*Ellie's POV*

The trial grounds stretch before me, moss-covered stones forming a perfect circle under the full moon's harsh light. My wrists burn where the silver cuffs bite into my skin, each breath a struggle against the metal's poison.

"Eleanor Blake," Luke's voice cuts through the night air, cold and formal. "You stand accused of betraying your Alpha and your pack."

I force myself to look at himthe man I once loved, the man I married, the man who will kill me tonight. His green eyes hold nothing but ice as he towers above me, every inch the Alpha heir he was born to be.

"The trial begins now."

The Elder Council watches from their seats, faces shadowed and unreadable. Behind them, pack members crowd together, their whispers like knives against my skin. Some look away when our eyes meet. Others stare with open disgust.

No!I cried, I never betrayed anyone. I never conspired with rogues!"

I realized what happened - I was framed - by my mate, and the woman he brought back.

*****

*One month ago*

I stand at the packhouse window, watching Luke's black SUV pull through the gates. My chest tightens as a woman steps out beside himblonde hair catching the afternoon sun, her laugh carrying across the courtyard.

Vivienne.

My hands shake against the glass. She's here. After all these years, Luke brought her back to our home. To my home.

"She's beautiful," I whisper, the words tasting like poison.

My reflection stares back at mepale, hollow-eyed, nothing like the vibrant woman who used to make Luke smile. Six years of marriage, six years of trying, and my womb remains empty. The pack whispers about it. About me. The barren Luna who can't give their Alpha an heir.

But this... this is different. This isn't about my failure to conceive. This is betrayal, pure and simple.

I watch Luke's hand settle on the small of Vivienne's back, guiding her toward the entrance. The gesture is intimate, protective. Familiar. Like he used to touch me.

'He brought his mistress home.'

Rage builds in my chest, hot and wild. My wolf snarls beneath my skin, demanding action. Demanding confrontation.

I storm downstairs, my bare feet silent on the marble floors. They're in the living room when I find themLuke pouring wine while Vivienne examines the family photos on the mantle. Our wedding photo sits prominently among them.

She picks it up, studying my younger face with a smirk. "Such a lovely couple," she says, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "Though Eleanor looks so... young here."

Luke doesn't even flinch. "That was six years ago."

"Six long years," Vivienne sighs dramatically. "And still no little ones running around. What a shame."

The blood roars in my ears. I step into the room, and they both turn. Luke's face hardens immediately, but Vivienne's smile widens.

"Eleanor!" she chirps. "What a surprise. Luke told me you were... resting."

"Get out of my house." My voice comes out steady, deadly quiet.

Luke sets down his wine glass with deliberate care. "Eleanor"

"Don't." I hold up a hand, my eyes never leaving Vivienne's smug face. "Don't you dare speak to me right now."

Vivienne laughs, a tinkling sound that makes my skin crawl. "Oh, Luke. She seems upset."

"Upset?" The word explodes from my throat. "You bring your whore into our home and you think I'm just upset?"

Luke's Alpha authority slams into me, trying to force submission. "Watch your tongue, Eleanor."

But rage makes me reckless. I push against his command, my wolf rising to meet his challenge. "Or what? You'll throw me out for your replacement?"

"Eleanor, stop." Luke's voice carries a warning that would make any other pack member cower.

"Why should I stop?" I take a step closer, my hands clenched into fists. "This is my house too, Luke. My pack. My position. And you parade her around like I'm already dead!"

Vivienne moves closer to Luke, her hand sliding possessively along his arm. "Maybe I should go"

"No." Luke's jaw tightens. "You're staying. Eleanor needs to understand"

"Understand what?" I shriek. "That you're fucking her behind my back? That six years of marriage means nothing to you? That I'm so worthless you can't even wait until I'm gone to replace me?"

The slap comes without warning. Luke's hand cracks across my cheek, sending me stumbling backward. The sharp pain cuts through my fury, leaving cold shock in its wake.

"How dare you," he snarls. "How dare you embarrass me like this in front of a guest."

I touch my burning cheek, staring at him. This manthis stranger wearing Luke's facelooks at me like I'm something disgusting he's scraped off his shoe.

Vivienne's eyes gleam with satisfaction. "Perhaps the Luna needs time to compose herself."

"The Luna," I repeat slowly, tasting blood where I bit my tongue. "Is that what I am to you, Vivienne? An obstacle?"

She tilts her head, all false innocence. "I don't know what you mean."

"Don't you?" I laugh, the sound bitter and broken. "You and Luke, picking up right where you left off before our arranged marriage got in the way. Tell me, how long has this been going on? Months? Years?"

Luke's face goes carefully blank. "You're being hysterical."

"Hysterical?" The word hits me like another slap. "I'm being hysterical for caring that my husband is cheating on me?"

"We're not" Luke starts, but Vivienne cuts him off with a gentle touch.

"It's alright, Luke." She turns to me with pity in her eyes. "Eleanor, I understand you're hurt. But Luke and I... we have history. We have a connection you could never understand."

"Connection." I taste the word like poison. "Is that what we're calling it?"

"What Luke and I have is real," Vivienne continues, her voice soft and devastating. "What you two have is... well, it's duty. Obligation. You must know that."

Each word is a knife to my chest. Because she's right. Our marriage was arranged. Our bond was political. But somewhere along the way, I fell in love with him. I thought he loved me too.

'How stupid I was.'

"Get out," I whisper.

"Eleanor" Luke starts.

"GET OUT!" I scream, my voice raw. "Both of you! Get out of my sight before I do something we'll all regret!"

Luke's eyes flash with anger. "This is my house, Eleanor. You don't give me orders."

"Then I'll leave." The words come out flat, emotionless. All the fight drains out of me at once, leaving me hollow. "If this is your house, if she's what you want, then I'll go."

I turn on my heel and walk away, ignoring Luke's sharp call of my name. My legs carry me upstairs on autopilot, each step echoing in the sudden silence.

In our bedroomhis bedroom now, I supposeI pull out a small travel bag. My hands shake as I fold clothes, shoving essentials inside without really seeing them.

'Six years,' I think numbly. 'Six years of trying to be the perfect Luna, the perfect wife. Six years of doctors and treatments and hope and disappointment. All for nothing.'

Through the bedroom window, I can see Vivienne's car still in the driveway. She's not leaving. She's staying the night. In my house. In my bed, probably.

'I can't stay here. I can't watch this.'

The decision settles in my chest like a stone. I won't fight for someone who stopped wanting me long ago. I won't beg. I won't make more scenes or throw tantrums like some desperate wife.

I'll just... disappear.

Quietly. With whatever dignity I have left.

In the kitchen, I write a simple note with trembling fingers.

*I'm leaving. Don't look for me. - Eleanor*

I slip out through the back entrance as the sun sets, my bag light on my shoulder. The forest path is familiar under my feet, winding toward the main road where I can catch a bus to anywhere but here.

The trees close around me, their shadows deep and welcoming. For the first time in hours, I feel like I can breathe.

Then something crashes into my skull.

Pain explodes through my head as I hit the ground hard, my bag spilling across the dirt. Blood runs warm down my temple.

'Luke?' I try to call his name, but only a whisper escapes.

Darkness swallows me whole, dragging me down into nothing.