Ella's POV.

“...is stripped of her title.”

Jason turned toward the Senate Alphas seated around the table. “The position of Luna will be given to someone worthy of the name.”

His eyes found mine, and I realized every ounce of affection I once thought he had in those eyes for me was completely gone.

“And now…” His voice dropped, but somehow every word echoed through the hall. “I, Jason Blackwood, Alpha of the Stormwolf Pack, reject you, Rhaella Hammond, as my mate.”

The pain hit me before I could even breathe. A savage ache tore through my chest, and my knees gave out. I hit the cold floor with a loud thud, a strangled gasp escaping my lips.

My wolf cried out inside me.

I bit down so hard on my lip that I tasted blood. The mate bond was breaking. And it felt like someone was ripping my soul apart with their bare hands.

Across the room, Jason flinched. He felt it too. And just for a second, I saw the pain flash across his face, but he swallowed it, straightened his shoulders, and masked it with the practiced coldness of an Alpha who wanted the world to believe he was untouchable. Like breaking me hadn't hurt him at all.

A soft, mocking chuckle came from the corner. I turned slowly, still fighting through the pain, and saw Dahlia standing there with her arms folded, her lips curling into a triumphant smile.

I didn’t think I had the strength to stand, but there was no way in hell I was going to stay still and watch her feel like she’d won.

Before I could even think twice, I pushed myself to my feet and crossed the distance between us. My palm smacked hard against her cheek.

“Don’t get too excited, Dahlia.” My voice shook with rage. “You’ll beg me for death when I'm done with you.”

She lifted a hand to her cheek, staring at me in disbelief.

“You manipulated my mate. You poisoned him against me.” I scoffed and stepped closer. “And I know you killed my babies.”

Her expression flickered.

“You set Betty up, didn't you? You think I wouldn't figure out that much?” My voice cracked, but I didn't back down. “Playing around with poison has always been your thing. You've been doing it since we were kids. I saw you every single time.”

I glared straight at her. “Deny it. Go ahead and deny it if you can!”

Dahlia’s head slowly turned back toward me. A thin line of blood appeared at the corner of her mouth. For a moment, she simply stared. Then she smiled. With deliberate steps, she closed the small gap between us. I barely had time to react before her palm came crashing across my face. The force snapped my head to the side.

The sting burned across my cheek, and for a brief moment, only the sounds of gasps filled the room. The reporters swarmed closer to us, their cameras flashing in my face while microphones were shoved toward us from every direction.

Dahlia leaned closer, lowering her voice until only I could hear her.

“Little sister,” she whispered. “Just so you know, Jason isn't some helpless pup I need to manipulate. Let’s just say he finally realized that the Luna's crown was never yours to wear.”

Her eyes dragged over me with open disgust.

“It's far too heavy for a dirty little Omega like you. So, drop it and stop being greedy. And if you ask nicely, maybe I’ll be kind enough to carry that burden for you.”

She straightened, but just as she was about to leave, a smirk crossed her face like she’d suddenly remembered something.

She carefully grabbed my shoulders and leaned in again. “Oh, and about those brats of yours…”

My blood ran cold.

“Don’t worry, it won't be long before you see them again.” Her smile widened. “I'm sure the three of you will have so much to talk about with the Moon Goddess.”

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper.

“You can't do anything, Ella.”

Her fingers tightened around my shoulders. “Just sit quietly and wait for your death.”

Then she pulled away, curling her lips into that same smug smile, like the Luna’s crown already belonged to her.

My hands trembled.

I’d been right all along.

Dahlia was indeed the one who poisoned me. She’d used Moonbane to kill my babies. I turned toward Jason, desperately searching his face for something… anything at all… but he just sat back in his chair like none of this concerned him. His fingers tapped lazily against the table as though he were bored.

My chest tightened.

One of the Senate Alphas rose slowly, smoothing down his tailored suit.

“Rhaella Hammond,” he began, his tone dripping with disdain. “The Alpha has shown you great mercy in simply stripping you of your title. But if you continue with this disgraceful display, that mercy will vanish.”

He fixed me with a cold stare. “And we will have no choice but to demand your execution. Why keep playing this victimhood charade when everyone in this room can see who the real villain is?”

Goddess, I wanted to smash that smug old man in the gut. But I knew better. One wrong move here, and I’d never make it out of this room alive.

Another senator leaned back in his chair, adjusting his tie with an amused smile. “Better yet,” he said. “We could add her to the next shipment of omegas to be sent to the Lycan King. Perhaps life in Lycranox will teach her some lessons.”

Cold sweat trickled down my neck. My eyes widened in horror.

Lycranox… the territory ruled by the Lycan King.

That name alone made my stomach twist. Everyone in Stormwolf knew about the Lycan King. He was ruthless, powerful, and feared even by other Alphas.

I had heard enough stories, too many stories about what happened to people who crossed him. No Omega sent to Lycranox ever came back the same. Some never came back at all.

No one knew his real name or what he looked like. He rarely showed himself, but whenever he visited Stormwolf, even Alphas like Jason knew better than to challenge him.

I wrapped my arms around myself and turned back toward Dahlia. Tears finally spilled despite how hard I had fought to hold them back.

Then I turned toward Jason. For a moment, I just stared at him. The man I'd once loved, but who had chosen to ruin me. I slowly shut my eyes.

“I…” My throat tightened. “...Rhaella Hammond, accept your rejection, Jason Blackwood.”

The mate bond gave one final painful tug through my chest. And then it was gone. Just like that, everything between us was over.

I opened my eyes to see Jason staring at me. He looked completely stunned. I knew he hadn't expected me to accept so easily. Maybe he thought I'd fall to my knees. Or perhaps he expected me to beg him to take me back.

I ran out immediately. I didn't stop until I was out of the building. The moment I stepped outside, my mindlink buzzed.

“Babe? Are you okay?” Sylvie's voice rushed through my head. “We’re at your place. Your mom and I are waiting for you.”

I shoved my shaking hands into my hoodie pocket and hailed the first cab I saw.

By the time I reached our small, old apartment, I could already hear my mom crying in the kitchen.

My heart sank.

I hurried inside and found Sylvie kneeling beside her, looking pale and shaken.

“Mom?” She lifted her head. “What’s wrong? Is this about me? I’m fine…”

She looked at me with swollen, red eyes.

“Ella… they fired me.”

I didn't understand at first.

“All of them. The Villas, the motels… even the schools. They said they can’t be associated with us anymore.”

The words hit me like a slap.

“What?” My voice cracked. “What does that even mean? They can't just do something like that!”

Before I could even breathe, Sylvie’s voice cut in, reluctant but urgent.

“That’s not all, Ella.”