Awakened by My Mate's Betrayal

beth'

years

osing such a great leader hit everyone hard-it's li

the new Alpha, and I

ange. Cherry, on the other hand, is still Aiden's favorite, and she's

e omega, for Cherry might no longer be satisfied with just

eriously, but shrug my shoulders nonchalantly an

"So do you have any p

can do is to shake my head and whi

edding day, and Alpha Hugh's death was the last straw. I'm too drained to car

nd suggests we split, I n

shocked but relieved,

probably isn't even Aiden's idea

whole rejection thing that got

utward, searing through my veins. It feels like my heart is being stretched and torn, each pulse a reminder of what's missing. My muscles tense involuntarily, locking me in place, and I str

ng vital being ripped away, leaving behind a void so profound that it seems to swallow all lig

in too, but he looks far

more intensely bear the sharp

on steady. After a moment, he extends a hand to he

grumble. His fake kindnes

s to say something,

f you're not my Luna," he whispers,

week after we split. Then thi

art of the sweet, helpless damsel, but now her ambition's out in the open, and she's not ev

nyone who dared to be my friend, starting with s

rubbing sleep from my eyes, to find Aurora kneeling before Cherr

you?" Cherry asks, lounging back in an armchair, c

pleads, her voice trembling. "Someone push

ise. "And who might this

ark in the kitchen," Aurora

king in the dark and initiating an attack on you, like, assassin in the kitc

the truth!" A

see if some whips make you more honest. Go ahead," she directs

ene, Helen grips my arm. "Stay calm, Elizabe

isper, shrugging her off and stepping forward. "Stop!" I call out

le. "Elizabeth, what a surprise! C

r breaking a plate a bit extreme? Aurora says she got pushed. Shouldn't you

, her voice dripping vulnerability. "Oh, my Alpha!" she exclaims, leaning into him. "I'm just trying to learn how to be a good Luna and make you proud."

the F

I start to explain, but Cherry

th had to step in and save her friend," Cherry laments, painting herself as the victim. "I need you to teach

h a frown. "Why'd you

ir to..." I begin, b

. "But you can't shield her just because she's your friend. It's setting a bad example fo

her, she switches to her best innocent expression, eyes wide. "Sorry, Aiden. Please don't bl

iden soothes, tilting her chin

new one. My laughter earns me a stern look from

nish Aurora. He does this to pun

Aurora's scream fills the air. I clench my fists, feeling

." Helen whispers,

t stand by. Before the next whip lands, I throw my

use to give Cherry the satisfaction of seeing me brea

urora sobs, te

whether to keep going. She

n at me. "Get of

firmly, holdin

arns, trying to sound authoritati

with mockery. "You've already hurt me, and I ca

ught in a difficult spot, needing to assert his authority yet unwilling to truly h

sewhere. "What are you waiting for?" he snaps at the whipper

ne becomes a dull thud as numbness spreads through me. The

cries. "She was your wife!

he internal struggle playing out in the tight line of his jaw. But appearances must be kept, and grudgingly, he cl

fully helping me to my feet without disturbing my torn-up

ting to diffuse the tension. "At l

like "stubborn fool" under her bre

k on us, a mix of pity and admiration. My legs give out once ins

in my ears, the last thing I hea