Marked By His Betrayal

Ayla’s POV

“I will always love you, Ayla.” He breathed, voice slurred with passion, into low, scratchy notes.

The grass squealed beneath me, scratching my back. Each thrust grounded me against grass and dirt, firing so much desire into my bones I thought I might explode.

“I love you too, Damian.” I moaned, low and sharp, fisting the mop of inky strands on his head.

My eyes rolled to the back of my head as he hit spots that burned electricity through my veins as liquid.

Moans rippled from my throat in excited torrents. I loved it, every bit of it, like I loved all of our lovemaking.

It doesn't matter that the pack didn't want us together—an Alpha about to seize his father's throne and an ordinary Omega maid like me. It doesn't matter that we have to retreat to the woods to share our passion and love and that very invisible bond that makes us fated mates.

All that matters is that right now, nothing could come between us. This was ours and untouchable.

Millions of sensations flooded me all at once, wrenching soft, throaty moans from my soul as we made love.

He held me in his big and powerful arms, snuggling me close to his big body. The silvery glow of the moonlight bathing us. The air was thick with the smell of sex, sweat, and us, a mixture that filled my lungs.

“I would never give in to the elder's pressure and choose anyone else but you, Ayla,” Damian declared. His thrust eased in urgency, slower, sensual. Now, I felt his love in every thrust.

I hugged tighter to him, my nails digging into his back, loving everything.

“Are you sure, Damian?” I moaned more than spoke, my tone skeptical. The chances were slim that he would eventually choose me. The elders and the pack wouldn't allow an Omega nobody to scale ranks so fast into a Luna.

“Trust me, no one can come between us.” He smoothed my hair, cuddling me more in his arms. “I will choose you, Ayla. If I can't, then I’d rather not make a choice.”

He’d pressed a loving kiss on my forehead, reassuring me.

It didn't take long to find out I shouldn't have trusted promises made during moments of lust. I shouldn't have believed he truly wanted me enough to fight for us.

Alpha Damian, my fated mate and the man who had promised me the world last night, stepped onto the ceremonial podium holding another lady's hand.

“As Alpha of the Blackthorn Pack, I name Lyria Valecros as my Luna and future mate.” He raised his chin with the cold authority of the Alpha he was born to be.

His voice echoed across the grand hall, loud and determined, making his betrayal sting harder. I felt the moment, felt the words, and felt my heart ripping in two.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Applause followed. Lyria’s smile was of polished arrogance. He held her hand, raising it, emphasizing his declaration of her as his chosen mate.

I was on my knees, my hands trembling terribly as I wiped a stain off the marble near the edge of the hall. But he’d promised me to make us work, I thought. He’d promised that it was I or no one else. 

Hot moisture stained my eyes, burning and stinging my lenses as I remembered all his promises from last night.

I shouldn't have trusted his promises. I shouldn't have even loved him.

The broom slipped off my trembling fingers. I had to hold onto my chest with my free hand to steady myself.

I thought I was prepared for this moment when it came. If only I knew it would hurt more than death itself, if only I knew I would watch my heart crumbling to pieces inside of me and be unable to do anything about it.

“His loss. He would come to regret this.” Val, my wolf, hissed bitterly inside of me, already resenting him.

"Yeah, his loss," I muttered under my breath, but my voice lacked every conviction I wanted.

I kept my head down, pretending to focus on the marble floor. When I dared to look up again, his eyes were already on me—the storm-blue pair softened when they met mine.

Now they were empty. Or trying to be. Something dark, like guilt, tugged behind them. I felt so much hurt in my heart through our bond, like a bruise.

But no amount of pain could ever match the one he’d just inflicted on me.

He still wore our bracelet, one we shared. The beads pulsed around the wrist of his trembling hand.

I refused to look down at mine. It would only make the pain cut sharper.

I blinked back the tears burning my eyes, and I turned from him before I broke down totally. I tried to keep my breathing steady while the room spun for a second, but I forced myself to stay upright.

Elder Rowan—Lyria’s father and the chief of elders—voice boomed from the dais. “Honor your Alpha and future Luna!”

Instantly, there was more applause. More cheers.

I dropped the broom in my hands and tried to escape the scene, hoping no one would notice. Only a few knew I was Alpha Damian’s fated mate. He’s done well to hide the fact.

A figure pulled up just before me. I lifted my head—Elder Rowan.

“Where are you headed, girl?” he snapped. “Shouldn't you stay and watch as your Alpha gets engaged to the love of his life?” 

I knew he was taunting me. He was among the few who knew I was Alpha Damian's real mate.

I bowed my head. “Yes, Elder, Rowan. I would love to watch my Alpha’s engagement to his bride. I just need to use the restroom.” I said with as much defiance as was enough to still help keep my neck after.

I didn't wait for his order to leave. I tried to move past him. His thick fingers closed on my wrist, and he threw me back. He caught my chin, tilting my face up so he could stare right at me.

His expression was cold and deadly as they descended on me, his fingers tight on my chin. I bit back on my tongue so as not to wince in pain. I wouldn't let him see me break. Somehow, the festivity moved on around us, as if no one could see he was assaulting me.

I tried to pull away his fingers from my jaw, as he was hurting me, but he seized both my hands, holding them behind me. “You will do your best to forget you were ever fated to Alpha Damian, bitch, and you will erase him completely from your mind.” He snarled. “Is that clear?”

Some eyes flitted to us above the champagne glasses. I managed to turn my head as his fingers bit into my skin, in the direction of the ceremonial podium where Alpha Damian stood.

His eyes found me again, the icy blue pair still alive with guilt, the light in them tanking badly. Yet he didn't move, not even a foot.

The bastard. How could he do this to me after his betrayal? How could he sacrifice me too and ensure this humiliation for me after booting our love into the trash can?

The only acknowledgment of my predicament was his fist trembling as he held onto Lyria's waist on the podium.

That was all I got after years of loving and trusting him.

“Is that clear, bitch?” Elder Rowan snapped at me again, voice loud with fury. He didn't seem to care that everyone in the room was watching now, whispers swallowing up the music from the orchestra.

He didn't care. The more people knew I was abandoned by my mate, the more I would be taunted, and the more he could legitimize his daughter's role as Alpha Damian's lover and Luna.

“Give him up already. He isn't worth it.” Val, my wolf, hissed at me again in my head when I still didn't say anything. “Let the bastard go.”

There was no use holding onto a love that doesn't want me. I would only hurt more, only continue to suffer while he gets to be with his new love and bride.

I blinked as I looked into the fury that strung Elder Rowan’s brows tight. “I understand,” I muttered, grinding my teeth at the pain of his grip.

“That's good then,” he grunted. “It was only a mistake that fate chose you to be his mate. A mere maid has no business being a Luna.”

Then he pushed me roughly, and I staggered on unsteady legs to the wall. “Continue cleaning, maid.” He snarled.

My hands shook terribly as I picked up the broom and continued cleaning the floor. I didn't dare look up, not at the risk of colliding with the hundreds of eyes watching me right now.

I could never survive in the pack after this humiliation. I could never look anyone in the eyes without being reminded of tonight. I had to find a way to leave, even if Damian would be miserable losing his real mate, even if I will too. But I hope he’ll be more miserable than I am right now. I prayed he'd regret today over and over again until his heart bleeds.