Betrayed By My Mate Saved By His Rival

---- Chapter 11 Ethan's POV I took the microphone. It felt heavy as a tombstone. Hundreds of eyes stared at me, but my throat felt tight, blocked. "J..." I began, my voice hoarse. "Ethan, don't be nervous," Lilith whispered in my ear." Just like we practiced." Practiced? Right. We did practice. Last night, in my office, she went over the speech again and again. "First, announce your bond with Seraphina is over. Then, introduce me and Leo..." That's what she'd said. I took a deep breath, trying to focus. "Everyone, thank you for coming today." My voice boomed through the hall.

The crowd went silent, listening. ---- "Today, I have some important announcements to make." I paused, my eyes scanning the crowd one last time. Still no sign of her. "First..." I gritted my teeth. "My mate bond with Seraphina..." My own words choked me. "...is broken." Awave of whispers rippled through the audience. But my mind flashed back five years. To our mating ceremony. Under the full moon, on the ancient altar, we held hands and swore our vows to the Moon Goddess. "J, Ethan Blackwood, as Alpha, swear to protect my Luna, Seraphina, with my life.

Never to betray, never to part..." "T, Seraphina Vance, as Luna, swear to follow my Alpha, Ethan, with my soul. In life and death, never to abandon... Never betray, never part. In life and death, never abandon. Those vows stabbed into my memory like silver shards. "Ethan?" Lilith nudged me. "Keep going." ---- I snapped back to reality, realizing I'd frozen on stage. The crowd was looking at me, confused. "My apologies." I cleared my throat. "Next, I would like to introduce..." I turned to Lilith. Her eyes gleamed with triumph. "my new mate, Lilith Crowe." The hall erupted in applause.

But I felt no joy. "Lilith is the mother of my son, Leo. From this day forward, she will be the new Luna of this pack." "Quick, kiss me," Lilith whispered, standing on her toes. " Let everyone see how much we're in love." Love? I looked at her face, her admittedly beautiful face. But I felt no warmth. No racing heart. No rush of blood. Just emptiness. An endless void. ---- "Ethan?" She was getting anxious. "They're all waiting." I lowered my head, my body stiff as a corpse. My lips brushed hers. Cold. Dead. I moved to her neck, my canines extending. I bit down. A mark. A lie. A sacrilege.

The applause grew louder, mixed with cheers. Camera flashes went off like a storm, everyone capturing this "historic'' moment. But as our lips met, another memory hit me. Five years ago. That same altar. The first time I kissed Seraphina. Her lips were so soft, so sweet. I remember she was trembling, but her eyes were filled with love and trust. Iremember after that kiss, she buried her face in my chest, her voice a tiny whisper. "Ethan, I'm so happy..." Happy. We were so happy then. How did we end up here? ---- Where did it all go wrong?

Aphantom agony ripped through my chest, as if my very soul was being torn in two. I staggered back, gasping. "What's wrong?" Lilith asked, her voice laced with panic. "Nothing." I shook my head, forcing myself back to the present. "Just a little..." Just then, a strange sound came from behind us. Agasp? I turned. The sound was coming from the giant projection screen backstage. It was supposed to be playing a promotional video for our pack. But now... On the screen, two naked bodies writhed in passion. Slick with sweat. It was us. A goddamn sex tape.