Dust within ancient walls Miles Brooks 45

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE

Viki’s POV

The tray clattered loudly as Henry dropped it on the small table near the wall. The smell of roasted meat and steamed greens filled the room, but I barely noticed. My appetite was gone the moment I saw the judgment in his

eyes.

“Please,” I said softly, forcing a tremble into my voice. “Just let me talk to Jason. Just once. I need to explain.”

Henry didn’t move. He stood by the door, arms crossed. “Explain?” His voice was low and bitter. “Explain how you lied to your Alpha? Faked a pregnancy? Framed his true mate? No. More like you’ll make up more lies to manipulate your way out of this situation. I don’t think so.”

I bit the inside of my cheek, letting tears spill freely. “I didn’t mean to hurt anyone. I only…”

“Save it.” He cut me off, disgust flashing across his face. “You drove Talia, our real Luna, away with your lies. You humiliated our pack with your antics. And now you want sympathy? You’re disgusting. You never deserved to be Luna. I don’t even know what Alpha Jason was thinking to believe for a second that you were better than Talia.”

I shook my head. “I loved him. I did it all because I love Jason. Please, I’m begging you…”

“You’re lucky you’re being allowed to stay in your room and not the dungeon, where you belong,” Henry interrupted.

“Please, Henry. Just let me speak to him,” I pleaded.

“Why don’t you understand?” he said flatly. “The only reason you’re still breathing is because Jason pities you more than he hates you.”

I bowed my head and sobbed louder, hoping he’d feel even a sliver of guilt. Henry scoffed and said, “Your tricks won’t work on me.” He turned toward the door.

“Henry…” I reached for him, my hand touching his back. I felt his body tense and then he spun, grabbing me by my already bruised throat.

“Keep your mouth shut!” Henry growled.

My eyes widened in surprise at Henry’s cruelty. I knew he was one of Talia’s biggest supporters, but I didn’t think he was this loyal to her. I should have convinced Jason to get rid of him when I had the chance.

“Alpha Jason already gave me permission to discipline you if you step out of line.” Henry tossed me away from him. I managed to only stumble backward and stay on my feet. “In three days, the Luna Ceremony will go forward. After that, Alpha will let you go quietly. It’s more than you deserve.”

He left my room, slamming the door and locking it behind him.

I slumped to the floor and screamed into my hands in anger and exhaustion. My wolf growled within me, angry that Henry had spoken to me like that. If the Redbone Flower toxins weren’t still in my system, she would have surfaced and made him think twice about treating us like this.

I crawled over to my vanity table and slowly pulled myself onto the chair. My neck and back still ached from where Jason had grabbed me. I unwrapped the scarf I’d tied around my neck.

The bruises were dark now, blooming purple and red along my pale skin. I traced them gently with a fingertip, then reached for the ointment on my vanity table and began applying it.

CHAPTER FORTY FIVE

+25 Bonus

Since Jason’s attempt to banish me, I’ve been locked away. My father wasn’t even allowed to see me, not that he would. I’m sure he has written me off as a failure by now.

The only reason I was still here in the Shadowclaw pack house and not dead at the border was because I’d screamed that I’d already sent the wedding invitations.

“You can’t kill me, and you can’t banish me,” I repeated while he choked me, “because the invitations already went out.”

Jason’s eyes narrowed. “You think that’s going to save you?” he growled, easing his grip a little.

“If you kick me out now, before the Luna Ceremony, what do you think the other Alphas will think of you?” I asked. “What do you think your father will do if he finds out you messed up again?”

If he tossed me out now, he’d face a scandal that would ruin his name, destroy his chance at power, and humiliate his father. Jason released me, and I gasped and coughed as I inhaled the much-needed air.

“Thank you, Jason. I knew you-”

“I’m not doing this because I care about you,” Jason snapped. “I’m keeping you alive to avoid political embarrassment. After the Luna Ceremony, you will leave Shadowclaw and never come back.”

“Jason, please, you can’t do this to me!”

“If you don’t leave, I will inform the Elders. You will be declared guilty of treason for deceiving an Alpha,” Jason responded coldly. “The punishment for that is hanging until death. Choose wisely, Viki.”

I shivered at the memory. His voice had been calm and emotionless. My wolf trembled inside me at the thought of that rope around our throat. But I wasn’t going to let it happen.

I was not defeated yet. I was going to become Luna whether Jason wanted me to or not.

I wrapped the scarf back around my neck and stood, staring at my reflection. I looked awful. I was pale, with flushed cheeks. My eyes were red, with dark circles underneath them.

This was all Talia’s fault!

I would have never had to take the Redbone Flower essence if Talia had just stayed in her place as an omega in the first place. She was supposed to just disappear, but no. She had to flaunt her relationship with Prince Solon, making others question my relationship with Jason.

But Prince Solon’s spoiled plaything was my best weapon now. Talia would come to the Luna Ceremony. She’d never resist the chance to gloat.

And I would use that moment to show everyone who truly deserved to be the Luna of Shadowclaw.