His Captive, His Mate, His Queen

IOANA'S POV

"Ioana Redmoon," from afar, I could hear the melodious voice of the High Priestess calling my name.

It was the Full Moon Appreciation Night, a night to strengthen the mate bond, and I was late.

My sister had locked me up in the basement. Goddess knows how I managed to get out just for this.

For him, my mate, Ramon-the Alpha's son and my longtime secret crush.

I had waited for this day for years, dreaming of it.

My hands shook in jitters, cold and clammy with sweat, as I pushed through the crowd of people, rushing for the elevated platform.

But suddenly, it was silent.

Ghost-quiet. Eyes turned to me, trailing after me.

I hunched my back, subconsciously protecting myself from their stares-something I had grown used to.

My stomach dropped. Something was wrong.

My gut screamed at me, but I shook it off with a what could it be, pressing forward.

And that's when I saw it-the consequences of my stubbornness hitting me like a wild, galloping horse.

It was him.

My mate, pressing against the body of my sister.

The fingers I once held adoringly were now weaved between her locks,

his mouth on hers, with such passion it left me stunned as he pressed her flush against him-kissing her.

My heart dropped to my stomach. I froze. No, this can't be true. He wouldn't do this to me.

It must be a dream.

The formerly gentle night breeze, the moon's glow that once caressed me, turned icy and harsh.

"Oh, the disgrace is here." Those were his first words to me after noticing me, his brows furrowed deeply.

"It's revolting to pretend to like you, Omega," he spat, eyeing me with disgust.

"Did you ever think that I, Ramon, would settle for you? You're nothing but a wolfless Omega, unworthy of me."

"That's why I, Ramon Redmoon, reject you, Ioana of the Redmoon Pack. Now get out of here before you bring more shame to this ceremony. Your existence already taints it."

The crowd gasped at his words, his words a shock to them as much as they were to me.

I stood frozen on the spot. I was rejected by my mate just like that.

For what? Was it because I wasn't good enough? I wanted to scream.

Maybe I offended him.

I shook my head. There hadn't been a rejection in Redmoon Pack for decades, almost becoming a myth-but I broke that.

I groaned, gripping my heart.

The knife-stabbing pain assaulted me, like my heart itself was being peeled. It told me it wasn't my illusion.

But despite the blinding pain that coursed through my body, chatters erupted around me, news spreading.

I could feel it-the dagger-like stares digging into me, the glances of contempt and disdain.

Words poured in, slicing my skin and digging into my wounds.

"The goddess must be covering her face in shame."

"Who does she think she is?"

"I've always hated her anyway."

"Wants to become our Luna? She must be dreaming."

"Look at her. Fragile, powerless, and unworthy. She's not fit to stand beside the Alpha's son."

I curled my fingers, clenching them into fists. My nails dug into my palms, but they couldn't relieve a tenth of what I was feeling.

My head buried deeper and deeper. Not a single person stood up for me.

After everything I'd done. I'd been a slave to this pack my whole life.

Unwillingness lit within me. Fingers clenched. Towards everyone. Towards him.

Why? Why did he do this to me?

I thought he loved me! He said he would cherish me!

I clenched my teeth, grinding them, tears brimming. But I held them back.

I wouldn't shed a tear.

I didn't want him to see me with tears gushing down my red eyes, shoulders trembling, body quaking-devastated because of him.

That would only fuel his ego.

I straightened my back under the mountain-like stares of the crowd.

I thought I had the composure, but-

"Ramon, I don't think it's okay to do it like this. Look at her-she's shaking.

I'm sure if the trees rustle one more time, she'll faint. I told you this would break her.

She's my younger sister, and I've never wanted to hurt her..."

She placed her hands on her chest, gold tresses tumbling downwards, an image of compassion with sympathy overflowing as she gazed down at me.

"After all... she deserves the right to know the truth... of our love," she spoke, turning to my mate.

It stung my eyes harshly-the irony.

He smiled back at her, his eyes melting in ways they never did with me.

I should have expected it, but for some reason, despite everything she had done to me...

When I heard my sister's hypocritical voice, something in me snapped.

The shame, the humiliation.

The grief and betrayal surged, turning into a tsunami of unwillingness and resentment, swirling within me, violently slashing the walls of my heart.

It ached. Bled.

I let out a self-deprecating chuckle. So I turned out to be the clown, and everything was my illusion-it was never real.

But I didn't want to agree.

That. Everything. Was. A. Lie.

I staggered backward. My hand grabbed at my chest. I gasped, letting out wheezes.

My lungs tightened uncomfortably. The realization was shattering.

My view changed.

Everyone around me faded away into the inky darkness that crept toward me.

The ethereal full moon looking down at me turned sinister and ominous.

The trees stretched their twisted branches toward me.

Piercing chatters continued like a thousand buzzing bees, never leaving.

It was as if the whole world was against me.

I covered my ears, but it penetrated deeper, latching onto me.

Dragging me into its inky depths.

Desperation urged me forward, driving my motions.

I sank deeper, flailing my limbs, but it was inevitable.

Despite my struggles, it wrapped around me.

It's no use... no matter how hard I try...

I closed my eyes in despair, awaiting my fate.

Just when-

Then, suddenly, like a switch-

The world was bathed in red.

With a boom, it was like something shattered.

A rage that couldn't be explained in words clouded my reasoning.

Then, a voice-unfamiliar but intimate-rumbling with power that erupted goosebumps all over my body, spat:

"Scum."

IOANA'S POV

It was something I've never felt before; it was a pure blind tape that overpowered my reasoning.

I couldn't think.

No, I didn't want to.

Everyone faded away-the talks, the sneers, the pity-they had no effect on me now. My eyes zeroed on them.

The adulterous pair.

Who betrayed me.

I wanted them to pay!

Without thinking, a transformation happened; claws extended from my nails, sharp, gleaming dangerously under the moon.

They must pay!

With a guttural roar from my throat, deep and powerful, I kicked off the ground, launching at the two.

Their eyes widened in shock and horror-that look sent a thrill down my spine. The fear, I loved it.

I wanted them to feel more.

I channeled all the hurt, all the heart-wrenching betrayal that dug at my heart like a spoon digging into flesh, dull and sharp at the same time, pushing me to the edge.

Until I snapped.

I was at their faces, the ends of my claws almost greeting their skin.

But.

Their horrified faces changed swiftly; Gabrielle lifted the corners of her lips in a revolting smirk of contempt while Ramon raised his eyebrows at me, his eyes filled with disgust.

At that point, I didn't realize that something was wrong.

It wasn't until hands latched onto me, dragging me down from mid-air.

I crashed onto the ground, dust rising up, my vision obscured by the throngs of people that encircled me.

Legs and hands rained down on me, pain exploding each place it landed.

Crippling me, I curled up in a fetal position, desperately protecting delicate areas.

As I lay on the sand-covered ground, rays of the moon spilled from the gaps they made.

The moon never looked as distant as it did now, aloof as always.

Eventually, even that gap closed up, shutting it from me.

No matter how tightly my ears were covered, the curses hurled down at me slipped through, dirty slurs hacked at me like sharp blades slashing my flesh. I bled.

And when they finally dispersed at the call of their leader, the air pricked the wounds on my skin, patches of blue-black coloring my skin like splotches of a mischievous child on a canvas, mixing together forming purple.

Bursts of pain shot up my back, I swallowed a grunt at the casual kick someone had sent to my back like I was worthless trash on the ground.

Their laughter, sharp and piercing, rang in my mind.

"Who does she think she is?"

"An abomination like her."

"Someone like her isn't supposed to be born."

"Yes, she's a mistake."

"I'll admit she's bold, daring to attack the Alpha's son."

"What do you expect from an Omega?"

Gradually, their laughter faded along with the stares and their scorn, footsteps growing smaller.

Familiar red stilettos passed me.

I remained unresponsive; I knew that they fed off my pain, I wouldn't give them that pleasure.

Soon, the Full Moon Appreciation Ceremony ground was deserted without a single presence of a person.

I unfurled myself, to my knees, coughing and sputtering out the sand that got into my lips. Cleaning my lips with my arm, I struggled to my feet, barely standing.

I dragged myself away from this place, which had become the birthplace of my nightmares.

Trudging down the pathway, I groaned. I shouldn't have stayed-no, I shouldn't have come.

I cursed under my breath, taking a sharp breath-the pain in my ribs making it difficult. Every breath I took pierced into my lungs, they didn't even hold back. I winced, holding my sides, trying to bring relief that wasn't possible.

My muscles spasmed, causing me to stop, leaning my back by a tree, instinctively dropping my head, avoiding the scrutinizing gaze of the passerby. I have to move, go home and- I froze. And do what? The desolate cold environment flashed through my mind.

And do nothing... My shoulders sagged, but I pushed through. But the thoughts hovered in my head: what's the point of holding on? If I collapsed here, would...would anyone even care about me?

That was my question left unanswered as I stepped into path. Vibrant flowers by the side, decorating the cobblestone pathway.

Laughter reached my ears, chattering. My shoulders slumped in relief; it seems they are not aware of it yet.

That's good.

From afar, I could see it, the porch lights cast a golden glow on the floor, my parents stood next to an elderly man with white trimmed beards, flattering smiles on their lips.

But immediately I entered their views, the conversation halted, laughter died on their lips, eyes snapped towards me.

My mother awkwardly asked,

"You're back." She smiled, but it looked strained and oddly stiff; her words were followed by silence.

My mind wasn't on her but on the familiar bag, laying on the porch.

"We've packed your things." I'd hardly processed his words when he continued, "You should leave."

Leave? How? To where? Why?

Those words swirled in my mind; it didn't make sense. It was as if my comprehension had suddenly crashed.

The elderly man-an elder of the pack-cleared his throat, drawing my attention. My eyes were dazed.

Shattered by his next words, "Ioana Redmoon..." he began.

For some reason, my stomach dropped down to its pit; a sense of dread overcame me.

It was as if something bad was about to happen.

His voice, powerful, full of authority, rang through the night.

"For your disobedience, for your weakness and maliciousness, you are hereby exiled, banished from the pack."

"You are no longer part of us. You will no longer be remembered or spoken of."

The earth tilted, the sky darkened completely. What! My thoughts scattered, becoming fragmented.

The ground wobbled.

It hit me like a speeding train. At that moment, to me, it was as if the sky had cracked open and chaos descended.

Subconsciously, my eyes traced to my parents, but my father's eyes were like ice, cold and unfeeling, and my mother-she averted her gaze.

The parents I have always known... Just then, the door creaked open, a golden-haired girl came out.

"Mom, Dad, what's going on?" Her face the perfect blend of innocence and beauty.

The very same people who remained frigid and cold, their faces melted like candle wax exposed to heat.

"What are you doing outside, honey?" said my uncaring mother, pushing her back inside.

"Be careful of the cold," my indifferent father placed his arm over her shoulder, sharing warmth.

The icy wind blew, my bruises ached, my knees shook, teeth clattering.

Worn and battered, it was only by raw will I stood.

Their interaction was like a dagger to my heart.

And she knew it.

Her eyes locked onto mine, a smirk curled on her lips.

She fluttered her eyelashes, "Yes, Dad, I'll go in soon." tilting her head, she layed on his shoulder.

In that moment, locks of hair slipped off her shoulder, revealing a sight that shot at my already fragile heart, on the verge of shattering.

Tears welled up in my eyes, burning me.

I thought I was over it but apparently...

I wasn't.

IOANA'S POV

A glaring bright red mark on her neck was a trophy she displayed to me with smugness.

No, it can't be-maybe it's not him. I shook my head. My dizziness increased, and the world spun like a wheel out of control.

I had hardly recovered from the rejection.

My body ached and trembled every second I stood under the harsh lashes of the bitter icy wind penetrating my body, freezing me in place.

But no matter how much I wished this was a dream, how much I wanted to slap myself to wake up, everything around me was vivid-too real to be true.

The corners of my lips cracked, blood seeping out, stinging me.

It wasn't a dream.

I wanted to cry, but no tears came out.

The door behind Gabrielle creaked open once more, and he came out, painfully shattering whatever deceit I dunked myself into.

Ramon adjusted his collar, buttoning it up, but not before I saw the red scratch mark on his neck.

He gave me a cold look, like I was a stranger, like the numerous nights under the moon whispering to each other were false, like the butterfly kisses he placed on my lips never happened.

My stomach churned. At this moment, I never felt so alone-so out of place.

A clear division between us. Over there was the happy family-the respected Beta couple, my parents, the elders, my perfect sister, and my... their son-in-law.

But here I was, the outsider, shivering in the desolate cold. I let out a bitter chuckle.

'What was I expecting? It has been like this since forever. I was always the nuisance-the unwanted child.

The stain on their pristine prestige.'

And those words never struck me so closely like they did now.

My vision blurred, my heart tightened. It was as if something was lodged in my lungs-I couldn't breathe.

It was like the sky had fallen over my back, bending me under its weight.

But perhaps I was still stupidly hopeful. It flickered like a candle about to be snuffed out.

My gaze trailed over them one by one-people I once saw as my loved ones. Respected elders.

My sister. My mate.

Perhaps my mother would say something. Isn't it said a mother's love never fails?

'Please don't fail now.

Don't abandon me.'

With a silent plea in my eyes, I stared at her, but she silently averted her gaze away.

My father watched in silence, but his stance told me everything I needed to know.

My mate looked at me with disgust, as if I were a revolting bug he needed to be far away from.

Just then, a shrill voice spoke.

"Ioana, in fact, don't blame them. It's for your own good. If you stay here, it won't do you any good."

She stepped forward.

"Honey, don't-"

My mother stopped her. Gabrielle turned, flashing her a wide smile.

"It's okay. I don't believe my sister will hurt me. Right, sister?" She blinked.

It was only then Ramon moved. He shot me a glare, a warning.

"She displays some concerning rabid behavior. I'd be careful if I were you."

His words brought another round of stares my way, sharpening in vigilance.

My hand clutched my ribs, my breath becoming labored. I swallowed down the lump that had grown increasingly difficult.

'Is that what they think about me?'

It was more than disheartening. Each word chipped at my heart, making it more and more fragile each second.

She sauntered toward me. Immediately, she turned, her back to them. Her expression changed.

The contempt. The smugness.

It merged, transforming into something else-something darker.

She came closer to me, her perfume overpowering my nose.

Her freshly manicured hands gripped mine, her nails digging into my arm.

I gritted my teeth, swallowing the painful grunt that almost spilled out of my lips.

Meeting her eyes, her lips curled up, her coated maliciousness fully displayed.

She drew closer until I could feel her breath on my sensitive ear.

"Baby Ioana," she cooed, her words dripping with mockery and venom.

"Haven't I told you? What the Alpha needs is a strong wolf by his side, and unfortunately, my dear sister, that wolf isn't you."

She chuckled, withdrawing, her final words like poison.

"So pathetic."

I flinched.

"Ouch!" She recoiled sharply away from me.

"Gabrielle, what's that?"

"Are you okay?"

"What happened?"

The porch, which seemed like an insurmountable barrier, was crossed just like that.

But it reminded me of the painful truth-until my heart became numb.

Gabrielle held her arm to her chest.

"It's nothing."

But another mark was revealed-a bright red one.

Ramon asked, "What's that?"

Everyone's attention turned toward it.

"Is that..."

My mother snatched Gabrielle's hand, revealing it to the scrutiny of everyone.

"It looks like a pinch mark." The area around it was swollen, with beads of blood.

For the first time since I arrived, my father turned to me, bellowing.

"It's you! An evil girl! Did you pinch your sister?"

"I didn't!"

"I said it-she's not normal!"

"I-"

"Why did you go close to her? You know how she behaves!"

"It's not me!"

"We've had enough of you!"

"Take this!"

Something slammed into me-it was my bag.

"Get out of here!"

"How could you do that to your sister?"

All my words were swallowed by their accusations, raining down on me.

'I'm innocent.'

My silent plea drifted helplessly in the wind.

With nobody to listen.

No one wanted to listen to my words. As always.

I scoffed, but it sounded weak and feeble even to my own ears.

'What did I expect?'

"You've done enough!"

I should have known. I would never belong here.

"Get out of here! If she can do this to her own sister, what else isn't she capable of?"

"You made the right decision-a wise one to banish her, Elder."

Those were the words of my father.

I bent, my muscles creaking, screaming in protest.

But they all vigilantly stared at me, indifferent and uncaring of my state.

My mother shifted backward, protectively placing Gabrielle behind her.

But at this point, I was completely numb. Perhaps my heart had received so much shock that it couldn't take it anymore.

My fingers curled around the frayed, worn handles of my bag, slinging it over my shoulder with a grunt.

'I won't break.'

I choked on a sob.

'No. Not in front of them.'

I straightened my back, slowly exhaling shakily.

My fingers curled into fists, clenching them by my side.

My eyes dazed.

'Where would I go? How will I cope?'

But it didn't matter.

Anywhere would be better than here.

And like that, I staggered away into the dark.