Chapter 5 Tossed To The Wolves

The crowd outside the Luna Court Hall buzzed with whispers and judgment. It wasn't a celebration today. It was purifying, that is what they dubbed it.

Sienna was standing at the side entrance, and her shoulders were shaking in that thin gray dress which showed itself on her like a kind of disgrace. She was sleepy-eyed and her lips were parched, and her feet were bare on the waxed floor.

A guard behind her nudged her forward. "Move, disgrace."

She lost her footing, and fell forward, collapsing but caught herself up just in time. Within the hall, Alphas, Betas, she-wolves of stature, were in their places, ranging in rows. They turned to look as the doors opened and Sienna entered.

Gasps filled the room. Some people looked away. Others didn't bother hiding their smirks.

"She's the one who tried to steal the Alpha," someone whispered.

"Look at her. Doesn't even look like a wolf anymore."

Sienna flushed. She closed her eyes, and wished she might: or that the earth might open, and sink her down among its rocks.

On the opposite side of the hall, in his ceremonial chair, sat Alpha Ryder, dignified in his black with silver embroidery. His wife, Renna, was beside him in white. Her lips curled in victory.

The elder council sat behind them, watching. Judging.

"Bring her forward," one of them said.

Two guards stepped up, dragging Sienna toward the center of the hall. She didn't resist. There was no point.

She was standing near the silver chandelier and she could be seen by everyone. Her gaze was on Ryder, seeking something, anything in his face.

However, he did not look at her. He wouldn't even meet her eyes.

"Let the Luna speak," the elder declared.

Ronnie advanced forthwith, a palm poised delicately over her chest. Her voice was shaking, it was false and sweet, but was loud enough for all to hear.

"I never wanted to do this. I only want peace in our pack. But I must speak the truth. This... girl has tried to come between me and my mate. She used her scent, her body, to tempt him before our bonding. She knew he belonged to me, and still-"

"That's not true!" Sienna shouted, her voice cracking.

But the gasps drowned her out. One elder banged a staff to the floor.

"Silence, girl!"

Renna's eyes shimmered with crocodile tears. "I begged her to stop. I warned her. But she wouldn't listen. And now, the pack is divided, ashamed. I ask only for justice."

From the back, a few she-wolves began to clap.

Ryder still didn't speak.

Then Zane stood up. "I confirm her story," he said coldly. "This girl has brought nothing but shame since the day she entered our territory."

Sienna felt her knees go weak. The room swam around her. She turned, slowly, to look at Ryder again.

Please, say something. Defend me. But Ryder's eyes were cold. Distant. His hands clenched on the armrests, but his lips stayed shut.

The elder council whispered among themselves.

"She's already been rejected," one said.

"Her wolf hasn't returned. She's unstable."

"She should be cast out," another muttered.

Renna stepped forward again. "No," she said sweetly. "Let her stay. Let her live under my roof... as a servant. Let her remember what she tried to take from me."

A twisted kind of silence fell over the room. One elder raised an eyebrow.

"You're willing to let her serve in your home?"

Renna smiled. "The sign of a good Luna is to forgive."

The words were unbelievable to Sienna.

One guard yelled, "on your knees."

She made no movement. The very next one, a boot smashed her on the hind leg and she went down. Her palms hit the marble floor. Her head bowed low.

And still, Ryder said nothing.

The council agreed to the punishment. She would remain in the Alpha's mansion not as a guest, not as a warrior but as a maid.

A servant to the very couple who had broken her.

---

But that same night in the servant quarters there was no ceasing of the whispers.

"Do you believe that she made a serious attempt to sleep with him?"

"Of course. That's what rogues do."

"Don't look her in the eye. Might curse you."

Someone tossed a pile of laundry onto her lap. "Make sure you scrub the Luna's underthings well," a she-wolf sneered. "She wouldn't want any of your scent lingering on them."

Sienna said nothing. Her hands shook. She attempted but she could not fold the clothes neatly because her fingers were weak.

Her cheek was slapped, smack! "You're too slow," the same maid hissed. "You're lucky the Luna even lets you breathe."

Sienna held her face and stayed still. She wouldn't cry. Not tonight and definitely not again.

---

She turned a corner later, as she was going up with towels to the private chamber of Ryder above, and stood motionless.

At the other end of the hall was Ryder, shirtless. Just coming back from running with dark hair wet that curls at his temples. His chest glistening with perspiration.

He saw her. They both froze.

For a moment, the hallway felt too narrow. Too hot. She turned to walk away, but his voice stopped her.

"Sienna."

Her name in his voice still made her knees tremble. She turned slowly.

He stepped closer. "You hate me now?" he asked quietly.

She didn't answer.

He was now only some inches away. He held his hand out, and wiped a lock of hair off hers. She did not move.

"I told myself I had no choice," he whispered. "But maybe I did."

Her breath caught in her throat. His fingers lingered at her jawline.

For one second, just one, she thought he might kiss her. She leaned in, barely. Then he dropped his hand and stepped back.

"You should hate me," he said. "It'll make it easier."

And then he walked away, leaving her standing alone, holding towels that suddenly felt too heavy.

---

The next morning, Renna summoned all the servants to the main hall.

Sienna arrived last, still wearing the gray uniform, her head low.

Renna stood in front of everyone, holding her Luna ring in her palm.

"This," she said, "is a symbol of my title. My power. My place beside the Alpha."

She dropped it on the floor. It landed with a soft clink.

Renna smiled. "Sienna, be useful. Fetch it for me."

Sienna didn't move.

Renna's voice turned sharp. "With your teeth."

Gasps echoed through the room. Sienna looked up, her lips parting.

"You heard me. On all fours. Like the little mutt you are."

The crowd waited. From the corner of her eye, Sienna saw Ryder walk in. Their eyes met.

"Please," she begged silently. "Please stop this."

He looked at her. Then he looked away. The silence broke her more than a thousand screams ever could.

Sienna's heart cracked again. But her legs moved. She sank to her knees and crept on. And with an instant of stinging her lips, she opened her mouth and bit on the ring, picking it up. The metal was cold and bitter.

She raised herself up with a laborious effort, and clenched her teeth. And in that breathing space, there was a voice in her saying, "You will not lie long."