“What Moonbond Ceremony are you talking about?” Alden asked, his brow drawn tight, confusion clear on his face.
I smiled slowly, with care, letting the words rest between us like a quiet threat. “The Moonbond Ceremony you will not attend.”
He blinked, clearly caught off guard. “Whose ceremony? Not… not ours, right, Liora?”
I tilted my head, releasing a soft, mocking breath as I stepped closer to the Alpha. “Of course not ours. You have not even marked me yet, Alden. I am still only your chosen Luna, am I not?”
I brushed my fingers lightly over his arm, just enough to unsettle his wolf.
He pulled back at once, shaking my hand away. “Liora… do not act this way. You are still recovering. Just… rest.”
I swallowed the pain that cut deep into my chest. He did not even pretend to care now. How foolish I had been to believe in his bond.
Draven leaned against the stone doorway, folding his arms. “Wait. Why are we not invited, Luna? We have shared cycles together.”
“She is of a distant bloodline,” I said evenly. “You would not know her. My mother wishes me there to stand for our pack.”
“And Selene?” Draven pressed. “Will she go with you, Luna?”
I lifted one shoulder. “No. She has no tie to that bloodline. She is only my adopted she-wolf. There is no reason.”
Alden laughed, clearly pleased. “Good. Then, while you are away, we can travel to Bloodmoon Territory.”
Bloodmoon Territory. My breath caught. That land had been my dream territory for cycles, yet they always claimed it was wasteful.
“Yes,” Draven added casually. “The healer has cleared Selene to travel next moon. We will make the journey.”
“Without me?” I asked, though my wolf already knew.
Alden smiled and I did not return it. “Do not worry, Luna. We will send you a gift for the ceremony. Perhaps garments. Now rest. We must escort Selene to her next healer visit.”
And just like that, the Alpha and Beta turned away again.
I said nothing. I only nodded and closed the chamber door behind them. So this was my place now, a silent presence in another wolf’s life.
Fine. Let them believe I remained. I would leave quietly, vanish without sound. No one would notice and when they did… regret would follow. I only needed time.
Later that afternoon, I finally left my chamber and entered the manor’s hearth room, craving warmth. Soup, perhaps. Something real, not prepared for show.
As I opened the cold storage and began slicing roots, I heard it, a soft step behind me.
I turned slowly.
Selene stood there, wrapped in a pale wool garment, her hair braided neatly. The picture of a fragile, harmless she-wolf.
“I did not know you were awake,” she said sweetly, leaning against the stone counter. “I thought you were still injured… or perhaps pretending?”
I ignored her, cutting steadily.
“I mean,” she continued with a light laugh, “did you truly go to the Healer Sanctum? Or were you lying because I was there, taking attention?”
I set the blade down and met her gaze. “I am not like you.”
Her face hardened. “What do you mean by that?”
“You hunger for attention,” I said calmly. “You always play the wounded one.”
She scoffed, her voice turning sharp. “You are jealous. How does it feel, Luna, knowing Alden and Draven choose me now? Your mate, your protector, both mine. And you? You are nothing.”
My wolf flinched, just enough for her to notice. She smiled.
“You should leave this manor and Crownfang Pack,” she said softly. “You no longer belong.”
I turned back to the pot, stirring slowly, refusing to give her more.
“Still pretending you are above this?” she mocked. “Very well. I will help cook. They will enjoy it.”
I spun toward her. “No, Selene. I do not need help.”
“I will prepare something anyway,” she said cheerfully, taking a blade. “Let us see whose they prefer.”
She stepped closer, cutting fast and carelessly, clearly on purpose. I moved aside, letting her continue.
Then….
“Ah!” Selene cried, dropping the blade. Blood welled on her finger.
“You must be joking,” I whispered.
Too late.
“Alden! Draven!” she cried out. “Help! I am hurt! Luna Liora did nothing!”
Heavy footsteps thundered down the stone passageway.
The Alpha and Beta burst into the hearth room, alarmed.
Alden rushed to her side. “What happened? Are you wounded?”
“She ignored me,” Selene sobbed, clinging to him. “I was bleeding and she just watched!”
I stood frozen, ladle in hand.
“You did not help her?” Draven barked. “What is wrong with you, Luna?”
Selene held Alden tightly.
“I tried,” she whispered. “But she pushed me away.”
“I did not touch you,” I said quietly.
But no one listened.
