Chapter 6
The sound of the slap echoed through the living room.
Saela clutched her cheek, her eyes instantly hardening like frost. “You actually hit me?” Her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. “My brother has cherished me his entire life–he wouldn’t even raise his voice to me. Who the fuck do you think you are?”
She turned toward the pack guards stationed near the door. “Hold her down. Now.”
The guards exchanged uncomfortable glances, their eyes moving between the Alpha’s mate and his sister.
Saela tilted her chin up, authority radiating from her despite having no official rank. “You’re Shadowpine wolves. You know exactly who means more to your Alpha. Choose wisely.”
After a moment’s hesitation that revealed everything, they moved forward and secured Mira’s arms behind her back.
Mira let out a laugh, bitter and hollow, as tears gathered in her eyes. The sound echoed her broken heart.
So everyone knew. Every single wolf in the pack understood Saela’s place in Lucien’s heart. Everyone except her, who’d wasted six years discovering this supposedly earth–shattering secret.
She was the only fool who couldn’t see what was right in front of her face.
Before she could say anything, Saela’s palm cracked across her face-
SMACK!
The first slap burned like wildfire, the sting radiating through her entire skull.
Then came the second. The third. Each one harder than the last.
“You think you deserve to be Luna?” Saela hissed, striking again. “You’re nothing but a placeholder until I’m old enough.”
Mira thrashed against the guards‘ grip. “Saela, stop this! Have you completely lost your mind? When Lucien finds
-out-”
Saela laughed, the sound high and unhinged. “When Lucien finds out what? That I finally dealt with the bitch who’s been stealing my place? He’s cleaned up every mess I’ve ever made. He’ll fix this too.”
She leaned in close, her lips nearly brushing Mira’s ear. “Let me tell you a secret, Luna,” she spat the title like poison. “Every night he comes to my room. Every night he watches me sleep. Every night he whispers how much he loves
me.”
Another slap landed, harder than before. “I’m his only true mate. You’re just the cover story.”
Velangor 3
Stand–In for His Forbidden Love
2.2%
Chapter 6
CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!
The blows fell in quick succession, one after another until Mira lost count.
“How does it feel?” Sacla demanded. “How does it feel knowing you’ve spent six years chasing someone who’s never wanted you? Never desired you? Never loved you?”
Mira fought against the guards, but their grip was unyielding. Deep down, a tiny part of her kept hoping Lucien would walk through the door and stop this madness–even though she knew better. Even though she knew exactly where his loyalties lay.
Her cheeks burned as if branded. Her vision began to swim, consciousness slipping away at the edges.
“How many is that?” Saela asked, breathing heavily from exertion.
“Ninety–nine, Miss Saela,” one guard answered, his voice carefully neutral.
Saela’s lips curved into a cruel smile. “One more. A nice round hundred for the wannabe Luna.”
The final blow landed with savage force. Mira felt something crack inside her mouth. Warm, copper–tasting blood filled her throat as darkness crowded her vision.
As consciousness faded, she heard the front door open and someone’s voice cut through the haze:
“What in the Moon Goddess’s name is going on here?!”
When Mira next awoke, she was lying in her bedroom.
Every part of her face throbbed. Her lips felt swollen to twice their normal size, and she could taste dried blood on
her tongue.
Lucien sat beside the bed, his expression as impassive as stone. “I’ve been informed of today’s… incident.”
Mira tried to speak, but her throat felt scraped raw. She swallowed painfully. “And?”
“Saela has difficulty controlling her impulses,” he said, his tone flat and administrative. “I’ve addressed the situation. You should put it behind you.”
Mira stared at him, disbelief building inside her chest. “Addressed it how, exactly?”
After a moment of silence, Lucien reached into his pocket and removed a small bundle of dark hair. “She hair without permission, so she’s surrendered some of her own as restitution.”
vour
Mira felt hysteria bubbling up inside her. “Are you serious? And what about the hundred slaps? Did she get one in return? Ten? Or did you just kiss her hand better?”
A muscle twitched in Lucien’s jaw–the only sign that he felt anything at all. “Her hand is swollen from the force she used. The pain she’s experiencing is sufficient consequence.”
Hie Forbidden Love
2.3%
Chapter 6
Mira lay there, stunned into silence. Then a laugh escaped her lips–a harsh, broken sound that evolved into something near sobbing.
“Lucien,” she asked, her voice cracking, “what the hell did I ever see in you? Six years… six fucking years I chased after a man who can’t even see what’s right in front of him.”
As he opened his mouth to respond, Mira grabbed the crystal vase from the bedside table and hurled it against the wall, where it exploded into glittering shards!
“GET OUT!” she screamed, her swollen face contorting with fury. “Get the fuck out of my sight!”
Lucien stood smoothly, completely unmoved by her outburst. His voice remained clinical, as if addressing a subordinate having a tantrum.
“Your emotions are understandable, but the healer advised complete rest. Control yourself and recover. This pack doesn’t need additional drama.”
With that dismissal, he turned and left the room, closing the door quietly behind him.
The soft click of the latch was the final insult–he couldn’t even be bothered to slam the door.
As his footsteps faded down the hallway, Mira curled into herself and finally released the storm that had been building inside her. Deep, wrenching sobs tore from her battered body as the full weight of her situation crashed
down.
She’d wasted six years loving a monster who couldn’t even pretend to care about her suffering. Who dismissed her pain and defended her abuser. Who would never, ever choose her.
What kind of fool had she been?
