these years of guarding the dungeon that I saw him up close. He was tall, his muscular body wrapped in a robe. He had a high nose and thin lips, and his golden eyes were slightly slanted, beautiful yet intimidating.

"I have been waiting for you for a long time."

His words made me suddenly understand something. "You deliberately left the Devil Scent on me, didn't you?"

"Ophelia," he didn't answer my question. Instead, he reached out with cold fingers and touched my face. "You are a clever girl."

His words confirmed my suspicions. "It's you. What do you want?"

He suddenly laughed, his laughter growing increasingly ridiculous and eerie, filling the sinister and devilish dungeon. His aura slowly permeated the room, surrounding me like an affectionate embrace. "Ophelia, I want you."

He suddenly stopped laughing, his voice containing some ambiguous and reluctant emotions. He let out a long sigh. "I've been trapped here for many years, and you have been my only companion."

His voice was deep, and his breath echoed in my ear as if he was gently coaxing a little girl. He leaned closer, taking a deep breath against my neck. "Ah, I love your scent."

I took several steps back, intentionally distancing myself from his overpowering presence, and spoke firmly, "I will never be with Devil Wolf!"

"Devil Wolf?" he snickered as if he found something amusing. But his amusement quickly turned into anger. He forcefully pushed me against the wall, and his gaze fixed on me. In a somber tone, he said, "You Aldingtons should know very well what Devil Wolfs have suffered! Now it's time for all of you to face Devil Wolves' judgment!"

"What do you mean?" I couldn't comprehend Ryan's words.

However, instead of explaining further, he tossed me to the ground, paying no attention to my bewildered expression. His smile vanished, and he retreated to the corner of the Devil's prison, ignoring my questions.

As time passed, the sky darkened, enveloping the prison in an eerie gloom.

The cold seeped into my bones, and without any warm clothes or blankets, I huddled up to find solace in the cold abyss.

Yet, deep inside, I knew Ryan hadn't fallen asleep. His presence surrounded me like a protective embrace, easing the loneliness and soothing my shattered soul. I couldn't fathom the strange connection between us, but I sincerely appreciated how it made the night less unbearable.

"Hey... What's your relationship with Phillips? Who are you?" I ventured to ask.

There was no response. Ryan's presence, which had embraced me moments ago, seemed to fade away like morning mist in a forest. All that remained were faint sounds echoing through the prison, reminiscent of distant wolf howls on moonlit nights, inexplicably stirring Alyee within my mind.

Standing in the prison, I remained vigilant, scanning my surroundings. I was always prepared to confront any imminent danger. The sense of alertness had become ingrained in me during my five years as a Gamma.

"Ophelia," an unfamiliar voice whispered, and I knew she was near.

"Who's there?" I spun around swiftly, searching for the source of the voice, but found no one behind me. "Where are you?"

"I am beside you, yet miles away. I exist in both daylight and darkness. You could say I am everywhere," the mysterious voice replied.

"Who are you?" Fear tinged my teeth with a slight tremor, a rare occurrence, as I usually felt invincible. I believed I possessed enough strength to overcome any crisis. Yet, at that moment, my wolf and I were gripped by fear.

"Who I am is inconsequential, my child," her voice carried a hint of a smile. "I sensed your pain and have come to offer my assistance."

"I... I don't need your help. I can handle things on my own," I protested. But the next instant, a searing pain tore through my mind, splitting my soul.

"Do not resist, Ophelia. Follow your heart and take deep breaths," she advised.

I complied, aligning my breathing as instructed. Strange visions began to materialize before me.