"How dare you touch her with your filthy hands!" Alpha Derrick's voice boomed as he glared at me, his eyes full of rage.
He was the one who had just slapped me across the face.
I stood there, frozen, staring back at him like a fool. I had no idea what to do or say. No matter what I said, I knew he would side with Mona.
I had never hurt Mona, but everyone believed her over me. No one wanted to hear my side of the story.
"Seize her!" Alpha Derrick ordered.
Two of his guards rushed forward and grabbed my arms. I didn't struggle. I let them drag me without resisting.
"Let her go!" My father stormed into the room, demanding my release.
The guards hesitated but released me when Alpha Derrick gave a slight nod. They shoved me away, and I stumbled but caught myself.
I took deep breaths, fighting back the tears that were about streaming down my face. I got up slowly and walked to my father's side. The pain was too much, and I couldn't say a word.
Silence felt like the safest choice.
"This is a family matter," my father said, his voice tight. "We'll handle it ourselves. I apologize for any trouble this has caused you." He bowed his head slightly to Alpha Derrick, who nodded in return.
"The party is over. Everyone, please leave," my father announced, and the hall slowly emptied.
Alpha Derrick walked over to Mona, kissed her on the forehead, and whispered something in her ear which made her smile.
Mona looked like a movie star. Her long, thick, wavy blonde hair framed her face, and her skin was flawless.
When she smiled, which was often, her white teeth lit up her entire face. It was no wonder Alpha Derrick was smitten with her.
I watched them together, my heart aching. I felt like I should have been the one standing beside him, but Mona had stolen him from me.
I turned away from them, feeling a pang of jealousy. My hair was as dark as the night, flowing down my back and over my shoulders.
I had a slim waist and a golden tan. My eyebrows framed my constellation-brown eyes, and I had full, heart-shaped lips like my mother.
I looked just like her, except for my cowardice.
Mona, on the other hand, had inherited her mother's looks but I never thought she had also inherited Luna Catherine's cruel heart.
Once Alpha Derrick left, my father turned to Mona and Luna Catherine, his eyes blazing.
"We need to talk...now!" He stormed out of the hall, his voice sharp and commanding.
I was left alone with my two enemies, both glaring at me. I quickly looked down, avoiding Luna Catherine's gaze.
Even if I wanted to fight back, I couldn't. She was our pack's Luna, and I had to respect that.
Besides, I would lose my place in the MoonStone pack in three days and become a slave to Alpha Derrick.
"Let's go, Mom," Mona said coldly, brushing past me with her shoulder.
Luna Catherine didn't say a word, pretending not to notice as she followed her daughter out of the hall.
I wished my mother were still alive. I knew that if she were here, Mona and her mother would have no place in our lives.
"Didn't I warn you about Mona?" Hannah's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.
I turned to see her standing beside Louis, her mate.
Hannah and Louis were my childhood friends. We were all around the same age and had gone to the same high school and college.
We didn't know they would end up as mates until we turned eighteen. They used to bicker a lot back then, and I was always the one to settle their arguments.
They were meant to be together, even if they didn't realize it at the time.
They didn't even know they were soulmates until the day after our first shift. I was happy for them, even though I always joked about it before they took me seriously.
"Hannah, ease up. She's already in distress," Louis said, giving Hannah a stern look.
"Louis, I'm done sugarcoating things for her! Kimberly, I told you about your evil stepsister, but you didn't listen!" Hannah shot back.
Hannah was right. She had warned me not to trust Mona, but I didn't listen. I thought she was just being mean because she and Mona never got along.
But it turned out Hannah knew more about Mona than I did.
I remembered the night I told them Alpha Derrick was interested in me. Hannah confronted Mona about how Mona seemed upset by my good news.
I only thought Hannah was just overreacting, so I stepped in.
I never imagined someone so close to me could betray me over a man. Mona had always been kind and supportive, so I trusted her completely.
She was always on my side against her mother, despite the age difference. Seeing her break my trust tonight was heartbreaking.
"Kimberly, are you just going to stay quiet?" Hannah asked, walking closer to me.
"I don't know what to say," I whispered, looking into her eyes. "I've been rejected by an Alpha. I have to face the consequences."
"Is there really nothing you can do?" Louis asked, his voice full of concern.
"No, there's nothing," I said calmly. "I just have to accept whatever comes my way."
"But you could fight back, Kimberly," Hannah urged, holding my hands tightly. "Tell everyone the truth about Mona."
"Who would believe me now?" I asked. "Everyone thinks Mona is perfect. If I say anything bad about her, they'll just think I'm being bitter."
"I can't believe this is happening to you," Louis said softly, his face full of sympathy. "I wish we could do something."
"I know we can fight this," Hannah insisted. "I'm sure of it."
"It's okay, guys. I'll be fine. I just need time to heal," I said, trying to smile.
Hannah pulled me into a tight hug, tears in her eyes. Louis patted my back gently.
"You two should leave now. We can't be seen together," I told them, still holding Hannah.
"No, Kimberly. I want to stay with you," Hannah said stubbornly.
"You can't, Hannah. If they find out, you'll be in trouble too. Please, just go. I'll be okay."
"I think we should go, Hannah," Louis said, pulling her gently. "Kimberly needs some space for herself."
Hannah reluctantly let go of me, waving until they were out of sight. I was alone in the hall once again.
I wanted to run far away from this place, but I knew that wasn't possible. Alpha Derrick would find me wherever I went.
This city has become a dangerous place for me.
I kept trying to think of a way out, but nothing came to mind. I just had to face my fate and avoid making any rash decisions.
I spotted a bottle of wine on the floor and picked it up. I don't usually drink, so I didn't know what kind it was or how strong it was.
I needed to clear my mind, and this seemed like the easiest way. I left the hall, carrying the bottle with me.
Outside, the pack house was eerily quiet. My engagement had been ruined, and everyone had left. My father's anger scared everyone away.
They all knew how much he loved me, and no one wanted to face his wrath.
Instead of going back inside, I headed to the basement at the back of the pack house. I was the only one who knew it existed.
I had found it when I was looking for a place to hide whenever Luna Catherine scolded me. It was my escape, my secret refuge.
I stopped going there when Mona got older and started following me around. But tonight was different. I was alone again, and I needed that safe space.
I paused as I reached the hidden entrance. I felt like someone was watching me.
"Mind if I join you for a drink?" a smooth voice asked from my behind. The voice sounded like a soft, sweet melody to my ears.
Startled, I turned around to see who it was...