Chapter 12 Chapter 12
ANNA’S POV
It’s been three days since Alpha Elijah betrayed me with my best friend.
Three long, empty days.
It’s also been three days since Damon, his hybrid brother, returned to the pack after years away—and three days since I stopped being able to sleep without seeing Elijah’s face in my dreams.
I had managed to avoid them both.
I didn’t want to see Elijah’s face, and I didn’t want to feel my heart twist again. It was better this way. I was still a maid, and they were royalty. I didn’t belong anywhere near them.
Every time I passed the hallway that led to Elijah’s chambers, I turned the other way. Every time I heard his voice, I hid behind the corner until he was gone.
I wasn’t ready to face him.
Not after what he did to me.
He said he loved me. He said he wanted me to be his Luna one day. But when the time came—when it mattered most—he chose Amanda, my best friend.
I tried not to cry when I thought about it.
But it hurt every single time.
He could have waited for me just a little longer.
I was going to be there. I would have told him everything—how much I loved him, and how much I wanted to stand beside him, even if it cost me everything.
But he didn’t wait.
And honestly, I couldn’t even blame Amanda. She didn’t know about me and Elijah. She didn’t know our secret relationship—the late-night kisses behind the rose garden. She didn’t know she was taking the only person I ever loved.
Still, knowing that she didn’t know about me and Elijah didn’t make it hurt any less.
I had spent all day hiding, hoping to avoid Amanda too. She was everywhere lately—smiling, glowing, excited for her Luna duties. And who wouldn’t be? She was now the Alpha’s chosen mate. Every maid was talking about how perfect she looked, how proud her father must be, and how the Goddess must have blessed her.
And me?
I was just trying to breathe without breaking down. I carried a basket of folded sheets down the hall, pretending to focus on my chores. But even as I walked, my mind wandered—to that night in Elijah’s arms.
"You’re mine, Anna."
I blinked fast, forcing the memory away before tears could fall.
“Anna!”
I froze.
That voice.
It was Amanda.
I quickly wiped my eyes and turned, forcing a smile. “Oh, Luna—”
She frowned. “Don’t call me that when we’re alone,” she said quickly, rushing toward me. “You’re my best friend, not some servant. I’ve missed you so much, Anna.”
The warmth in her eyes made my chest ache even more. How could she be so kind, so sweet, and still be the reason my heart felt like it was being crushed?
I smiled weakly. “Sorry. It’s just... hard to get used to. I still can’t believe you’re the Luna now. I’m so happy for you, Amanda.”
She laughed softly and looped her arm around mine like she always did. “You’ve been avoiding me lately, haven’t you?”
I swallowed hard. “No, I’ve just been busy. The palace is always a mess after a ceremony.”
Amanda tilted her head, studying my face carefully before replying. “You’re lying!”
Her voice was gentle but firm—the way it always was when she caught me hiding something. She knew me too well.
“I’m not—”
“You are.” She sighed and pouted. “Is it because I’ve been spending so much time with Elijah? Are you jealous?”
His name hit me like a knife, but I managed a shaky laugh. “No, of course not.”
“You sure?” she asked again. “You used to talk about him a lot, remember? You said he was kind to everyone, even the maids. I even thought you had a huge crush on him.”
My throat felt tight.
I forced another smile. “You’re happy, Amanda. That’s what matters. I’m glad to see you happy with him.”
Her smile softened. “You’re the sweetest person I know, Anna. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
If only she knew.
If only she knew that the same man she now slept beside was the one who once kissed me under the moonlight and promised me forever.
She squeezed my arm lightly as we walked. “You missed me, didn’t you?”
I chuckled. “Of course, I missed you, Amanda.”
We walked into the courtyard. The air was cool, and the scent of wildflowers filled the space. Amanda sat on the edge of the fountain, her dress flowing like silver as she smiled at me.
She looked beautiful.
Perfect, even.
And she didn’t even know how much she was breaking me. She suddenly leaned closer. “So… can I tell you something?”
I nodded, my fingers tightening around the basket I still held.
“It’s about Elijah.”
My chest tightened again. “Oh?”
She smiled shyly. “It’s strange. After the ceremony, I thought… well, you know, we were supposed to… you know…”
I blinked, pretending not to understand. “Supposed to what?”
She laughed softly and swatted my arm. “Don’t play dumb. The mating ceremony, Anna! It’s tradition for the Alpha and his Luna to… consummate their bond after the crowning. We were supposed to have sex that night after the coronation.”
I froze. “Oh…”
She sighed and leaned back, her eyes searching the stars. “But he hasn’t had sex with me. He didn’t even touch me that night. Not even once.”
My heartbeat stuttered. “What?”
She nodded. “I waited. I tried to make him want me by seducing him. I even asked if something was wrong, but he said he was just tired.”
I swallowed hard.
Of course he did.
He didn’t touch her because of me. Because of what happened between us. Because a part of him still loved me—maybe.
But I couldn’t tell her that.
It would hurt her so much, and I didn’t want that for her.
Amanda sighed again and looked at me, a little smile tugging at her lips. “Tell me, Anna. You’re good at reading people. Do you think he’s seeing someone else?”
My stomach dropped. “What? No! Elijah wouldn’t—”
“Wouldn’t he?” she interrupted softly. “He’s been distant. He barely talks to me unless it’s about pack duties. Sometimes I catch him looking… distracted. It’s always like he’s thinking about someone else.”
I tried to laugh it off, but my voice trembled. “Maybe he’s just overwhelmed. Being Alpha now—”
“Anna,” she cut me off gently. “Don’t do that thing where you try to make excuses for people. You always do that.”
I looked down, unable to meet her gaze. “I just think you should give him time.”
“Time?” she repeated, frowning. “It’s been three days, Anna. I’m his Luna. What else does he need from another girl?”
I wanted to tell her that she was right. I wanted to tell her that he should have been with her, that he should have touched her, that he should have been hers now.
But I couldn’t.
Because deep down, I didn’t want him to.
Amanda sighed heavily and leaned forward. “If I find out he’s seeing someone…”
My heart skipped. “Amanda, don’t—”
She looked at me, her voice filled with quiet rage as she spoke. “No, listen. If I find out he’s in love with someone else, I’ll make her life miserable.”
I froze.
She said it so calmly, so coldly, that I almost didn’t recognize her voice.
“I don’t care who she is!” she continued. “Maid, warrior, noble—it doesn’t matter. I’ll ruin her life and make sure she kills herself. No one steals from me. No one embarrasses me like that.”
Her fingers tightened around the edge of the fountain, her nails digging into the rim. “My father won’t allow it either. He’d destroy her whole family if he had to.”
The atmosphere suddenly became intense.
I couldn’t breathe.
My fingers trembled around the basket I was holding, my heartbeat loud enough to drown out everything else.
Amanda’s father wasn’t just powerful—he was ruthless. He was a man who had ordered wolves to be burned alive for breaking pack laws. A man whose word could end lives. And if he even suspected me… if he found out about me and Elijah—what we had, what we shared—he wouldn’t just punish me.
He’d completely erase me from the world.
My throat burned as I forced a smile, pretending Amanda’s words didn’t just slice through me like claws.
“Y-your father wouldn’t really do that… right?” I asked, my voice shaking with fear.
Amanda turned to me, her eyes fierce and cold. “Anna, if some girl dares to touch Elijah behind my back, my father would make sure she won’t see the next sunrise.”
I froze.
Every muscle in my body went still.
She didn’t know.
No, she couldn’t find out the truth.
I held her gaze, trying to stay calm, trying to look normal, but I could feel my pulse in my ears. My knees were weak, my chest tight. If she found out the truth—if she ever learned about what Elijah and I shared, about the nights, the secrets, the promises—
I wouldn’t just lose my best friend.
I’d lose my life too.