Chapter 3

Savvy Utter humiliation washed over me, a cruel betrayal that cut deeper than any knife. Standing frozen in the empty hallway, I watched in despair as my mate, Phoenix Prince, disappeared from view. My entire world flashed before my eyes, a lifetime of memories reduced to ashes. I had never seen it coming, never expected him to cast me aside with such callous disregard. A cold chill ran down my spine at the thought of words going out about the new arrangement, and with this, I staggered backwards, almost losing my foot, but in the nick of time, Irene came to hold me close. "Let's go back to the bedroom, " She said softly, and I followed her guide. Without words, I allowed her to lead me into the spacious room, hoping I would regain my breath, but I didn't. It was my cellphone ringing on the dresser that I met. I walked to it quickly, and upon setting eyes on the screen, my heart skipped a beat. I picked it up. "Pedro ... " "Tell me it is false, Savvy. Tell me what I read in the news, wedding invitation is bullshit. Tell me, now!" My skin crawls at the mere thought of responding, and I bit down hard on my lower lip, regret washing over me. Pedro is my cousin. The same cousin who had been handpicked by Phoenix Prince to serve as his Beta, a position that is now out of reach due to the Alpha's betrayal. "Pedro ... I ..." "Do you know what will happen if you go back on your promise, savvy? " He asked through the mobile, his angry voice evidence. "If you didn't become the Luna of the Royal pack as you have said in those documents, your werewolf is gone forever, and by any chance, if you agree to become Alpha Phoenix's concubine, Our entire Tribe's business will be in the Luna's possession. What the hell is going on?" I couldn't reply. I couldn't find the right word. I can only stare at the blank space, the cell phone plastered against my ear. "Savvy you have to save us. This is on you. We waited long years for us to get back on our feet. We sacrificed everything because you put our minds at rest. If anything happens it's on you. On you Savvy." Pedro didn't give me a chance to explain before abruptly ending the call. My hand fell limp, and I stood frozen, my mind reeling with thoughts of how to fix the mess. How to make things right again. If only I could turn back time. Just then, Irene approached me, a cup of water in her hand, her eyes filled with concern. "You look pale, ma'am. Please, drink this," she urged. My gaze drifted from her worried face to the cup, and suddenly, tears pricked at the corners of my eyes, blurring my vision. Tears of anguish and despair. Without a word, I turned and walked back to the couch, sinking down onto the cushions with a shaky sigh. "It's a huge debt " I whisper, almost to myself. " It can only be cleared if I pay back or become the Luna of the Royal pack, and if I don't... My werewolf won't be returned." Irene stared at me from where she stood, pity etching her features, and she almost shed tears herself. Gently, she walks up to me and says, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Ma'am... I have a suggestion. I might happen to know someone who is wealthy enough to pay off the debt on your behalf." Upon hearing her words I shake my head in the negative. "No one will. It's huge and very complicated. Whoever steps in to save me will have to be someone who does not play by the rules." "The last Silver wolf didn't play by the rules, Ma'am and he is the wealthiest Alpha you can ever come across." Immediately after I heard this, a cold chill ran down my spine. "Terona Silver? " "The very one. My mother was a maid in his pack till she died. Alpha Terona do right by all his werewolves and words say he is generous." "Facts also make it known that he is a very cold man who killed his own Mate." "That was after she cheated on him. I believe Alpha Terona would be able to relate to how you feel because you are also cheated on." "Irene..." "Putting a call to the Alpha will take years to process, but My brother works as a guard in the Silver Moon pack. If you write a letter today, my brother will help you deliver it personally to him." Irene's words hung in the air, and I hesitated, weighing her suggestion. It was a double-edged proposition, one that seemed equally alluring and ominous. Terona Silver is a man who snapped the neck of his Mate when he caught her right in bed with his Beta. He is a possessive man who has an insatiable lust for bloodshed and women. Tangling with the last Silver Wolf, who has a reputation as that would make quite a headline. I know Phoenix Prince stands no chance against Terona Silver. Not when the latter controls the largest pack but ... I was still thinking hard when the sounds of approaching footsteps caught my attention. Quietly, I turn my head when the door opens, only to get the shock. "You should be gentle with those bags. Now come on. We have a lot to do " Sapphire appears with some maids who have her luggage. " You should start setting things up and ..." In confusion about all the commotions, I get up from where I sat. "What is going on?" "Oh, here you are." Sapphire cast a glance at me and then grinned. " Sorry, I was just moving into the right room that suit me. Please pretend we are not here. The maids will move your luggages to another room. I will make sure of that." Her response almost makes me scoff. I matched forward to her, unable to believe this was even happening. "This is my room. Why will you take it?" "For starters because I am going to be the Luna of this pack. I will be Phoenix Prince's wife while you will only be his concubine." Her words and sarcasm sink in and I decided I have had just enough. Angrily, I rush out of the room, heading towards the balcony, where I scream out his name. "Phoenix! Phoenix Prince!!" Enough is enough. I won't stand by and allow someone who knows nothing about me to insult me in my pack. I headed down the stairs, but unexpectedly, my wrist was caught by Sapphire. Her grip was firm and I understand. Without my wolf, I am just another weak human, and it made me feel pathetic that I couldn't wiggle free from her clutch. "Why are you calling out for Phoenix? To save you? Why do you think he owes you the world just because you sacrificed your wolf to secure a loan?" Sapphire's words cut deep, her tone dripping with venom. Her harsh words left me reeling, and I felt the blood drain from my face as I turned a sickly shade of pale. "He ... He told you this?" She stared at me with a stunned expression and then chuckled as though taking delight in my sorrow. "Oh common. He told me how pathetic you are. How you think he loves you. Tell me, Savvy. Giving up your wolf and having it stripped out of you must have hurt like hell, right?" My vision blurred as bitter tears streamed down my face. I was stunned, frozen in place, but nothing could have prepared me for the events that unfolded next. I attempted to wrestle free from Sapphire's grasp, but she held tight, her face twisted in a taunting smirk. Just then, the main door swung open and Phoenix Prince stepped inside, accompanied by several associates. It was the perfect moment for Sapphire to unleash her theatrics. "Let me go, Savvy. Please, let me go," She begged, her voice trembling as fake tears welled up in her eyes. The audacity was staggering. She was the one holding me captive, yet she had the nerve to pretend otherwise, manipulating the situation to her advantage. What happened next was both shocking and calculated. Sapphire released her grip on my wrist, only to deliberately tumble down the stairs, her body rolling and twisting in a seemingly helpless manner. The scene was nothing short of surreal. When she finally reached the bottom, a pool of blood had spread out from her thighs, staining the floor. A chill ran down my spine as I grasped the true extent of her manipulation. I turned to face Phoenix Prince, and the cold, unbelievable stare he gave me spoke volumes. It was a look that told me everything was lost, and our relationship was irreparably broken. At that moment, I knew it was completely over.