Chapter 2 The Betrayal

Nikita's POV (Flashback- how it all began, 21 days ago)

Pain. That's all I feel.

I lay on the cold marble floor, my body throbbing from the blows Kesler rained down on me. My cheek is swollen, my lip is split, and blood drips from a wound on my forehead. But none of it hurts as much as the words he just spat at me.

"She's not mine!"

I force myself to lift my head, ignoring the sharp pain in my ribs. My vision is blurry, but I can still see him; Alpha Kesler, my husband. Even though we are not fate mates, he is the man I've loved for seven years. He is standing over me like I'm nothing.

I search his golden eyes for something-anything-that tells me this is just a nightmare. That he still loves me. That he doesn't mean what he's saying.

But I see nothing.

Just cold, empty hatred.

"You were always too perfect, weren't You?"

"You lied to me," Kesler growls, his voice thick with rage. He paces the throne room, fists clenched, muscles tense. "For seven years, I called her my daughter. I raised her, loved her, and protected her. But she's not mine!"

"She is yours," I whisper, my voice hoarse. "Kesler, please, Cassandra is our daughter in every way that matters."

"Shut up!" His roar shakes the walls, making the pack members watching flinch.

I flinch, too, but not from fear. From heartbreak.

I can feel the weight of their stares-the Elders, the warriors, the omegas. Judging me. Whispering. Calling me a liar, a traitor, a whore.

And then there's Alicia.

She stands in the corner, her emerald eyes gleaming with satisfaction, lips curled into a cruel smile.

I should have known. I should have seen this coming.

Ever since Kesler saved her from death, she's been nothing but trouble. I felt her jealousy and sensed her manipulations. But I never thought she'd turn my own mate against me.

And now... now I'm losing everything.

"You Are No Longer My Luna."

Kesler stops pacing and turns toward me, his gaze cold and final.

"You are no longer my Luna," he says.

A sharp pain rips through my chest-not physical, but something deeper, something that shatters my soul.

I gasp, clutching my chest as our bond severs, leaving me hollow and empty.

"No. No, no, no..." I mumble.

Tears blur my vision, but I refuse to let them fall. I will not break. Not here. Not in front of them.

Kesler steps closer. Before I can react, he yanks the silver Luna pendant from my neck, snapping the chain.

The gasps around the room echo like a death toll.

I watch as the pendant-the symbol of my title, my power, my place beside him-dangles from his fingers.

He tosses it to the ground like trash.

"Take your bastard child and leave," he says. "If you step foot on my lands again, I will have my warriors rip you apart."

I stare at him, waiting for him to take it back. To show some sign of remorse, or regret. How about love?

But he just turns his back on me.

And just like that, it's over.

A low gasp escapes my trembling lips as Cassandra's cries Pierce My Soul

"Mama?"

The tiny voice shatters me more than any of Kesler's words.

I turn to see Cassandra standing by the door, her small hands trembling, her blue eyes wide with fear.

"Oh, my baby."

I force my broken body to move, stumbling toward her. I drop to my knees, cupping her soft, tear-streaked face.

"It's okay, sweetheart," I whisper. "We're leaving now."

She clings to me, shaking. "But... but Daddy-"

"He's not our Daddy anymore."

The words taste like poison, but I can't let her hope. Not when I know Kesler will never take us back.

I lift her into my arms, ignoring the way my body screams in protest. My legs wobble, but I won't fall. I can't.

I turn toward the door, toward freedom.

But then a shadow falls over us.

Alicia.

Her manicured nails trail down Cassandra's cheek, her voice sickly sweet. "Poor little pup. You don't belong here anymore."

Rage surges through me.

I slap her hand away so hard she stumbles. "Touch her again, and I will kill you." I snap.

Alicia just smirks.

"You were never worthy of him," she whispers.

I grit my teeth. One day, I will make her pay for this.

But not today.

Today, I walked away lost in the Darkness.

The rain pours as I stumble through the forest, Cassandra clinging to me.

She's stopped crying, but she won't let go.

I kiss her hair, murmuring, "We'll be okay, baby. I promise."

Though, that is a lie.

Because I don't know where to go.

As I plod through the cold in the woods, I started reminiscing back to six years ago.

My Mom was dead. My Dad wanted me to marry one Mr. Lance, a very old businessman. It was all for money. To my Dad, I was an asset to be sold out.

On the day of my wedding to Lance, I ran away and met Alpha Kesler of the White Walkers Pack. We dated, and when he discovered my pregnancy, he thought he was responsible, so he married me.

However, I knew that the pregnancy belonged to Lance, the businessman, but I couldn't risk losing Kesler. I loved him, and to protect my love and happiness, I kept the secret.

It was difficult but I thought the secret would remain hidden, yet, somehow, Kesler has found out.

My legs shake with every step, my wounds bleeding freely. My body is breaking, but I refuse to stop. If I stop, I will break.

And I can't afford to break.

Not when I have Cassandra.

Lightning flashes, illuminating the dark woods. The wind howls, whispering threats in my ears.

Then I hear a voice loud and clear.

"Come with me, child."

Immediately, I freeze.

A shadow emerges from the trees. An old woman, cloaked in black, her silver eyes gleaming in the darkness.

Fear grips me. Who is she? What does she want?

But then I feel something else. Warmth. Familiarity.

I have no choice.

I clutch Cassandra closer and fall to my knees.

The old woman kneels beside me, placing a gentle hand on my shoulder.

"You are not meant to die here," she murmurs. "Your fate is far from over."

I want to fight. I want to run.

But I can't. I am tired of fighting. I want to give in. I want to have a taste of peace.

Darkness pulls me under, and for the first time in hours, I let go.