Chapter 4 After Beta left, the tribe was indeed in chaos. "Where did you go, Elysia!" Damon's voice came through the mind-link. But I was already back in my home pack. I ignored him. Three days later, on the night of the full moon. Adrian stood before the ancient moon altar of the Thundering Peaks Pack, his silver cloak glowing in the moonlight. He was more handsome, more powerful than I remembered. "Are you sure?" he asked softly, his golden eyes full of warmth. "Once we bond, there's no turning back." "I've never been more sure." Under the Moon Goddess's watch, we completed the ancient mating ritual. When Adrian's mark bit into my neck, a true mate bond, an electric current, shot through me. This was real. No magic. No deception. "You're finally mine, my Luna," Adrian whispered, kissing my forehead. Adrian, afraid I'd have second thoughts, had come to my pack to bond with me first. He had to leave for the Southern territories to handle pack business, but I promised I would return with him to the Red River Pack when he came back, to be officially announced as his Luna. A week later. My comm crystal rang. "Elysia!" Damon's voice was furious. "Have you had enough of these games?" "What?" "Don't play dumb!" he roared. "You think hiding out in the Thundering Peaks Pack is going to make me come begging for you?" I scoffed. He actually thought I was playing hard to get. "You just want me to find you, beg for your forgiveness, and then you can come back and be my Luna!" 1/4 +25 Bonus "I'm not coming back." "You better come back!" he threatened. "Or I really won't make you my Luna!" "That's fine by me." "But you have to come back as Head Beta!" his tone grew harder. "You're responsible for this pack! You can't just abandon your duty over a personal grudge!" 1 hung up. Two days later, I went to the border market to buy some herbs. "Well, well, if it isn't our Head Beta." A familiar, mocking voice came from behind me. I turned. Lydia was standing in front of a jewelry shop, a diamond necklace in her hand. "Finally given up completely?" She smiled like a smug fox. "Hiding out to cry in secret?" "I'm just shopping." "Shopping?" She walked toward me, her eyes glinting with malice. "Or waiting for Damon to come beg you to return?" I ignored her and turned to leave. "Too bad," she continued behind me. "He won't. Last night in my bed, he said he never wants to see your fake face again." I stopped. "Are you finished?" "Not even close," she said, stepping in front of me and raising her voice. "You know what he said? He called you a control freak who always has to run everything. We're so much happier now without you." People were starting to stare. Just then, a familiar Alpha presence washed over the area. Damon appeared at the other end of the market, walking toward us. A flash of triumph lit up Lydia's eyes. "Elysia, I know you're jealous of me," she said suddenly, her voice high and afraid. "But you can't take it out on me!" "What?" I frowned. "Stop pretending!" She took a few steps back, her voice trembling. "You just pushed me!" "I didn't touch you." 2/4 +25 Bonus "Yes, you did!" She kept backing up, now at the edge of the riverbank next to the market. "You threatened to kill me!" I realized what she was doing, but it was too late. Lydia deliberately fell backward into the river. "Aahh-!" Her scream pierced the air. A dark shape blurred past. Damon lunged forward and caught her just in time. "Lydia!" He held her tight, checking her for injuries. "Are you okay?" "I... I thought I was going to die..." she trembled in his arms. "It was Elysia... She pushed me..." All eyes turned to me. Damon slowly looked up, his eyes burning with fury. "Elysia," his voice was ice. "You followed us?" "I didn't follow anyone. I was just buying herbs." "Herbs?" he sneered. "At this time, in this place? You expect me to believe that?" "Believe what you want." "You pushed Lydia!" he roared. "You attacked an innocent Omega in public!" "I didn't push her. She jumped." "Liar!" He held Lydia closer. "Everyone saw it!" The onlookers began to whisper. No one had a clear view, but Lydia's performance was convincing. "Your little game is over, Elysia," Damon's voice was full of disappointment and rage. "I thought you were just throwing a tantrum. I didn't realize you'd actually lost your mind." He stood, still holding the "injured" Lydia. "From now on, you are no longer a Luna candidate." "I never wanted to be." "But you will come back as Head Beta!" His eyes flashed, savoring the taste of control. "That is your duty." "I refuse." "You don't have a choice!" he sneered. "According to pack law, a Head Beta cannot abandon their post. You either come back and do your job, or you'll face the Elders' judgment." 3/4 Chapts: 4 With that, he carried Lydia away. An hour later, a notice appeared on the Blackmoon Pack's internal network: +25 Bonus "Due to recent events, the Alpha's mating ceremony, scheduled for the next full moon, is postponed. The status and duties of Head Beta Elysia will be discussed further by the Elders' Council." Support Share 4/4 Chapter 6 +25 Bonus