Sold as the Alpha King’s Breeder

Chapter 77: Always

"She's lying. This is just some power hungry imposter coming to disrupt our pack," Raymond argued, stepping between me and the rest of the pack.

"I can prove that I am the real Ciana," I said, holding the pack relic up over my head. I stepped around Raymond so the entire pack could see me.

Everyone gasped when they realized I had the feather. It was more than just a pack relic. This feather was a symbol of truth and justice. Anyone that spoke a lie while holding the feather would be punished by the Moon Goddess.

He wouldn't dare attack me while I held the feather. It was a sacred pack relic and not even Raymond would think about putting it in harm's way.

"Don't listen to this bitch. She's responsible for my son getting viciously attacked, multiple times. She was probably sent here as a spy for the Dark Prince so he can wipe us all out when it pleases him," Raymond argued.

The rest of the pack murmured nervously and a lot of them locked at me with fear in their eyes. I couldn't believe it! These were people I'd known all my life. Raymond had twisted them so much they didn't know what was real and what wasn't.

"That is a lie," Warren said, speaking up. One of the guards hit him in the back of the head and he snarled.

"Prince Theo and the crown don't destroy packs or spy on them. This man has you all confused," Warren stated calmly yet firmly.

It wasn't good enough. I had to use the feather's fabled power to prove that I was who I said I was. The pack wouldn't believe it otherwise. After seeing what the Moonlit Crystal could do, I didn't doubt the power of the feather.

"I swear that I am the true and only Ciana Black, daughter of Alpha Soren Black of the Alvar Pack. As the Moon Goddess is my witness, I speak the truth of who I am. If I lie before this feather, may the Moon Goddess strike me down," I announced aloud.

The entire crowd went silent. Even Raymond and Hawke held their breath. Nothing happened. No lightning bolts shot down. from the sky to strike me down. An apparition of the Moon Goddess didn't appear and condemn me for my lies.

A ripple of relief went through the gathered pack. Then they started murmuring to each other.

I smirked and glanced over at Raymond. With the power of the feather, I'd win back the loyalty of the pack in no time.

"Beta Raymond, would you like your fake Ciana to swear her identity before the Moon Goddess with the feather of justice?" I asked, holding the relic out to him.

Ramond snarled at me and pushed my hand away.

I turned to the fake me and held the feather out.

"How about it, 'Ciana'?" I asked, putting a sarcastic emphasis on her name.

She shook her head and stared nervously at the feather. "Wh- what will happen to me?"

"Don't even think about it!" Raymond snapped. He moved between me and the fake Ciana. "Ciana is whoever I say she is, and I say it is this girl." He pointed to the fake Ciana.

was still being held by Raymond' s guards. She looked really upset that Warren was held captive. She did seem to

and wiser than the Moon Goddess?" I challenged, arching

went through the

if Raymond is wrong?"

don't want to be punished by

before the Moon Goddess. If she does, then I will believe

leapt off the

away. With a snap of the fingers, Raymond had his guards hold the man in

his face. "You call yourself a loyal

at me, his eyes pleading

"The feather..."

A sickening crack rang out and the guards released him. The man fell in a crumple on the ground,

cringed, taking a

turn against him. He had planned everything so perfectly and he

exactly as I say, you got that?" he growled, stalking over to the fake Ciana, a dark glare on

shrank away from him. If I wasn't concerned about her safety, I would have berated her for representing me so poorly. My father

I would have told

gasped. She pulled away from the guards standing near her and ran to me. "Please, you have to help me. He's going to

He would kill both of us if he had to, just to keep control of the pack. How could he betray my father like that? He'd worked side by side with my family for years. He'd always put the pack first. What had happened to make him turn into this power

to help save

lying, gone insane by seeing someone that looks just like her," Raymond argued, throwing a dismissive arm at both of

too confused to make up their minds. They still didn't know who to believe, even with the aid of

you were at the palace and couldn't help, but the pack needed you now. I really, really thought I was helping the pack," fake Ciana said, her eyes wide and

lies. You're the only one that knows the truth. Take the feather and tell everyone what he did."

feather out to her. Fake Ciana chewed her lower lip and looked from the feather back to Raymond. The Beta

anything to raise a hand against me,

you wanted to help the pack. If you take the feather and expose his lies, you'll free them all from his control," I urged, pushing the feather to

kill me if I do this," fake Ciana whispered. I could see fear in her eyes.

know your place," Raymond shouted at the back of her

terror and abuse she'd suffered while trying to do what Raymond wanted her to do. I couldn't imagine that he was the most agreeable

the feather," I said again, giving her a warm, friendly smile. "The pack will

as I hoped my words were true, I couldn't guarantee it. They'd already been reluctant to believe that I was the real Ciana and so many

would be

truth being revealed in the presence of one of the princes and did nothing to oppose Raymond and restore my pack's honor and loyalty

he would, but they didn't need to know that!

me safe?"