The Stolen Mate and the Moon Goddess’s Trial Chapter 03

The Stolen Mate and the Moon Goddess’s Trial Chapter 03 Shattered Crystal Bracelet
The words had barely left his mouth when Dad shot me a venomous glare.
I turned my head away, refusing to meet his gaze.
Asher cut in, “Lila, that crystal bracelet on your wrist would match Quinn’s gown perfectly. Why don’t you give it to her as a welcome-home gift?”
I instinctively covered my wrist, a sharp stabbing pain tearing through my chest.
Mom screamed, “Don’t waste words reasoning with her. Just snatch it from her!”
“We don’t need to be polite to such a heartless girl like her.”
Mom charged straight at me, straining to pry apart my tightly clenched hands.
She demanded, “Let go, Lila!
“If you refuse to hand it out, I’ll have your father cast you out of Black Rock Pack for good!”
A bitter laugh escaped me, tears splattering onto the floor.
For years, I had shown my parents nothing but deference.
Nearly every expense to keep Black Rock Pack running fell solely on my shoulders, but now they saw me as a burden.
Is Quinn truly that irreplaceable in their eyes?
“Mom, this bracelet is the token between Lila and Asher. I can’t take it,” Quinn said, feigning timidity.
“Why not? Look at her bitter, ungrateful face. She doesn’t care about this bond anymore,” Mom said.
Mom kept yanking at my wrist with all her strength, her fingernails digging deep into my flesh until blood stained her nails.
Tears streamed down my face as old memories crashed over me.
That day, Asher said, “Lila, I went to the Moon Goddess’s Celestial Palace and asked for this crystal bracelet for you.
“The Moon Goddess has witnessed our vow. Let me put it on your wrist.
“Our love will last forever.”
I believed in his sweet words without hesitation, never once removing the bracelet from my wrist since that day.
However, now, Asher was the one asking me to hand this precious token over to another woman.
I let out a mocking huff, coughing violently, and my fingers loosened their grip without resistance.
Mom seized the chance and pulled hard.
The thin cord twisted into my wounded skin before snapping clean in two.
Crystal beads scattered across the floor, shattered beyond repair just like the nine years I’d spent loving Asher.
Mom lost her balance and crashed onto the ground, crying out in agony from the fall.
Asher and Quinn rushed over instantly to help her up.
Quinn blamed me. “Lila, how could you be so cruel? No matter how upset you are, you shouldn’t have hurt Mom!”
“Lila. I never thought you would be so relentless.”
Asher shook his head, staring at me with blatant disappointment.
Dad stormed forward and struck me hard across the cheek.
A deafening ring filled my ears. My cheek swelled instantly, numb with throbbing pain.
“How dare you hurt your mother? You’re asking for death!” Dad thundered.
I stared at this entire family in stunned disbelief, my legs wobbling beneath me.
Dad ordered, “Apologize to them, or I’ll have you expelled from Black Rock Pack and make you homeless!”
Then, others crowded around to soothe Mom, who sobbed uncontrollably.
I saw no point in useless explanations and made apologies loudly.
The entire living room echoed with my desperate shouts. “I’m sorry!”
I gritted my teeth, silently reminding myself I had to endure every bit of this suffering. Only if I stayed composed and successfully became a researcher at Werewolf Academy would I stand a chance at retribution later.
“Lila, you don’t deserve my forgiveness.
“Head back to your room and reflect on your behavior. Tomorrow is the party for Quinn. Do not make a scene again,” Mom said in disdain.
She looked at me with unmasked revulsion, her tone far from a momentary fit of anger.
I struggled to my feet and trundled back to my bedroom, my face devoid of all emotion.