The moon-daisies bloomed perfectly tonight, their silver petals catching the light as I arranged them in crystal vases around the great hall. Thirty years. Three decades of devotion, sacrifice, and careful cultivation—of both these flowers and the Ironhowl Pack.
"More candles in the east corner, Elena," I instructed the young Omega, smoothing down my ceremonial silver gown. "The elders prefer brighter lighting."
"Yes, Luna Luciana." Elena scurried away, her movements quick and efficient.
I touched the moon-daisy pendant at my throat—my secret talisman, my reminder of what once was and what could have been. Theodore's pendant. My fingers lingered there as I surveyed the hall one final time.
"Everything is perfect," I whispered to myself. "It has to be."
The great hall of Ironhowl Pack House glittered with silver and blue decorations. Crystal glasses caught the light from hundreds of candles, casting rainbow prisms across the faces of our pack members as they filed in. The scent of traditional feast foods—venison roast, wild berry tarts, and moon-blessed wine—filled the air.
"Mother." Rex appeared at my side, tall and handsome in his formal attire. My heart swelled with pride. "You've outdone yourself. The hall looks magnificent."
"Thank you, dear." I reached up to adjust his collar. "Where is your father?"
"Speaking with Elder Marcus near the ceremonial fire." Rex's eyes darted around the room. "Is everything ready for the announcement?"
My pulse quickened. "Yes. Your father will make it after the traditional howl."
The announcement. After thirty years as Luna, Cash would finally declare me his true mate in front of the entire pack. Not just his Luna by duty, but his chosen one. The thought made my wolf stir with anticipation.
The ceremonial howl began as midnight approached. Cash stood tall at the center of the hall, his Alpha presence commanding attention. I moved to stand beside him, my hand reaching for his.
"Tonight," Cash's voice boomed across the hall, "we celebrate thirty years of Ironhowl's prosperity."
The pack howled their approval. I smiled, waiting for my moment.
"But tonight is also about our future." Cash's eyes swept across the crowd, deliberately avoiding mine. "About the true bloodline that will carry Ironhowl into greatness."
A chill crept up my spine.
"It is time I announce who will stand as Luna when the next Alpha rises." Cash's voice hardened. "Georgina Flores will return to her rightful place as Luna of Ironhowl Pack."
The hall fell silent. My lungs constricted as if all oxygen had been sucked away.
"Georgina's son, Rex, will be recognized as my heir." Cash continued, oblivious to the shocked gasps around us. "The Ironhowl legacy will pass through her bloodline."
"That's not possible," I whispered, my voice shaking. "I am your Luna. I have been for thirty years."
Cash turned to me then, his eyes cold as winter frost. "You were never my choice, Luciana. Only my necessity."
The words hit like physical blows. My wolf howled in anguish inside me.
"This is ridiculous," I said, louder now. "The pack will never accept this. I demand a Luna's council to—"
"Silence!" Cash's Alpha tone crashed over me like a tidal wave.
My knees buckled instantly. The force of his command drove me to the floor, my body betraying me as it always did when faced with his Alpha power.
"Never question my decisions again," he growled, looming over me. "You will serve as Omega until Georgina arrives tomorrow. Then you will serve her."
Humiliation burned through me as I knelt there, unable to rise against his command. Around us, the pack watched in stunned silence. No one moved to help me.
The doors to the great hall swung open with dramatic timing. A figure stepped through, her scent reaching me before I could see her face.
"Hello, Ironhowl," Georgina's voice purred across the hall. "I've come home."
She moved with calculated grace, every step designed to draw attention. Her dark hair cascaded over shoulders squared with confidence, her eyes finding mine immediately.
"Luciana," she said, her smile sharp as a blade. "How kind of you to prepare my home for my return."
Cash released his Alpha command, allowing me to stand on shaky legs. "Georgina," he breathed, his voice softening in a way I'd never heard before.
Rex pushed past me, his eyes bright with something I couldn't identify. "Mother," he said—not to me, but to her.
Georgina opened her arms, and Rex embraced her without hesitation.
"Rex," I called, my voice breaking. "We need to talk."
He turned, his expression suddenly cold. "There's nothing to discuss. She's my real mother."
As Cash led Georgina toward the Luna quarters—my quarters—he paused to look back at me.
"Pack your things, Luciana," he ordered. "You'll be moving to the servants' wing tonight."
Georgina's triumphant smile burned into my memory as she took my place at Cash's side.
And in that moment, as my world collapsed around me, I made a silent vow: This humiliation would not be the end of my story.
