Once His Mate, Now His Misery

LUNA CLARA

While scrubbing away at the endless pile of laundry—yet another maid task Alpha Landon had commanded me to do—my mind wandered, replaying how quickly everything had spiraled out of control. Even now, none of it made sense.

What was Landon's true purpose in letting Odette return?

What did he stand to gain?

The unanswered questions gnawed at me until my knees suddenly buckled. My wolf howled within, her cry filled with agony that felt… brokenhearted. Betrayed.

Overwhelmed, I lowered myself onto the floor, trying to steady my mind and soothe my wolf's anguish. But the moment of peace was fleeting. The wooden door creaked open, and Landon's presence filled the room like a storm. His fiery gaze landed on me, and I knew I was in trouble.

I scrambled to my feet, but it was too late. He reached me in two strides, grabbing a fistful of my hair before his hand clamped around my neck. "Who told you to rest?" he roared.

"I was only sitting for five seconds, Landon. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—" My words tumbled out in desperation, but his grip only tightened.

As usual, he silenced me with violence. This time, he shoved my face into a deep tub of water. The cold, suffocating darkness enveloped me, and I could feel it—he wanted me to drown.

When he finally yanked my head out, I gasped desperately for air, but he gave me no reprieve. With a cruel determination, he plunged my face back into the water, holding me there until panic surged through my chest.

Nearly a minute passed before he pulled me out again, only to throw me onto the ground. Soaked, and gasping for breath, I lay there, too weak to move.

"Get up!" He barked before kicking my leg hard. "Finish the laundry. You've got plenty of chores left to do."

Tears streamed silently down my face, but my heart felt numb.

After completing the laundry, my hair still a tangled mess and my clothes damp, I had the misfortune of crossing paths with Odette.

She was a stark contrast to my disheveled state—dressed to perfection in a vibrant red dress that hugged her figure elegantly. Her hair was styled neatly in a high bun, and a matching red hat perched atop her head. She wore makeup that enhanced her facial features, and her red high heels clicked sharply against the floor as she moved.

Odette smirked as she stepped closer. Without hesitation, she planted her heel firmly on my foot. "Did you take a swim in a pond? You look utterly disheveled, my dearest sister," she mocked.

I glared at her, my patience hanging by a thread. "Step back, and don't call me your sister."

Her brows arched, and her smirk widened. "Whatever you say, Clara," she sneered, pressing her heel down harder on my foot, clearly enjoying my discomfort.

This time, I refused to flinch. "Luna. Luna Clara. Let me remind you, I am this pack's Luna, and you are merely a member. Showing respect won't cost you anything."

Odette let out a mocking laugh, as if I'd just told her the most absurd joke. "Respect? Do you think anyone would respect that appearance?" She gestured toward me with a sneer. "Look at you. Between the two of us, I look far more like the Luna. And you? An Omega—no, worse, a rogue!" She leaned in. "Oh, how the tables have turned."

Something in me snapped.

Without a second thought, I grabbed a nearby bucket of water and flung it at her, drenching her pristine red dress and perfectly styled hair. Water dripped from her shocked face as I refused to back down.

"There you go, Odette. Now we're both drenched. Fair and square." My voice was calm. "But let me make one thing clear—no matter how much you polish your appearance, it won't change your position in this pack. You're still an ex-rogue. An attempted murderer. Never the Luna. And never higher than me."