Aria’s POV

I never thought I would walk into my own room and find my entire world burning before my eyes. I never thought betrayal could cut this deep, so sharp it feels like my very soul is bleeding out.

At first, it was the sound that reached me. A sound that didn’t belong to me. A woman’s moans, soft at first, then louder, rising and filling the silence with the passageway as I drew closer. My steps slowed, my hands trembled, but something stronger than fear pulled me forward. Maybe it was denial. Maybe it was that fragile, foolish hope that I was wrong. That I was hearing wrong. That this was not what it seemed.

But when I pushed the door open, when the dim light of the room spilled out and revealed the sight before me, my heart stopped.

Lucian.

My Lucian. My husband. My mate.

He was not mine anymore.

His hands gripped the waist of the woman straddling him, guiding her as her body moved up and down, faster and faster, like she was desperate, like she was trying to pull the very breath out of him. Her head tilted back, her hair sticking to her damp skin, her lips parted as moans poured out shamelessly, filling every corner of the room until I could not hear anything else—not even the sound of my own breaking heart.

I froze where I stood. My chest squeezed so hard I couldn’t breathe. My throat closed as tears burned behind my eyes. I felt like the ground had been ripped out from under me, like I was falling into an endless pit.

I stepped forward slowly, almost like a ghost, like I wasn’t real anymore. I needed to see her face, to know who this woman was, who had taken my place, and who had stolen what was mine. Please, I begged silently, please don’t let it be her. Please don’t let it be who I fear.

And then, her head turned. Our eyes met.

Clara.

My sister.

The world shattered in that instant. My breath hitched painfully, a strangled cry leaving my lips before I could hold it back. “Clara!”

Her eyes widened, guilt flashing only for a second before she scrambled off him, clutching a blanket to her chest.

Lucian stood too, his eyes darting between us, his chest rising and falling fast, as if he was the one caught in betrayal, as if he was the victim here.

“What is going on here?” he asked, his voice sharp, as though I was the one in the wrong.

A bitter laugh ripped out of me, jagged and broken. “What is going on here? You dare ask me that? When she was riding you—when your hands were holding her waist—when her moans filled this room that belongs to us? That is your question?”

He opened his mouth, stammering, reaching for words, maybe excuses, maybe lies. I didn’t care. But before he could speak, another voice, deep and cutting, rolled across the room like thunder.

“Good. Very good, my son.”

I turned, and my heart stilled again. His father. The Alpha King.

He stood there, tall and powerful, his presence was heavy enough to choke the air out of the room. His eyes were sharp and cruel, locked on me as he descended the steps slowly.

“I woke to your scream,” he said coldly. “And now I see why. Tell me, girl, what is so wrong with what I see here? What is bad about an Alpha claiming his rightful Luna?” His lip curled in disgust. “And you—how dare you interrupt?”

My lips parted, but no sound came out.

“You,” he continued, his voice rising, “you who are nothing but a wolfless, useless omega. Just like your mother. She was nothing but a curse, and she paid with her life. Weakness runs in your blood. And you dare raise your voice? You dare accuse? Do not forget, girl—you soiled my son’s honor with another man. You carried his bastard into this house, and you dare scream because he lies with a worthy woman? You are pathetic and selfish.”

Each word hit me like a stone. I staggered back, my legs giving out beneath me, and I collapsed to the ground. My tears blurred the room as his voice thundered in my ears.

I can explain! I said amidst my tears.

“Explain then!” he roared, his face twisted with fury. “Explain why you were found in another man’s bed! Explain why your child died! It was no accident. No tragedy. It was punishment. The Moon Goddess herself cursed you for your sin. That baby’s death was your fault. You are cursed!”

He spat at me, his saliva landing near my trembling hand. Shame burned hot across my face. My body shook violently as sobs tore out of me, but I could not form words.

And then he turned to Lucian, his tone softening, his face full of pride. “My son. You did well. You proved yourself an Alpha tonight. You needed a Luna, not a weak burden. Clara is worthy, strong, and pure. Since you have mated with her, tomorrow you will not only be crowned Alpha, but you will wed your rightful Luna. She will stand beside you.”

“No… no…” My voice broke as I clawed at the ground, my nails digging into the wood. “Lucian, please… no…”

But the Alpha King’s eyes snapped back to me, his glare deadly. “Silence, girl. You are nothing. Tomorrow, the world will know. The world will see you for what you are—a disgrace. A wolfless shadow. Your videos, your shame, they are already everywhere. You are finished. Step aside, or you will regret it.”

And with that, he gripped Lucian’s shoulder firmly, dragging him toward the door. My husband did not look back. He did not fight. He did not speak. He went with his father.

I was left there, on the floor, my tears soaking the wood, my heart in pieces so sharp I could barely breathe.

And then Clara.

Clara sat back on the bed like a queen claiming her throne. She let the blanket slip down her shoulder, her body still glowing with the sweat of betrayal. She reached for a bottle of Hennessy on the nightstand, poured herself a glass, and drank slowly, savoring every drop like victory.

“Good,” she whispered, her lips curling into a cruel smile. “So good.”

Her eyes locked on mine, cold and mocking. “Did you really think you could keep him? You? A worthless omega? You think you belong beside an Alpha? Foolish girl. You never stood a chance.”

Her voice dropped lower, venom dripping with every word. “Your mother was the same. A mistake. She seduced Father, and you were born from her shame. That’s all you are, Aria. A mistake. You should never have been born. You’re dangerous. That’s why she died. And if you don’t step aside, you will die too.”

Her words sliced me open. Memories of my mother flooded my mind—her gentle smile, the way she would hold me tight when I cried, the way she saved every coin to buy me a small piece of bread when she had nothing herself. She had been kind. She had been loved. But my father said she used black magic to seduce him. He called her filth. And when she died, I became the cursed child, the black sheep, and the mistake.

I wept harder.

Clara rose slowly, her body glowing under the dim light, her smile widening. She reached into her bag, pulled out a small packet, and tore it open. She dropped something into her glass, the liquid fizzing quietly before it stilled. She swirled it once, then carried it toward me.

She crouched, her eyes glinting with triumph as she pressed the glass to my lips. Her hand clamped hard around my neck, forcing my mouth open.

“Sleep,” she whispered, her breath hot against my ear.

I shook my head, tried to resist, but she was stronger. The bitter liquid burned as it slid down my throat, scorching me from the inside. My vision doubled, then blurred. I spun my head violently.

Her voice was the last thing I heard. Soft, cruel, and final.

“Goodnight, sister.”

And then darkness.