FIVE YEARS LATER

Time had lost all meaning. Days blended into nights, and nights into days. My only sense of time was the regular visit from the guards, who come to torture me with merciless precision.

Sometimes Alpha Thane, sometimes the guards.

My voice was gone, silenced by the endless screams that no longer escaped my lips. My body is lean, my muscles wasted away from the feeding that came once in a while. My clothes were hanging loose, a glaring reminder of my drastic weight loss.

The guards fed me when they felt like it, sometimes leaving me to starve for what feels like an eternity.

And with each meal, they would administer a dose of wolfsbane, enough to cripple my wolf but not enough to kill her. The pain was a constant companion,a friend even, a reminder of my captivity.

I once thought I knew the level of cruelty of my pack, but I never imagined I would experience it firsthand. The Alpha's words echo in my mind, "You're a traitor, Luna. And you'll pay the price."

You might ask about my mate, Ryker. The one who was supposed to love and protect me. But instead, he betrayed me, handing me over to our pack's mercy.

I remember the night, a week after my imprisonment, when I felt the pain of him mating with another she-wolf. It was like hell itself was licking through my body, a burning agony that left my bones weak , my resolve frail.

It felt like I was being punished. For what crimes I did not know.

I cried until my eyes hurt, until there were no tears left to cry. The pain was a constant reminder of his betrayal, a knife twisting in my heart.

Every night, I felt it, a fresh wound, a new torture. The bond between us, once a source of comfort and strength, had become a weapon of suffering.

And yet, I held onto the memories of our past, of the love we once shared. But even those memories were tainted now, poisoned by his betrayal.

It felt like he was doing this on purpose.

Ryker, my mate, my betrayer. His name became a curse on my lips, a reminder of the pain he inflicted upon me.

Ryker's visits were a constant reminder of his betrayal. He would come to the dungeon, his presence mocking what we once had; a loving relationship.

I'd stare at him, my eyes blazing with hatred, but my voice would fail me. I couldn't muster the courage to speak, to confront him about his betrayal . I was trapped in a prison of pain and suffering, and he was the one who held the key.

His eyes would meet mine, and for a moment, I'd see a glimmer of the mate I once knew. But it was just a fleeting illusion, a cruel taunt. He'd smile, a cold, calculating smile, and I'd feel my heart shatter all over again. He was toying with me.

He'd say nothing, just stand there. And then, he'd leave, leaving me to my darkness, my anger, and my tears. He was playing with my head.

I was consumed by a burning hatred, a rage that threatened to destroy me. I couldn't understand why he'd betrayed me, why he'd handed me over to our pack's mercy. Had our love meant nothing to him? Had I meant nothing? The questions swirled in my mind, a toxic mix of pain and anger that I couldn't escape.

I'm lost in my thoughts, my mind a circus of pain and anguish, when suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed through the cell. I was startled, my heart racing, as the guard approached me. I shrink away, my eyes fixed on him with a mix of fear and apprehension.

Anyone coming close to me was a threat, a potential source of pain and suffering. My body tenses, ready to defend itself, as the guard stopped in front of me. His words were distant, a blur,like a background sound, as my mind struggled to understand why he was here.

"Luna, your sentence is over. You're being released."

The words slowly sunk in, but my fear remained, a visible force that refused to disappear. I was trapped in a prison of my own making, unable to escape the horrors that haunt me. Taunt me even, for my foolish mistakes.

I cowered away, my eyes never leaving the guard's face, as I struggled to find my voice. "W-what do you mean?" I stutter, my words barely audible. "What's going to happen to me now?"

My mind races with the implications of my release. I'm not ready to face Ryker, not ready to confront the betrayal that still lingers in my heart. The thought of seeing him, of being in the same room as him, makes my stomach twist with anxiety.

And then there's the uncertainty of my fate. I know what happens to rogues, to those who defy the pack's rules. They're killed on sight, their existence erased as if they never mattered.

The guard's words, meant to be liberating, instead fill me with dread. I'm not ready to face the world outside, not ready to face Ryker's wrath. I'm not ready to die.

I stood up , my legs wobbly like soggy Noodles. I moved at a slow pace, my body refused to support me. I reached the gate of my cell first then unto the main entrance.

As the guard led me out of the dungeon, I'm met with a beam of sunlight that blinds me. I raise my hand to shield my eyes, tears streaming down my face. The brightness is overwhelming, a harsh contrast to the darkness I'd endured for so long.

For the first time in five years, I'm seeing the outside world. The sky, the trees, the grass – everything feels surreal, like a dream I never thought I'd experience again. I laugh and cry at once, the emotions tangled in my chest.

The guard looks at me with a mixture of confusion and disgust, but I don't care.I know I probably looked like a nut case. Even I feel like I have lost my mind. My hair was greasy, my body frail and thin. I'm too busy drinking in the beauty of the world, feeling the warmth of the sun on my skin.

I took a proper look at my clothes, they were basically rags at this point.

I take a deep breath, the fresh air filling my lungs, and feel alive. I'm alive. I'm free. Finally.

I look around, my eyes adjusting to the light, and then I see him. My heart skips a beat as our eyes lock. I whisper his name like a curse "Ryker."

My voice was barely audible, but Ryker's eyes narrowed, his gaze piercing through me like a dagger. I could feel the weight of all my emotions, the anger, the hurt, the betrayal, all boiling to the surface.Threatening to burst open.

The guard's presence faded into the background as I took a step forward,it was as if he was never there, my eyes locked on Ryker. The world around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, alone in this moment of judgment.

My body seemed to move of its own accord, my hand flying up to meet Ryker's face with a resounding slap.

My palm stung as it made contact with his cheek, the sound echoing through the air like a sound of thunder.

I felt a surge of adrenaline as my eyes met with Ryker's, my heart racing with a mix of anger and fear. It was as if my body had a mind of its own, releasing the pent-up rage and betrayal that had been boiling inside me for so long.

My hand stung, but I didn't regret it. Ryker's eyes widened, his face red with shock and anger.

The guard took a step forward, his hand on the hilt of his sword, but Ryker raises a hand, stopping him. "No," he growls, his eyes never leaving mine. "She's just... greeting me... warmly."

His voice was laced with sarcasm, but I could see the hurt and anger simmering beneath the surface. I took a step back, my heart racing, as Ryker's eyes seemed to bore into my soul.

Ryker's eyes never left mine as he spoke to the guard, his voice low and even. "Leave us."

The guard nodded and walked away, disappearing into the treeline . Ryker's gaze remained fixed on me, his expression unreadable. Stoic , but dark. Like his heart.

My voice came out in a whisper, shaking with rage and hurt. "Why, Ryker? Why did you do that to me? Why did you betray me like this?"

But my attention was diverted to the woman who came out from the house. There was something familiar about her, something that made my heart race with a mix of emotions. She walked up to Ryker with a confident stride, her eyes fixed on him alone.

She didn't seem to notice me, or maybe she chose to ignore me, her gaze never wavering from Ryker's face. Her hand reached out to touch his chest, a gesture that seemed almost... possessive,intimate.

Then it hit me like a bullet.

My heart froze as I took in the scene before me.

This was the reason for my pain, the reason for my imprisonment. This was the reason Ryker had betrayed me.

My mind raced as I recognized her. Aria, the sweet girl everyone thought she was. The former Beta's daughter. I had thought so too, once. But now, seeing her with Ryker, seeing the way she touched him, I realized I had been blind. She was the reason for my pain, the reason for my imprisonment. She was the reason Ryker had betrayed me.

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me, my heart heavy with the weight of their deception. How could they do this to me? How could they destroy our friendship, our bond, our trust? The questions swirled in my mind, but I knew I wouldn't get any answers. Not from Ryker, not from Aria. They were too busy with their own secrets, their own lies.

But I was wrong it seemed.

Then Ryker proved me wrong, his words cutting deep like a knife. "You're not a queen, Luna," " Do you think you are worthy of me" he sneered. "You're nothing but a lowly omega, a burden to everyone around you. No one wants you, not even your own brother. He didn't even bother to come see you, did he?"

His words struck a nerve, reminding me of the painful truth I tried to forget. I felt a stinging sensation in my eyes as tears began to form, but I refused to let them fall. I wouldn't give Ryker the satisfaction of seeing me cry.

He was not worth it.

"You're not my mate," Ryker continued, his voice filled with disgust. "You're nothing but garbage, a disposable thing to be used and thrown away.

You were never worthy of me, Luna. Never worthy of my love."

" The moon goddess made a mistake by choosing you as my mate. And I plan to rectify it".

His words were like a punch to the gut, leaving me breathless and my head spinning. I felt like I was drowning in a sea of despair, unable to find a lifeline to cling to. But as I looked into Ryker's eyes, I saw something that gave me the strength to keep going. I saw the truth.

Ryker's words were not meant to hurt me, but to hide his own pain. He was trying to distract me from the real issue, from the truth that he had betrayed me and broken our bond. He was trying to make me feel worthless, to make me believe that I was the one who was disposable.

But I knew better. I knew that I was not worthless, that I was a queen, a queen who had been betrayed and hurt. I knew that I deserved better than Ryker's cruelty, better than his lies.

With a fierce determination, I stood tall, even though my body was shaking , my eyes flashing with defiance. "You may think you're hurting me, Ryker," I spat, my voice low and even. "But you're not. You're only showing me your true nature, and it's ugly. You're the one who's worthless, Ryker. You're the one who's disposable."

Ryker's words dripped with disdain. "I only marked you to calm my wolf, Luna. He wanted you at the time, and I indulged him. You were just a means to an end, a way to placate him."

I felt a searing betrayal, my heart wrenching in pain. But before I could respond, my body began to ache, my wolf Crescent stirring within me. Crescent, my wolf, felt the betrayal too, and she would not be silenced.

She came forward, taking control of my body for a brief moment. My voice changed, becoming deeper and more commanding. "You dare to admit such a thing, Ryker?"

Crescent spoke through me, her presence demanding respect, an anomaly for an omega. "You used me as a pacifier for your wolf, without regard for my feelings or well-being?"

The surrounding fell silent, both of their eyes on me as Crescent's presence dominated the space. Ryker took a step back, his eyes flashing with surprise and a hint of fear.She had only been loving and kind to him. Aria's smug expression faltered, her eyes widening in awe.

But Crescent's control was brief, and I felt her recede, leaving me shaken and vulnerable once again.

Crescent's pain was palpable, her hurt resonating deep within me. She had always been sensitive, and Ryker's betrayal cut her to the core. The wolfsbane they had been feeding me,that was meant to suppress my wolf, only added to her distress.

As I struggled to understand the emotions swirling inside me, I turned to Aria, hoping to warn her about Ryker's true nature. Maybe, just maybe, she was not aware of his deceit and manipulation.

I took a step forward, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Aria, be careful around Ryker. He's not what he seems. He used me, he is selfish, he might harm you.... He doesn't care about anyone but himself."

Aria's expression changed, a flicker of doubt crossed her face. For a moment, I thought I saw a glimpse of understanding, but then her mask slipped back into place.

"I know what I'm doing, Luna," she said, her voice cold. "I can handle Ryker." "Unlike you"

I knew then that she was too far gone, blinded by her own infatuation. I felt a pang of sadness, realizing that Aria was not the ally I had hoped for.

Crescent, sensing my distress, stirred within me, her presence was a reminder that I was not alone.

Aria's expression twisted into a sneer, her words dripping with malice. "You're so weak, Luna. You let Ryker use you and discard you like trash. You're nothing but a pathetic omega, too scared to stand up for yourself."

My heart raced, Crescent growling within me as Aria's words struck a nerve. She was deliberately pushing my buttons, trying to get a rise out of me.

"You're just mad because Ryker chose me over you," Aria continued, her voice dripping with venom. "You'll never be worthy of him, Luna.

You're just a disposable omega, a mere stepping stone for him to achieve his goals."

Crescent's anger surged, my body tensing as I fought to keep her under control. I refused to let Aria get the best of me, but her words cut deep, echoing Ryker's own betrayal. The pain and hurt threatened to overwhelm me, but I gritted my teeth, determined to stay strong.

But she continued to provoke me.

Aria's eyes sparkled with a smug smile, her words laced with a sinister gloating. "You're the reason my parents are dead, Luna! Your parents killed mine, and now you're going to pay the price!"

My body began to shift, my wolf surging forward in anger. I remembered the day my parents were mercilessly killed, and Aria's accusation was like a punch to the gut.

My hands transformed into claws, my senses heightened, and my strength increased. Within the blink of an eye, I pinned Aria to the wall, my claws digging into her throat.

As I glared at her, I saw something that made my heart sink. Aria's smile grew wider, her eyes gleaming with triumph. And in that moment, I realized I had fallen into a trap. Her words were meant to provoke me, to make me snap. And I had played right into her hands.

I heard the sound of footsteps. The pack had arrived. I was still holding Aria against the wall, my claws digging into her throat. But as the pack surrounded us, Aria's face changed. She looked like she was in pain. She started whining and begging for mercy.

"Please, Luna, don't hurt me!" Aria cried. "I didn't mean to hurt you. Ryker was just trying to move on with his life."

I was shocked. Aria was acting like I was the villain. I quickly withdrew my hand, but it was too late. The pack had already seen me attacking Aria.

Aria sniffled and looked up at me with fake tears in her eyes. "She's jealous because I mated with Ryker," she said. "She can't accept that he has moved on with his life."

The pack started growling and snarling at me, their eyes filled with anger. I realized that Aria had framed me, and the pack had fallen for it.

"No, that's not what happened!" I protested. "Aria, tell them the truth!"

But Aria just shook her head and continued to play the victim. "No, Luna, I won't cover for you this time. You need to face the consequences of your actions."

She continued crying as if I had been the one to start all this and not them.

Ryker, who had been standing beside us, suddenly pushed me to the ground, hurting my already wounded body. He held Aria close, shielding her from me as if I was a threat.

"Luna, stop! Leave her alone!" Ryker shouted, his voice full of fake concern. "You're so consumed by jealousy, you can't even see reason!"

Aria joined in, her voice dripping with venom. "Yes, Luna, you're so pathetic. You can't stand the fact that Ryker chose me over you!"

The pack members, fueled by their misplaced anger, started picking up stones and hurling them at me. "Traitor!" they shouted. "Murderer!"

I curled up on the ground, trying to protect myself from the hail of stones. But they kept coming, hitting me with rock after rock. I felt a sharp pain in my side.

I was shocked and angry. How could Aria do this to me? I thought we were friends in the past but now I realized she was just using me to get what she wanted.

I realized that Aria had provoked me on purpose, trying to make me snap. And it worked. The pack was now convinced that I was a monster, a jealous and violent wolf who couldn't control my emotions.

My eyes widened as I understood the truth. Ryker had used the mind link to summon the pack to the grounds. The pack's vicious words were their own, spoken out loud with venom and malice.

"You're a disgrace to our kind!" one of the pack members growled, spitting on the ground at my feet.

"You're a traitor and a murderer!" another snarled at me, venom dripping , their eyes blazing with anger.

The pack's verbal attack on me continued, each word more hurtful than the last. "You're not worthy of being a wolf... Ryker is better off with Aria... You're a cheat and a liar..."

"Look at her cheater, wh*re , sleeping with the rival pack just for money. Ryker revealed your truth"

My heart raced as I tried to defend herself against the pack's cruelty, but their words cut deep.

Just then Alpha Thane arrived.

Alpha Thane's presence commanded silence, his handsome features now twisted in cruelty. His eyes gazed at me with disgust, his voice firm.

"Enough, Luna Nightingale. You have been found guilty of attempted murder. Your punishment is banishment."

But before Thane could continue, Ryker stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Wait, Alpha. We have unfinished business."

My heart sank, my hate for Ryker burning brighter than ever. What could he possibly want now?

Ryker's smile grew wider as he spoke the words that would shatter my heart. "I, Ryker Flynn, Beta of Nightwalkers pack, reject you, Luna Nightingale, as my mate. I sever this bond."

Pain ripped through me like a knife, my heart feeling like it had been torn apart. My soul shattered into a million pieces. The pack prison had been a mere preparation for this agony.

Ryker's smug expression seemed to light up the darkness, his eyes gleaming with triumph. I felt a scream building in my throat, but it remained trapped, unable to escape. I was frozen in pain, my world shattered by Ryker's cruel words.

The mark on my shoulder, the one that had started to fade in the prison, began to burn again.

I felt a searing pain as Ryker's eyes locked onto mine, his smile growing wider. Before I could even react, he grabbed Aria and marked her right on the shoulder, his eyes never leaving mine.

I screamed, buckling in pain as if the mark was being ripped away from me. My vision blurred, tears streaming down my face as I looked up at the pack. Their smug smiles seemed to mock me, their eyes gleaming with triumph.

Ryker's grip on Aria tightened, his mark on her shoulder a clear declaration of his new mate . I felt a piece of me die, my heart shattered into a million pieces. The pain was unbearable, my soul screaming in agony. I was left with nothing but the bitter taste of rejection and betrayal.

"Why?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Celeste, my wolf, stirred within me, her presence evident in my eyes. "I accept your rejection," she growled, her voice low and menacing.

Ryker's sneer cut deep, but Celeste's words were a declaration of our independence. She receded back, allowing me to take control once more.

Aria walked up to me, her hair conveniently shifted to showcase her new mark. But instead of gloating, she revealed a shocking truth "Ryker only used you to escape his punishment, Luna. I'm the one he loves." "From the beginning".

I expected to feel pain, but instead, I felt numb. My heart wasvoid, empty of emotions. I took up my bag, my eyes scanning the crowd for Caspian, my brother. But when our eyes met, he stood like a statue, looking at me like a stranger.

I laughed, a psychopathic cackle that sent shivers down my own spine. I continued to laugh and cry, not knowing how to feel. The pack members booed me as I walked towards the pack borders, their jeers and insults fading into the background.

As I reached the pack borders, I stopped. Then I looked back at the place I once considered my home. Even though it was never really home.

As I locked eyes with my brother once again, I was reminded of the times when it was only the two of us. Now he despises me.

Never in those five years I spent in the prison did he come to visit me. I was hurt but now it had become a regular occurrence that I was no longer shaken by it.

Then I moved, one leg at a time until I was at the other side of the pack. Outside of the Nightwalkers territory. The moment I set my foot outside the pack, I cut all ties with the pack " I Luna Nightingale cut all ties with The Nightwalkers Pack and hereby declare myself rogue. " I felt the link snapping and I could feel the load being taken from my shoulders. My next concern were rogues. There was no mercy when it came to them. It was kill or be killed.

I walked further into the forest trying to conserve the little energy I had left . I knew I would not be able to last for too long . The wolfsbane or even the lack of wolfsbane was taking its toll on my body.

Five years spent on a regular dose of wolfsbane had done that to me. It was like my body had gotten used to it and also not used to it at the same time. I barely functioned as a wolf anymore.

I was brought out of my thoughts by a sound. The snapping of a twig.. Then I looked around. I did not notice that I had moved a long distance from the pack. I could no longer see the pack. These parts of the forests were unknown to me.

I called out to Celeste , rousing her from her retreat. She also felt what I felt , a presence or many even. Goose bumps filled my arms as Celeste became alert.

I moved forward from my position . My footsteps hastened . I knew that the presence around me were rogues . I smelt them . Celeste began to growl in my head. They were danger through and through.

Then they appeared. They did not look exactly like rogues but their smell gave them away.

There were three of them. One with shaggy blonde hair. Another with dark hair and dark eyes that seemed soulless. The last one had a scar running down his face from his eyes. Afraid they would kill me, I backed away looking for a chance to escape even if it was a small one.

The tall blond one , sensing my intentions said, " Don't run, little girl, we don't bite. If you run we will catch you".

The other dark eyed one said to the one with a scar " She looks a bit good, a bit of washing and make up would do the trick on her. " " Boss will pay extra for her". The scarred rogue grunted and nodded in response.

They began to move towards me with sneers on their faces. I turned back and ran as fast as my leg could carry me. As I ran, Celeste took over, shifting in the process, my bag long forgotten.

I could hear their footsteps behind me, my legs were tired from running. My physique weak.

The trees cutting me on my arms. As I scanned the forest for any hiding place , I made a mistake.

I stopped. Then I felt a pinch at my neck. The everything went black.