The Stolen Mate and the Moon Goddess’s Trial Chapter 04

The Stolen Mate and the Moon Goddess’s Trial Chapter 04 Fight Over the Data Crystal

The party was hosted within Black Rock Pack’s territory.

Dad hired top-tier chefs from outside the pack especially for the occasion.

Colorful balloons were everywhere.

Bunches of flowers were sent to Quinn for the celebration.

Clad in the navy gown Asher had gifted her yesterday, Quinn glided through the crowd, radiating smug triumph.

She looped her arm through Asher’s, soaking in endless praise from every guest.

“Alpha, Luna, I’m almost jealous of you. You have two outstanding daughters.”

“Exactly! And Asher is so thoughtful as part of your family that he takes such good care of Quinn.”

Wrapped in an old overcoat, I sat alone in a shadowed corner.

Then, I lifted my gaze to see Dad striding straight toward me.

“Hand over your data crystal,” he said coldly.

I froze and replied, “What?”

Dad’s face darkened with rage in an instant.

He clenched his teeth and snarled, “Don’t play dumb with me!

“It contains your latest research results. The demon possessing Quinn just issued another task. If we fail to produce your data crystal, Quinn will lose her life.

“I’ll count to three. Hand it over now!”

A cold, absurd chill crept over my entire body.

That research report inside had cost me three grueling months locked away in the lab, draining my health.

It was not only the fruit of all my hard work but also the deciding material for this year’s assessment of researchers.

Moreover, it would shape the future of the entire Black Rock Pack.

This pack would have collapsed long ago without my contributions.

“I cannot give it to you. Absolutely not!” I rejected.

Dad grabbed me roughly by the collar, his other hand clawing wildly into my coat pocket to snatch the data crystal.

I shook my head frantically, clamping my hands tight over my pocket to shield it.

I begged, “Dad, please! That research is vital for Black Rock Pack’s future!”

A frigid voice cut sharply through my protest.

Asher came over, his brows knotted into a furious frown.

“Listen, Lila!

“Do not push your luck. Hand it over, or I will strip you of everything you own.”

Tears spilled uncontrollably down my cheeks as I stared at him.

Asher’s eyes darkened, his patience worn thin.

He reached straight into my pocket and seized the data crystal.

My pocket emptied, and so did my heart.

He carried the crystal straight to the platform with a big screen in the center of the great hall.

The massive screen flickered to life, emblazoned with Quinn’s name atop my research data.

Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd, every guest singing Quinn’s praises.

Thunderous applause rose from below. Everyone praised Quinn endlessly.

“Congratulations, Alpha and Luna! Your youngest daughter has returned home and herself such a gifted scholar!”

proven

“Black Rock Pack truly breeds extraordinary talents!”

Quinn stepped onto the stage to express her thanks.

Asher stood beside her, clapping fervently, his eyes overflowing with fondness for her.

My parents beamed from the audience, their faces split wide with pride.

I stared at this perfect family of four, a wild surge of agony driving me to sprint toward the stage.

The second I moved, a demon’s voice echoed loud inside

my

mind.

“Your emotional breakdown stemming from severe injustice is detected. I shall erase you to end all your suffering.

“You still have five minutes. The countdown shall begin.”

Shock froze me mid-stride, rooted to the spot.

After a long, stunned moment, I forced my legs to move and raced onto the stage.

“That’s my report! I wrote it!” I roared.

Before I could finish, Dad completely lost his temper.

He drove one heavy boot into me and sent me tumbling off the stage.

My spine crashed brutally against the stone floor, every internal organ screaming in searing agony.

Blood flooded from my mouth, nose, and the fresh lacerations covering my body.

Suddenly, a man burst through the crowd and kicked my stomach hard.

“Lila, you rubbish!

“I’ve endured your theft of my research long enough!”

I blinked through blurry eyes to recognize his face, and utter despair crashed over me.

He was Kyle, Asher’s friend as well as my lab partner of three years at Werewolf Academy.

We had pulled all-nighters side by side and argued over data until dawn together.

I realized then they wanted far more than to leave me penniless and destitute.

“Kyle, hold your tongue. Spare her a shred of dignity,” Asher called out.

However, his half-hearted plea proved to be another sort of humiliation.

In an instant, whispers and vicious gossip exploded through the onlookers. Every werewolf present hurled cruel insults my way.

“I’ve never thought Lila would be that kind of person!”

“Turns out her heart is so rotten beneath that pretty face!”

I gritted my teeth, repeating a silent vow to myself. I must endure this torment quietly. Only by passing the researcher assessment at Werewolf Academy could I seize my revenge in time.

As I faced hateful glares, my vision blurred, and my hearing faded away.

Just then, the demon’s voice boomed inside my mind once more.

“You are overwhelmed by unbearable torment. Your execution will be advanced.

“10, 9, 8, 7, 6…”

The countdown ticked closer and closer, yet all panic, pain, and hopelessness melted away.

I gazed at the grinning faces of my parents, Asher, and Quinn and slowly let my eyes fall shut.

“5, 4, 3, 2, 1.”

Just before my consciousness slipped away entirely, something happened.

A tiny crystal bead rolled softly down to land in the pool of blood spreading beneath me.

It

gave

off a faint but clear silver glow.

It was a fragment of the crystal bracelet Asher had brought me nine years ago from the Moon Goddess’s Celestial Palace.

My shrill scream rose up, only to be cut off instantly.

A gentle yet unyielding voice washed over the demon’s murmur. “Hello, Lila. I am the Moon Goddess.”