THE REVELATION

Roxanne's Point Of View

I slept for what felt like an eternity even though it was just two hours. I couldn't sleep for long, even though I wanted to and that was because my mind was unable to fully relax even though I was in the safety of Luna Kaitlyn's wing. The memory of Alpha Alejandro's rage and Alpha Theo's calculating gaze as I walked away, kept me on edge whenever I thought about it.

I was safe, yes, but for how long? And what new kind of hell had I just walked into? What kind of mess have my stepfather forced me into?

I rose up from the bed and walked towards the window, just so I could stare at the village below. I'd have loved to leave the garden and return to my favourite spot in the garden, but deep down, I knew that I wouldn't do it. Luna Kaitlyn brought me here to protect me. Therefore I can't go out.

The moment I reached the window, I realised that coming to the window was a mistake, because indeed Alpha Theo stood there, his hands behind his back as he watched me with great intensity. From up here, I could see the lust shining in his eyes. I tried to tear my gaze away from him. I wanted to look away, to cower in fear, but I didn't.

I have Alpha blood in me. And it'll be embarrassing for someone like me to cower in fear.

After what felt like forever, Alpha Theo turned around to leave, but not before smirking at me. That man was up to no good and I'll try everything possible to stay away from him. I hope I never get to stand before him in the future.

I sighed in relief now that Alpha Theo was nowhere in sight and I rushed back to bed and laid down. I didn't mind that I wasn't feeling sleepy at all. I just wanted nothing but to shut my eyes and sleep, anything to help me forget that icy smirk that Alpha Theo had stared at me with.

Thankfully, it didn't take long before I was engulfed with the cold arms of sleep.

★

The morning brought with it a soft knock on the door. "Child, are you awake?" Luna Kaitlyn's voice was warm. It was a stark contrast to the coldness I had grown to all these while.

"Yes, Luna," I answered, sitting up from the bed.

She entered a moment later, with a maid beside her. The maid was carrying a tray with a steaming bowl of something that smelled like cinnamon and fresh bread. I watched the maid intently as she set it on a small table by the window.

Luna Kaitlyn motioned for me to sit and I did, without hesitation.

"Eat, my child. You have a long day ahead of you, and we have much to discuss."

I ate in silence. Luna Kaitlyn didn't speak. Instead she was simply watching me with an expression that was both serious and kind at the same time.

When I had finished, she signalled the maid to take the tray away. Now that we were alone in the room, the old lady took a seat opposite me, her hands folded neatly in her lap.

"I imagine you have many questions," she began. "Why did I do it? Why did your mate allow such a barbaric tradition? And why did he hate you so much for saving you?"

I was surprised by her bluntness, but I didn't express it. I wanted to know badly. No one was telling me about them. Taking a deep breath, I answered. "Yes, Luna. I don't understand any of it."

"The truth is simple, and it's ugly," she said, her voice turning hard. "This 'introduction' is an old, vile tradition meant to humiliate and break a Luna before she can assume her power. It's a way for the Alphas to ensure they're still in charge. It's about control, not honor."

Luna? That means she and Alejandro's mother went through…. No. I shook my head. I didn't want to think about it.

My heart pounded in my chest as I tried to get my thoughts straight. "You went through it too?" I whispered, the thought of her suffering bringing a wave of pain to my chest. They didn't deserve it. No woman does. How can they come up with this sick tradition to prove that men were always in charge?

"I did," she said, a flicker of pain in her eyes. I wanted to wrap my arms around her and apologize to her, for the things she went through.

“So did Ophelia, Alejandra's mother. We both swore that no woman would have to endure such a thing again.” She paused. I could see the emotions dangling in her eyes. That was indeed a strange tradition. I can't imagine myself going through that.

Somehow, I was glad that Alejandro rejected me as his mate. Because if he hadn't, words will spread around that I was his mate and those old hags will want their stupid tradition to take place again.

“But it happened. Twice.” Luna Kaitlyn's voice dragged me back to reality. “Alejandro's father insisted on upholding the tradition. His first wife, the woman who was meant to be the Luna before Ophelia, didn't survive it. It broke her and she died not long after. She committed suicide as she couldn't live with the same and the memories of the awful things that was done to her.”

Poor woman! She didn't deserve it.

“Now, when Ophelia married my son, she went through the same hell, but she fought her way through it and survived. We swore then that we would end this. We wouldn't lose another daughter to this pack's pride. That's why I intervened."

A chill ran down my spine. Whoever came up with this tradition must be sick in the head. The wolves back in my pack are protective of their mates. They'll never let anyone else lay their hands on their mate, yet, here in this Pack, they have the guts to share their Luna with all Alphas of the clan?

What a sick tradition! It needs to be abolished, else it's gonna cause more harm than good. Anyways, that's none of my business for now. I have other things to concentrate on. I can't wait to give Alpha Alejandro what he wants and get the hell out of here.

“Can I ask a question, please?” I asked her and she nodded, urging me to go on. And I did. "But... Why does Alejandro hate me so much?"

She took a deep breath before answering. “He hates you because he is broken," The old lady explained, her voice softening a bit. “You may not know this, but my grandson had a mate before you. A mate he loved with his whole heart. He made it clear to everyone that once she became his Luna, that she won't undergo any stupid Introduction Ritual.”

Jealousy clawed at my heart as I heard her words. He loved her to the point of not wanting her to undergo that introduction stuff and here he was, forcing me to undergo it. My case was always different. And it fucking hurts.

“But she cheated on him. Trust me, my child, it destroyed him. He built walls around himself, convinced that every woman is the same. And I'm sure he believes that by putting you through the introduction, he would be forcing you to become someone he could never love, a reflection of the pain he has already endured. It's his warped way of protecting himself from getting hurt again.”

My stomach churned as her words sank in. The man was completely sick. His anger and cruelty weren't just random; they were a shield he has built out of trauma. He wasn't just my tormentor; he was also a victim of his own past.

Incredible!

“Jan has always been a vibrant youth, always smiling, but all of that changed because of her, because of Yvette.”

“Yvette, the lady in question, where is she?”

“Dead.” She gave a curt response. “He killed her the moment he found out about her infidelity.” She took my hands in hers and gave it a gentle squeeze. “But I promise you, my child. I won't let him break you.” She said in a firm but gentle voice.

"I will not lose another daughter to this pack's pride. You are under my protection now. The Alphas will be furious, especially Theo. They won't stop plotting. But as long as you are with me, they cannot touch you. You won't have to undergo the stupid introduction. That's a promise I made on the night of Ophelia's introduction and I plan to keep it until my last breath.”

A genuine, heartfelt gratitude flooded me. "Thank you, Luna. I... I don't know how to repay you. I don't think I can. Thank you so much.”

She smiled, a small but powerful gesture. "You will repay me by living. By not letting this vile tradition define you. Now, listen closely. This wing is my sanctuary, but it is also a fortress. We will not be leaving for some time. I will begin teaching you all that you need to know about this pack, its history, its people, and its secrets. Knowledge is power, and you are going to become a very powerful woman, Roxanne. Do you understand?"

I nodded, my mind reeling. I wasn't just a girl to be introduced anymore; I was a new piece on a very old chessboard. And I was under the protection of the queen herself. Once everything is over, I'll leave, hide from everyone and live my life in the human world.

"Good," Luna Kaitlyn said, rising from her chair. "Now, let's start with a tour. This is your new home, and it's time you learned how to navigate it.”