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.

a nervous look. Her eyes traveled over to Warren, who was still being held by Raymond' s guards. She looked really upset that Warren was held captive. She did seem to have a heart at least, unlike Raymond.

and wiser than the Moon Goddess?" I challenged, arching an eyebrow at him and waving

murmurs went through the

Raymond is

punished by

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

dare question my authority and knowledge?" Raymond growled. He leapt off the dais

snap of the

fixed on his face. "You call yourself a loyal pack member,

at me, his eyes pleading and

"The feather..."

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

taking a half-step

that when the pack learned who I was, they would turn against him. He had planned everything so perfectly and he would force his control over them

I say, you got that?" he growled, stalking over to the fake Ciana,

away from him. If I wasn't concerned about her safety, I would have berated her for representing me so poorly. My father had always taught me not to back down and to face

I would have told him

gasped. She pulled away from the guards standing near her and ran to

us if he had to, just to keep control of the pack. How could he betray

my hand. "Beta Raymond told me he needed me to help save his pack. He asked a

that looks just like her," Raymond argued, throwing a dismissive arm

confused to make

the only way. He said you were at the palace and couldn't help, but

one that knows the truth. Take the feather and tell everyone

Fake Ciana chewed her lower lip and looked from the feather

a hand against

said you wanted to help the pack. If you take the feather and expose his lies,

do this," fake Ciana whispered. I

know your place," Raymond shouted at

suffered while trying to do what Raymond wanted her to do. I couldn't imagine that he was the most agreeable person,

you really want to help, use the feather," I said again, giving her a warm, friendly smile. "The pack will protect you once Raymond's

much as I hoped my words were true, I couldn't guarantee it. They'd already been reluctant to believe that

there would

presence of one of the princes and did nothing to oppose Raymond and restore my pack's honor and loyalty to the crown, Warren being the presentative

but they didn't need

safe?" she asked