I stormed through the corridors of the pack house, my mother's silver pendant clutched tightly in my fist. The applause for Kehlani still rang in my ears, mocking me with each step. My chest burned with a mixture of rage and betrayal as I pushed open the heavy oak door to Wyatt's office without knocking.
"Alpha Wyatt," I began, my voice steadier than I expected. "I demand an explanation."
He looked up from his desk, irritation flashing across his features. "Celeste, this is hardly the time—"
"That tribute was meant to honor my mother," I cut him off, stepping closer. "Luna Helena was my mother. Not some prop for your chosen mate to play dress-up with."
Wyatt rose slowly from his chair, his massive frame casting a shadow over me. "You're being disrespectful."
"Disrespectful?" I laughed, the sound brittle even to my own ears. "You've just given away my mother's legacy to a woman who's been here five minutes!"
"I made a decision based on what's best for the pack," he said, his voice hardening. "Your mother's legacy is too important to be represented by a wolfless wolf."
The words hit me like physical blows. I took another step forward, refusing to back down. "I helped you rebuild this pack when everyone else abandoned you. I've earned the right to honor my own mother!"
Something dangerous flashed in Wyatt's eyes. "Enough."
The word slammed into me with the full force of his Alpha command. My knees buckled instantly, my body crashing to the floor as the weight of his power crushed down on me. I gasped, struggling to breathe as invisible hands seemed to press me into the carpet.
"You will stop acting entitled," he continued, his Alpha tone vibrating through my bones. "You will stop embarrassing yourself and this pack. You will know your place."
I couldn't move, couldn't speak. My wolfless state made me defenseless against his command. Tears burned behind my eyes as I stared up at him from my knees, seeing a stranger in the man I'd loved.
---
The next morning, I entered the pack dining hall with my head held high despite the invisible weight still pressing on my shoulders. The moment I stepped through the doorway, conversation died. Dozens of eyes turned toward me, some openly hostile, others filled with disgust.
"What's happening?" I whispered to myself, freezing in place.
A young omega quickly averted her gaze, but not before I caught the unmistakable look of pity in her eyes. On the table beside her lay a printed photograph—one I'd never seen before.
I moved closer, my heart pounding as I recognized myself in the image. It showed me in what appeared to be a compromising position with a warrior from a neighboring pack—except I'd never met the man before in my life.
"These photos are circulating through the pack mind-link," a voice said beside me. Kehlani stood there, her perfect features arranged in an expression of false concern. "I've been trying to stop them, but..."
She touched my arm with cool fingers. "We all know how... vulnerable wolfless wolves can be. Looking for protection, companionship. It's understandable."
The hall erupted in whispers as she spoke, her voice carrying just enough to ensure everyone heard her "defense" of me.
"I've never—" I began, but Kehlani cut me off with a sympathetic smile.
"We should get you some breakfast," she said loudly. "You look exhausted. All that... activity must take its toll."
---
"The final event of the Summit will begin at sundown," announced Gamma Ryan, standing guard outside the rehearsal hall. "The dramatic reenactment of Luna Helena's final stand is our most important tradition."
I approached him, hope fluttering in my chest. "Then I should be inside. The daughter always plays Luna Helena in the reenactment."
Ryan's expression shifted uncomfortably. "I'm sorry, Celeste. Those were the old rules."
"What do you mean?"
"The role has been... recast." He couldn't meet my eyes. "Alpha Wyatt felt it would be better handled by someone with... more presence."
"More presence?" I echoed, disbelief washing over me. "That's my mother's story. Her sacrifice. Her legacy."
"Celeste—" Ryan began, then stiffened as the rehearsal hall doors opened behind him.
Kehlani emerged in full costume—my mother's ceremonial armor, modified to fit her slender frame. "Is there a problem here?"
"Celeste was just leaving," Ryan said quickly, though shame flickered across his features. "She's disturbing the Luna's preparations."
I stood frozen as Kehlani's triumphant smile met my gaze. Behind her, through the open doors, I could see the stage where my mother's final battle would be performed—by someone who knew nothing of her courage or sacrifice.
"You can't do this," I whispered, but the words seemed to evaporate in the air between us.
Kehlani stepped closer, her voice dropping so only I could hear. "I can do whatever I want. I'm the future Luna of this pack."
Ryan moved to block my view as Kehlani swept away, leaving me standing alone in the corridor—excluded from my own mother's memorial.
