Chapter 1 The Betrayal

Avery's Point of View

"Hold her up properly!!", Sophia ordered as her minions held me tight, paying deaf ears to my pleas and cries.

This has been my life for as long as I can remember, I still don't know what I did wrong that made them treat me this way.

Countless times, I've wondered what I'd done that made Sophia hate me this much. I mean, she has everything-the pack adores her, she has our parents and siblings' love, and she's practically the gem of the entire pack.

While I was treated like the black sheep, my own parents made me feel like an outcast, they made me feel worthless.

"Sophia, please... I'm your sister, your own blood," I choked out, my voice trembling with desperation. "What did I do to deserve this? Why are you treating me like this?! Tell me, please... why do you hate me so much? I've tried... I've tried so hard to make you see me, to make you love me."

I groaned, unable to stop the tears pouring down my eyes.

"What did you just say? Sister?! I'm no sister to a witch", Sophia sneered as she eyed me as if I was the most disgusting thing she had ever laid her eyes on.

"I mean, look at you. With your white hair and strange looking eyes!! You're nothing but a witch, I'm sure mom must have picked you up somewhere", She sneered as she slapped me across the face.

All of a sudden, I felt a strange resolve in me, I knew this was a suicide mission but I was tired of her constant bullying. For once, I wanted to speak up for myself.

"So what if I look different? I know that you're just jealous because I look way more beautiful than you are", I was rewarded with a punch and I could feel the copper taste of blood in my mouth but it was worth it.

"What?! You know it's the truth", I smirked, staring at her, daring her to do her worst.

"Beat this witch up!!", her brainless minions were about to descend on me, when a voice suddenly yelled authoritatively.

"What's going on here?!" I sighed in relief as I stared at the approaching figure, it was Julian.

My savior.

My mate.

The only reason I'm able to put up to all the maltreatment from the pack. He's the only support I have, if not for him, I would have been long dead.

"Alpha!" Sophia shrieked in terror and I couldn't help but smirk at her.

"Don't make me repeat myself!!" Julian growled as he stepped closer to us.

"Alpha, she... sh... she was caught stealing and I decided to have her punished", Sophia stuttered and I gasped in shock at how easy it was for her to lie.

And to think that I saw her as the best sister ever, not knowing that she was nothing but a sly fox.

"Is that so?" Julian asked as he narrowed his eyes on her.

"Yes Alpha"

"Then leave her to me, I'll give her the punishment she deserved," Sophia and her minions nodded as they walked away but not without her giving me the 'you're dead' look.

But I shrugged it off, immediately she was gone out of sight, I leaped into Julian arms as fresh tears poured down my face.

"There..... there, princess. It's all good, I'm here, okay", he cooed as he stroked my hair.

"Julian... why?" I whispered, my voice breaking as I stared into his eyes. "Why are you hiding us? It's been three years, three long and painful years. Are you... are you ashamed of me? Am I nothing more than a secret you keep in the shadows? Every day, I feel like I'm fighting for something that you're too afraid to claim."

"Ashamed? Never, Avery," he murmured, cupping my face as he gently wiped away my tears. "I would never hide you because of shame, but you don't understand the weight of what it means to be Luna. There are... complications, things I can't control. I'm only waiting because I want to protect you, to make sure that when we're announced, no one.... Absolutely no one, can ever touch you. Can you trust me to do that?"

"I do trust you Julian but when is this right time?! Is it until I drop dead? I'm tired of being kept a secret, I really am"

It has been over 3 years now that Julian and I had found out that we were both mates, yet no one knows about us. I was tired of the whole secret, I want everyone to know I'm their Luna and also to shove it down Sophia's throat.

"Soon Avery, you know what?! I have a surprise for you at today's gathering. I'll be letting the whole pack know who my Luna is", he revealed and I couldn't help the scream that left my mouth.

At long last, the wait is finally over and I couldn't help but smile thinking about the expression on everyone faces when they get to know that the girl they all treated poorly is their future Luna.

I can't wait.

*****************

Later that evening, at the pack's hall. The hall was decorated with lots of fresh flowers and the designs were spectacular. Julian must have truly prepared for this.

I stood right beside the huge flower vase, so as to be easily noticed by Julian when he walks in.

I was so nervous that beads of sweats started forming on my forehead, but I quickly wiped them off, so as to keep my makeup intact. I had been able to successfully conceal my wounds from earlier under a huge layer of makeup.

My heart raced in excitement as I adjusted my dress countless of times. I was putting on a knee-length floral patterned dress with beautiful stones. I had preserved it for special occasions and none seemed more perfect than this. Just as I was still busy adjusting myself, I saw Sophia and my brother Mark, approaching.

"Would you look at who we have here, sis?" Mark chuckled as if he was staring at the greatest joke ever.

"You stole this dress, didn't you?" Sophia accused as she tugged at the hem of my dress.

"Get your hands off me!" I hissed, pulling my arm away with as much strength as I could muster. "One day, Sophia, you'll regret every single time you looked down on me. I swear, when that day comes, I'll make sure you know exactly who you messed with."

"Ohhh.... I'm so scared, please have mercy!" She taunted as she burst into laughter "The Alpha isn't here to save you, remember?" She added as she sipped her wine.

"Always remember who you are Avery, a piece of trash, a witch, nothing more. Never forget that", She said before moving away with Mark.

"Soon Sophia, very soon we'll both know who holds the power around here", I smirked as I raised my glass to my lips.

If only I knew what was going to happen in the next five minutes.

Just then, Julian walked in, accompanied by his beta, Jace. And I couldn't help but drool at the sight of him.

But his behavior seems off, he practically ignored me as if I didn't exist, instead he was talking with Sophia, but I didn't count any importance to it, I simply shrugged. He's my mate after all, so nothing to be scared of.

Standing in his full glory, Julian was 6'1" tall with his shiny olive fair skin, slightly built, chiseled jaw, brown hair and bright blue eyes.

And he was mine, all mine....... Atleast that was what I thought before he made his speech.

"Good evening, today is a wonderful day as I'll be calling out my future queen, your future Luna to join me here", he said and I couldn't help the blush that crept up my cheek.

Everyone cheered in anticipation.

Finally, it was my turn to be seen, to be something more than a shadow in this pack. I pictured their faces-the disbelief, the shame, the way they'd finally look at me as more than just an outcast. For the first time, I would belong. And Sophia... oh, she would choke on her own arrogance.

"Please welcome your future Luna, Sophia Smith!"