Chapter 54 54

Chapter 54 54
Eve's POV

I don't remember how long I stood there.

Maybe seconds.

Maybe hours.

Time stopped making sense the moment I pulled away from the window.

Couldn't scream.

Couldn't even breathe right.

If I opened that door, everything would become real. The sounds, the sight, the betrayal, it would all solidify into something I could never take back.

So I stepped away.

Like a ghost leaving her own life behind, my legs moved on their own, carrying me past the halls, past the torches, past the guards who barely noticed me. Or maybe they did and just didn't care. I didn't know anymore.

I only stopped when I reached the pack gates.

The massive wooden doors loomed ahead. The night air was cold, but I barely felt it.

I slid down near the wall and folded into myself, pulling my knees to my chest.

Then it hit me. My shoulders shook, and tears came down violently. I buried my face in my lap, muffling the sound because I didn't want anyone to hear how broken I was.

Rygar cheated on me.

The words replayed over and over like a cruel chant.

Rygar cheated on me.

We hadn't even lasted a day in his territory. Not even a full day. And he was already back in Kaela's arms.

Kaela.

Of course, it had to be her.

A bitter laugh slipped through my tears.

"So this is my place," I whispered hoarsely to the nightair. "I'm disposable."

My mind betrayed me by replaying memories.

Rygar's voice telling me he loved me.

His thumb brushes my cheek.

The way he held me close.

The warmth in his eyes when he called me wife.

Were those lies?

Or was I just a placeholder until he returned home?

Maybe loving me was easy on the road.

Maybe reality lived here, with Kaela, with his pack, with the life he actually belonged to.

My chest hurt so badly it felt like something inside me was tearing.

I have never felt so alone in my life. I thought I only had Rygar to anchor me. I thought even if everyone else hates me. At least he loves me. That's enough, right?

"How could you…" My voice broke. 

I trusted him.

I trusted the one man I shouldn't have given my heart to.

Ugly sobs wracked through me. I couldn't hold back even if I wanted to.

I've never been hard broken before. Because I've never given my heart to any man but Rygar. 

My heart felt like shattered glass now.

Maybe Skara was right.

Maybe I was just in the way.

Maybe everyone would be better off if I disappeared.

The thought didn't even scare me anymore.

I pressed my forehead against my knees and cried until my throat burned and my eyes swelled.

In that moment, under the cold, barbarian sky, I felt completely alone.

A stupid girl who fell in love in the wrong world with the wrong man at the worst possible time.



I didn't remember falling asleep, but the gray light of dawn crept across the ground, washing everything in a pale, unforgiving glow. 

My eyes were swollen, my lashes stiff with dried tears. My throat felt raw, like I had swallowed sand.

For a moment, I forgot where I was.

Then it all rushed back.

Rygar. Kaela. The bed.

My chest tightened, but there were no tears left to cry. Just a hollow ache, like someone had scooped my insides out and left an empty shell behind.

I slowly lifted my head from my knees.

And froze.

There were dozens of feet, leather boots, worn sandals, and bare dusty toes before me.

My gaze traveled upward, and I saw all the villagers.

They stood in a wide circle around me, staring as if I were some diseased animal that had wandered into their midst. Their expressions ranged from disgust to suspicion to poorly hidden hatred.

No one spoke just yet.

They just looked at me like I was something dirty.

My stomach twisted.

I pushed myself upright slowly, brushing dirt from my dress with trembling hands. My hair was a mess, my face probably worse, but their stares told me none of that mattered. 

A murmur rippled through the crowd.

"She's been crying."

"Good."

"Crocodile tears won't save her."

"I told you the daughter of Lithuan can't be trusted."

I swallowed hard, forcing my chin up even as my heart pounded wildly. I refused to look weak in front of people who already wanted me dead.

Then the crowd parted.

And he stepped forward.

Garrick.

His presence alone shifted the air. His eyes found mine immediately. There was a glint of cold satisfaction there.

Like he'd been waiting for something.

My pulse quickened.

"You're called to the council for a hearing, Luna Ravena." He folded his arms behind his back.

The title sounded like an insult in his mouth. 

"A hearing?" My brows pulled together. "For what?"

My mind scrambled.

"News came to us last night that you were caught at the border… talking to our fatal enemy." His voice carried easily for everyone to hear.

The world seemed to tilt.

My fingers curled into my palms.

No.

No, no, no…

Garrick's gaze hardened, pinning me in place. "What were you doing with the Blood Moon Witch yesterday, Ravena?"

A sharp wave of murmurs spread through the villagers. Some spat on the ground. Others glared at me like I'd personally invited death into their homes.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

How did they…

Oh no, I've been discovered. 

Garrick smirked and faced the crowd. "Apparently, our Luna now meets in secret with the one who has slaughtered our people?"

My mouth went dry.

The murmur grew worse and angrier.

I looked around.

No Rygar.

No friendly faces.

No allies.

My stomach dropped.

One thought rang loud in my head.

Shit. Shit. Shit!