~JADE~

 "Please wait here, Luna; the elders will call for you shortly." Said one of the two guards who had escorted me to the council hall upon request by the council elders. 

Closing the door of the council hall behind him, the guard moved to the other side of the hallway, looking away from me, while the second guard proceeded to walk a few feet down the hallway away from us.

I had woken up this morning with an aching heart and bile rising up my throat like every other morning since the morning my life took a drastic turn. After the argument with Hunter in his kitchen two mornings ago, he stopped coming home. 

I have not the slightest clue where he goes, but I sure as hell know what he does, if the pain I feel every time is any indication. It still baffles me how easy it is for him to switch up on me like this. He didn't even care to give it time, or at least wait until a verdict had been passed. And if I am being honest, I have already given up hope of any sort of reconciliation between us. 

Will the council find me guilty or innocent? I have no idea how they intend to run the trial. Will they try Darren? I haven't heard anything from him since that morning. The last time I saw my sister Arya was that evening at my parent's house. If there's a chance that Darren will be at the trial, maybe he will tell the truth and prove my point that nothing happened, but at this point, I don't even know what's the truth anymore. 

Besides, whatever the verdict of the elders turns out to be, it wouldn't matter anyway since Hunter has already rejected me. Perhaps if there's a chance I am found innocent, will they make him take back his rejection? Even if he does, how well will that bode for us? Will it be possible for us to just go back to being the happy couple we once were and pretend like none of this ever happened or that I haven't been waking up in pain these past nights due to his frivolous ways? 

 "You." I raised my head to the sound of Arya's voice. 

I guess I was so lost in thought that I didn't even hear the sound of her footsteps down the hall. 

 "Why are you so selfish?" Arya asked with a heavy tone of disdain. 

 "Selfish?" I mumbled my confusion as the lines on my face creased. "I am the one who got drugged, Arya. The one who can't remember what happened to her-why are you acting like I wanted any of this to happen? Why would I want to become a subject of mockery when I already had the perfect life and the perfect home with my mate? What would I possibly want with an ordinary Delta wolf? What can a Delta like Darren give me when I have everything I could ever need with Hunter?" 

Arya sneered at my words, her eyes full of hatred as she stepped closer, inserting herself into my space. Usually, I would flinch and cower before her stares because I never understood why she had always hated me. Even while I was in the Philippines, the rare times Aunty allowed me to have supervised calls, Arya would always make nasty comments over the phone, and when I came back here, she never hid her dislike for me. 

 "He might've been an ordinary Delta, but that ordinary Delta was my boyfriend. Darren was my man, and you shamelessly fucked him. You wouldn't be acting like a victim if you weren't caught; perhaps you might not have slept with him for material gain, but we both know you did it for your selfishness and greed to always covet what is mine." Arya grits out, spitting on my face in the process. 

I held back the sneer on my lips as I also pushed back the need to cower. I am a beta, one whose wolf took so long to manifest due to all the drugs my aunt was feeding me. It is quite humiliating for me as a beta wolf to always cower before my sister. First, it was because I respected her as my older sister, and at some point, I did so because I sought her approval and for her to like me. But now? Not so much, because I am not sure if I ever knew her at all. 

"I don't know what point you are trying to drive, sister, but I have never coveted anything of yours. I don't know what happened that night, but I didn't sleep with your boyfriend. I would never hurt Hunter like that. Never." I wiped her spit off my face, and Arya scoffs. 

"Lies, all lies, Jade, and only a fool who doesn't know how self-centred you are would believe you. You don't care who you hurt, as long as you get what you want. It didn't matter to you if your actions would hurt your mate or me; you wanted my boyfriend, and you went for him. Only the goddess knows how many women you've done this to in this pack that no one knows about." Arya commented, shaking her head as she poked at my chest. 

"What the hell are you on about? I have done nothing of that sort to anyone. I have never cheated on Hunter, not before now. Will it kill you for once to act like you like me and take your sister's side? Do you not wonder why I don't remember any bloody thing? Does it not concern you that your boyfriend possibly took advantage of me and might've done so to other women? Act like my big sister and help me find the truth; instead, you are accusing me of things I didn't do while calling me names. No matter how hurt you are, Arya, shouldn't family come first? Is that not what Mama and Papa have always taught us?" I hissed in a hushed voice, slapping at her hand poking my chest. 

Shaking her head as she stepped away from me, Arya wiped at her bleary eyes. I noticed the corner of her eyes moved, and she seemed to be stalling for the guards' attention. The minute both guards shifted their attention to us, Arya let out a broken sob like a performing actress. 

 "You are still the same selfish girl; here I thought you wouldn't be so self-absorbed after living away from us for so many years, but nothing has changed. You always make everything about you; no one else is more important than you. And you don't care what you take from me; you just keep taking. First, you stole my chance to move to the Philippines with Aunty. I'd been preparing for months, and when she arrived, you couldn't stop gushing about how much you wanted to visit the Philippines and how fantastic it would be to live with her. And you managed to get her to agree to take you, even though I was the one she came for. Then what did you do after you came back?" Arya paused to sob into her hands. 

Shaking her head, she continued. "Twelve years and nothing changed; you came back, and you stole the love of my life from me. Everyone knows how hard I worked and trained for years, and our love was no secret to anyone. I was supposed to be Luna, and then you came and took that and the man I loved away from me. Despite how heartbroken I was, they told me to let it go, and I did, because why? Fate has chosen; it was fate. I buried my anguish and accepted my fate, and now that I've moved on and finally found another man to love me the way I deserve, you went and slept with him, just because you couldn't bear the thought of seeing me happy. Because you can't stand seeing me have what I want, and heaven knows I despise you for this, Jade. I hate you." Arya spat, just as the door to the council hall opened right at that moment, as I stared stupefied at my sister's face, unable to form a coherent speech. 

 "The elders are ready to attend to your case now. Jade, Arya." Whoever opened the door announced, Arya hastily turned their way, acting like she hadn't expected to be caught in such a vulnerable state as she wiped at her face hastily. 

 "Of course, we are behind you." She replied with a warm smile, while I remained glued to the spot, trying to piece together what I just heard.

~JADE~

My body moved on autopilot as I walked into the wide expanse of the council hall. The hall was mostly used for large gatherings in the pack, for pack ceremonies, parties organised by the Alpha family, and sometimes rented at a discount for pack members who needed it for personal ceremonies, like birthday parties, or sometimes parties held after mating was completed.

Only a few select people celebrated their union, and Hunter and I were supposed to celebrate ours officially after his ascension ceremony. 

I was told it was customary, although we already marked each other and were mated by common law, Hunter being of noble blood, even though he might not be a royal, being an Alpha heir made him of noble blood, and it was customary that after his ascension as Alpha, he ought to have an official mating ceremony during which his fated luna or chosen luna would be blessed by a high elder or priestess presiding over the ceremony, and the luna would be officially welcomed by every pack member who would come bearing gifts. 

That was what I was told, and for the past two years, Hunter's mother has emphasized the importance of the mating ceremony in my ears. I had to meet up with her every day for several hours to learn about pack affairs and my expected duties when I became Luna.

 She always said being a Luna was more than just being the pretty thing that hung off the side of an Alpha; there were affairs that only the Luna of the pack saw to. We may not dabble in pack politics, but when it came to being aware of the needs of the pack members, meeting those needs, being a listening ear, sometimes handling finances, being in charge of ceremonies, and hosting meaningful gatherings between other packs for prospective alliances, all those were Luna's duties. A pack's Luna may not have as much authority as the Alpha of the pack, but she has a significant role to play in supporting her Alpha. 

All these things I had to learn because I wanted to be the best Luna for Hunter and this pack. I didn't want to lack knowledge when he finally completed his ascension; I wanted to do my best, and for two years I had learned diligently. While I thought this was my destined role, I had no idea that once upon a time my elder sister was also trained for the same role I thought I was destined for. 

My eyes moved around the large hall, my gaze roaming over the faces of the people seated around the large acacia wood table in the far corner. I've been told that the council hall was occasionally used for important council meetings that couldn't be discussed in the Alpha's office, especially those meetings that included elders and Alphas from other packs. 

Alpha Orion sat in the largest chair at the head of the table, with Luna to his left and Hunter to his right. A few unfamiliar faces sat around each side of the table-some elders I knew and some I didn't. My parents were seated side by side, and Arya stood a few feet behind them. 

As I took in each face, my thoughts wandered to a few questions–Had they all known? Were they ever aware of Hunter and Arya's relationship? Had they been preparing her to take on the role of Luna? Had Hunter been planning to take her as his chosen mate before I arrived? How long were they together, and why did no one think it was necessary to share this piece of information with me? 

My gaze landed on my mom, who immediately averted her eyes like she didn't want to be caught looking at me. I shifted my gaze to my dad, whose face looked stone cold, while his eyes trained to the empty chair on the other side of the table. Pressure built up on my chest, and my guts twisted. They knew about Hunter and Arya's history but never thought to tell me. Why? Their betrayal stung deep, and my stomach twisted in a knot as pain speared my heart. Why had they kept it a secret from me? Didn't I deserve to know that the man who was my mate shared a romantic history with my sister? If I had known, perhaps I could've known to attach that to the reason why Arya hates me, and I would've known to avoid her. 

"Now that all parties are seated," An elder cleared his throat; the sound carried his voice to where I stood, breaking me out of my rigid state, and I withdrew my glance from my parents. 

"Excuse me," I muttered before the elder could continue. "Pardon my manners." I apologised as sharp gazes cut to me like I wasn't expected to speak until they permitted it. But I continued either way; if that was a rule, I had already broken it, so I might as well get on with it. "Please, I would like an audience with my mate before we proceed with this." 

I didn't miss the way all the attention in the room now centered on me: Alpha Orion's left brow quirked in a silent question, Hunter's mom narrowed her eyes, and the elders all shared a confused look amongst each other. 

"I won't take more than a few minutes; I must speak to my mate in private. –  If the elders will permit it, of course." I added the last bit so it would seem like I was making a polite request and not rudely making a demand. 

"You have five minutes." The elder, who sat at the other end of the long table, spoke, and I nodded. "Alpha Hunter, please grant your mate's request." His gaze flicked to Hunter, and my mate rose from his seat, growling in disapproval as he marched towards me, and all I could see in those ocean blue eyes I once fancied was deep-seated loathing, all aimed at me.

~JADE~

"What the fuck is this about?" Hunter all but growled as he shoved me into what I presume must be a small office in the council hall. The sound of the door slamming shut behind us enhanced the threat in his growl in this tiny space.

I couldn't even bear to harbour shame with the way he had dragged me from where I stood before the elders and across the hall into this tiny room. It remains unfathomable to me how easy it was for him to change from a loving and doting mate to this man who cannot even stand the sight of me. Not one iota of respect did he think to grant me, almost as if I was never worth a thing to him.

"I have a few questions."

"If this is another plot of yours to gaslight me with your words or to beg, save your breath." Hunter snapped.

"It is neither of the two; I want you to answer my questions honestly. All I need to know is the truth, and once I hear the truth from your mouth, I'll accept your rejection like you wanted before we step back out there, as long as you are honest." I replied, meeting his questioning gaze, and from the look in his eyes, I knew he barely trusted any word that came from my mouth.

This was a man who once treated me like I was made from the finest of gold, a man who told me that my past shouldn't determine who I am or who I ought to be. Yet I look into the eyes of my first love, the eyes of the first person I ever allowed myself to love, and all I see is doubt and his extreme repugnance towards me.

"Ask your questions, and be quick with them." He sneered down at me in such a condescending voice that made me coil into myself.

"A few days ago, you said, 'I should have known better than to trust or love another Dimaano daughter.' What did you mean by that statement?" I asked him, swallowing through the lump that had begun to form in my throat.

"What do you think it means? It is exactly as I said; why do you need an explanation? Whatever it means won't prove your innocence or free your guilty conscience."

"You are right; it may not do anything of the sort, but I need to know because Arya said some words and I..." I paused, an aching slowly building in my chest, crawling up my throat.

'Ask him; we need this. We deserve this closure, at the very least. Don't choke up now.' Levana mumbled in a trembling voice, and I could tell even she felt my pain, just as raw and cold as it felt for me.

"She told me she had been preparing for the role of Luna all her life; she said she worked so hard for it, only for me to come and steal what was hers. At first, I thought to pass it off as just a hurt sister who would say anything to hurt me, but then I remembered the words you said." I took in a few deep breaths as my eyes clenched closed for a moment, and my breathing quickened.

I threw my head back as I fought against the tears welling in my eyes and the pain in my chest that crawled up my throat, wrapping around my lungs in a vice. "Were you in a relationship with Arya before I returned to the pack?" I reeled my head forward as I asked.

Silence stretched between us as Hunter refused to answer my question. "I need the truth, Hunter. It doesn't matter if it will hurt me; I am already in pain. I've been in pain for the past week. Nothing else can hurt me more than I already am." I lied because everything still hurt, and I knew the truth that was about to leave his lips would only hurt me more.

"Yes, we were, but what does it matter now anyway." He finally answered, his voice rigid like a stone wall and his face void of emotion.

I nodded. "Were you in love with her? Did you love her?" I asked. I have no idea why that is important now, but for some reason, I needed to know, maybe to console myself with a lie that Hunter loved me more than her. Perhaps I just craved the pain that came from his truth.

"What does it matter? It was a long time ago." Hunter snapped. He put a little distance between us as he walked away from me.

"Please answer me, Hunter; were you in love with my sister?" I asked in a trembling voice, and Hunter turned to face me. Seconds stretched into minutes as he remained silent, his eyes never leaving mine.

He stared at me, his gaze unflinching, like he was searching for something in my eyes. Whatever it was, I refused to give him the satisfaction of finding it so hardened my expression, yet I couldn't push back the stinging tears in the back of my eyes that threatened to spill.

"At the time, I was." He let out a sigh, breathing heavily.

"She was your first love?" I muttered, and he nodded.

"How long were you two together?"

"From when we were fifteen."

"Did you break up with her because of me? Was it because of my return to the pack and you found out I was your mate? Is that why you left her?"

"No. I broke up with her because she cheated; it wasn't her first time, and I was tired of putting up with all her lies and gaslighting." I closed my eyes briefly to suck in a shaky breath. I wasn't sure if my exhale was out of relief or just the fact that I had already accepted defeat.

"How long were you separated before I came back?" I asked, and despite how much it pained me to know the answers to these questions, I asked them nonetheless.

"A month. Arya and I had been separated for a month."

"And everyone knew of your relationship? My parents, your parents, the entire pack?"

"Yes," Hunter replied, avoiding my gaze.

A laugh erupted out of me at his confession. "Yet no one thought to inform me. No one told me that my sister held the heart of the man I thought was the love of my life." I cackled bitterly at the thought.

How foolish was I to think Hunter was ever mine? How had I been so naive to think I was his one true love?

Foolish, foolish girl, Jade. Your foolishness should be a case study. I mumbled in mockery.

"I can't imagine how much fun it must've been to make a mockery of me for two years." My laughter continued. "I was parading myself as Luna to-be, without knowing I was a clown in a circus, thinking I was yours just as you were mine. Mine alone, but now I know that without the mate bond, you never would have loved me.

Acknowledging this bitter truth feels like the devil had his claws deep in my heart. Even though I laughed bitterly, I could feel myself drowning, and as much as I tried hard to swim to the surface, I couldn't. Every attempt I made to breathe in the air only ended up with a lungful of water that constricted my throat and suffocated me.

"Jade..." Hunter called weakly, stepping closer. He reached out for me with shaky hands, and I stepped back. He was never mine, and I was stupid to think we were meant to be. Now I know why it was so easy for him to discard me-not even one iota of trust that I might be telling the truth-that maybe Darren had drugged me.

"No, it's fine. I'm fine." I murmured with a chuckle as I wiped a tear from my cheeks-a lie even I wasn't convinced of.

"Jade, I loved you, but you cheated. How can I...

"I, JADE ALTHEA DIMAANO, daughter of Juan Dimaano," I began saying, cutting Hunter off because even now, he still believes I cheated, and there's nothing I can say that will change his mind. "Accept the rejection of ALPHA HUNTER HENDRIX, son of Orion Hendrix. May the moon uphold this rejection and the goddess ease my pain." I finished, wiping away droplets of tears as I turned, opened the door of the tiny room, and walked out.

Nothing will ever ease my pain, and nothing will ever lessen the anguish in my heart because of his betrayal.