Chapter 3
661words
"The Luna must attend," she says, her tone leaving no room for discussion.
"The Council of Elders requests your presence."
The Council of Elders.
Politics. Again.
As Luna of the Blackstone Pack, my "obligations" are endless.
Attend ceremonies.
Welcome allies.
Project the image of the perfect mate.
I've always hated it all.
But for Alexander, I've endured.
Our car approaches the estate.
Alexander drives in silence, occasionally glancing my way.
"You're quiet today."
"Tired."
"Rest early then. We'll sleep in tomorrow."
Tomorrow he'll find another excuse to disappear.
There's always an excuse.
We pull up to the estate entrance.
The imposing Blackstone mansion, centuries of pack history in stone.
Every visit suffocates me.
The butler emerges: "Alpha, Luna, the Dowager awaits in the great hall."
We enter.
Eleanor sits in the place of honor, elegantly sipping tea.
But beside her—
The seat that should be empty, or mine—
A young woman sits there.
Golden hair, white sundress, saccharine smile.
Jessica.
"Alex!" She jumps up, then sits back down with feigned shyness.
"Sorry, I got carried away."
Eleanor smiles indulgently. "Jessica, dear, don't be formal. This will be your home soon enough."
The air crystallizes.
Alexander's scent spikes with alarm.
"Mother, what exactly does that mean?"
Eleanor regards him coolly. "You think I'm blind? The entire pack gossips about your affair. Only your Luna remains in the dark."
Her gaze shifts to me, cold and calculating.
"Emma, three years as Luna and still no heir. The pack requires offspring."
"Jessica comes from the Morrison bloodline. Young. Fertile. Eager to provide what this pack needs."
My nails dig into my palms.
The pain keeps me grounded.
"The Thorn lineage has always maintained multiple Omegas," Eleanor continues.
"Each with their purpose. Emma handles diplomacy as Luna. Jessica provides heirs. Everyone benefits."
Alexander says nothing.
He doesn't object.
He's considering it.
I laugh suddenly.
"So that's how it is."
I stand and remove the moonstone necklace.
"Since the Luna position is being reassigned, this should go to its rightful owner."
The necklace clatters onto the table.
Eleanor frowns. "What do you think you're doing?"
"I quit."
I turn to Alexander. "Isn't this the freedom you've been wanting? Consider it granted."
His face drains of color. "Emma, that's not—"
"Then what is it?" I cut him off.
"Four months sneaking around with her. Giving her my necklace. Watching the moon with her during my heat."
"This is what you want, isn't it?"
"That's not—we didn't—" Jessica stammers, standing.
"Alex and I are just friends—"
"Is that what friends do?" I pull out my phone and open the saved screenshots.
The explicit messages.
The intimate photos.
The damning videos.
Eleanor's composure cracks.
The evidence is far more explicit than she expected.
"ENOUGH!" Alexander snatches my phone.
His Alpha pheromones flood the room, trying to dominate me.
Once, I would have submitted.
Now I just stare him down.
"Going to silence me, Alpha?"
"I never—Emma, please just listen—"
"Save it." I step back.
"Your birthday is in seven days. I have a gift for you."
"Until then, stay away from me."
I turn to leave.
Eleanor's voice follows me: "Luna, you have no right to leave. Your bond was witnessed by the Moon Goddess herself. You're bound for life."
"Legally, you remain Luna of this pack."
I pause.
"The law also states that a Luna may petition for bond dissolution."
"When an Alpha commits betrayal, that petition is automatically approved."
"And this evidence," I hold up my phone, "is more than sufficient."
A chair crashes behind me.
Alexander grabs my wrist.
"Emma, please, don't do this—"
His pheromones spiral chaotically, his Alpha instincts in panic.
But I've taken a double dose of suppressants.
His influence can't touch me.
"Let. Go."
"I'm begging you—"
"I said let go."
I wrench free and walk out without looking back.
Behind me, Eleanor berates Alexander.
Jessica sobs dramatically.
And I—I finally walk free.
