Chapter 4

The next day was the Moonridge Pack's annual Hunt Festival.

The pack gathered in the central clearing, a bonfire roaring, the air filled with the scent of roasted meat and pine. Guests from neighboring packs had arrived, making the crowd lively.

I woke up early, put on a full face of makeup with bold red lipstick, and wore a stunning red slip dress.

When I walked down, everyone stopped.

Liam walked over, eyes wide with admiration. "Babe, why so gorgeous today?"

I smiled sweetly, straightening his collar. "It's the Hunt Festival. I have to look my best."

Liam let out a sigh of relief. He thought last night was completely behind us.

"Yeah, it's going to be a wild day!" Chad chimed in.

Jade slid over, wrapping her arm around mine. "Serena, that lipstick color is gorgeous. Can I borrow it?"

I looked at her innocent face, swallowing my disgust, and smiled. "Sure, it's in my bag. Go ahead."

Breakfast was filled with laughter.

The pack treated me with their usual fake warmth.

They thought the storm had passed.

They had no idea a tsunami was coming.

The festival began.

Guests arrived, the bonfire blazed, and young wolves showed off their strength while the elders drank and talked.

Chad stood in the center, shouting to the crowd.

"Gather around, everyone! Let's get a pack photo to show the other packs how united Moonridge is!"

He gathered all twenty-something members in front of the fire.

Liam stood on my left, Jade on my right. They flanked me like loyal guardians.

"Say Moonridge on three!" Chad yelled, holding up his phone.

"Moonridge!"

Everyone smiled brightly for the camera.

Chad grinned. "Thanks, everyone! Moonridge has been together for years. We're like family. No secrets, no lies!"

"Yeah, no secrets!" Liam laughed.

"We're one big happy family!" Jade blew a kiss to the crowd.

Seeing their sickening acts, I knew it was time.

I stepped into the center of the clearing, facing everyone.

"Alpha Liam." My voice wasn't loud, but it cut through the noise.

The crowd went quiet, turning to me.

Liam blinked, his smile faltering. "What is it, babe?"

I didn't answer him. I turned to the entire crowd, including the visiting Alphas from other packs.

"Everyone, I am Serena, Luna of the Moonridge Pack. I have a few words to say today."

Liam's smile froze.

Sensing something, he quickly stepped forward to grab my arm. "Serena, don't make a scene—"

"Don't touch me!"

I slapped his hand away, my voice dripping with ice.

Liam gasped, his hand hanging in the air.

I glared at him, my eyes like daggers.

"Alpha Liam, I heard everything you said in the mind link last night."

Liam's face went completely pale.

"You said you used suppressants to block our mate bond. You called me a fool who wouldn't dare make a scene," I said, my voice echoing. "You even said you could mark someone else right in front of me, and I wouldn't feel a thing."

The crowd erupted into whispers.

The visiting pack members began murmuring excitedly.

"What is going on? Drama!"

"Is the Alpha cheating on his Luna?"

"This is huge!"

Liam looked like he had seen a ghost. "Serena, let me explain..."

"Explain what?" I snapped. "Explain how you marked Jade?"

I pointed at Jade, who was trembling in the crowd, her bite mark burning under the bonfire's light.

"That's not a training accident," I shouted. "That's a mating mark. My Alpha mate marked another woman behind my back!"

Gasps echoed through the clearing.

The silence that followed was suffocating.

Liam suddenly fell to his knees with a loud thud.

"Serena! I'm sorry! I was wrong! Please don't do this! You'll ruin me!"

He tried to grab my legs, crying.

Disgusted, I stepped back and kicked him squarely in the shoulder, knocking him to the dirt.

"Ruin you? You ruined yourself!"

I pointed at him. "You slept with her while I was sick! I worked myself to the bone to save this pack from bankruptcy, and you were busy flirting with her! Now you're worried about your reputation? Too late!"

Jade broke down, sobbing on the ground.

"Luna Serena, I'm sorry... it was a mistake... I'll give Liam back to you, please forgive me..."

"Give him back?" I laughed coldly. "I don't want your sloppy seconds!"

I turned back to the silent pack.

"Do you think that's all? Oh, it gets better."

I raised my voice, repeating the vicious words I heard on the link.

"‘I bet Serena finds out within six months.’"

"‘I bet she never finds out.’"

"‘She's nothing without Liam.’"

With every line, I stared down a different face. The people who had been smiling at me minutes ago now looked like they wanted to swallow their own tongues.

"You loved watching the show, didn't you? You loved betting on me?"

"Today, I'm letting every pack here watch your downfall!"