Chapter 4

The night dragged on forever. Quinn lay in her dark room, staring at nothing until morning light slowly crept through her window. She kept pinching herself, hoping this was all just some terrible nightmare...

But every pinch brought fresh pain, reminding her it was all real. Jeo had rejected her, and now he was mated to her sister.

Everything she''d worked for—her reputation, the respect she''d earned—it was all destroyed. All that remained was the shame he''d left her with. The pack wouldn''t look to her for guidance anymore. They''d turn to Delilah now... for advice, for leadership.

And Quinn? She''d just be remembered as the Luna who couldn''t satisfy her Alpha.

She hugged her pillow tighter and rolled over, looking toward the window. Exhausted but unable to sleep, she''d spent the entire night crying. The pain kept her awake, along with the endless tears streaming down her face.

Her sheets were soaked with sorrow, and her heart felt like it was drowning—physically suffocating from such cruel betrayal. She wished she''d tried to fix things with Jeo sooner. When he''d started pulling away, she shouldn''t have given him space. She should''ve fought harder...

But what was the point of regrets now? It was over, and there was nothing she could do about it.

Two knocks at her door interrupted her thoughts. "Honey, it''s me... can I come in?"

Her father''s voice was as comforting as always. That man meant everything to her. "Yes, Dad..."

The door opened immediately, and her father stepped inside. He was a Beta like her—the pack''s former Beta who''d trained her to take his position.

But if she couldn''t succeed as a Luna, how could she possibly succeed as a Beta?

"Did you sleep well?"

"Yes..." The lie came easily, meant to comfort him. She hadn''t slept at all.

"I''m sorry to be the one to tell you this, but the Alpha wants to see you. He''s requesting your presence in his office right away."

Quinn sat up abruptly. "W-Why?"

"He didn''t say... but I pray to the Moon Goddess it''s not bad news. If you want, I could come with yo—"

"No, it''s fine, Dad. I''ll go alone."

Despite the endless pain drowning her heart, Quinn got to her feet and walked out of her room. She passed her mother, who watched her with an unreadable expression from the living room, and headed straight outside.

A frustrated breath escaped her lips as she stepped off the porch. She was terrified to hear what he had to say. Last night had been devastating enough—if he hurt her again, it might actually kill her.

Her steps lacked confidence as she walked through the quiet woods toward the pack''s central area where the packhouse stood. Unmated young wolves lived there, and nearby were other important buildings: the House of Elders, the marketplace, and the Alpha''s office.

As Quinn entered the busiest part of their territory, people stared at her with judging eyes. She could hear whispers, and with her trained werewolf hearing, she caught every word...

"I don''t pity her. She''s always been such a hypocrite."

"Right. She acted like she was better than everyone just because she was the former Beta''s daughter and the Alpha''s mate."

"Good thing he left her. Her sister''s prettier, and she''s humble too."

"Oh, stop it. She helped me when rogues destroyed my farm. She''s good."

"Good? She probably only did it because she wanted praise."

Quinn''s hands clenched into fists in her pockets as she pretended not to hear. She''d known people would talk, but she had no idea they''d say things like this... after everything she''d done to keep the pack strong, after all she''d sacrificed so they wouldn''t suffer.

She wasn''t the hypocrite—they were.

Her jaw tightened as she kept walking, but one whisper made her stop dead in her tracks.

"I heard the Alpha''s gonna kick her out of the pack... serves her right. She''s always been useless."

Quinn''s eyes filled with tears as she spun around, facing the direction the words came from. "W-What? He''s going to kick me out?"

The entire marketplace fell silent except for her labored breathing. "I''m useless? After everything I''ve done for this pack, I deserve nothing but respect! Where would you all be w-without me?" Her voice cracked as she continued, pain evident in every word. "You''ll all rot without me. You have a new Luna now? I hope she''ll be able to stay awake all night fighting off the rogues that attack your farms. I hope when every obstacle comes up, she''ll handle it without so much as a stutter. I really hate that I was stupid enough to stress over people who don''t give a shit about me."

The place stayed silent until a tomato rolled to her feet. "Told you she was arrogant... a hypocrite for sure. We''re glad to be rid of you!"

An apple flew next. "Your reign is over! Don''t you dare disrespect the one who took your place... this wouldn''t have happened if she wasn''t better than you."

Another tomato sailed through the air, smacking hard against her chest before hitting the ground. Then more fruits and vegetables came, along with cruel words, hitting her and staining not just her clothes but her already broken heart.

Betrayed again—first by her own mate, now by her own people. Overwhelming shame filled her chest as tears streamed down her face. This was all so painful... everyone had turned their backs on her except her father.

Had they always disliked her this much?

Had they all wanted her gone?

Quinn fell to her knees as the assault continued, fruits piling up around her like garbage. They didn''t stop throwing until a familiar voice boomed over the vulgar shouting. "What''s going on here? Stop this nonsense and respect your new Beta!"

It was Jeo''s voice... but what shocked her most were his words. Their new Beta? When had she agreed to be this pack''s Beta?