Confusion washed over me as I stared at them. I moved toward the center of the hall.
“Will you be my mate, Liana?” Leon asked, his voice thick with emotion.
I froze, my heart shattering. Each piece felt like a shard of glass in my chest. My hopeful eyes widened in disbelief. I couldn’t look away.
I knew Liana had lost her mate two years ago when pack warriors killed a rogue near the border. But why Leon?
“Yes!!” Liana shrieked, tears of joy glistening in her eyes as Leon slipped the ring onto her finger.
Reality hit me like a tidal wave. I stumbled back, my heart pounding as I tried to process what was happening. We were supposed to announce us to the pack, not this.
My world crumbled. Questions about our mate bond swirled in my head. I was so confused.
I thought mates were meant to love only each other. How could he ignore our bond like it meant nothing? Tears welled up.
I forced myself to walk toward him, but he brushed me off and went to Alpha Dorian and Aurora Marle.
“Alpha, Aurora,” he greeted, bowing. “I ask your permission to mark your daughter, Liana,” he said, gazing at her with affection—the same look he’d given me last night, or so I’d thought.
His words echoed in my mind, the pain in my heart intensifying.
“No!!” I screamed, my voice ringing through the hall. Everyone turned to stare. I clutched my head.
“This can’t be—it can’t!” I whispered.
“No!” Talia, my wolf, howled in agreement. She was hurting, too, unable to believe our mate had rejected us after the mating and his promises. He’d chosen Liana.
“Whose pup is this?” Alpha Dorian frowned, pointing at me.
“She’s Lily’s, the omega’s,” Aurora Marle spat. My mother rushed to my side, her face a mask of confusion. I’d always been obedient.
“Control your pup,” Alpha Dorian growled at my mother, “or I’ll throw her in the dungeon.”
My mother nodded quickly, bowing and apologizing. Then Leon spoke.
“Actually, Alpha—she’s a mistake made by the Moon Goddess,” he said, and the hall gasped. Tears streamed down my face.
My mate had just called me a mistake.
“Everyone knows Liana and I were destined for each other since childhood,” he continued, and everyone nodded.
“I don’t understand,” I whispered, but my mother clamped her hand over my mouth, begging me to be quiet. I sobbed.
I couldn’t believe Leon, who’d professed his love just last night, could be so cruel.
The love and affection I saw in his eyes were so different from the coldness he exuded now. “Idiot, can’t you understand?” He scoffed. “You’re an omega—a weakling of a mate. You’re useless to someone as powerful as me!” he spat, and everyone cheered.
My legs buckled, and I crumpled to the floor. His words pierced my heart.
“That’s great,” Alpha Dorian said, beaming as he stood to embrace Leon. He then took Liana and Leon’s hands, joining them together. The hall erupted in applause. I felt utterly betrayed. Stella and Clara held my shoulders, offering comfort, while Amelia sobbed.
How could a pack be so heartless? Everyone cared only about pleasing the Alpha and his family. My mother pulled me up, ushering us out, when Liana’s voice stopped us.
“Aria,” she purred mockingly. I forced back tears and turned to face her. “Whatever you had with Leon was with my permission,” she said sweetly, as everyone fawned over her perceived kindness.
“I knew all about it. I let him have his fun one last time—even though he hated the idea. You repulsed him. Anyway, he’s going to be Alpha, and I’m going to be your Aurora,” she smirked.
I looked away, tears stinging my eyes. It hurt so much.
I couldn’t be mad at Liana. It was Leon I should be angry with. He was the mate who betrayed me. He fooled me. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t muster any anger toward Leon. The mate bond was still there.
Maybe it was a prank. Maybe he had an explanation. I took a deep breath, searching for those emerald eyes I’d fallen for. He stood rigidly beside Liana.
“Aria, this is how it’s meant to be. You can’t do anything but accept it — and I love Liana,” he said, gazing at her adoringly as he kissed her forehead.
I shook my head. “I don’t believe you,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. “What we shared last night was beautiful. Didn’t it mean anything?” I sobbed.
“It was just sex. A one-night stand!” he snarled, baring his claws. “Let’s not make this more complicated,” he said to everyone. “Before the Silver Moon pack, I, Leon Kieran Barry, son of Ember Kieran Barry, reject you, Aria Iva Willen, daughter of Lily Willen, as my mate!”
My wolf cried out in agony.
Liana smiled wickedly, pulling Leon’s jaw down for a kiss. He wrapped his arms around her waist.
I fell to the ground, clutching my chest as they laughed. It hurt so much. It felt like a knife twisting in my heart. Talia curled up in pain and went silent.