I Refused to Be the Alpha’s Substitute Luna

In my previous life, Alpha Johan spent eight long years in the countryside before returning to our pack’s territory. When he came back, he sighed over how his health had deteriorated during those trying years. My heart went out to him, and we began living together in what resembled a cordial but somewhat distant partnership. However, things changed when my mother-in-law, an Omega in our pack, brought a "relative" from a rival pack into our home.

This relative, Noemi King, arrived with her two young pups in tow. Touched by their situation, I often gave them clothes and food. Yet, every time I tried to help, she would glance at Alpha Johan with a pained, defiant look, tears nearly spilling from her eyes. This made him look at me with growing frustration.

"Who do you think you're insulting by always giving them your old clothes?" he snapped, his Alpha tone cutting through the room like a whip.

After that, Noemi seemed to dress better than I did, and her pups turned into little terrors, spitting at me daily. Only later did I uncover the truth: Noemi was actually Alpha Johan’s true mate from the countryside, a Luna from a rival pack.

In a flash of realization, I found myself transported back to the day Alpha Johan was preparing to leave for the countryside.

“Azaria, I’m not sure how long I’ll be away this time. Maybe we shouldn’t get the mate bond just yet?” Johan suggested hesitantly.

I nodded confidently. “Alright.”

“Azaria, are you serious?” He was taken aback by my unexpected agreement. His face turned a mix of colors, like an artist’s palette.

I replied sincerely, “Yes, Alpha Johan, if you believe it’s best not to, then we won’t.”

He seemed at a loss for words. “Actually, it's not that I—”

Just then, a colleague called out to me. I responded cheerfully, “Alpha Johan, I have to go now!”

I turned around, linking arms with my friend, a Delta in our pack, as we headed towards the coffee shop together.

My wolf stirred within me, a quiet whisper of doubt brushing against my mind. *Are you sure this is what you want?* she asked.

I pushed the thought aside. I had made my decision, and I wasn’t going to let Alpha Johan’s indecision or Noemi’s presence derail me. This time, I was determined to live for myself, not for him or his pack.