Lies and Funerals Under the Moon Chapter 3

Katrina and Liam both jerked their heads up to look at her.

Liam looked panicked. "Kate..."

Kate stormed past him, grabbed Katrina by the hair, and yanked.

Her left hand forced Katrina’s face up. Her right hand didn't hesitate—she slapped Katrina across the face with all her strength.

"You bitch! You dare come here and flaunt your filth!"

She went feral, delivering a dozen slaps in rapid succession.

The hallway echoed with the sharp smack of skin on skin and Katrina’s screaming cries.

"Enough!"

Liam roared, his patience snapping.

Suddenly, Kate was thrown back by a powerful force. Her head slammed hard against the cold wall.

Her forehead felt wet. Warm blood trickled down.

Through a haze of red, she saw Liam rush over to scoop Katrina carefully into his arms, walking quickly away.

"Don't be scared, Katrina. I'm taking you to the healer."

Watching their retreating figures, Kate’s mind flashed back to the first snow when she was eighteen.

Liam had used his claws to write "Liam loves Kate" in the snow.

She had laughed and asked him, "For how long?"

He had cupped his hands around his mouth, his eyes shining like stars. "Liam loves Kate forever! Forever!"

Kate slid slowly down the cold wall, tears mixing with the blood on her face.

She smiled and whispered, "Liam, you liar. You tricked me so badly..."

As Kate’s consciousness began to fade, she heard a gasp.

She turned her head and met the terrified face of Liam’s mother.

The insulated food container in her hand dropped to the ground. She rushed to Kate.

"Kate! Why are you here alone? Look at this blood!"

"Where is Liam?"

She frantically pulled out her phone to call him.

Kate grabbed her hand. "Mom, just take me to the healer first."

Liam’s mother’s expression changed. She reacted quickly, helping Kate up and ordering the driver to speed to the pack infirmary.

Kate was in a daze the whole way and passed out shortly after arriving.

She was woken up by a massive commotion next door.

The noise sounded familiar—it was Liam’s mother screaming.

Kate dragged her heavy, throbbing head up and walked to the next room.

A crowd of pack members had gathered at the door, pointing and whispering.

Inside, the former Luna’s face was red with rage.

"I wondered why Kate was passed out alone at the front door while you were missing! You were here with this slut!"

She turned sharply to the guards beside her. "What are you staring at?! If she wants to be cheap, let her be cheap all the way!"

"Doesn't she like being a mistress? Does she like climbing into the Alpha's bed? Go! Strip her clothes off and show the pack exactly what she is!"

Opposite her, Liam was shielding Katrina behind him.

Hearing his mother’s words, Liam looked appalled. "Mom, are you crazy? Did Kate tell you to do this?"

"We are all women. If you do this to her, how can she ever live in this pack?"

The former Luna shook with anger.

"What does this have to do with Kate? If you know it's shameful, you shouldn't do shameful things!"

She signaled the guards again. "Do it!"

The guards stepped forward, but Liam kicked the first one away.

He protected Katrina fiercely. "Mom! As long as I am here today, no one touches her!"

The former Luna pointed a shaking finger at him, unable to form a sentence. "You... You!"

The next second, she swung her heavy designer purse and smashed it into Liam.

"I'm hurting her today no matter what!"

"I want to see who you choose—her or your own mother!"

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The metal zipper on the bag slashed Liam’s forehead, leaving bloody streaks.

Katrina, hiding behind him, suddenly rushed out.

She dropped to her knees and started bowing her head repeatedly to the former Luna.

"Stop hitting him! Madam, I beg you, stop!"

"It's all my fault. Hit me. Please don't hit Liam."

Liam, who hadn't flinched while being beaten, suddenly panicked.

He bent down to pull Katrina up. "What are you doing? Get up."

Katrina shook her head, crying. She reached out a trembling hand to touch the wound on his forehead, looking as if she might faint from heartbreak.

"It hurts my heart... It really hurts..."

"You manipulative bitch!"

The former Luna lost it. She raised her hand to slap Katrina.

Liam saw it coming and dropped to his knees, pulling Katrina into a tight hug to shield her.

The slap landed on his back with a dull thud.

He didn't make a sound, just held the woman in his arms tighter.

The former Luna hit him several more times, but he refused to move.

Looking at her son, she clutched her chest and stumbled back two steps.

When she spoke again, her voice was choked with endless disappointment.

"Liam... you fool."

"How could you break Kate's heart like this for a woman you've known for three months?"

Liam looked up at his mother. He opened his mouth to defend himself, but then his eyes caught sight of Kate standing in the crowd, her face covered in tears.