Chapter 1 Episode 001

Chapter one

Selene's pov

My heart was beating so fast, I thought it might burst right out of my chest. This was the night I had been dreaming of for years - Nathan being named the new Alpha of Nightfall pack!

I smoothed my hands down the soft fabric of my dress, unable to stop fidgeting. The ceremonial hall was packed full of our packmates, drinking and laughing and cheering loudly. Anticipation crackled through the air like lightning.

Finally, Nathan strode up onto the stage, his muscular frame radiating power and confidence. A hushed silence fell as he raised one hand, then gestured for quiet with that signature smile that always made my insides melt.

"Thank you, my beloved Nightfallers," he called out in that rich, commanding tone. "I am humbled and honored to take on the mantle of your alpha."

The crowd exploded into roars of approval. I couldn't breathe from the pride swelling in my chest. This was my best friend since childhood, the male I had given up my own birthright to lead for. Because I knew he would make the perfect alpha.

I clasped my hands tightly, a giddy smile stretching my lips as Nathan waited for the commotion to die down again. This was it - he was about to announce me as his mate, his luna to rule by his side. My eyes stung with happy tears as he continued speaking.

"But no true alpha can rule alone," Nathan proclaimed, his voice carrying through the hushed hall. "The moon goddess has shown me the way, and granted me my fated mate to lead our pack into a glorious future."

Here it comes! I squeezed my eyes shut briefly as my stomach clenched with excitement. When I opened them, Nathan would be looking at me, that gorgeous face alight with pure love.

"A powerful she-wolf...Mia Fobos!"

The bottom dropped out of my world. The air punched from my lungs as if I'd been kicked in the gut. My head whipped around, dizzy confusion gripping me as I saw my supposed best friend rising with a triumphant smirk.

No...no this couldn't be happening! She sidled up to Nathan, nuzzling against him like she belonged plastered at his side. And the way he draped his arm around her waist, watching her with warmth in his eyes...

A strangled cry burst from my lips before I could stop it. I shoved out of my seat, tripping and stumbling down the aisle as my legs turned to rubber. Black spots swam in my vision, faces leering all around me.

"Nathan, how could you do this to me?" I cried out, anguish ripping through me as I finally reached the stage. "After I gave up my throne for you? You promised to make me your luna!"

The rumbling of Nathan's laughter was like a mocking dagger to my heart. He released Mia and started down the steps towards me, that infuriatingly arrogant sneer twisting his beautiful, chiseled features.

"My dear Selene," he purred in that velvet voice that used to make me weak in the knees. "This is what you deserve after your treachery."

"Treachery?" I could only gape at him, panic and confusion clouding my thoughts as mutters spread through the crowd. "What...what treachery? Nathan, you have to believe me, I would never betray you or our pack!"

I spun in a desperate circle, looking for any support or friendly face. But I found only hard eyes and disgusted frowns, even from my own family. Like I had committed some unforgivable crime.

"Please!" I begged, hot tears streaming down my cheeks as I clutched at Nathan. "You all know me! You know I'm not capable of whatever you think I've done!"

"Enough of your lies, you deceitful snake!"

Mia's shrill voice sliced through me like a whip crack. I recoiled as if struck, shrinking back from the look of pure malice blazing in her eyes.

"Don't bother denying it, Selene," she taunted, plush lips twisted into a cruel smirk. "I grew tired of your secrets long ago. Sneaking off to rut with those filthy rogue kings every night?"

I shook my head hard, choking on a sob. Shock and hurt were swiftly curdling into simmering anger and hatred towards this...this witch who had been my closest friend since birth.

"No! You know that's not true, Mia!" I wailed, fists clenching at my sides as burning humiliation flushed my skin. "I would never betray my pack, my alpha like that! How could you...?"

The rest of my words caught in my throat as Mia merely threw back her head and cackled, the sound raising goosebumps along my arms. My stomach churned queasily - how had I never seen this monstrous side of her before?

"Let's settle this farce, shall we?" she crowed, snatching up a glass of wine and sloshing some into a grimy goblet. "If our darling Selene is innocent, she'll be able to drink this and remain upright. If not..."

The cruel twist of her lips said it all. She held out the tainted cup, daring me to drink it with those glittering, heartless eyes. Part of me wanted to knock it aside, to attack her and wipe away that smug expression once and for all.

But a larger, wearier part of me knew this was likely my only chance to prove my innocence. I looked around at the hard, condemning stares of the pack I had grown up with, played with, trained with. These were people who had known me my whole life, and they had all turned on me in an instant because of Mia's vicious lies.

Dejected, defeated, I reached out with a trembling hand to take the goblet from Mia's grasp. If the goddess was truly on my side, she would protect me now.

I brought the glass to my lips, shooting one last beseeching look at Nathan over the rim. He stared back, cold and impassive in the face of my misery. With barely contained sobs racking my body, I swallowed the tainted wine in one burning gulp.

For a timeless moment, the world seemed to still. I held my breath, back rigid as I waited for the judgment of the moon goddess herself.

And then...a sickening lurch in my stomach preceded my legs crumpling beneath me. I crashed into the hard floor in a bone-jarring heap as the world spun and tilted violently.

Dimly, I heard the roars of vindicated approval and mocking laughter washing over me. My throat burned from the vile liquid I had just consumed.

But nowhere near as much as my shattered heart and broken soul.

I had loved Nathan from the moment I knew what love was. He had been my best friend, my soulmate, my everything. And he had just destroyed me.

As darkness crept in around the edges of my vision, the last thing I saw was the vicious glint of wicked glee in Mia's beady eyes as she stared down at my prone, defeated form.Nathan ordered the guards to take me to the pack dungeon.