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 have a heart at least, unlike Raymond.

than the Moon Goddess?" I challenged, arching an eyebrow at him and waving the feather around tauntingly.

through the

if Raymond

to be punished

before the Moon Goddess. If she does, then I will believe she is the real Ciana," a pack member said. He stood up and pointed

growled. He leapt off the dais and

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

leaned down to look right into the man's eyes, a snarl fixed on his face. "You call yourself a loyal pack member, yet you have the audacity to question the identity of the Alpha's daughter!"

looked at me, his eyes pleading

"The feather..."

twisted. A sickening crack rang out

cringed, taking a half-step

the pack learned who I was, they would turn against him. He had planned everything so perfectly

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

him. If I wasn't concerned about her safety, I would have berated her for representing me so poorly. My father had always taught

would have

and ran to me. "Please,

the pack. How could he betray my father like that? He'd worked side by side with my family for years. He'd

needed me to help save his pack. He asked a witch to cast a spell that

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

I could see the pack members were too confused to make up their minds. They still didn't know who to believe, even with the aid

want to do any of this but he told me it was the only way. He said 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 glassy as

You're the only one that knows

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

to raise a hand against me, you'll regret it,"

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

do this," fake Ciana whispered. I could see fear in

know your place," Raymond shouted

cringed. I wondered how much 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 person,

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

true, I couldn't guarantee it. They'd already been reluctant to believe that I was

hoped that having Warren there would be enough

Raymond and restore my pack's honor and loyalty to the crown, Warren being

would, but they didn't need to know

me safe?" she asked