Everyone Against Me

ARIA

As the stinging sensation traveled through my cheek, the goblet slipped from my fingers and shattered against the marble floor. Wine splashed across the broken pieces like spilled blood. I pressed my burning cheek, staring at the smirk stretched across Liora's face.

But what shook me most wasn't the pain from the slap. It was the person standing opposite me.

My father.

The man I thought would stand for me had actually slapped me. His eyes blazed with anger and unbridled hatred. It was as though the words I had spoken were an abomination. A sacrilegious attempt to smear my family and the entire pack.

His voice thundered once more.

"In a bid to stop the mating between Alpha Xavier and your sister, you could go to any length? How could you be so vicious as to lie about a bond five years ago?"

I squeezed my eyes shut for the briefest second. Not even one question and not even a chance to explain. They had already written the ending of the story, and all I was expected to do was wear the villain's face.

My voice cracked as I wobbled, one hand still clutching my cheek.

"Father, I am not lying. He told me himself. Xavier..."

He cut me off with a shove that sent me tumbling backward, crashing through the chairs in the hall.

Wood splintered beneath my weight. A sharp cry escaped before I could bite it back.

Blood seeped from my palms and knees as I scraped across the floor. My gown tore with a loud rip that echoed inside my ears far louder than the gasps around me.

I froze.

My gaze dropped to the shredded fabric gathered around my legs. Father had pushed me away countless times with words, but this...

This was the first time his hands had told me I wasn't worth holding onto.

A lump rose inside my throat.

I couldn't stop the tears from pouring or the pain from invading my body and heart. My father didn't even want to listen. All that mattered was the fact that I was lying against Xavier and Liora.

Liora stared at me before another laugh burst from her lips. "You've finally lost your mind from being abandoned by your husband."

My jaw tightened. The sound of her laughter scraped against every raw wound inside me. I struggled to my feet, wiping the tears from my face.

"You know very well that I am not lying. You heard everything that day. Xavier has always been my mate. But I would never force him to accept the bond."

My teeth ground together until my jaw ached.

Every lie spilling from her lips begged to be ripped apart, yet I knew the louder I fought, the guiltier I would look.

Liora smiled mockingly as she turned toward the gathered wolves, spreading both hands.

"Did everyone hear that? My sister believes the Alpha abandoned me because the Moon Goddess suddenly decided she deserved him."

Several wolves laughed.

Someone near the entrance muttered loudly enough for everyone to hear,

"Perhaps too much food has clouded her head."

Heat rushed into my face.

Even before the laughter spread, I could feel their eyes dragging over every inch of my body as though my weight alone proved I was guilty.

My brother walked up beside Father, disgust sitting perfectly on his face. His brows arched sharply toward me. "Father, she's embarrassing us again."

"Enough."

The single word came from Diane.

She crossed the distance between us until she stood beside the shattered chairs. "When this ceremony is over, you'll apologize to your sister."

I lifted my chin despite the tears clinging stubbornly to my lashes. "I won't apologize for telling the truth."

Her hand struck my bleeding cheek before I saw it move. The crack echoed across the hall and my head snapped sideways. The taste of iron flooded my tongue.

Tiny sparks danced across my vision even though daylight still poured through the windows.

"Truth?" Diane looked down at me. "Look around this room."

I did.

Representatives from fourteen packs filled the hall. Noble wolves, warrior wolves from different packs and Elders from both sides occupied nearly every seat.

They weren't the only ones there.

Even Alphas sat at the high table, witnessing everything unfolding before them. Some of them looked entertained while others looked indifferent but none of them looked surprised. Not one face held doubt.

Not one.

Their gazes swept over me as though I had already been judged and sentenced.

I stood in the middle of the crowded hall.

Yet I had never felt so completely alone.