Chapter 2 That Traitor
Chapter 2 That Traitor
Damian's POV
The cold October rain fell steadily, matching my mood as I watched Airina's casket being carried from the Moon Temple toward the burial grounds. The procession moved slowly through the mud, a sea of black umbrellas bobbing in unison. I stood rigid, letting the rain soak through my suit. The physical discomfort was almost welcome—a distraction from the hollow ache in my chest.
I was impressed by how quickly the pack had arranged such an elaborate funeral. Representatives from at least five neighboring packs had arrived to pay their respects. That's what happens when you're the daughter of a respected Beta and the future Luna of Moon Shadow Valley—a pack with over 10,000 werewolves. Our territory was one of the largest and most powerful in the region.
She deserved this respect and more, I thought bitterly.
Airina Morrison was supposed to be my mate—my Luna. We'd known each other since childhood, and everyone, including our parents, had told us we were destined for each other. I'd spent years planning our future together, imagining how we would lead the pack side by side. Now those dreams were shattered, leaving nothing but emptiness and rage.
The worst part was that we'd never even had the chance to complete our mate bond. Airina was just three months shy of her eighteen birthday—when she would have confirmed what we already knew in our hearts. But now I'd never feel that sacred connection, never experience the joy of a complete mate bond with the woman I loved.
A flash of orange-brown hair caught my eye near the entrance to the burial grounds. Lya. Airina's sister stood apart from the main group, her head bowed. She looked both sad and innocent, which only fueled my anger. The rain seemed to avoid her somehow, beading up on her unnaturally pale skin before sliding off.
That idiot, I thought venomously. This is all her fault.
Last night
I sat on the couch with Airina nestled against my side, her golden hair tickling my chin as we watched a documentary about werewolf history. These quiet moments together were precious—just the two of us, comfortable and content. The scent of her perfume—lilacs and honey—filled my senses, calming me in a way nothing else could.
Her phone buzzed with a text message. I felt her tense slightly as she read it.
"Everything okay?" I asked, pausing the documentary.
Airina sighed. "It's Lya. She got lost in the forest. She begged me to come and find her."
"At this hour?" I frowned. It was nearly midnight. The moon was full and bright, casting long shadows through the windows of the packhouse.
I stood up. "I'll come with you. It's late, and you shouldn't go alone."
Airina smiled but shook her head. "No need. I'll be quick, I promise." She pressed a soft kiss to my cheek, her lips warm against my skin.
I reluctantly agreed, kissing her goodbye before she hurried out the door. I watched from the window as she disappeared into the treeline, her blonde hair shining silver in the moonlight.
After she left, an uneasy feeling settled over me. My wolf, Luke, was restless too, pacing anxiously in my mind.
Something feels off, Luke communicated through our mind-link. She shouldn't be out there alone.
"She'll be fine," I said aloud, trying to convince myself. "She knows the territory better than most." But my voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.
Still, to distract myself while waiting, I headed to my father's office to review some pack documents. As the future Alpha, I needed to stay on top of pack affairs. The familiar smell of leather and old paper usually comforted me, but tonight it did little to ease my growing anxiety.
About an hour later, a frantic mind-link from one of our border warriors jolted me from my work: Sir! Lya just ran out of the woods screaming for help!
My blood ran cold. Without hesitation, I shifted into my wolf form, tearing through my clothes, and raced toward the forest, following Airina's scent. My paws pounded against the earth, my heart hammering in my chest.
The trail led me to a small clearing that would haunt my nightmares forever. Blood—Airina's blood—was everywhere. Her traditional Luna training outfit lay torn to shreds, golden hair scattered across the ground. The metallic scent of blood mixed with a distinct odor I recognized immediately: rogue.
But there was no body.
It was the most savage attack scene I'd ever witnessed. The coppery smell of blood was so strong it made me gag, even in wolf form.
The rain fell harder now as we approached the circular altar at the center of the burial grounds. Tears streamed down my face, indistinguishable from the raindrops. I hadn't eaten or slept since discovering Airina's remains last night. My body felt hollow, running on nothing but grief and rage.
My anger toward Lya provided a welcome distraction from my grief. Her stupid actions cost me my mate! Cost this pack its future Luna!
Damian, Luke's voice cautioned in my mind. This is Airina's funeral. It should be about her, not your anger.
I knew he was right. Luke had always been the more level-headed of us, especially when my emotions ran hot. Fine, I conceded. But afterward, that idiot will answer for what she's done.
Airina's casket—containing her Luna training outfit, golden hair, and other recovered belongings—was placed at the center of the circular altar. My father, Alpha Richard, stood beside the Moon Priest, their faces solemn as they prepared to begin the ceremony.
The Alpha and Beta families sat in the front row. I maintained my composure, determined not to show weakness in front of the pack. But seeing Airina's parents—her father Sebastian, our pack's senior Beta—silently weeping broke something inside me.
Next to them sat Noah, Airina's brother and my best friend, with his mate Lucy. Both were crying openly. In fact, as I looked around, there wasn't a dry eye to be found. Even my father, the tough and stoic Alpha Richard Sterling, had tears glistening in his eyes.
As dusk fell, I noticed Lya becoming increasingly uncomfortable, seemingly fighting some kind of pain. Her discomfort irritated me further. Can't she even sit still through her sister's funeral?
When the moon rose high and the priest began reciting the final prayers to the Moon Goddess, Lya leaned over to whisper something to her mother, Victoria. Victoria glared at her, and Lya lowered her head in submission.
Then, to my disbelief, Lya stood up and hurried away from the ceremony, her face contorted in pain. I caught a glimpse of what appeared to be silver markings on her arm, glinting unnaturally in the moonlight.
How dare she leave her sister's funeral! I seethed internally. That traitor!
But for Airina's memory, I remained in my seat, forcing myself to focus on the ceremony. I would deal with the ungrateful girl later. Tonight was about mourning the mate who had been taken from me—and the future we would never have.