Forgive me

Cleopatra pov

 

As the realization of betrayal sank in, I could see the shock and disbelief written all over Cole's face. His normally confident demeanor faltered, replaced by a mixture of anger and hurt. 

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms as I struggled to contain my own emotions. How could someone within our pack stoop so low as to try and harm one of our own? But after everything that has happened to me, I am not that shocked.

"I swear. I didn't want to hurt you!!" The maid pleaded, her voice trembling with fear and desperation. But her words fell on deaf ears as Cole's expression hardened, his eyes cold and unforgiving.

"You had a choice," he said. "You chose to betray me."

Tears welled up in the maid's eyes as she bowed her head in shame, her shoulders shaking with silent sobs. 

With a sharp glare, Cole suddenly seized her by the arm,  pulled her to her feet, dragging her out of the room with a cold expression that sent a shiver down my spine.

"We are going to the alpha for him to pass your judgment. Be grateful that there's a law to not spill your pack member's blood without a fair trial." He lashed out while pulling her along. "Or else, I would have stopped your heart here and now!"

I followed closely behind, my steps quickening to keep pace with his brisk stride. Fear gnawed at my insides as I tried to process the gravity of the situation unfolding before me. The maid's pleas for mercy echoed in my ears, each word a haunting reminder of the danger lurking within our own ranks.

"Cole, please!" the maid begged, her voice trembling with desperation as she pleaded. "I swear, I didn't mean to-"

But Cole cut her off with a sharp shake of his head, his jaw set in a firm line as he continued to march forward. There was no room for leniency, no mercy to be found in his face.

"We're going to see Alpha Ashur," Cole declared. "And he'll decide your fate."

"Death is my only fate then." She cried out loud. As we approached the Alpha's quarters, a voice called out from behind us, stopping us dead in our tracks.

"Cole. Cleo... What is all the racket for?"

I turned to see Mother Luna standing in the doorway of his quarters, her gaze fixed on Cole with a piercing intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. her presence commanded respect, her every movement exuding an air of authority that left no room for defiance.

"What is the meaning of this?" She demanded, taking a step closer to him and me.

Cole's jaw clenched, his grip on the maid tightening as he squared his shoulders, his eyes meeting our Luna's with a steely resolve. "We caught her trying to poison me," 

Immediately, her expression darkened at Cole's words, her brows furrowing in anger as she turned her gaze to the maid. "Is this true?" she asked, his voice cold and menacing.

The maid trembled under the weight of her scrutiny, her eyes wide with fear as she stammered out a feeble denial. "I-I didn't mean to, my Luna. I swear-"

But Mother Luna silenced her with a single glance, her expression hardening as she turned her attention back to Cole. 

"Ezra, take her to the dungeons," She commanded, her voice leaving no room for argument. "We will deal with her punishment accordingly."

With a curt nod, Ezra obeyed, taking the maid from Cole's grip and dragging her harshly away as she cried out, "Please, Mother Luna spare my life!!"

But Mother Luna's eyes only darkened as she glared after her, and then she turned her head and her eyes locked with mine.

"Cleo, are you not cold dressed like that?" Her sudden change of subject caught me off guard, but I quickly composed myself, offering a small nod in response to her question.

"I'm fine, Mother Luna," I replied, forcing a smile despite the turmoil raging within me. "Thank you for your concern."

"But it's not fine with me. It's disgraceful. You are my son's mate, and yet you parade around in other male clothes. How do you expect me to take that as not a disrespect? Alexander has been stressing about you all day. When do you plan to stop punishing him with this little rebellion?"

Her words struck a nerve, and I felt a surge of frustration rise within me. But I gave her a faint smile and said, "Respectfully Mother Luna, I belong to no male."

"Don't you know how problematic that is? You are bonded to my son, he feels everything you feel. Don't you see how much he's going to suffer mentally and physically by you being with another? Can't you have little pity on him?"  Mother Luna argued.

"Alexender shouldn't have forced himself on me if he didn't want to suffer from the consequences," I retorted, my voice steady despite the anger simmering beneath the surface. "I am not his possession to dictate how I should dress or who I should associate with."

Mother Luna's eyes flashed with irritation, her lips thinning into a tight line as she regarded me with a stern expression. "You've forgotten your place, Cleo. You are the Luna of this pack by virtue of your bond with my son. Your actions reflect not only on yourself but on our entire pack. You will do well to remember that."

I met her gaze evenly, refusing to back down despite the weight of her authority bearing down on me. "With all due respect, Mother Luna, I will not be silenced or controlled. I will not bow to outdated traditions that seek to strip me of my autonomy. If Alexander cannot accept me for who I am, then perhaps it's time for him to reconsider his role as alpha."

Her eyes narrowed at my defiance, but before she could respond, I said calmly, "Good night, Mother Luna."

With that, I turned away and started walking back to Cole's quarter without waiting on him, and I heard him say softly to her, "My apologies, Mother Luna. I beg to take my leave."

Then his footsteps started to echo after me, but I didn't stop until I got back into his quarter and room, closing the door behind me. But seconds later, it burst open again as Cole stormed inside, slamming the door shut behind him.

He stalked forward, his gaze filled with fury. His eyes were dark with rage, his fingers curled into white knuckles as he balled them into fists. I took steps back instinctively, my heart thudding heavily against my chest as I braced myself for a confrontation. 

When my back hit the wall, I held my breath as Cole advanced on me, his arms swinging outwards. I flinched slightly, tensing up as I prepared for the strike, but his fist suddenly smashed into the wall.

His breath escaped in a harsh growl as he gazed into my eyes, the hot air brushing against my skin causing a tingle to run through me. Without warning, he grabbed me roughly, yanking me forward and wrapping his hand around my wrist.

Before I knew what was happening, Cole pinned my hands above my head, his body pressing against mine with overwhelming force. I gasped for breath, my knees buckling underneath me and my heart beating out of my chest.

"Thank you for saving my life." He rasped, his hot breath fanning across my neck. My body grew numb as he spoke, my mind reeling at the sensation of his mouth against my skin. "Forgive me?"