Chapter 6

I turned to look at Claude.

In this moment, I finally understood why his attitude had suddenly shifted.

It was all for Victoria.

Blood rushed to my head.

I bent down to pick up the phone and thrust the screen in front of Claude's face.

"So, this is what you meant by she'll never be a threat to my position?" I asked hoarsely. "You're paving a way for Victoria with the work I nearly died for?"

Claude's eyes wavered with guilt under my gaze. He looked away and said, "Heather, be reasonable. There's something I haven't told you. I'm planning to send Victoria into a political marriage.

"If it goes through, our pack will gain significant advantages. The other party is an Alpha from a major pack, so he has high standards. Victoria may be noble by birth, but her abilities are limited.

"Without some talent and achievements to her name, how could she establish herself there?"

His logic was flawless.

I let out an exasperated laugh and asked, "Then aren't you afraid I won't be able to secure my place in the pack?"

Claude hadn't expected this reaction from me. Anger flared in his eyes as he demanded, "Why are you being so petty? You're a powerful Beta, so the whole pack already acknowledges you.

"What use do you have for empty titles? But the same can't be said for Victoria. She's going to an unfamiliar pack. Without these accolades to her name, she wouldn't survive at all!"

Was that so? But how was it that I remembered, ever since Victoria came back, my glory and the faith of our pack had all become hers?

I'd once believed he simply didn't know how to love. But looking at the wolf before me, I realized I was wrong. In his subconscious, I was just a tool that needed no care, whereas Victoria was the one who needed protecting.

I was truly exhausted and no longer wanted to argue with him.

"Claude, please leave. I need to rest."

His expression darkened, and he threatened, "Heather, my patience has limits."

"Then stop being patient and just revoke my Luna position." I pointed at the door. "Get out, now."

Claude gave me a long, hard look, suppressing his anger. "Given that you've been wronged, I won't hold this against you. I'll pick you up tomorrow morning.

"If you've thought it through, the Luna position is still yours. Don't make a decision you'll regret."

He turned and left, his back still tall and proud.

Silence returned once more to the room.

I walked to my desk and pulled a thick stack of documents from a hidden compartment in the drawer.

They were the original manuscripts for the defense spell. On them were the restoration incantations that only I knew, something I'd traveled thousands of miles to obtain from the legendary mysterious priest.

As a core secret, not even the High Priest of the Moonwing pack, Fenris Kane, knew about them.

Originally, I'd planned to leave them for the pack, since the spell was my life's work. But now, I wanted to be selfish for once.

I tore the manuscript into tiny pieces and tossed them into the trash. Then, I turned and walked out the door.

Without the restoration incantations, the defense barrier would be on the verge of collapse at any moment.

Now, I was going back to take one last look at my life's work—not for Claude, but myself.

At the pack's ceremonial altar, Victoria stood on the elevated platform, draped in a pristine white robe like a holy maiden.

"I shall now activate the pack's territorial defense spell for everyone."

She raised the scepter in her hand.

Cheers erupted from the crowd. Some even knelt in worship, proclaiming that this was what a true Luna should look like.

I stood in the shadows of the crowd, watching yet another moment of glory that should've been mine being claimed by someone else. Despite myself, my heart clenched with pain.

Victoria wore a smug smile, her gaze sweeping toward me with open provocation.

I ignored her. I just wanted to see the results of three years of my hard work.

The spell activated, and a visible sphere of energy slowly expanded from the crystal ball.

If all went as planned, the spell would soon take effect.

Amid everyone's anticipation, the ceremony reached its critical moment. All hearts were in their throats.

But in the next instant, something went terribly wrong.

The crystal ball, which had been glowing softly, suddenly swelled and emitted a blinding flash. Then, it shattered into pieces with a bang.