Chapter 54
Rhianna stood up slowly, her legs shaking so badly she had to hold the bedframe to stop herself from falling. Her chest felt tight, almost painful, like her heart was beating too fast for her body. The room kept tilting, and she had to blink several times just to keep the world steady.
“I’m going,” she whispered. Her voice sounded weak, but the decision was real. “I need… I need to see it with my own eyes.”
Tia immediately moved to her side. “Then I’m going with you,” she said, grabbing her jacket.
Rhianna stared at her in confusion. “Why? You don’t have to.”
“I’m not letting you walk there alone,” Tia said. “Not when you look like you’re about to faint. Not when your heart is doing all this.”
Hardin appeared in the doorway, his arms folded, his expression sharp. “If she goes, I go.”
Rhianna looked up at him. “You want to stop me?”
Hardin shook his head. “No. I want to catch you when you can’t stand anymore.”
Those words hit her harder than she expected. She felt her throat tighten. She didn’t argue. She didn’t have the strength.
They left Alden’s house together. The air outside felt too cold, too bright, too loud. Every sound, every step, made her chest hurt. She wrapped her arms around herself and walked slowly. Her legs were weak, almost numb. She could feel Hardin close behind her—silent, watching every step she took. Tia walked beside her, her hand hovering near Rhianna’s arm, ready to hold her if she slipped.
The path to the clearing wasn’t far, but today it felt endless. Every step felt heavier than the last. Rhianna’s breath kept catching in her throat. Her heart kept skipping beats. Her wolf was quiet, curled up in fear and confusion.
When they reached the clearing… she froze.
The pack was gathered in a circle. Candles burned in the center. Flowers were laid out in patterns. And in the middle of everything stood Brittany—glowing, calm, dressed in Luna robes.
Rhianna’s stomach dropped.
Brittany was… Luna.
Already.
So fast.
So easily.
Like Rhianna had never existed.
Her breath caught. Her chest squeezed so tight she had to grab Tia’s arm. She didn’t expect this. She didn’t expect them to replace her this quickly, like she meant nothing. Like her loss didn’t matter. Like she was just… something they could erase.
Brittany stood proudly, hands resting on her round belly. Sebastian stood beside her, holding her hand, looking at her with such warmth that Rhianna felt her knees weaken.
The priest spoke. The pack bowed. Sebastian repeated his vows. Brittany smiled up at him.
Rhianna felt replaced.
Thrown away.
Forgotten.
Her lips trembled. Her vision blurred. She didn’t hear most of the words, but she heard enough—
“…our Luna…”
“…mother of the next heir…”
“…blessing the pack…”
Her heart shattered quietly.
Her wolf whimpered, faint and weak, like it was fading inside her chest.
Her knees buckled.
Hardin caught her instantly, his arm going around her waist, pulling her against him before she fell. “That’s enough,” he murmured into her hair. “You don’t need to see any more.”
“No… I have to…” she whispered, choking on the words.
“You’ve seen it,” he said softly but firmly. “You’ve seen all you need. Come on.”
She didn’t fight it.
She couldn’t.
Her body was too weak, her heart too broken. Hardin lifted her off the ground, one arm under her legs, one behind her back. She didn’t protest. Her head fell against his chest, her hands weakly holding his shirt.
Tia walked beside them, wiping her eyes angrily. “I can’t believe they replaced you this fast. I can’t believe how heartless they are.”
Rhianna didn’t answer. She couldn’t. Her throat felt closed.
Hardin carried her all the way back from the ceremony, refusing to let her walk another step. His hold was steady, warm, protective—like he had decided she wasn’t allowed to break alone.
When they reached his house, he pushed the door open with his foot and carried her inside. The place was warm, quiet, safe. He laid her gently on the couch, brushing her hair back from her face.
“You’re staying here tonight,” he said softly. “No arguing.”
Rhianna didn’t argue. She didn’t have the strength to speak.
Tia took Rhianna’s hand. “I’ll go get you food,” she said gently. “You need to eat something. I’ll be right back.”
Rhianna nodded weakly.
Hardin sat beside her, his hand lightly touching her shoulder. “You’re safe. And you’re not alone. Not anymore.”
Her chest still ached, her eyes still burned, but for the first time since the ceremony… she felt like she could breathe again.