Chapter 34 Chapter 34

Chapter 34 Chapter 34
Ashley
“Wanneka,” I said, my voice low but steady, even though my heart was starting to race. “What are you doing here?”
She scoffed, clearly amused by my question. “I was invited by your mad husband, of course. Like every other guest here.” Her eyes moved slowly over me, from my face down to my ruined dress. “You have cleaned up nicely. Looks like you were just waiting for the perfect chance to be thrown out of the pack before sinking your claws into him.”
Her lips curled in disgust. “You really took being his whore for one night to another level.”
My hands clenched at my sides. “Don’t talk to me like that,” I said, my voice firmer now. “You have no right to. Your son used me. Your family used me. He handed me over to the king like I meant nothing and threw me out of the pack.” My chest rose and fell with each breath. “You don’t get to stand here and judge me.”
“Wow,” she said, letting out a laugh. “She talks back now. What a miracle.”
Her expression darkened as she tilted her head slightly. “You have really grown bold. Must be because you are carrying a bastard and the king is too mad to care.” Her eyes sharpened. “So tell me… who got you pregnant? Because we both know it can’t be him.”
“That’s none of your business,” I replied, forcing the words out through my anger. “What do you want? Why are you here?”
Instead of answering, she stepped closer. Before I could react, her hand shot out and grabbed my wrist. Her grip was painfully tight, her nails digging into my skin.
“You listen to me, you filthy girl,” she said, her voice dropping into something cold and dangerous. “I could tear you apart right here, and no one would ever know it was me.”
Pain shot up my arm, but I didn’t cry out. Instead, I met her eyes.
“I need you to talk to the king about our pack,” she said, her voice sharp and demanding. She didn’t even wait for me to respond. “You told him you are from our pack, didn’t you?”
My lips parted, but no words came out before she continued. “I need you to tell him we need resources. You will  ask on our behalf. Tell him the war is affecting us, that we have lost people, that we’re struggling.” Her eyes bored into mine. “He will listen to you. He likes you enough to marry you, doesn’t he?”
My heart sank at her words. “He doesn’t even listen to me,” I started, my voice strained. “He doesn’t even know where I’m really from, I can’t—”
I didn’t get to finish, her hands shoved me hard against the counter. Pain shot through my back as it collided with the edge, and a gasp escaped my lips. “You slut,” she snapped, her voice rising with anger. “Do you want me to go to the king and tell him who you really are?”
My breath hitched.
“That your parents were traitors?” she continued, her grip tightening again. “That they worked with his brother to destroy him?”
My blood ran cold. “Do you know what he will do to you when he finds out whose daughter you are?” she yelled.
I shook my head quickly, fear rising like a tide inside me. I knew exactly what he would do. I had heard the stories. I have glimpses of that darkness in him already, I wouldn’t survive that.
“I will do it,” I said quickly, the words rushing out before I could think. Even though I had no idea how. Even though I had already lied to him once telling him I was from Black Ridge. How was I supposed to go back and build another lie on top of that?
But I had no choice. “You are going to do it tonight,” she said firmly. “We’re leaving with good news. We can’t afford to lose more people from the pack.”
Her hand finally released me. I stayed where I was for a second, my back aching, my wrist throbbing where she had grabbed me.
Even when I was no longer part of their pack, they still wanted to use me. Like I was nothing more than a tool they could pull in whatever direction suited them. And Gerald,  the great leader they all once praised,  suddenly his leadership didn’t look so strong when the pack was falling apart around him. Wanneka had already turned toward the door.
“Come on,” she said sharply. “We’re going to meet your mate right now.”
Before she reached it, there was a knock. She stopped immediately. Her eyes flicked to me. “Don’t try anything funny.”
She opened the door, Abel stood there. For a brief second, the air shifted. Wanneka gave him a quick, unreadable look, then stepped past him. Then she gave me a  threatening look  before she disappeared down the hallway.
The door clicked shut, Abel stepped inside, his eyes narrowing as they landed on me. “What’s going on?” he asked immediately. “Do you know her?”
I forced my expression to stay calm. “No, I don’t.” I moved to leave, but he stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
“I need to get back to the party,” I said, my patience already thin.
He didn’t move. Instead, his gaze sharpened. “There’s something wrong with you,” he said slowly. “I just haven’t figured it out yet.”
My chest tightened slightly, but I kept my face blank. “From the moment you arrived,” he continued, ticking it off like evidence in his mind, “to you going to see a witch… and now the king suddenly wanting to marry you—there’s something off.” His voice dropped.
“And when I find out what it is, I will kill you if you are here to harm the king or this kingdom.” 
I looked at him, steady.“I look forward to that day,” I said flatly. That seemed to catch him off guard for a split second. Because I was tired of being threatened. Tired of being spoken to like I was less than human. “ I am your Luna now,” I added, my voice firmer. “Watch how you speak to me. Or I will report you to the king myself.”
A faint smirk appeared on his face. “A luna in name only,” he said. “Just a figurehead. He will dispose of you when he’s done with you.”
His eyes flicked over me, dismissive. “A wolfless woman like you will never be accepted in this kingdom. Enjoy it while it lasts.”
Then he turned away like I wasn’t worth any more of his time. But before he left, he paused at the door. “The king is looking for you,” he said over his shoulder. “He sent me to get you.”
I didn’t respond, I  just followed him out.