Nyx’s POV
Alpha Darius had been furious with me ever since that incident. As I watched him—my fiancé, the future Alpha of the Ashenfang Pack—my hope withered more each day.
Thalia was always there. Always smiling, always laughing, always… too close. Closer than anyone had the right to be to my supposed Alpha. I knew what the whispers were—that I was meant for someone more powerful, more distinguished. But Darius was mine, and I was his. Or at least, he was supposed to be.
As I gazed out the window of my room, the weight of my impending wedding pressed down on me. In just a week, I was set to become Luna of this pack. Yet, instead of excitement, an unrelenting dread clawed at me.
Why wasn’t he here with me?
Every night, he vanished, spending hours with Thalia. The pack had already accepted her presence as if she rightfully belonged by his side. As if it wasn’t supposed to be me. When had it come to this?
A soft knock at my door broke through my thoughts. I knew before I even opened it—it wasn’t Darius. It was Ryker, his Beta, sent to deliver another excuse.
“Nyx,” Ryker greeted as he stepped inside, pity clouding his eyes. I despised that look.
“Alpha Darius… he’s busy tonight. He won’t be able to join you for dinner.”
Again. Busy with Thalia, no doubt.
“Busy with what, Ryker?” My tone was sharp, and I made no effort to conceal my irritation. “Pack matters or her?”
Ryker hesitated, shifting uncomfortably under my gaze. “He… it’s—”
“It’s always her,” I bit out, pushing past him as I stormed down the hallway toward Darius’s study.
Ryker followed, his voice edged with warning. “Nyx, don’t do this. He’s—”
“He’s what? My Alpha? My future husband? Or is he just Thalia’s toy now?”
I shoved the study door open, and there they were. Darius sat behind his desk, while Thalia leaned over him, far too close, her hand resting possessively on his arm—like she had every right to touch him.
“Nyx.” Darius’s voice was sharp, icy. He looked at me like I was the one intruding, like I was the one who didn’t belong.
My wolf stirred beneath my skin, her hackles rising. This level of disrespect was unbearable.
“Alpha, we need to talk. Alone.”
Thalia straightened, flashing me that same saccharine smile that always grated on my nerves.
“Oh, don’t worry, Nyx,” she purred, her voice thick with false innocence. “The Alpha and I were just discussing pack matters.”
“Pack matters,” I repeated, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “In my packhouse? Wearing my clothes? Using my things?” I turned to Darius, but he didn’t even flinch.
He stood, his imposing presence towering over me, but I refused to cower.
“Thalia stays,” he stated, his voice final.
My heart clenched, but I lifted my chin, refusing to betray my pain.
“I’m your fiancée. Your future Luna. She has no right to be here during our conversations.”
Darius’s gaze hardened. “And I’m the Alpha, Nyx. I decide who has the right to be here.”
My wolf paced restlessly within me, seething. “You’re the Alpha, and I’m supposed to be your Luna. But lately, it feels like Thalia’s been the one taking that role instead of me.”
Thalia moved even closer, resting her hand on his arm again.
“Nyx, you’re misunderstanding,” she cooed, feigning innocence. “I would never try to replace you. I’m just here to support Alpha Darius. We’ve known each other since childhood. It’s completely innocent.”
Innocent. The word was acid on my tongue.
“Don’t act like this is normal. You’re always around him, always taking what’s mine.”
Darius’s growl filled the room, cutting me off. “Enough, Nyx. Thalia is family. You’re making a spectacle over nothing.”
Nothing? My fists clenched at my sides.
“You think this is nothing? Watching my so-called Alpha spend all his time with another woman, letting her wear my clothes, use my things, and disrespect me is nothing?”
Thalia let out a delicate, pitiful whimper, her eyes wide with mock sadness.
“I’m sorry, Nyx. I didn’t mean to upset you,” she murmured. “If you want, I can leave… I just didn’t want to be alone.”
Darius pulled her close, shielding her as if I were the threat.
“You’ve done enough,” he snapped at me. “Thalia’s not going anywhere. If you can’t accept that, maybe you’re not fit to be Luna.”
His words struck deeper than any physical wound.
How had it come to this? How had I, daughter of the Alpha King, once revered and respected, been cast aside for some she-wolf playing the victim?
I stepped back, my wolf howling in agony inside me, but I swallowed the pain. I would not cry. Not in front of him. Not in front of her.
“Fine,” I whispered, my voice trembling with restrained fury. “But remember this, Darius—Luna or not, I am still the daughter of the Alpha King. And I will not be disrespected.”
For a brief moment, Thalia’s mask slipped, her tearful expression vanishing, replaced by a victorious smirk. She knew she had won—for now.
I turned sharply on my heel and strode out, finding Ryker waiting outside. His gaze flickered with concern, but I shook my head.
“Don’t,” I warned, voice firm. “Not tonight.”
