JUNE’S POV “Remember, June, one mistake from you right now, and we’ll all be dead.
Everyone who brought you to Red Moon Pack, and that includes August.” Lord Boston’s steely voice echoed the warning for what felt like the umpteenth time.
My gaze drifted through the open carriage to August who rode beside it on horseback.
I nodded.
I knew what I had to do – pretend.
At least that was what Lord Boston wanted.
But I had a far more better plan than that.
“Don’t worry, Lord Boston,” I replied as calmly as I could.
“I know what to do.” The black iron gate of Red Moon Pack creaked open, revealing the large entrance of the Alpha’s palace.
Flowers lined both sides of the entrance, while the Crystal spring stood majestically in the middle of the sprawling ground – that was all I recognized from what had once been Crystal Moon Pack.
Everything looked different, from the towering iron gate, to the flowers, and the mansion ahead of me.
It looked like I had never been there before.
As we drew closer to the Crystal spring, my heart tightened in my chest, as a wave of nostalgia washed over me, and my eyes stung.
My initial confidence seeped off my shoulders and I stiffened.
“Calm yourself, June.” Lord Boston’s deep voice fell into my ears as he placed a hand over mine.
“We can’t let them suspect a thing.” It was his voice that snapped me out of the fury that had stirred within me, and I realized my fists were tightly clenched.
Little wonder he had noticed, since he was seated beside me in the Bridal’s carriage.
I nibbled my lower lip and blinked rapidly as I fought the tears back.
Although it wasn’t easy, I knew I had to endure it if I wanted to carry out my plan that night.
Standing at the entrance of the one-story mansion was Alpha Tristine, dressed in a black suit.
Through the white veil covering my face, I could see his brown hair sleekly combed back.
His expression was steely, and it seemed like his gaze could pierce through the veil itself.
I could sense the fierce aura exuding from him.
An elderly woman stood beside him, and a strikingly beautiful blonde-haired lady at her side.
Surrounding them were the Elders who had come to receive us.
Tristine’s fierce aura reignited the flames I had tried to suppress.
My chest rose and fell with barely restrained emotions.
Lord Boston leaned toward my ear.
“He’s an Alpha.
He might be able to sense your emotions,” he whispered calmly.
“So snap out of it and put a smile on your face, don’t ruin our great plan.” By the time Lord Boston pulled back, a broad smile had spread across his lips and his gaze had turned tenderly, a sharp contrast to the threat in his voice.
I drew in a deep breath, as his words settled within me.
“I know what to do,” I repeated it like a mantra, and drew in another breath until my heartbeat slowed, then I nodded.
I couldn’t afford to let anyone lose their life because of me.
The thought of it made my lips curve into a faint smile.
Just when I was about to get off my carriage, Alpha Tristine left his spot.
His strides were purposeful and deliberate as he walked toward the carriage, and stopped beside me.
Then he offered his hand.
How dare him?
My gaze flew to his golden-brown eyes, they were steady and fierce, it was as though he was staring at my soul, through the veil.
Three seconds passed, and I recalled I wasn’t supposed to react.
I was supposed to swallow my anger, the hatred I felt for him, and endure his proximity.
I placed my hand on his, reluctantly, and he held it without breaking our gaze.
I didn’t understand what came over me, but I packed my white flowing silk gown with my free hand, like an obedient puppy, and stepped down from the carriage.
I followed him towards the entrance of what had once been Crystal Moon Palace where greetings and pleasantries were exchanged between us and the others.
Just when I was about to step into the hall, I felt a piercing gaze on my skin.
It was so intense that it was impossible to ignore.
I turned and found the beautiful lady staring at me.
The moment our eyes met, her lips curled into a half-smile.
What was that for?
***** The wedding ceremony that began almost as soon as we arrived that evening, lasted till late at night.
I was led to Tristine’s room by September, who happened to be his chief maiden, while he stayed back to address the elders.
“Have you planned on what to tell him about losing your virginity?” she asked once we were alone in his room.
I shot her a glare as her words slammed into me.
They were a reminder of what I had been trying so hard to forget.
“I don’t plan on repeating the same mistake,” I replied through gritted teeth, anger rising within me.
September nodded.
“I know you don’t, but you’re not planning on denying him your body forever, do you?” She held my gaze as though she urging me to come up with a better plan.
“That’s why I have to kill him tonight.” The words left my lips before I could stop them.
September’s eyes widened, horror overtaking her features.
“What do you plan to do?” Her words were barely above a whisper as she held my gaze.
Her chest rising and falling.
I screwed my eyes shut, and silently cursed my carelessness.
I knew I couldn’t hide it anymore.
“Listen Sept,” I replied, gesturing for her to calm down.
“I plan to kill him tonight.” But the words had barely left my lips when September stepped closer to me.
“Have you lost your mind?” she spat, her words echoing her rising frustration.
Her ragged breath barely inches away from my face.
“You’ll get everyone killed, and that includes Lord Boston who has taken care of you, and August.
You’ll ruin everything we’ve worked so hard for,” she whispered harshly, her words tumbling from her lips as she held my gaze.
My heart thudded loudly in my ears.
Yes.
Maybe I wasn’t thinking.
I had been thinking for the last fifteen years of my life, I didn’t want to think anymore.
I just wanted to avenge my Pack and at least rid myself of the suffocating guilt of having slept with him.
“I..” The approaching footsteps cut me off my words.
“Tristine is coming,” September said as our heads whipped toward the door.
“Please, June, don’t do anything reckless.” She immediately lowered my veil before making her way out of the room.
By the time the door opened, I was already seated on the soft bed, my hands resting over the small dagger resting on my thigh.
My determination rising within me.
I knew what I had to do.