Anabelle's POV
Five years of being Luca's mate. Never for once did I overhear Lucas having a conversation with Logan on phone after the Alpha's contest where Lucas emerged victorious. In the contest ground, while Lucas displayed will to win by all means. Logan seemed to be holding back. Giving Lucas free hand to winning more obstacles and challenges. This angered a majority of pack members who cheered in support. It was obvious by the end of the contest, only a few of the pack members were in Lucas's support. The whistling and transformation into their distinct wolves began.
While the majority stood staring like the ceremony was like a funeral. They all knew that was the beginning of doomsday. Lucas since his teenage years was vain and conceited. One by one they returned to their various destinations. Leaving Lucas with his cheerleaders to continue in the celebration.
Why did Logan stand staring at me like he was paused by a TV remote? Was what I couldn't phantom. His silence made my heart race. Although a part of me was confident in what we shared. I was certain he'd respond positively. as he made steps towards me. I anticipated his reply with a smile on my face. But to my surprise, Logan simply walked past me. Acting as though no one stood at that exact position. I was stunned. What was going on?. A million and one questions went through my mind. Ones I couldn't answer.
"Why didn't you do it?" Lucas said as Logan halted to a stop. "That day...the contest?" he concluded. And for the first time, I saw a sinister look on Logan's face. What was with the spiteful smirk? Who was this person?. "Winning was sweet" ,"But.....losing is bitter" Logan responded ironically and walked away.
I wished I could erase the look of disappointment on Uncle Richardson's face, Who didn't utter a word to me after he spoke earlier. He simply gave me his final glimpse of displeasure before taking his leave too. It was shocking how Lucas portrayed himself as a saint. Forgetting so soon the 'Nicole saga' which broke off our ties. And just before he would take his leave. He had something to say. "Cheap Whore!". "The sad fate of…...same person who said I needed the moon goddess to bless me or curse me with another mate", "Turned out her 'Another mate' became a curse" ,"A puddle in his pond" he said sarcastically, with a smirk on his face.
"Who knows. Perhaps if Alpha Hermes, my late father were to be alive", "You'd probably have graced his bed too" he added, staring at me with disgust. "Anabelle Scott!" he said aloud. "The family whore" he concluded mockingly and walked away.
I sank to the ground like an anchor sent down the bottom of the sea. What was going to become of me? I mean, knowing Lucas, he could use all that happened to charge me with infidelity and exile me from the pack. How were the pack members going to see me? As the Luna who got fooled and played? Or as the loosed Luna who offered her body on a platter for two twin brothers to explore. Was I cursed to love and be loved?.
A million questions engulfed my mind as I sat on the ground. Eventually, I slept off on the bare rug after crying my eyes out. Hoping the next morning I'd open my eyes to my room in order and sigh in relief knowing it was all a nightmare. But no, my expectations blew up in my face. Last night's ordeal was real.
I stood up with spaghetti legs, feeling the pains from the assault for Lucas. I was on my way to the bathroom to wash my face and probably stare at my reflection and reminisce on all that happened last night. When I heard a faint knock on the already opened broken door. I turned to see Jeremy, the royal advisor and supervisor of all in palace omegas. Behind him were two of Lucas's best sharpshooters, Who were also respected Betas.
And in Jeremy's hands was a sheet of paper wrapped up like a cone. Every Luna, royal born, betas, gammas, omegas knew what a wrapped up sheet of paper was in the pack. It was a decree. While at times, It meant an appointment, sometimes it was for imprisonment or execution. The irony of life, five years earlier, I was honored with a royal decree like the one he held in his hands to become Luna.
Present day, I was presented a decree which either entails imprisonment, exile or worse, execution. "Has the mighty Alpha requested for my head perhaps?" ,"Or that I be locked up for life?", "Let's see..... Maybe an exile, never to return" I said in exhaustion and pity. "After all.... who could challenge him, his words and decree is law" I added, sounding like a broken woman.
I stretched out my hands and said, "Just take me in". But Jeremy was hesitant. After seconds of no movements nor gesticulations Jeremy began, "My Luna…..You've served us with so much dedication and commitment", "It is a pity it all had to end this way". "I have been an ardent supporter of what you and Prince Logan shared for the longest of time" he added sympathetically. "Well as you saw yesterday. Nothing was real. Nothing" I responded coldly.
But then, at that moment, it dawned on me. 'For the longest time'. "What did you mean by the longest time Jeremy?" I asked, raising the vapour of suspicion. "Were you perhaps the anonymous sender?" I inquired further and already ticked off. Gripping his shirt hard. The Betas became defensive but he signalled them to lower their guard wait outside the door. Slowly I took my hands off him.
"I had been the biggest cheerleader of the secret affair since the very day I got to know", "Everyone saw how much you suffered in the hands of the Alpha" he said. "It's sad, Prince Logan turned out to be no different". His last words were like ice on hot coal in my mind. I couldn't believe the change either.
In his words, he stumbled on Logan sneaking out of my room, begging I give him one last kiss which we passionately had. And on some occasions, he heard my loud moans and screams. He said, "It was so obvious you both had something going on especially the month Alpha Lucas went with Nicole on a vacation." I recalled those moments. The genesis of what I thought was love.
"I believe if only Sire Richardson let the moon goddess make her pick", "It would have been you for Prince Logan instead" ,"And you wouldn't have suffered five years in misery" I felt the compassion in his words.
Despite all he said, nothing could erase the fact I was used by Logan to spite Lucas. Whoever the anonymous sender was, exposed what was not yet to be said. And I was about to pay for the consequences.
"As you know Luna Anabelle" ,"In my hands is a decree" Jeremy returned to the main purpose of his coming. "To execute me for infidelity...." I concluded by lacing a short smirk on my face. "On the contrary...", he unwrapped the paper and began, "Alpha Lucas has instructed you to evacuate the palace immediately." I couldn't believe it, he made things easier for me. I was going to take the opportunity and go far away from the heartbreak from the hurt and everything. Seizing the opportunity to realign myself in life. But my expectations were short lived as he added,"Not out of the pack however but to the…... .omegas quarters"he concluded with a look of disappointment on what he read.
I got confused at first but understood the assignment. Lucas didn't just only want to punish me for the supposed infidelity but humiliate me. By demoting me for Ex-Luna to omega, in order to ridicule me before the pack members. "He stated failure to adhere to the decree.....you'd…..be executed by the firing squad!" Jeremy concluded in fear. I staggered in dismay. I couldn't believe how tyrannical Lucas could be. Using veto power to his advantage.
I sighed deeply as tears gathered underneath my eyes. He wanted to enslave me. But it was better than death. "Fine…...I'd just take a few of my things" I said, about moving towards my wardrobe before an unfamiliar voice said, "Not even a handkerchief would be moved out of this room", " you'd be treated as equal to the Omegas."
I turned around to see it was one of the huge Betas that spoke. I couldn't believe how audacious he was. "And this decree is to take effect now!" he commanded.
I wasn't surprised. His loyalty lay with Lucas. All Betas and Gammas inclusive paid homage to their Alpha. Whether he be tyrannical, despotic, liberal or modest. Theirs was to adhere to instruction and effect that instruction. I was led side by side by two Betas who once regarded me and called me Luna. Leading me towards a building occupied by omegas who served me and respected me.
I couldn't believe Logan would betray me the way he did. I held my tears and walked with pride. Lucas, who stood at the entrance of the mansion, beamed with so much mocking looks. He was like a volcano waiting to erupt but with laughter in his case. The in-house staff and omegas around stood in awe. Watching the ridicule that to someone I deserved abs to others was just too grave.
"Wait!" the loud thundering voice spoke. All eyes turned towards the entrance of the mansion. I knew Lucas wouldn't let me go without such a derogatory speech or two. "Where do you think you're going?" that voice certainly wasn't Lucas. I turned around and saw Logan standing meters apart from Lucas. "And what do you think you're doing?" Lucas asked, upset.
"I AM ALPHA AND MY WORD IS LAW....now Betas.... Drag her to the quarters" Lucas ordered angrily and the Betas in a twinkle of an eye were about gripping my arm. When Logan said angrily, "If you dare lay a finger on her! I'd reap you apart!" The Betas immediately stood at bay as Logan gazed at them angrily. "And who do you think you are? I AM ALPHA!", "And I AM PRINCE LOGAN, SON OF ALPHA HERMES THE 3RD", "UNHAND ME MY WOMAN THIS MINUTE!" I couldn't believe my ears. He defended my honor.
"SHE IS MY MATE, and I AM…..HER SECOND CHANCE MATE!" Logan said aloud shamelessly. Not minding what the pack members would say. "SILVER MOON!" he called the pack's name loudly. "PRINCE LOGAN WILL MARRY HIS BROTHER'S REJECTED", "AND THERE'S NOTHING THE 'EX' WOULD DO ABOUT IT" he concluded as Lucas glared at him with rage