2: TWO

K I A R A My mouth fell open and I stared at him, unable to believe what I had just heard. She was the Luna? He was claiming her? What was happening? I couldn't breathe, couldn't move, couldn't think. My world had just been turned upside down. His eyes held no single emotion. I felt betrayed, angry and confused at the same time. What the hell was going on? I looked at Nolan, who was staring at her with adoration, and I felt sick to my stomach. How could he do this to me? How could he betray me like this? "No, this can't be happening," I whispered, tears starting to roll down my cheeks. I could feel the pain coursing through my body. I felt like the whole world was collapsing around me and I couldn’t do anything to stop it. I must be dreaming. It had to be. This couldn't be real. "Nolan, please tell me this is a joke. Tell me this isn't real," I begged, looking into the eyes of the man I loved, but the usual warmth he had when he looked at me was gone. I was staring at a stranger. "You were never fit to be my Luna, Kiara. I never loved you. Lyra is my chosen mate, and she always has been," Nolan said, his words slicing through my heart like a knife. "And you’re telling me this after three whole years? You made me believe that you loved me! You made me believe that I was the one!" I yelled, my voice filled with anguish. "It was never real," he said, with a shrug. "Lyra is a strong wolf. She is worthy of being the Luna. The perfect match for an Alpha like me. I never thought you would ever become my mate. It was supposed to be her. But you came along and messed up the plan. I had to do what was necessary." "I can't believe you lied to me. I loved you. I trusted you. How could you do this to me?" I sobbed, the tears coming faster now. "Oh Kiara, you were a fun distraction, but you were never the one for me. Don't blame me for falling in love with someone who actually loves me," Nolan replied, not caring how much pain he was causing me. I was devastated. I felt like my heart had been ripped out of my chest. "I hate you," I said, my voice shaking with anger and sadness. "I hate you so much. I wish I had never met you." Nolan looked at me with disdain. "You were never worth my time, anyway. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a mate to claim," he said, dismissing me with a wave of his hand. I watched in horror as he turned and walked over to Lyra, taking her hand in his. I looked at the crowd of people, searching for a face that might show some empathy, but there was none. They were all staring at me with pity and disgust. The entire pack watched in silence as the Alpha I had devoted three years of my life to, the man I had given up everything for, the man I was supposed to mate with in a matter of moments, prepared to claim another woman as his. "I, Nolan Wolf, Alpha of the Crescent wolves, officially declare that Lyra Lockwood is the true Luna of the Crescent wolves. I have chosen her as my mate and she is pregnant with my child, the first Crescent Wolf heir." Nolan announced. His words rang out through the room, and the crowd erupted into cheers. I stood frozen, unable to move. She was pregnant? Just how long has this been going on behind my back? I had been foolish, loving this man with everything in me. I had been so naive to believe he loved me. He had played me for a fool, convinced me that I had finally found my peace in him. For three years, my mate has been lying to me and I was just too blind to see behind his fake facade. I felt stupid, hurt, and used. How could he have done this to me? How could he have lied to me for so long? How could he live with himself, knowing that he had led me to believe that he loved me all these years? It felt like the floor was about to give way underneath me. My entire world was crashing down around me. Not only had Nolan betrayed me, but he had also gotten Lyra pregnant. I had been stripped of my rights, and the future I had always dreamt of. The one where I would bear his children. I wanted to disappear, to be swallowed by the earth. But instead, I stood there, watching my life crumble before my very eyes. I had never felt such a deep sense of betrayal and shame. The entire pack was witnessing my humiliation and I couldn't bear it any longer. As if the knife Nolan had plunged into my heart wasn't enough, he twisted it harder, saying the one thing that would completely destroy me. "I, Nolan Wolf, Alpha of the Crescent wolves, reject you, Kiara Blake, as my mate, and as the Luna of the Crescent wolves. I hereby sever all ties between us and break our mating bond." I felt a searing pain in my chest and it was almost as if I was being stabbed repeatedly. It was the most painful experience of my life. It was like having a part of your soul ripped out. I clutched at my heart, and let out a blood curdling scream as the pain intensified. Everyone in the room stared at me. No one spoke. "This ceremony is now over!" the elder said, ending the nightmare that I was trapped in. I looked at Nolan and Lyra one last time, before turning and running out of the hall, not caring about the people who were staring at me. I could hear people talking and laughing behind me, and I knew that they were making fun of me. But nothing mattered anymore. My life was ruined.