Luna's Deadly Deception: How She Made Her Alpha Pay novel Chapter 18

"Had enough watching? Shall we walk, Miss Esme?" Magnus suggested.

Thea smiled. "Yes." Just yesterday, she'd received her new identity crystals. She was now Luna Esme - a fitting rebirth.

A month later, the Blackwoods announced their niece Esme would inherit Norwegian Wolf Enterprises, sending ripples through pack society.

Meanwhile, Kieran deteriorated after returning from Norvaria. He spent his days drowning in blood wine, clutching Thea's memorial crystal.

"My Luna, you're deceiving me, aren't you? You're not dead... come back..." "I was wrong... shouldn't have betrayed our bond..."

Pack Law Elder Hawthorne executed the blood oath Kieran had signed five years ago. With Thea gone, her parents inherited everything.

Her mother was merciless: "Sell everything - his den, vehicles, artifacts. Leave him nothing. Let all wolves know: those who cherish their mates prosper; those who betray them fall."

A week later, Hawthorne visited Kieran's den. The Alpha had lost weight dramatically.

"Alpha, Luna Blackwood ordered the den's sale. The new owners..."

"Want me gone?" Kieran laughed bitterly. "Thea's scent is already gone. Nothing left for me here."

He staggered out but collapsed in the garden. His beta, watching him attempt blood-letting in his deepest grief, finally contacted the Pack Elder.

He struck himself. His betrayal had driven Thea to Norvaria, to her death.

The Elder sighed. Kieran, once his pride, now suicidal over a broken bond...

After forcing Kieran to groom himself, the Elder spread out documents - the mating ceremony photos with Aurora, recent pack reports.

"You betrayed her first. I can't face her parents. Your holdings are their compensation."

He threw newspapers at Kieran. "See how the packs view you now."