CHAPTER 37: USEFUL LIES (II)

The crowd gasped, a few exchanged uneasy glances.

"Just because the Alpha was always there to back whatever they did," she said, her voice rising with each word, trembling between grief and accusation.

Her hands came up to her face, and she buried them there for a heartbeat, shoulders trembling. She sniffed, the sound sharp and fragile. When she peeked between her fingers, she caught sight of Ares, unreadable expression, and a whole ring of pack members leaning closer, hooked. Good. She has their full attention.

Rhea took a shaky breath and pressed on, her voice softening into something raw. "Eventually... my body couldn’t take it anymore." She paused, drawing the moment out, her eyes glistening as she looked up at Ares. "I lost my breath."

The hall was utterly still, no one dared to move or speak. Even Eberhard, red-faced and twitching, seemed caught between disbelief and panic. Could this wench actually be saying the truth? Impossible. Absolutely impossible.

"I found myself in a white space after losing my breath," Rhea said, her voice low but firm. Every eyes on her. "I was floating, just... drifting. Until the most beautiful woman I have ever seen appeared before me. Not that I’ve seen many beautiful women...I’ve never left this pack, and none of you exactly qualify."

Someone snorted in disbelief, another elbowed them to hush. Ares raised a brow, his jaw tightening as if deciding whether to take her seriously or call her out on her bullshitting.

"Anyway," Rhea continued with a shrug, "this woman fed me all kinds of delicacies in that white space. She said she saw every injustice, every pain I suffered. She said that’s why she destined me to be the Alphadropped, to protect me, to change my fate. Only for the foolish and stupid Alpha to reject a gift she personally chose for him."

That last line detonated like thunder. Ares face darknened, his eyes narrowing dangerously. The temperature in the room dropped.

"What did you just call me?" His voice was low, controlled, but lethal.

Rhea lifted her hands calmly. "Relax. Those weren’t my words. I’m simply repeating what the Moon Goddess said."

The crowd erupted in whispers again, some shocked, some barely hiding their laughter at her audacity. Ares looked one second away from losing his composure.

Rhea pressed on, voice rising just enough to silence the murmurs. "That was when I realized who she was, the Moon Goddess herself. I was speechless. Imagine being in her presence! Can you believe it?" She turned towards the crowd blocking the door, her eyes sweeping across them.

No one answered. Some looked intrigued, others wary, and a few visibly disturbed.

"She told me she’d make everything right. I asked how," Rhea continued, "and she said she’d give me the strength to fight back and the confidence to face my oppressors."

Ares’ gaze sharpened, suspicion gleaming there, but she ignored it.

"We spent some time together," she said, softening her tone, "and eventually she said it was time for me to return. She touched my forehead, and everything turned white. Light filled me, blinding, searing, and I felt something changing inside. When the light faded, I woke up in that stable I was given as a shelter."

She sniffed lightly and wiped her nose with her sleeve, the movement small but heartbreakingly pitiful. "And fast forward to now... that’s why I said I’m not the Rhea you used to know. The Moon Goddess gave me this strength."

The room buzzed with confusion and awe.

"She can’t be telling the truth, right?" someone muttered.

"Maybe the Goddess really blessed her," another whispered.

"Or maybe she’s gone completely mad," a third scoffed.

Eberhard finally snapped. "Nonsense! Absolute nonsense!" he shouted, stepping forward. "You’re all not seriously believing this made-up fairytale, are you?"

Rhea turned her head slowly toward him, her expression calm but eyes sharp. "Then how else do you explain it, Eberhard?" she asked. "Or don’t tell me you’re still running with your pathetic spy theory."

The color drained from Eberhard’s face, his mouth opening but no sound finding its way out. For the first time he looked cornered, truly cornered.

Rhea tilted her head, her voice smooth and measured. "Why do you find it so hard to believe that the Moon Goddess has favored me, Eberhard?" Her gaze swept him from head to toe. "Or are you saying the Moon Goddess isn’t powerful enough to bless someone with such abilities?"

Eberhard stiffened, his throat bobbing. "I’m not saying such a thing!" he snapped quickly. His eyes darted toward the pack members whose gazes were no longer filled with disdain but curiosity, some even awe. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. She was meant to be humiliated, not revered.

"Then what are you saying?" Ellie asked, folding his arms as he fixed him with a cold look.

"I..." Eberhard faltered, then blustered forward. "If the Moon Goddess wanted to bless someone, why her?" His voice cracked slightly as he jabbed a finger toward Rhea. "Her parents betrayed this pack and..."

"Maybe her parents were accused wrongly," Ellie interjected, his tone sharper now. "Maybe that’s why the Moon Goddess compensated her with this ability."

Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd. Eberhard’s eyes widened at the audacity, his face darkening to a dangerous red.

"Oh, stop it already!" he barked, slamming his fist into his palm. "She’s clearly lying!" His gaze snapped to Ares, desperate now. "Alpha, tell me you’re not buying these lies like your Beta!"

Ares exhaled heavily, dragging a hand through his hair. "I don’t even know what else to believe anymore," he admitted, his tone low, conflicted.

"She’s lying..." Eberhard blurted, almost pleading.

Ellie’s gaze slid toward him, cool and unyielding. "What proof do you have that she’s lying?"

Eberhard opened his mouth, but nothing came out. His throat worked soundlessly, his mind scrambling for words that refused to form.

Rhea stood there, with a faint smirk. Watching him flounder was delicious. Ellie’s really reliable, she mused inwardly, amused by how easily he cornered Eberhard without even trying.

Ellie took a step forward. "I’ll ask again," he said. "Do you have proof that she’s lying? Or are you really doubting the Moon Goddess’s power like she thought?"

"No!" Eberhard shouted, his voice cracking with frustration. "What is going on here? When did catching that wench in a man’s room turn into accusing me of doubting the Moon Goddess?!" He pointed furiously at Ellie, his composure slipping. "You’re trying to paint me as the villain here, twisting everything to make me look like the fool!"