Chapter 3 Thorns Of Betrayal

Alaina

"I don't even understand what's going on anymore!"

They'd dragged me into the council chamber like a criminal, voices crashing over each other in a frenzy, until the Alpha's sharp, commanding stare silenced the chaos.

I stood frozen. My heart pounded as I shook my head slowly. "I–I didn't..."

"I can feel the questions in your eyes," Cole Thornton cut in, his voice flat and cold. I looked around, trying to catch my breath, but it was like the air had been sucked from the room.

"What is this?" I asked, eyes darting across the sea of faces. "What exactly is happening here?"

"Did Luna commit some unforgivable sin after last night's events?"

Recce and Nicolas stood behind Cole, their silence more cutting than any words. They didn't look at me. Not even once. I'd counted on them as my allies, my friends, but they stared straight ahead, pretending I wasn't even there.

"Alaina is responsible for Freya's miscarriage," Cole announced, his voice slicing through the stunned silence. Whispers ignited like wildfire. "Her actions," he continued, "are nothing short of disgraceful. She's committed the gravest offense against the Moonridge Pack."

"You don't get to accuse me without proof!" I snapped, rising to my feet, voice quivering but firm. "I would never hurt Freya, she was my best friend! Even after everything she's done to me."

He gave a bitter laugh. "Everyone knows you can't bear children, and it eats you alive. You're jealous that I'm trying to secure our legacy with someone who can. I need a Luna who strengthens this pack, not weakens it," he said, his face hardening, eyes gleaming with a red fury.

Gasps rose from the crowd. All eyes turned on me, accusatory, judgmental, void of compassion.

I clenched my jaw, forcing back the tears that burned in my eyes. My wolf, Edith, whimpered inside me, her pain echoing my own. But I wouldn't let them break me. Not like this.

"Say whatever you want about me," I said, voice trembling. "But don't twist this into something it's not. I could never harm someone I once loved like a sister, no matter how much she's wronged me."

"You'll never convince them otherwise," Cole growled, stepping closer, venom in his eyes. "You're a jealous, barren Luna. And now, everyone sees it."

I couldn't speak. My mouth opened, but no words came.

Then...

Freya walked in.

My heart nearly leapt from my chest.

"Freya!" I called, desperate. "You know this isn't true. You know I didn't do this!"

"Stop!" she snapped, tears streaking her face. "I'm tired of your pity act, Alaina. I didn't ask for this! It's not my fault I can give Cole what you never could."

I stumbled back, her words hitting like a slap.

"How could you do this to me?" she cried, her hand hovering protectively over her stomach. "I lost something so precious..."

"No," I breathed, shaking my head. "I didn't"

"You did," she said flatly, her eyes cold despite the tears.

The murmurs around us grew louder.

"I can't believe Luna would go that far. Just because she can't have children?"

"Maybe she brought it on herself. Still... poisoning someone? That's extreme."

"I don't believe it. Alaina's always been kind. This doesn't make sense."

Their words twisted around me like thorns. My chest tightened, my hands shook.

I turned to Cole, staring him down. "What now? Are you going to punish me for something I didn't do? For what, your pride?"

He stepped forward, grabbing my face roughly.

"I'll make you pay for robbing me of my future," he hissed. "How pathetic can you be?"

"Alpha!" Recce rushed over, pulling him away.

But the damage was done. My eyes burned, and I stood there, humiliated, trembling as the crowd watched in stunned silence.

Freya sobbed beside him.

"She's crying after betraying her closest friend. Unbelievable."

"I still think Alaina's innocent."

"I know someone who saw what happened!" Freya shouted suddenly, drawing attention. "Someone who saw her give me that tea. After I drank it... the pain started, and I lost my baby."

Cole stepped beside her and gently took her hand. I flinched. That gesture, so small ripped something open inside me.

"I know what I saw," Freya continued, voice breaking. "I just... I can't believe she did this..."

A bitter laugh escaped my lips. "You're a performer, Freya. Always have been. But this? This is a new low."

"Then let the witness speak," Cole demanded.

"I already did," she whispered, stepping aside.

And then I saw her.

Grace.

No.

Not her.

My pulse spiked so hard it hurt. I blinked, hoping it was a hallucination. It had to be.

"Grace?" I whispered, my voice cracking. "What are you doing?"

She didn't smile. Didn't blink. Just stood there, eyes wide with guilt.

"Alaina told me to drug Freya's tea," she said, voice shaking. "I didn't want to. But she was the only one who treated me with any dignity here, and... she threatened me."

She pointed at me like I was nothing.

The breath rushed from my lungs.

I stared at her, numb, the tears coming fast and hot.

How could you? I begged silently. But her eyes wouldn't meet mine.

"I can't believe this," I whispered.

And just like that, everything shattered.