Chapter 2
I had planned to inform the Lycan King the next day of my decision to break the mate bond.
But early in the morning, Jamir Graham stormed into my room with his warriors. Without a word, he ordered them to drag me out of bed. Before I could react, his hand struck my face with a resounding slap.
"Lea Price," he snarled, his voice cold and cutting. "I never thought you could be so vicious! If you have any grievances, direct them at me. What has Trinity ever done to deserve your cruelty? You’re not fit to be my Luna!"
The sting on my cheek burned, and my eyes welled with tears. I forgot all decorum and shouted back, "Jamir Graham, what have I done? How dare you lay a hand on me!"
He threw a silver necklace at me, the metal clinking against my skin. "Don’t play innocent! Last night, wasn’t it you who sent someone to Trinity’s room to tarnish her honor? If it weren’t for the warriors I assigned to protect her, she would have been ruined!"
"Do you know she almost ended her life because of you?"
I picked up the necklace, recognizing it as a piece from the Moonlight Pack. But such necklaces were common, and many in the pack owned similar ones.
"With just this necklace, you accuse me?" I said coldly. "I didn’t do it, and even if you bring this to the Lycan King, I won’t be afraid!"
Jamir laughed mockingly, his eyes blazing with anger. "Using the Lycan King to intimidate me? Lea Price, let’s see how long you can keep up this act."
He ordered his warriors to drag me to a dark, secluded cave. Inside, the walls were crawling with rats. The sight made my legs give way, and I collapsed to the ground.
Jamir seemed satisfied with my reaction. He grabbed my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. "Lea, it’s not too late to go and kneel before Trinity, apologize, and admit your wrongdoings."
My body trembled, but I clenched my teeth, refusing to beg.
Jamir sneered, "Don’t regret it," before ordering his warriors to shove me into the cave.
Within seconds, rats swarmed around me, tearing at my clothes. I could feel their tiny claws and teeth on my skin, and I screamed in terror.
"Jamir… I swear I didn’t send anyone to harm Trinity! Please, get me out of here!"
His voice echoed from outside, cold and mocking. "I told you, if you agree to kneel before Trinity and convince the Lycan King to let me mark her as my mate, I’ll let you out."
I bit my lip hard. I would never kneel to her for something I didn’t do.
Just then, a rat crawled up my shoulder, its teeth sinking into my ear. The pain was excruciating, and I screamed before everything went black.
The last thing I heard was Jamir’s voice, "She’s already passed out? What a pity Trinity isn’t here to see this. She would have loved it."
When I woke up, I was lying on the cold ground, shivering in my thin clothes.
"Princess, you’re awake," a familiar, grating voice reached my ears.
I turned my head to see Trinity Jensen sitting nearby, dressed in fine clothes.
"Why are you here?" I asked, my voice hoarse.
She smiled sweetly. "This is the Moonlight Pack’s territory. Where else would I be? The Alpha has already said that I’ll be the next Luna of this pack."
"Lea, no matter how noble your bloodline is, you’ll always be beneath me."
Her eyes gleamed with ambition and mockery.
I sneered back, "Maybe I won’t become Luna, but I know you’ll never be Luna either."
Her expression twisted for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure, laughing softly.
"Rather than being a neglected Luna, I’d rather be a beloved mate, even if it’s not official. Lea, Jamir’s heart belongs to me alone. No matter how high your status is, you’ll always live in his hatred."