I raised my eyes from those dainty glassy heels to see Selene's smirk—bright as moonlight, cold as winter.
She was dressed to kill, in a soft lilac gown that fluttered behind her like royalty. But I had seen enough of her thorns to know she wore venom beneath her silk.
"Fun?" I repeated, arms crossing. "Is that what you call it now? I'd use a stronger word. Starts with D. Ends in 'esperate.'"
Her smile sharpened, but she tilted her head like I'd just complimented her.
"I hope you've enjoyed your time here, Eva," she said, stepping closer. "Because it ends today."
I didn't move. "You tried that already. Last time it almost got me imprisoned. This time, I'll make sure it turns around on you."
Selene's lips twitched. "Still mouthing off, are we?"
"Still acting, are we?"
She blinked once. Slowly.
Then, she did it.
She stumbled forward, a soft gasp escaping her lips as she clutched her stomach and sank to her knees right in front of me. The fall was too graceful. Too calculated.
I narrowed my eyes.
"Oh no—oh no," she whimpered, voice trembling as tears filled her lashes. "Something's wrong—I feel… I feel dizzy—"
The door behind us burst open just in time.
"Selene!" the Former Luna's voice echoed through the hallway, high-pitched and urgent. She and the Former Alpha hurried down the steps, regal robes flying behind them.
"What happened?" the Former Luna knelt beside her, cupping Selene's face.
"I—" Selene's voice cracked. "I didn't want to say it until I was sure, but... I'm pregnant. I didn't want to cause drama, but she—Eva—she came at me again... I think I—I think I'm losing—"
My breath hitched. Not from fear. Not anymore.
But from how far she was willing to go.
"She's lying," I said, firm. No hesitation. "There was no confrontation. I didn't even touch her. She fell to her knees by herself."
The Former Alpha's eyes cut to me like daggers. "And we're supposed to believe you over her?"
I stood tall, spine straight. "You don't have to believe me. There are guards. Maids. Cameras. Witnesses."
Selene coughed, delicate as ever, and leaned into the Former Luna. "Please... I don't want to make it a scene. I'm just scared. I didn't think she would actually hurt me."
Selene met my eyes, trembling lips and fake tears still spilling down her cheeks. She thought she had me.
Again.
But this time, I didn't flinch.
"I didn't," I said coldly, unwavering. "And if you are pregnant, congratulations. But dragging my name into your drama won't protect you forever."
The words hadn't even finished leaving my mouth when a loud crack echoed through the hallway.
Pain bloomed across my cheek. My head jerked sideways.
The Former Luna stood in front of me, her hand still raised, her eyes blazing with fury that did not belong to a woman of poise—it belonged to someone who had already picked a side long ago.
"You dare run your mouth," she hissed, "against people far beyond your standard?"
The sting pulsed along my face, sharp and humiliating—but my pride burned hotter.
I blinked back the tears that threatened to rise—not from pain, but fury.
Selene sniffled behind her, still cradling her stomach, still pretending to be the fragile flower. The Former Alpha loomed beside her like a silent pillar of judgment, watching me like I was filth that had somehow gotten into their bloodline.
"I see," I said, slowly turning back to the Former Luna, voice tight. "So that's what this is. You never intended to be fair."
"We treat guests with respect," she said with venomous calm, "but you've made it very clear you don't understand your place here."
I met her eyes—firm, unwavering. "Maybe I don't. But I know this—whatever game you're all playing, I won't be your scapegoat."
I turned to walk away, jaw tight, chest rising and falling with a dangerous calm I hadn't felt before.
But before I could take a full step, a hand wrapped around my arm—tight, almost bruising.
I froze, eyes snapping to the iron grip of the Former Luna.
"You don't walk away from me," she spat, her voice a low hiss just for me. "You don't belong here. And after this disgrace, you're leaving this pack. Today."
My breath caught in my throat, not out of fear—but disbelief.
"I said let go," I warned, tugging my arm back. But her grip didn't loosen. If anything, it tightened, nails digging into my skin.
"You are a stain," she sneered. "A wild thing, brought here like a charity case, embarrassing this pack, this family. Did you think you could rise above your cursed blood?"
Humiliation burned beneath my skin, but I didn't look down. I yanked again, harder this time. "I said let—"
A sudden force tore her hand from my arm.
The Former Luna stumbled slightly, eyes wide with shock.
And there he was.
Damien.
Standing between us.
His jaw clenched, eyes unreadable, darker than I'd ever seen them.
Xavier was just behind him, tension stiff in his shoulders, but his gaze flickered briefly to me. Something unreadable passed through it— I couldn't tell.
But all I could feel was Damien.
He dropped her hand, and for a heartbeat, no one moved. No one breathed.
"Touch her again," Damien said, his voice low, calm—but it dripped with threat, "and I will forget you were once Luna of this pack."
The hallway fell deathly silent.
Even Selene's sobs stopped.
The Former Luna looked at him like he'd just betrayed everything she stood for.
"How dare you speak against your mother, Damien?" she said, incredulous. "She insulted your mate. Your future Luna!"
"She insulted no one," he said. "She defended herself."
"She mocked a pregnant woman!" the Former Alpha barked.
Damien's eyes flickered to Selene, then back to his parents. "She didn't mock anyone. Selene's games aren't new to me."
Selene gasped. "Damien—"
"Not. A word." His voice snapped like a whip, silencing her instantly.
He turned back to me then, and his eyes softened—barely. Just enough.
"You okay?"
My lips parted. I wanted to say yes. I wanted to say no. But all that came out was:
"I didn't do anything."
"I know."
He reached out, gently touching the spot on my arm where the Former Luna had gripped me. His fingers lingered there for just a second too long.
Then he turned away.
"Xavier," he ordered, "escort my parents back to the East Wing. They're done here."
Xavier nodded once and stepped forward, gently but firmly guiding the Former Luna and Alpha away. The look he gave his mother was almost disappointed, but he didn't say a word.
I stood still, the imprint of it all—her words, the slap, Damien's reaction—etched into me like fire.
Damien's hand brushed mine as he passed, lingering like he wanted to say something more.
But he didn't.
"Selene?" someone whispered.
I turned just in time to see her eyes flutter shut and her body collapse to the marble floor.
"Selene!"