The Substitute
Kaden’s heart ached, his body heavy, his mind numb as he staggered down the dimly lit corridor, his footsteps echoing through the empty hall.
His mother was gone... his pack was mourning... his throne was cold... his soul was hollow.
All because of her...
His fists tightened, his jaw clenching as anger flared within him, his vision blurring with hatred, with pain, with betrayal.
Ella had destroyed him... she had ruined everything... she had taken his mother... she had left him empty... broken... lost.
He stumbled, his shoulders sagging as his body trembled, as his chest tightened, as his breath hitched. He was Alpha... he was supposed to be strong... he wasn’t supposed to feel pain... he wasn’t supposed to feel anything.
But he was drowning.
A soft voice broke through the darkness, sweet and gentle, soothing and warm. “Alpha... are you alright?”
He looked up, his eyes landing on a figure standing in the shadows, her long black hair cascading down her back, her eyes wide and innocent, her lips curved into a concerned frown.
His heart stopped, his breath catching in his throat, his body going rigid.
Ella...
But no... it wasn’t her. Her eyes were brown, not green, her scent was sweet but different, her aura was soft but not broken.
It wasn’t her... but it was close enough.
His body moved on its own, his hands reaching out, his fingers curling around her arms, his voice rough, desperate, pleading. “Stay... don’t leave me...”
The maid’s eyes widened, her cheeks flushing, her lips parting as she stammered, “A-Alpha... I...”
But he didn’t let her finish. He pulled her into his arms, his body trembling, his heart pounding, his mind spinning.
He closed his eyes, his fingers tangling in her hair, his voice breaking. “Ella...”
He could pretend... just for one night... he could pretend it was her... he could forget the pain, the betrayal, the loss... he could be whole again.
Even if it was just a lie...
\---
The Fury of a Queen
Lila’s eyes narrowed, her body trembling, her heart pounding as she stood outside Kaden’s chamber, her fists clenched, her breath coming out in sharp, angry gasps.
She could hear them... the soft moans, the whispered name, the creaking bed...
“Ella...”
Her blood ran cold, her vision blurring with fury, her chest tightening with betrayal. He was calling her name... while touching another woman... while holding another woman... while loving another woman.
Her fingers curled, her nails digging into her palms, her teeth grinding as her body trembled with rage, with pain, with humiliation.
She was Luna. She was his mate. She was the only one who deserved his love, his touch, his devotion.
And yet, he was giving it to someone else... he was dreaming of someone else... he was longing for Ella.
A snarl escaped her lips, her wolf howling with fury, her aura flaring with power, with wrath, with hatred.
How dare he... how dare he betray me... how dare he betray us...
Her eyes darkened, her heart hardening, her soul burning as she turned away, her mind spinning, her thoughts racing.
If she couldn’t bear his heir... if she couldn’t carry his child... then she would make sure no one else did.
Especially not some pathetic maid who reminded him of that traitor.
Her lips curled into a cruel smile, her body trembling with anticipation, her fingers tingling with power. She would destroy them... she would ruin them... she would make them suffer.
And she would make him forget Ella... if it was the last thing she did...
\-----
The Queen’s Wrath
The throne room was cold, empty, silent. Shadows danced along the stone walls, the flickering torches casting a golden glow over the polished floor.
Lila stood in the center, her hands clasped in front of her, her head held high, her crown gleaming beneath the dim light.
But her eyes were dark, her heart pounding, her body trembling as she waited, as she fought to control the storm raging within her.
The doors swung open, heavy and loud, echoing through the hall as Kaden strode in, his posture rigid, his eyes cold, his jaw tight.
“You summoned me?” His voice was flat, detached, indifferent.
Lila’s fingers twitched, her nails digging into her palms, her chest tightening as she forced a smile, her tone sweet, soft, controlled. “Yes... we need to talk.”
Kaden’s eyes narrowed, suspicion flickering across his face, his arms crossing over his chest. “About what?”
She took a step forward, her head tilting, her eyes locking onto his, her voice dangerously calm. “About your little affair with the maid.”
His body went rigid, his eyes widening, his face paling as he took a step back, his mouth opening, his words stumbling. “I... it’s not... I didn’t...”
Her smile widened, her head tilting, her eyes gleaming with malice. “Don’t lie to me, Kaden. I heard you... I heard you calling her name... Ella’s name.”
His chest tightened, his fists clenching, his jaw tightening as anger flared within him, his eyes flashing. “It meant nothing... she meant nothing... it was just one night...”
“One night?” Lila’s voice was sharp, cold, her body trembling with fury. “You called her name... you called Ella’s name... you were with another woman... and you were dreaming of her?”
Kaden’s face darkened, his shoulders stiffening, his jaw clenching as he turned away, his voice low, hollow. “I told you... it meant nothing... I was... I was drunk... I was lonely...”
“Lonely?” Her voice cracked, her hands curling into fists, her eyes burning with tears, her heart breaking. “I’m your mate... I’m your Luna... and you were lonely?”
He didn’t answer, his shoulders sagging, his head bowed, his silence cutting through her like a blade.
Her chest tightened, her body trembling, her voice dropping to a whisper. “I gave up everything for you... I betrayed my best friend... I poisoned the Luna... I killed her for you... and you repay me by chasing a maid who looks like Ella?”
Kaden’s head snapped up, his eyes widening, his body going rigid as he stared at her, shock, confusion, and anger swirling in his gaze. “You... you did what...?”