The words hit me like a physical blow. “No,” I said, shaking my head, the frustration and anger bubbling over. “I’m not a rogue. I’m not Liana. I’m Alicia, the King’s Beta’s mate!” I yelled, desperation coloring my words. “You’ve got the wrong person!”
But they weren’t listening. The Luna, standing beside her mate, shook her head, her lips curled into a sneer. “An ambitious liar is all you are. A whore who thought she could play two sides and come out clean.”
The insult struck hard, a stinging slap to my pride. But I had no time to defend myself because, at that moment, Tyler’s mother, the Luna of the pack, stepped forward. Her hand came down hard across my face, the sharp sting of the slap making my head whip to the side. The room gasped at the impact.
I froze, my cheek burning from the assault. My heart was pounding so hard it hurt. I came here with good intentions but what I received were insults and abuse. I couldn’t let them treat me like this anymore.