Luna of the Cursed Alpha King (Helga and Siegren)

"EZRA, HELP ME! I didn't do anything wrong-"

"Shut up!" Everyone gasped as Helga's hand connected with Miranda's cheek in a loud slap, their eyes wide and mouths agape watching the tension play out before them. The intense drama that had been unfolding suddenly came to a halt, replaced by a deafening silence. Not a single person dared to utter a sound or move, frozen in shock and fear.

That is until Ezra's low growl rumbled through the air as he pushed Gamma Lucian aside in a protective instinct toward his mate. He was about to intervene, but the powerful Alpha King, stepped forward, his massive frame blocking Ezra's path. His piercing gaze fixed on him, filled with fury and warning. Without even using his Alpha aura, Siegren's commanding presence was enough to stop Ezra in his tracks and make him rethink his actions.

"Everything that comes out in your mouth is a lie." Helga said through gritted teeth before she shot a look at Ezra and continued, "Look here, see for yourself what kind of she-wolf you married,"

Siegren took Ezra by the collar and harshly pushed him in front of Miranda. The couple's gazes locked an unspoken desire to use their mind link evident in their eyes. However, for some unknown reason, they were unable to establish a connection. Helga stood beside them, her hand reaching for the necklace of the Luna of Incarnadine. As her fingers brushed against the delicate chain, Miranda's heart skipped a beat, a surge of fear and confusion coursing through her body. She struggled against the restraining hold of the two royal guards, desperately trying to break free, but something invisible and inexplicable seemed to be holding her in place. She looked around in panic-it was not the Alpha King exerting his dominance, but rather an unseen force emanating from Helga herself.

"You said you didn't do anything but why do you look anxious?" Helga scoffed, gripping the necklace tightly so that it caused blood to ooze out of the cut on Miranda's neck. As soon as Ezra noticed, the mate bond compelled him to react, and his wolf snarled with anger at the sight of his mate bleeding. However, his emotions quickly settled when Helga spoke again. "I'm sure you've already come to a realization when you see my wolf, Ezra. But knowing that you tend to be in denial, I'll give you something that might help you accept it." "N-no!" Miranda's scream ripped through the air, pleading with Helga to stop. But the Queen only looked at her with cold, calculating eyes before a cruel smirk twisted her lips. With a swift, harsh tug on the necklace, Miranda's red hair transformed into inky black strands and her once brilliant green eyes dulled to a lifeless brown. Gasps escaped from the onlookers as they stared in shock, unable to comprehend that Miranda's entire appearance had been an elaborate facade.

Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed, seemingly losing control. Helga paid her no mind and instead turned to Ezra, who was standing still, his face draining of color as his eyes darted between his mate and the Queen; his former lover that he had cruelly tormented for believing she was fake. The weight of his actions and words began to overwhelm him. The regret of losing Helga and choosing someone who had been deceiving him all along was consuming him to the core, threatening to drive him insane.

"I'm sure that you will come to regret your decision to dispose of me, and you'll make attempts to reclaim me for the sake of your pack. However, there's something you should know. Alpha Ezra." Helga's voice shattered the tense silence that had taken over the place Cold and cruel, her gaze held everyone's attention, their hearts racing with anticipation. "I don't give second chances to someone who doesn't deserve one, so whatever you're planning now, don't even try it.”

A chill ran down Ezra's spine as the words left her lips, making his heart skip a beat. He then felt a tremor in his hand, a physical manifestation of the fear and guilt that consumed him. He knew he should listen to her; take in the weight of her words and the pain he had caused her. But before he could fully process it all, his hand was already reaching out to her, desperate to apologize for every hurtful action and word he had directed toward her.

"Try touching her and see what happens,”

Startled by Siegren's voice, Ezra snapped out of his thoughts. He then slowly looked up and saw a menacing aura radiating from the Alpha King, causing his wolf to stir and every hair on his body to stand on end. He fought the urge to flinch and instead took a step back, keeping his head low as he focused on regulating his breathing.

"Take that wench to the dungeon," With a sharp nod from the King, the two royal guards swiftly and forcefully pulled up Miranda, who was still crying. Her once fierce sobs had turned into silent tears, her eyes now vacant and unseeing. She was about to be dragged away back to the palace when suddenly, Ezra's voice rang out.

"Wait, I have something to say," he said, causing the two royal guards to halt and observe him as he moved closer to his mate. Everyone else remained silent as Helga raised an eyebrow in questioning, anticipating his next move even though she already knew exactly what he would choose to do. Even Miranda, who had just snapped out of her daze, looked at her mate with fear in her eyes.

"N-no, babe, please. I'm sorry..." she begged with a shaky voice, "P-please forgive me. I will do anything, just please don't reje-"

"I, Ezra, the Alpha of Incarnadine..." he declared, cutting Miranda's sentence with his voice loud and full of authority. His eyes were devoid of any emotion as he looked at her, "Reject you as my mate and Luna,"

A heavy, uncomfortable silence filled the air, each pair of eyes gazing at them with pure disbelief. The atmosphere felt as if time had frozen itself in complete silence, everyone couldn't believe what they were hearing. Miranda's tear-filled eyes widened in utter disbelief; her trembling lips unable to form any words. She couldn't bring herself to accept the painful rejection, but for the first time, she felt the power and authority radiating from Ezra. His presence was commanding and authoritative, causing her to open her mouth to speak in protest, but all that escaped was a small whimper under his intense gaze.

"I-I Miranda, Luna of Incarnadine, accept your rejection."

A sharp, searing pain erupted between the two, causing a collective gasp from the onlookers who instinctively covered their mouths in shock. Despite their shocked expressions, the 

royal guards wasted no time in forcefully dragging Miranda away. She was screaming and begging despite the pain she was feeling, both physically and emotionally. Tears streamed down her face, leaving trails of mascara and smudged makeup. She looked back at Ezra with desperation, hoping to see him one last time, but her heart shattered when she saw that he wasn't even giving her a spare glance. Instead, his gaze was fixed on his ex-lover, who had caused all of this chaos and pain. In that moment, Miranda's world completely crumbled around her, like shattered glass falling to the ground in a million pieces.

"I apologize for the unexpected turn of events during the competition. Please continue the hunt and hope you can forgive me for interrupting it." Helga said, her intimidating presence from earlier was long gone, leaving no traces whatsoever. Everyone looked at each other before they all bowed respectfully, acknowledging her apology and finally calming down from the intense atmosphere.

"We understood you, Your Majesty." Everyone spoke in perfect unison, their voices blending together as if they had practiced it. When they lifted their heads, they were all smiling to reassure the Queen that everything she did, as well as her reaction, was valid.

Helga's lips curled into a relieved smile before looking at Siegren, who wrapped his strong arms around her waist, pulling her close to him. Their eyes locked with adoration and contentment, both glad that they had finally uncovered the truth about Miranda and successfully apprehended her. And despite the anger she had displayed just moments ago, it seemed like their people admired the Queen even more now.

Siegren and Helga leaned their heads together, basking in the satisfaction of having solved one of their problems while completely ignoring Ezra's presence who stood nearby; his face contorted with envy and regret at their obvious affection for each other.

"This is unfair... That should be me,"