Chapter 4 4

Hearing the lies that came out of Bianca's lips was insane. Seeing Damian believe her was worse. Catherine could feel her heart pounding in her chest as she looked at him. "Please, you have to believe me... I would never poison you!"

Shock flooded through her like a wave, leaving her frozen in place. He wasn't even looking at her. He was listening to Bianca as she whispered something into his ear. What could she possibly be telling him? What lies could she be telling him about?

He should know her better than this. He should know she would never do anything to harm him. To hurt him. What was Bianca even talking about?

Before she could speak again to defend herself, Bianca cut her off, holding on to his arm like she belonged with him. "She tried to kill you, my love. She should be punished severely for her crime!"

Bianca's eyes were filled with fake tears, her lips trembling just enough to make it look real. She was such a good actress, and everyone believed her. She turned to the guests in the hall, her voice filled with exaggerated horror. "She's a traitor-just like her father and mother. I saw her put something in the wine before she handed it to the Alpha!"

A collective gasp went through the hall again. Murmurs of shock and suspicion filled the atmosphere. They all believed Bianca. They all believed that Catherine had tried to kill their Alpha and every one of them was looking at her with anger.

Damian's face also darkened.

Catherine had never seen him so angry and mortified before. She turned to face him, her eyes pleading with him. She wanted him to tell everyone that it wasn't true. She wanted him to tell everyone that he knew her and that she would never do something like this.

The room spun around Catherine. She felt like she couldn't breathe. The hall had grown intense, suffocating her. She watched Damian-the man she had loved with her whole heart-standing beside Bianca. But he didn't look at her with love. He looked at her like she was nothing. Like she was dirt beneath his feet.

"Bring the knife!" Damian's voice thundered through the hall, cold and furious. The crowd gasped. Whispers filled the air, but no one dared to speak too loudly.

Catherine's heart pounded so hard it hurt.

"No..." she whispered, but no one heard her. Or maybe no one cared.

A servant rushed forward, placing a silver knife in Damian's hand. Catherine's eyes widened in horror. She knew what was about to happen. A mating ceremony. A blood bond. The final step in making Bianca his mate and Luna in front of everyone.

"Please..." she begged silently, her voice breaking. But Damian didn't even look at her.

He turned to Bianca instead, his eyes burning with anger and determination. He grabbed the knife and, without hesitation, sliced his palm. Blood dripped from the wound, staining the floor.

Catherine's legs felt weak. She wanted to leave, but she couldn't move.

Then Damian took Bianca's hand-the same hand Catherine had held so many times-and cut her palm too. Bianca didn't even flinch. She smiled. A cruel, victorious smile that made Catherine's stomach twist with pain.

"This can't be happening..." Catherine whispered to herself.

Damian pressed their bleeding palms together, their blood mixing. The symbol of an unbreakable bond. The crowd erupted in cheers, but it sounded like thunder in Catherine's ears.

"I, King Damian Blackwood of the Shadow Moon Pack, take Bianca as my mate and Luna!" he announced, his voice ringing through the hall.

Catherine's knees almost gave in. She caught herself before she fell, but the pain in her chest was too much. It felt like her heart had been ripped out of her chest and crushed.

Then Damian did the worst thing of all. He pulled Bianca into his arms and kissed her again.

This time around, it wasn't just a simple kiss. It was extremely deep, passionate, possessive-the kind of kiss meant to show the whole pack that she belonged to him.

But it wasn't for her. It never would be.

It was for her best friend.

The crowd cheered louder. Some whistled. Others clapped. But Catherine stood there, betrayed and heartbroken.

When Damian pulled away, his eyes finally landed on Catherine. But there was no love there. No regret. Only cold, bitter anger.

"I believed you once," he said in front of everyone harshly, his voice cutting through her like a blade. "But you betrayed me. You tried to poison me."

"No!" Catherine cried, shaking her head. "I didn't-"

"Silence, you traitor!" Damian roared.

Catherine flinched. The man she loved was gone. In his place stood an Alpha who wanted her dead.

"The punishment for treason in the Shadow Moon Pack is death!" he declared. "Take her away! Tomorrow, she will be fed to the Beasts in the dungeon. Letting her die like her treacherous parents would be better than what I have planned for her."

Catherine's heart sank. He had officially ordered for her to be killed and even mocked her parents. The guards moved before she could react. Strong hands grabbed her arms, yanking her backward... She didn't even fight them. She was too broken, too shattered.

As they dragged her away, Catherine took one last look at Damian but he didn't even look at her for a second. He had turned his back, his arm wrapped around Bianca, as if she had never existed to him.

Tears spilled down her cheeks as the guards dragged her across the floor, taking her out of the hall.

Pain stabbed through her chest. It felt like she couldn't breathe. He had believed Bianca's lies. She felt like she was drowning. Like the walls were closing in on her. She couldn't let this happen. She wouldn't let this happen.

With all the strength she had left, she moved violently, slamming her elbow into one guard's ribs. He grunted, his grip loosening just enough.

She seized her chance and ran. She didn't stop. She tore through the corridors, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst from her chest.

Then-the howls.

A shiver of terror ran through her. The wolves. Damian's men had shifted into wolves and were pursuing her. It was only a matter of time before they scented her out. The thought of those huge wolves tearing into her flesh sent a bolt of pure panic through her body and she burst through the gates, running deeply into the woods. She couldn't see because it was very dark, but she knew she had to keep moving.

And she ran.

For hours, she ran as if her life depended on it-because it did. She couldn't stop. Behind her, she heard the heavy thuds of the wolves against the earth. The wolves were close. Too close.

Tears burned in her eyes, but she didn't let them fall. She didn't have time to cry. They were right behind her. She couldn't let them catch up with her.

Then-it happened.

Her foot hit something hard and sharp on the ground. Pain exploded up her leg. She fell and tumbled down a hill, her body rolling violently. Rocks injured her as she rolled. The world spun. Then-crack!

Her head slammed against something solid.

A huge tree.

A sharp gasp escaped her lips as pain burst through her skull. Her vision was fading. She was losing consciousness. No. No, she couldn't.

She tried to move, but her body wouldn't let her.

Through her blurry eyes, she saw him.

Just one man.

Even though her sight was fading, she could feel him. He was strong. He was powerful. His presence felt so dangerous, like a storm coming. He was walking toward her.

Then, he stopped right in front of her. She tried to stay awake. She wanted to see his face. But her body was too weak. Her eyes were closing because she was passing out.

Suddenly, he knelt down. His hand touched her cheek, and he placed a kiss on her forehead.

And then, he spoke. His voice was deep. It was strong. He sounded like he knew her already.

"I knew you'd come back to me, mate."

Mate?

What was he talking about? Why did he call her his mate? What did he mean by that?

Before she could respond, the darkness pulled her in. Everything went black.

She passed out.