Olivia's POV
Lying on the floor, I felt utterly helpless. Luckily, the pain soon subsided.
Tears started to cloud my eyes as a deep sense of betrayal washed over me.
Despite it being my first time feeling the pain, I knew what caused it—my mate had been staying by Emily's side, probably acting intimately.
Just like how Emily kissed Marsh earlier today.
In the werewolf world, when your mate snogged someone else after marking and claiming you, you'd experience such intense pain.
It was like an alarm from the Moon Goddess.
If they got physical, I could be in for even worse torture.
I'd heard cases of werewolves who got weak and ended up losing their wolves because their mates had cheated on them.
If I kept turning a blind eye, it was only a matter of time before that tragedy befell me.
Making up my mind, I made my way to the bathroom and freshened up.
When I stepped out, Beta Jeffrey approached me, saying, "Luna Olivia, Alpha Justin wants you to meet him in the reception room."
"Where's Marsh? I wanna talk to him," I asked.
"Alpha Marsh's in the reception room with Emily," he told me, a sympathetic look on his face.
Quelling my distress, I walked to the reception room.
Alpha Justin, Marsh's grandfather, was sitting on the right, while Marsh and Emily were on the left.
A wave of sadness surged within me as I noticed how their fingers intertwined.
I was so madly in love with him, going all out just so he could reach the apex of his career. And now, he was cheating on me in my face.
"You fool!" Alpha Justin exclaimed, snapping me back to reality.
He then hurled his coffee cup at me, hot coffee splattering all over my body.
I couldn't help but cry out in pain.
"What kind of Luna are you?" he hissed while glaring at me.
"Why are you doing this to me? I didn't do anything wrong," I calmly shot back. "The one you were supposed to punish is Marsh. He flirted with Emily in public!"
Alpha Justin shot a furious look at Marsh. "Are you waiting for me to tell her what she's done wrong?!"
Marsh immediately snapped, "We've got other packs' Alphas and Lunas here for the ceremony, and you just disgraced our pack by pushing Emily!"
"I didn't push her! And what right have you got to accuse me? You're the one shaming our pack, Mr. Adulterer!"
"Enough!" Alpha Justin slapped the table and stood up. "Marsh, I want this mess sorted out."
With that, he stormed out.
Marsh turned and roared at me, "You think pulling this stunt's gonna make me leave Emily? Nice try!"
"Marsh," Emily whispered, "please stop lashing out at her. She's doing it just because she loves you. It's my fault. I shouldn't have come here."
Then she stood up and walked over to me, saying in a choked voice, "Luna Olivia, I know you don't like me, but I gotta clarify one thing, I wouldn't have been here if I had a choice. I guess you've heard Marsh and I used to be in love, right? As my ex, he couldn't stand seeing me disrespected and mistreated in the Moonshadow Pack. That's why he brought me back."
"If you truly loved him, you should leave of your own accord. Coz it's best for him to stay with me, his mate," I scoffed.
"Don't you dare make her leave," Marsh snarled at me while unleashing his Alpha aura, attempting to dominate me.
Elara was showing her fangs, pushing back against him.
This clash was sheer torture to both of our wolves.
Marsh must feel this torture as well. He stopped and frowned at me, "I wanna talk to you. Come here."
Before following him into the adjacent room, I glanced back, only to see Emily sneering.
Marsh closed the door and locked eyes with me, saying, "Why are you always going after Emily? If you apologize to her, I'll treat you the same as before."
"Why would I? I've done nothing wrong!" I shouted at the top of my lungs. "Are you deaf or something?"
"Olivia!" he bellowed, his face twisted with rage, his eyes flashing a golden gleam.
I knew his wolf was pissed because I disrespected the Alpha.
"I'm your Luna! The mate the Moon Goddess selected for you! And we're moon blessed! How can you do this to me?" I sobbed, tears streaming down my face.
"Even if Emily stays, you'll still be my Luna and my mate," he said, pulling me close.
I wanted to push him away, but my wolf wouldn't let me.
She just craved her mate's touch.
Our bond drew us together, rendering my resistance in vain.
I could feel his body heating up, and both he and his wolf wanted me.
But here? Seriously?
My senses told me that I should hate this cheater.
Just as I was fighting back my desire, there was a knock at the door. And before I could react, it swung open.
Emily stood there covering her mouth, tears pouring down her cheeks.
"I'm so sorry. I can't help it," she choked out. "Marsh, I just realized that I had never gotten over you. But I guess it's too late. I'll get out of here."
"No, wait." Marsh immediately let go of me, ready to go get her back.
"If you're gonna go after her, then reject me," I said calmly.
I was completely disillusioned. I had to leave him, even though it might weaken my wolf.
"What did you just say?" Marsh glared at me, fuming. "I'm not gonna reject you, but you better learn to be a decent Luna instead of some jealous i***t!"
With that, he ran out to catch up with Emily, leaving me stunned in the room.
I froze, a bitter smile curving my lips.
I'd been dedicating myself to the Dawn Pack ever since I became Marsh's mate. Yet now, all I got in return were betrayal and humiliation. And I didn't even have a friend to talk to. Pathetic, wasn't it?
As I walked out the door, dejected, I ran into Beta Jeffrey.
"Alpha Marsh said you needed to repent of your sin, so he asked me to lock you up in the basement."