Chapter 0ne

The Funeral

The rain fell without mercy.

Dark clouds swallowed the sky as mourners dressed in black stood in silence before the marble grave of Luna Selene Lucaster. The scent of wet earth mixed with the faint fragrance of white lilies that covered her coffin.

Lynnek stood at the front, her hands trembling despite her efforts to remain composed.

She had lost her mother.

The only person who had ever made the Lucaster Pack feel like home.

Her amber eyes remained fixed on the coffin as the elders lowered it into the ground. Every shovelful of dirt felt like another piece of her heart being buried.

"The Moon Goddess has welcomed our Luna," Elder Rowan announced solemnly.

A chorus of bowed heads and whispered prayers followed.

Lynnek couldn't hear them anymore.

Her mind replayed her mother's final words.

"Be strong, my daughter. The blood of true Alphas flows through you. Never let anyone steal what is yours."

Tears threatened to escape, but she blinked them away.

She would not cry.

Not here.

Not in front of them.

As the ceremony ended, pack members slowly walked away, offering hollow condolences before disappearing into the rain.

Within minutes, only a handful of people remained.

Her father, Alpha Victor Lucaster.

Her stepmother, Claudia.

Her stepsister, Aria.

And the council of elders.

Lynnek turned toward her father, hoping for comfort.

Instead, she found a stranger.

His face was cold. Empty.

As though the woman they had buried meant nothing.

A knot tightened in her stomach.

Something wasn't right.

Claudia stepped forward gracefully, dressed in an elegant black gown. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips—a smile she tried desperately to hide.

"Since our beloved Luna is gone," she said loudly, ensuring every elder heard her, "the Lucaster Pack cannot remain leaderless."

Lynnek frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

Claudia ignored her.

"I will assume the duties of Luna until a permanent decision is made."

The elders exchanged uncertain glances.

Before anyone could respond, Aria stepped beside her mother.

"The pack needs stability," she added sweetly. "Not a grieving girl who isn't ready."

Lynnek stared at her in disbelief.

"Is this some kind of joke?"

"It isn't," Aria replied, folding her arms.

"You know I'm the rightful heir."

Aria laughed.

"Were."

The single word echoed louder than thunder.

Lynnek looked at her father.

"Father... say something."

Victor avoided her eyes.

"The council will decide."

Her heart shattered.

"You know Mother chose me."

"The pack comes first."

"No," Lynnek whispered. "Power comes first."

Silence.

Not one elder defended her.

Not one.

She suddenly understood.

This wasn't happening because her mother had died.

This had been planned long before today.

Claudia stepped closer until only inches separated them.

"You should rest, Lynnek," she said softly, her voice dripping with false sympathy. "Leave leadership to those who are capable."

Lynnek's wolf growled inside her.

"I'll never surrender my birthright."

Aria leaned close enough for only Lynnek to hear.

"You won't have a choice."

A cold chill ran down Lynnek's spine.

For the first time in her life...

She realized she wasn't just mourning her mother.

She was standing in the middle of a conspiracy.

And before the next full moon...

They intended to take everything from her.