Sovia’s POV

Whack!

The force blasted my neck to the side, a sharp sound ringing deep within my ears.

A metallic taste flooded my mouth. Blood.

I swallowed it down, along with my pride.

"By the moon!"

"Did the alpha just hit his Luna queen?"

"Be quiet. She deserves it."

With trembling hands, I held my face until I met Janova’s eyes again.

He, more than anyone, should understand how I felt about being hit. Janova knew my past better than anyone.

How could he do this to me?

My lips parted, unable to form words as a tear slid down my cheek.

"Apologize to Blossom. Now," he said firmly. From the way he stood, he was giving me no choice.

"Janova Lockham…" I gritted my teeth together. "I didn’t expect you to be so ungrateful—after everything we’ve been through together. I even lost my wo…"

"My lord…" a soft voice cut me off, her footsteps light as she skipped a few steps.

Janova quickly wrapped his hand around her waist, propping her forward. "Be careful so you don’t hurt yourself."

I could hear the crack in my jaw as I pressed my teeth together.

So he knew how to be gentle—he just wanted to be cruel to me.

Before the tears rolled off again, I swiped them away with my palm, taking a deep breath.

"Sovia Henric, I’ll ask you one last time. Apologize and admit you're wrong." His red eyes shimmered again, and the wolves around us scurried back with low whimpers.

Even though my knees knotted together, I took a step forward. "No." I forced a strained smile. "I didn’t do anything wrong, and I’m the Luna queen of Babel State. I won’t bow to a mere rogue."

He blinked as if he didn’t believe what was happening.

Raising his hand again, I stood there unmoved.

The Luna queen was the only thing I had left, and no one could take that position from me.

Janova smirked, pulling Blossom closer. "You never talk back to me before. Do you want a death wish?"

When I didn’t answer, he waved his hand, signaling the betas guarding the hall.

Swiftly, they came over, forming a circle around me. My pulse spiked as two of them snatched my arms.

"Take her away. Forty lashes.," Janova ordered and then drawled.”Sliver whip.”

Everyone gasped, and my breath hitched.

"Janova! You…"

He smirked while Blossom snuggled closer, feeling the pain as the betas started yanking me.

"Janova! You can’t do this to me!"

*****

It had been so long since I felt a tear in my skin. Maybe that’s why I forgot what they actually felt like.

Sore, bitter, and humiliating—but nothing compared to the pain of seeing my fated mate with another woman.

The Moon Goddess never makes a mistake, so why has my life been so tragic, right from the day I was born into this cruel world?

"My lady! My Lady!"

I closed my eyes, pulling my knees together, burying my face between my legs.

The door kicked open and her quick footsteps rushed inside.

Her hand wrapped around my arm, causing a rough hiss to escape my lips.

"I'm so sorry, my lady." Her voice broke. I didn’t need to lift my gaze to know that she was already in tears.

Vanessa—my personal maid who grew up with me since childhood.

After I found her on the street, she decided to serve me once I gave her bread. Despite my countless rejections, she followed me relentlessly until I agreed.

"How could the Alpha treat you this way?" she mumbled, her tears dripping on my palm. "He promised he would give you a better future. I thought we would finally escape from that hell. My lady, you deserve better."

Even if I was tearing up inside, I had to be strong—at least for Vanessa.

I pulled her close. "Don’t worry. Everything will be fine."

Even I didn’t believe those words, because it was obvious—my mate had found my replacement.

"My lady, everyone is talking about how the King has gotten a mistress. What about you…" Vanessa sniffed, wiping her nose.

"Most Alphas don’t stay with one woman. Some even have breeders. We still have a chance. Alright?"

And in our wolf state, for a Luna to be removed she had to die or abdicate willingly.

This entire state, the peace and prosperity—it all rested on my sweat and blood.

"Hmmmm—"

Clang!

Vanessa sprang up to her feet as two beta guards trooped in.

"How dare you enter the Luna Queen's room without permission. If the Alpha hears about this…"

"So what if he does?"

I frowned once I caught the faint sound of footsteps—soft and graceful.

She smiled sweetly. "Greetings, big sis."

I squeezed the blanket over my leg. Most people would think she was being polite, but I had never met anyone so disrespectful.

Adjusting my hips against the bed, I straightened. "It’s Luna Queen," I scoffed, turning back to her. "I don’t know how people live in Chaldean, but in Babel State, we have rules and hierarchy. You are beneath me."

Blossom’s delicate appeal cracked, but she tilted her head gracefully. "Greetings, Luna. Forgive my rudeness."

I thought she was going to put up a fight, but surprisingly she was cooperative. Strange.

"What do you want?" Vanessa snapped.

Blossom smiled. Once she stretched her palm, one of the betas placed a paper in it.

Stretching it forward, she continued, "The Alpha King has gifted me your residence. Please, Luna, move out now."

I nearly sank back onto the bed. Everything was beginning to spin, and for some reason, it was starting to make sense.

They humiliated me so I would leave.

Squeezing my palm, I dragged a smile across my face. "Inform my mate that if he wishes to seize my title, I will not make it easy for him."

Blossom purred, her fingers playing over her neck, and that was when I noticed the moon jade necklace—the one I carved specifically for Janova on our first anniversary.

He told me he was going to keep it for the rest of his life, but he gave it to another woman.

"That bastard…"

I shot up from my bed, tossing the covers away, my sight darkening for a moment as I staggered over to where she was.

The urge to hit her, to shred her face into pieces, filled my mind, but now more than ever I had to be calm.

"That necklace…" I whispered, watching how perfectly it suited her slender neck.

"Oh, this…" Blossom chuckled, caressing the necklace. "This trinket was a gift from His Majesty. Please Luna, don’t think too much about it."

Closing my eyes, I stretched my lips into something that resembled a smile, my jaw aching from the strain. "Trinket?" I asked, cocking a brow. "You don’t deserve it."

With those words, I reached out, ripping the necklace from her neck and smashing it against the floor.

Its shards clanged and scattered.

"Get out! All of you!" I yelled.

"I’ll never give up what’s mine. Over my dead body…"

I took a deep breath as the pain from my back surged through me.

"My lady," Vanessa held me back when I stumbled.

Thud! Thud!

"My lord. What are you doing here?" Blossom purred, her eyes dilated as Janova strolled past her.

His pupils contracted for a single heartbeat, noticing the necklace. "Who did this?"

When I didn’t answer, he dragged his steps until he stopped in front of me, sizing me up carefully.

He tilted his head before crossing his arms over his chest. "Tell me, Sovia. Do you want death that much?”

Sovia's POV

"Is that what you want, Alpha King?"

His eyes flickered with an unreadable expression, and I inched back for a heartbeat.

But his grip found my shoulders, neither gentle nor hard.

Was it always like this, or was I finally starting to see things clearly?

"My queen," he said, pulling his hand around me.

I froze. Hands locked by my side, not sure what was happening.

"My lord..." Blossom tried to call out to him, but instead he snapped.

"Everyone. Out. Now!"

Vanessa's gaze lingered on me, fidgeting with her fingers. I nodded at her, and that was when she moved.

Once the door was shut, I realized that I was still in his arms.

His hand rested at the back of my hair.

If it were the past, my heart would have raced so hard, but even his scent did nothing.

The faint warmth was gone. Just his lingering coldness.

"Everyone is gone. You don't have to pretend anymore."

Hearing my voice, he pulled away, cupping my cheeks.

Even though I tried to turn my face away, his unyielding grip kept me steady.

"Sovia, when did you get so stubborn? You're pushing me, and I don't like it."

So this was my fault. He had me whipped in front of the entire pack for disrespecting his mistress and this was my fault.

His claws dug into my skin. My eyelids trembled, and a tear slid when I blinked.

"Let me go..." I said forcefully.

"Why should I do that? We're fated mates. Remember? Your life belongs to me."

His hand wrapped around my neck, strangling me in his hold.

He leaned forward, slowly. my tears trailed down my cheeks. "Shhh. Everything will be fine. I promise."

"Really? Your mistress... are you just going to toss her away, or are you going to swear that baby doesn't belong to you?"

"It does."

I shuddered in his grip. He wasn't even denying it anymore.

"You couldn't do it. Someone else did." His hand slipped from my neck, and I parted my lips, gasping.

"I'm sorry, Sovia. But I need a heir and you're barren." He paused, letting it sink in, watching the realization cut through me.

Then, his words landed like steel.

"A broken glass can't be used, so it's worthless and will be discarded."

Was the man I loved truly gone? Did he even exist, or was everything just a figment of my imagination?

Once Janova left, my entire body trembled as his last words echoed. "Discarded?" What did he mean?

"My lady, are you okay?" Vanessa asked, tugging at my shoulders while all I did was stare into space.

No matter how hard I thought about it, something wasn't right.

When he said discarded? What did he mean?

"My lady, you're scaring me." Vanessa's voice echoed, giving me a gentle shake.

At that moment, ZadeKiah's words echoed in my head. "You will regret it."

My body slumped even more to the floor. Was ZadeKiah trying to warn me about something?

Divorce was almost impossible because this was the Royal family. Even if I wanted to leave, it was not going to be easy.

The easiest way out was-DEATH.

Whatever Janova was planning, I didn't want to stay long enough to find out.

Grabbing Vanessa, she froze.

"Prince ZadeKiah, is he still in the Royal place? Where is he?"

"Why... why are you asking about the first prince?" She shivered.

I held her tighter, trembling. "Where is he?"

"The first Prince already left for the north yesterday."

He was gone. My only hope at salvation was gone.

Then another idea flashed through my mind.

My Mother? She would help me.

I'm her daughter, after all. She won't abandon me.

If I show up and explain the situation, she'll know what to do.

"Vanessa, let's go home."

Vanessa's eyes widened, searching mine. "At the place-my lady, are you sure? The Luna won't be happy about it."

She doesn't have to be happy. One of the things I knew about the Henric family was our undying pride. If she finds out that Janova wants to replace me, all her life's work will go in vain.

I nodded with determination.

"Let's go back to Moonshade first. I have a feeling there is not much time."

*****

After that day, I didn't see Blossom, and surprisingly, Janova started visiting me a lot. But even in those moments, I was never truly comfortable.

I put up with it so he would let me leave the Royal place to visit my parents.

"Alright. Enjoy your vacation. Don't stay too long, or else I might miss you." Those were his words, and even his smile ate at my nerves.

Now, in his personal limousine, going back to Moonshade after months of exile, I realized what this marriage was-Exile!

"Sovia! It's been a while. How have you been?" My mother curled her lips, lifting my chin. "You look quite pale, thin even. Being Alpha Queen does take its toll."

Swallowing hard, I mumbled, "It does."

I spotted my sister, Lydia, at the corner. All she did was give a slight nod, strained, and then she wasn't there anymore.

I wasn't expecting a warm welcome from my older sister. Even though we were only a year apart, we were never close.

My mother's grip pulled me back into reality. I shivered under her touch.

"My dear, did you want to discuss something with me?"

Vanessa shifted beside me, and my heart started drumming as she tilted her head.

She didn't need to move. My mother had that ability to instill fear with just her glance.

Inside the Moonshade pack house, it was just like I remembered-cold and ancient, with carvings, inscriptions, and a family portrait that didn't include me.

Why did I even come back here?

"Where is my father?" I asked.

My mother waved her hand casually. "Business trip. You know how he is."

I nodded.

"So? What is it?" My mother asked, dropping her gaze.

I released a deep breath. "Janova wants to replace me. Kill me, I think..." I grabbed her hand, breath hitching with desperation. "Mom, please! You have to help me! Help divorce him. I don't want to die."

Silence.

"And?" Her lips curved.

Then-

Clap! Clap! Clap!

"My queen, do you think you can escape me?"

No!

I whipped my head to see Janova stepping out from the corner, Blossom beside him.

"Mom!" I shivered. "What is he doing?"

My mother moved back and then greeted Janova.

When she turned to face me, her smile went cold. "I invited him. Do you have a problem with your husband."

My knees didn't hesitate to falter, shoulders shook with an uncontrollable tingle of chill crawling down my mind. "No..."

Guards rushed inside the room before Vanessa and I could move another step.

Vanessa stood in front of me, hands stretched out. "Stop! Don't touch my lady..."

Slash!

Her blood splattered on my face. I didn't move until I heard the sound of Vanessa's lifeless body drop to the floor.

"Vanessa..." I whispered hoarsely, tears blurring my vision. Only then did the scream tear from my throat.

"Ssh!" Janova groaned when I tried to reach vanessa, cupping my neck with his bloody hands.

"You killed her. Why?"

"Because that's what happens when you try to deceive me. I am your mate, and your lord. How dare you lie to me?"

Blossom smirked from the corner, and then my mother.

Why? I fought so hard to live a good life, but in the end, it was all for nothing.

I can't even protect the only person I loved.

"I hate you," I groaned. "I wish I never met you."

"I understand, as your mate, but blame fate. You are just too useful, and now thanks to you, my mate can be saved,"

Blossom stepped forward, leaning on Janova. "If you don't give me your heart, Sovia, I'll die... please."

I wanted to laugh!

My fingers dug in as he choked the life out of me. "All these years... was it for her? To get my heart?"

He looked me right in the eye. "Yes. Everything is useful about you. Your family treasury, your Grandfather's business. Your brain, and even her heart will save my mate."

Tears dropped from my face. "This was your plan-to get me from the Royal palace and finish me. You framed me that day at the welcome ceremony, right?"

Blossom chuckled. "Of course. His lord will do anything for me. I can't wait to see the news. Sterile Luna commits suicide. Alpha King true Luna welcomes their baby."

"Even when you're dead. Everyone will think you're a crazy love sick woman who couldn't handle her husband having a new home." Janova chipped.

"You devils! I... I'll kill you all!"

Dip!

Blood blasted on my tongue, along with tears.

I heard screams behind me, but I couldn't move because Janova's claw was deep inside my chest.

"Mo... mom," I said hoarsely, trying to reach the woman who brought me into this world.

"I am not your mother." She scoffed, crossing her hands.

Shaking my head, I gritted my teeth. "You're lying."

"I won't lie to a dying person. Blame your grandfather for leaving the Moonshade treasury. With you gone, our lives will be secure."

What? I had never heard of a treasury.

"Goodbye, Luna!" Blossom puckered her lips. "Thank you."

Rip!

"No! Let my sister go!"

Everything was starting to fade, but I heard the voice-it belongs to my sister, Lydia.

As I hit the floor, she tried to reach, her small hand stretching toward mine, but the guards held her bound.

Her eyes met mine one last time, filled with fear and desperation.

I smiled. In this cold world, someone still cared.

If there is a next life-Moon Goddess, don't let me be so pathetic.