Sold Luna

Isabella's POV

As I made my way out of the Pack house, I headed straight to me and Theodore 's secret spot, just like the text has said. With each step I took inside the garden alcove my stomach bubbled with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.

As I stepped into the alcove, Theodore was on the other end with his back facing me, he wore only trousers. The soft glow of the moon over the garden made everything more beautiful.

I took off my coat and placed it on a bench before wrapping my arms around him from behind. His skin was warm, and he gently caressed my hands. He must have come here straight from his office, because he still had his hand gloves on.

"Theodore," I whispered, pressing my chest against his back.

He held my hands, and slowly turned around to face me. My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the stranger in front of me, with wide eyes.

"W-who are you?" I asked in a trembling voice and tried pushing the stranger away, but he wouldn't budge.

"Baby what do you mean?" He said, an unsettling glint in his eyes as he smiled. "It's me," he said, tightening his grip on my wrist and pulling me closer until our bodies were pressed against each other, and he wrapped his arms around my waist tightly.

"Let go of me!" I demanded, but my voice trembled revealing my fears.

"Why are you acting like you don't want this?" He said, and forcefully crashed his lips into mine.

"Stop! Please stop!' I begged, my voice muffled in his mouth.

My pleas fell on deaf ears as he continued to kiss me with a force that left me trembling. I couldn't even scream for help, he held my head in place, as he kissed me forcefully, not giving me room to breathe.

Tears streamed down my cheeks uncontrollably as I cursed this wolfless fate the goddess bestowed upon me.

Panic coursed through my veins, and with all the straight I could muster I kicked him hard in his groin.

"You bitch!" He cussed as he winced in pain. His hold on me loosened and I immediately grabbed my coat and ran out of there without looking back.

My vision was blurred by tears as I ran in the Packhouse, with only one destination in mind, MY ROOM. That's the only place I could actually feel safe.

"Luna Isabella," two omega's bowed as I ran past them.

Then I saw two guards, and I immediately ran towards them.

"A man in the garden alcove just assaulted me, i

you have to help me," I said, my voice coming out ragged, as I tried catching my breath.

Their expression shifted from confusion, to alarm.

"We'll look into it right away, Luna," they said in unison and immediately went to check it out, while I climbed the stairs.

"Isabella! You're back so soon?" Lilian said cheerfully from the other end of the stairs.

As I got to where she was I just passed like she wasn't even talking to me.

"Isabella, is everything okay?" She asked, her voice laced with worry.

I pushed open my room door and headed straight to the bathroom, and collapsed into the bathtub, as a fresh round of sobs tore through my throat.

"Disgusting, so disgusting," I muttered in tears as I ripped off the lingerie from my body, the fabric feeling like a second skin of shame and violation. "How could I let this happen?" I whispered to the air, as I scrubbed every part of my body vigorously, till my skin turned red and raw.

"Why didn't I just listen to my instincts?" I sobbed uncontrollably, and scrubbed my body even harder. "Why didn't I fight harder? I'm so weak, so useless," I cussed.

I've never felt so disgusted at myself as I feel right now.The thought of another man's hands on me, his lips forced against mine, made my stomach churn with disgust, and my skin crawl.

"Isabella?" Lilian's voice came softly from the other end. "Are you okay?"

"Go away!" I screamed, my tears streaming uncontrollably down my cheeks.

"Bella," she called out softly again. "Did Theodore do something? What happened?"

"Just leave me alone!" I screamed again, feeling the walls close in around me.

"I'm sorry Bella, I can't do that," she said gently, but I barely registered her voice. "I'm coming in."

Lilian made her way inside, and crouched down beside the tub.

"Don't touch me!" I snapped, as she was about to touch my arm. Any touch that isn't mine or Theodore 's right now reminded me of what happened at the garden alcove.

"Okay, I won't," Lilian said, raising her hand in mock surrender. "But just know I'm always here for you," she said soothingly.

My lips parted but no words came out and all I could do was bury my face in-between my knees and sob uncontrollably.

After what felt like an eternity of crying which left me drained and empty, I stood up from the bathtub.

"Here," Lilian handed me a towel.

"Thank you," I muttered, my voice barely audible as I dried myself.

"Do you want to talk about what happened?" Lilian asked softly as we both stepped out of the bathroom.

I shook my head. "No, not right now," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Alright, just know I'm here whenever you're ready to talk about what happened," she said, her voice filled with hurt that I didn't want to share what's bothering me with her.

But how could I, I can't just bring myself to do it. What my body and soul needs right now is to talk to Theodore , and nobody else.

"Goodnight, Bella," Lilian muttered, and walked out of my room.

As soon as Lilian was out of sight, I slowly walked over to my bed, took out my phone from the side table, sank into the bed, and with trembling hands, I dialed Theodore 's number.

My heart raced as the phone began to ring. My mind raced with different thoughts, what would I say? How would I say it? What's going to happen?

Every single time the phone went unanswered, my heart pounded in my chest, twice as hard as the last. After five unanswered calls, I decided to call his office number, the same one he sent me the text with. A chill ran down my spine, as memories of what happened came crashing down on me, but now wasn't the time for all that, I needed to get to Theodore by any means necessary.

"Please pick up," I muttered, clutching the phone so tightly that my knuckles turned white.I feared I might crush it with how tight my grip was.

Just like the other number, it rang with no one answering it.

Should I go to his office? I thought to myself. But I quickly pushed that thought to the back of my mind. What if that strange man was still out there, the guards are yet to give me feedback, and that only means he hasn't been found. A cold chill ran down my spine. I can't believe I'm feeling unsafe, in the place I'm supposed to feel safest.

"Please Theodore , just pick up the phone," I said in a trembling voice, fresh tears rolled down my cheeks, as I dialed the number again, and still no response. "I need you right now."

Isabella's POV

"Luna Isabella!" I was stirred awake by the sound of my name, and an incessant knocking

Groggy and disoriented, I sat up in bed. I realized it was already morning, and Theodore 's side of the bed was cold, which means he didn't come home last night.

"Luna Isabella!" The voice called out again, this time with banging.

"Coming!' I said half asleep in response, yawning and stretching my stiff body.

The continuous knocking-banging didn't even allow me to think straight for a second, so I just dragged my feet to the door, and swung it open.

"What the–"

"Luna Isabella," an omega cut me off, worry etched on her face. "It's the Alpha, he's ...." She trailed off.

My heart skipped a beat. "What happened to the Alpha?" I asked, dreading her response.

"You need to come with me, please," she said urgently, and grabbed my hand. "Something happened to the Alpha."

Without a second thought I followed the omega. My mind was racing with different thoughts, as I thought of what could have possibly happened to Theodore for me to be called upon. The thought of that strange man from yesterday attacking Theodore crossed my mind.

"No, that can't be," I muttered, tears brimming in my eyes. "Oh, goddess, please, nothing should happen to Theodore ."

The omega increased her Pace and I was finding it difficult to keep up with her. She took a left turn, and I followed, but when I rounded the corner, she was nowhere to be found.

Panic surged through me as I took in my surroundings and realized I was back at the garden alcove. Could that strange man from yesterday be behind this? But I know that omega, her name is Aria, she's been working in the Packhouse for a very long time. Nothing was making sense anymore, if that strange man was behind this, how is Aria involved?

I turned around to leave with a light flickered on from behind me. Turning around to see what it was, I realized it was a projector, and an image of me smiling happily on it.

Confused, I saw that another image showed me sleeping on someone's lap–Theodore 's lap. I looked around but didn't see anyone, instead different images of me being carefree and also that of Theodore and I were being shown one after another, moments of the happy times Theodore and I shared. My eyes brimmed with tears as I watched.

'Happy Birthday, Sunshine,' a huge text displayed, and I couldn't hold back the tears anymore. There was only one person in the whole world that called me sunshine, and that was Theodore . I can't believe I even forgot today was my birthday, the past week has been so overwhelming with my worrying over Theodore that I had lost track of time.

"Happy Birthday, my Sunshine," Theodore 's voice came from behind me, snapping me out of my train of thoughts.

I turned to see Theodore walking towards me, a wide smile plastered on his face and a bouquet in his hand. He looked incredibly handsome in his well tailored suit, his eyes glistening with warmth.

"Theodore ," I breathed, fresh tears streaming down my cheeks. "I–"

"Shhhh," Theodore shushed me, as he wrapped his arms around me tightly, and kissed my forehead.

"I was so worried about you," I sobbed in his chest.

"I'm sorry for making you worry," he apologized, running his hands through my head, and planting a kiss on my forehead. "I didn't mean to," he said, looking deeply into my eyes, and in all the years I've known him he has never looked so sincere.

"Happy Birthday, Luna Isabella," a voice said from behind. I looked and saw the council members walking in, as they all wished me a happy birthday one after another, followed by a few Pack members.

"Thank you," I muttered, with a smile on my lips. "Gosh, I look so terrible," I complained softly to Theodore , my hair was messy, and I was still putting on my Pajamas.

"You've never looked more beautiful," Theodore said, flashing me a smile as he tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.

Still wrapped in Theodore 's arms, he turned to face everyone.

"Arabell, is not just my Luna, she was chosen for me by the goddess, and the goddess never makes mistakes," he said, and planted a kiss on my forehead. "Her presence, is the sunshine my life desperately needs, and I'm putting it out here to all of you, to make it clear, that I won't take an arranged mate," he paused, and looked over at everyone, while I stayed in his arms swelling with pride and blushing uncontrollably. "I love Isabella with my life, and whether the goddess blesses us with kids or not, I'll still choose here over and over again."

Tears welled up in my eyes at Theodore 's words, and I snuggled into his arms further. I can't believe I was doubting his love for me these past few days, when all he's ever done was love me endlessly.

"No one should dare disrespect my Luna ever again," he warned, and from the look on everyone's faces I could tell he used his Alpha command.

"Yes, Alpha Theodore ," they murmured in unison.

"Happy birthday, Isabella," Lilian's cheerful voice came next as she strode into the garden alcove. "What a coincidence," she said, as she saw the projector on. "I also have a similar birthday present for you."

"You didn't really have to," I told her, still wrapped in Theodore 's hands, as he peppered my forehead and cheeks with kisses.

"Of course I do," she said dismissively with a wave of hand.

Lilian signaled to a man whom I guess was in charge of the projection. Just like Theodore 's, it showed images of us having a good time and just being goofy. I smiled, my heart warming with pride, but that feeling soon turned to unease.

Right there on the projection, was an image of me in the garden taking my coat off. My heart skipped a bit as I recognized the coat as well as the red lingerie. I glanced over at Lilian who had a smile plastered on her face as she gestured for me to keep on watching.

"What's wrong?" Theodore asked, having noticed my discomfort.

I shook my head, unable to find the words to respond.

My heart sank, as the next image that popped up was that of me hugging the strange man at the garden from behind. It sunk even further at the next image, which was that of the man kissing me, the image was so compromising that if I wasn't the victim I would have believed this was consensual.

"Bella, what's going on here?" Theodore asked softly, despite the whispering of everyone around us.

"I–" I couldn't bring myself to say anything, as the hurt in his eyes tore my heart to shreds, and tears flowed down my cheeks.

"Let me explain," Lilian said gingerly. "Isabella here, is cheating on you."

"W–what?" I stuttered, as I stared at Lilian with wide eyes. "That's not true, why would you say that?"

Lilian scoffed, and looked at Theodore . "Theodore , you know I love you, and always want to see you happy," she said. "So, believe me when I say this mate if yours..." she pointed at me, eyeing me in the process. "She's a cheap slut, and it has been going on for months."

"What? Lilian what are you saying? Why are you doing this?" I asked, beyond shock at the words coming out of her mouth.

"Everyone needs to see the real you, most especially Theodore ," she said, with so much venom in her voice.

"Theodore , I'd never cheat on you," I turned to face Theodore , whose eyes held so much hurt more than I've ever seen in anyone's eyes. "Please, Theodore , you know how much I love you."

"Love?" Lilian scoffed. "Look at the images, Isabella. Is this your idea of love?"

"This is just a misunderstanding," I explained. "I got a text from you yesterday, and–"

"What text?" Theodore said, his voice void of any form of emotions.

"The text asking me to come to our secret spot, and–" I paused, as I realized how stupid I sounded. Looking over at Lilian I could tell this was all her doing, but to what end? I've loved Lilian like a sister, and I've always believed she saw me as a sister too, so what changed?

"I never sent you any text, I hardly had time for my phone," Theodore 's voice snapped me back to reality.

I sighed, and tears rolled down my cheeks uncontrollably, as I stared at Lilian who was indifferent.

"Tell me, Isabella, what text?" Theodore asked again, and I could see how hard he's trying to believe anything I'd say right now if I just prove it.

"It's on my phone, and–"

"Can you be any shameless," Lilian cut me off. "You're just making up lies–,"

"Shut up, Lilian," Theodore growled slowly, his wolf flashing in his eyes. "I'm talking to my wife."

"The text is on my phone," I mumbled. "Let me go get it–"

"No need, Beta Roderick would get it," he said, and signaled Beta Roderick. "No one should make any comment, until this issue has been resolved," he ordered, and all forms of whispering ended.

After what felt like the longest three minutes of my life, Beta Roderick showed up, and handed my phone to me.

Quickly, I went to my messages, as I knew even a single second of delay was extremely dangerous now.

"Where's the text?" Theodore asked icily.

"I–it's not...." I trailed off, as fresh tears rolled down my cheeks.

Theodore snatched the phone from me, and went through it.

"Where's the text, Isabella?" He growled lowly.

"I can't find it," I mumbled. "But, believe me Theodore , it was there, it just–"

"I loved you, Isabella," Theodore said, his voice filled with so much hurt which only broke my heart further. "Was my love not enough?"

"Theodore , please," I pleaded in-between tears. "You know me–"

"I thought I did," Theodore said quietly, and began walking away. Each step he took, tore me apart piece by piece.

"Theodore –" I called out to him, my voice trembling.

Theodore stopped, then turned around.

"Lock her up, Roderick," he instructed.

Isabella's POV

"We're gathered here today to bear witness to the trial of Isabella Leonidas," Elder Stefan's voice rang through the general Pack hall. "Luna..," He paused, and glared at me with open contempt. "...ex Luna of Blackpearl Pack, on the grounds of Adultery," he continued, and looked over at the Pack members who were all seated in the general Pack hall, their eyes filled with loathing as they awaited my judgment. "How do you plead, Isabella?" He asked, in a cold and unforgiving voice.

"Not guilty," I replied in a steady voice.

Murmurs and whispers of disdain filled the hall. I could already feel their hateful gaze bore into me. I forced myself to ignore their hateful gaze, and instead looked around, until my eyes landed on the one person I was looking for, My Father. His eyes were filled with the same disdain they've always held for me, for as long as I could remember.

Elder Stefan scoffed. "Alright then. We'll start by hearing the witnesses' testimonies, and all supporting documents," he announced. "After that, the Pack's council would decide your verdict," he looked over at me, and I could tell all this was just for formality sake and my fate had already been sealed. "May the first witness please step forward."

To my surprise, Lilian, Theodore 's sister, came forward.

"Tell us your name and relationship with the accused," Elder Stefan told her.

Lilian sighed, before glancing at me for a few seconds.

"I'm Lilian Sterling, and the accused is my sister-in- law," she said.

"Do you, Lilian Sterling, swear by the goddess to tell the truth and nothing but the truth in this trial?" Elder Stefan asked.

"I do," Lilian answered, with a slight nod.

"Very well, tell the Pack members all you know,' Elder Stefan urged.

Lilian sighed. "A few days ago, I noticed Luna... Isabella was so engrossed in her phone,it was obvious she just got a text message," she began.

"I was curious, because the glint in her couldn't go unnoticed, so I asked her who the text was from, but she wouldn't tell me and instead dismissed my questions, and excused herself."

"That's a lie!" I yelled in my defense. I knew my fate was sealed, so the least I could do for myself right now was to defend myself with everything I've got.

"That's enough, Isabella!" Elder Stefan warned. "You'll be given a chance to defend yourself."

"Tell them the truth Lilian," I continued, ignoring Elder Stefan's words. "You told me the text was from your brother, after you grabbed my phone. Tell–"

Whoops! A whip landed on my bareback, silencing me instantly as I winced in pain.

"That's just a warning, the next one would hurt more than that," Elder Stefan threatened.

"No one should dare whip her again!" Theodore growled, this was the first time he spoke since the trial began.

I smiled in between tears at him, a glimmer of hope, that he'll trust me and believe in our bond.

"We'll need her free of all forms of bruises, he likes his women squeaky clean."

Theodore 's next words left me confused. What was he talking about?

"Go on, Lilian," Elder Stefan's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

"I had a gut feeling that something was up, so I secretly trailed her."

"That's the only truthful thing you've said today," I mocked.

"Despite following her, part of me was hopeful, hopeful that it's not what I'm thinking, but.." Lilian broke down in tears, garnering sympathy from everyone while I was sneered at.

"It's okay, Lilian, thank you for being truthful," Elder Stefan said comfortingly. "The evidence shall speak for themselves."

Elder Stefan signaled to a guard and a projector was turned on. Just like yesterday at my surprise birthday party, images of me hugging the stranger from yesterday popped up.

The Pack members gasped in disbelief. If this was an entirely different scenario, I'd have believed what was on the screen, but I knew better. As the rest of the images showing the stranger kissing me, the sneers from the Pack members increased.

"I can't believe she's a slut," a Pack member said out loud. "Beware of the quiet ones," he added and the rest of them nodded in agreement.

"Are you guys blind or what?!" I snapped. "Can't you he's forcing himself on me?!"

"But that's not what the picture says, you clearly hugged him from behind–"

"That's because I thought he was my husband!" I said in my defense.

"But an omega saw you, and–"

"What omega?"

"Clara, please come to the podium," Elder Stefan called out.

A petite young girl probably seventeen or eighteen years at most stepped forward. I recognized her, she was the omega I bumped into while fleeing from the strange man.

"Tell us what you saw," Elder Stefan urged her.

Clara glanced at me, and immediately averted her gaze.

"Don't worry, she can't hurt you," Elder Stefan assured her, like I was some monster that eats people's flesh.

"Luna Isabella, is indeed cheating on the Alpha," she began, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's been going on for weeks, but I couldn't do anything, because I was just a mere omega, it would be my words against her's."

"What rubbish are you spewing?!" I barked. "You saw how disoriented I was yesterday when I bumped into you, and that was because I was fleeing from my abuser!"

"Is this true?" Elder Stefan asked her.

"Yes," she affirmed, and I could finally breathe. "But that was because she was fleeing because I caught her."

"W–what?!" I screamed in disbelief.

"Did you see the man's face?" He probed further.

"Yes, it was Ethan, her personal guard.

"W--What?! Ethan is gay!"

"That's a lie!" Clara retorted. "Ethan is my mate, and you–" she burst out in tears.

"Thank you, Clara, for being so brave," Elder Stefan comforted her. "We found this in Ethan's room," Elder Stefan raised a neatly folded paper up.

It was a suicide note supposedly from Ethan, being sorry for having an affair with me.

I parted my lips but no words came out, only uncontrollable tears. I can't believe Lilian would go as far as killing someone just to get me out of her brother's life.

"Isabella Leonidas, you've been found guilty of committing Adultery, and it is a great crime not just against your bond, but against the Alpha," Elder Stefan stated, before stepping aside for Theodore .

"Theodore please believe me," I said in a voice choked with tears. "I'd never cheat on you, Ethan was murdered–"

"Now she's trying to protect her lover's image," a pack member sneered from the crowd. If this wasn't an official hearing, I'm sure as hell that I'll be stoned with spoiled fruits and vegetables as well as some rotten eggs.

"Bring the Codex," Theodore instructed.

"No!" I half screamed. "Not that please, I just need time, Theodore , I can prove this is a set-up," I pleaded.

The Codex was an ancient mate bond breaking item. Unlike most rejection where both parties say the rejection words, with the Codex, the words are said with a drop of both party's blood inside the Codex, making the rejection eternal, they can never be mates even if they reincarnated.

The Codex was brought by Lilian, even though she kept a sympathetic face on, I could see the smirk tugging at the corners of her lips.

"Hold her," Theodore instructed coldly. As two guards held me, I lost my will to fight. Not because I was indeed guilty, but I was weakened at the fact that the one person who's supposed to trust me in all of this, is the very same person condemning me.

Theodore pricked his thumb, and a drop of his blood went into the Codex. My thumb was pricked also, and a drop went inside the Codex.

I looked over at Theodore one last time with tear filled eyes. "I'm innocent," I whispered. "Why don't you believe me?"

"I, Theodore Sterling, Alpha of Blackpearl Pack, and Mate to Isabella Leonidas...," Theodore began, ignoring my pleas. "...do thereby break the mate bond between Isabella Leonidas and myself, for all eternity, and for as many lives the goddess wishes to bestow on us."

I slumped to the floor as the guards let go of me.

"You're so brave, Alpha Theodore ," Elder Stefan said, as Theodore staggered backwards as the bond was broken. "Long live Alpha Theodore !"

"Long live Alpha Theodore !" The pack members chanted in unison.

Theodore raised his hand in solidarity, and they chanted louder.

"Isabella Leonidas," Theodore called out to me, and he has never felt so distant like he did right now. Maybe it's because we were no longer mates. "According to the Pack laws, your punishment for Adultery is death."

The Pack members nodded in agreement, not even one of them had an ounce of pity towards me.

"But.." he paused, and stared at me for a few seconds. "... for the sake of what we shared, I'd let you keep your life."

The Pack members began murmuring in disagreement.

"Silence! The Alpha isn't done talking!" Elder Stefan ordered.

"You'll be married off, to the Lycan King of Ravenclaw Pack."