MOONFALL

Chapter Two: Left to Die

Chapter Two: Left to Die

Kael’s rejection echoed through the grand hall, leaving me stunned and humiliated. But before I could even process what was happening, he continued, his voice dripping with malice.

“However, I do have a mate and Luna in mind. One who is worthy of the position.”

He turns to Eliana Moon, who was watching the scene unfold with a mixture of shock and excitement. Kael’s eyes locked onto hers, and he smiled, his voice dripping with possessiveness.

“Eliana Moon, from this day forward, you will be my mate and luna. Elder Oakley, crown her as such in the presence of this pack.”

Elder Oakley looked taken aback, but he quickly recovered, his face expressionless. “As alpha, Kael Darkhaven, it is your right to choose your mate and luna. I will perform the ritual as commanded.”

I watched in horror as Elder Oakley approached Eliana, who was beaming with joy. He placed the crown on her head, and Kael pulled her into a possessive embrace.

“By the power vested in me, I declare Eliana Moon the luna of the Blood Moon Pack,” Elder Oakley declared.

The pack erupted into murmurs, applause and confusion, but there I was frozen in shock. How could Kael do this to me? How could he reject me only to choose Eliana, my very own best friend, as his mate and Luna instead?

Elder Oakley’s declaration sparked a flurry of questions from the other elders, their faces stern and disapproving.

Elder Oakley’s declaration sparked a flurry of questions from the other elders, their faces stern and disapproving.

“Kael Darkhaven, what is the meaning of this?” Elder Thorne demanded. “You reject Aria Blackwood, the rightful alpha, and choose Eliana Moon instead?”

Kael’s smile grew wider, his eyes glinting with a sinister light. “Ah, esteemed elders, I’m glad you asked. You see, I’ve been playing a long game here. I’ve been using Aria Blackwood here to further my own ambitions, just as my father always wanted.”

I felt like I’d been punched in the gut for the second time, my mind reeling from Kael’s betrayal. “You… you used me?” I stammered.

Kael’s laughter was cold and calculating. “Of course, Aria. I felt nothing for you. You were just a means to an end. And now that I’ve achieved my goal, I have no further use for you.”

The pack gasped in shock, their whispers and murmurs filling the grand hall. The elders’ faces turned red with anger and disbelief.

Elder Lyra stepped forward, her voice stern. “Kael Darkhaven, you have betrayed the trust of this pack and the Blackwood family. You are not fit to be our alpha.”

Karl sneered, his true self revealed. “You seem to have forgotten that I am the alpha of this pack. And no one can stand against my judgments besides I will do whatever it takes to make sure all of you bow and obey me.”

Eliana Moon, now standing beside Kael, turned to me with a sneer. “Aria Blackwood, you were so blind to our true intentions. You were too gullible, too trusting.”

I felt a surge of anger and hurt, but Eliana continued, her words dripping with venom. “You had everything handed to you on a silver platter. A loving father, a better life with no struggle, and a mate.

Her eyes gleamed with resentment and jealousy. “So, no, Aria, I won’t apologize for taking what’s mine. You had your chance, and you blew it. Now it’s my turn.”

The pack gasped at Eliana’s harsh words, but Kael just smiled, his eyes gleaming with approval. “Well said, my mate. Aria had her chance, and she failed. Now we’ll rule this pack together, and no one will stand in our way.”

My eyes widened in shock, my voice barely above a whisper. “What did I do to deserve this from you, Eliana? I thought we were friends…..”

Eliana’s expression was cold, her voice dripping with disdain. “You were always so blind, Aria. You thought everyone was your friend, but really, we were all just waiting for our chance to strike.”

I took a step back, my eyes welling up with tears. “But why? What did I ever do to you?”

Eliana laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. “You had everything, Aria. The pack’s respect, Kael’s love… and I had nothing. So, I took matters into my own hands.”

My face crumpled, my body shaking with sobs. “What did I ever do to deserve this? I thought we were a pack, a family…”

Kael’s voice was cold and detached as he gave the order.

“Take her away. She’s no longer worthy of being a part of this pack. I’ve just the perfect place for her.”

The guards moved forward, their eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and fear. They grabbed me, dragging me away as I struggled and kicked. “No! This can’t be happening! You can’t do this to me!”

But Kael just watched, his expression unyielding. “You should have thought of that before trusting me blindly.”

As I was dragged away, the elders tried to intervene. “Kael, stop this! You can’t humiliate Aria like this!”

But Kael’s response was swift and brutal. “You dare to question me? I am the alpha now, and I will not be challenged!”

He lashed out, striking Elder Thorne with a blow that sent him crashing to the ground. The other elders tried to rush forward, but they were met with a wall of guards, who beat them back with cruel efficiency.

The pack members watched in horror, but they dared not intervene. They were too scared of Kael's wrath, too intimidated by his display of power.

Kael and Eliana approached me, their eyes gleaming with disdain. “You’re pathetic, Aria, a weak and pathetic person like you is not worthy of being called an Alpha,” Karl sneered.

Eliana stepped forward, a syringe glinting in her hand. “This is a special serum, designed to kill werewolves with alpha blood. You’re the last remnant of the alpha’s lineage, Aria. And with this, you’ll be gone forever.”

Kael grabbed me, holding me down as Eliana injected the poison into my neck. I felt a searing pain, my body burning from the inside out.

I sat there on the floor, my hands bound, tears streaming down my face and the poison burning me from inside. I over my shoulders to see my aunt Elder Lyra, Elder Thorne, and Elder Oakley being held down, their faces somber. I burst into sobs, knowing I was the cause of their pain.

Kael’s gaze fixed on the high cliff behind us. I followed his gaze, my heart racing as I realized where we were.

Eliana stood close to him, a malevolent grin spreading across her face. She waved goodbye, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

Kael grabbed me, his grip like a vice. “Goodbye, Aria,” he hissed, before pushing me off the cliff.

I fell, my life flashing before my eyes like a dream. I landed hard, my body broken and bleeding. The poison taking its full course as I felt my entire body numb and I gasped for breath. Tears mixed with blood as I slipped into unconsciousness, everything going dark.