Faith’s Pov.. Alice moved toward Astor to the sound of scattered applause, her cheeks flushed with timid delight. Instead of stopping them, I watched the farce with an expressionless face. If they saw me as their future Luna, they wouldn’t have humiliated me like that. They had trampled on my dignity. However, I was more interested in what Astor would do. Will he accept her kiss in front of everyone? To my astonishment, Astor turned his face away, evading Alice’s advance. “Enough,” he said, his voice cutting through the applause like winter wind. “A man shouldn’t let a woman make the first move.” He stepped back, fixing their mutual friend with a glare that finally silenced the charade. Then his gaze found mine. I arched a brow, my lips curling in a sardonic smile. Was he implying he should have been the one to initiate? Would he have already had his hands on her had I not been present? My glacial stare seemed to unsettle him. Astor frowned, then deliberately averted his eyes and reengaged in the party. The people standing around me witnessed this. “She should let it go. Astor loves Alice.” Someone mumbled it. “Girl, you should see her. Always trying to please everyone. Acting like she’s so good. But we all see through it.” “Well, she’s not Luna yet,” another voice added. “So things can change real fast.” I sighed. I remained silent. Three years in the Eternal Night Pack had taught me the weight of words—how they could cut, how they could sting. Once, they had seared through me, igniting pain, fury, the desperate urge to strike back. But time had tempered me, hardened what was once raw. Now, I no longer respond. I no longer cared. That’s when I heard a sweet, cloying voice. “I’m sorry you have to sit so far away from us,” Alice said when she got closer. “There was no space at our table, you see. I’m so sorry.” There was no real sorrow in her face. Not a drop. She was enjoying this. She had done this to me two years back. And here she was, doing it again. “You don’t need to apologize, I don’t care,” I whispered. “What about my gift? I’m looking forward to my sister’s gift to me. What will it be?” She asked with a smile. I gave her my biggest, fakest smile back. “I didn’t know you were coming. As your sister, and also the Luna of this pack, I would have gotten you something. But maybe I’ll do it next time you decide to visit us. But you need to let me know in advance that you’re coming.” I was mocking them. As Alice’s sister and Luna of the pack, I didn’t know my sister was coming back and throwing her a party. No one told me. However, they didn’t seem to notice my mockery. Maybe they were pretending not to know. Alice froze. The group at her table looked surprised too. “Do you have to be mean to me?” She asked. I looked at her, confused. Mean? I just spoke the truth. “I just came home,” she went on. “And you’re already thinking about me leaving. And I’ve already met with you this afternoon, why don’t you have a gift for me? Don’t you want me back?” Then the waterworks started. Her tears. They always worked for her. And they worked today. Everyone stood up. They rushed to her side to defend her. I didn’t understand what I said wrong. She came at me. I just answered her. I didn’t even say anything bad. But once again, I was painted as the bad person. “Why would you do that to her?” The Beta’s wife came at me, like she was ready to fight. I knew she didn’t like me. None of them did. But they were listening. Everyone knew I did nothing wrong. So why were they coming at me? “I’m sad. My sister didn’t welcome me back.” Alice sobbed, hugging the Beta’s wife. Tears burned behind my eyes, but I clenched my jaw. My fingers tightened around my purse like a lifeline. l’m not going to cry. “At least apologize!” The Gamma said. “No.” I said with strong composure, “I don’t really understand what I said that upset her so much. Was I not telling the truth? How could I have gotten her a present when no one told me she was coming back?” “That’s no reason for you to ignore her! She’s your sister, and you should be happy to have her back.” The Beta’s wife said. “I won’t apologize.” My voice was steel—unyielding. I turned to Astor, but his silence was a wall, his thoughts unreadable. Did he blame me too? The question flickered, but I smothered it before it could take root. Without another word, I pushed past the others, stopping only when I reached him. “I’m leaving.” No excuses, no weakness, just the cold, clipped truth. If my absence was a surrender, then so be it. But I refused to stand there and let them carve their judgment into me. “I’ll take you home.” The offer stunned me. Not because it was kind, but because it was unexpected. Alice’s reaction mirrored mine, though hers came laced with possessiveness. “Have your beta send her back,” she protested, fingers curling around his arm. “We haven’t seen each other in so long. Stay with me a while longer. l miss you.” “Have fun with the others.” Astor ruffled her hair like a child before turning to me, “I’ll take you back. We both know you can’t defend yourself.” The words hung in the air, thick with implication. Every eye in the room swung toward me, their stares sharp with judgment. They all knew the truth. The truth constantly thrown on my face. I was wolf-less, untested, unworthy of being Astor’s Luna. I didn’t wait to see their smirks. Didn’t let myself wonder if their pity was worse than their scorn. My bag was in my grip before the whispers could start, my spine straight as I walked out. Let them talk. I refused to be their spectacle.
When Crumbling Walls Reveal Paths Leading Toward Forgotten Horizons by Zev Arden Flint
A Long, Exhausting Day
Faith returns home after a tiring day filled with responsibilities—helping in the kitchen, assisting around the pack, caring for newly rescued children, and spending time at the orphanage. Her body aches, and all she wants is a peaceful bath in a quiet house. Usually, her home is silent because she and her mate, Astor, live like strangers. They hardly speak, and often he is not even home when she arrives.
But today is different.
Unexpected Laughter in the Living Room
As Faith approaches the house, she hears laughter—Astor’s laughter, something she has not heard in years. Anxiety grows inside her. When she enters the living room, her heart nearly stops. Astor is sitting on the sofa, laughing joyfully with someone she knows all too well—Alice, her sister.
Alice has returned.
She is as beautiful as ever, with long black hair and striking green eyes. Time has only made her more radiant. But Faith’s attention stays fixed on the expression on Astor’s face—bright, joyful, alive. And all that warmth is directed at Alice, not at her.
A Painful Past Resurfaces
Seeing them together brings back memories Faith wishes she could forget. She reflects on her past: she spent 18 years as the daughter of an omega, living under a cruel mother who despised her. Her father never defended her. Faith endured it all until the day her mother exposed a harsh truth—Faith was not her biological daughter. She had switched Faith at birth.
Faith was actually the daughter of Alpha Connor of the Eclipse Pack.
This revelation changed everything. Faith arrived at the Eclipse Pack as a scared girl with only a backpack and three sets of clothes. Her presence changed the lives of everyone involved, most painfully her sister Alice.
Why Alice Hates Faith
Before Faith came, everyone believed that Alice would become Astor’s future mate. She grew up beside him, and their packs supported the idea. But when Faith came of age, destiny intervened—she and Astor discovered they were fated mates.
Alice’s dreams shattered.
She cried endlessly, but nothing changed. Then she began to manipulate the situation, playing the innocent victim while painting Faith as the jealous villain. Her tears won everyone’s sympathy. In time, Astor began to distance himself from Faith, believing Alice’s lies.
Just when Faith feared rejection, Astor’s father, Alpha Xander, issued an ultimatum: Astor must accept his mate—Faith—or lose his right to become Alpha. Forced by duty, he agreed to the marriage, not out of love or desire, but obligation.
Alice’s Pretend Warmth
Back in the present, Alice greets Faith with fake enthusiasm. Her eyes shimmer with triumph, not affection. She enjoys Faith’s discomfort and does not hide it. She encourages Faith to join them, pretending there is no tension between them, though both know the truth.
Faith remains composed, but inside she is falling apart.
Astor’s Coldness
This moment becomes even more painful when Astor finally speaks—and his first words are not for Faith, but about Alice. He tells her he must leave for an important summit, but will return tonight. He has never shown such consideration to Faith.
Then he turns to Faith only to issue an instruction:
“Can you please prepare Alice a room?”
No acknowledgment, no emotion, not even the courtesy of explaining why Alice is suddenly here.
Faith asks if that is really all he has to say, but he ignores her completely. Instead, he gives Alice a tender look—something Faith has longed for but never received.
Alice hugs him. He does not pull away.
Faith watches silently as the affection she has desired for two years is freely given to another woman—her sister.
Left With the Truth
After Astor leaves without a single word to his wife or mate, Faith and Alice stand in strained silence. Alice’s mask of innocence fades. Only triumph remains in her eyes.
Faith gathers her strength and speaks calmly. She apologizes for not being informed ahead of time but explains that they cannot host Alice. She asks her to return to the Eclipse Pack, where their parents surely miss her.
Alice’s shocked expression quickly turns into anger—but then she smiles wickedly.
The Final Blow
With victory in her voice, Alice reveals a truth Faith did not expect:
Astor begged her to come.
Not only that—
he promised to throw a grand welcome party in her honor.
Alice delights in the pain this revelation causes. It confirms what Faith has feared all along: Astor cares more for Alice than he ever has for her. Faith’s presence in the house feels invisible, unwanted, and painfully out of place.
