The sudden slap hit me so hard my mind went completely blank.
Willow’s eyes widened in shock,frozen where she stood, unable to believe they actually dared to lay hands on me.
“As one of Alpha's mother wolves,you dare sneak around behind the Alpha with a guard and even carry your bastard pup?”
“How desperate do you have to be for heat?”
“Just look at you,” another snarled, her lip curling.
“You’re filthy to the core.A born low-blood.”
“Wolves like you belong in the border dens,spread for any rogue that passes —not here, poisoning the Alpha’s territory!”
Their words sliced into me like cold steel.
Only then did I finally understand.
The shameless she-wolf they were talking about—was me.
My expression went ice cold.
“Watch your mouth,” I said, my voice low and trembling.
“I am the Alpha’s—”
Before I could finish,Before I could even say the name "Luna"Lyra’s hand came down again.
Another brutal slap.
“You worthless mutt,” she snapped, her eyes burning.
“In front of me, you think YOU get to claim rank?”
“Are you trying to die?”
The force knocked me backward,hot pain bursting across my cheek.
For a second the world tilted.
Thankfully, Willow reacted fast, catching me before I fell.
“Have you lost your minds?!How dare you—”
She stepped forward, trying to shield me.
But before she could finish, Lyra seized her by the hair.
“Since when do servants get to open their filthy mouths when ranked she-wolves are speaking?”
She yanked Willow’s head back painfully and turned to the others beside her.
“Teach this stupid bitch her place.Show her what pack discipline means.”
The females moved without hesitation.
Claws, fists, boots.
They fell on Willow.Over and over.
In just moments,her body collapsed against the stone floor,blood staining the cracks,her breathing shallow, her eyes unfocused.
My heart twisted.
I had spent months in seclusion for my pregnancy,but even I had heard of Lyra.
A new-ranked female.
Her brother was a dominant war-leader from the northern territories.
A vicious wolf known for crushing rivals.
With her looks, her bloodline,and the Alpha’s temporary attention…she had risen fast.
Too fast.
After securing her position,she even pulled in several she-wolves from noble bloodlines,forming her own inner circle.
They followed her like loyal dogs.
Together, they controlled territory resources,issued rules in the name of “pack order,”and eliminated anyone who didn’t kneel.
Rumors spread.
She-wolves who once caught the Alpha’s eye were framed, exiled, or thrown into the lower dens.
Some lived trembling lives.Some ended their own.
And as for those without favor?They never even dared meet her gaze.
Back then, I had assumed the stories were exaggerated.No one could really be that arrogant.
Not inside the Alpha’s domain.Not while his heir still lived.
But now, seeing them here…
I realized reality was worse than any rumor.
My gaze sharpened, claws digging into my palms.
“You’ve overstepped yourselves,” I said quietly.
“Even for pack law.”
Lyra crossed her arms, utterly unbothered,a lazy smile curling her lips.
“The entire inner territory answers to me now,” she said.“You think disciplining a she-wolf who broke pack codes is something worth fearing?”
The others laughed.
“Exactly!
These days, every female wolf in this territory has to bow to Lady Lyra.”
“And you?” one sneered.
“A forgotten, sealed-away mutt hiding in the inner den?You think you’re still anything?”
Another stepped closer, eyes filled with malice.
“Lady Lyra, we’ve purged so many troublemakers already.And this one almost slipped through our hands.”
“She’s worse than all the others.We absolutely can’t let her off easy.”
“Just looking at her makes my claws itch,” another hissed.
Their voices surrounded me.
Sharp.Poisoned.Hungry.
Like wolves circling a wounded deer.
I straightened slowly,pain spreading down my spine.
“This is your last warning,” I said, my voice steady despite the tremor.
“You’d better find out who I truly am before you go any further.”
Lyra burst out laughing.
“A hidden whore locked in the inner den,” she mocked.“What’s there to investigate?”
“My rank is recognized by the Alpha,” she continued coldly.
“My bloodline commands armies.”
“You think you can outrank ME?”
Her gaze drifted over the corridor,a faint, almost excited glint in her eyes.
“Honestly…” she said slowly.“This den has been far too quiet lately.”
“I’m in the mood to see some blood.
The others instantly understood.Their eyes lit up.They lunged.
Hands.Claws.Boots.All of it crashed into me.
I fell hard against the cold stone floor.Pain exploded through my body.Instinct took over.
I curled around my stomach,my arms locking around my swollen belly.
The place where his hands had once rested every night,whispering promises to the life growing inside me.
The place where he swore:“This pup will be Alpha after me.No matter what happens, I will protect you both.”
A memory.A lie.
Tears stung my eyes,but my voice still tore through the hall—“STOP!” I cried out, breath shaking.
“I am the LUNA!”
